Now that it has been established that James Laughead was likely the father of Joseph Laughead, the next step is another trip back in time (census-wise) to the 1820 census.
Since Joseph was born in Pennsylvania, circa 1817, and his sisters, Susannah and Ruth, were born in Ohio in 1821 and 1825, searching both states is necessary to establish when the family moved. Five James Laugheads appeared on the 1820 censuses of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
| James Laughead Families in Pennsylvania & Ohio 1820 | |
| James Laughead | Union, Fayette, Pennsylvania |
| James Laughead | Bath, Greene, Ohio |
| James Laughead | Washington, Licking, Ohio |
| James Laughhead | Warren, Belmont, Ohio |
| James B. Laughead | Union, Erie, Pennsylvania |
It appears that James Laughead arrived in Belmont County as early as 1820. This is consistent with the births of Joseph (1817) and Susannah (1821). The household consisted of six individuals: one male aged 26-44, two males under the age of 10, one female aged 26-44, and two females under the age of ten.
Other clues this census provides:
- James was born between the years 1776 and 1794.
- Bathsheba (or James’ wife) was born between the years 1776 and 1794. This fits with what we know of Bathsheba, born circa 1790.
- Since all the children were under the age of ten, James and Bathsheba (or James’ wife) were married circa 1810. Bathsheba would have been around 20 years old.
Image courtesy of Ancestry.com
The only other Laughead who lived in Belmont County during this census year was William Laughead. William was enumerated directly above James on the census page. This page was not arranged alphabetically, indicating a physical closeness between those enumerated. William’s household consisted of 12 individuals: one male aged 26-44, one male aged 16-25, one male under 10, one female aged 26-44, two females under 10, and 6 “other free persons.”
It is possible that James and William were brothers, and the 16-25 year old male who lived with William was another brother, Elisha. Both men lived in Warren Township, Belmont County for many years. In 1830, Elisha Laughead first appeared as a head of household in neighboring Guernsey County. Likely this same Elisha was the man who married Nancy Cowen in Guernsey County, Ohio on 10 May 1821.
Elisha was a name that was used often in the family of Joseph Lawhead. He named his first born son Elisha, and the name was used into the next generation. When the search for Joseph’s parents was begun, an assumption was made that perhaps Joseph’s first born son was named after his grandfather “Elisha” Lawhead. However, that does not appear to be the case as James Laughead is now the most likely candidate. Joseph did name his second son James.
Conclusion:
James Laughead moved to Ohio from Pennsylvania between the years 1817 and 1820. By 1820, he was the father of at least four children, all under the age of 10, including Joseph (1817). James had at least two brothers, William and Elisha.
Sources:
1820 U. S. census, Belmont County, Ohio, Warren Township, population schedule, p. 272 (penned), line 5, James Laughhead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 86.
1820 U. S. census, Belmont County, Ohio, Warren Township, population schedule, p. 272 (penned), line 4, William Laughhead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 86.
1830 U. S. census, Guernsey County, Ohio, Richland Township, p. 436 (penned), line 7, Elisha Lawhead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 131.
“Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1944,” database & images, Family Search (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 April 2014), Elisha Lawhead and Nancy Cowen, 10 May 1821: citing Guernsey Marriage records 1810-1840, v. A: 48.
© Deborah Sweeney, 2014.
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/18/a-mystery-solved-part-5/
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