Olive Whitson

James married Nancy Maria Barnhill on 19 Mar 1845 in Fairfield, Wayne Co, Illinois. Nancy (daughter of Felix* Harder (Hardin) Barnhill and Elizabeth* McClain) was born in Oct 1829 in Barnhill, Wayne Co, Illinois; died on 30 Jan 1908 in Healdsburg, Sonoma Co, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The tree where I found the story about the cave (see notes for Elizabeth McClain) that involved Nancy's family, the McCains, did not show any documentation that she married Felix, but only that she married a Barnhill. Perhaps further research will prove it out. Felix did have a daughter born in this age slot per the census records.
However, the person who has the tree is Keith Andrews; and he is a DNA match to John; so since we descend from Felix, and the actual distance matches the estimated distance of relationship, that is probably good enough evidence.
~ss

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1818, Barnhill, Wayne Co, Illinois
• Other-Begin: Apr 1829, Wayne Co, Illinois
• Census: 1830, Wayne Co, Illinois
• Census: 1840, Wayne Co, Illinois

Notes:

Although history of Wayne co said Felix was older, he was older of the three brothers that they talked about, Felix, John and Andley. However, the book also mentioned Jefferson was grandson. His census records had him b 1817 or 1818. Felix was at 1800 or 1801 from his census records. Jefferson said his parents were from SC; but Katherine and Martha said their father was from KY or PA - not SC. Had to be an older brother that the article didn't include. Perhaps he had died early on and not in the picture.

Birth:
Martha Barnhill Breckenridge stated in 1900 census he was born in PA
Katherine Barnhill Breckenridge stated he was born in NH.

both girls said he was born in Kentucky in 1880 census

age: 1840 census states he was bet 30 thru 39
or 1791 to 1810.
age 1830: (1791-1800)
We know from Wayne Co, History that he was the oldest. Audley was the youngest of at least 3 and born 1804, John older than him (abt 1802)


Residence:
History of Wayne County
"During the year 1818 there was added to those first comers as given above, ... Felix and John Barnhill...."
pg 47)

Barnhill Twp: J. Felix and H. Barnhill in 1818 in Section 6"

Felix H. and John Barnhill made a deed to the county for the original town of Fairfield.

Mills and Factories:
the manufacturing industry of Fairfield are few and mostly unimportant, being confinded chiefly to mills. Hardin Barnhill built the first mill in the town in a very early day. It was a horse mill, and stood just across the street from Mr. Thomas Cooper's residence.
pg 183


Other-Begin:
History of Wayne County
In Jul of the same year (1829), Felix H. Barnhill was granted letters upon the state of John Barnhill, deceased.
pg 90



Census:
Name: Felie H Brockus
[Felix H Barnhill]
Home in 1830: Wayne, Illinois
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1 (1816-1820) son 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 3 (1801-1810)
Bro1? , Bro2? Bro3?
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1 (1791-1800)
Felix
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 (aft 1825) dau1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1(1801-1810) Mrs. Felix
Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69: 1(1761-1770) Anna

Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 5
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 8

It looks like they have two children, a boy over 10 and a girl less than 5.
Looks like they are living with one of their mothers with three sons 20 to 29 (1801-1810) and
Felix is the 1800 slot.

based on 1840 census, Felix is b 1801; so 29 yrs old
wife is same or younger

Census:
1840 Wayne Co Census:
Barnhill, Felix H. 000 301 000 0000 221 001 000 0000
(Martha named son Felix Harder)

male: 15-20 3 (1820-1825) ?, ?, ? (one son over 10 in 1830 - where were the other two?)
30-40 1 (1800-1810) Felix
female: <5 2 (aft 1835) Katherine Eliz L 1838; ?
5-10 2 (1830-1835) Martha 1833; ?
10-15 1 (1825-1830) ? (was less than 5 in 1830)
30-40 1 wife (maybe Mary - Martha and Katherine both had a Mary)

Three missing males, four missing females.
Sarah would fill one of the females. Her age is unk.

