His father Josiah Marsh
If my great-great grandfather, George Josiah Marsh, had never taken a moment to write a history of his life and tell about his early beginnings, I would never have found the Marsh line. He wrote:
"I was born 15 April 1830. My place of birth was in the state of New York, Cattaraugus County, the town of Randolph. My father, Josiah Marsh, belonged to the Bible Christian religion. He was married to my mother, Sally Powell, in 1826. Their first child was a girl, the only child they had except myself. My mother believed and worshiped with the Methodist persuasion. Differing in their religious views did not affect their happiness. They believed that if they were good, moral people, they would be saved as well in one church as another. My father, about the time of my birth, met with an accident which caused his death. In cutting the lock of a hoop with a very sharp pointed knife, he let it slip into his leg just above the knee. He was laid up with it for some time; but being a man of great ambitions, he went to work before it was sound, which proved fatal to him and ended in his death. He died in 1831 (29 March) leaving my mother with my sister, Jane, and myself." George Josiah also told of his mother's later marriage to Samuel Ferrin, the loss of the family farm, and of their history as early pioneers to Utah.[1]
Josiah Marsh was born 1st July, 1800 in St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont.[2]
A history written by Jane Marsh Parker of Joseph Marsh, Josiah's brother, showed that Joseph and Josiah went to Ashtabula County, Ohio, probably with their brother, Walter, and they lived together in a small cabin there. They sold out, and Joseph and maybe Josiah went to Erie County, Pennsylvania, where they purchased fifty acres of good land, but a bad title caused them to lose all. This was after Lemuel “gave them their time”, and before 1823, when Joseph went to live with his brother, James, in Rochester, New York.[3] Josiah moved to Cattaraugus County where he married and where he was later found in the 1830 census of Conewango, New York, living next to his father, Lemuel.[4].
"I was born 15 April 1830. My place of birth was in the state of New York, Cattaraugus County, the town of Randolph. My father, Josiah Marsh, belonged to the Bible Christian religion. He was married to my mother, Sally Powell, in 1826. Their first child was a girl, the only child they had except myself. My mother believed and worshiped with the Methodist persuasion. Differing in their religious views did not affect their happiness. They believed that if they were good, moral people, they would be saved as well in one church as another. My father, about the time of my birth, met with an accident which caused his death. In cutting the lock of a hoop with a very sharp pointed knife, he let it slip into his leg just above the knee. He was laid up with it for some time; but being a man of great ambitions, he went to work before it was sound, which proved fatal to him and ended in his death. He died in 1831 (29 March) leaving my mother with my sister, Jane, and myself." George Josiah also told of his mother's later marriage to Samuel Ferrin, the loss of the family farm, and of their history as early pioneers to Utah.[1]
Josiah Marsh was born 1st July, 1800 in St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont.[2]
A history written by Jane Marsh Parker of Joseph Marsh, Josiah's brother, showed that Joseph and Josiah went to Ashtabula County, Ohio, probably with their brother, Walter, and they lived together in a small cabin there. They sold out, and Joseph and maybe Josiah went to Erie County, Pennsylvania, where they purchased fifty acres of good land, but a bad title caused them to lose all. This was after Lemuel “gave them their time”, and before 1823, when Joseph went to live with his brother, James, in Rochester, New York.[3] Josiah moved to Cattaraugus County where he married and where he was later found in the 1830 census of Conewango, New York, living next to his father, Lemuel.[4].
Thanks to Dana Palmer for the reference that Josiah Marsh purchased land from the Holland Land Company.
On April 19, 1824, Josiah Marsh went to the Holland Land Company Office and purchased 405 acres of land, listed as lot 33, which was the same lot number of the Marshes in Randolph or Conewango, New York, depending on the boundaries of the town at any given year. Josiah paid only $38.00 of the $911.25 that was owed, leaving a balance of $873.25. His father, Lemuel, may have provided part of this money and so owned some of the land. The entry of Josiah's name in the record, like all the rest of the names, was in the column of "Names of Debtors." This was not uncommon among the settles in the area; in fact, very few people had any credible amount of money to make a down payment with. Deeds were not given to a person in this situation, but the Holland Land Company retained the ownership of the property. There isn't any entry in the records showing that Josiah returned to the office to make payment on the land. This was also true of many of the settlers.
