It was said he was from Plymouth Colony stock and his ancestors came from the time of the Mayflower. The book "History of Licking County" , in the account of John Oldham, a grandchildren of Isaac, says this of Isaac. "The Oldham family originated in Oldhamshire, England, and was established in this country in the sixteenth century. Two brothers, John and William Oldham, emigrated to America from Oldhamshire and settled on a Jersey plantation, where John was killed by the Indians. William, who settled in what is now New Jersey, was our subject's great- grandfather. The date of his arrival in America was 1634. Grandfather Oldham followed the trail of the soldiers of the Indian War and settled at West Alexandria, known generally in the early days as "Hard Scrabble."

There are different references to Isaac's birth place. One said he came from Massachusetts to Westmoreland, Pennsylvania in the long ago, was raised in Westmoreland and moved to Ohio County Virginia in 1796. Another source says two or three brothers came from England and settled in South Carolina. They moved to Vermont and later settled in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Isaac Sr. was born and married in Vermont and Isaac Jr was born in Bedford County Pennsylvania. Yet another says he came from New Jersey to Western Pennsylvania, then settled in Ohio County, Virginia with members of his family.

Isaac's first spouse was Mary Younger, both of Manallin Meeting declare their intention of marriage on 11 Sept and 9 Nov 1762 at Wellington Meeting House. They married on 20 October 1762 in the Quaker Warrington Meeting House, York County Pennsylvania. James and Mary McGrew was their witness and nearest relative.

Isaac Oldham, of Menallin Meeting, hathe been so unstable as to be baptized or sprinkled with water 12-12-1767. He offers something which is not satisfactory, 5-7-1768. Isaac is then disowned on 1 November 1767 at Wellington Meeting House, York, Pennsylvania. Then in following, Mary Oldham, wife of Isaac, hath compiled with the form of water baptism, and justifies her conduct there in- disowned on 10 August 1768 at Wellington Meeting House, York, Pennsylvania.

On 4 September 1768 at York, Pennsylvania it is record that Isaac "absconded to defraud his creditors" Evidence indicates that both went South to Virginia or Maryland and according to one source, Mary is buried in Frederick County, Virginia.

Isaac's second spouse, our ancestor, was Sarah Anderson and they married in Bedford county Pennsylvania. I do not know much about Isaac's marriages. I hope to find more information in the future.

All of Isaac and Sarah's fourteen children were born in Pennsylvania. Thomas, his second oldest son was said to be born on the banks of the Allegany River, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Isaac Jr, was born somewhere in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania ( was it on the Youghiogeheny River as I mention earlier) and Robert, in Claysville, Washington County Pennsylvania. Isaac Jr., Thomas, James and Robert later moved to Ohio.

If Isaac was a Quaker, he was not true to his faith, as he participated in the Revolutionary War. He began military service in 1778 at Westmoreland, Pennsylvania and was an non-commissioned officer and then a private in Capt. John Vanmeter Company in Col Benj. Davis's 4th Bn, Colonel Army, known as the Pennsylvania Rangers. He militia duties was "Running the boundary line between this state and Virginia" at Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. He ended military service on 14 June 1782.

It has been said he made many trips by flat boats or Kentucky "Broadhorns," between 1783 and 1800. On one of these trips the convoy of boats was attacked by the savages, when some forty miles above Louisville. The first fire of the Indians on the arched roof of the boats resembled a hail storm from the glancing balls. All the boats escaped, except Greathouse, which was captured, landed and destroyed, those on board taken captives from whom nothing was ever heard of them. On the arrival of the other boats at Louisville, a detachment of cavalry was sent in pursuit of the Indians, but without avail in 1783.

. He received pay of one pound, 11 shillings, 6 pence for his active duty in the Revolutionary War beginning 06 Jun 1782 to 14 Jun 1782 on 10 July 1784 at Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. He lived in 1795 at Rostraver, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania; and was paying taxes there.

He then followed the trail of the soldiers from the Indian War and settled in West Alexandria, known generally in the early days as "Hard Scrabble" which is about 12 miles east of Wheeling, in 1796. Another account says "Sometime after the war ended, Isaac and his older sons, settled in the Dallas area, which is now West Virginia."

James Ross, Esq. of Pittsburgh and Ann his wife sold to Isaac Oldham of Ohio County, Virginia, four hundred acres on waters of Middle Wheeling Creek joining Walter Summers, for $400 on 22 June 1799 at Middle Wheeling Creek, Ohio, Virginia.

Isaac was a witness to the will of Samuel Holmes on 15 August 1799 at Ohio, Virginia.

Isaac Oldham and Sarah his wife sold to James Patterson of Westmorland County, Pennsylvania for twoo Hundred dollars, one hundred and niney six acres on waters of Wheeling Creek on 22 August 1801 at on the waters of Wheeling Creek, Ohio, Virginia.

Isaac entered into an agreement with William Anderson concerning William's mother Catherine Anderson on 10 June 1802 at Washington, Pennsylvania.

Isaac Oldham and Sarah his wife sold to James Oldham for the sum of fifty dollars a tract of land containing ninety eight acres on Middle Island Creek on 1 September 1804 at Middle Wheeling Creek, Ohio, Virginia.

