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Family History of Joel & Margaret Ball - 1894 |
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Joel Balls's aunt married George Washington's father, Hance. George Washington was a cousin of Joel Ball. Joel ball was born in Amboy, Middlesex Co., N.J., Feb. 20, 1800 and died in Dundee Dec. 16, 1893. If he had lived until Feb 20, he would have been 94 years. Margaret Vreeland, wife of Joel Ball, was born Aug. 13, 1804 and died in the town of Ridgeway on the farm they took from the government and had lived on until her death, she being nearly 74 years old. They were married in Romulus, Seneca, NY by Priest Barton on Oct 13 , 1821, he being a little over 21 and she a little past 17, both beginning married life young. His business was working on the Erie canal running boats from New York to Buffalo. He was away from home a good deal of the time. This time went on for 13 years, the wife and mother at home raising her family of small children the best she could while the father was trying to earn money to support them. About this time, thinking to better their fortunes, they concluded to come to Michigan with friends that were coming at that time. Michigan was not what it is today for it was a territory and it was not admitted to the Union as a State until 1837. Michigan was a vast wilderness where the howl of the wolf, growl of the bear were familiar sounds. In the spring of 1834 they started on what was then a long tedious journey. They did not have electric cars, railroads, steam boats, telegraph, telephone, etc. - not even a stage coach for them to travel on. They traveled on the canal from Seneca Falls to Buffalo. Then they came by boat, not a large passenger boat as runs on Lake Erie today, but a sail boat to Detroit, thence with ox teams on through almost unknown wilderness. After traveling over 50 miles on a slow worrisome journey they arrived sometime the forepart of June in the township of Ridgeway, near what is now Britton. They found a shanty which had been built by some men to live in while chopping a road through the vast wilderness. The road was called the Chicago Pike. They were getting it through from Monroe to Tecumseh. They and Mr. Vantile's people, the friends they came with, lived in the shanty until they could build a better one. They took up from the government 80 acres of land, or Mr. Vantiles did, for him to work for Vantile 1 year to pay for it, but at the end of 6 mo. they felt that it would be better for them to have 40 acres and begin improvements on it, let 40 acres go back, the farm being 1/4 mile north of the turnpike. They went on to make it their future home and lived there for 31 years, where the wife and mother was called to cross the river to an everlasting home. He being along in years and somewhat crippled by a stroke he had some years before, sold his farm and passed his remaining days among his children. They were blessed with a family of eleven children - 6 boys and 5 girls. Two of the boys died while young and the remaining 9 grew up and were married. Three of them have since departed from this life. Westley Ball, the oldest, is now living with his son, Eldon at Holly- they have a family of 6 children, 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Catherine Ball Pilbeam had a family of 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Cornelia Ball Heath had 7 children, 4 of whom died in infancy, 5 grand children and 5 great grand children. Margaret Ann Ball Hause had 2 children, one died while small, 5 grand children and 4 great grand children. Luciuid Ball Hoag had 2 children and 1 grandchild. Isaac Ball had no children. Henry Ball had 2 children and 2 grand children. Mary A. Ball Briggs had no children. Stephen Ball had 4 children and 1 grandchild, which makes 99 direct descendants, with the ones that have married in the family there are 138 all of whom live in the old state of Michigan with the exception of 16. These are grandchildren and great grand children who live in Ohio. "Another pioneer passes away in Joel Ball, almost a centenarian, who has been a resident of this portion of the state for a long term of years, being one of the early settlers. He died in the home of his son, Henry Ball, in this village last Saturday. For the past few years he lived in Deerfield, but a few months ago he came to Dundee to spend the winter and was, not withstanding his advanced age, a most remarkable and active man. "His funeral was held at the Cong. Church Mon., P.M., Rev. Skentlebury officiating. His remains were placed in a vault at Maple Grove Cemetery and will be taken to Ridgeway for burial at some future date. The following personal sketch was given by the pastor: "Mr. Joel Ball was born at South Amboy, Middlesex Co., N.J., Jan 20, 1800. Born the first year of this most wonderful century the world has ever seen and traveled along with all its years to nearly the end of 1893. He was but 2 years of age when his father died and he moved to Seneca when but a youth. He married Miss Margaret Vreeland of that state when he was 21 - eleven children were born to them - 4 were born in NY and 7 in Michigan. Seven of the 11 children still live to see the aged parent sacredly interned." June 1 - Adrian RFD - No. 7 (1893) Top |