The 1830 census of Conewango, New York, shows Josiah living side-by-side of his father, Lemuel, and his brothers, Julius and Orrin. Note that while Josiah's payment could have been intended to buy land for the family, neither Julius nor Orrin were old enough to own land in 1824, and Julius was not old enough to own land in 1830. The individuals in the Marsh family listed in Conewango in the 1830 census may have all been living on Josiah's land.
Then in 1831, Josiah contracted blood poisoning from a work related accident and died, still owing the balance on the land he began with.
On June 9, 1835, Josiah's brother, Hollis Marsh, is listed in the Holland Land Company "Modified Sales Record" as having purchased on lot 33, 100 acres, for $235.75. This is about 1/4 of what Josiah originally purchased. The explanation about a modified sale meant that the land had reverted to the Holland Land Company from lack of payment, which is another thing that happened to many of the settlers. It seems Hollis was trying to retain what land he could for himself and his family by buying some of what Josiah set out to do. Hollis' purchase was complete, and he would have been given a deed.
But then Hollis died of pneumonia in May of 1837 after writing into his will that his unborn child would inherit part of lot 33. Hollis' brother, William, later sold the other part of lot 33 to Nathan Sears, the new husband of Hollis' widow, just before William left for Michigan with Lemuel in his wagon. This sale, along with Lemuel's giving right-of-way to the railroad in 1839, indicates that he owned half of Hollis' purchase.
This news article, written by Joseph, Josiah's brother, and printed in his newspaper, indicates these circumstances with the land.
On April 19, 1824, Josiah Marsh went to the Holland Land Company Office and purchased 405 acres of land, listed as lot 33, which was the same lot number of the Marshes in Randolph or Conewango, New York, depending on the boundaries of the town at any given year. Josiah paid only $38.00 of the $911.25 that was owed, leaving a balance of $873.25. His father, Lemuel, may have provided part of this money and so owned some of the land. The entry of Josiah's name in the record, like all the rest of the names, was in the column of "Names of Debtors." This was not uncommon among the settles in the area; in fact, very few people had any credible amount of money to make a down payment with. Deeds were not given to a person in this situation, but the Holland Land Company retained the ownership of the property. There isn't any entry in the records showing that Josiah returned to the office to make payment on the land. This was also true of many of the settlers.
The 1830 census of Conewango, New York, shows Josiah living side-by-side of his father, Lemuel, and his brothers, Julius and Orrin. Note that while Josiah's payment could have been intended to buy land for the family, neither Julius nor Orrin were old enough to own land in 1824, and Julius was not old enough to own land in 1830. The individuals in the Marsh family listed in Conewango in the 1830 census may have all been living on Josiah's land.
Then in 1831, Josiah contracted blood poisoning from a work related accident and died, still owing the balance on the land he began with.
On June 9, 1835, Josiah's brother, Hollis Marsh, is listed in the Holland Land Company "Modified Sales Record" as having purchased on lot 33, 100 acres, for $235.75. This is about 1/4 of what Josiah originally purchased. The explanation about a modified sale meant that the land had reverted to the Holland Land Company from lack of payment, which is another thing that happened to many of the settlers. It seems Hollis was trying to retain what land he could for himself and his family by buying some of what Josiah set out to do. Hollis' purchase was complete, and he would have been given a deed.
But then Hollis died of pneumonia in May of 1837 after writing into his will that his unborn child would inherit part of lot 33. Hollis' brother, William, later sold the other part of lot 33 to Nathan Sears, the new husband of Hollis' widow, just before William left for Michigan with Lemuel in his wagon. This sale, along with Lemuel's giving right-of-way to the railroad in 1839, indicates that he owned half of Hollis' purchase.