Isaac then issued charges against William Anderson for braking aggreement they had made concerning William's mother Catherine Anderson on 5 December 1804 at Washington, Pennsylvania.

William Anderson, late of Washington County, Pennsylvania, was summoned to answer Isaac Oldham of a plea that he hold to him the covenants and agreements between them made according to the ____ _____ and effect of a certain deed thereof made be the said William and not performed _____ had whereupon the said Isaac by James Ross his attorney sawth that whereas the said William and Isaac by their deed with each of their seals sealed at the county fore-said and bearing the date the 10 June 1802 did enter into covenants of agreement with each other as follows to writ_______first the said William Anderson is to deliver up all of his mothers clothing, both wearing apparel and all others provided his mother should be fit to return to William Anderson; said William doth agree to carefully attend and maintain her which she thinks proper to sends with him, like wise said William to give her his mother her wheel (?) and by the said deed and ________said Isaac did consent covenant and agree with said William that he the Said Isaac whole said Catherine Anderson, mother of said William, doth her proper to reside with said Isaac that he the said Isaac would carefully keep and attend her a cause it to be done and id said Catherine should see proper to remove from said Isaac said Isaac did agree to give up all and surrender the property of her; that is then in proportion.

And the said Isaac saith that the said William hath broken his covenants so made as aforesaid with the said Isaac in this that he did not deliver up to his said mother when she chose to return and did return to the house of the said Isaac all her clothing and other property by detained and withhold the fame and when his said mother was desiring to return and live with him the said William and reside with him he did utterly refuse to retrieve and admit her into his house by reason of which ________ she was compelled to return to the house of the said Isaac and _______ with him to wit on the e first day of Jan 1803 at the County as foresaid and state doth remain and made at the house of the said Isaac and is maintained at his costs and expenses without any aid or contribution from the said William.

Whereupon the said Isaac saith that the said William hath not kept his covenant and agreement so made with him as foresaid by hath broken the fame and all the other ______hath ______and stole________to keep or ______the fame to his damage two hundred dollars lawful money of Pennsylvania and _________and he brings here into court the contents foresaid sealed with the _____of said william and Isaac as foresaid and dated as above set forth which fully testify the covenants and agreements by the said William with the said Isaac as above mentioned in February 1805 at Washington, Pennsylvania.

He appeared on the census of 1810 at Ohio, Virginia; and stated his age was 45 and upwards.

He appeared on the census of 1820 at Ohio, Virginia; and stated his age was 45 and upwards.

Isaac died after April 1821 and before September 1821 The following is his will he left.

In the name of God Amen I Isaac Oldham of the County of Ohio and Commonwealth of Virginia being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks to God, calling to Mind the Mortality of my body that it is appointed to all men to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in these life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Sarah a full and complete maintenance victualing and clothing out of my plantation also bed and bedding sufficient with the use of dresser and house hold furniture and also a horse suitable for her to ride when she may think proper and the full use and possession of my present dwelling house during life, Also I give and bequeath to my son William Oldham the sum of one dollar, My daughter Sarah one dollar, my son John one dollar, also to my son James the sum of one dollar, in addition to what they have previously received, to my son Robert Oldham I give and bequeath the sum of one hundred dollars as follows Viz twenty dollars immediately after my decease and twenty dollars yearly till the whole is paid, I do also give convey and bequeath to my son Samuel Oldham to his proper use and behoof to him and his Heirs forever my plantation to possess immediately after my decease on condition of paying out of said estate or of his own all the above mentioned sums and securing to and providing for my widow his Mother all the above mentioned privileges and accommodations and in addition to the aforementioned to keep a constant supply of wood made ready for her with suitable attendance if infirm or indisposed and decent burial after death, said Samuel Oldham is to hold all the moveable property to me belonging not reserved to his mother during her life by having the same appraised by Judicious persons as also that to be possessed by his Mother all of which be shall be accountable for and bring to sale at her death and pay the amount to my sons Thomas and Isaac and my daughters Catherine, Mary, Esther, Alley, Elizabeth and Hannah to each an equal sum.

I do here by make appoint and ordain my wife Sarah executrix and my son Samuel Oldham executor of this my last will and testament to execute and conduct all things concerning my estate as before directed and do hereby renounce disallow of and disannul all former wills and bequests as witness my hand and seal this 23rd day of April A.D. 1821

Isaac's will was proved in Court at September Term 1821. By November 1, 1821 Isaac Oldham's property had been appraised. Here is account of what our four great grandfather had in his household back in 1821.

Isaac Oldham Jr

Isaac Oldham Jr. was born November 8, 1779 at the forks of the "Yaw", to Isaac and Sarah Oldham. Isaac lived his first seventeen years of life at the "Yaw," a name for the Youghiogeheny River in Pennsylvania. In 1796 his father moved the family to Ohio County, Virginia, which is presently West Virginia .

