John Manley Sears (1764 - 1859)

Born 27 Sep 1764 in Loudoun, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Martha Anna (McNabb) Sears — married 28 Jun 1798 in Loudoun, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 3 Jan 1859 at age 94 in Morgan, Ohio, United States

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Biography

2. John Manley Sears Sr. was born on Sep 27 1764 in Loudoun County, Virginia. ^[1] Presumably was living in Belmont County as early as 1807 inasmuch as the "Descendants of Richard Sares" by Samuel P. May cites that Ann M. Sears, his youngest daughter, was born 1807 in Belmont County. Eight years later, he married Patty McNabb, in Belmont County on April 17, 1815.^[2]

He was a "Viewer" for Road Construction in Jul 1819 in Morgan County, Ohio. ^[3] To Wit: Dye's Road #1 beginning at the center stake of section 27, township 11, range 11, from Stan Fortices's on Meigs Creek by Ezekiel Dye's and George Dye's to the Guernsey County Line, Joseph Devereau and John Sears were appointed Viewers and Benjamin Thorla, Surveyor. Their report was accepted and the road ordered to be laid out July 1819.

The first annual election for the Morgan County Board of Commissioners was held on 10/18/1819. John Sears of Manchester Township, out of a field of seven, was last in the poling, receiving 11 votes. ^[4] He performed the marriage of Thomas Dye & Isabella Bone on March 22, 1821^[5]

He was elected as Justice of the Peace on Aug 3 1822 in Manchester Twp, Morgan County, Ohio. ^[6] There are no records found to precisely delineate how Manchester Township was originally organized, but it appears that the inhabitants of that township lived together from the first organization of the county in 1819 up to August, 1822.

In 1822 Manchester Twp contained a territory of 36 square miles. Subsequently the eastern half was carved out to create Noble County. In 1822 the residents petitioned the Court of Common Pleas of Morgan County to establish a Township. The court, therefore, on Thursday, July 11, 1822, with a full bench of judges, made the following order: "Whereas, it appears that no justices of the peace have been allowed for Manchester township; it is therefore ordered that said township be entitled to two justices of the peace; and the qualified electors of said township meet at the usual place of holding elections in said township at such time as the trustees may direct, and proceed to elect two justices for said township".

Without delay an election was ordered to be held on the 3rd day of August, 1822. Accordingly, the pioneer voters on that day elected Nathan Smith, John Eddy and Benjamin Deen, as judges, David Fulton and Lewis G. Harding, as Clerks. On counting the vote for Justice of the Peace, John M. Sears received 36 votes, John Gregg 44, and Richard Dore 8. Consequently, Sears and Gregg were declared duly elected and commissioned as Justice of the Peace.

In the 1825 reelection, John Sears was reelected for another three year term. Mr. Gregg's appointment was filled by Robert Jackson.

He was an "Appraiser" on Mar 22 1824 in Morgan County, Ohio(24) regarding the will of Thomas Brannon:

Will of Thomas Brannon. Mary Brannon, widow, exatrix., Sam'l McClintock, Extor. Sureties: Zacheriah Blackburn, George Dye. Appraisers: Thomas Dye, Nathan Smith, John Sears.

He was an "Appraiser" on Oct 5 1827 in Morgan County, Ohio (26)regarding the will of Matthew Dimmick:

Will of Matthew Dimmick proven by James Gragg and John Needham, witnesses. Letters granted to Mahlon Wilson, executor. Appraisers: John Sears, John Gragg and John W. Starr.

He was an "Appraiser" on Apr 7 1828 in Morgan County, Ohio(27) regarding the will of Nathan Smith:

Will of Nathan SMITH prayed on oaths of Andrew Warton, Benj. Hardin, John Draper, witnesses. L/t granted Rosanna Smith, executrix. Appraisers: John Sears, Charles Harinard and Vincent Dye.

In 1830, he was living in Manchester Twp, Morgan County, Ohio.(28) Census of 1830 denotes:

Male (1), between 10-15

Male (1), between 20-30, presumably John Manley Jr., about 27 at this time

Male (1), between 50-60, presumably John Manley Sr, 66 at this time

Male (1), between 90-100, possibility that this is his father-in-law

Female (1), between 90-100, possibility that this is his mother-in-law

Female, (1) between 10-15

Female, (1), between 50-60, presumably his wife, Patty McNabb

The 50-60 designation for John Manley Sr. is presumably an error inasmuch as he would have been 66 at this time, although the 50-60 age designation for his wife Patty McNabb would have been correct.