Felix* married Elizabeth* McClain about 1819 in Wayne Co, Illinois. Elizabeth* was born about 1800 in Kentucky or Illinois; died after 1840 in of, Wayne Co, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Re: McCLAINs of MADISON CO KY
By Sandra Gorin December 02, 1999 at 08:04:06

In reply to: Re: McCLAINs of MADISON CO KY
10/10/99

Hi - as a Gorin descendant and historian here in the area of Mammoth Cave- no McClains are ever shown to have owned the cave. I know the author of the Longest Cave book, and have done extensive research into the cave ... name just doesn't appear! Sandi
http://www.genealogy.coaker.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/mcclain/1045/


HISTORY OF THE MAMMOTH CAVE.

As told to me by Mrs. Nancy Maria Barnhill Whitson my Mother in law. (by Marie T Jentzech Whitson; wife of Edward Whitson, son of James Edward Whitson and Nancy Maria Barnhill) Healdsburg, California. April 18, 1922.

"Sometime before the Southern war, just exactly when I can not tell, There were two Brothers by the name of McClane. They came from Europe some where and setteled in Kentuckey, and became very wealthy in real-estate, and I have heard from one of there Granddaughters, that they owned nearly one half of the State of Kentucky. This might have been exagurated, never the less they owned much very much.

As the snake were rather plentiful and dangerious in Kentuckey it was in the Winter time when men dug for Saltpeter, and on one of these ocasions these two McClane Bros. punched a hole into the side of a Hill. When they discovered that it was a large cavity, they made investigations and by letting themselves down in the cave by a rope, they discovered that it was a very large Cave, and found many curiosities on there first visit into the Cave, among which was an Indian woman who sat in a stone arm chair - or a stone that was shaped thus. With her knitting basket on her arm and her needle work in her hands, On close inspection they found that she was dead and petrefide, the two brothers were so amaised over it, that they desided to take the Indian woman out of the Cave and put her on Exebition, and in doing so they were much disapointed when they saw this woman fall to pieces as soon as she got into the open fresh air. As time went on many investigating parties were taken into the Cave, as it was on the land owned by the McClane Bros. They found so many Indian relics and curiosities, that they were assured that at some time the Cave must have been the home of a prominent Indian Chief - There was a large apartment like a dineing room in the center of which was a large stone table, around it were stone chairs just like the one the woman had died in, at the head of the table was a chair somewhat larger than the rest, as though it was a Chief! Chair, from the ceiling hung earth shaped like icidles and various ornaments adorned the walls. There was a river in the Cave with very clear water and in it were fishes without eyes, and many other things I have now forgotten as time rolled on. They found the Cave to be about five miles long and had several enterences. On one accasion while a party of explorers were in the Cave, One of the McClane Bros. Strayed away from the rest of the party and got lost. It tuck them three days to find him, he was almost dead from exposure and hunger when they found him perfectly nude haveing burned up one piece of clothing after another after his torch had burned out. Now all this happened and much more up to fifty years before the Southern war broke out- when the McClane Bros decided to leave Kentuckey I can not remember the given of either of the McClane Bros. But they bothe liberated there negro slaves they hac many and sold all there land - the Cave was sold to two men - who?s names I do not remember althou I have been told, these men were pardners in the agreement of buying the Cave. The deed of the Cave was made out to these two men, by the McClane Bros. And all that was paid down at that time was $25.00. These men were to make regular payments, but never did so. The McClane Bros. Had so much of this worlds goods they did not bother them about it and the full amount is still due. They settled again in Illinois these McClane Bros. One of them had eight children. He was my husbands Great- great grandfather, in some way he received the news that one of the men to whom they sold the Cave was dead - Now comes a case of curcumstancial evidence. It seams that one of these two men was a mean sort who wanter to get the Cave in his own name but could not persuade his pardner to sell - so one day the two men were seen going into the cave - only one came out again and that was the mean one - a week went by - and neighbors began to asked where the other pardner was (the good man) but could find out nothing. Thus a searching party went forth, and found him down in a gulch where they believed the mean pardner had thrown him from the Bank above. And it killed him, as the good man had no relatives there was nothing done about it and the mean man got the cave in his own posesion. I understand that the presant owners of the Cave are his decendents- One of the Daughters of my husbands Great Great Grandfather McClane who setteled in Illinois, who?s name was Elizibeth maried an enterpriseing young man after whom the Town of Barnhill, Ill. was named he built homes and induced people to come there and live - his daughter the oldest married James Whitson - that marrage tuck place in Fairfield or Springfield - Mrs. Nancy Maria Barnhill Whitson brought her husband and one child to Cal. Just about the end of the war 1853 - of that family there are four children liveing - Mrs. Murphy in Oregon. Frank Whitson in Sunsmure Cal. Geo. Whitson Alameda Cal. And Ed Whitson of Healdsburt Cal - who is my husband -