Thomas J. PilbeamSubmitted by Mary Lou Sackett. |
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"Thomas J. Pilbeam. This gentleman, who all his life has been identified with the farming interests of Ridgeway Township, is the son of an intelligent Englishman who came across the water in early manhood and cast his lot among the pioneers of the Northwest. The latter was a native of County Kent, and is still living in Ridgeway Township, being now in the seventy-second year of his age and retired from active labor. "Mr. Pilbeam is pleasantly located on section 1, Ridgeway Township, where he owns sixty acres of land, finely improved, of which he took possession in 1872. Adjoining this property, in Dundee Township, Monroe County, is also an improved tract of eighty acres, which Mr. P. purchased in 1882, and where he has also erected good buildings. His farming operations have been conducted with rare good judgement, and the hand of taste and refinement has evidently been employed in every detail. The proprietor is a man most pleasant to meet and converse with, being well informed, intelligent and genial, and in all respects evidencing the gentleman "to the manor born." "Our subject first opened his eyes to the light at his father's homestead in Ridgeway Township, August 25, 1844. The father, William Pilbeam, was a native of County Kent, England and was there married to Miss Hannah Hause, who came with him across the Atlantic and cheerfully shared with her husband the vicissitudes of life in a new country. They not only had to contend with a foreign soil but different manners and customs, unlike those to which they had been reared. They possessed, however, those elements of character which are everywhere recognized as belonging to the honest gentleman and gentlewoman, and soon gathered about them scores of warm friends among the early residents, who shared alike their trials and for the most part their successes. "Thomas J. Pilbeam remained under the home roof until a youth of eighteen years and then began life on his own account. He was married, at the home of the bride in Ridgeway Township, to Miss Adelaide Hall, who was born in the village of Tecumseh, and had spent her life thus far in Ridgeway Township. Mrs. P. only lived a few years after her marriage, her death taking place at her home in Dundee Township in 1876. Of her union with our subject there were three children, the youngest of whom, as infant, followed its mother soon after birth. The two surviving children are: Mary Edith, who was born March 12, 1873, and Ida L., Jan. 1, 1875. They are now living in Tecumseh, this county. "The second marriage of Mr. Pilbeam took place Nov. 28, 1876, with Miss Adeline, daughter of Jacob and Susan (Hanlon) Masten, who are now residents of Milan Township, Monroe county. They came to the West in their youth and were married in Monroe County, where they have since lived. The father followed farming and has accumulated a good property. Mrs. Adeline Pilbeam was born in Milan, July 9, 1855, and received her education in the district school. She was trained by a careful mother to all needful housewifely duties, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of five children -- William J., Jessie L., Myrtie E., Shirley & Minerva. Mr. P. meddles very little with politics or public affairs, but upon occasions of general elections he casts his vote with the republican party." |
Brennan Family Data |
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Brennen Family Record, Extracted. Found at the Lenawee County Historical Society Museum Archives, in a Hollinger box, file labeled,"Brennen," this is a single sheet of old paper, approximately 4 inches wide by 6 inches high, it is discolored, and the writing is of the old style. Typists makes no representation that the handwriting has been correctly interpreted, a copy should be obtained by those interested in the records. The record has been typed in the form it was written on the pages. David Brennen (Note: a copy can be obtained from the Lenawee County Historical Society, Adrian, Michigan or from Carol Stevens, 11587 Monagan Hwy., Tipton, MI. 49287-9758.) Top |