John Timmons (1789 - 1871)

Born 11 Sep 1789 in Delaware, United States

Husband of Margaret (Rowan) Timmons — married 27 Feb 1812 in Ross, Ohio, United States

Descendants

Died 3 May 1871 at age 81 in Jasper, Indiana, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Elizabeth Reed [send private message]

Biography

John Timmons was born on 11 September 1789, as is calculated from his age at death inscribed on his tombstone in Welsh Cemetery, Jordan Township, Jasper County, Indiana.^[1] Records only state that he was born in Delaware, although Sussex County is likely due the number of Timmons families living in this county at this time. John's parentage is currently unknown.

John married Margaret Rowan on 27 February 1812 in Ross, Ohio.^[2] On this record her surname is spelled Rowland.

In 1830, we find John Timmons in Perry, Pickaway, Ohio^[3] with a female aged 30-40, 2 males aged 10-15, 1 female aged 10-15 and 2 females aged under 5

In 1834, John received a land patent for 80 acres in Tippecanoe, Indiana.^[4] "for the West half of the south east quarter of section thirty five in Township twenty four north of Range six west". On the same day, there were two brothers also obtaining grants in section 35 - Bassett Timmons and Wingate Timmons, sons of Abraham Timmons.^[5] This suggests that the men might be related. Abraham's other sons, Thomas and Stephen, also acquire land in the area in between 1829 and 1845.

In the 1840 census John was in Wabash Township, Tippecanoe, Indiana, ^[6]. In the household, it was reported there was 1 male between the ages of 50 and 60 (John), 2 males between 5 and 10, 2 males between 10 and 15, 1 female between 5 and 10 (Eliza), 2 females between 10 and 15 and one female between 40 and 50 (his wife).

In 1848, John Timmons acquired 80 acres of land in Jasper, Indiana. ^[7] This land is described as the "East half of the south west quarter of Section 23 in Township 28 North of Range 7 West, of the Second Principal Meridian" John's son William C. Timmons had first acquired land in the area in 1845 and in 1852 and 1855 acquired land in the same range as his father.^[8]

In the 1850 census John (age 60) was in Jordan Township, Jasper, Indiana,^[9] with his wife Margaret (58), and children Margaret (24), John N (18) and Eliza (15).

In the 1860 census John (70) was still living in Jordan Township, Jasper, Indiana with his wife Margt (68).^[10] Also living in the household were a Caroline Denton (18) and an Abigal Timmons (55), who is listed as Male with a birthplace of Maryland. This could possibly be a younger brother or cousin of John.

John's wife Margaret died on 25 Aug 1862 in Rensselaer, Indiana.^[11]

In the 1870 census John (age 80) was still living in Jordan Township^[12] in the household of his widowed daughter, Eliza (Timmons) Reed (1834-1925).

He died on 3 May 1871^[13] in Jasper County, Indiana, likely in Jordan Township where he resided in 1870.

Research Notes

Many online trees erroneously call him "John William Timmons" although dozens of records created during his lifetime show that John never had a middle name nor used a middle initial. He is often confused with John W. Timmons of Ross County, Ohio, who is named in his father John's will of the same place in 1827. This is NOT the same man who went to Jasper County, Indiana.

The confusion may stem from the fact that this John was married in Ross, Ohio and later moved to Jasper County, Indiana, while the other John stayed in Ohio until his death.

Based on the reported ages and birth locations of his children, we can track where this John may have been living at the time of each census. This helps to distinguish him from the John W. Timmons in Ohio.

A possible connection could lie in the family of Abraham Timmons (abt.1765-abt.1812) who was from Maryland and moved to Deerfield, Ross, Ohio and had two sons who married women with the surname Rowan.

It is unlikely that Abraham is the father, as his estate passed probate on 7 December 1814 but we do not see John listed among his sons.^[14]

A study of the Timmons family seems to indicate that the common ancestor is John Morgan Timmons (1682-1771). So perhaps a study of the various branches of the family would prove fruitful. I have started a Space page to document this, but it is still a work in progress.

