Tombstone Tuesday - Jacob & Mahala Boomershine Fuls

Fuls, Mahala Boomershine, was born Aug. 16, 1853, in Montgomery County, near Johnsville, Ohio, and departed this life Feb. 20, 1932, aged 78 years, 6 months, and 4 days.  She was left motherless at the age of twelve years, after which time she made her home with her uncle Philip Priser until her marriage with Jacob Fuls Feb. 28, 1872.  Surviving are two daughters, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  Fifty years ago Sister Fuls accepted Christ as her Saviour and had always lived a faithful and devoted Christian life, finding her greatest happiness in serving others.  She enjoyed the work of the church, and was a faithful worker in the Dayton Aid Society during the sixteen years she resided in that city.  Funeral services by the writer in the Greenville church.  Burial in the Abbottsville cemetery.  -- Paul E. Wingerd, Greenville, Ohio.

*The Gospel Messenger, 23 APR 1932, Pg. 30

Fuls, Jacob, born near New Lebanon, Ohio, Dec. 3, 1846, died May 19, 1922.  Feb. 28, 1872, he married Mahala Boomershine.  About thirty-two years ago he united with the Church of the Brethren and died in that faith.  A few weeks before his death he was anointed.  Several years after his marriage he moved to a farm near Greenville, Ohio, later to Pitsburg, and in 1906 to Dayton, where he resided until his death.  He leaves his wife, three daughters, four grandchildren, two brothers and four sisters.  Services at the Abbotsville church by the write, assisted by Dr. Bell.  Burial in the cemetery near by. -- D. M. Garver, Trotwood, Ohio.

*The Gospel Messenger, 24 JUN 1922, Pg. Unk

Jacob & Mahala are both buried in Abbottsville Cemetery, Van Buren Township, Darke County, Ohio.

Tombstone Tuesday - Jacob & Mahala Fuls

   Jacob F. Fuls born 3 DEC 1846, died 19 MAY 1922 in Dayton buried with with his wife, Mahala Boomershine Fuls born 6 AUG 1853, died 20 FEB 1932.  Buried together in Abbottsville Cemetery, Van Buren Township, Darke County, Ohio. 

The Gospel Messenger, 24 JUN 1922 -
  Fuls, Jacob, born near New Lebanon, Ohio, Dec. 3, 1846, died May 19, 1922.  Feb. 28, 1872, he married Mahala Boomershine.  About thirty-two years ago he united with the Church of the Brethren and died in that faith.  A few weeks before his death he was anointed.  Several years after his marriage he moved to a farm near Greenville, Ohio, later to Pitsburg, and in 1906 to Dayton, where he resided until his death.  He leaves his wife, three daughters, four grandchildren, two brothers and four sisters.  Services at the Abbotsville church by the write, assisted by Dr. Bell.  Burial in the cemetery near by. -- D. M. Garver, Trotwood, Ohio.

Gospel Messenger, 23 APR 1932 -
 Fuls, Mahala Boomershine, was born Aug. 16, 1853, in Montgomery County, near Johnsville, Ohio, and departed this life Feb. 20, 1932, aged 78 years, 6 months, and 4 days.  She was left motherless at the age of twelve years, after which time she made her home with her uncle Philip Priser until her marriage with Jacob Fuls Feb. 28, 1872.  Surviving are two daughters, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  Fifty years ago Sister Fuls accepted Christ as her Saviour and had always lived a faithful and devoted Christian life, finding her greatest happiness in serving others.  She enjoyed the work of the church, and was a faithful worker in the Dayton Aid Society during the sixteen years she resided in that city.  Funeral services by the writer in the Greenville church.  Burial in the Abbottsville cemetery.  -- Paul E. Wingerd, Greenville, Ohio.

Amanuensis Monday - Will of William Ward (1835)

   The image below is very faint, but its the best I could get.  If you find you are related and want a copy I can make you a copy off the one I found at the North Carolina State Archives.
   This William Ward is my 6th great grandfather.  He was born 1753, died 1836 in Sampson County, North Carolina.  He was married to Mary Bell, daughter of Robert Bell & Katherine Yarbrow.  They were the parents of 8 children:
   Alfred, William, Robert, Nancy, Sophia, Samuel, Nancy J. and Eliza.
William & Mary are buried in the Oak Plains Baptist Church Cemetery, Sampson County, North Carolina.

