Henry Ross (abt. 1786 - 1865)

Born about 1786 in Augusta County, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 19 Aug 1865 at about age 79 in Darke County, Ohio

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Biography

Henry Ross was born in 1786 in Augusta County, Virginia to Robert Ross and Lettice Spilman Ross. He died August 19, 1865 in Darke County, Ohio and was buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Neave Township, Darke County, Ohio. In 1808 he married Sarah Cook who was born in 1791 and died before 1865. She was buried in Hillgrove Cemetery, Washington Township, Darke County, Ohio.

Henry Ross was mentioned several times in History of Darke County, Ohio, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time. This reference was about his endeavors in fruit trees:

"The earliest attempt at raising fruit trees in this county — of which we can learn — was made by Henry Ross, deceased, of German township, in 1817. He was one of the earliest set tlers, and brought with him some apples, of which he care fully saved the seeds, and together with some pears and peaches he had, planted them. Sometime after this he top- grafted some of the trees. Of these trees he planted his own orchard and sold some to supply his neighbors. Mr. I. M. Ross, a grandson of his, now living in the northern part of the county, related the circumstances to us, and said he recently cut one of the old trees down and found that by counting the rings of annual growth that it corresponded exactly with that date. Most of the trees planted up to that time and from that tinje until about 1830 were either brought in from other parts of the state or were raised by the pioneers themselves; in either case they were nearly or quite all seedlings, grafted fruits being not yet disseminated much at that time. In 1831 was the earliest account of grafted orchards being set.. They were on the farms of Zadok Ragan, southeast of Greenville, and Solo mon Whitson. The trees were brought from the Hicks nur sery, near Dayton. In 1835 there were several orchards set with grafted trees from the Richmond, Ind., nurseries. A few of these trees planted by the early settlers are yet standing, as it were, living monuments to the memories of the pioneers who planted them, but who have long ago crossed the Dark River.

Further evidence of Henry Ross's arrival in Darke County in 1817 can be found in Darke:

The fall of 1817 marked the actual beginning of the settlement of the town ship. A number of families arrived at this time and entering lands began the work of providing home and field. Martin Ketring and family and George Teaford. then a young man, arrived this fall and entered a part of Section 22. These people were likewise of German descent. The former was a native German. Their more immediate previous home was Fairfield County, Ohio. John, son of Martin Ketring, had been married previous to coming here, and is still living at a good old age. Teaford was soon married to Miss Magdalina Ketring and raised a large family, two sons of whom still live in the township and are among the largest farmers in it. The same fall, and in October, Henry Ross, a native of Virginia, located on land in the northwest part of Section 24. He came here from Pickaway County, and, about the same time, George Stingley and family, Virginians, located on the southeast quarter of Section 12, where a son now resides. The settlement in the extreme southwest part of the township was delayed until 1826, on account of its wet, level nature. Thus, briefly, we have noted the founders of improvement in German Township, and spoken of those who more than three score years ago laid the foundation for subsequent labors.

A scan of Henry's last will and testament is attached to this profile and also at it's own FreeSpaceProfile.^[4] It says:

In the name of the Benevolent Father of All
I Henry Ross do hereby make and publish this my last will and testiment.
Item first, I will and bequeath one hundred and fifty dollars to be paid to John Drivebrenner(?) of Warusbruh(?) ? for the purpose of ? ? ? "New Testament" ? ? ? and ?  ? that he will faithfully appreciate that sum to said purpose
Item 2d I will and bequeath fifty dollars to my sister Jane Linton.
Item 3d I will and bequeath Mary Jane Miller fifty dollars.
Item 4th After my funeral expenses and just debts, if any are paid, I will that the residue of my estate be divided equally amongst my other children.
ANd ? hereby appoint and ? my son Elias Ross my executor. ? My last will, revoking all others. We sign ? as witnesses & at the request of Henry Ross & in his presense & he --cutoff--, signatures

Within his will, Henry names his son Elias as his executor. He mentions his daughter Mary Jane Miller (see FamilySearch ID M3FT-4FK), as well as "children", implying some not mentioned by name.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #40395757
2. ↑ History of Darke County, Ohio, From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, page 589-590
3. ↑ The History of Darke County, Ohio, page 446
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Free Space Profile for the Will of Henry Ross