• Transcribe US DOI Bureaau of Land Management General Land Office Record Patent Image.

https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=IN1220__.090&docClass=STA&sid=h5ceff0q.e03#patentDetailsTabIndex=1

The United States of America to all to whom we’ve presents shall come, Greeting Whereas, John Timmons of Tippocamoe County Indiana, has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Crawfordsville whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said John Timmons according to the provisiotn of the act Congress of the 24th of April 1820, entitled “ An act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands,” for the West half of the South East Quarter of Section Thirty Five in Township Twenty Four, North of Range Six West, in the Districts of Lands subject to sale at Crawfordsville Indiana, Containing Eighty Acres.

According to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been pur- chased by the said John Simmons Now Know ye, That the United Stated of America, in consideration of the promises, and on conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, have given and granted, and by these presents, do give and grant, unto the said John Timmons And to his heirs, the said tract above described; To have and to Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature thereunto belonging, unto the said and to his heirs and assigns forever. In testimony whereof , I, Andrew Jackson President of the United States Of America, have caused these letters to be made patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto Affixed. Given under my hand, at the City of Washinton, The Ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four and the Independence of the United States the Fifty Ninth. By the President: Andrew Jackson Elijah Haywards Commissioner of the General Land Office.

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #25589473
2. ↑ Marriage: "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016"
   Citing FHL microfilm: 281637; Record number: 1041;
   FamilySearch (accessed 19 November 2021)
   FamilySearch Image Image number 00142
   Margaret Rowland marriage to John Timmons on 27 Feb 1812 in Ross, Ohio, United States.
3. ↑ 1830 Census: "United States Census, 1830"
   Citing 105, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 138; FHL microfilm 337,949.
   FamilySearch (accessed 20 November 2021)
   FamilySearch Image Image number 00216
   John Timmons in Perry, Pickaway, Ohio, United States.
4. ↑ “General Land Office Records”, Bureau of Land Management, US Department of the Interior.1834 Patent John Timmons, Accession: IN1220__.090
5. ↑ “General Land Office Records”, Bureau of Land Management, US Department of the Interior.LIst of Timmons land patents .
6. ↑ 1840 Census: "United States Census, 1840"
   Citing p. 267, NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm .
   FamilySearch (accessed 20 November 2021)
   FamilySearch Image Image number 00553
   John Timmons in Wabash Township, Tippecanoe, Indiana, United States.
7. ↑ “General Land Office Records”, Bureau of Land Management, US Department of the Interior.1848 Patent John Timmons, Accession: IN1910__.452
8. ↑ “General Land Office Records”, Bureau of Land Management, US Department of the Interior.List of land patents William C. Timmons.
9. ↑ 1850 Census: "United States Census, 1850"
   Citing family, NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
   FamilySearch (accessed 20 November 2021)
   FamilySearch Image Image number 00524
   John Timmons (60) in Jordan Township, Jasper, Indiana, United States.
10. ↑ 1860 Census: "United States Census, 1860"
    Citing Page: 54; Affiliate Publication Number: M653; Affiliate Film Number: 268; FHL microfilm: 803268; Record number: 18399;
    FamilySearch (accessed 19 November 2021)
    FamilySearch Image Image number 00484
    John Timmons (70) in Jordan Township, Jasper, Indiana, United States. Born in Delaware.
11. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #25589473
12. ↑ 1870 Census: "United States Census, 1870"
    Citing Page: 7; Affiliate Publication Number: M593; Line: 25; FHL microfilm: 000545825; Record number: 22806;
    FamilySearch (accessed 20 November 2021)
    FamilySearch Image Image number 00593
    John Simmons (80) in Jordan Township, Jasper, Indiana, United States.
13. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #25589473
14. ↑ Probate: "Ohio, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998"
    Probate Case Files, Ca. 1796-1910; Probate Place: Ross, Ohio
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8801 #10880738 (accessed 24 November 2021)
    Abraham Timmons probate on 7 Dec 1814.

• US Federal Census 1850

• US Federal Census 1860

• US Federal Census 1870

• Find A Grave: Memorial #25589473

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Elizabeth Reed for creating this profile and providing sources and research notes.