This news article, written by Joseph, Josiah's brother, and printed in his newspaper, indicates these circumstances with the land.
16th of October, 1837. "In Randolph Cattaraugus Co., lived my aged father. I had not been at home for about eight years. Found my father, my step-mother, and the small remnant of the family that yet lives with them, blessed in health. But O! what changes have taken place in the family since I left home! My dear mother's place was now filled by one, who to me was almost an entire stranger. My much beloved brothers Josiah, Lemuel L. and Hollis, had fallen by death, and were quietly reposing side by side, in the lone graveyard not far distant. In would be in vain to attempt a description of my feelings on entering my long (?), absent (?) house where these things were all fresh before me, especially on visiting the grave yard where my brothers lay. "There", said my trembling father, while tears trickled down his furrowed (?) cheeks, pointing to three little hillocks of earth, "lies three of your brothers". He had depended first upon one, then upon the other, to sustain him in his old age; but death, in this respect, had blasted all his prospects. He was now being under the infirmities of near seventy years, but his trust was in his God, and in the midst of all his grief, as his last, his only consolation, could look forward with a hope of immortality to the resurrection morn (?). Ah! Said he, they were good children, and thank God, they finished their course in the triumphs of faith. Yes, thank God, responded my throbbing heart, if faithful a few days more, I shall meet them, eternally blessed, beyond the confines of the tomb. In Randolph, there is no church of the Christian name, but an effectual door is opened for the reception of a free gospel."[vi]
Josiah's burial place was confirmed in a letter written from Hollis Marsh Jr. to Jane Marsh Parker.
"So you will see that I ought to know something about it. Unkle Josiah and another unkle died several years previous, I think his name was Joseph, to my father's death. They are all buried side by side in the Cemetery here on a lot which I now own. Granfather, Granmother, Unkle William, Unkle Julius & their families moved from here to Michigan when I was about eight or nine years old. At that time, I lived with my Mother and StepFather acrost the road from them. I have not heard from them since but once, that was about 2 years ago I received a letter from Unkle Julius which I answered, have not heard from them since. Granfather and Granmother were both dead then. Please write to me & let me know which one of my Unkles was your Father, & do you know any thing of the former history of Granfather. Where he moved from when he came here. I have wanted for a long time to learn something of my ancesters. Hoping to hear from you soon I subscribe my name as your Cousin Hollis Marsh, NY."[5]
"So you will see that I ought to know something about it. Unkle Josiah and another unkle died several years previous, I think his name was Joseph, to my father's death. They are all buried side by side in the Cemetery here on a lot which I now own. Granfather, Granmother, Unkle William, Unkle Julius & their families moved from here to Michigan when I was about eight or nine years old. At that time, I lived with my Mother and StepFather acrost the road from them. I have not heard from them since but once, that was about 2 years ago I received a letter from Unkle Julius which I answered, have not heard from them since. Granfather and Granmother were both dead then. Please write to me & let me know which one of my Unkles was your Father, & do you know any thing of the former history of Granfather. Where he moved from when he came here. I have wanted for a long time to learn something of my ancesters. Hoping to hear from you soon I subscribe my name as your Cousin Hollis Marsh, NY."[5]
182 YEARS LATER
Clayton and Christopher Marsh at the grave of their 4th g grandfather,
Josiah Marsh
Photo special courtesy of Scott C. Marsh
Clayton and Christopher Marsh at the grave of their 4th g grandfather,
Josiah Marsh
Photo special courtesy of Scott C. Marsh
With gratitude and love to Scott C. and Mary B. Marsh for the stones
to mark and honor the graves of Josiah, Hollis, and Lemuel Lucius Marsh.
