Scotch Ridge  

(This document in it's entirety was scanned from the original located at the Mount Pleasant, Ohio Historical Society in October, 2002 by Duncan Rea Williams and converted to HTML for use on the internet.)

REID FAMILY

 

Notes formulated February 1931 from conversations with Mary Alma Reid and Lafie Catherine Reid, 522 Thorn Street, San Diego, California.
S. B. McConahey

If you should see your ancestors
                   all standing in a row
Would you be proud of them or not;
                   or do you really know?
But here’s another question which
                  requires a different view,
If you could meet your ancestors
                  would they be proud of you?
(Author unknown)

 From    Mrs. Smith nee Brown
             Palomar Apartments
             6th and Maple Streets
             San Diego, California
             March 21, 1931

REMINDERS

Reidsville, or Reidsburg, Pennsylvania, said to have been named after this Reid family, which might mean the original David Reid (1) who came from County Down, Ireland. A check up at Reidsville might develop information of much interest.

Pearl McCune Minteer may have photo of her grandmother, this “Aunt Katie” who was a sister of Rachel Scott Mitchell.

The Rainey family probably has a photo of Thomas Mitchell, brother of Rachel Scott Mitchell. (Later: March 6, 1931. Find a very good photo of Thomas Mitchell in possession of Alma and Lafie C. Reid).

If day of week of Rachel Scott Mitchell’s wedding is remembered, it could be determined definitely whether this was 16th or 17th of September 1935. See Note 4. Reid. Check up origin of name as a sept or division of the Clan Robertson. Think the red headed Robertsons were known as Reeds or Reids.

Family History Notes

David Reid came to America from County Down, Ireland; in what year, where he, settled, what his occupation, his wife’s name, where he lived, died and was buried, are unknown at this time. He is distinguished in this narrative, however, as the original emigrant ancestor in America of the family here considered. We therefore, identify him as “David (1)” viz of the first generation.

John Reid (2) [b. December 20, 1772. d. September 8, 1869], son of David (1), is recording as living (presumably as a farmer), in “the Pan Handle of West Virginia,” at a point approximately opposite Smith’s Ferry.

John Reid (2) was married three times. (Henry Reid (4) used to say “five times,” facetiously); his first wife being Mary [Note 1] by whom he had children as follows; in what order of date not here verified: (Now verified, March 6, 1931).   

James Mitchell

(Son of George Mitchell (son of John Mitchell and Grace Argriff) and Elizabeth Porter), b. ______1776 (one record says Feb.. 4 and another record says June 5) in York County, Pennsylvania, d. December 7, 1849. Scotch Ridge, Belmont Co., Ohio Buried Scotch Ridge Cemetery, Married

1. Rachel Scott____ on____ --at______________, by ___________  and had one son Scott Mitchell
2. Elizabeth McCullough (daughter of Hugh and ________, on _______at ______by ________

Born February 28 1783 Died December 16, 1849 and had children as herein after listed.

Rachel Scott Mitchell wore wild Ageratum on the day of her marriage to William Reid.

Rachel Scott Mitchell On September 16 or 17 [Note 4], 1835, William Reid (3) married Rachel Scott Mitchell, (b. September 30, 1811, d. February 24, 1889) daughter of James Mitchell (b. June 5, 1776 in York County, Pennsylvania) and his second wife, Elizabeth McCullough. James Mitchell first married Rachel Scott and by her had one son, Scott Mitchell, of whom we know little except that he “died somewhere in the West.” It is of romantic, interest to note that a daughter by the second wife, Elizabeth McCullough should have been named Rachel Scott Mitchell, after the first wife.

The old James Mitchell Farmstead, later known as the Jordan Farm, was located on the high hills of Scotch Ridge, (Belmont County, Ohio), and to the south and east looked into the Ohio River Valley; while to the north and west into the narrow valley of Little Short Creek. It is understood that all of James Mitchell’s children were born at this Homestead. For the purpose of collateral background, we list in skeleton outline with brief references, the children of James Mitchell and Elizabeth McCullough, his second wife - the correct chronological order to be established later.

The Hendersons were extremely strict United Presbyterians. Would not attend wedding of their own daughter to a common run of mine Presbyterian preacher, (Marshall by name).

Died as children. These two, with Lucinda (e) buried in the cemetery of the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church, close to the church building. Catherine Mitchell b. Nov. 30, 1809 b. March 28, 1885 Married by Rev. Benj Mitchell DD, at home of bride on Scotch Ridge Pease Township, Belmont Co., Ohic, on March 3, 1831. Married Peter Alexander, a farmer, and they had large family, including Elvira (m. William McCune) and Melissa (m. Joseph Munslow). This Catherine (Miss Lafie Reid’s Aunt Katie, and for whom she was named) was a great tease and practical joker, who prided herself on her ability to work in the fields like a man and in doing unusual if not eccentric things in order to alarm or startle relatives and friends. She particularly liked to tease her sister Rachel (perhaps because the latter was impressionable and maybe something of a mystic). In fact Rachel was almost. afraid of her vivid and original imagination.

 Peter Alexander died August 5, 1852

Rachel Scott Mitchell grew up in the rural environment of that day and with the practical training incidental to farm life. The family attended the old Seceder Church, long since torn down but then located on the grounds of the Seceder Cemetery at the east end of the village of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, The building standing north and south, with the pulpit at the southern end. The girls frequently walked in to church from the Mitchell farmstead (a good 5 or 6 miles at least) wearing old shoes that were hidden by the road side near the church, and their “best” shoes substituted. At other times they rode horseback. Rachel Scott Mitchell herself relates that upon seeing William Reid for the first time (in this old Seceder Church at the easterly end of Mt. Pleasant),  she said immediately - altho presumably to herself - “that is my husband to be.” Apparently she was impressed by his business like or positive attitude as he walked into and out of the church. She was a woman of large strength of character and wise above most in her ability to appraise her fellows. She was instinctively democractic, generous and kindly in her relations to neighbors and the community, a home manager par excellent. Withal she had some thing of the poet and mystic in her soul; had some rather remarkable premonitions of which mention will be made later.

In the possession of M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid, 522 Thorn Street, San Diego, California are interesting likenesses of Rachel Scott Mitchell Reid.
a.  Daguerreotype as a bride; with separate daguerreotype of William Reid
b.  Daguerreotype at an indeterminate date later - probably after married some years.
c.  Photograph taken after family had grown up (M. Alma Reid (4) thinks) probably not long before or after the year William and the children then at home and went on a visit to the relatives at Alton, Ill. (Similar photograph of William Reid (3)

Rachel Scott Reid was a vigorous advocate of total abstinence, and was doubtful even of the effect of spiced fruit preserves. Lafie C. Reid, relates an amusing episode in this connection about her mother. It seems that on one occasion after Lyman Reid (4) had reached young manhood, hs father and mother one day ran across a bottle marked “Bay Rum” hidden (as they thought) in Squire Reids office. They were greatly concerned and fearful that Lyman had acquired drink habits. After much deliberation and preliminary consultation they decided finally to have a frank talk with Lyman and try to show him the grave danger in the course he was so evidently pursuing. What must have been the relief (of all concerned) to discover the real use for “Bay Rum” and that Lyman had not yet started to take this fluid internally. M. Alma Reid (4) says her Mother made all of the clothes for her children - boys as well as girls.

Rachel Scott Mitchell Reid

Born Sept. 30, 1811, her adult stature was about 5’2” of slight but wiry frame, weighing perhaps 115 or 120 pounds, hair dark and only partially gray at her death, eyes deep brown and twinkling with understanding or mischief; health excellent throughout practically all her life, of even cheerful dis­position, delighting in the visits and pranks of visiting nieces, nephews or other young people. With. age she became quite stooped. She had but little schooling in the formal sense but had the books and magazines available in that day, and was alive and intelligent above the average. She was a hard worker, arising at 5:00 a.m. to begin the day, managed her household well, and with thrift.  She was capable with her own hands, prompt to meet emergencies and entered into the lives of her children with interest and enthusiasm. She had a strong democratic sense of neighborliness and civic responsibility. Was forever sending dainties to the sick, etc. She was of a deeply religious turn of mind altho it is possible her family (the Mitchells) were not as strong “church people” as’ others (They were probably amply strong and strict at that, judging by the very decided convictions of several William, John J. etc - of the children including Rachel). For example it seems that William Reid had been accustomed on Sunday to walk around, see people here and there, etc. After his marriage, however, Rachel, his wife made it clear she did not approve of Sunday visits or visitors and both were therefore discontinued gradually.

It is quite a clear that the family (Mitchells) were Seceders and not originally Presbyterian and this will be discussed [Note 3] in another paragraph. Rachel Reid and William Reid ruled their children with little corporal punishment. The Mother could be fooled or mislead (probably only when she wanted to be) but Father was a more difficult proposition. On the other hand he could be “coaxed” into consent on occasion (probably also when he wanted or was willing to be). One of the rules of the house on Sunday was that the children should learn one new catechism and repeat from memory all previous catechisms, including the new one. It seems also that to inspire the proper enthusiasm for catechisms, there was a standing offer of one cent for each page of catechism learned. In later years, Henry Reid used to relate some success in collecting pennies from his Mother by

 making one page learned serve for several such collections! At any rate there was in this home the usual Presbyterian emphasis on the “Shorter Catechism” and it would be difficult to show that any permanent damage to the morals of the children resulted!

