Tag Archives: William Laughead

A Mystery Solved? (Part 6)

Digging even further back in time and place reveals some interesting findings. So far, the family of Joseph Laughead has been pieced together by circumstantial evidence. The discovery of two documents from early Pennsylvania court records adds more weight to the evidence.

Conclusions from the Circumstantial Evidence

Joseph’s parents were likely James and Bathsheba Laughead.
Joseph had several siblings, of which Susannah (Lawhead) Glover and Ruth (Laughead) Coen, are likely candidates.
James Laughead likely had siblings as well, namely William and Elisha, who lived in physical proximity to James in Ohio.
James Laughead moved his family from Pennsylvania to Ohio between the years 1817-1820.

Jumping back to the 1810 census of Pennsylvania reveals thirteen Laughead households:

Laughead Families in Pennsylvania – 1810
Adam Laughead	Salem, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania
B Laughead	Warriors Mark, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
James Laughead	Menallen, Fayette, Pennsylvania
James Laughead	Menallen, Fayette, Pennsylvania
John Laughead	Cumberland, Adams, Pennsylvania
John Laughead	Union, Fayette, Pennsylvania
John Laugheed	Union, Fayette, Pennsylvania
Nathan Lawhead	Salisbury, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Thomas Laughead	West Salem, Mercer, Pennsylvania
Thos Laughead	New London, Chester, Pennsylvania
William Laughead	Versailles, Allegheny, Pennsylvania
William Lawhead	Hopewell, Washington, Pennsylvania
William Laugheed	Union, Fayette, Pennsylvania

These thirteen Laughead families are spread out over nine Pennsylvania counties. The 67 Pennsylvania counties have now been narrowed down to 9. The adjoining counties of Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette and Washington are in the southwestern section of the state. They are located south of Pittsburgh and are physically very close to West Virginia.

Original map courtesy of the United States Census Bureau

Looking at the census table, two James Laugheads were located in Menallen, Fayette, Pennsylvania. James and Bathsheba were likely married around 1810, but it is possible that James had not established his own household when the census was taken. He might have been enumerated in his father’s household. Pennsylvania does not have easily accessible vital records from the early part of the 19^th century. Unlike its neighbor Ohio, there are no online county marriage records currently available for Pennsylvania. Finding a marriage record for James and Bathsheba has thus far been unsuccessful. However, focusing on the two James from Menallen Township, is a good place to start.

The elder of the two James had a household of six individuals: one male over 45, one male aged 16-25, one male under ten, one female over 45, one female aged 16-25, and one female aged 10-15.

1810 Census Menallen Township Fayette County Pennsylvania (Image courtesy of Ancestry.com)

The younger of the two James had a household of two individuals: one male aged 16-25 and one other free person (no age or sex is indicated). Coincidentally, this James matches the age range for James of Ohio. A 16-25 year old male in 1810 would have been born between 1785 and 1794.

1810 Census Menallen Township Fayette County Pennsylvania (Image courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Family Search has recently begun the push for digitizing county records across the country, focusing on wills and probates. The “Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994” database has some records available from Fayette County. The majority of the records are Orphans’ Court documents from 1783-1950. The elder of the two James Laugheads died intestate in 1814. His youngest son was not of legal age at the time of his father’s death and was assigned a legal guardian. An older daughter also chose her own guardian at the same time.

Laughead, Elisha & Mary - Guardians appointed, November 1814

Image courtesy of Family Search

“At the Orphan’s Court held in Union Town in and for the county of Fayette, the third Monday of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen before the Honourable Samuel Roberts and his associate Justices of the same court –

Elizabeth Martin…[omitted in transcription]

Ellis Baily being chosen guardian of the person and estate of Mary Laughead minor daughter of James Laughead deceased, above the age of fourteen years, is appointed accordingly by the court.

Ellis Baily is appointed, by the court, guardian of the person and estate of Elisha Laughed, a minor son of James Laughead, Decᵈ, until he arrives at the age of fourteen years.”

Prior to the appointment of Elisha and Mary’s guardian, their brother James petitioned the court in regards to the partitioning of James Sr.’s estate:

Image courtesy of Family Search

“On the petition of James Laughead, representing, that his father James Laughead lately died intestate seized at the time of his death in his demesne [?] of fee of and in eighty eight acres of land situate in Menallen Township aforesaid, leaving his widow Mary and nine children, surviving him, to wit, Hannah, married to James McHarry, John Laughead, William Laughead, James the petitioner, Martha married to William Wells, Benjamin Laughead, Richard Laughead, Mary Laughead and Elisha Laughead – That he is of full age and is desirous that the said estate should be divided to and amongst the heirs and representatives of the said Intestate if such partition can be made without injuring and spoiling the whole, but if not that a just and conscionable appraisement thereof be made and to this end prays the court to award an Inquest, agreeably to the acts of Assembly in such case made and provided – The court thereupon award an Inquest agreeably to the prayer of the said petitioner – writ ifs & not paid [?]”

