Switzer Family Number 1 :: Jacob and Elizabeth and the Sale of their Land

This previous post was a summary of the Tax Lists, Land Records, and Census Records for each of the Jacob Switzers living in Columbiana County, Ohio and in that post this Jacob was identified as Jacob #1. This Jacob Switzer was born February 28, 1761 and died October 27, 1841. His wife was named Elizabeth (maiden name possibly Hoke and possibly married February 19, 1786).



From 1816-1831 Jacob Switzer was taxed on 156 acres in the NE ¼ R3 T15 S25 (Salem Twp). Patent Certificate 883 was issued to Jacob Switzer of Jefferson County, Ohio for this land in 1804. The final certificate number 1976 was issued in 1808. In 1832 this land was sold by Jacob and Elizabeth to Daniel Switzer.





Columbiana County, Ohio Deeds Volume 15, bottom of page 389 (FHL Film 926868)

Pages 389 and 390 contain the standard legalese associated with land transactions.

“This indenture made this twentieth day of January AD One Thousand eight hundred and thirty two, by and between Jacob Switzer and Elizabeth his wife of the county of Columbiana in the state of Ohio of the one part, and Daniel Switzer... for and in consideration of the sum of Fifteen hundred dollars... do convey unto the said Daniel Switzer... all that tract or parcel of land... in the North East quarter of Section No twenty five Township No fifteen and range No three of the Steubenville land District... containing one hundred and fifty six acres and Seventy Seven hundredths... which quarter Section of land was granted to the said Jacob Switzer by Patent From under the hand and seal of Thomas Jefferson while he was President of the United States..."

Jacob and Elizabeth both made their marks. The deed was recorded on the 13th day of February 1832.





Columbiana County, Ohio Deeds Volume 15, page 390 (FHL Film 926868)

The interesting part of these documents begins at the bottom of page 390 and continues on to page 391 and is a Mortgage made by Daniel Switzer to Jacob Switzer.



This Indenture made this twenty first day of January AD one Thousand eight hundred and thirty Two, between Daniel Switzer & Elisabeth his wife... and Jacob Switzer of the other part, Witnesseth that the said Daniel Switzer and Elisabeth his Wife for and in consideration of the sum of Six hundred dollars to them in hand paid by the said Jacob Switzer... do confirm unto the said Jacob Switzer... all that tract or parcel of land... being the North east quarter of Section No twenty five Township No fifteen, and range No Three... containing one hundred and fifty six acres more or less...

Provided always, and these presents are upon This express condition, that if the said Daniel Switzer, his heirs executors or administrators shall pay or cause to be be paid unto the said Jacob Switzer or assigns, yearly and every year for and during his natural life on or before the first day of April annually commencing in 1833 twenty five Bushels of wheat, fifty bushels of corn, fifty bushels of oats and six bushels of buckwheat, and also to furnish and provide yearly and every year during his natural life, hay and stable rom for one horse and a Cow, during the winter season, and pasture during the remainder of the year, keep four head of Sheep for said Jacob Switzer. Furnish him a Sufficient quantity of firewood ready for use at His house. let him have the entire use of the mansion house he Now lives in – room in the Springhouse as usual – as much fruit as he and his wife shall want for their own use a truck patch Before his door and as much room as usual in the garden. That then and from Henceforth these presents and every thing Herein contained shall cease and be void, anything herein Contained, to the contrary not withstanding. In Testimony whereof the said Daniel Switzer and Elisabeth his wife have hereunto set their hands and seals, day and year first above written.

Daniel Switzer signed his name and his wife Elisabeth made her mark. The mortgage was received for record and recorded on the 13th day of February 1832.





Columbiana County, Ohio Deeds Volume 15, page 391 (FHL Film 926868)



Columbiana County, Ohio Deeds Volume 15, top of page 392 (FHL Film 926868)

Gourd & Zinna Blossoms

Just a few things that I am Thankful for...

(click on the image for a larger version)

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with family and/or friends!

Gunnar Bikes: the Accessible Waterford

Given the references to Waterford in a recent post, as well as the company's presence at Interbike (that's a briefcase full of head tube samples in the picture above), I wanted to bring readers' attention to a line of bicycles that I think is mighty nice: Gunnar Bikes. Made in Wisconsin, USA in the factory of Waterford Precision Cycles, Gunnar is the simpler, budget-conscious offspring of the famous custom manufacturer - named after a beloved pet dog.






Advances in steel tubing design led to the TIG-welded Gunnar line's 1998 launch, and Waterford has been producing them ever since. There are now 10 stock models available, including road, cyclocross, touring, and mountain bikes. The local-to-me Harris Cyclery is a Gunnar dealer, and recently I finally got around to test riding one of the bikes.






The Gunnar I rode is the CrossHairs model: a cyclocross bike with cantilever brakes, clearances for 38mm tires and provisions for fenders and racks. The colour is described as "burnt orange."The 54cm floor model was slightly too big for me, but doable as far as getting a sense of the bike over the course of the test ride.My interest was mainly in theCrossHairs'potential as a road-to-trail bike - for which its aggressive geometry, fairly light weight, and wide tire clearances made it look like a good candidate. Others might also be interested in it as a randonneuring bike or even a commuter, given the rack and fender possibilities.