Front and back of stones in the Randolph Rural Cemetery
Photos courtesy of Gretchen VanRensselaer
Sally Powell Marsh Ferrin’s headstone in the Ogden, Utah cemetery
Photos special courtesy of Dee Ann Haroldsen
Photos special courtesy of Dee Ann Haroldsen
Thank you, Grandmother Sally,
for the legacy you left to your descendants
in your acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ and
your baptism into the restored
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!
for the legacy you left to your descendants
in your acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ and
your baptism into the restored
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!
Children of Josiah and Sally Clotilda Powell Marsh
.I. Jane Clotilda Marsh born 7 January 1827 in Cattaraugus County, New York. She married Elihu Pettingill 26 October 1849 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She died 6 June 1904 in Willard, Box Elder, Utah, and she and Elihu were buried in the Willard Cemetery.
Thanks to Julie Cardwell for the birth information on the children, and thanks to Dee Ann Haroldsen for the marriage information:
A. John Christopher Pettingill born 30 August 1850 in Iowa, died 12 December 1921 in Willard, Box Elder, Utah. He married Eveline Taylor 8 January 1872 in Salt Lake City.
B. Clarissa Paulina Pettingill born 26 September 1851 in Kanesville, Iowa, died 10 November 1909 in Elba, Idaho. She married Asa Moroni Beecher 6 November 1871 in Salt Lake.
C. Elihu Ulysses Pettingill born 6 March 1853 in Salt Lake City, died 16 January 1919 in Jerome, Idaho. He married Mary Adaline Graham 1876 in Willard.
D. Eliza Jane Pettingill born 13 September 1854 in Davis County, Utah, died 18 November 1931 in Salt Lake. She married William Parsons 11 December 1871 also in Salt Lake.
E. George Josiah Pettingill born 24 January 1856 in Ogden, Utah. Died 12 July 1903 in Willard, Utah. He married Ann Maria Wood 29 November 1878 in Salt Lake City.
F. Clarinda Sarah or Sarah Clarinda Pettingill born 14 June 1857 in Willard, Utah, died 30 July 1945 in Brigham City, Utah. She married Reuben James Beecher 25 November 1875.
G. Clotilda Sally or Sally Clotilda Pettingill born 15 May 1859 in Willard, died 30 November 1911. She married Appollos Taylor 6 February 1879 in Salt Lake City.
H. Orinda Hannah Pettingill born 20 January 1861 in Willard, died 8 October 1891, buried in Willard Cemetery. She married William Button Bronson 17 November 1881 in Salt Lake City.
I. Emma Maria Pettingill born 20 April 1862 in Willard, died 14 April 1948 in Logan, Utah. She married James Willard Hubbard 8 January 1880 in Salt Lake City.
J. Susan Elvira Pettingill born 10 February 1865 in Willard, died 3 November 1887 in Willard. She married George Amos Cole 7 April 1881 in Salt Lake City.
K. Mary Amelia Pettingill born 16 June 1866 in Willard, died 5 August 1906 in Brigham City, Utah. She married Brigham Hankinson Wood 19 January 1882 in Salt Lake City.
L. Ida Melissa Pettingill born 28 October 1867 in Willard, died 8 July 1949 in Willard. She married Harvey Woodyatt 21 January 1885 in Logan, Utah.
M. Ada Pettingill born 28 October 1867 in Willard, died 20 January 1868 in Willard.
N. Almeda Pettingill born 28 September 1869 in Willard, died 28 October 1869 in Willard.
O. Harriet Rosetta Pettingill born 6 October 1871 in Willard, died 17 November 1952 in Willard. After her sister's death, she married her brother-in-law, George Amos Cole, 24 October 1889 in Willard.
Thanks to Julie Cardwell for the birth information on the children, and thanks to Dee Ann Haroldsen for the marriage information:
A. John Christopher Pettingill born 30 August 1850 in Iowa, died 12 December 1921 in Willard, Box Elder, Utah. He married Eveline Taylor 8 January 1872 in Salt Lake City.
B. Clarissa Paulina Pettingill born 26 September 1851 in Kanesville, Iowa, died 10 November 1909 in Elba, Idaho. She married Asa Moroni Beecher 6 November 1871 in Salt Lake.