In the summer of 1805, Isaac Jr., at the age of 25, left home, around Wheeling, on foot, traveling westward along Zane's Trace. He carried with him an ax and a gun on his shoulder. He soon reached the Wills Creek Crossing in what is now Cambridge, Guernsey County Ohio. He was enticed to go westward because of the lack of money to buy his new bride a home in Virginia. At that time Virginia land was getting scarce and was expensive. Isaac had heard that Ohio, which had just recently been admitted to the union, had excellent land and could be obtained from the government at a small cost per acre.

During his travel westward, for several days he had been walking alone through a nearly uninhabited country, seeking a suitable location for a future home. At the Wills Creek crossing, when he arrived there were two or three log cabins occupied by members of the Gomber, Metcalf, Hutchinson and Beatty families. There was a small clearing around the cabins, but all the territory within the present boundaries of Cambridge was thick forest. On his arrival, Isaac learned that Gomber and Beatty were planning to lay out a town. He liked the country and decided to remain for a time, mean while he looked about for a suitable location to place his home. Isaac assisted Gomber and Beatty in clearing and staking off 140 lots which is now the town of Cambridge.

Isaac did not want to locate in town, being a farmer, he wanted a farm outside of town. Isaac could choose just about any location he pleased and as many acres as he wanted at one dollar and twenty- five cents and acre, to be paid for at the land office in Zanesville. We may suppose, that he roamed the woods in every direction in search of the most desirable place to settle. He chose a location in the broad Wills Creek Valley north of the newly platted town. It was second- bottom land, fertile, free from floods and well drained. Isaac purchased 160 acres of this land from the government in the spring of 1806.

With the ax he had carried with him from Virginia, he cut such logs in a size he could handle alone and raised a cabin near a strong spring of water. The floor of the cabin was the earth, the roof was clapboards weighted with poles. No door was hung, the crevices between the logs were not chunked and daubed with clay. A bed was made by driving a forked stake in the ground near one corner of the cabin, the poles extended to the crevices in the walls and upon the poles a tick filled with leaves was laid. For a table he used a split section of a log into which four legs were driven and blocks of wood served as chairs.

After Isaac had built his cabin and cleared a patch of ground around it, he went back to Virginia to married Sarah Marling. They were married at Roney's Point near Wheeling, Ohio County, Virginia on February 7, 1806. In February of 1807 Isaac and Sarah left for their new home in Ohio.

The return was over Zane's Trace again, but this time he did not walk. Both he and Sarah rode horses, carrying a few articles to be used in housekeeping. One account says Sarah's Parents went with him and another says they bid them good-bye and wish the Godspeed. Remarking that she needed a riding switch, her father then pulled a small sprout from the root of an apple tree planted near in the ground and handed it to her.

She used the switch her father gave her in their long journey. When she reached their new cabin she noticed some small roots hanging from the end of the switch. Hoping that it might take root and grow, she planted it below their cabin in the fertile soil. It did indeed grow and has continued to grow since that day. It was reported 135 years later in 1942, as being the oldest apple tree in Guernsey County and probably the oldest in the state of Ohio. Just a few years after Sarah planted the tree it began bearing apples. They were what are called "Common Fruit," yellowish and somewhat sour and ripening in the late summer. Each year the tree has borne its crop of fruit and continued to do so in1942. The main trunk is hollow and the branches are gnarled, the truck is eight feet three inches in circumference, one and a half feet from the ground. The tree is about thirty feet in height.

The couple made their home in the wilderness and it was there that Sarah proved to be worthy helpmate. She made the little cabin in the wilderness as attractive as an oasis in the desert to her husband's eyes. The cabin was still standing in 1942 and near the site of the cabin was a large log barn about thirty feet by sixty feet, that Isaac built in 1820. Isaac and Sarah occupied the cabin until 1822 when they built a new home on the site of the old cabin. This new home was built of stone quarried form an adjacent hill. In the high ceiling basement mad of massive hand hewn beams was a wide wood fireplace. The above interior finishing were dressed by hand. This was the first house other than a log cabin that was built in the township.

Isaac and Sarah were members of the Wills Creek congregation of the Reformed Dissenting Presbytery which was located near Miller's Mill in Liberty Town. Isaac served as a elder there until September of 1850. Before that they were members of the Old Seceder Church.

It is written that Isaac and Sarah had twelve children. Nine of the twelve children made it to adulthood and most stayed in Ohio to their death. On August 7 of 1851 Isaac made out his will appointing his sons Moses and Marling to be the executors of his will, John Marling and James Oldham was witnesses. In his will he leaves the property they lived on to his wife Sarah, and other property in both Guernsey County and Licking County to his children along with money. He also left money to his grandchildren. Isaac lived to be seventy one years old and died September 3, 1851, just before his seventy second birthday

Sarah died June 14, 1869, ten days after her 85th birthday. Her obituary reads

After Sarah death her last will and testament was lost, or destroyed by some unknown means. This will was made out by Thomas Oldham at her request. As a witness in court he testified, " Sarah Oldham at the time of her death lived in Cambridge township and she died on the 13th day of June 1869. I was at the residence of Mrs. Sarah Oldham about the last of March or first of June 1869 and at that time wrote a will for her, which was done at the request of her sons, it being the remodeling of a former will written by John McCall. This will was a new will.. She desired me to change the old will. The suggestion was made in her room and in her presence that certain alterations be made in her will or in other words I was asked if I would make certain alterations that she desired in her will. I then wrote a new instrument making the alterations she desired. I took the will after it was written and went in her room, there being no other person present but herself and there read the will to her. She objected to a bequest of three hundred dollars made to her son Thomas that being the mount in the old will and upon my suggesting an inter lunation in that particular she said no saying as that amount was already written there to let it stand as written and stating that all the other changes made was as she desired. ...............