The cleanly welded frame is fitted with a curved, steel fork with a brazed fork crown.





Eyelets for fenders.







Cantilever bosses and rack mounts.





This is the third SRAM-equipped bike I have test ridden this year (see the others here and here), and I am becoming pleasantly familiar with SRAM components.







The canti brakes are Avid Shorty, and they worked fairly well for me.





Alexrims B450 wheelset and 700C x 32mm Panaracer Pasela tires with black sidewalls.






On the 54cm bike there was no toe overlap for me (size 38 shoes, clipless pedals), with plenty of toe room for 35mm tires (but not if I were to add fenders). In conversation with Waterford, I learned that the toe clearance on the 52cm frame is nearly identical, so the same would hold true for one size down. For sizes smaller than 52cm, the clearance decreases.






Riding the Gunnar CrossHairs I found the handling familiar and intuitive from the get-go: Fast to accelerate, responsive to pedaling efforts, stable. No twitchiness and nothing weird about the handling, just an easy, fast, fun ride. The finish on the Gunnar looks excellent: extremely smooth joints, precise braze-ons, nice paint (some attractive stock colour options, as well as custom choices). Geometry can be slightly tweaked from the stock options as well, particularly top tube length. If ordering a Gunnar bike from scratch, lead time is about 4 weeks.






The complete bicycle pictured here is currently for sale at Harris Cyclery (in West Newton, MA), retailing at under $2,500. Prices will vary depending on the components used. For a US-made, handbuilt bicycle with lightweight tubing, responsive but easy handling, clearance for wide tires and provisions for fenders and racks, the Gunnar CrossHairs is worth considering for road-to-trail riding. It's a handmade-on-demand, yet available and accessible bike - from the legendary builder Waterford.

California :: Sierra Madre and Highway One

On March 31st , with an offer from Kathryn Doyle to “hang out for a few days” and the opportunity to meet with a few fellow genea-bloggers, I changed directions and headed north towards Oakland.

Rather than take the same road back north, I traveled one of my favorite routes – Highway 33 from Ventura through Ojai and the Los Padres National Forest in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Then connecting to Highway 166 and back to the Coast Highway.

The Sierra Madre Mountains as seen from near Pine Mountain Summit. Elevation was more than 5,000 feet.

I spent the night at Montaña De Oro State Park just south of Morro Bay. It was another windy day and the surf was incredible. This park has a lot to offer – scenery, trails, wildflowers - and I would have liked to spend more time there – perhaps another day... gorgeous.





One of the wildflowers found along the bluff trail.

Peter and Christina Wise Family in Gilead Cemetery

Gilead Cemetery, Perry Township, Miami County, Indiana. North Section, Row Five, looking Northeast.
Photographs taken by Becky Wiseman on February 5, ... It was a foggy and rainy day. The "blurry" spots are rain drops on the lens of the camera. As always, click on the images for larger versions.



The first marker in the foreground, is the first one in the row, near the roadway that runs through the cemetery. Starting with that marker, we have Mary Ann Wise, Wealthy A. Wise, Newton O. Wise (wife and children of William Wise). The fourth tall marker is for Peter and Christina Wise. The small marker on the right has the initials "P.W." and another identical marker on the left has the initials "C. W."

According to the cemetery transcription books, there is another marker, in the same row but in the south section for Elizabeth Wise who died May 24, 1854 at age 17y 4m. However, I was unable to locate it. Perhaps on a nicer day that is a bit warmer, I might be able to make out some of the inscriptions that I was not able to read during this visit.



The Wise family markers, looking south west. The marker for Peter and Christina, in the foreground, stands well over six feet in height, probably closer to seven. The other two tall markers are about five feet high while Mary Ann's is about four feet high.



Peter's inscription is on the west side of the marker: PETER WISE / DIED / JAN. 29 1875 / AGED 77 YEARS.
The inscription "FATHER & MOTHER" is on the north face of the marker.
Christina's inscription is on the east side of the marker: C. WISE / DIED / APR. 25, 1884 / AGED 83 Y's 1 Mo. 24 D.



NEWTON O. WISE / DIED / DEC. 10 1874 / AGED 26 Y 11 M & D

WEALTHY A. / daughter of / W.& M. A. WISE / DIED / Jan. 21 1871 / AGED / 21 Y 2 M 20 D's

MARY ANN / WIFE OF / WM WISE / DIED / Jan. 5 1870 / AGED / 43 Y. 6 M. & 27 D. Barely discernible is four lines of text beneath the main inscription. Under the right lighting conditions it may be possible to get a good image for reading the text.

Tombstone Tuesday :: Maud Wise Yontz

Scott-Keister Cemetery, Etna-Troy Township, Whitley County, Indiana
MAUD WISE / YONTZ / 1877 - 1953
Maud Catherine Wise Brubaker Yontz was my great grandmother. She was the daughter of William Pythagrus and Sophia Dunfee Wise. Her first husband, Charles Romain Brubaker, is my great grandfather. Her second husband was Joseph F. Yontz.