It is also of interest that John Manley Sr. was living in close proximity to John Needham, Robert Fulton, William Alfred Sears (his eldest son), Morgan Maxwell, and David Fulton.

He died on Nov 4 1859 in Morgan County, Ohio^[7] and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Bristol Twp, Morgan County, Ohio.^[8]

He was married to Martha Ann McNabb (daughter of William McNabb and Martha LNU) on Jun 26 1798 in Loudoun County, Virginia. ^[9] "James McNabb gives oath as to Ann's age." Martha Ann McNabb was born about 1776 in Loudoun County, Virginia. ^[10] She died before 1815. ^[11] She was also known as Ann.^[12] John Manley Sears Sr. and Martha Ann McNabb had the following children:

1. Dr. Robert Harrison Sears MD.
2. William Alfred Sears.
3. Catherine Sears.
4. John Manley Sears Jr..
5. Reverend Caleb Jefferson Sears VDM.
6. Ann M. Sears.

He was married to Patty McNabb (daughter of William McNabb and Martha LNU) on Apr 17 1815 in Belmont County, Ohio.^[13] "Marriage Index: Selected Counties of Ohio, 1789-1860, has the date of marriage as April 15, 1815, versus April 17. Patty McNabb was born in 1770 in Loudoun County, Virginia. She died in 1856 in Morgan County, Ohio.^[14] She was buried in 1856 in Oak Grove Cemetery, Bristol Twp, Morgan County, Ohio.

John Manley Sears Sr. and Patty McNabb had the following children:

7. FFNU Sears was born between 1815 and 1820 in Manchester Twp, Morgan County, Ohio.^[15]

8. MFNU Sears was born between 1815 and 1820 in Manchester Twp, Morgan County, Ohio.

He was married to Lydia Gassaway on Apr 18 1809 in Belmont County, Ohio.^[16]

Bio by Dave Wright- Used With Permission - DaveWright AT acc-xxx.com on 9 Feb 1997 Archived web page

Research Notes

• 1830 United States Federal Census
• 1840 United States Federal Census
• U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907
• U.S. War Bounty Land Warrants, 1789-1858
• U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
• U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970
• Virginia Marriages, 1851-1929

Sources

1. ↑ (16)1810 U.S. Census. U.S. Government.
2. ↑ (17)Marriage Records, Belmont County. St. Clairsville Library. book b, page 73.
3. ↑ (18)History of Morgan County. McConnelsville Public Library. Chapter 9.
4. ↑ (20)History of Morgan County. McConnelsville Public Library.
5. ↑ (21)GEN 306.81. Early Marriages of Morgan County, Volumes I & II. McConnelsville Library. Marriage Certificate of Thomas Dye & Isabella Bone.
6. ↑ (23)Historical Reminiscences of Morgan County. page 49,50. 23.
7. ↑ (30)Morgan County Wills.
8. ↑ (29)Oak Grove Cemetery Records. Kate Love Simpson Library, McConnelsville, Ohio. burial records, page 37.
9. ↑ (31)Marriage Records, Loudoun County, Virginia. Page 179.
10. ↑ (32)Marriage Records, Loudoun County, Virginia. Page 179.
11. ↑ (33)Extrapolation. Married Ann's sister Patty in 1815.
12. ↑ (34)Marriage Records, Loudoun County, Virginia. pg. 179.
13. ↑ (35)Marriage Records, Belmont County. St. Clairsville Library. Belmont County, Ohio, Marriages - Book B, Page 125.
14. ↑ (36)Oak Grove Cemetery Records. Kate Love Simpson Library, McConnelsville, Ohio. Burial Records, Page 37.
15. ↑ (38)U.S. Government. 1830 U.S. Census
16. ↑ (39) an index. Available in the Ohio Historical Society Library. Vol B, Pg 32.

• "United States Census, 1830", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5G-CR8 : Fri Oct 06 19:16:47 UTC 2023), Entry for John Sears, 1830.
• "United States Census, 1840", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRN-1J7 : Fri Oct 06 05:17:12 UTC 2023), Entry for John M Sears, 1840.