Her grandchildren was the last to see her will and testified the following..... " I Rachel J Long of lawful age, .......I was acquainted with Sarah Oldham, deceased at the time of her death, she was my grandmother. I was at the house of grandmother where she died on the Monday after her death. On that day I saw a will that was executed by my grandmother. I saw said will in a bureau drawer in the room where she died and was then a corpse. It was wrapped up in a piece of newspaper in a pocket book. I opened it and looked at it, but did not read it. I glanced over it and saw what it was , saw that it was grandmother's will. The will was sighed by Sarah Oldham and signed by William Garey and Thomas Oldham as witness. After we looked at it, we closed it up and put it back in the drawer, closed up in the pocket book as it was. My sister Elizabeth Baxter was with me. I did not see the will afterwards." "I Sarah Elizabeth Baxter, of lawful age............depose and say That I knew Sarah Oldham my grandmother I was at her house where she died after her death. I was there at the time she died and remained there until after she was buried. On Monday evening after her death I saw a will in the top drawer of a bureau that stood in the corner of the room where she died, the will was in a pocket book and the pocket book was wrapped up with newspaper around it. I did not read the will through, but examined it enough to know that it was Sarah Oldham's will. It was signed by Sarah Oldham and William Garey and Thomas Oldham. The date of the will was in March 1869 but I do not recollect the day of the month. I did not know the hand writing of that will. My sister Rachel Long was present when I looked at the will. My sister first opened the pocket book and after we looked at the will she put it back in the pocket book and then put the pocket book back in the drawer. I know the pocket book to be grandmother's. I have not seen that will since.

Marling Oldham was called to witness, " I Marling Oldham of lawful age .....That I am a son of Sarah Oldham, deceased. On Wednesday evening before her death, I was at her house and saw her then and at that time she told me she had executed a will and that it was in her pocket book and she then requested my brother Samuel and I to execute the will after her decease. She did not state where the pocket book was. I know at the time where she kept her pocket book having done all her business. I saw the pocket book in the bureau drawer frequently. The bureau stood at the foot of the bed in the room she occupied. On Tuesday evening after the funeral of my mother I made search for the will and I found the pocket book in the top drawer of the bureau where it had usually been kept and examined the pocket book but found no will in it. I searched the bureau through where I thought it would likely and could not find the will. My brother John made further search through the house but I left before he finished. None of us boys have been able to find the will after search. I never saw the will and did not know what was in it until after the death of mother and then only from hear say. Mother had no other pocket book than this one that was kept in the drawer.

From the statements of Thomas Oldham and William Garey, witnesses of the will of Sarah Oldham the court reconstructed Sarah Oldham's will as the following:

I, Sarah Oldham of Guernsey County, state of Ohio, being in my usual and good state of mind, do here in, after the payment of my funeral expenses and debts, would resign my body to the grave and bequeath my soul to God who gave it and bequeath my real and personal estate as follows, to wit: First I give and bequeath the house in which I now live and the ground belonging to it about fourteen acres to Sarah Baxter. I give and bequeath to Thomas my son three hundred dollars. And I give and bequeath to Samuel my son, four hundred dollars, and to my sons John and James and Moses M. and Marling each four hundred dollars. And I give and bequeath all my household goods and wearing apparel and two hundred and fifty dollars to Sarah Baxter. And I give the remainder of my effects to my sons Samuel and John and James and Moses M and Marling. I appoint as the executor of this my last will and testament

Isaac and Sarah are buried in the Old City Cemetery in Cambridge, Ohio.

More land was added to the original 160 acres until the Oldham farm became one of the largest in this section. On it is Oldham grove where picnics used to be held annually. Marling Oldham built a large brick house near by. His son, Isaac J., married and went in the old stone house, and it was there he died in 1939, at the age of 82. The old stone house in 1942 was occupied by Isaac's daughter , Mrs. Clara E Mason, and her son Edgar O. Mason.

The following is stories handed down of adventures experiences of Isaac in the new land of Ohio.

Samuel was born March 1 1792 to Isaac Oldham and Sarah Anderson in Pennsylvania. He married Rebecca Wylie on the 6th of May in the year 1813 in Ohio County Virginia. They had at least eight children, Isaac, Wylie, Benjamin, John, Samuel, Mary, James, Caroline and Amelia. Samuel was a farmer and owed about 73 acres of land worth about $2,550. 00 in 1870.