Referring to the fact that Rachel Scott Mitchell, as a girl, attended the old Seceder Church [Note 3] at the east end of Mt. Pleasant, walking in or riding horseback. from the homestead on Scotch Ridge, this is significant, we think, as showing the theologial leanings of the Mitchell family (James Mitchell who married Elizabeth McCullough) to be in the Seceder direction since a Presbyterian Church organization was much closer at hand. That is the organization of the “Short Creek Congregation” we are told, was effected in 1798 or 1.799, in a tent very close to the site of the present Beech Springs School House on Scotch Ridge only a mile or two to the south west of the Mitchell Homestead. Shortly after 1799 the Short Creek Congregation (which was distinctly Presbyterian) built themselves a church building of rough logs, at the “foot of Hoge’s Hill” which is approximately opposite the road coming directly down from the Mitchell Homestead on Scotch Ridge. Here the Short Creek Congregation remained (being served jointly with Crab Apple (St. Clairsville) until about 1815 or 1818, when they seemed to remove to the “hewed” log building of the Old Seceder Church near the present (1931) Oak Grove School House; the church building being known as “The Union House” (suggesting some kind of amalgamation - possibly between this Presbyterian con­gregation and the Seceder group first established there). In 1829 or there­abouts, the Short Creek Congregation removed from the Oak Grove site to Mt. Pleasant, with, we can imagine, many or most of those previously known as Seceders.

We merely point out that Rachel Scott Mitchell, born Sept. 30, 1811, was 18 years old in 1829, but instead of attending services of the Short Creek Congregation, [Note 3] either at “the foot of Hoges Hill” or at the “Union House” Oak Grove, she (and (presumably - almost assuredly) - her family as well) went rather to the old Seceder Church at the east end of Mt. Pleasant. There is evidence to indicate that this Seceder Church died out either through some formal amalgamation with the Presbyterian Church or because Seceder members individually drifted over to that closely related  denomination, as apparently was the case with the Seceder group at Oak Grove. Unfortunately, we know of no records that remain of these old Seceder churches. We suppose it might be a fair inference that the Seceder Church at Oak Grove was a “country” church; and the Seceder Church in Mt. Pleasant, a “city” church. At any rate Rachel Scott Mitchell and William Reid were married in 1835 or six years since the Short Creek Congregation made their final move to Mt. Pleasant, (in 1829) and we are inclined to date the disintegration of the two Seceder Churches [Note 3] from or about the time of this final move. The chances are that the Presbyterian group was the strongest numerically and that the two Seceder groups were small and weak. It is worth noting also that the first book of Session records begins in 1829, and is recorded as the record of the “Short Creek Congregation without reference to any Seceder group. William Reid of course attended the Seceder Church in Mt. Pleasant, prior to his marriage in 1835, for it was in that church he first fell under the eye (if not the spell) of Rachel Scott Mitchell, resulting in her immediate decision (so she says herself) that he was to be her husband. We cannot say positively whether both parties (either or both) attended the Seceder Church in Mt. Pleasant after 1829 or even after 1835 (the Session Book record of members received in 1835 would be a check), but in any case, it is certain that William Reid and his wife were very early associated.with the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian (Short Creek Congregation) Church (altho William Reid himself was not a member until much later in his life; due, it is said to his inability to accept completely some of the credal requirements of that time). He did become a member, however, under the ministry of Rev. S. W. Pringle, the immediate successor of Dr. Benj Mitchell.

Lafie Reid (4) says it is her faint recollection that the pastor of the Seceder Church [Note 3] in Mt. Pleasant in her Mother’s time was a Dr. Clokey.

One of Rachel Reid’s diversions, at least in later life, was an an annual trip via Moore’s “hack” to Martins Ferry to visit “Aunt Katie”, her sister, who married Peter Alexander, a farmer, and lived on the Alexander farm, later occupied by William McCune (who married Aunt Katie’s daughter, Elvira). After Peter Alexander’s death, Aunt Katie removed to Martins  Ferry, Ohio, where her brother (John J) had (sooner or later) purchased her a home. On these yearly trips Rachel Reid always took a basket well filled with butter, eggs, and other edibles. She was also in the habit occasionally of filling these same baskets with cookies and distributing them to the school children.

Lafie C. Reid (4) says it was always or almost impossible for her Mother to keep a secret from the children or others, but showed it in her face or manner.

It is also of interest to note that there was little or no celebration of Christmas in terms of gifts etc. in the Reid household.

“Rachel Reid had excellent judgment as to the motives and character of those with whom she came in contact, and made her appraisals very quickly - almost by an inherent instinct - and more often right than otherwise. She always called her husband, “Reid” and often advised him as to individuals with whom he had to deal. For example, it is related that during a certain year, both “Add” and”Will” White (brothers) had applied for the position of Supt of Schools and as a member of the Board, William Reid had a major part in the decision (other directors being absent). On the day of the decision William Reid saw both approaching down the street, and hurriedly asked Rachel which it should be. She observed keenly for a moment and said “take the one who walks fastest.” This was “Add” who was given the job altho his brother Will succeeded him later.

Reference has been made heretofore to her premonitions at various times some of which were quite remarkable.

Last Days of Rachel R. Reid

San Diego, California
March 20th, 1931


William Reid

Born April 2, 1807, Died Sept. 2, 1891

William Reid was about 5’6” in height, or a little more, of sturdy build tending to stocky, muscular, broad shoulders, and had excellent health during his life. In his later years at least he was of grave dignified demeanor, the opposite of the hail-fellow-well-met type. He had brown hair, growing quite gray before his death, blue gray eyes, and probably weighed about 160-175 lbs. He was a wheelwright or wagon maker, was exceedingly industrious, working early and late by candlelight. His formal education in schools must have been very limited, but by observation, reading, and natural intelligence, he came to be one of the best-informed men in his community. He had a semi-legal and quite judicial type of mind; as a Justice of the Peace, became “Squire” Reid; wrote agreements, deeds, wills, etc., and commanded universal confidence and respect. His office as Justice of the Peace was the large room of the Reid Homestead directly on the corner and having a door from the street as well as into the house. He held various positions of individual trust as for example his guardian­ship of Dr. Averill McGlenn and his sister Alma.

He was a member of the School Board in Mt. Pleasant for forty years and took an active and intelligent interest in all matters pertaining to public education. On some anniversary of his service as a School Director the citizens presented him with a gold-headed cane, suitably engraved, as a token of appre­ciation. He was instrumental in bettering the educational opportunities for the colored people of the town thru admission to the High School grades (primary grades being taken care of in separate colored schools) against much opposition and prejudice. Some of his associates on the School Board were Dr. Johnathan I. Updegraff and Washington Dilworth (father of Will Dillworth, etc). William Reid had largely to do with the building of the High School building that immediately preceded the present (1931) building. The bricks for that building were undoubtedly burned nearby probably to the south of town on or near the old Thomas place. (The writer --- S. C. McConahey-attended High School in the building the construction of which was supervised by William Reid).

Of passing interest and assisting to fix dates and the development of the  School system, is the fact that the first diplomas (High School) were issued to the class in or with which Lafie C. Reid was graduated in 1873, indicating that the High School grades were established in 1869 or 1870. “Add” White [Note 11] first came in 1868, so that the establishing of the High School course was probably one of the enlargements he inaugurated.

Squire Reid married many colored people who had been slaves and living to­gether as man and wife without previous legal ceremony.

William Reid was also a Director on the Board of the Mt. Pleasant State Bank [Note 11] for many years, taking an active interest in the financial affairs of the community. After his death when the Bank was dissolved or liquidated, his daughters M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid, were among the largest, if not the largest stockholders.

He was also a Trustee of the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church (Old Short Creek Congregation) and took an active part in the original construction of the present (1931) brick building, along with Joseph Kithcart and others. No doubt the bricks were also burned on the ground or nearby.

William Reid was a good manager (with the able assistance of his good wife), thrifty, and was .able, in addition to raising and educating a large family, to acquire a modest competence before his death. In his early life - probably at the time of his marriage - he was smooth shaven but later wore a beard as shown by his pictures. He was a man of high character, clear vision, intelligence and balanced judgment.

Domestic Life

William and Rachel Mitchell Reid were married on. September 16 or 17 [Note 4] 1835-by Dr. Benj Mitchell, at the Mitchell Farmstead on Scotch Ridge, in what is now (and may have been then) Belmont County, Ohio. They first lived [Note 2] in a frame house in Mt. Pleasant, that stood on the site of the brick dwelling now (1931) occupied by Robt Finley. Later it is thought they lived in a house on the opposite side of the street (Union St) at or near the site of the Plummer Bracken house. Still later they lived in a frame house on approximately the site of the brick homestead they built in about 1850, viz at the corner of Union and Concord Sts. Subsequently, this frame’ house was moved to where Curtis Hussey now (1931) lives, where Isaac Ratcliff went to housekeeping in same house but  which afterwards was destroyed by fire.

The brick house in which William and Rachel Reid lived for the remainder of their lives and where they died, was built in or about 1850, the bricks being undoubtedly burned nearby as was then the custom. This was a substantially built well furnished house, with large rooms and. still (1931) stands in good condition although not so well maintained as formerly. When the house was finished all the artisans and workmen who had had any part in the construction were invited to a dinner in celebration, no doubt attended by all concerned; with the exception, however of Samuel Miller and his wife who then lived in the “Stone Front” house further east on Union Street, and now occupied (1931) by “Jimmie” Caldwell.- It appears that Mrs. Miller strongly objected to the idea of mingling socially with “common” workmen and their wives and having the strength of her convictions, did not attend. This Samuel Miller was the artist mason and stone­worker whose name appears on so many of the red sand stone tombstones to be seen in the local cemeteries.

