Jonathan Jarrett (1778 - 1834)

Born 23 Jul 1778 in West Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Anderson) Jarrett — married 11 Sep 1803 (to 1812) in Kanawha, Virginia, United States

Husband of Mary Rebecca (Wilson) Jarrett — married 4 Jan 1814 in Greenbrier, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 28 Apr 1834 at age 55 in West Virginia

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Biography

It should be noted that the spelling of the last name which was originally "Gerrad" in Berks Co, PA records, was changed to Jarrett, Garret, Garred, Jarred, etc. by various county clerks in VA records. For consistency, I will use Jarrett here. Jonathan is confirmed as an heir of David Jarrett, Sr. in Kanawha Co, WV Deed Bk E:160 (see below under March 28, 1817) Jonathan was one of the administrators of his father's estate.

Jonathan was born on 23 July 1778 the son of David Jarrett and his 1st wife. He was born at his family's home on Wolf Creek, then known as Jarrett's Fort or the Wolf Creek Fort, now in Monroe Co, WV, east of Alderson and west of the little town of Wolf Creek. His mother died a few years after his birth, and his father remarried in 1785. Around 1796, the Jarretts sold their land in Greenbrier Co and moved farther west to Kanawha Co where Jonathan's father had already purchased a great deal of land. There they settled on the Kanawha River near the mouth of Witchers Creek.

In 1803, when Jonathan was 25, he married Sarah Anderson--probably a widow--as the Kanawha Co marriage records show her as Sally Shirkey.

Three years later, Jonathan purchased his own 72 acres on the Kanawha River near his father and brothers and when Jonathan's father died shortly before Oct, 1808, Jonathan and his brother-in-law, Peter Lykins, were made administrators of his estate.

Not only was Jonathan adding land to his holdings, he and Sally were also adding children to their rapidly growing By the 1810 census, Jonathon and Sarah had two sons and three daughters under 6 (one every year???) and one slave. They lived in the same general area as his brothers Squire “Jarrad” and David “Jarred.” The children included Mordecai, Leah, Davis, Nancy, Mary and Margaret.

In 1812, Sally died, possibly in childbirth as she was only about 30 at the time. This left Jonathan with 6 young so it wasn't surprising that he remarried about a year later to Rebecca Wilson on January 4, 1814 in Greenbrier Co.

For the next decade, Jonathan and Rebecca continued to add more land, more slaves and more children in Kanawha County. In March 1817, Jonathan and Rebecca sell a piece of the land he inherited from his father for a goodly sum of $1000 but with his brothers obtain a warrant for more land in the same area.

The 1820 Kanawha Co census confirms a significantly larger household than a decade before. Jonathan, now 42, and Rebecca have 3 children aged 16-26; 4 children ages 6-10; and 5 children under six, along with 8 slaves. The census also shows 3 are involved in agriculture and 9 in manufacturing-perhaps salt manufacture as that was area in which it occurred.

Then again, in 1824, he buys more land from his brother John. But two years later, Jonathan and Rebecca begin to sell off much of their land (for $4000) and set free some of their slaves, undoubtedly in preparation for a move to Sangamon Co, IL, following Jonathan’s daughter and son-in-law, Achilles Morris and others from Kanawha and Cabell counties.

By 1828, the Jarretts had moved their large family to Sangamon Co, IL settling a mile and a half south of the present town of Loami where others from WV had settled two years earlier. Loami township is in the southwestern quadrant of the county, on the county line with Morgan county. Jonathan appears there on the 1830 census as a male 50-60 with wife 30-40, and children--two under 5, 3 ages 5-9, 1 aged 10-14, 3 ages 20-29. Also listed with the family are 3 free colored people, 2 men and a woman over 55.

Power writes that Jonathan "owned slaves in Virginia, and brought two of them with him to Sangamon county. Others followed, and they were all content to work as they had done in slavery--some of them even better. One of them was a tanner, and by his aid Mr. Jarrett carried on tanning for many years.”