Conclusion:

James Laughead of Belmont County, Ohio, was formerly of Menallen Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He was the third son of James Laughead, Sr. and his wife Mary. James Jr.’s older brothers, John and William, may have already migrated west to Ohio, leaving James Jr. to handle the affairs of their father’s estate. The children of James and Mary Laughead were: Hannah (wife of James McHarry), John, William, James, Martha (wife of William Wells), Benjamin, Richard, Mary and Elisha.

Sources:

1810 U. S. census, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Menallen Township, p. 1004 (penned), line 1, James Lawhead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 54.

1810 U. S. census, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Menallen Township, p. 1000 (penned), line 9, James Logshead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 54.

“Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994,” digital image, Family Search (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 April 2014), November 1814 Orphans’ Court, guardianship appointments of Mary and Elisha Laughead; citing Fayette County, Orphans’ Court Records 1783-1844, v. 1: 152.

“Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994,” digital image, Family Search (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 April 2014), August 1814 Orphans’ Court, petition of James Laughead, Jr.; citing Fayette County, Orphans’ Court Records 1783-1844, v. 1: 149.

A Mystery Solved? (Part 5)

4 Replies

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.

A Mystery Solved? (Part 4)

8 Replies

Once a time frame was established for the Laughead family settling in Ohio, the next step was to examine some early Ohio records, starting with the census.

To recap the research thus far…

Three likely Laughead/Lawhead siblings are:

Joseph, born Pennsylvania circa 1817
Susannah, born Ohio circa 1821
Ruth, born Ohio circa 1825

Since all three (Joseph, Susannah, and Ruth) were married in the Belmont and Guernsey County area in the late 1830s – early 1840s, further research should focus on these and surrounding counties. Likely mother Bathsheba Laughead lived in Guernsey County in 1840. Jumping back ten years to the 1830 census, there were 13 Laughead/Lawhead families living in Ohio.

1830 Census of Ohio – Lawhead & Laughead
Name	Location
Edward Laughead	White Eyes, Coshocton, Ohio
Elisha Lawhead	Richland, Guernsey, Ohio
James Laughead	Miami, Green, Ohio
James Lawhead	Warren, Belmont, Ohio
James Lawhead	Camp Creek, Pike, Ohio
John Laughead	Union, Clinton, Ohio
Joseph Lawhead	Greenfield, Highland, Ohio
Thomas Lawhead	Buckskin, Ross, Ohio
William Lawhead	McArthur, Logan, Ohio
William Lawhead	Warren, Belmont, Ohio
William Lawhead	Sugar Creek, Wayne, Ohio
William Lawhead	Wayne, Muskingum, Ohio
William Laughead	Hopewell, Muskingum, Ohio

Only three of these families lived in the Belmont or Guernsey County area.

The Three Families:

The household of Elisha Lawhead of Guernsey County consisted of seven individual members: one male aged 30-39, two males under 5, two females aged 20-29, and two females aged 5-9. Even though Ruth and Susannah would fit into this family, neither Joseph nor Bathsheba would. Joseph was 13 in 1830 and Bathsheba was 40.

The household of James Lawhead of Belmont County consisted of ten individual members: one male aged 40-49, one male aged 15-20, one male aged 10-14, one male aged 5-9, one female aged 40-49, one female aged 20-29, one female aged 10-14, one female aged 5-9, and two females under 5. Bathsheba (40-49), Joseph (10-14), Susannah (5-9) and Ruth (under 5) would all fit in this family.

Image courtesy of Ancestry.com

The household of William Lawhead of Belmont County consisted of four individual members: one male aged 40-49, one male aged 15-19, one female aged 40-49, and one female aged 10-14. Bathsheba would fit as the older female, but none of the children match.

In 1840, there were four Laughead/Lawhead families still living in the area:

Bathsheba Laughead (a widow)
Joseph Laughead (now married and head of his own household)
Elisha Laughead (likely the same man from 1830, now ten years older with five children)
James Laughead (not the same man from 1830, a twenty something male, with a wife and two young children)

Conclusion:

The most likely candidate for the father of Joseph, Susannah and Ruth Lawhead was James Lawhead. The family of James and Bathsheba Lawhead had seven or eight children in 1830 so there are more children that need to be identified.

Sources:

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 16 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 131.

1830 U. S. census, Belmont County, Ohio, Warren Township, p. 212 (penned), line 4, James Lawhead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 127.

1830 U. S. census, Belmont County, Ohio, Warren Township, p. 216 (penned), line2 4, William Lawhead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 127.

1840 U. S. census, Belmont County, Ohio, Somerset Township, p. 10 (penned), line 14, Joseph Laughead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 378.

1840 U. S. census, Guernsey County, Ohio, Seneca Township, p. 3 (penned), line 15, Bathsheba Laughead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 397.

1840 U. S. census, Guernsey County, Ohio, Seneca Township, p. 4 (penned), line 7, Elisha Laughead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 397.

1840 U. S. census, Guernsey County, Ohio, Seneca Township, p. 4 (penned), line 10, James Laughead; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 April 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 397.