Last Days of William Reid

by Mr. Pringle as follows:

Psalm 33: 1-11 & 18-23
1 Cor. 15: 41-57
I Thess. 4:13-18

Remarks by Mr. Pringle. Solo - Caroline. Hymn “Art Thou Weary”

 Remarks - Rev. D. B. Updegraff (Pastor of Friend’s Church) Prayer - Mr. Pringle. Hymn - “Jesus Lover of my Soul..”

(At that time in Mt. Pleasant the casket was carried to the cemetery and all walked) Mr. Pringle and Prof Wm. White walked first. Then the Bank Directors, D. B. Updegraff and A. H. Hussey, Robert Chambers and I. K. Ratcliff, Oliver Thomas and Nathan Hayne.

Pall Bearers were: 7. M. McConahey, J. C. Theaker, J. P. Bracken, Mark Atkinson and Oliver Flammer (these two lowered the casket), Prof. Addison White, Henry Wilkinson, William Bowles. The burial was in the family lot in Highland Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio. At the grave just after the casket was lowered, Caroline sang one verse of “Asleep in Jesus,” It was so sweet at the close of day. Lucie left Sept 21 st. Cousin Amanda Reid of Chillicothe came Sept. 25th nd left Oct 12th. Father was 84 years and 6 months of age to the day. April 2, 1807 - September 2, 1891

Lafie C. Reid
San Diego, California
March 1931

Children of William and Rachel M. Reid [Note 11]

Attended Public School in Mt. Pleasant, while the locally famous George K. Jenkins taught there. Left home in his early years ()efore his sister Lafie C. Reid (4) was born), went to Alton, Illinois where his Uncles (William H. and John J. Mitchell) were in business. Ultimately he married there Mary P. Egerton (related to the Bayless family - - think her mother was a Bayless) and there was a son Charles born in April 15, 1872. For a time John Washington Reid (4) was Captain of one of the packets on the Mississippi operated by the Mitchells. Later he went into the commission business with his father-in­law in Baltimore, Maryland (where a daughter Jennie or Jean was born) until his retirement due to failing health. He died, when Jean was a baby, aged 38 years. “Wash” boarded with his Uncle Leander and Aunt Sophia Mitchell in Alton prior to his marriage. The Bayless family was Episcopalean in religion, aristocratic in temperament, socially ambitious. “Wash” Reid’s death at so early an age left his family in straightened circumstances so that his wife Mary Edgerton Reid and her sister (unmarried) Sophia who always lived with her, kept a boarding house afterwards. Walter Carver boarded with them for a time and there met the daughter Jean Reid.

John Washington Reid (4) is described as “very handsome” dark hair and whiskers, and gray eyes. In disposition he was courteous, kind and popular with his associates. While he lived he and his family visited back and forth to Mt. Pleasant, and after his death, his father and mother in Mt. Pleasant kept both Charles and Jean for perhaps most of a school year, Charles attending school there. However, the grandparents were too far along in years to continue the responsibility indefinitely and the children returned to their mother in Baltimore. Charles had little schooling, in his adult years worked for an ice company in Baltimore, had boats and boating as his chief hobby, never married, and died before middle life. His Aunts, M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid kept track of him on their account and at request of his Uncle Henry Reid (4) assisting him at times up to his death. He was handsome as a child, and in disposition much like his father.

Lived only 6 months and buried first in the old Seceder Cemetery at east end of Mt. Plesant; where her brother James Lafayette (4) who died when 10 years old, was also buried, near the north and south line of the present (1931) McConahey property. The mother (Rachel Reid) had the impression these graves had been disturbed and when later it was decided to establish the Reid burial lot in the Highland Cemetery, she refused to have the bodies removed from the Seceder Cemetery for fear of finding-nothing. The bodies were not removed therefore until after her death, when sufficient evidence was found to indicate clearly that there never had been any disturbance.

Permealia Elizabeth Reid died as a result of having her gums lanced and bleeding to death.

(2nd) Caroline Whittlesey, b. ______________at ______________, d. ______________ at _____________, buried _________, No children

After death of William Henry Reid (4) his widow, Caroline married Dr. Henry J. Reynolds. See William Henry Reid’s own autobiography entitled “Recollections of a Busy Life - From 1885 to Dec. 5, 1907. His Sixty-eighth Birthday” in possession of his sisters, M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid, 522 Thorn Street, San Diego, California, for a quite complete account of his life and many side lights on his family (15 page printed pamphlet).

William Henry Reid (4)

Met his first wife Eleanor (“Ella”) Irwin in Alton. (Eleanor’s mother, after death of her first husband, married a man named _________Sturtevant). Eleanor had light brown hair and “sky blue” eyes; was a gentle lovable type and greatly beloved by her husband and all of his family. Henry Reid always said he “was partial to red hair” She (Eleanor) was devout member of the Second Presbyterian Church, Chicago and interested in many civic and charitable enterprises, including the building of the Mosely Kindergarten Mission, Chicago; she also took a large interest in missionary enterprises. She died Oct. 6, 1888 (breast cancer) and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Chicago. (See excellent obituary article in Scrap Book of Lafie C. Reid).

William Henry Reid (4) had only a common school education in Mt. Pleasant, and went to work in 1855 at a very early age (about 15 years) at Tappan Ohio, in the store of “Mack” Waddle, his cousin; until he went to Alton, Illinois in 1858 to go into business association with his Uncles (Mitchells). In an autobiography of his business lfe and experiences published in _______when he was 68 years old, he relates many details of interest. See copy in possession of M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid (4) He often brought his wife Eleanor home to Mt. Pleasant for a visit. Eleanor Reid was attracted to George MacDonald’s books. Also read sermons of Dr. Herrick Johnson, a Chicago minister but never went to hear him personally for fear that he might not come up to her expectations. Henry Reid joined church after his first marriage. He came to Mt. Pleasant within a few weeks after Eleanor’s death, told the family all the details, and then desired that the subject be closed forever. In his domestic life he seems to have been a man of peculiar and reticent intensities, and thru the remainder of his life he never forgot his first love. He was a man mentally quick, often outspoken in his opinions and stubborn in his convictions; brusk in manner, energetic in action. He excelled in mathematics in his school years and his business experience developed in him a keen and expert sense of values and financial relationships in business statements, so that he gravitated naturally to control of credits granted, particularly after his association with the Mitchell bank (Illinois Savings & Trust Co. [Illinois Trust and Savings Co.] Chicago) of which he became finally Vice President. It is related of him that he once turned down application of Phillip D. Armour  for a million dollar loan on the ground that the collateral was insufficient or that Mr. Armour already had loans large enough for his business. Since Mr. Armour was then perhaps the leading financial figure in Chicago, this action took extreme courage and the Bank officers did not know what the result might be. Mr. Armour sure enough was furious but by the time he had slept over the proposition-his good sense restored his good nature and he went all round town telling how the Bank had turned him down, so that the final result was very favorable to the Bank as a conservative and carefully conducted institution. It was just such disagreeable decisions that disregarded common opinion or the judgment of others, that he was capable of making. With all he was a man of kindly heart, high ideals, and a sense of justice. While difficult and exacting to work for he recognized capacity, industry and loyalty. While he was situated advantageously as to opportunities for profitable investment, his own business judgment was excellent and he was successful in amassing a large fortune before his death. He left his money to his second wife and near relatives but while living was a liberal contributor to many benevolent enterprises.

Of his brothers and sisters, Wash, Lyman, Henry and Lafie C. Reid had gray eyes like their Father, William Reid (3): while M. Alma and Lucinda (“Lucie”) had dark eyes like their mother Rachel Reid; all of which may be neither here nor there.

After the death of his first wife, Eleanor, Henry Reid married Caroline Whittlesey, a music teacher at the Monticello Seminary. He met her in con­nection with the dedication exercises of the Reid Memorial Chapel at Monti­cello. Caroline Whittlesey Reid was at Mt. Pleasant following William Reids (3) death and sang at his funeral She had an excellent voice.

Died at 10 years of age from lock jaw, resulting from running a nail into his foot. (See sheet on his sister Elizabeth (4) for further details)

Prior to the accident William Reid (3) the father had gone on a trip in the West with William H. Mitchell, his brother-in-law, so that when Lafayette died his father could not be reached, and the child was buried in his absence. When -the father reached Wheeling on his return, someone told him he had seen a casket carried into the Reid home. There being no telephone or telegraph, he hurried home and did not know the actual facts until he reached “Preacher” Mitchell’s (Dr. Benj Mitchell) place in the country south of Mt. Pleasant, (on Ridge Road leading from “Battle” St south to Little Short Creek).

James Lafayette Reid was a child of fine disposition; used to play church including the preaching. On one of his birthdays his mother gave him permission to have a party and invite whoever he wished. This he did and being instinctively social, his list was broad and without that fine sense of discrimination that (unfortunately) arrives with adult years! As a result he was quite troubled to notice that the gathering tended to break up into groups that did not mingle, and consulted his mother about the situation, in great concern. No doubt she advised him with her usual wisdom and good sense.