  In the name of God Amen.  I William Ward of the County of Sampson and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that is is _________  ______ unto all men to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say First I give and bequeath unto my two sons, Alfred Ward and Robert Ward two negroes viz Suckey and Dick to be equally divided between them.
  2nd I give and bequeath unto the heirs of my daughter Sophia White, wife of Mathew White a negro woman called Haannah and her child called Wright which negroes they now have in possession.
  3rd I give and bequeath unto my daughter Nancy Carlton wife of Thomas Carlton a negro woman called Grace which she has in possession.
  4th I give and bequeath unto my son William Ward a negro man called Prister of which he has in possession.
  5th I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Ward the lands whereon I now live indcluding my houses and plantation, thousehold and kitchen furniture, also my stock of all kinds consisting of hogs, cattle, horses and sheep also all moneys, notes, bords or _______  of which may be __________  at the time of my decease.  I further give to my son Samuel the following negroes viz: Sam, Charles, Joc and __________ out of which I request him to pay my debts and legacies.
   6th I give and bequeath unto Nancy Jane Evans, wife of William Evans the sum of fifty dollars.
  7th I give and bequeath unto Elizal Matilda Merritt one bed and furniture.
   And hereby make and ordain my sons Alfred and Robert Executors of this my last will and Testament. In witness hereof I the said William Ward have hereunto set my hand and seal the 26th day of July A.D. 1835.

                                            HIS
                               William   X    Ward
                                          MARK
  Signed, Sealed & published  declared by said William Ward the testator to be his last will and testament in the presence of us.
    /s/ Robert Harley
   /s/ Asahel Johnson

   STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA  Sampson County  Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions November Term 1836  Then _________  the foregoing Willl duly proven in Open Court by the Oaths of Robert Morley and Asahel Johnson the said subscribing witness and order to be recorded.
    Thomas I. Faisun,  Clerk

Independence Day!

It was a great trip, saw some old friends, some family, traveled lots of miles, did a wee bit of research, took some headstone photo's... now we are back, I have work to do. I'd like to focus on the stuff I have pulled so far and try to get it all in before we leave again July 10th. We'll see.

When we think of July 4th, many people think of fireworks and backyard cookouts. Yes, those are good things. But when I think of July 4th I try to remember what it is really about - and the price some paid for our independence that we so take for granted.

I've chosen one of my ancestors, William Ward (1753-1836) to honor today. William Ward was my sixth great grandfather. His headstone, pictured above, lies in Oak Plains Cemetery, Sampson County, North Carolina. I don't know tons about him, but the things I know I will share here. William Ward was the son of Edward Ward & Mary Cannon Ward, one of two proven children. I don't know much about Edward & Mary except that they were supposedly born in London, England.

William was married to Mary Bell & they had eight children: Alfred, William, Robert, Nancy, Sophia, Samuel, Nancy Jane and Eliza. And yes I know there are two Nancy's here. It is reported (not proven as of this minute) that there were two Nancy's because the first one died young. I have not proven this as of this writing.

It is reported in several places that this Ward family traces its lineage back to a Sir Edward Ward, although the relationship is unproven by me, I do make note of it in my file - and the interesting history attached to the name. If true, Sir Edward would be 9th great grandfather. Anyway, more documention is needed indeed to tie my William to Sir Edward.

A History of Alfred and Elizabeth Robinson Ward, 1945... states the following regarding Sir Edward Ward ".. a London judge, who presided at the trial of the New England pirate, Capt. William Kidd, and sentenced Captain Kidd to be hanged on Tyburn Wall in London and Captain Kidd was so executed. Captain Kidd was in fact sentenced for having a sailor put to death on one of his ships." A story as yet unconfirmed in exsisting records, as is the relationship between this Ward family and the Judge Sir Edward Ward.

I have William's Rev. War Pension that he received for his military service to our country. Besides his marriage, his children, military service and parents, I really have no "color" for William Ward. His second son, William Jr., is my ancestor, who packed it in and left North Carolina to live & die in South Georgia.

If indeed you find yourself researching the Ward family in Sampson County, North Carolina drop a line, I'd love to find someone else who might have more info than what I have been able to scratch up on this line.

There are many persons in my files, who like William Ward fought for this great country, but many times their service is forgotten - replaced with fireworks & picnics. Today while you enjoy your fireworks and picnics - take a minute and say thanks to all those Vets who fought & died so you can celebrate your independence! They certainly do not hear it enough - THANK YOU!

Happy researching!
Karen