James McGrew (abt. 1791 - 1868)

Born about 21 Jan 1791 in Adams County, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Died 26 May 1868 at about age 77 in York, Sandusky, Ohio, USA

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Biography

James McGrew was born on Jan. 21, 1791 to Nathan McGrew and Martha Hendricks.

It was reported at the Menallen Monthly Meeting on May 22, 1805 that Nathan McGrew and Martha his wife requested that their three minor children may be taken into membership with Friends, namely Martha, James and Stephen, which being considered in this Meeting and it appearing that one of them is nearly arrived to maturity of age to request for herself, it is thought best to appoint some Friends to unite with women Friends in taking an opportunity with the parents and children and report their sense of the propriety thereof to next Meeting.^[1]

The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio states that James and Finley McGrew, along with John Leatherman, entered into an arrangement with Samuel Lappin, a farmer from Fayette County, Pennsylvania by which he was to locate and enter a section of land to be divided equally among them and equally pay for it. Mr. Lappin selected Section 35 through the eastern part of which flowed One Leg Creek. Finley McGrew was a surveyor and divided the land into four equal parts by running three lines east and west through the section. The northern part became Lappin's, James and Finley McGrew obtained the central half and Leatherman, the southern division. Lappin settled on his land in 1805. Finley McGrew died, unmarried, before removing to Warren Township, and James McGrew became, by purchase, the owner of his Western estate. He removed to it from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania several years after the Lappins arrived. He was of Quaker ancestry, and after a residence of many years in Warren Township, he moved to Sandusky County, Ohio where he died.^[2]

James married Elizabeth McGrail prior to Aug. 24, 1819 when it was recorded at the Providence Monthly Meeting that the Women's Meeting had informed them that Elizabeth McGrew formerly McGrail, hath accomplished her marriage contrary to our Discipline and having been treated with by them, and not appearing in a disposition of mind suitable to condemn the same, they are united that a testimony go against her which being considered by this Meeting is united with and Samuel Coope and Joseph Hewitt are appointed to prepare one and produce it to next meeting.^[3]

James McGrew died at the age of 77 years on May 26, 1868.^[4] He is buried at the York Free Chapel Cemetery in York, Sandusky, Ohio.^[5]

James' Last Will and Testament was dated Feb. 17, 1868, witnessed by Merlin Babcock and Agnes Babcock and filed in Sandusky County, Ohio. He bequeathed to his son, Samuel McGrew and his daughter, Deborah McGrew, "each an equal share of all the property I may be in possession of both real and personal after paying all my just debts. Third, if either of the said Legatees should die before my decease I will that all my property shall go to the survivor."^[6]

Since there is no mention of his wife, Elizabeth in the will, it is assumed that she had died before him.

Sources

1. ↑ Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Minutes, 1780-1811; Collection: Baltimore Yearly Meeting Minutes; Call Number: RG2/B/M461 1.1; Menallen Monthly Meeting Minutes, 1780-1811, pg. 465.
2. ↑ The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio; page 667.
3. ↑ Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Minutes (Orthodox Alter 1828), 1817- 1843; Collection: Quaker Meeting Records; Call Number: MR-O-0027; Providence Monthly Meeting Minutes, 1817- 1843.
4. ↑ Ohio Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997, database, FamilySearch: James Mcgrew, 25 May 1868; citing York, Sandusky, Ohio, reference v 1 p 4; FHL microfilm 511,730.
5. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 51494621
6. ↑ Ohio Probate Records, 1789-1996 Sandusky Wills, 1868-1881; Vol. C, pgs. 5, 6.

See also:

• United States Census, 1820, database with images, FamilySearch: James Mcgrew, 1820.

• United States Census, 1830, database with images, FamilySearch: James Mcgrew, Warren, Tuscarawas, Ohio, United States; citing 88, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 141; FHL microfilm 337,952.

• United States Census, 1840, database with images, FamilySearch: James Mcgrew, York Township, Sandusky, Ohio, United States; citing p. 46, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 425; FHL microfilm 20,176.

• United States Census, 1850, database with images, FamilySearch: James Mcgrew, York, Sandusky, Ohio, United States; citing family 851, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• United States Census, 1860, database with images, FamilySearch: James Mc Grew, 1860.