Duncan Chambers Milner, b. March 10, 1841 at Mt. Pleasant Ohio, d. March 18,at “Sunshine Corner,” Mt. Dora, Florida, buried Oakwood Cemetery, Chicago Illinois

Had Children

1. Wilma Reid Milner (5)
2. Madeline Wade Milner (5)
3. Paul Chambers Milner (5)
4. Mary Ella Milner (5)
5. Rachel Owen Milner (5)

 Reid Family

Supplementary Notes by Madeline Wade Milner

Sunday P.M., June 26, 1949

William Hamilton Mitchell, son of James Mitchell, had a favorite sister, Lucinda, who died as a young woman. Because of this sentimental attachment “Uncle William H” said he would give a gold watch to any “Lucinda” in succeeding generations of the connection. There were probably three girls so qualified - one a daughter of John J. Mitchell, brother of William H., also Lucinda Mitchell Reid (daughter of William Reid and Rachel Scott Mitchell), who received her watch when she was 16 years old. I am quite sure I have at least the case of this watch.

Lucinda Mitchell Reid as a child was “Cindy” to her folks; but when she went away to a girls school at West Middletown, Penna, probably about 14 years of age, she notified all and sundry that her name was “Lucy” and so terminated the much disliked “Cindy.”

She was graduated from this School at 16 (a Campbellite or Christian institution). I have the “diploma” she received at that time.

Later she studied “higher mathematics” with the famed hunch back teacher, Mattie Bennett, entirely as a past-time.

Lucinda Mitchell Reid always maintained - facetiously - that she only accepted Duncan Milner’s proposal of marriage because he had his arm in a sling and “could not refuse a wounded soldier!”

Following the marriage of my parents, they went first to Springfield, Missouri, for a time. In due course he was ordained at Kansas City, Mo., with eight or nine other young Presbyterian ministers; Presytery of _________________________ My mother was the only wife present at this ordination service. A little later he was assigned to the Home Mission field at Osceola, Mo.

Lucinda Reid was a talkative child and on one well remembered occasion her mother offered her some money if she would desist - the first money my mother ever “earned” so she always maintained’

Madeline W. Milner, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio June 26, 1949

Lucinda Mitchell Reid (4)

Lafie C. Reid (4), her sister, says the baptismal name was Lucinda; although the family always used the diminutive “Lucie.” Named for her Aunt Lucinda Mitchell who died May 8, 1845, a few months before Lucinda Mitchell Reid was born on November 29, 1845. Went first to school taught by George K. Jenkins [Note 13] and afterwards to a “Cambellite” (after Alexander Campbell the progenitor of the sect that came to be known as the Christian Church) Girls School at West Middletwon, Penna, for at least a year or two altho she probably did not graduate. Then to Monticello Seminary for Girls at Godfrey, Ill., founded by Benj Godfrey in 1835; probably because her Uncle, John J. Mitchell (of St. Louis and Alton) was interested in this school. However, she did not graduate from Monticello.

She was a great reader as a child and young woman, encouraged among others by Dr. Johnathan I. Updegraff then one of the leading mentalities in the town. She was also a great talker as a child - so disposed to express her thoughts and opinions that her mother occasionally paid her to stop talking. In adult years “Lucie” often referred to the first money she ever earned. She seemed to take delight in doing and saying things according to her own original way; some times in a manner to startle or even shock her parents, relatives, and friends. She head a natural independence of character and was just as likely to call a spade a spade as not. She was equipped with a good mind, and liked to use it.

Duncan Chambers Milner, one of the young men of the. town, became a suitor for her hand and eventually won her altho tradition indicates not without competition. It is said that when “Dunc” Milner first returned from the Civil War as a wounded soldier with his left arm shattered by a “Minnie” ball, nearly all the women in town (So he complained) kissed him but Lucie. They were married May 19, 1868 by Dr. Benj. Mitchell, in the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, the community in general being invited. Attendants were:

Eliza Jane Clark Mitchell
Mattie Bradley, Wheeling, W. Va.
David Updegraff
________________ Park (?)

After the wedding, the friends repaired to the Reid Home on Union Street for refreshments (Sadie Mercer’s mother was chief cook). Afterwards, the newly married pair took the stage coach for a long muddy road (ride) to Wheeling, W.-Va., where they took the train for Osceola, Mo., a home missionary post to which they had been assigned. It was a wet spring and had rained for days before the wedding but “Lucie” confidently predicted that it would not rain on her wedding day and behold it did not. Her subsequent life and history are rather fully covered in the various papers, memoirs, etc., having to do with the Milner family (Duncan C. Milner).

She developed greatly thru the hardships and discipline of her life, the bringing up of her five children, etc., and was a fine broad tolerant women, of much strength of character, endurance, determination, etc. She was good at “figures” kept strict account of house hold expenditures, had a good idea of business affairs, was an exceptional manager with small resources. Learned tact and ability to meet and understand people of all types. In general she became of great assistance to her husband in all his work in many and varied fields. She had a strong sense of humor too and while as a pastor’s wife and otherwise had many problems that tried her soul, she never ceased endeavoring to adapt herself to conditions of her environment.

Lafie C. Reid (4) comments in this general connection, and in reply to inquiry as to how Lucie’s children registered the characteristics of the parents that she always thought that “Rachel (5) looks more like the Milners but is more like the Reids; while Madeleine looks more like the Reids but is more like the Milners,” which is of interest for what it, is worth.

 

Like her mother before her, Lucie had strong likes and dislikes as to people and otherwise, and formed her judgments quickly and usually held to them. Probably both Rachel and Madeleine have this characteristic also in greater or less degree.

One of Lucies particular girlhood friends was little hunch back Mattie Bennett, famous school teacher of that day and beloved by the whole community. (See excellent obituary of Mattie Bennett in Lafie C. Reid’s (4) Scrap book).

(See also notes on Lafie C. Reid (4) as covering many matters necessarily common to both).

Memorandum

Conversation with Aunt M. Alma Reid (4) San Diego, California, Feb. 22, 1931. (Noon dinner at Vincent’s 4th and Nutmeg Streets).

Aunt Alma said she first went to school in Mt. Pleasant, but because one year they had a very hot tempered and crudely outspoken man teacher [Note 5] who inspired a great deal of fear and dislike, her father told her she could go somewhere else to school. Steubenville Seminary was the nearest but for some reason not the one preferred at that time, so that eventually was chosen the Washington Female Seminary, Washington, Penna, of which Mrs. Hanna was then the head. Here Aunt Alma attended for a year and a half and enjoyed it very much. Here her special chum was “Sadie” Ewing, whose home was Oakdale, Penna (near Pittsburgh) and who afterwards became the wife of Rev. Robert Laird Stewart. (It was this same Rev and Mrs. Stewart, with whom Aunt Alma and Lafie visited Europe - including the “Land of the Midnight Sun” in 1892).

In the middle of her second year at Washington Seminary, Aunt Alma visited her Uncles (Mitchell’s) and her brothers Henry and “Wash” at Alton, Ills. and they persuaded her to remain with them instead of returning to School for the remainder of the term. However, they (her brother Henry in particular) also persuaded her subsequently, not to discontinue her education permanently and this led to her entering the Woodward Avenue Seminary for Girls, an Episcopal school at Cleveland, Ohio, from which institution she was graduated in 1870 with honors as valedictorian.

It was while a student here that Aunt Alma united with the Old Stone Church (Presbyterian) where she had been accustomed to attend with other students; Rev. Goodrich was the minister at that time. One of her, particular friends in those days was Mary Virginia Buck, whose home was in San Francisco, Calif, and who afterwards became the wife of Dr. John Wagner (brother of  Aunt “Callie” Wagner Milner - Uncle Will Milner’s wife; also another sister was Mrs. Rachel (“Rate”) Wagner Haines, who lived all her life, I think, in Mt. Pleasant). This John Wagner was a Mt. Pleasant boy who grew up in the town and first operated a grocery store there but observing that Dr. Johnathan I. Updegraff, a local physician always appeared neat, clean and well dressed, decided that medicine was a preferred profession and studied to be a doctor. It is a tradition that he was very attentive to Aunt Alma as a young man, and had asked her to marry him. Aunt Alma thought a great deal of him, but not enough for marriage. Strangely enough he later settled in San Francisco, became acquainted with Mary Virginia Buck through Aunt Alma’s letter introductions and in due course married Miss Buck.

Aunt Alma in her last year at Cleveland, came down to Oakdale to be one of the two bridesmaids at “Sadie” Ewing’s wedding. In the same year she also came home to Mt. Pleasant in May to attend the wedding of her sister Lucinda Mitchell and Duncan Chambers Milner, the ceremony being performed by Dr. Benj. Mitchell, in the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church to which a general invitation to all friends in the community had been extended. Afterwards, the guests went down to the Reid home for refreshments.

S. C. McConahey

Note: Lyman Reid (4) had no middle name, but occasionally adopted the intital “B” (he said), for “Beecher.

Lyman Reid (4)

Went to school at the two room District School on the Street back of and parallel. with Union Street, then to the grammar grades on the second floor of the town hall and then to the new High School built in 1868. Cannot say at this time whether or not he was graduated from High School in Mt. Pleasant. In any event he afterwards attended Mt. Union College, Alliance, Ohio, but cannot say here that he graduated. At. Mt. Union however, he met a young lady student, Ida Warren, from Freenport, Penna, a daughter of Joseph Warden then engaged in the oil business and who later sold out to or became affiliated with Standard Oil interests, to his very great profit.