Samuel was a schoolmaster and was hired by the the Western Missionary Society March 7, 1815. The WMS appointed Rev. Michael Law to hire a layman as a schoolmaster for the Seneca Indian town where the Chief Cornplanter was living. He was hired at the rate 250 dollars per annum including furnishing their provisions for him and his family, paying all the expenses to remove them to Corn Planters town.

On May 1, 1815 the W.M.S. resolved that the following appropriation be made for the establishment of the Missionary Station among the Indians. They issued $25.00 to Samuel Oldham for extra expenses, for removing to Corn Planters Town and $80.00 more in advance on account. They then payed him $7.50 for travelling expenses to Pittsburg and $30.00 to buy a cow. Messrs. Hunt and Davis were then appointed to obtain a mode of conveyance by water for Samuel Oldham, schoolmaster, and his family to their place of destination, which was Corn Planter Town.

The W.M.S. board then instructed the secretary, ordered to attend to the affairs of the school house and schoolmaster in Corn Planter Town, to attend to the communications from Mr Oldham. They furnish him from time to time with whatever was necessary for the support of the Mission and then make a report to the Board.
This is a statement of the budget for the school.
205 lbs bacon at 15 cents - $30.75
3 barrels flours 6/50 - $19.50
a hand saw - $2.50
2 augurs - $2.121/3
1 hatchet and 1 chysel and 1 lock - $2.00
2 tea canisters and acoffee pot - $2.00
medicine - $4.00
1 corn plow - $1.00
8 1/2 lbs of coffee - $3.50
1 ax and crubbing hoer and drawing knife - $5.75
1 rheam paper - $3.75
Books and stationary - $9.65
Coffee, tea and c - $4.50
total amount $100.771/2.

In 1816 the Reverend Mr. Timothey Alden, representing the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Indians of Norht America, visited Cornplanter's Town and the school there. He found that Samuel Oldham, schoolmaster, had alredy succeeded in persuading the seven households still located on the grant to discontinue the annual calendar of religious ceremonies and no longer to profane the sabbath by hunting, amusements, nor any kind of labor. "Such already is the happy effect of the example set by Mr. Oldham and his family."

On May 6, 1816 they recorded this statement of the budget for the Indian School.......to Samuel Oldham in cash $50.00;
to Samuel Oldham in cash $10.75;
for beef, pork, salt and c.....$15.661/2;
2 Barrels of flour........$11.00;
Carriages......$14.00;
Mr Clellands account ..........$34.75;
Chittenden and Farmels account........$5.00.

On 17 June 1816 W.M.S. reported that they have had some conversation with Corn Planter the Indian Chief and Mr. Oldham the Schoolmaster on the continuance of the school among the Indians and the manner of providing for it the ensuing year.

On 03 July 1816 W.M.S. had some conversation of the propriety of increasing the salary of the Schoolmaster, Samuel Oldham, and paying him in money instead of making provisions for his family. It was on motion, resolved that the salary be augmented to five hundred dollars. They then resolved that fifteen dollars be allowed to Samuel Oldham for assisting in taking up his family to the Missionary Station and that one hundred and thirty dollars be appropriated to the Schoolmaster as salary. The next day they had recorded, "On the account between the Western Missionary Society and Samuel Oldham, Schoolmaster, are settled up to 1st July 1816 ......as per accounts filled. Witness our hands, Francis Herron and Samuel Oldham By error in settlement in favour of Samuel Oldham twenty four dollars and forty cents......F. Herron.

On the 10th of Dec 1816 they ordered that the secretary issue a warrant for the amount of fifteen dollars on order from Mr. Oldham and again for $788.82 for his service as a schoolmaster to the Indians in behalf of the W.M.S. board, which was the amount of his accounts to that day. They then on motion, resolved that Mr Samuel Oldham be continued for another year as a teacher at Corn Planters Town, on the some conditions as before and that Mrs. Oldham be requested to employ some part of her time in teaching the female Indians the domestic arts for which compensations would be made.

In 1817 when Alden returned to preach in Cornplanter's house he found that the schoolmaster, Samuel Oldham, was holding religious services every Sunday. On 11 Oct 1817 they ordered warrants be issued in favour of Samuel Oldham for forty seven dollars.

Again on 28 April 1818 they ordered another warrant be issued in favour of Samuel Oldham, schoolmaster, for one hundred and fifty dollars on the treasurer. They then resolved that Mr Samuel Oldham continue for another year as teacher at Corn Planters Town on the same conditions as before and also Mrs. Oldham was requested to spend some of her time in teaching the female children the domestic arts. On 23 June 1818 they resolved that Mrs. Oldham be allowed 40 dollars for her past services and 10 dollars per month for her future services in the Mission.

A letter from Samuel Oldham was recorded and read on September 8, 1818, it stated several unpleasant circumstance in relation to ye school at Corn Planters Town. In response to the letter the board reported that they were taking the contents of the letter into serious consideration. After some discussion they unanimously resolved that Rev Michael Law be respectfully requested to visit the school at Corn Planters for the purpose of obtaining and forwarding to the board all necessary information in relation to the school in its present circumstances. On October 10, 1818 they resolved that Rev E. Mourdy be appointed for one month to visit Corn Planters Town with a view to obtain if practicable any of the Indian youth to complete their education. Mr Law was appointed to write to Peter Crouis on the above subject by Mr Oldham who is now dismissed from Missionary Service.