C. Elihu Ulysses Pettingill born 6 March 1853 in Salt Lake City, died 16 January 1919 in Jerome, Idaho. He married Mary Adaline Graham 1876 in Willard.
D. Eliza Jane Pettingill born 13 September 1854 in Davis County, Utah, died 18 November 1931 in Salt Lake. She married William Parsons 11 December 1871 also in Salt Lake.
E. George Josiah Pettingill born 24 January 1856 in Ogden, Utah. Died 12 July 1903 in Willard, Utah. He married Ann Maria Wood 29 November 1878 in Salt Lake City.
F. Clarinda Sarah or Sarah Clarinda Pettingill born 14 June 1857 in Willard, Utah, died 30 July 1945 in Brigham City, Utah. She married Reuben James Beecher 25 November 1875.
G. Clotilda Sally or Sally Clotilda Pettingill born 15 May 1859 in Willard, died 30 November 1911. She married Appollos Taylor 6 February 1879 in Salt Lake City.
H. Orinda Hannah Pettingill born 20 January 1861 in Willard, died 8 October 1891, buried in Willard Cemetery. She married William Button Bronson 17 November 1881 in Salt Lake City.
I. Emma Maria Pettingill born 20 April 1862 in Willard, died 14 April 1948 in Logan, Utah. She married James Willard Hubbard 8 January 1880 in Salt Lake City.
J. Susan Elvira Pettingill born 10 February 1865 in Willard, died 3 November 1887 in Willard. She married George Amos Cole 7 April 1881 in Salt Lake City.
K. Mary Amelia Pettingill born 16 June 1866 in Willard, died 5 August 1906 in Brigham City, Utah. She married Brigham Hankinson Wood 19 January 1882 in Salt Lake City.
L. Ida Melissa Pettingill born 28 October 1867 in Willard, died 8 July 1949 in Willard. She married Harvey Woodyatt 21 January 1885 in Logan, Utah.
M. Ada Pettingill born 28 October 1867 in Willard, died 20 January 1868 in Willard.
N. Almeda Pettingill born 28 September 1869 in Willard, died 28 October 1869 in Willard.
O. Harriet Rosetta Pettingill born 6 October 1871 in Willard, died 17 November 1952 in Willard. After her sister's death, she married her brother-in-law, George Amos Cole, 24 October 1889 in Willard.
Elihu and Jane Marsh Pettingill
Photo courtesy of Dee Ann Haroldsen
Photo courtesy of Dee Ann Haroldsen
"Photograph of Elihu Pettingill and family taken at his residence Willard City, Box Elder Co.., Utah, Nov. 16, 1877.”
Photos courtesy of Stephen Kelsey.
Photos courtesy of Stephen Kelsey.
The Pettingill family about 1900.
II. George Josiah Marsh born 15 April 1830 in Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York. He married Jane Rosetta Andrews 19 February 1854 in Salt Lake. He died 23 October 1916 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. He and Jane are buried in the Ogden Cemetery.
A. George Amos Marsh born 7 January 1855, Willard, died 25 July 1856 Willard.
B. Jane Keturah Marsh born 16 April 1857 in Willard. She married Heber Wright 12 October 1878. She died 13 January 1931.
C. Josiah Marsh born 31 August 1859 in Willard. He married Sarah Elizabeth Woodland 8 March 1879 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He died 13 October 1930 in Willard, buried in the Willard Cemetery.
D. Sally Ann Marsh born 11 November 1861 in Willard. She married 4 May 1889 Joseph Hubbard. She died 12 December 1948.
E. Louise Roseable Marsh born 16 October 1863 in Willard. She died August 1864 in Willard.
F. Clinton Marsh born 25 February 1867 in Willard; died the same day.
G. David Richard Marsh born 25 February 1867 in Willard. He married Eliza P. Moore 2 April 1919. He died 16 January 1924.
