Person:Ransom Smith (1)

Ohio and Ransom nearly had the same birth year. President Thomas Jefferson signed the proclamation allowing part of the Northwest Territories to become the 17th state in the Union, on March 1st, 1803. He was born to Rosanna Foster and Nathan Smith of Vermont. His parents cleared land for farming in what was called the Duck Creek Allotment. He no doubt enjoyed being a youngster, scampering about the farm buildings and discovering the mysteries of the dark forest. As he grew in age and stature, he would have assumed more responsibilities of the farm; as he seems to have been the first male born to Rosanna. The work of clearing land must have been brutal on father Nathan, until oxen could be purchased on the frontier. Even when the Cumberland Trail was pushed through to Zanesville, that was still several miles north and west of their farm.

As teenage Ransom learned to farm and raise stock, he no doubt thought about the day he would have his own farm, wife, and family. Entertainment in those days, consisted of the occasional trained musician and story telling. Ransom and his siblings were regaled by thrilling stories of their father and Uncle Abraham's adventures as they followed trails from Vermont to the bank of the Ohio river where they made a raft. Putting all they owned on the raft, they made it to Duck Creek and the little village of Marietta. The destination was land their father was given for his Revolutionary War service. They may have embellished their story, adding a few skirmishes with Indian war parties as they trekked north through the woods.

It is unknown just how it happened, the moment and place that Ransom and Rebecca (who was one year older) first glimpsed sight of each other. But he must have travelled many miles as he courted and then married her on February 8th, 1828, 20-odd miles east in Belmont County. They began a family and worked for themselves as the kids came along, 1, 2, 3. He bought 74 acres in the Northwest quarter of Section 3, on September 8th, 1835. Whether it was the adventure stories, or seeing the emigrant wagon trains moving through Zanesville, the young couple decided to join the westward movement in 1841. Their parents must have been baffled as they watched the couple tuck their possessions and the grandchildren into four covered wagons and pull away headed for Zanesville and west to Indianapolis.

Daughter Lavisa, later retold the family story of the four wagons taking four weeks to make the trip. It is likely they used oxen to pull the wagons 15 to 20 miles a day except Sundays. They probably enjoyed traveling and camping in the woods with other emigrants, the kids playing tag along the streams. The Cumberland Trail (later part of the Great National Pike), took them right into Indianapolis town. He bought 160 acres in Hamblin township, Brown county on January 9th,1841. That was the northwest quarter of Section 25. On July 27th the following year, they sold that property to John McIlvain for $350 and headed north to Hamilton county.

Rebecca unexpectedly passed away on February 20th, in 1853. That may have explained why Ransom was called to the Ministry. He and another, built and founded the Hopewell Church. It was located a little south of where daughter Lavisa had written that he bought land (that Clint Lower later owned) bordering John Harvey, located in Section 13, on the 1866 White River Township, Hamilton county, plot map.

Sometime during the period, Ransom met a young widow, Nancy Baldwin. Nancy was the sister of Lavisa's husband, Eli Baldwin. Nancy was previously married to Ariel Beeson, and had a son named Monroe Beeson, born 1853. Ransom married her February 9th, 1856 and they set up housekeeping together, he in the fall of his life, she in the summer. It may have started as a marriage of convenience with the 29 year difference in their ages; but along came Harriett in 1857, and Hannah in 1859 and Eddie in 1868. After a move to the Lathrop area in Clinton County, Missouri, along came the twins: Asa W. (named after her father) and Mary E. in 1870. The twins died the same year and Ransom two years later. The three of them rest in the Harlan, Missouri cemetery. Upon the passing of Ransom Sr., Nancy took in boarders to provide Eddie and Harriet a home. Copyright J.P. Smith, 8/2005.

Karen Dismore Sprunger supplied many details on Ransom's family, including the surprise that he was married twice. 6/04/2004.

Ransom Smith was referred to as John Ransom Smith by his daughter, Lavisa Smith-Baldwin. This seems odd, as he had a brother with the first name of John. We have found no other record that his name was John.

From Augustus Finch Shirts 1901 book, page 131- 133: "The Newby and Carey settlement from the west line to the east line of the township, and north from the Strawtown settlement to the Ault, Leeman and Ransom Smith settlement. These people lived pioneer lives in pioneer cabins; came to and conquered the wilderness and made it bloom and bring forth an abundant harvest." "North of this settlement in 1838 George, William and Cornelius Leeman settled between the present site of Omega, and Aroma, Harvey, Ault, Smith...constituted the settlement at the north end of the White River Township. These men built the regulation cabin and began pioneer life in the same manner that other settlers did. In that township they did their milling at Perkinsville and their trading at Strawtown. This neighborhood attended church at three different places. Harvey was a Quaker. A Quaker church was built on his land at the date unknown to me. The Leemans and all persons in that neighborhood believing the doctrine preached by Alexander Campbell, attended meetings held by that denomination in a log church on lands owned by Rev. Blount near the north lie of Hamilton County. They continued to attend these meetings until the Christian Church was built at Omega. A cabin was built for the United Brethren Church on the lands of Henry Ault. Services were held in that cabin for a number of years. They were finally discontinued. What was known as the Ironwood Seminary building was built upon lands owned by Cornelius Leeman at the time, but afterwards sold to Mr. Harvey. Jabez Brown built this house with money raised by subscription. He was the first teacher therein. This school building was largely patronized and was the best building for school purposes at that time in the norther part of the township. The men composing the neighborhood herein spoken of were of the hardy pioneer class. They found plenty of hard work to do and were willing to do it, and their labors were crowned with success."