A final settlement took place on September 1, 1819 between the Western Missionary Society and Samuel Oldham, in which they ordered a warrant be issued for $194.86 which includes the $40.00 dollars appropriated to Mr. Oldham.

Samuel Oldham signed as one of the witnesses to a land deed that was drawn up between the Seneca Indian Chief, Cornplanter, who was residing at the Indian village called Jenesedaga in Warren County , Pennsylvania and a Martin Reese on March 29, 1821. Martin purchased three lots in the town of Warren from Cornplanter for the balance left owing on the land of 50 cent. On April 4, 1821 Samuel was sworn in on his oath and testified to Daniel Jackson J.P. that he and Robert Arthur was present and saw Cornplanter sign, seal and deliver the deed.

Samuel went on to say that he did explain the nature of the deed to Cornplanter and from his being well acquainted with Cornplanter , having lived at Jenesedaga in the capacity of schoolmaster, he states that he does believe that the said Cornplanter did understand the nature and effect of the said deed.

In 1822 the Rev. Amos Chase, a missionary under the Presbytery of Erie, came, and formed out of this nucleus what was termed the First Presbyterian Church of Warren. It consisted originally of nine members---viz., Abner Hazeltime nad Polly his wife, Colonel J.M. Berry and Eunice his wife, Samuel Oldham---who was in the employ of the Pittsburgh Synod as teacher of the Indians at Cornplanter town, John Andrews, Mrs. Rose Eddy, Mrs. Margaret Hackney and Mrs Amelia Winter, all of whom except the last-named were received by letter. He lived in 1822 at 14 miles up the river, Cornplanter, Warren, Pennsylvaina.

By 1830 Samuel had moved his family back to his home at Triadelphia Borough, Ohio county, Virginia, which lies on the border of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Samuel lived his life out in the old home that was once his fathers.

Samuel was the execitor of the probate of Jame Smith in March 1830 at Ohio, Virginia.

Samuel died in 1876 and left a will which was published in the local paper. Here is what Samuel and Rebecca had in their household in 1876.

Rebecca died one year and one month before Samuel on February 3, 1875. Samuel and Rebecca are buried in a West Alexander, Washington County, Pennsylvania cemetery on Route 40. The stones that mark their graves was at the request of Samuel Sr. ;in which he requested that markers be placed at their grave in his will.

Samuel was born the 20th of March 1809 in Cambridge, Guernsey County Ohio to Isaac and Sarah Oldham. He was the oldest son of nine children, Rachel being his oldest sister. His first name was after his uncle on his father's side, and his middle name, Marling, was after his mothers maiden name.

Samuel, age 21 first married Mary Sherrard, age 22 on the 27th of January 1831 in Guernsey County, Ohio. Samuel Findley a U.P.G. pastor of Washington, Wills and Fairview townships conducted the ceremony.

Samuel Oldham, son Isaac Oldham, granddaughter Mary and her son

Mary Oldham nee Sherrard died in 1844 in Cambridge. Samuel married a second time to Mary Wilson on 26 February 1845 in Cambridge. They had at lest four child with Mary Wilson.

Politically Samuel was a Abolitionists, and was one of the five original Abolitionists of Cambridge. He was active in the "underground railroad" and aided the escaping slaves. Because of the danger and the secrecy of being an Abolitionists, their is not much written on the individuals that participated in the Underground Railroad. After the war he was a Republican and for the last few years a Prohibitionist.

In early life he became a member of the Associate Reformed church. After the union of the U.P. church he became a member and remained a consistent member during the rest of his life. Samuel died August 1, 1890, about one year after his photograph, he is buried in the Founders Cemetery in Cambridge.

Samuel Marling Oldham was the oldest resident of Cambridge, who was bon in the township, died at the residence of his son, Isaac A. Oldham, Saturday, August 2d, and was buried Sunday August 3d. He was born in Cambridge township in 1809 and resided here till 1870, when he removed to Charleston, Coles County and has since resided with his son. He was first married to Mary Sherad, to them were born six children, subsequently to Mary Wilson to whom were born seven children. Four of the children are living, viz: Mrs. S.M. Cook, of Washington , Isaac A. of Cambridge, John L., of Paola, Kansas and Armintha, who resides in Terre Hante, Indiana. All were present at the funeral except Mrs. Cook In early life he became a member of the Associate Reformed church, and after the union, with the U.P. church of which he remained a consistent member during life.

He was one of the five original Abolitionists of Cambridge township, afterwards a Republican. And for the last few years a Prohibitionist. The funeral services were conducted by Dr. McFarland, assisted by Dr. Milligan.

Samuel Oldham, son of Samuel and Rebecca, was born sometime in July 1826 in Ohio County, West Virginia. He was the 5th child in the family of ten.

