Oldham Family Files
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio
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Samuel OLDHAM
SAMUEL OLDHAM was born on 1 March 1792 in Pennsylvania and lived
throughout his life on his father's old homestead in Ohio County, Virginia
which he inherited from his father. At age 21 he married Rebecca Wylie on 6
May 1813. They were Presbyterian in faith and a schoolmaster, missionary
and farmer.
At age 23 Samuel was employed as a schoolmaster to teach the Seneca Indians
who lived on the border of Pennsylvania and New York. The Senecas were the
most important tribe of the Iroquois nation and their Chief Cornplanter was
famous for helping the Americans during their troubles with the Indians in
the 1790s.
The story goes, the Western Missionary Society, of Pittsburgh, decided to
build a mission station in the town of Cornplanter where the Seneca Indians
and their Chief Cornplanter lived. Rev. Michael Law was to hire a layman as
a schoolmaster and on March 7, 1815, Samuel Oldham, schoolmaster, was
employed at a rate of $250.00 per annum, with provisions for him and his
family for their removal to Cornplanters town.
By May 1, 1815 the W.M.S. had issued Samuel $7.50 for traveling expenses to
Pittsburgh, and another $25.00 for the extra expenses of removing him to
Cornplanters Town. Messrs. Hunt and Davis were appointed to obtain a mode
of conveyance by water for Samuel Oldham and his family to Cornplanter
Town.
The W.M.S. secretary was ordered to attend to the affairs of the school
house and schoolmaster in Cornplanter Town and furnish him from time to
time with whatever was necessary for the support of the Mission. They
provided him with a cow first hand and wrote out the budget for the school
including all the necessary items needed. The list contained 205 lb.
bacon at 15 cents - $30.75; 3 barrels flours 6/50 - $19.50; a hand saw -
$2.50; 2 augurs - $2.121/3; 1 hatchet and 1 chysel and 1 lock - $2.00; 2
tea canisters and coffee pot - $2.00; medicine - $4.00; 1 corn plow -
$1.00; 8 1/2 lb. of coffee - $3.50; 1 ax and crubbing hoer and drawing
knife - $5.75; 1 rheum paper - $3.75; Books and stationary - $9.65 and
Coffee, tea and c - $4.50.
In 1816 the Reverend Mr. Timothy Alden, representing the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel among the Indians of North America, visited
Cornplanter's Town and the school there. He found that Samuel Oldham,
schoolmaster, was already successfully in persuading the seven Indian
households, still located on the grant, to discontinue the annual calendar
of religious ceremonies and no longer profane the Sabbath with hunting, or
amusements, or any kind of labor. "Such already is the happy effect of the
example set by Mr. Oldham and his family."
On 17 June 1816, W.M.S. discussed with Chief Cornplanter and Mr. Oldham the
Schoolmaster, with success, the continuance of the school into the next
year. By 03 July 1816 the W.M.S. decided to pay Samuel in money instead of
making provisions for his family and the next day the following was
recorded, "On the account between the Western Missionary Society and
Samuel Oldham, Schoolmaster, are settled up to 1st July 1816 ......as per
accounts filled. Witness our hands, Francis Herron and Samuel Oldham
By error in settlement in favor of Samuel Oldham twenty four dollars and
forty cents......F. Herron.
Samuel Oldham continue for another year as a teacher at Cornplanters Town,
and Mrs. Oldham was requested by the W.M.S. to employ some of her time in
teaching the female Indians the domestic arts. In 1817 the W.M.S. mission
at Cornplanter was still in operation and Rev. Alden returned to preach in
Cornplanter's house in which he reported that the schoolmaster, Samuel
Oldham, was now holding religious services every Sunday.
However the future of the W.M.S. Iroquois mission was in the hands of the
their Chief Cornplanter. During the earlier part of the mission Cornplanter
had been in support of the Americans, expressing that since their future
was with the Americans, the best Indian policy lied in allying themselves
with the Americans. Cornplanter thought the Americans would recognize and
reward such an allegiance. He set his course accordingly and became the
Americans most valuable single instrument in dealing with other and hostile
Indians. But by 1817 Cornplanter's heart had begin to turn away from the
White ways and by 1818 he was uncompromising and insistence that the
mission be suspended. A letter from Samuel Oldham was read and recorded on
September 8, 1818, it stated several unpleasant circumstance in relation to
the school at Cornplanters Town. In response to the letter the board
reported that they were taking the contents of the letter into serious
consideration. After some discussion they unanimously resolved that Rev
Michael Law be requested to visit the school at Corn Planters for the
purpose of obtaining and forwarding to the board all necessary information
in relation to the school in its present circumstances. Concerned of the
education of the Indian youth, the board resolved that Rev E. Mourdy be
appointed for one month to visit Corn Planters Town with a view to obtain,
if any, of the Indian youth completing their education. Samuel Oldham who
was now dismissed from Missionary Service was given a final settlement on
September 1, 1819 between the Western Missionary Society, in which they
ordered a warrant be issued for $194.86 which includes the $40.00 dollars
appropriated to Mr. Oldham.
