1. if this is the same man what does this record tell us? Did John POWELL return to live in Butler Co., PA? Had he retained His residence in IN, would not the document so reflect? There is a another possibility. In the 1860 census in Rush County Indiana, there is a John Powell (83 years old) living with a James A Powell, Rachel Powell, and four children. It is possible the John Powell and some of his children moved west along the Ohio river, and, in old age, John went to live with a grandson James Powell. While this John Powell is listed as being from Maryland it is possible that no one living new exactly where he was born and only new it was back east. (Don't fall into the trap of thinking that people were stationary during this period. Even as early as the 1840 the canal system in Ohio and Indiana was in commercial operation, make travel relatively easy. I have one ancestor who grew up in Philadelphia, moved to Indiana, then west to Kansas, and back to Indiana) If this is the same John Powell, a possible scenario is that there was a John Powell Jr. who stayed in Pennsylvania on the family farm. 2. please explain the meaning and purpose of this court document found in Register of Deeds office. (I am not versed in legal documents) This seems to be a document to clear up a legal mess. The document is trying to provide a clear title to property being purchased by John Powell and Joseph COOPER from the heirs of Benj CHEW and Samuel POWELL. The arrangement is being handled by John BREDIN the attorney. Just a guess: John Powell, a grandson, and Joseph Cooper, a grandson-in-law, are trying to get clear title to the family farm. Son Samuel Powell and a son-in-law Benji Chew farmed the property for years and did not worry about the legality of the situation. 3. please view the census link below (Johnson Twp., Gibson Co., IN ancestry p345) and tell me where John was born? As indexed in Ancestry and the way I would read it it is Pennsylvania. Barbara McLeod wrote: > John POWELL was in Butler County 1820-1840. He disappeared from the > census and other Butler Co., PA records after that census of 1840. > Other researchers have found a John POWELL in the 1850 census of > Johnson Twp., Gibson Co., IN and claim this is the John POWELL of > Butler Co., PA. Certainly the age of the John POWELL of IN, and the > given name of his wife, fit with Butler County records. > > Questions: 1. if this is the same man what does this record tell us? > Did John POWELL return to live in Butler Co., PA? Had he retained > his residence in IN, would not the document so reflect? > > 2. please explain the meaning and purpose of this court document > found in Register of Deeds office. > > 3. please view the census link below (Johnson Twp., Gibson Co., IN > ancestry p345) and tell me where John was born? > > http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/Default.aspx?htx=3DView&r=3Dan&dbid=3D805= > 4&iid=3DINM432_147-0249&fn=3DJohn&ln=3DPowell&st=3Dd&ssrc=3D&pid=3D1850672 > > My niece and I appreciate all help. > > Barbara Mac > > > > Recorded May 1st AD 1851 > Butler Co., PA Deed Book S, p285 > John POWELL to Joseph COOPER 22nd April 1851 > > Joseph COOPER > And > John POWELL > > Whereas I purchased with Joseph COOPER fifty seven acres and four > perches of land situate in East Conoquennessing Township, Butler > County of John BREDIN the attorney in fact of the executors of Benj > CHEW deceased and the article for the purchase was drawn between the > executors of the said Benjamin CHEW, deceased, and The amount paid > on the article to this time has been paid by the heirs of Samuel > POWELL and whereas the deed for the said land has been made by the > executors of the said Benj CHEW, dec'd to me although it is not yet > delivered, being in the hands of John BREDIN until the balance of > the purchase money is paid or a bond given to secure the payment of > it, The said purchase was made for the heirs of Samuel POWELL and I > hereby declare that I hold the deed in Trust when it may be > delivered to me for the said heirs and also subject to whatever of > the balance of the purchase money they may have to pay that I ought > to pay for my part of. Witness my hand and seal this twenty second > day of April AD eighteen hundred and fifty one. > > /s/ John Powell > > Witness present > Jas JONES > Benjamin RICHARDSON > > Barbara McLeod <1brown1blue@gmail.com>