Person:Lucinda Rabb (1)

Personal History

Lucinda Rabb lived her whole life in Fayette County, western Pennsylvania. She was born there in 1804, the youngest child of Andrew Rabb, a wealthy miller and distiller, and his much younger second wife, Catharine Pentecost. That year, Thomas Jefferson was re-elected as President. The Louisiana Purchase had just doubled the size of the country. Most U.S. households still hauled water inside from a well, cooked at their fireplaces, and used outdoor privys (as did the White House; Jefferson had a water closet installed in 1804).

Andrew died six months after Lucinda was born, murdered by a slave, who said a white man had put her up to it so that he could rob the home when the family was at the funeral. Catherine remarried by 1810 and Lucinda became part of a larger household with several brothers.

Lucinda married George Deffenbaugh, a farmer. They had three children--Jacob, Catherine, and Mary Ann.

George died in 1877 and Lucinda died two years later. She had written a will in 1873, perhaps already in poor health then at age 68.

By the time Lucinda died, the United States had experienced multiple financial panics and depressions, including in 1807, 1819-23, 1837-41, 1838-44, 1857, and 1873, the worst to date. There had been epidemics--typhoid in 1813; cholera in 1831, 1837, and 1848; yellow fever in 1841 and 1850; and influenza in 1847. There had been large waves of immigration, particularly German and Irish mid-century. The California Gold Rush began in 1848, attracting people from all over the country (including Fayette County) and beyond.

Portrait photography had been developed during Lucinda's lifetime, and by the time of the Civil War, portraits were reasonably common. A photo of Lucinda may exist, although we don't know of one yet.

The United States had fought several wars--the War of 1812, the Mexican War (1848), and most tragically, the Civil War. Lucinda's only son, Jacob, volunteered with the 85th Pennsylvania Infantry in late 1861, leaving behind a wife and a houseful of little girls who were fortunate to have relatives nearby, including George and Lucinda. Jacob returned home in November 1864, and, two years later, filed for a disability pension.

written by Julie Kelts, October 2022

Will of Lucinda Deffenbaugh

In the name of God, Amen, I Lucinda Deffenbaugh, of New Salem Menallen Township Fayette County Pennsylvania being feeble in body but of Sound and disposing mind and memory; blessed be God for the Same, calling to mind my mortality do make and publish this and only this my Last Will and Testament & desiring it to remain as such Item 1st I commit my soul to God who gave it and my body to the dust hoping for a glorious resurrection through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the last Great Day. And for what worldly property it has pleased the Lord to bless me with I dispose of the same as follows: Item 2d It is my will and desire that as soon after my death as is convenient, my daughter Mary Ann have two feather beds beding and headsteads together with all the quilts about the house Known or made by her. Also two sets Windsor chairs two rocking chairs, looking glass together with all the household and Kitchen furniture belonging to me about the house to be hers absolute. I having furnished my older children in helping them to set up housekeeping They, of course have rec'd as much of my property as would be coming to them Lastly: I do hereby nominate and appoint my friend Ebenezer Finley Executor of this my Last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal the 19th Feb 1873. Signed Sealed Published and declared by the within named Lucinda Deffenbaugh to be her Last Will and Testament, who by her request & in her presence have signed our names Jonah H. Dearth J.W. Scott

transcribed by Julie Kelts, October 2022, from image at Ancestry: Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993, Fayette County, Wills Vol. 5-7 1876-1889, image 138 of 660 (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8802/images/007820390_00138?pId=3091344)

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 1850 United States Federal Census, in Fayette, Pennsylvania, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule: Seventh Census of the United States, NARA Microfilm Publication M432. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration)
   Pennsylvania, Fayette, German, 1850.

   Name: Lucinda Deffenbaugh, Gender: Female, Race: White, Age: 46, Birth Year: abt 1804, Birthplace: Pennsylvania, Home in 1850: German, Fayette, Pennsylvania, USA, Line Number: 18, Dwelling Number: 20, Family Number: 20; in household with George Deffenbaugh, 46; and Catharine, Mary, and Jacob Deffenbaugh; transcription per Ancestry at https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/208103:8054?ssrc=pt&tid=71402081&pid=32463289368

2. ↑ Dunlap's Creek Presbyterian Church Register of Deaths, in United States, Presbyterian Church Records
   Pennsylvania Merrittstown Dunlap´s Creek Presbyterian Church Baptisms, Births, Marriages, Deaths 1877-1890.

   "Lucinda E. Deffenbaugh, May 23rd 1879, Widow of George Deffenbaugh, Dec'd"; record at Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/51192:61048?ssrc=pt&tid=71402081&pid=32463289368