In the 1820 census Samuel Oldham was reported living in Conewang with his
family. One year later Samuel witnessed a land deed that was drawn up
between the Seneca Indian Chief, Cornplanter, of Jenesedaga and a Martin
Reese on March 29, 1821. Martin purchased three lots in the town of Warren
from Cornplanter. On April 4, 1821 Samuel was sworn in on his oath and
testified to Daniel Jackson J.P. that he and Robert Arthur was present and
saw Cornplanter sign, seal and deliver the deed. Samuel went on to say
that he did explain the nature of the deed to Cornplanter and from his
being well acquainted with Cornplanter , having lived at Jenesedaga in the
capacity of schoolmaster, he states that he does believe that the said
Cornplanter did understand the nature and effect of the said deed.
In 1822 the Rev. Amos Chase, a missionary under the Presbytery of Erie,
came, and formed out of this nucleus what was termed the First Presbyterian
Church of Warren. The original nine members was reported to be, Abner and
Polly Hazeltime, Colonel J.M. and Eunice Berry, Samuel Oldham---who was in
the employ of the Pittsburgh Synod as teacher of the Indians at Cornplanter
town, John Andrews, Mrs. Rose Eddy, Mrs. Margaret Hackney and Mrs. Amelia
Winter, all of whom except the last-named were received by letter. Samuel
at this time was reported to be living 14 miles up the river in Warren,
Pennsylvania.
SAMUEL OLDHAM left the border of Pennsylvania and New York most likely
around 1825, and returned to his old homestead in Virginia. Samuel was
reported in 1830, to be the executor James Smith's probate of Ohio County,
Virginia. I believe James Smith was the husband of Samuel's sister,
Catherine, possibly her second husband. Then in 1850 Samuel was an executor
Thomas McConn probate. In the 1850 census Samuel and Rebecca's family
listed children in the 1850 Federal Census for Ohio Co., Virginia on Page
21, Family 146, Dwelling 138.
1. Isaac OLDHAM, born 1814 in Virginia; married Elizabeth(?);
married Jane Johns.
2. Wylie H. "Wiley" OLDHAM, born 21 Nov. 1819 in Ohio Co.,
Virginia; married Mary C. (?)
3. Benjamin M. OLDHAM, born 22 Dec 1821 in Virginia; married
Margaret S. Byers.
4. John Miller OLDHAM, born 6 May 1824 in Ohio Co., Virginia;
married Isabella Armstrong 1846.
5. Samuel W. OLDHAM, born July 1826 in Ohio Co., Virginia married
1. unknown 2.Mary Jane OLDHAM 3. Sarah A. Wirt.
6. Mary M. OLDHAM; born 1828 in Ohio Co., Virginia; married
William Armstrong.
7. James H. OLDHAM, born 1831 in Ohio Co., Virginia; married
Mary (?); married Elizabeth (?).
8. Caroline E. OLDHAM, born 1832; died before 1876 in Ohio
Co., West Virginia; she was not mentioned in her fathers
will.
Hugh ROBERTS, 10 years of age, is listed in the family dwelling of
Samuel Oldham, 44th District, Ohio Co., Virginia, US 1850 Census.
Edgar Dennis, 12 years of age, is listed in the family dwelling of
Samuel Oldham, in the 1860 census.
By 1870 Samuel owed 73 acres of land worth about $2,550. 00. Samuel
prepared his own will on 25 January 1876 in Ohio, West Virginia. He died on
10 March 1876 on the old homestead in Ohio County, West Virginia, at age
84. It was presented for probate 20 March 1876. His two sons John M.
Oldham and James A. Oldham were appointed as Executors He was buried circa
15 March 1876 in Route #40, West Alexandria, Washington County,
Pennsylvania.
Samuel's will was published in the local newspaper on March 21 1876, as
this "The last will and testament of Samuel Oldham, Sr was yesterday proved
and admitted to probate. The testator places at the disposal of his
executors the sum of $800.00 for "benevolent and Christian purposes" out of
which sum he directed that editable head and foot stones be placed at his
own and wife's graves and the disposal of the balance he confides entirely
to his executors as they in their wisdom see fit and they are not to be
held accountable to any person in any manner whatever therefore. The
residue of the estate was left to his children and heirs and daughter in
law Isabel, wife of his son John M. Oldham, each receiving one-seventh.
His two sons, John M Oldham and James H Oldham were appointed executors and
not security required. The will was dated January 25 , 1879 and witnessed
by Matthew Denniston and Andrew Denniston."