According to "Morris & Jarretts of WV", Jonathan donated the land for the Sulphur Cemetery, where there is a Jarrett addition. Two blacks, "Aunt Cretia" Bundy and son Moses, are buried close to Jonathan and Rebecca. It seems probable that they were among the slaves that came with the Jarretts from Virginia.

Jonathan died there in Loami Twp. on Apr. 28, 1834 at the age of 55. He was buried at the Sulphur Springs Cemetery, Sangamon Co, IL on land he donated for the cemetery. His wife Rebecca Jarrett lived another 29 years, dying on Dec. 11, 1863, also in Loami township.

EARLY SETTLERS OF SANGAMON COUNTY - 1876 By John Carroll Power pp 408-409:

“ JARRETT, JONATHAN, was born July 23, 1778, in Kanawha county, West Virginia. He was married there to Sarah Anderson. They had six children, and Mrs. Jarrett died Oct. 28, 1812. Mr. Jarrett married Jan. 1, 1814, to Rebecca Wilson. They had six children in West Virginia, and moved to Sangamon county, Ill., arriving Nov., 1826, and settled one and one-half miles south of the present town of Loami, where two children were born. Of his fourteen children--

“ MORDECAI, born Dec. 21, 1803, in West Virginia, was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and died, unmarried, in Sangamon county Feb. 5, 1856.

“ LEAH, born Feb. 27, 1805, in West Virginia, married there to Achilles Morris. See his name. He was Captain of a company, and died in 1847, in Mexico. His widow married L. Samples. He died in Sangamon county, and she moved to Missouri with her children, and died there in 1871.

“ DAVIS, born Dec. 11, 1806, in Virginia, enlisted in Sangamon county under his brother-in-law, Capt. Morris, and died near Carlinville, just as the company had started for the Mexican war in 1846.

“ NANCY, born Jan. 15, 1808, in West Virginia, married there to Joshua Morris. They moved to Ray county, Mo., and both died, leaving six children.

“ MARY, born Sept. 11, 1809, in West Virginia, married in Sangamon county to Peter Morris, moved to Ray county, Mo., where he died. She married Charles Shrewsbury, had three children, and she died.

“ MARGARET, born Feb. 15, 1810, in West Virginia, married in Sangamon county to Rowan Morris; had eight children, and moved to Dallas county, Texas.

“ By the second marriage--
WILLIAM, born Oct. 17, 1814, in West Virginia, married in Sangamon county, Aug. 12, 1841, to Milicent Fowler. They had three children--THOMAS, born July 27, 1842, in Sangamon county, married Nov. 7, 1868, to Florence Lowery, had three children--ROSANNA died in infancy. ABNER W. and THOMAS L. live with their parents, five miles south of Loami. MILICENT, born Feb. 5, 1845, married John T. Gibson. See his name. JONATHAN died in his third year. William Jarrett and wife reside five miles south of Loami, Sangamon county, Illinois.

“ SARAH, born Feb. 24, 1817, in West Virginia, married in Sangamon county, Aug. 11, 1836, to Charles J. Turpin. See his name.

“ JONATHAN, Jun., born Aug. 1, 1818, in West Virginia, married in Sangamon county to Emily Meacham. She died, leaving one child, SARAH A., who married Cyrus W. Baker. See his name.

Jonathan Jarrett, Jun., married Sarah J. Baker. They had seven children--ARMINDA J. married Thomas Westfall, have one child, and live in Ottawa, Kansas. MARGARET married, Sept. 22, 1871, to Charles Dood, and live in Talkington township. PAULINE lives near Loami. MARY JOSEPHINE married, April 5, 1876, to Wm. Abner Knight. See his name. EMMA, JAMES M. and CHARLOTTE MAY live near Loami. Jonathan Jarrett, Jun., died Dec. 4, 1863, and his widow died Feb. 15, 1876. Their unmarried children live near Loami, on the farm settled by his father in 1826.