It appears that Samuel might had married three times. Samuel's wife's name, from his first marriage, is unknown. To this first marriage Jennie Ellen Oldham was born in August of 1853 in ether Pennsylvania or Virginia. At age 23 Jennie married Robert Patterson in 1876 and they moved to Osage County, Kansas to farm. They first lived in Valleybrook, Kansas and later moved to Junction and Vassar Kansas. Jennie was in touch with the family up to her death after 1907. Robert and Jennie had two sons, Albert Oldham Patterson and Robert W Patterson. Jennie's first son died before the age of ten. I know nothing about Jennie's mother or what happen. I just know Jennie was Blanches half sister.

His second marriage was to Mary Jane Oldham, 4 Feb 1858 in Cambridge, Guernsey County Ohio. Mary Jane was his first cousin once removed; Samuel Jr was first cousins with Mary Jane's father, Samuel M. Oldham. This was a short marriage and ended tragically, Mary Jane dying from one of the diseases of that time, consumption. Mary Jane and Samuel's first and only child, our great grandmother Blanche Lizabeth was born on 16 January 1859 in Pennsylvania. Mary Jane died when Blanche was 16 months old in West Alexander, Washington county, Pennsylvania . She is buried in the Dallas Cemetery in Wills, Ohio County, West Virginia. She is buried by a child with no date named Elizabeth Oldham. I have no proof but from the lack of mention of Mary Jane in a bibliography of her husband Samuel and the lack of mentioning Samuel in Mary Jane obituary leads to believe the marriage might have not been approved. Not long after Mary Jane's death Samuel married his third wife, Sarah Wirt, commonly called Sallie. They was married in June of 1861. To this marriage they had eight children.

The following is a bibliography of Samuel Oldham.

SAMUEL OLDHAM was born in Ohio county, West Virginia near where he now resides, in 1826. He received his education principally in the common schools, although he attended West Alexander Academy. He was a member of the board of education for six years and has always taken a deep interest in schools, churches, &c. He married Sarah A. Wirt in June 1861. They are the parents of eight children, viz: Gertrude E., Samuel, Alfred L., Howard Wiley, Charles Wirt, Anna Laura, Sarah Leona and Barrazilla. Mr. Oldham owns 160 acres of land, and followed farming as his vocation.

Strange why there was no mention of Jennie and Blanche, was they not raised by him and his new wife? In 1850 and 1860 Samuel was living with his father, siblings, Jennie and Blanche in the postal region of Dallas in Ohio county, West Virginia. By 1870 he was living in the town of Tridelphia near Wheeling Ohio county, West Virginia. I believe Samuel and Sarah moved to Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio after 1876.

This map of the eastern border of Ohio, the pan-handle of West Virginia and the western border of Pennsylvania, shows you how close West Alexander, Wheeling and Bellaire are. West Alexander is a border town around Interstate 70 going to Washington, Pennsylvania, and Bellaire is just across the river from West Virginia on Ohio soil.

Died

The deceased is the daughter of S.M. Oldham and formerly a resident of Cambridge, Ohio. At the age of 18, she became a member of the Secession Church, in which capacity, she was respected and loved by all who knew her. She was truly a pious and God- fearing women and her life has ever been one continual round of sunshine. She was a bright object in the home circle, with her kind words and pleasant countenance she shed a hale of light on each member of the family group. But she was not given to us to be with us always. "He who doth all things well" claimed her as His own and has called her home to bask forever in a Saviors love.

During the past year we could see her sands of life were fast running out, and knew her stay would be brief. It was with much satisfaction and comfort to her friends to see her departure: she assured them that "all was well", and she was going home to dwell in peace forevermore, repeatedly she said, weep not for me your loss will be my gain.

As calmly as the sun sinks to rest she passed away and angel wafted her happy spirit to home beyond the skies.

Death is ever an unwelcome visitor to the abode of peace, when it crosses the threshold it always takes for its victim the one upon whom we place our hearts best affections.

Sweet it is to know that when we have crossed time's river and moared our bargues in the heaven of rest we will meet there those who have gone before - far in that happy clime " They are waitin_______".

S.P.

Finding Blanche Lizabeth Oldham's Mother

My quest to find my great grandmother, Blanche Oldham, mother's name started with a tin picture of a younger woman with faint writing on the back in pen. The writing said "Mother's mother died when mother was 16 months old". It was addressed to Mrs. J.M. Hodgen, My great Grandmother. The handwriting is suspected to be her daughters Ann E. Hodgen Hardy. I do not know who wrote the address.

Here are the clues and the process I undertook to identify Blanche's mother

1. Blanches maiden name was Oldham

B. Blanche's , Robert Hodgen, states her maiden name was Oldham; Letter about the Hodgen family written by Robert Hodgen in 1971

2. Blanche had a half brother by the name of Bazil Oldham, his father was Samuel Oldham Jr and his mother was Sally Wirt.