This is about all I can tell you about the Mammouth Cave. Mrs. Marie T. Jentzech Whitson, 426 Nort St Healdsburg Cal.

The births as I know them - McClane came from Europe - Elizibeth McClane his daughter - married Barnhill. Nancy Maria Barnhill his daughter was born in Barnhill Ill - married either in Springfield or Fairfield Ill. I can?t tell the place was not far from Barnhill - to James Whitson who was born in Monrow Co. Kentuckey. About 40 years ago Grandma Whitson recieved a letter from a Lawyer in Fairfield of Springfield Ill. asking her to sign a paper - but I could not induce her to do so - The Lawyer was doing some recearch work and came across the unpaid deed of the Cave - said if she would sign - he would fight the case for half - but she was not interested and distroied the letter. I do not know what year Henry went back- he married into the Turney family- Mrs. Ed. Whitson."


Darrah3591

Darrah3591 originally shared this to Hopkins Rashall Family History
19 Nov 2013 story

Story of the Mammoth Caves, Kentucky with some genealogy of the McClanes and Barnhills and Whitsons
18 April 1922 Healdsburg, California
keith_m_andrews

keith_m_andrews added this to Keith Andrews family tree
10 Dec 2013

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/48457769/person/20202690678/media/1?pgnum=1&pg=0&pgpl=pid|pgNum

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Abt 1800, North Carolina or Kentucky (possibly)
• Residence: Abt 1812, Gallatin Co, Illinois; "very early"

Notes:

History of Wayne county says the elder Barnhill had died in Gallatin county, and his widow went to Wayne county with her children in 1818.

The elder Barnhill, the patriarch of the tribe, died in Gallatin County, where he had located very early but his widow came here with her family, and settled in the north or northwest of this township (Barnhill Twp)."

History of Gallatin county states "major floods of the Ohio River, most recently in 1898, 1913, and 1937. The great flood of 1937, which paralyzed much of the midwest, inundated the earthen levy started in 1859 and improved after every subsequent flood, and destroyed most of the records in the Gallatin County Courthouse, even though they had been carried to the second floor for safety."
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilgallat/gch.htm


Name: Alexander Barnhill
State: IL
COUNTY: Gallatin County
Township: July 11, 1820
Year: 1820
Record Type: State or colonial census
Page: 077
Database: IL 1820 State Census Index

maybe a brother?