They were married at the home of the bride,., Freeport, Penna, on December 25, 1876. Lyman Reid had had some business association with his brother, William Henry Reid, but after his marriage went to Ottawa, Kansas, where his sister and brother-in-law (Duncan C. Milner and Lucinda Reid Milner) were then living. There he was employed for a time in a milling (flour) company and then later engaged in the hardware business. Eventually, he removed with his family to Kansas City where he lived until his death on May 15, 1923. A son (the only child that lived) was born in Ottawa, on July 27, 1881 , and named Joseph Warden Reid (There had been a daughter born previously who died in infancy and would have been named Jane or Jenny Alma). Lyman Reid (4) had retired from business before they left Ottawa. He built perhaps two homes while in Ottawa, and at different times three while living in Kansas City. Rachel Milner was born January 20, 1877 while the Lyman Reids lived  in Ottawa, the only one of her family born in Kansas. Lyman and Ida always claimed they had “helped bring up the Milner family” and indeed they were always very helpful then and afterwards. Lyman Reid was an intelligent and energetic -type but was not as successful in business as his brother William Henry, in view of the family, although such a comparison would not seem altogether fair. Lyman was the jovial fun loving type, pleasant in his address, and with a joking word for everyone. Therefore, he was quite popular with his associates, and also with his family, particularly the Milner nephew and nieces. He was strictly temperate and strong in his views on that subject. He and his family visited Mt. Pleasant, at intervals both before and after the death of his parents. On one occasion he arrived in one of the first automobiles ever seen in Mt. Pleasant, much to the interest of the local population. The family traveled considerably although Lyman was not especially fond of traveling. In 1908 Ida Warden Reid went alone to Nice, France to visit her brother John Warden; and Lyman invited his sisters M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid to stay with him during his wife’s absence - which they did - and always recalled the visit with pleasure. It was thus that M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid happened to be in Ottawa when Joseph Warden Reid’s daughter Josephine was born on March 19, 1908. Joseph Warden Reid, as already stated, was also born at Ottawa, Kansas on July 27, 1881 and married Ethel Hawkes, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, who was also an only child, date of marriage not now known. Lyman Reid (4) and his wife Ida Mary Warden are buried in __________________ Cemetery Kansas City.

M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid tell an unusual and interesting story of the time when the Reid home in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio was struck by lightning. It was during  a visit there of William H. Mitchell of Chicago, and his children John J. and Mollie. William Reid and his brother-in-law William H. Mitchell, had been out in the country in a two horse buggy and were late getting in so that they were not at the house. After supper, a rain and thunderstorm came up. Duncan Milner was courting “Lucie” Reid-in the front parlor. Rachel Reid, her son Lyman, her daughters Alma and Lafie, her nephew John J. Mitchell and her niece Mollie Mitchell, were all visiting in the sitting room. After the first dash of rain Lyman and his Mother went to the back of the house to fix the down spout so it would run into the cistern. While so  occupied a bolt of lightning struck the house and knocked both Lyman and his Mother unconscious. When the family rushed back they found Lyman lying outside and his Mother just in the entryway. Rachel Reid had her body marked where the current had followed but recovered by morning but Lyman had an even closer call and was practically unconscious for a day or two but finally recovered without any permanent ill effects. The house was not damaged but the course of the bolt could be seen and the upper rooms were filled with dust. Since Duncan Milner and Lucie Reid were not married until May 19, 1868, this family experience was prior to that date.

On one occasion Joseph Warden Reid was visiting his grandparents (Reids) in Mt. Pleasant. Grandfather  Reid was very proud of the fine one-piece stone steps that graced his front door on Union Street. Joseph then about six years old sought to relieve the enn>>.i of life in a quiet Quaker town [and] amused himself by wielding grandfathers “pound”.(hammer) on various and sundry objects; and among other performances proceeded to break off the square corners of these steps, had completed one and was making good headway on other when discovered. It was afterwards necessary of course to have a more experienced stone worker restore the artistic value of the steps by rounding all the corners. Joseph and his father and mother were scheduled to leave-for home the very next day, and to the best of our information and belief this schedule was carried out as planned, as well as some other transactions not planned.

See elsewhere in this Assembly account of the “Bay Rum” story in which Lyman Reid (4) was a central figure.

Began school at 5 years of age (probably the very first being as one of a small group of pupils gathered together by a Miss Lizzie Ward). At any rate it is clear she attended the “District” (Public) School on the street north of and parallel with Union Street and there learned her a, b, c,’s under the famous Mattie Bennett. Sometime later she attended the Quaker School at the West end of town (near the old Quaker Church) when taught by Miss Nannie Richs (who later married Prof. J. Add White). Still later she completed the grammar grade, also under Mattie Bennett, when that department  of the public school system was housed in the town hall on the second floor. So it was that that new High School (or Union School as it was then called) having been completed sufficiently to he put in use on January 12, 1868; and Professor J.Add White having been elected in the summer of 1868, to take charge of the new High School Department, beginning September 1868, Lafie C. Reid (4) was one of the first students registered and was graduated (in 1873) with the first class ever turned out (not an altogether happy expression) of Mt. Pleasant High School. The other members of this first class were Will Wagner, later an attorney in Chicago; and Jennie McMasters. The graduation exercises were the final feature of a school “Exhibition” as it was termed, with speeches, dialogs, etc., held in daytime in the auditorium of the new building - later used for school purposes. On this first occasion, diplomas were presented by Prof J. A. White (see Lafie C. Reid’s diploma attached). There was a printed program for the whole of these “Exhibition” exercises, a copy of which may be found. Duncan and Lucie Reid Milner were present, the auditorium was crowded with proud friends and relatives, and a “good time was enjoyed by all.” The graduates were required to read an original composition. Will Wagners subject was “Light,” Lafie C. Reid’s was “Fashion.” Lafie C. Reid recalls that on the evening of this graduating day, Duncan, Lucie, and the Reid family including herself, were ° invited to the home of Dr. Jonathan I. Updegraff one of the members of the Board of Education, for dinner. During a visit to Mt. Pleasant, of Aunt Alma’s (M. Alma Reid (4)) parti­cular friend Mrs. Sadie Ewing Stewart, the latter suggested (being married to a Presbyterian Minister) that since M. Alma Reid had gone to an Episcopalean school, and “Lucie” Reid to a Campebellite” school; Lafie C. Reid should con­tinue her education in a Presbyterian school to wit, the Pennsylvania Female College (afterwards the Pennsylvania College for Women) at the head of which was Rev. James Black DD as President, who later (perhaps the next year) went to the College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio. (See excellent biographical obituaries of Dr. Black in Lafie C. Reid’s Scrap Book). The Pennsylvania Female College was only five years old when Lafie C. Reid was graduated in 1875 (June 17). The choice of a school having been approved by her parents, Lafie C. Reid (4) registered as a student at the Pennsylvania College in 1873 (September). After looking over the curriculum Prof J. A. White believed she could enter the junior year. As it turned out however, she was entered as a sophomore although  very shortly promoted to the Junior classes when it was discovered that her work in Latin was quite advanced even though somewhat behind the Junior year in Geometry. She had no difficulty maintaining the pace and was graduated in 1875 as Valedictorian of her class of sixteen young women - See program of graduating exercises herewith. These were very pleasant years during which she made many friends and learned much. At that time the girls from the College were accustomed to attend services in the Shadyside Presby Church, Dr. W. I. Beatty, Pastor (Madam Louise Homer’s father).

After being graduated from Pennsylvania Female College, her brother William Henry said that he would pay her tuition at any Eastern School she might select if she desired to continue her education. As a result she chose Vassar then as now one of the outstanding schools for young women in the country, and went so far as to have her trunk packed ready to go when she finally weakened on the prospect of the long absences from home and decided to remain in Mt. Pleasant, and during the summer or fall of 1875 visited the Watt family and the other cousins in Chillicothe Ohio.

Prof. J. A. White and Dr. J. I. Updegraff wanted her to teach school in Mt. Pleasant, following her graduation in Pittsburg, but her father William Reid (a member of the Board- of Education) ‘that it not wise in view of his near personal relationship to the situation and the fact that an efficient teacher who needed the work might be displaced.

Both M. Alma Reid (4) and Lafie C. Reid (4) registered in the four year reading course as prepared by the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle; Alma graduating in 1883 and Lafie in 1887.

Following the death of their parents the two sisters continued to live in the old home on Union Street, Mt. Pleasant, until_________________ when this home was broken up and later sold on removal to California where they have since lived up to this time (1931). After school years, therefore, biographical material is more or less common to both.

San Diego, California
La Mar Apartments
302 Thorn Street

January 20, 1931 (Tuesday)

Memorandum:

Rachel’s birthday today (b. Jan. 20, 1877).  The Aunts (M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid) had a wonderful squab dinner, birthday cake, candles, etc. for her at noon (522 Thorn Street), and presented her with certain Reid family heir looms as follows:

a. Five (5.) old, thin, soft, solid silver teaspoons, of plain design, bearing script initials “RSM” - Rachel Scott Mitchell - Rachel’s Grandmother (for whom Rachel was named) who married Grandfather William Reid. There were six (6) of these spoons but in some way one has been lost. These spoons bear the imprint of many small teeth, having been the favorite objects on which to allow the children to “cut” their teeth. The aunts say the spoons were undoubtedly a wedding gift to Rachel Scott Mitchell on her marriage in 1835.

b. .An old cotton and wool, blue and white coverlet, the thread or yarn for which was “twisted”’ or prepared by Rachel Scott Mitchell Reid, and the pattern woven in Wheeling West Virginia, that is, this work was done while she was a young girl and still at home on the’ old Mitchell Farm, Scott Ridge, Belmont County, Ohio. The weave is double and colors reversed front and back - white cotton; blue, wool

c. Old picture of Rachel Scott Mitchell Reid in daguerrotype case, wearing a dress Aunt Alma says she made but Grandmother’s (Reid) age at time taken, not known exactly.

