Mr. Ricker: I'm sending this to the list since I can't seem to make your e-mail address work. For some reason it comes back undeliverable. Here is some documentation I have gathered for our Joel James: Joel James of this record is supposedly (by family tradition but to date not proven) the son of Joel James and Sally Samuels. Warren County, Indiana, was established in 1827. A Joel James was supposedly an early settler in that County. In 1830, we find James families on the Census in surrounding counties of Fountain (two Samuels, Thomas), Vermillion (Edmund, Elijah), Vigo (John, Joseph), Putnam (Jesse), and Montgomery (John W., Joseph) but none, of course, in Warren County. There was also a Benjamin James in Allen Co., IN., but upon checking he cannot be Joel's father. Warren County, IN., History, 1966, pgs 134-135. Some of the first of Williamsport were: Isaac Martin's dry goods store which had merchandise worth about $600; William Harrison's tavern and grocery store; William Search, probably the third resident of the town, kept a boarding house; Dr. J. H. Buell, first physician; James Cunningham was important because he built flatboats and bought corn to send down the river to New Orleans to sell; Sanford Cox, who was the first teacher. Cox later became a well known Indiana historical writer. Some other names that were prominent in Williamsport's early days were Cyrus Pearson, Joel James, Thomas Robb, William Covington, William Harrington, and "Wildcat" Wilson. (NOTE the following record of a Jno Cunningham in Loudoun Co., VA., in 1789, as well as a John Moss: __ ___ 1789. The Personal Property Tax Lists For the Year 1789 for Loudoun County, Virginia by Netti Schreiner-Yantis and Florence Love, 1986, pg 75. A Regrouping of Taxpayers by Date Called Upon - as a Means of Identifying Neighbors. 29 Jul 1789. William Bently. 31 Jul 1789. Benjamin James, William James, William James, Jr. 1 Aug 1789. Anthony Banes, Jacob James, Moses James. 6 Aug 1789. Jno Cunningham. 11 Aug 1789. John Moss.) Warren County, IN., History, 1966, pg 67 (Pike Township). So, on April 22, 1837, they began their new school house, built on land owned by William A. Crawford. Familiar names of that neighborhood are McIntosh, James, Wood, Brenner, and Cloyd, French, Rhoderick, Miller, etc. __ Oct 1838. Joel James first acquired land in Marshall County, Indiana, in 1838, on Certificate No. 14638 at the Land Office at Winamac, Indiana. Apparently, he was a squatter on this land, moving with his wife and four children into the log cabin onto the land and continued to live there until Oct 1838. Certificate dated 8 Jun 1842. He subsequently sold the land to David Jones on 8 Jun 1842. Joel James could write his name. (NOTE: Is this David Jones the David Jones (or his son) who married Clarinda Ruggles (born in 1777), aunt of Jehiel Ruggles?) 1840 Census Marshall County, IN. North Township pg 112 1 M -5 Joel - about age 4 1 M 30-40 Joel James 1 F -5 Nancy - about age 3 1 F 5-10 Sarah - about age 7 1 F 10-15 Jane - about age 14 1 F 30-40 pro. second wife __ Oct 1841. Marshall Co., IN., Court Records. Oct Term. State of Indiana versus William Slater. Joel James, late of said County, then and there appeared as a witness for and on behalf of the said State of Indiana. William Slater is accused of "in a rude insolent or angry manner touch or strike one Samuel Hitching". (NOTE: Joel James was apparently not living in Marshall Co., IN., during October 1841.) 8 Jun 1842. Marshall County, Indiana, land records. United States to Joel James, SE 1/4, Cert 8 Jun 1842, Range 2, Township 33, Section 6, Book C, pg 615. 21 Nov 1844. Marshall County, Indiana, Center Twp, Docket 1846-1853, pgs 11-12. Joel James versus George W. Garard of Center Township. Joel James is accusing George W. Garard of detaining two barrows and three sows of the value of $15.00 from him and damage of $10.00. John Asttey(?) appears to be bondsman for Joel James and Moses Greer is bondsman for George W. Garard. The case is continued for several years with the last paper dated 27 Feb 1848. Included amongst the witnesses on 23 Dec 1844 are Davis Horner, Samuel Green, Wm Elder, John Whitehead, Eliz Johnson, George Taylor, John Astly, Charles Ousterhout, George Ousterhout, Lewis Burch, Joseph Reding, T. Boks(?), G. P. Vanhorn, and W. B. Hosly. Included amongst the witnesses on 14 Feb 1845 are Charles Oustevant, Sarah Oustevant, John Whitehead, John Astly, Lewis Burch, Isreal Baker, Joseph Reding, Robert Williams, Emery Holist(?), John Johnson, and Margaret Johnson. Included amongst the witnesses on 28 Aug 1845 are John Astley, John Whitehead, Lewis Burch, Joseph Redding, Chas Oustevant, Wm Oustevant, George Oustevant, John Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Israel Baker. Witnesses summoned on 17 Feb 1848 include Joseph Taylor, George Oustevant, Abigal Ostevant, Jain Beagles, John Johnson, Margaret Johnson, Elijah E. Edwards. 27 Feb 1844. Marshall County, Indiana, land records, Joel James to David Jones on 27 Feb 1844. Disposition from the land office Winamac, Indiana. 4 Mar 1845. History of Indiana, Marshall County, pgs 58-59. Polk Township No. 8.