--------------------

http://melissagenealogy.stormpages.com/Barnhill.html

Children of Samuel Barnhill and Jane Craig are:
15 i. William3 Barnhill.
+ 16 ii. Alexander Barnhill, born Bef. 1755
+ 17 iii. Samuel Barnhill, Jr, born 29 Dec 1761 in Bucks Co, PA
18 iv. Jane Barnhill, born 1762. She md Hugh Sharon.
19 v. Mary Barnhill, born 1764. She md Abner Mundel.
+ 20 vi. James Barnhill, born 1765; died Mar 1850 in Hickman Co, TN.
+ 21 vii. Robert Barnhill, born 28 Feb 1769 in Bucks Co, Pa.
22 viii. Daniel Barnhill, born 1774.
______________________________
1870 census
Name: Bryant Barnhill
Birth Year: abt 1828
Age in 1870: 42
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1870: Township 9 Range 9, Gallatin, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male v

Bryant Barnhill 42 1828
Marianda Barnhill 30 1840
Harriet Barnhill 13 1857
Janetta Barnhill 10 1860
Ellem Barnhill 8 1862
Haddy Barnhill 7 18863
Abe Barnhill 6 1864
Benjamin Barnhill 3 1867
Delilah Givens 16 1854
Givens Sylva 18 1852


------------------------------------------
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions Revolutionary War record states John Barnhill was born in the Northern part of Ireland; resided in Orange County, N.C.; The date of his enlistment was 23 May 1778. He was allowed a pension Oct. 30, 1828. This is the John Barnhill referred to in Leonard Loren's manuscript, "The Barnhill Family of North Carolina" where he mistakenly assigned William Barnhill (1754 - 1852) as a son of this John. The will of Robert Barnhill (1758 - 1818) identifies and corrects the error. This John Barnhill was bondsman at the marriage of James Posten and Ruth Washburn, Orange County, N.C. 1795. RESEARCHERS PLEASE NOTE - If John was indeed born im Ireland, then he cannot be the son of William Barnhill II. He would, therefore be the son of Robert and Rachel (Potts) Barnhill. The following is taken from THE CITY OF FAIRFIELD - THE ORIGINAL PLAT, WITH NUMEROUS ADDITIONS---GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT---SOME OF THE FIRST HOUSES AND OLD LANDMARKS---MERCHANTS AND MERCHANDISING---TAVERNS, MILLS AND FACTORIES---THE COURT HOUSE---CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND NEWSPAPERS---FREEMASONRY AND OTHER BENEVOLENT ORDERS---INCORPORATION OF FAIRFIELD---TOWN BOARDS, ETC., ETC..... (Wayne County, Illinois) "It is an accepted tradition---a tradition borne out by local facts---that the first house in Fairfield was built by the Barnhills. They had entered the land from the Government, upon which the town was laid out, and had lived there for some time before, and thus may be termed the first settlers of the town, as well as the first of the township. This first house stood a little north of the present bank building, but on the opposite side of the street, near the marble factory. It has passed away with other landmarks of the pioneer days, and the spot now is only known by a few of the older citizens. The house was torn down by Mr. Womack, who built a residence upon the site which is still standing, but which has been considerably enlarged and improved, and is now owned by Mr. Smith. John Barnhill built the second residence in Fairfield, on the lot where Mr. Thomas L. Cooper's handsome brick residence now stands. It was of logs, and was built by Barnhill just after his marriage, which took place about the time of laying out the town. The elder Barnhill, the patriarch of the Barnhill family, died in Gallatin County before any of the family moved to this section, as we have stated in a preceding chapter, and his widow came here with her children among the earliest settlers of the county. Hardin Barnhill was the eldest son, and John, mentioned above, was the second, while Audley was the third and youngest. The family at one time was a rather numerous and prominent one---prominent in business and local affairs, but of no particular pre-eminence. They were honest, industrious, honorable, faithful and accommodating---kings among their kind, fine types of their class, with instincts keenly whetted in their struggle for existence against the wild game, the ferocious beasts and the murderous savage. The Barnhills have now been dead for many years, with no lineal descendants surviving them nearer than the grandson of the Widow Barnhill---"Jeff" Barnhill, as he is called. Even he is growing old, and is becoming bent with age and infirmity. There is much in the history of the Barnhills that recalls a type of that day. They had been admirably trained, or had trained themselves, for their place in life, and in security and content had lived out their span, filling to fullness their measure of ambition."
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=barnhill1&id=I1208



Residence:
Felix' daughters stated he was born in KY.
Audley born in North Carolina

Residence:
Possibly from Kentucky. Felix' daughters say he was born in Kentucky.