Notes by S. C. McConahey, January 20, 1931

 M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid

Travels

Aside from the Reid family journey west in __________while these sisters were still children, their first big trip was to accompany the brother Henry and his first wife Eleanor to the Eastern States, visiting Boston, Massachusetts, points of interest in New Hampshire and Vermont, etc. etc.

In 1891-2, in company with Dr. and Mrs. Robert F. Stewart, they visited England, Scotland, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, having many adventures. (It was on returning from this trip they brought the writer the small picture of the famous Dr. Thomas Chalmers, after whom he was named. Think the picture purchased in Scotland (SCM).

In 1899 they first came to California with “Duncan and Lucie” visiting San Francisco, Los Angeles, Pasadena, San Diego, and other places. This trip occupied several months. On this trip Lafie C. Reid had the adventure of identifying Ella Dilworth Montgomery while dining at a restaurant during (Lafie C. Reid says this was absolutely the first meal in California, March 22, 1931) almost the first meal in California; Ella Dilworth being a former Mt. Pleasant girl, of whom they had lost track.

The sisters have visited Florida three times, first in 1903; again in 1905-6, when they took Madeleine with them; and again in 1907-08. See newspaper clipping here with for complete account of sinking of the river steamer on which they were traveling.

In the winter of 1911-12, they came to California, bringing Nannie Chambers with them, and spending most of the time in California or rather Pasadena, although some weeks also in San Diego.

The years 1912 and 1913 for the most part spent in San Diego. In the summer of 1913 met Madeleine Milner (niece) in Salt Lake City and toured Yellowstone Park for a week behind horses, bringing Madeleine back with them to San Diego for a stay of some weeks.

The sisters remained in San Diego until May 1914, and had tickets and reservations for Chicago when they received a telegraph announcing the sudden death in that city from heart failure, of their sister “Lucie” on Sunday evening; the funeral services being postponed until their arrival on the following Friday, or rather the services were held on Saturday. Afterwards the sisters went on to Mt. Pleasant and have been back east at least once

 in two or three years ever since. They spent 1915 in San Diego and visited Mt. Pleasant in 1916.

They have visited Niagara three times, the Yosemite once and Alaska once.,

Missionary and Other Enterprise.

The sisters at the death of their father in 1891 inherited under his will a modest competence; the familyy home in Mt. Pleasant, etc.; and on the death of their brother William Henry in 1910, a substantially increased income. Having been interested always in religion and missions, particularly of Presbyterian origin, they have actively participated in and promoted the spread of the Gospel in many different forms and fields both at home and abroad. These interests as well as numberless benefactions in other directions, assistance rendered friends and relatives on many occasions and over many years, have been a large factor in the lives of these two sisters. It is impossible to record details of such matters here because the writer does not know and the sisters will not tell, but some general facts we do know independent of the sisters, including the fact that their larger missionary cooperations have been in Korea (Miss Samuel), China (Miss Effie Murray, Rev. Kunkle and others), Africa (French Guinea - Miss Patterson) and in less degree perhaps, India (Rev. D. B. Updegraff and others). We know they largely built the Presbyterian Church at Dillonvale, Ohio, of attractive architecture and very useful in the Presbyterian work of that coal mining community. They have provided three scholarships for the College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio. The fund realized from the sale of the home property in Mt. Pleasant was invested in a missionary home in (this should read “Syn Chun”) Seoul, Korea. These are but a few of the special partnerships their cooperation has represented, and take no account of the endless year by year remembrances of old friends in less fortunate circumstances, not merely through monetary gifts but by holding such friends constantly and loyally in memory. Few individuals in their generation have had either the will or the means or the opportunities or the determination to make their lives count in terms of real practical service as have these sisters each original and unique in her own character and responsibility and personality.

Note 1: Lafie B. Reid (4) subsequently supplements the data here given by saying John Reid’s first wife was a widow, Mary Waddle, who already had one son, Isaac Waddle (“Uncle Isaac”), remembered as a fine lovable old man who lived a good part if not all his life in Smithfield, Ohio.

From this Isaac Waddle descended Charles Waddle who lived and operated the River Ferry at Brilliant Ohio for many years; also his brother Oliver Waddle who lived in Bellevue (near Pittsburgh, Penna) and in: some way related to Frank A. Kimball. (Later, March 6, 1931 - Mary Waddle Reid died June 9, 1816, but when born or when married not recorded).

See analysis of the Waddle Family, chronology, etc. herewith.

Waddle

Data Tabulated March 7, 1931 from three papers (filed herewith) in possession of M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid (4) 522 Thorn Street, San Diego, California, as follows:

Paper 1. Typed copy of a letter, dated Wellsburg, West Virginia, January 15, 1879, from Isaac Waddle, son of Mary Waddle, and half brother

of William Reid (3), to John Waddle (apparently a son of John Waddle and Nancy Mann) living - we assume, although the letter does not so indicate specific in Chillicothe, Ohio. Isaac Waddle was born 1797, and was therefore 82 years old in 1879.

Paper 2. One, sheet, typewritten, showing two separate paragraphs, giving fragmentary data regarding the planting of the Waddle family in America.

Paper 3. Chart, in handwriting of some one not identified, gathering into an orderly skeleton outline, the disconnected data in Papers 1 and 2.

Waddle Family

Chronological Tabulation 1751 - 1816.

To show order and relationship of events.

Alexander Waddle, b. Ireland, probably County Tyrone, about 1742; married Elizabeth McCormac in Ireland about 1775 (b. Ireland, County Tyrone, 1743, d. Nov. 20, 1817, Buried Portsmouth, Ohio). and had children: --
1742    Alexander Waddle born
1775    Alexander Waddle m. Elizabeth McCormac and had children
1776-7  Mary Waddle (1st child), b. Ireland - probably County Tyrone.
1789 - 1790     William Waddle (1st son), b. Ireland - probably County Tyrone
d. October 20, 1833, in Chillicothe, Ohio 1783 - Oct. 15 John Waddle (2nd son) b. Ireland, Belfast.
1784-5  “Peggy” Waddle (2nd daughter).b. Ireland, probably Belfast; d. on shipboard coming to America
1786-7  Alexander Waddle (3rd son) b. Ireland, probably Belfast; d 1811 from kick of horse.
1787    Family emigrated to America from Belfast, Ireland (port of landing not stated but quite likely Philadelphia) 12 to 14 weeks enroute and suffered greatly from shortage of drinking water.
1790    Joseph Waddle (4th son) b. in America, d. Jan. 13, 1826, aged 36 and buried in Portsmouth, Ohio.
1796    Approximate date of Mary Waddle’s first marriage (of which we have no record) when she was probably 19 or 20 years old.
1797    Isaac Waddle, son of Mary, born (should be able to establish the exact date).

1798-9  Mary Waddle m. John Reid and had children
1800 Dec. 7     Elizabeth Reid born (“Aunt Betsy”)
1801 Oct 29     David Reid born
1803, May 11    John Reid born
1804, Jan. 10 Hugh Reid born
1806 Jan 6 Alexander Reid born
1807 April 2, William Reid born
1808 July 15    Mary Reid born
1811 July 4     Henry Nelson Reid born
1816 June 9     Mary Waddle Reid, wife of John Reid, died. Buried Beech Springs Presbyterian churchyard, near Jewett, Ohio

Paper 1 says “Alexander Waddle married Elizabeth McCormac.” Paper 2 says her ‘maiden name was Elizabeth McLaughlin.” Paper 3 shows the name as Elizabeth McCormack nee McLaughlin”; which seems to indicate that she was the widow McCormac when she married Alexander Waddle. This assumption tends to be confirmed by the fact that Paper 3 further records Elizabeth’s death on November 20, 1817, aged 74 years which would fix her birth date in Ireland in 1743, or 32 years of age when (and if) she m. Alexander Waddle in 1775.

Since Elizabeth was 32 years old when she married Alexander Waddle

(see paper 1), we have arbitrarily assumed Alexander’s age at marriage as 33 or one year older. He might have been, of course, older or younger. With considerable probability we might figure his birth date as some where between 1740 and 1750.

These dates are approximate (being fitted together in the order of their probable natural relationship) except that the year date of Elizabeth McLaughlin McCormac Waddle’s birth, and the year date of her last child, Joseph; and the exact date of John Waddle, second son. and third child of Alexander and Elizabeth Waddle, are quite definite.

Note 2: As to the various houses in Mt. Pleasant, in which William and Rachel Reid lived, there is some difference in the recollections in M. Alma Reid (4) and Lafie C. Reid (4) (to be detailed more accurately later).

Note 3: For interesting side light on the relationship that existed between the Seceder Church in Mt. Pleasant, and the Short Creek Congregation - after­wards the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, see “Memoir” of Rev Benj Mitchell, DD, as prepared by a committee consisting of T. M. McConahey and L. C. Reid, and published in 1887 on page 8 of which is following record. “When Dr. Mitchell came to Ohio, the State was but twenty-seven years old ... He preached his first sermon in Mt. Pleasant on the second Sabbath of June, 1829, in the Seceder Church; since torn down and removed. Rev. Mr. Clokey was Paster of that church at that time ...” Joseph Kithcart led the singing. That morning was the first time “Watts Hymns” were used in the congregation.”