B. A biography of Samuel Oldham Jr in the History of the Pan-Handle, West Virginia

C. Entry in Grandma Ann E. Hodgens autograph book, signed Uncle Bazil

D. Census record 1880 Belmont County, Ohio Bellaire 1st Ward sheet 64, Barzillia, age 2, son of Samuel Jr and Sarah Oldham

3. Blanche's oldest brother had a last name of Oldham

B. Census 1870 in Samuel Oldham's Jr household, the oldest male child is Samuel Oldham III, age 5, Ohio County, WVA, Tridelphia town, page 5

C. Census 1880 in Samuel Oldham's Jr household Samuel III age 15 is son of Samuel Jr and Sarah, same census of Bazil in Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio

D. Census in 1900 Washington County Pennsylvania West Finley Township sheet 5 page 346 lists Samuel Oldham III age 34 with a daughter named Mollie age 11

E. A biography of Samuel Oldham Jr in the History of the Pan-Handle, West Virginia

4. Blanche had a half sister named Jennie E. Oldham

B. picture with writing on the back in Grandma handwriting "Uncle Robert Patterson married Mother's oldest half sister Jennie E. Oldham

5. Blanche Lizabeth Oldham's father was Samuel Oldham, Jr

B. Blanches oldest brother was Samuel III and his father was Samuel Oldham according to the 1880 census

C. 1860 to 1880 census shows Blanche was in the same Samuel Oldham Jr household, in 1860 and 1870, as Bazil Oldham was in, in1880

D. Blanche was in the household of Samuel Oldham Jr in Census 1860 Ohio County West Virginia Post office Dallas page 546, listed by her nickname ,Lizzie B, for Blanche Lizabeth, age 1, born Pennsylvania and again in Samuel Jr household in the Census 1870 Ohio County West Virginia Tridelphia Town page 106 listed by name Elizabeth, age 10 born Pennsylvania (census taker's misspelling, should have be Lizabeth)

6. Samuel Oldham Jr, father of Blanche, is the son of Samuel Sr and Rebecca Oldham of West Virginia

B. census 1860 Ohio County West Virginia post office Dallas page 546 . Samuel Jr, age 33, born Virginia, is in the household of Samuel Sr, age 69 and Rebecca, age 70, Ellen J and Lizzie B. is listed under Samuel Jr but no mother is listed

C. Samuel Jr is named in the will of Samuel Oldham Sr., husband of Rebecca, Ohio County Will book 5, page 248, 20 March, 1876.

7. Ann E. Hodgen's Great Grandfather, Samuel Oldham Sr, father of Samuel Oldham Jr, died in Ohio County, West Virginia, 10 March 1876 and is buried in West Alexander, Pennsylvania

8. Blanch L Oldham had an Aunt named Sarah M Oldham, married name Cook, nicknamed Aunt Sade. Sarah M Oldham, born in Cambridge Ohio, 25 March 1833,is the daughter of Samuel M. Oldham.

B. Picture of Howard Cook written on back in Ann E Hodgen's handwriting " Howard Cook (Aunt Sade Cook's youngest son) Aunt Sade was Mother's Aunt.

C. 1850 census Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio page 274 shows a Sarah M Oldham born 1833 in the household of Samuel M Oldham.

D. Samuel Oldham's obituary in the Jeffersonian news paper, Aug 7, 1890

9. Ann had an Uncle Isaac Oldham, born 7 Dec, 1837, who was the son of Samuel Oldham, (Ann was mistaken, Isaac was her Great Uncle and her mother, Blanche's, uncle)

B. Samuel Oldham obituary in the Jeffersonian newspaper, Aug 7, 1890

C. biography of Isaac A Oldham in the History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Carchet

D. Four generation picture, taken at Mackey in Cambridge, Ohio. Written on the back in two different handwritings, one older than the other, the older one says " 1889" at the top then down from the date it is written ....

10. Blanche Oldham's Grandfather was Samuel M Oldham of Cambridge, Ohio.

B. Sarah M Oldham was her aunt

C. Isaac A Oldham was her uncle

11. Blanche Oldham's mother died

B. Picture of a women taken at O. C. Henry, Bellaire, Ohio, written on the back in Ann E Hodgen's handwriting "Mother's Step Mother"

12. Samuel M Oldham had a daughter named Mary Jane Oldham

B. Mrs Mary Jane Oldham obituary, from the scrapbook of Sarah M Cook in the possession of Mrs. Argent of Coupeville, Washington, she is a great granddaughter of Sarah Cooks

13. Samuel Oldham Jr married Mary Jane Oldham 4 Feb 1858, in Guernsey county, Ohio

B. License record

C. Obituary of MRS. Mary Jane OLDHAM

D. Mortality census Wheeling, WVA, for person who died during the year ending 1st June 1860, states she is married.

14. Blanche L. Oldham birth date was 16 January 1859

15. Mary Jane Oldham died 16 months after the birth of Blanche Oldham, on May 25 , 1860 in

A. Obituary of Mrs. Mary Jane Oldham

B. Mortality census Wheeling WVA, for person who died during the year ending 1st June 1860

C. Burial record, buried in Dallas Cemetery

D. Tin Picture with writing on back stating Blanche's mother died when Blanche was 16 months old

16. Blanche's mother was born in Ohio.

In the light of the evidence I have, my conclusion is the mother of Blanche L Oldham is Mary Jane Oldham, daughter of Samuel Marling Oldham, and her father is Samuel Oldham, son of Samuel Oldham, Sr.