An inventory was taken, on March 20 1876 and this is a list of his
possessions. 2 two gallon jars, 3 pans, 1 brass kettle, 1 small pot, 1 sad
iron, 1 set of silver tea spoons, 1 cow, 1 pair wheels, 1 side saddle, 1
crooked cane, 1 case of drawers, 1 table, 1 bedstead, 1 bureau, 3 chairs, 1
lounge, 3 old chairs, 1 stand, 9 patched quilts, 2 blankets, 4 quilts, 1
table cloth, 1 sheet, 2 pillow slips, 73 acres of land
An estate sale was held in April 1877 and recorded February 12, 1878. It
reported that Isaac Oldham bought 4 lots of patchwork quilts, Samuel Oldham
Jr bought 7 lots of patchwork quilts, one smoothing iron and one saddle,
Benjamin Oldham bought 3 lots of patchwork quilts, one set of pans, 2 two
gallon jars, a table cloth and sheet, a dish pan, a set of silver spoons, 3
chairs, a bedstead, a bureau, a stand of drawers, a chamber and a cow.
Elizabeth Oldham bought a kettle, Clark Craft bought one stand, Alf McKeag
bought a cart, Luke Kimmins bought a blanket, John Richey bought 3 chairs,
and A.L.Wirt bought a table.
On December 30, 1877 it was recorded of the following people was indebted
to the estate and paid; Alf McKeag on 28 Sept, William Armstrong on March
24, Sep 28, 1876, Feb 25 and Oct 2, 1877, Alfred Wirt Sept 28 1876, and
Isaac Oldham June 25, 1877. The estate turned around and paid Wesley
Robinson for affidavit of appraiser on March 22, 1876, Isaac Oldham April
5, 1876, Robert B. Woods clerk for probating will April 20, 1876, Register
Co. for advertisement of sale on Jan 17, 1877, James Alexander undertaker
on Feb 12, 1877, William Armstrong a note on Feb 12, 1877, Presbyterian
Banner for obituary notice on Feb 12, 1877, John R Anderson for monument to
grave on Feb 24, Mar 1, July 3 and Sept 20, 1877, Wiley Oldham on Sept 1,
1877, John Armstrong sexton on Oct 3, 1877, James H Oldham executor
expenses and time and Commissions of executors on Sept 7, 1877.
On Oct 3, 1878 and filed 24 Oct 1878 this final report was made
Cash paid to Register Comp for Advertising, to J.H. Good for legal
services, to Wylie Oldham in will, to Sheriff for taxes, to Isabel Oldham
for legacy, to John Ridgey for Auction, and Mrs. Jane Oldham Heir.
Ref.:-Birth, Miller History and Genealogies, page 550.
-United States Federal Census, 1850, 44th District 21,
Ohio County, Virginia, page 21.
-Death; Miller History and Genealogies, page 550.
-United States Federal Census, 1870, Tridadelphia Twp.,
West Virginia, page 27.
-Death & Rebirth of the Senecas by A. Wallace., p.322.
-J.H. Beers, Commemorative Biographical Record of
Washington Co., PA. (Chicago, Ill. 1893, reprinted
1976 Polyanthos, New Orleans.)
©Copyright 1997 Marcia J Rothman. All rights reserved. Duplication of this document in any means to sell or make money, with or without intention is prohibited without the expressed written permission of Marcia J Rothman PO 43, Langley, WA. 98260.
Bibliography
Hardy Family Pictures, Contact Marcia Rothman, PO 43, Langley, WA 98260,
about 1870 to present.
J.H. Beers, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County,
Pennsylvania (Chicago, Illinois: J.H. Beers & Company, 1893 ( Reprinted
1976, Polyanthos, New Orleans )).
Jack T Ericson, "Cornplanter Descendants Association Newsletter," serial
unknown.
Letter from Audra Wayne, 268 Willow Lane, Wheeling, WV 26003
of the Wheeling Genealogical Society, August 10, 1991.
Letter from Bob Kay, with family group sheets, letters from C.V. Jackson
and copies of sources, 1997.
letters from Mrs. Ada Evans
Marriage entry in Guernsey County, Ohio records, July 2, 1858.
Newton, History of the Pan Handle West Virginia (n.p.: n. pub., 1879).
Obituary of Mrs. Mary Jane Oldham, May 1860.
Oldham Family Group Sheet sent to Marcia J Rothman by Darlene Libbey
Schenck, J.S., History of Warren County, Pennsylvania (Syracerse, NY: D.
Mason and Co., 1887).
Transcription of the Original Records of the Western Missionary Society
Under the Direction of Rev. Baius Jackson Slosser, PH.D.F.R. Hist.S.
Professor of Ecclesiastical History and History of Doctrine Western
Theological Seminary, 15 April 1936.
United States Federal Census.
Wallace, Anthony C., The Renaissance of the Iroquois (n.p.: n. pub., n.d.).
Warren County Historical Society, "Stepping Stones," serial unknown.
Will of Samuel Oldham Sr. of Ohio County, West Virginia, will book 5, page
248, 25 Jan 1876.
Williams, H.Z., History of Washington County, Ohio 1788 - 1881 (Cleveland ,
Ohio: H.Z. Williams and Bro., 1881).
__________, The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia (n.p.: n. pub., n.d.).