“ REBECCA A., born July 16, 1822, in Virginia, married in Sangamon county to Robert Coley. See his name.

“ SIBYL, born May 8, 1825, in Virginia, married in Sangamon county to Charles Priddy. They had six children, and she died in Loami township. The children live with their father in Missouri.

“ PETER L., born Dec. 20, 1830, in Sangamon county, married, Dec. 13, 1849, to Mary M. Meacham. Both died, leaving one child, LEWIS L., who lives with his uncle, William Jarrett.

“ CHARLES, born July 26, 1832, in Sangamon county, married Ursula Colburn. They have four children, REBECCA, LILLIE MAY, LAURA and ALVA, and live four miles south of Loami.

“ Jonathan Jarrett, Sen., died Apr. 28, 1834, and Mrs. Rebecca Jarrett died Dec. 11, 1863, both in Loami township.”

DOCUMENTATION
1803, Sept 11 1803: Jonathan Jarrat married to Sally Shirkey by John Mason. Kanawha Co Marriages, p. 6.

1806, March 11: Land indenture of James and Elizabeth Moss (to) JONATHON JARETT of Kanawha Co who paid $5 for 72 acres on Great Kanawha River. West side on river opposite GERRITS or _____ Island down river to JOHN JARRETS, land bought by Smith. (Kanawha Do Deed Bk C:112)

1808, Oct 11: JONATHON JARRATT, PETER LIKINS, JOHN REYNOLDS & SAMUEL SHREWSBURY, Sr. bound unto Joseph Ruffner, John Shrewsbury, Claudius Buster, F. Cobbs and D. Spurlock for $1000: JONATHON JARRETT & PETER LIKINS appted adm of goods and chattels and credits of DAVID JARRATT, SENIOR, DEC'D. (Kanawha Co Deed Bk C:336.

1809 March, Kanawha Co, WV: JONATHON JARRETT and PETER LIKENS appointed administrator to estate of David Jarrett, Sr. (Kanawha Co Deed Bk C:341-44)

1810 Kanawha Co census, Jonathon Jarred 20010-30100-11 Jonathan and Sarah with two sons and three daughters under 6 and one slave.

1814 Jan 3: The Greenbrier Marriage Bonds, now housed in the Greenbrier Historical Society, contain the marriage bond for the marriage of Jonathon Jarrett and Mary Wilson (as her name was listed on bond) with bondsman George See (brother-in-law and nephew to Jonathan). Both Jonathan and George sign with marks. Mary is listed as the daughter of John Wilson. John Wilson also writes a consent form "Sir you Will please to Let jonathon jarret have Licence to Marry my Daughter Rebeckey Wilson giving from Under my hand this 2 Day of January 1814" signed John Wilson. Witnessed by Lewis Stewart and George See. Usually a consent form indicates the bride is under 21. The bond is dated 3 Jan 1814. Greenbrier Marriage Books list Jan 4, 1814 as the marriage date.

1817, March 1?: Jonathon Jerrett & Peter S. Forgueson enter 250 acres on west side of Kanawha to join "back line of Jonathon Jerrett's land he lives on." [Kanawha Co, WV Entry Bk 1:171]

1817, March 28: land indenture between Jonathan and Rebeckah Jarrett of Kanawha Co. and Wm Dickinson and Joel Shrewsbury for $1,000. Jarretts sell title to "a certain tract of land which David Jarrett died seized of in the County of Kanawha ...Lying and being on the Great Kanawha River on the north East side of said River, Joining the Land of Samuel Shrewsbury and David Jarrett Junr. Witnesses: Saml Burke, Frederick Coon, Reuben Slaughter, Saml Shrewsbury. Both Jonathon and Rebeccah sign with X. Kanawha Co, WV Deed Bk E:160

1817, Jun 11: David Jerrett, Thomas Jerrett, Squire Jerrett, Jonathon Jerrett, John Jerrett, Peter Likins & others in company enter 100 acres by warrant #4567 on lower side of Wittchers(sic) Creek to join back of Peter Likens survey to John Steele's survey of 27,000 acres. [Kanawha Co, WV Entry Bk 1:173]