H. Geneva Alvilda Marsh born 30 August 1869 in Willard. She married Francis David Higginbotham 8 May 1889 in Logan, Utah. She died 22 March 1945.
I. Effie Nancy Marsh born 18 November 1871 in Willard. She died in 1873.
J. Lottie Clotilda Marsh born 11 December 1873 in Willard. She married William Francis Nelson 16 December 1896. She died 6 November 1954.
A. George Amos Marsh born 7 January 1855, Willard, died 25 July 1856 Willard.
B. Jane Keturah Marsh born 16 April 1857 in Willard. She married Heber Wright 12 October 1878. She died 13 January 1931.
C. Josiah Marsh born 31 August 1859 in Willard. He married Sarah Elizabeth Woodland 8 March 1879 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He died 13 October 1930 in Willard, buried in the Willard Cemetery.
D. Sally Ann Marsh born 11 November 1861 in Willard. She married 4 May 1889 Joseph Hubbard. She died 12 December 1948.
E. Louise Roseable Marsh born 16 October 1863 in Willard. She died August 1864 in Willard.
F. Clinton Marsh born 25 February 1867 in Willard; died the same day.
G. David Richard Marsh born 25 February 1867 in Willard. He married Eliza P. Moore 2 April 1919. He died 16 January 1924.
H. Geneva Alvilda Marsh born 30 August 1869 in Willard. She married Francis David Higginbotham 8 May 1889 in Logan, Utah. She died 22 March 1945.
I. Effie Nancy Marsh born 18 November 1871 in Willard. She died in 1873.
J. Lottie Clotilda Marsh born 11 December 1873 in Willard. She married William Francis Nelson 16 December 1896. She died 6 November 1954.
George Josiah and Jane Rosetta Andrews Marsh
Josiah Marsh with his sister, Jane, on our left, and his wife, Sarah, on our right.
Lottie, Geneva, and David Marsh
George Josiah md. (2) Clarissa Reed White. Their children were:
A. George Josiah Marsh born 21 October 1888 died 17 October 1969.
B. Thomas Ira Marsh born 16 October 1893 died 22 December 1938.
C. Benjamin White Marsh born 17 January 1898 died 27 April 1912.
D. Clara Katherine Marsh born 10 November 1904 died 24 March 1981
A. George Josiah Marsh born 21 October 1888 died 17 October 1969.
B. Thomas Ira Marsh born 16 October 1893 died 22 December 1938.
C. Benjamin White Marsh born 17 January 1898 died 27 April 1912.
D. Clara Katherine Marsh born 10 November 1904 died 24 March 1981
[1]Marsh, George Josiah, journal and record, #MS 1821, Church History Library, history.lds.org, Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints.
[2] Correspondence with St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont, record office, P.O. Box 867, St. Albans, Vermont, 05478-
0867.
[3] Parker, Jane Marsh, history on file with the author, courtesy of Sheron Long.
[4] 1830 U.S. census, Conewango, Cattaraugus, New York for Josiah Marsh. Note that while the Marsh family lived in
the same place in Cattaraugus County, the boundaries of the town they lived in changed off and on.
[5] Hollis Marsh Jr. letter to Jane Marsh Parker on file with the author, courtesy of Sheron Long.
[6] Marsh, Joseph, dated 16 Oct. 1837, courtesy of David R. Graham.
of Latter-Day Saints.
[2] Correspondence with St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont, record office, P.O. Box 867, St. Albans, Vermont, 05478-
0867.
[3] Parker, Jane Marsh, history on file with the author, courtesy of Sheron Long.
[4] 1830 U.S. census, Conewango, Cattaraugus, New York for Josiah Marsh. Note that while the Marsh family lived in
the same place in Cattaraugus County, the boundaries of the town they lived in changed off and on.
[5] Hollis Marsh Jr. letter to Jane Marsh Parker on file with the author, courtesy of Sheron Long.
[6] Marsh, Joseph, dated 16 Oct. 1837, courtesy of David R. Graham.