Gallatin organized in 1812, formed from Randolph County.

John* married Nancy Anna* Hardin (or Harder) about 1796. Nancy was born about 1770 in Virginia; died after 1840 in of, Wayne Co, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1818, Barnhill Twp, Wayne Co, Illinois
• Census: 7 Aug 1820, Wayne Co, Illinois
• Census: 28 Nov 1820, Wayne Co, Illinois; Illinois Census
• Religion: 1827, Wayne Co, Illinois; Presbyterian
• Census: 1830, Wayne Co, Illinois; w/ Felix
• Census: 1840, Wayne Co, Illinois; w/ Gson Jefferson

Notes:

History of Wayne County
"It is an accepted tradition---a tradition borne out by local facts---that the first house in Fairfield was built by the Barnhills. They had entered the land from the Government, upon which the town was laid out, and had lived there for some time before, and thus may be termed the first settlers of the town, as well as the first of the township. This first house stood a little north of the present bank building, but on the opposite side of the street, near the marble factory. It has passed away with other landmarks of the pioneer days, and the spot now is only known by a few of the older citizens. The house was torn down by Mr. Womack, who built a residence upon the site which is still standing, but which has been considerably enlarged and improved, and is now owned by Mr. Smith. John Barnhill built the second residence in Fairfield, on the lot where Mr. Thomas L. Cooper's handsome brick residence now stands. It was of logs, and was built by Barnhill just after his marriage, which took place about the time of laying out the town. The elder Barnhill, the patriarch of the Barnhill family, died in Gallatin County before any of the family moved to this section, as we have stated in a preceding chapter, and his widow came here with her children among the earliest settlers of the county. Hardin Barnhill was the eldest son, and John, mentioned above, was the second, while Audley was the third and youngest. The family at one time was a rather numerous and prominent one---prominent in business and local affairs, but of no particular pre-eminence. They were honest, industrious, honorable, faithful and accommodating---kings among their kind, fine types of their class, with instincts keenly whetted in their struggle for existence against the wild game, the ferocious beasts and the murderous savage. The Barnhills have now been dead for many years, with no lineal descendants surviving them nearer than the grandson of the Widow Barnhill---"Jeff" Barnhill, as he is called. Even he is growing old, and is becoming bent with age and infirmity. There is much in the history of the Barnhills that recalls a type of that day. They had been admirably trained, or had trained themselves, for their place in life, and in security and content had lived out their span, filling to fullness their measure of ambition."
pg 179-180

Residence:
History of Wayne County
The Barnhills were the first settlers in this part of the county. A tradition is rent that Gen. Hargraves and his rangers encamped at a spring in 1813, near the northwest part of the present town of Fairfield, and that some of the Barnhills were with him. The tradition is further authority for the fact, that while the rangers were encamped here, the Barnhills selected the lands upon which they afterward settled. In the absence of the authentic information to the contrary, we will give them the credit of being the first settlers here, and of dating their coming back to the year mentioned above. The elder Barnhill, the patriarch of the tribe, died in Gallatin County, where he had located very early, but his widow came here with her family, and settled in the north or northwest part of this township. The Widow Barnhill has a grandson living in Fairfield, now quite an old man. Another grandson was killed in the late civil war, but at the time lived in Xenia, Clay County. The older members of the family are all gone, and nearly forgotten, too, by the growing up generation. They came here because of contry, although but a wilderness was beautiful to behold, and the abundance of wild animals gratified their passion for hunting. They flinched not from the contest that met them on the wild border, and even their women and children often performed deeds from which the iron nerves of manhood might well hav shrunk in fear. In their death passed away some of the landmarks that divide the past from the prsent. Their names should not be suffered to sink in oblivion, but as the pioneers of this immediate vicinity, they should be kept in bright remembrance.
pg 195