Note 4: There was always a difference in recollection between Rachel Scott Reid and her husband William Reid (3) as to whether the date of their marriage was the 16th or 17th of September 1835. As a “compromise” they agreed to call it the “17”. If the day of the week were known, however, the date of the month could be determined easily.

Note 5: This teacher was a Mr. Philip and M. Alma Reid (4) quotes his standard threat to student delinquents when angry as “I will whip you severely without fear, favor, or affection.”

Later: (March 19, 1931) M. Alma Reid (4) corrects this expression to read: “I will chastise you severely without, fear, favor, or affection.”

Note 6: The following data taken from obituary notice published in a (presumably) Chillicothe Ohio paper, and found in M. Alma Reid’s (4) Scrap Book.

Mary Tuttle (4) daughter of Ebenezer Tuttle and Elizabeth Reid Tuttle, d. (cannot identify the date from the clipping) and buried in Grandview Cemetery, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, April 21, 1831.

She married Isaiah Lord on _________________ and had four children of whom three survived at her death viz.

Etta Lord (5)
Carrie Lord (5)
*Dr. Charles Lord (5)
*He was not a “Dr”

Lafie C. Reid (4) says above is a confused statement. The correct data is that Isaiah Lord was a widower with two daughters (Etta and Ella) when he married Mary.Tuttle (4). Ella, the younger, died many years ago and Etta in recent years. Neither married. Mary Tut tle Lord’s children were Lizzie (probably “Elizabeth”) Lord (5) m. Allen Hamill and died leaving a boy child 10 days old

Carrie Evaline Lord (5)

Charles Lord (5) m. ___________________

and now lives

Dr. Frank Lord (5), physician, m. 1st daughter of Judge Woods, Athens (1), who died leaving a son Joseph (brought up by Etta and Carrie - his aunts). m. 2nd  Elizabeth Reid (3) m. Ebenezer Tuttle, and had children: 1. Mary Tuttle (4) see previous. 2. Jane Tuttle (4) m. Watt and had

a. Paul H. Watt, m.      Fry, Seattle Wash and had

b. Charles Watt, m. twice and had children
c. Frank Watt m. and had children
Elizabeth Tuttle (4) (Not married) a particular friend of her cousin Lucinda Mitchell Reid (4) 4. Edward Tuttle (4) m. ______________ 

Note 7: M. Alma Reid’s (4) Scrap Book shows newspaper clipping (probably “Ohio Valley News”) recording Mitchell Reunion of 1897 in Steeles Grove near Martins Ferry, Ohio at which John J. Mitchell of St. Louis, Mo was present and told in an informal speech to the crowd how he had as a young man hunted foxes all over Belmont County hills; and also that he had made 22 trips by flat boat down the Ohio River to New Orleans before going West to Alton, Ill. This of course was before the days of steamboats.

This same Scrap has obituary material regarding Caroline Eloise Bayless Mitchell (wife of John J. Mitchell), who died in St. Louis, Mo., Friday A.M. Janaury 20, 1893. She was an active and earnest member of the Holy Communion (Episcopal) Church there and interested in many philanthropies in that city. She was a half sister of Sophia Bayless who married Leander Mitchell, brother of John J. Mitchell.

John J. Mitchell was a strong Democrat in politics and vigorous Calvanistic type in religion; altho he joined his wife’s church (Episcopalean) on his theory that his wife was a better woman than he was a man, and that a man should follow his wife to church anyhow.

Note 8: M. Alma Reid’s (8) Scrap Book shows clipping giving account of Dedication of a new Chapel at Monticello Seminary for girls, given by William Henry Reid (4) in memory of his wife Eleanor Irwin Reid, on the 52nd anniversary of the school on June 10, 1890. The corner stone was laid June 1889. This Chapel includes a very fine artistic “Praise Angel” window.

Henry Reid (4) and Eleanor Irwin Reid belonged to the Second Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Illinois for many years; Rev. Dr. S. J. McPherson, Pastor.

Note 9: See Alma Reid’s Scrap Book for clipping “Biographical Article IX” (probably from Chicago-paper) on John J. Mitchell (son of William H. Mitchell) who began his banking career May 7, 1873 in a small savings bank at north western corner of Madison and Market Streets, Chicago (at)$35 per month.

William H. Mitchell was a strong Republican in politics and somewhat tolerant in his theology; a contrast to his brother John J. in both respects.

Note 10: Leander Mitchell m. Sophia Bayless, a half sister of Caroline Eloise Bayless who m. John J. Mitchell. They had only two children - both daughters:

a. Elizabeth Mitchell who m. Charles Hodges and had children Leigh Mitchell Hodges; and a daughter Sibyl who m.  Gov Patterson of Tennessee a widower with children.

b. Belle Mitchell who m. __________ White a news paper man and lived in Mexico, Mo.

Scrap Book of M. Alma Reid (4) contains several poems by Leigh Mitchell Hodges.

Note 11: Clipping from a newspaper, not identified in Scrap Book of Lafie C. Reid (4) described gathering at home of William Reid (3) at “8 o’clock

Monday evening”______ of some of his friends, for the purpose of presenting him with a gold headed cane. (inscribed “Wm. Reid, School Director, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio” purchased at J. W. Brubbs jewelry store, Wheeling, W. Va.), in commemoration of his long service as a member of the Board of Education, “from which position he has lately retired.” Alex D. Humphreville acted as Chairman and his pre­sentation is quoted. The clipping includes the statement    “Mr. Reid has been a School Director for forty three years, having been elected first in 1841 and serving continuously ever since, with the exception of three years that he declined to serve.” This would indicate that the presentation of the cane was in 1884 (1841 plus 43).

‘From this same Scrap Book is a single sheet “In Memoriam” of William Reid, containing the following important dates and facts:

“Mr. Reid was born in the Pan Handle of Virginia Apr. 2, 1807, and moved with his parents to Harrison County, Ohio when four years old. He engaged in business in Trenton in 1830, after having learned the trade of wagon maker with Jesse Lewis. In 1832 he moved to Mt. Pleasant, which con­tinued to be his home during his life.”     “Mr. Reid always occupied a high place in public opinion. For forty years he was a member of the School Board and did much to raise the Mt. Pleasant High School to its present status. He was a Director for many years, in the old Mt. Pleasant Bank and ever since the organization of the present National Bank in 1864”

The Family Bible of William Reid and Rachel S,. Reid is in possession of S. C. McConahey 2200 Penn Ave, Williamsburg, Penna, for ultimate descent to Hugh Milner McConahey (6); and contains biographical records, copies of “In Memoriam” articles by or of William Reid and Rachel S. Reid, probably duplicating those in Scrap Book of Lafie C. Reid (4) (Later. Mar. 15, 1931. This paragraph may be in error. M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid think this Reid Bible went to Paul C. Milner (5) for either Reid (6) or Duncan (6) his sons - SCM)

William Reid (3) was always a staunch Republican, took “Pittsburgh Gazette” for many years and followed the political principles and policies of that paper, taking a good deal of interest in local civic affairs. Once he went to Bellaire to hear James G. Blaine speak and some enterprising crook picked his pocket! (which had nothing to do with politics.)

 William Reid (3) united with the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church on Feb. 14, 1881, following a sermon on “The leaven which the woman put in the meal” by Rev.Cooke, a nearby visiting minister who was assisting the pastor Rev. S. W. Pringle. His first communion was Feb. 20, 1881.

In Lafie C. Reid’s (4) Scrap book is clipping headed “Mt. Pleasant -

March 26, 1888, from an unidentified newspaper (presumably Martins Ferry or Steubenville - possibly Wheeling) being account (written by Miss Edith Morris says Lafie C. Reid (4))of the (on Friday evening March 23, 1888) celebration of the tenth (this should read “twentieth”) anniversary of Prof J. A. Whites connection with the Mt. Pleasant Union (High) School - 1868-1888. This clipping is of interest as contributing some data to the history and development of the public school system in Mt. Pleasant during Williams Reid’s time. We quote:

“       when in the year of 1868, 12th day of January, their new

school building (viz two. story brick building in which S.C.M. went to High School in 1890 - 2, the building of which supervised largely by William Reid, being in fact the first High School built in town and first called the ‘Mt. Plesant Union School’ presumably because combining the primary school on the back street where Clark Harbouct later lived, and the grammar grades first housed for a time bn the second floor of the Town Hall - SCM), was first opened to service with its unplastered walls. This term extended into the latter part of May, with Miss Mattie Bennett in charge of the higher department (assumed to be the grammar grades SCM) Miss Althisa McGrew of the intermediate, and Miss Harriet Atkinson of the primary. The school had been previously organized upon the graded system in the year 1861, and a course of study adopted comprising beside the primary branches , Philosophy, Physics, Geography, Chemistry, Higher Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Latin Grammar   “

There is related the curious and interesting story of how J. A. White, rather than his brother Will (both being applicants for the position of Principal or Instructor in the new High School) came to be first chosen with the assistance of Rachel Reid’s judgment in the matter and because she like the way J. A. “put his foot down” (in walking - evidently a quicker more positive walk than Will had - which is SCM’s own recollection SCM).