1820 Kanawha Co, VA/WV Census p.6 Jonathon Jarrett 220611-3201-3 in agric 9 in mfg-8 slaves 5 children under 10; 4 children 10-16; 6 males 16-26; a man and a woman 26-45 and a man-Jonathan? over 45+ (b. before 1775)

1824, May 17: Kanawha Co: JOHN and Elizabeth Jarrett sell title and interest to 13 3/4 acre tract on Kanawha River to JONATHON JARRETT (all of Kanawha Co) for $2000. Corner to survey for Leonard Morris on bank of Kanawha River at mouth of a drain, up river by meanders, corner to Leonard Morris's former survey with lines of Morris survey. Dispute between John Jarrett and Andw Donnally re: claim Donnally set up to 1/2 mentioned land previous to said John selling same to Jonathon Jarrett which was understood and agreed that said Jonathon was to risk the claim John and Eliz convenvant to Jonathon that one moiety of land. [Kanawha Co, WV Deed Bk F:354]

1824, July 1: Kanawha Co, VA/WV: JOHN and ELIZABETH JARRETT sell 100 acres to JONATHON JARRETT (all of Kanawha Co) (no money amount mentioned) land joining and back of tract belonging to Robert Lewis. (Kanawha Co, WV Deed Bk F:439]

1826, Jan 24: Kanawha Co, VA/WV: JONATHON JARRETT and REBECCA his wife of Kanawha Co sell to Sam'l Burke 2 tracts of land on the "Great Kenhawa on west side thereof" for $4,000. 72 acres where said Jonathon now lives; opposite Carroll's or Field's Island now called Harman's Island, down river to land deed by Jas. Moss to JOHN JARRETT to corner to Henry Harmon, dec'd; second tract of 13 3/4 acres of land formerly belonging to Rob't Lewis. joining above tract, corner to survey of Leonard Morris on banks of Kanawha. Jonathon and Rebecca both sign with + mark. (Kanawha Co, WV Deed Bk G:57) (Across the river from Witcher, WV) SSP: Leonard Morris lived near Marmet on west side of river. Note from Lowell: Census records show Owen #1 son John and wife Nancy (Foster) to be living at Fields Creek which is in that area.

1826, Nov 15: Kanawha Co, VA/WV: JONATHON JARRETT emancipates "set free forever" a mulatto boy, age 22-23, 5'4" known by name of Abraham Crusy. signs "Jonathon Jarrett" (KanawhaCo, WV Deed Bk G:76).

1827, Sept 29: Kanawha Co, WV: REBECHAH JARRETT, wife of JONATHON JARRETT released her dower rts. [Jan 24, 1826 deed] (Kanawha Co, WV Deed Bk G:234)

1828, Oct 29: Sangamon, IL: JONATHON JARRETT of Sangamon Co, IL appts Sam'l Henesley (power of attorney?). Jonathon signs with mark---  ; spelled "Jarrett". (Kanawha Co, WV Deed Bk G:310)

Sources

• Margaret Elizabeth Ferrel Hayes and her Ancestors, by Edward R. Hayes Part IV p.135 (Iowa State Library)

EARLY SETTLERS OF SANGAMON COUNTY - 1876 By John Carroll Power pp 408-409.

"Morris and Jarretts of WV Descendants & Connecting Families" by Buler, Fora M. and Bishop, Janette B. [Use carefully. No documentation. Internal analysis shows that some info is based on local histories by Hardesty, Cole and Laidley. Some children are attributed to the wrong parents. Lacks information on several Jarrett families.]

Research Notes of Sara Stevens Patton in Greenbrier and Kanawha Co Deed Bks and Marriage Records.

Find A Grave Memorial# 14578573

"Pioneers and Their Homes on Upper Kanawha" by Ruth Woods Dayton, Page 294