Census:
Name: Mc Anna Barnhill
COUNTY: Wayne
State: Illinois
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Males - Under 10: 2 aft 1810
(children of couple)
Free White Males - 10 thru 15: 2 1805-1810
bro2, bro3
Free White Males - 16 thru 25: 4 1795-1804
Audley, John, Felix, Jefferson's father

Free White Males - 26 thru 44: 1 1776-1794
Free White Females - 26 thru 44: 1 1776-1794
Free White Females - 45 and over: 1 1775 or less Anna

Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 2
Number of Persons - Engaged in Commerce: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Over 25: 3
Total Free White Persons: 11
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 11


Looks like Anna living with another couple who are married and have 2 children under 10; and 6 other sons still at home.

Felix, John and Audley easily still home in 1820.
1 son listed in age group 16-25 not accounted for.

Although history of Wayne co said Felix was older, he was older of the three brothers that they talked about, Felix, John and Andley. However, the book also mentioned Jefferson was grandson. His census records had him b 1817 or 1818. Felix was at 1800 or 1801 from his census records. Jefferson said his parents were from SC; but Katherine and Martha said their father was from KY or PA - not SC. Had to be an older brother that the article didn't include. Perhaps he had died early on and not in the picture.


Census:
Name: Anna Mrs. Barnhill
State: IL
COUNTY: Wayne County
Township: Nov. 28, 1820
Year: 1820
Record Type: State or colonial census
Page: 326
Database: IL 1820 State Census Index


Religion:
History of Wayne County
Patton camp ground where preachers conducted a meeting in 1822. ... At these early meetings, though, denominational in their character, theCumberland Presbyterians and Methodists usually united in bearng the burdens for the occasion and the labors of the altar; sometimes Methodies, at other, Presbyterian; their denominational features were only determined by the minister in charge.
In the summer of 1827 and for some years afterward, the Methodists held a camp meeting near a spring on the Porter place, one and one half miles northeast of Fairfield, under the charge of Jacob Delap, the pastor. It was here that Charles Slocumb preached the funeral of John Barnhill and his wife. ...
Coming to this meeting, John Y. Bradshaw, then a boy, was driving an ox team, when approaching the creek the thirsty oxen suddenly made a dash for the water, upsetting the cart, and turning the box upside down, with old Mrs. B. and the camp provisions on the under side.
A vessel of honey was spilled on Mrs. B., when she hollowed lustily for dear life, declaring that she was already killed dead, mashed flat, every bone in her body crushed into splinters, and that she was all covered with blood. When realeased, unhurt, she seemed greatly disappointed at finding no real blood, and left in high dudgeon, saying it was an unpardonable sin to attend a Methodist meeting anyhow and that this was a judgement sent on her for doing so. She was never afterward seen in an ox cart riding to a Methodiest camp-meeting.
pg 110

Census:
Name: Felie H Brockus
[Felix H Barnhill]
Home in 1830: Wayne, Illinois
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1 (1816-1820) son 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 3 (1801-1810)
Bro1? , Bro2? Felix
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1 (1791-1800)
Jefferson's father
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 (aft 1825) dau1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1(1801-1810) Mrs. Felix
Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69: 1(1761-1770)
Anna

Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 5
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 8

It looks like they have two children, a boy over 10 and a girl less than 5.
Looks like they are living with one of their mothers with three sons 20 to 29 (1801-1810) and
Felix is the 1800 slot.

based on 1840 census, Felix is b 1801; so 29 yrs old
wife is same or younger

Census:
Name: Jefferson W Barnhill
COUNTY: Wayne
State: Illinois
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 Jefferson
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 mother
Free White Persons - Females - 70 thru 79: 1 Anna,grandmother
Total - All Persons (Free White, Free Colored, Slaves): 3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 3