James Perry Drake (1797 - 1876)

Born 15 Sep 1797 in Edgecombe, North Carolina, United States [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Priscilla Holmes (Buell) Drake — married 23 Jan 1831 in Dearborn, Indiana, United States

Died 12 Aug 1876 at age 78 in Huntsville, Madison, Alabama, United States

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Biography

James Perry Drake was one of eight children of Albritton Drake and Ruth Collins.

James emigrated from Mason County, Kentucky to Indiana prior to 1820. He was married in 1831 in Dearborn County, Indiana to Priscilla Holmes Buell, a daughter of Judge Salmon Buell who'd settled in Butler County, Ohio prior to his death in 1828.

He was elected and served as Clerk of Gibson County, Indiana consecutively for 16 years. He was receiver at the land office in Vincennes under Pres. Andrew Jackson. He was in the service of the government during the Black Hawk War, was made a colonel and put in command of the First Regiment of Indiana Volunteers who during the Mexican-American War. He moved to Indianapolis, Indiana prior to 1850 and was there regarded as one of the most prominent and wealthy citizens. He was elected and served two terms as Indiana State Treasurer, 1850-1853.

James went south during the U. S. Civil War and was not permitted to return to Indiana, loosing much of the wealth he'd accumulated there. He was of Madison County, Alabama when he made his will dated 3 July 1776, stating he was "in a very feeble state of health and knowing that I cannot survive but a few days..." He passed away at his farm in Madison County, Alabama the following month.

His will named his wife P. Holmes Drake his sole beneficiary and administratrix. His will was presented for probate and proved in Marion County, Indiana 14 July 1877, likely because his widow chose to reside in Marion County with their daughter Ruth after his death.

Note: Findagrave edit request to change death location from Marion County, Indiana to Madison County, Alabama sent 11 May 2023 by H. Kleine.

Sources

• [1] 1850 Household of James P. Drake, Marion Co., IN.

James P Drake, age 50 b. Kentucky - occup: Treasurer of State

Priscilla H Drake, age 36 b. New York

Ruth Drake, age 16 b. Indiana

Almyra B Drake, age 13 b. Indiana

James P Drake, age 11 b. Indiana

Ann Drake, age 9 b. Indiana

Presilla B Drake, age 4 b. Indiana

Geo P Bevell, age 22 b. Ohio - occup: Clerk

Catherine Gollwan, age 20 b. Ireland

Peter Tilman, age 18, (B) b. Indiana - occup: Labor

Elizabeth Tilman, 16, (B) b. Indiana

Van Beuran Tilman, 13 (B) b. Indiana

Mariah Jameson, 17 b. Indiana

• [2] 1860 Household of James P. Drake, Decatur Twp., Marion, IN.

James P Drake, 61 b. Kentucky - occup: Farmer

Priscilla H Drake, age 47 b. New York

James P Drake, Jr., age 21 b. Indiana

Ann B Drake, age 19 b. Missouri

Prescilla B Drake, age 14 b. Indiana

Frank Drake, age 5 b. Indiana

John Givan, age 61 b. Pennsylvania

Maj Wm T H Brooks, age 37 b. Ohio occup: U.S. Army

America B Brooks, age 23 b. Indiana

Edward Murphy, age 30 b. Ireland occup: Labor

Sarah Smock, age 25 b. Ohio occup: Servant

Henry Small, age 16 b. Ohio

• [3] 1870 Household of James P Drake, Madison, Alabama

John P Drake, age 73 North Carolina - occup: Farmer

Priscilla Drake, age 58 New York

Frank Drake, age 15 Indiana

• [4] Obituary of Gen. James P. Drake. The Indianapolis News. Indianapolis, Indiana · Wednesday, August 16, 1876
• Will of James P. Drake. Marion Co., IN. Will Record No. F (1876-1882), p. 234-235.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 April 2021), memorial page for James Perry Drake (15 Sep 1797–12 Aug 1876), Find a Grave Memorial no. 38532856, citing Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama, USA ; Maintained by Daryl & Barbara (Biggs) Mallett (contributor 46984947)

• WikiTree profile Drake-1472 created through the import of My Family Tree.ged on Jul 17, 2011 by Wesley Ogden. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Wesley and others.