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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - WATSON ANCESTORS
RUSSELL
(Also recorded
as Russel and Russle)
40-Jacob and 41-“Fanny” RUSSELL (my 3G Grandparents) were both born in 1763. Information from family sources conflicts on their place of birth. One source has them born in Amsterdam, Holland, and a second source, in Germany. My guess is that were they born in Germany and like many other German emigrants of the day who sailed from Amsterdam on Dutch ships they were often referred to as being "Dutch".
They sailed from Amsterdam in 1784 and landed at Baltimore, MD. They settled in Frederick County, Maryland where they had at least six children (3 boys and 3 girls), the only ones now positively identified being Catherine, 20-Solomon, John and George. They moved to Southwestern Pennsylvania about 1812 where they lived the rest of their lives. Indications are that they both died in the 1830's. They are thought to be buried on the family farm near Bald Hill, Greene County, Pennsylvania in unmarked graves.
20-Solomon RUSSELL (my GG Grandfather) was born in Maryland in 1785. He moved to Greene County, PA about 1812 with his parents. He met and married 21-Catherine BARE about 1814 and they settled on their own farm near Bald Hill in Dunkard Township. They had thirteen children, Israel, Mary Ann, Catherine, Jacob N., Pamilia Ann, Solomon Jr, 10-Eli, Rachel, Hannah, Samuel, Frances, and Susan. 21-Catherine died in 1873 at age 75 and is buried on the family farm at Bald Hill, Greene County, PA. 20-Solomon died in 1878 at age 93 and is buried in the M. E. Church Cemetery, Mount Morris, PA.
 Eli RUSSELL (1829-1900) |
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10-Eli RUSSELL (my G Grandfather) was born in 1829 at Bald Hill, Greene County, PA where he was raised on his parents farm. About 1850 he married 11-Susanna Donley, daughter of a local farmer, and they moved to their own farm home. They had at least five children, L. D. "Ramsey", Katherine , who became the wife of Byron W. WATSON, brother of my Grandfather, 5-Lucretia, who became the wife of 4-Joseph C. Watson, Byron's younger brother, Ida Mae, and Frances I. "Ona". Family sources report that 10-Eli, in addition to being a farmer was a school teacher and a minister. 10-Eli died in 1900 at age 70, and 11-Susanna in 1916 at age 81. Both are buried in the Bald Hill Cemetery along with a number of their children. |
SUPPLEMENTAL BIOGRAPHIC MATERIAL - RUSSELL
(Added after initial printing)
(Added after initial printing)
Following is additional information on my 3G Grandparents 40-Jacob RUSSELL (1763- ), his wife 41-Francis “Fanny” (1763- ), and their family including 2G Grandfather 20-Solomon RUSSELL (1785-1878).
Jacob RUSSELL, his wife Fanny and their daughter Catherine sailed from Amsterdam to America about 1785. They settled in Hagerstown, MD.
Other children of Jacob and Fanny identified to date are daughter Catherine and sons John, George and 20-Solomon RUSSELL. Indications are that the brothers were all born in Hagerstown, MD. 2G Grandfather 20-Solomon was born in Hagerstown in 1785 and lived there until age 21. He worked for a man named Rudy HARE from childhood until he left the area.
In 1806 the three sons relocated to the Glades in Bruceton Mills, Monongalia (now Preston) County, WV. John and George purchased land at that location. About the time of the Civil War John drowned in the Cheat River while rafting timber.
20-Solomon relocated to Dunkard Township, Greene County, PA where on 25 Mar 1814 he and his father 40-Jacob RUSSELL purchased a 360-acre farm near Mount Morris from William WILFORD. His sister Catherine kept house for Solomon until his marriage to 21-Catherine BARE in 1815. On 30 Mar 1836 40-Jacob RUSSELL transferred his interest in the property to 20-Solomon.
Part of this same property has remained in the hands of RUSSELL descendants since that time. It was transferred to Solomon RUSSELL, Jr. in 1872, to Katherine RUSSELL and her husband Byron W. WATSON that same year, to their son Irving R. WATSON and his wife Isa HEROD in 1922, to their son Edwin WATSON in 1958, and on to it’s present owner, another RUSSELL descendant, about 1972.
SOURCE: Cousin Rebecca DUNCAN of Mountain View, CA and family property records from Cousin Jeannie WATSON of Sterling Heights, MI.