Joseph Rawlins (1796 - 1885)

Born 21 Apr 1796 in Danville, Boyle, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (McManis) Rawlins — married 5 Jan 1817 in Orange County, Indiana

Descendants

Died 25 Aug 1885 at age 89 in Bedford, Lawrence, Indiana, United States

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Biography

Birth

Much of this Biography is based upon an interview conducted in 1884 with Joseph Rawlins "the oldest settler now living in Lawrence County". ^[1] Joseph was born on April 21, 1796 in Danville, Boyle, Kentucky, United States. Joseph Rawlins "one of five children born to Charles and Aristicia (Gregory) Rawlins, early settlers of Kentucky." Goodspeed p. 267. Charles died in about 1800 when Joseph was about 4 years-old. Joseph then left to be cared for by his uncle (probably Roderick Rawlins) who, in 1812, took Joseph from Bedford County, Tennessee to Indiana. Later, at Joseph's request, the town of Bedford, Indiana was named after Bedford County, Tennessee. Goodspeed p. 268.^[1][2]

War of 1812

Joseph served as an Indiana Territorial Mounted Rangers in the War of 1812. Goodspeed p. 103. Joseph was a mess mate with one of the earliest settlers in Indiana, James Gregory, who came from North Carolina. After the war, Joseph used his military pay to purchase 80 acres in Lawrence County. Goodspeed p. 267.

Joseph's War of 1812 Pension Application dated May 19, 1871, states that he enlisted in the Indiana Territorial Mounted Rangers on June 1, 1814 at Charlestown, Indiana Territory and served under Capt. James Biggins, primarily at Fort Harrison guarding against Native American forces Onl June 1, 1815, he was discharged at Vincennes, Indiana Territory. The application states that on May 19, 1871, he was 75-years-old, he married Sallie McMannis on January 5, 1816 in Orange County, Indiana, and that he had previously been granted a Bounty Warrant of 160 acres. The application was supported by affidavits from Samuel Harryman James R. Glover, and W. Duncan.^[3]

Marriage

In January 5, 1817, Joseph married Sarah (Sallie) McManus in Orange County, Indiana. Goodspeed p. 267.^[4] Note: Joseph's affidavit in support of his War of 1812 Pension states they were married on January 5, 1816. Sallie died on August 5, 1855 in Bedford, Indiana. ^[5]

Contribution to Lawrence County, Indiana

1812: Joseph was one of the founders of Bono Township, the second Township in Lawrence County, Indiana. Bowen, 60-62. ^[6] 1816: Elected as a Senator to Leatherwood township. Bowen p. 66. 1818: Serves on Petit Jury. Bowen, p. 118. 1820: Serves as Lawrence County, Coroner. Goodspeed p. 88. 1822. County Lister. Goodspeed p. 70. ~1826: Among first purchasers of building lot in Bedford, Indiana. Goodspeed p. 132. 1826: Among initial member of Bedford Methodist Episcopal Church. Bowen, p. 130. 1828: Petitioner for building of Bedford Jail. Goodspeed p. 79. ~1830; Establishes major pork packing house. Bowen p. 182. 1830: Buys Bedford Mercantile which he runs for 30 years amassing a fortune. Goodspeed p. 133. 1835: Builds the Rawlins Mill which shipped grain to Detroit by rail and New Orleans by flatboats. Bowen p. 62. "1835:" Acts a surety for construction of the Courthouse for Lawrence County. Bowen p. 74. ^[2] 1834/36-1837/42: Serves as a Lawrence County Commissioner. Bowen p. 92. 1836: Serves as Lawrence County Treasurer. Bowen pp. 89, 237. 1854: Contributes to building fund for the Bedford Christian Church. Goodspeed, p. 203. Leading stockholder in State Bank of Indiana, Bedford. Bowen p. 186. 1871: Purchases $48,000 in bonds for the construction of the Bedford Courthouse. Bowen p. 80.

Death

Joseph died on August 25, 1885 and is buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana, USA.^[7]

Children

Based upon an interview of Joseph Rawlins conducted about 4-5 years before his death, Joseph and Sarah McManis had ten children:

1. James Rawlins, b. March 16, 1820, d. January 5, 1885.^[8]
2. Sarah J. (Rawlins) Denson, b. April 8, 1822, d. April 6, 1885.^[9]
3. Miranda Rawlins, b. 1823, d. 1915.^[10][11]
4. Benjamin F. Rawlins, b. 1827, d. January 11, 1905.^[12]
5. Mary (Rawlins) Hickman, b. September 1, 1833, d. April 29, 1923.^[13][14]
6. Homer Rawlins, b. 1829, d. January 17, 1906.^[15]
7. Emeline (Rawlins) Farmer, b. April 16, 1826, d. January 30, 1901.^[16]
8. Susan Emily (Rawlins) Mitchell, b. November 1, 1835, d. December 12, 1925.^[17]
9. Joseph Rawlins. b. November 21, 1837, d. June 8, 1905.^[18]
10. Antonette Ellen "Nettie" (Rawlins) Voris, b. September 21, 1839, d. February 1, 1933.^[19]

Census Records

1830, Lawrence, Indiana.^[20]

1840, Lawrence, Indiana.^[21]

1850, Shawswick, Lawrence, Indiana.^[22]

1860, Shawswick, Lawrence, Indiana. ^[23]

1870, Shawswick, Lawrence, Indiana. ^[24]

1880, Bedford, Lawrence, Indiana. States that both mother and father were born in Maryland. ^[25]

Research Notes

"Joseph Rawlins (southwest corner of 15th and J streets) got a piano for his daughter, Mary. It was a prized possession when it arrived from Louisville and was the fourth piano in town."^[26]

Joseph's obituary is reprinted in his FamilySearch Profile.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington Counties, Indiana: From the Earliest Times to the Present (Goodspeed Bros. & Co., Chicago, 1884) Available on Google Books here
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} County History, Lawrence County Museum of History & Edward L. Hutton Research Library
3. ↑ War of 1812 Pension App. for Joseph Rawlins Available on Fold3$
4. ↑ "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZC4-K86 : 10 December 2017), Joseph Rawling and Sally Mcmanise, 05 Jan 1817; citing Orange, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 005014436.
5. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #58317344
6. ↑ History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions (B.R. Bowen, Indianapolis 1914) Available on Archive.org here
7. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #58316888
8. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #61796917
9. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #58379805
10. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #86176163
11. ↑ Miranda Rwlins' Will available on Ancestry here
12. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #86176160
13. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #170617255
14. ↑ Mary Rawlins' death cert. identifying father as Joseph Rawlins and mother as Sarah McManus available on Ancestry here
15. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #86176159
16. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #41451863
17. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #65454855
18. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #89031657
19. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #56826043
20. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHPC-4PV ), Joseph Rawlins, Lawrence, Indiana
21. ↑ "United States Census, 1840,"(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHBK-7NG), Jos Rawlins, Lawrence, Indiana.
22. ↑ ["United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHJ5-NPG : 4 April 2020), Joseph Rawlins, Shawswick, Lawrence, Indiana, United States; citing family 937, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). Available here]
23. ↑ ["United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXF4-BXX : 18 March 2020), Joseph Rawlens, 1870. Available here]
24. ↑ ["United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXF4-BXX : 18 March 2020), Joseph Rawlens, 1870.Available here]
25. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH9K-85S : 7 September 2017), Joseph Rawlins, Bedford, Lawrence, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district ED 12, sheet 540C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,254,292.
26. ↑ That's Home Entertainment, Lawrence County Museum of History & Edward L. Hutton Research Library