1. ↑ Original Luisa (Smith) Baldwin Letter. (hand written letter).

   "Aroma, Ind. July 9th, 1922
   
   As I am the only one left of a family of 11, Father, Mother & 9 children. My Father John Ransom Smith was borned in 1803 in Vermont, my mother Rebeca Stall Smith in 1804, in Ohio. I was borned in Janeville, Ohio, 1838. My father moved from Ohio to Indiana in 1841, in 4 wagons, took 4 weeks to make the trip. My father bought the farm where Clint Lower now lives, and he & the Cory Brothers built the Hopewell Church, and my father was the Preacher. I joined church there, when I was 15 years old. I taught school at Ironwood Simnary and boared at Jehial Williams, in 1861 I was married to Eli Baldwin, in 1869 Mr. Baldwin enlisted in the army. Lavisa Baldwin, age 85 yrs."

   Original Luisa (Smith) Baldwin Letter, (hand written letter), "Aroma, Ind. July 9th, 1922."

2. ↑ 1820 Morgan County, Ohio Census.
3. ↑ A. Donovan Faust (Foust). A Family History: The Ancestors of Thomas Wilson Faust. (1997).
4. ↑ Thomas B. Helm, page 231. History of Delaware County, Indiana, 1881.
5. ↑ beckenbaugh@@compuserve.com. From the family files of Dick Beckenbaugh, 5/2002.
6. ↑ Carey Cemetery survey by Superintendant Valerie Carston, 2004.
7. ↑ President Andrew Jackson. Bureau of Land Management Record, Certificate 4026.

   " For the East half of the North West quarter of Section Three, in Township Nine, of Range Ten, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Zanesville, Ohio, containing Seventy-four acres, and Sixty-two Hundreths of an acre."

8. ↑ President Martin Van Buren. Bureau of Land Management Record, Certificate 30.807.

   " For the North West quarter of Section twenty-five, in Township ten North, of Range three East, in the District of Lands, subject to sale at Indianapolis, Indiana, containing one hundred sixty Acres."

9. ↑ Brown County Grantor Index, 1873-1889
   Pages 278-279.

   Mr. & Mrs. Ransom Smith sold 160 acres in the NW 1/4 of Section 25, Township 10, Range 3, to John McIlvain on July 27, 1842, recorded February 8th, 1876.

10. ↑ Augustus Finch Shirts. A History of the Formation, Settlement and Development of Hamilton County, Indiana. (Published 1901)
    pages 131- 133.
11. ↑ 1860 White River Twp., Hamilton Co., IN Census
    page 92.
12. ↑ 1870 Lathrop, Clinton Co., MO Census. (Township 56, Range 31)
    page 1.
13. ↑ Clinton County, MO Probate Court Records. (Vol. D 1870-1874, Vol. E 1874-1881)
    page 327.

    "Clerk presents to the Court the Will of Ransom Smith admitted to probate invocation and the Court being satisfied that the proof of the Will is regular and in compliance with law it is ordered that the same be hereby approved."

14. ↑ Wills & Letters of Administration, Clinton County, MO. (Will of Ransom Smith)
    page 73-76.

    "I Ransom Smith, of the County of Clinton and State of Missouri, of the age of sixty-eight being of sound mind and memory do make, publish and declare this is my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say: I give, devise and bequeath all my property personal and real situated in the Town of Turney and the State of Missouri to my wife Nancy Smith and my two children Eddy Smith and Harriet Electa Smith to be used for the special purpose of educating my two children above named and do hereby appoint my wife Nancy Smith, executrix of said property. Second, I give and bequeath Twenty-five Dollars yet due on my subscriptions to the M.E. Society of Turney, Missouri. Third, I give, devise and bequeath one third of all the remainder of my property to my said wife to be received and accepted by her in lieu of her dower and the remaining two thirds to be divided as follows to wit: One Dollar to my son John L. Smith, one Dollar to my son Ransom J. Smith and one Dollar to my son Jesse Smith. All the remaining property to be equally divided between my three daughters now living, Martha A., Lavisa and Mary and the children of my daughter Rosana, deceased. I hereby appoint my wife Nancy Smith sole executrix of this, my last will and testament.
    
    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal 8th day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two. Ransom Smith."

15. ↑ Clinton County Index to Deeds, 1833-1887. (Deed book W)
    page 513.

    Grantee Ransom Smith filed a deed on 6 April 1871 for Turney Lot 28. Grantor was the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad.

16. ↑ 1870 Lathrop, Clinton Co., MO Census. (Township 56, Range 31)
    page 1.

    The 1870 MO census lists Ransom's birthplace as Vermont.

17. ↑ Joyce Kindred/ Matthew Carver. Clinton County, Missouri Cemetery Records. (Vol. 2- Jackson, Lathrop & Shoal Townships)
    page 112.

    Smith, Ransom- died 9 May 1872