--This township, organized March 4, 1845, the day James K. Polk was inaugurated president of the United States. It was considered in keeping with the fitness of things that the new township should take the name of Polk, and it was accordingly so called. Prior to to its organization the territory was the west part of North township. The petition which was dated March 1, 1845, is as follows: To the Honorable Commissioners of the County of Marshall: We, the undersigned citizens of North township, in said county, would represent that, in our opinion, it would be of public utility to divide said township into two townships, on account of the great disadvantage of voting and doing township business. And we would further request that said township be so divided as to hold the elections at or near James Sherland's and Thomas Singleton's. And this your petitioners would ever pray. Robert J. Evans, Lewis Beagles, Isaac Thomas, H. A. Ranck, Thomas Singleton, Sr., Willoughby M. McCormack, Reuben Farnsworth, Jacob H. Miller, Henry Smith, Charles Ousterhout, Samuel B. Knott, Hallis Merrick, Luther Wentworth, Steven Cushman, Charles Cook, Thomas Bently, Edward Smith, Joel James, James Keely, George A. Ruggles, John Schroeder, Dennis Stow, Jonas Fulmer, Place C. (sic) Ruggles, George Myers, John Hopkins, Ansel T. Cole, David Knott, Elliott Knott and Joseph Redding. 1850 Census Starke County, IN Washington Township 21/22 Joel James/52/M/farmer/---/VA Phila/31/F/NY Wm. J./30/M/IN Sarah A./17/F/IN Joel/14/M/IL Nancy E./13/F/IN Mary Ann/6/F/IN John/4/M/IN Cynthia/11 mos/F/IN John Whitehed/46/M/farmer/300/NY (NOTE: Jane James married Lewis Beagles on 27 Feb 1845 in Marshall County, Indiana. Also who is this William J. James, age 30 - a son or some other relative?) This Joel James is listed in the 1850 Madison Co., IN., Census, and is neither the Joel James of Jackson Co., IN., in 1840, nor the Joel James of this record. I suppose he could be the son of the Joel James who lived in Jackson Co., IN., but does not appear to be as there are not any Kentucky references. family 109/109 Joel James/24/M/1000/PA or VA Elizabeth/21/F/PA Jesse K./1/M/Iowa John L. James/21/M/Iowa Risin Shipley/9/M/Iowa William Mitchell/5/M/No birthplace given 1860 Census St. Joseph Co., IN Liberty Township 1163/1137 Joel James/63/M/day laborer/---/200/VA Phila/39/F/NY Sarah/21/F/IN Mary A./15/F/IN John/14/M/IN Syntha/10/F/IN Malvina/8/F/IN George/6/M/IN Sally/3/F/IN Evan/1/M/IN (NOTE: Nancy E. James and Joel James are unaccounted for on this census.) National Archives Records. Joel James served in the Civil War as a Private, Company "B", 48th Regiment, Indiana Infantry. He was on the muster out roll of 15 Jan 1865 in Savannah, Georgia. He was discharged at Evansville, Indiana, in Aug 1862. He was left sick at Paducah, Kentucky, on 25 Apr 1862. He was described on his enlistment date, 20 Jan 1862, as age 62, 5'7", blue eyes, grey hair, born in Augusta County, Virginia, and his occupation was farmer. He was mustered in at North Liberty, Indiana, on the muster-in roll of Camp Ellis, Goshen, Indiana, on 6 Feb 1862. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana, 1880, pg 422. Forty-Eighth Regiment Infantry. This regiment was represented by three entire companies of St. Joseph county volunteers,--B, E, and F. The following are the names of those in the original roster, together with the recruits: . . . Privates . . . Joel James . . .. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana, 1880, pg 446. Joel James -- Died at Memphis Jun 4, 1863. (NOTE: Perhaps this is not correct since it is not given in the records from the National Archives. Also because John L. Jones who follows Joel James on this list is shown as "Died at Memphis, June 4, 1863.) (NOTE: Have not found Sarah A. James in the 1880 Census anywhere. Cynthia Anne James married Josiah Morrow on 12 Sep 1872 in St. Joseph Co., IN., and they are in Kansas in 1880. Sarah Jane James married Charles L. Perleywits on 21 Jun 1876 in St. Joseph Co., IN., and has not been found in 1880. Additionally, Mary Ann James has married Patrick J. Moss on 18 Nov 1866 in LaPorte Co., IN., and has not been found in 1870 or 1880. John A. James also was not found in 1880 unless it is he with wife, Ellen. In addition, Jane (James) Beagles, Joel James and Nancy E. James were not found 1880.) 3 Apr 1897. Charles L. James, son of Joel, applied for a pension due to his father's military service, No. 651.599. Charles claimed that his father's death was caused by disability contracted in the service. He stated that his mother died about Dec 1861, and the names of all children under the age of 16 at the time of the father's death were: Cynthia Marlow (sic for Morrow), Melvina Benhardt, George James, deceased, Sarah Perlewitz, Evan James, and himself, Charles L. James. This was filed at Chicago, Illinois, State of Illinois, County of Cook, on 3 Apr 1897. 18 Nov 1866. Taken from Index to Marriage Records, LaPorte Co., IN., 1850-1920. Mary Ann James to Patrick J. Moss, 17 Nov 1866 (license), 18 Nov 1866 (marriage), Book F, pg 132. Johnita