This account quite clearly indicates that the first new High School building being completed (sufficient for use) on January 12, 1868, was so used for school purposes to the latter part of May; and that during the succeeding  vacation Prof. J. A. White was elected to take charge or teach (he was doubtless the only teacher SCM) the High School Department, beginning in September 1868. Mattie Bennett continued to teach the Grammar Department until the end of the spring term, 1869, when she resigned to go to Clarinda, Iowa for school work there. During this same year of 1868-9, Miss Althisa McGrew taught the Intermediate Department and Miss Mattie Milner (later Mrs. Nelson Theaker, Springfield, Mo) the Primary Department. Then in the fall of 1870 Will M. White came as Associate Principal. This records the beginning of Mt. Pleasant High School. The first class graduated in 1873.

The 20th anniversary celebration of which this is an account, was in charge of a Committee viz. Lafie C. Reid, Jessie Harrison, Florence Moore, E. B. Jones, Horace Ratcliff and George Lufton. On the platform were the “Hon William Reid and Mr. John M. Gorsuch former Directors.”

William Reid (3) always spelled his. daughter’s [name] (Lafie C. Reid (4)) “Lafa”; and so spelled it in his will, occasioning some little difficulty to establish identity.

Lafie C. Reid (4) quotes an accurate appraisement of the differences in character and temperament of the-two brothers JA and Wm. H. White as “Add (JA) tells more than he knows, while Will could not tell half he knew.”

Note 12: Filled with or in relation to this Reid assembly, are following documents, handed S. C. McConahey Mar 13, 1931 of family interest and as fixing certain dates:

a) Deed, dated May 24, 1834, conveying from John Grubb to William Reid, for a consideration of $600. Lots No. 2 on Union St. Mt. Pleasant, Ohio and Nos. 111 and 113 lying back of (north of) said Lot No. 2. Recorded in Jefferson Co. Sept. 12, 1834. Book P pages 312-313.

b) Deed, dated, Apr. 19, 1859, from William G. Moore to William Reid, for a consideration of $300 the 20 feet fronting on Union St. Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, adjoining and immediately West of Lot No. 2 as covered in Deed (a). Recorded in Jefferson Co. records May 9, 1859, in Deed Book G, No. 2, page 630.

c) Cancelled Certificate No. 53, dated Feb. 24, 1903 (1902?) in name of “Heirs of Wm. Reid” representing 63 shares (par $100 each) in the capital stock of the First Natl Bank of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio (Capital $175,000),  showing payments in liquidation.

d) Certificate of Ownership of East half Lot No. 1 and 2 Section 6, Range 3 Highland Cemetery Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, dated Apr. 28, 1887. Consideration $9.

Note 13: An interview Sunday A.M. Mar. 15, 1931, at his home 1629 Second St. San Diego, Calif. with James Harris helps clear up some points regarding the early schools in Mt. Pleasant.

James Harris was born and raised in Mt. Pleasant, the son of Enoch Harris Jr. (and ___________ McGrew)a Quaker printer and bookbinder there; who, in turn was the son of Enoch Harris, Sr., founder and first President of the first Bank in Mt. Pleasant. A brother of Enoch Harris Jr. was Ezekial Harris, an inventive genius, whom James Harris said “Could do anything,” and it was Ezekial who made or engraved the copper plates for the first bank notes used by the Bank. Another brother of Enoch Jr. was Joseph Harris who worked at the Bank probably as a cashier, and who owned and lived on a considerable tract of land at the west end of Mt. Pleasant extending in part at least to the road or street running north and south from Union St. past the west end of the “Old Quaker Church.” It was this Joseph Harris who donated an even acre of, ground. fronting on this north and south street almost directly across the street and west of the “Old Quaker Church,” for the purpose of establishing a Quaker School. This school was a one room, one teacher institution of brick and served the lower grades. It was privately maintained by student tuition and no doubt intended to be “select” as the original Quakers were quite strict about “mingling with the world” etc. After pupils had finished at the Old Quaker School at the west end of town they could then complete their education at the Quaker Seminary (for both boys and girls although they were kept segregated) at the south of town - going out “Battle Street” on what later came to be known as the Oliver Thomas place. These two Schools evidently comprised the Quaker educational system of the community. Mrs. Elizabeth Rankin Poster who went auto riding with us Sat A.M. March 14, 1931, attended the Quaker School at the west end of town as a young girl and says that my Father Thomas Mitchell McConahey also attended this school for one or two years and that she remembers him because he so often brought flowers and budding branches to school. She approximates this period as about 1860 perhaps earlier - perhaps later (my father was 16 years in 1860 and probably this date not far out). James Harris attended the Quaker School  Geo K. Jenkins (Old George K, the boys called him) taught there, although he was not the first teacher of this school there having been at least one teacher - a “lady” teacher previously.

James Harris does not think George K. Jenkins ever taught in the Public Schools of Mt. Pleasant, but did establish later his own private school on Jenkins property now owned by Miss Lillie Jenkins.

James Harris says that when he discovered it cost tuition to attend the Quaker school, he brought his books home one evening and the next morning, without saying anything to any one (not even his father and mother) he went to the “District School” that is the two room Public School then located on the back street where Clark Harbouct later lived. He described Prof Geo. K. Jenkins as a fine man of “noble” appearance, and with excellent qualifications in education as a teacher, but a severe disciplinarian and he would whip the boys at least for what we would now consider quite minor offences. He makes an interesting story of how he won a compliment from Prof Jenkins for the original way in which he (James) had worked out a difficult problem in arithmetic that had been submitted to the whole class as a test. James had not arrived at the solution by ordinary arithmetical methods, for he modestly says he was not especially proficient in this study; but he did have some skill with his pencil in free hand sketching, and it seems this particular problem admitted a clear solution in sketch or picture form. Prof. Jenkins was greatly impressed and commented openly before the class and favorably upon the ingenuity he had displayed. James Harris fixed the date approximately of his leaving the Quaker School and going to the District School as when he was 10-12 or 13 years old. He was born in 1844 so that this would indicate 1854-56, 1857, pro­bably nearer the latter than the former year. James Harris does not recall my father Thomas Mitchell McConahey as a classmate or in fact as attending the Quaker School at all, but does remember knowing of him as a lad of good reputation.

James Harris brought out the fact that the Quaker migration north from North Carolina, Virginia and even Tennessee, was to get beyond the zone of the slave holding states. This was the probably chief motive in the Quaker settlement of Mt. Pleasant.

S. B. McConabey
San Diego, California March 14, 1931
 

M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid say that they are quite sure Lucinda Mitchell Reid went to school to Prof. Geo. K. Jenkins when he conducted his own private school on his property near gate to private where Miss Lillie Jenkins now (1931) lives.

Note 14: Henry Nelson Reid (3) m. Amanda Cooke (not Bell as at first understood) and had children:

1. Mary Reid, m_________________________Anderson and had two daughters.
2. Amanda Reid (never married)
3. Henry Reid m. _____________ Bell (a cousin)
4. Lyman Reid m.___________ and had no children
5. William Reid, D. young (Lyman and William twins)
6. John Reid m._____________ and had children
7. LeRoy Reid m.___________________ Galbreath and had no children
8. Ella Reid (youngest - see photo in group herewith)

Note 15: See M. Alma Reid’s Scrap Book includes news paper clippings (probably Cleveland) regarding death of Mrs. W. J. (Eleanor B.) Rainey at Lakeside Hospital, Cleveland, on Feb. 24, 1904, aged 63 years (b. Scotch. Ridge on River front farm above Martins Ferry, Feb. 6, 1942, d. of Thomas Mitchell and Jane Ann Smith) as result of grippe. Buried Lake View Cemetary, Cleveland. Was an active member of Old Stone Church. She was married to W. J. Rainey about 1860, who’ died, about 1900 leaving an estate valued at $25,000,000. They removed to Cleveland about 1880.

She was survived by three children - Paul J., Roy A., and Grace Rainey.

Wm. J. Rainey, another son died in Philadelphia a few months before his mother.

M. Alma and Lafie C. Reid (4) have a very good photo of Eleanor Mitchell Rainey, as well as of some other of the children of Thomas Mitchell and Jane Ann Smith.

Note 16: Hugh Reid (3) m.______________ and had children
1. John Reid m.____________________ and had one daughter Nancy Reid who married ______________Thompson
2. Nelson Reid
3. Elizabeth Reid m. _________________ Arbaugh, Jewett, Ohio.

 Record

Copied March 6, 1931 from pencil list in possession of Laf ie presumably copied in turn from a Bible record

Thomas Mitchell b. August 23, 1762 d. Nancy Clark b. July 251 1768 d.
Had Children: Harriet   b. Dec. 24,     1789            
(3) James C.    b. Jan. 25,     1791            
George  b. Jan. 4,      1793            
George  b. Sept. 25, 1797       (2)     
Jemima  b. May 18, 1797         
(4) Mathew C.
John P.
Vincent
(6) Janet
Nancy Angeline  b.
Comments by SCM May 6, 1931

1) Isiah Nichol’s.Blue Print Chart and other records show this date as July 21, 1768
2) Other records show this date as Sept 25, 1794, so above is ta• ken to be a typographical error
3) Other records show this as James Clark
4) Other records show this as Mathew Clark
5) Other records show this as John Porter
6) Janet’s full name was Jane Janet

Copied from same source as on previous page (pencil sheet of Lafie C. Reid) apparently from a Philadelphia newspaper,’ date not identified -­“Died on Tuesday, the 10th instant, Mr. Mathew C. Mitchell of the firm of Alexander and Mitchell Merchants, Jefferson County, Ohio. The deceased arrived in Philadelphia (by way of New Orleans) on the 5th instant. He was taken sick on the passage and upon the arrival of the vessel, was immediately removed to the Pennsylvania Hospital in this City where he died of the dysentary “.