George Callin (1804 - 1879)

Born 2 Aug 1804 in Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Ann (Lewis) Callin — married about 1832 in Ohio, United States

Descendants

Died 12 Feb 1879 at age 74 in Monroeville, Huron, Ohio, United States

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Biography

George Callin was the son of John Callin and Elizabeth Simon, born on 2 Aug 1804 in Pennsylvania. George married Mary Ann “Polly” Lewis about 1832 in Ohio. Polly Ann Lewis was born about 1812 in New York.^[1]

George and Polly lived in Butler, Darke County, Ohio in 1840. They soon settled in Peru Township, Huron County, Ohio, and by 1850 they had established a farm in Ridgefield, near Monroeville.^[2][3][4][5]

George Callin and Polly Ann Lewis had six children:

• John C. Callin (1830-1905)
• Minerva (Callin) Smith Robinson Daggett (1834-1895)
• William H Callin (1834-1919)
• Sabra Ann Callin (1837-1849)
• Lovina (Callin) Rickey (1839-1877)
• Amelia A (Callin) Horton (1849-1899)

George and Polly not only raised their large family on their farm near Monroeville, but they may also have played a larger role in America's history. In a brief 1973 memoir written by Rosemary Callin, the daughter of George's nephew, the George W. Callin who compiled The Callin Family History, she recalled a story told to her by her father. According to Rosemary:

"Father said they were warned not to say nothing at school about it, but their cabin was a station on the Underground Railway. I don't know whether it was William or Elizabeth, probably the latter, who awakened them softly in the middle of the night and led them to the window. The moon flashed out and they saw a white man, maybe William, leading a string of blacks through the clearing around their cabin and into the woods. They were on their way to Great Uncle George's barn. From there he would take them onto the next stop."

“William” refers to Rosemary’s grandfather – the younger brother of George Callin of Ridgefield. William’s family lived in Peru Township during the 1850s, so if we can credit the story handed down to Rosemary, George Callin’s Ridgefield farm was likely part of the Underground Railroad.

George died on 12 Feb 1877 at age 72 years, 6 months, and 10 days, and was buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Monroeville, Huron County, Ohio. Polly survived her husband and remained in Monroeville, Huron County, Ohio, where she died on 29 Feb 1884 at age 73. Polly was also buried in Riverside Cemetery.^[6][7][8]

Sources

1. ↑ Callin, George W. (1846-1921) The Callin Family History, United States: Tad Callin, 2015. Print on demand from Lulu, Inc. (Available through WorldCat Interlibrary loan, OCLC Number: 910940769).
2. ↑ 1840 U.S. Federal Census, Place: Butler, Darke, Ohio; Pg: 38; FHL Film: 0020163.
3. ↑ 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Place: Peru, Huron, Ohio; Roll: M432_697; Pg: 132B; Image: 471.
4. ↑ 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Place: Ridgefield, Huron, Ohio; Roll: M653_990; Pg: 183; FHL Film: 803990.
5. ↑ 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Place: Monroeville, Huron, Ohio; Roll: M593_1225; Pg: 536A; FHL Film: 552724.
6. ↑ U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial #31059301.
7. ↑ 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Place: Monroeville, Huron, Ohio; Roll: 1035; Pg: 213B; Enum Dist: 154.
8. ↑ U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial #31059376.