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and Mary Seevers
As for the beginning of Abraham Seevers' life, the only things that are known for certain are that he was born in about the year 1748 and that he had some children born in the state of New Jersey, so it would seem obvious that he resided in that state at an early point in his marriage. Since we are working with a family that does not seem to be too well documented in it's roots, a lot cannot be proven concerning the early family relationships. Our Abraham married a woman by the name of Mary, but we are unsure of her maiden name. Some believe that her name was Morrison, but I could not find any documentation to verify this. According to census records found in Washington County, Ohio, after the death of Abraham, Mary was born sometime between 1740 and 1750. The marriage between Abraham and Mary probably occurred in about 1774 as their son Jacob was born in about 1775. But, exactly where and when this marriage took place could not be found. They seemed to have resided in New Jersey for about fourteen years after thier marriage. While living in New Jersey, Abraham and Mary Seevers had the following children: Jacob - Born in about 1775 (not proven to have been born in New Jersey, but very likely) David - Born in about 1779 (not proven to have been born in New Jersey, but very likely) Charity - Born in about 1781 John - Born in about 1787 They also had a female child born sometime before 1790. She may have been born in New Jersey or after they made the move to Pennsylvania. About the year 1788, Abraham moved his family from New Jersey to Fallowfield Township in Washington County, Pennsylvania. We know that this was approximately the year of the move, since Abraham and Mary Seevers' son John was born in New Jersey in about 1787 and their daughter Margaret was born in Pennsylvania in about 1788. Fallowfield Township borders along the Monongahela River. They lived in Fallowfield Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania until the year 1797. While living in Pennsylvania, Abraham Seevers was also involved in the Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790's. This rebellion was against a excise tax on whiskey. Many farmers in southwestern Pennsylvania rose up against the imposition of this tax. This rebellion was rather violent and included the beating, tarring and feathering of excise tax collectors. This also included attacks by the "rebels" on tax collectors homes. This includes burning down of thier offices. In one instance in June of 1794, one tax collector's house is attacked and his barn and crops were destroyed. President George Washington decided to send in malitia troops to suppress the uprise. Towards the end of 1794 the rebellion was subsiding. Many of the farmers refused to rebel against the president. Many were Revolutionary War veterans and wanted to be loyal to Washington. As a result of this, many of the farmers signed an Oath of Allegiance. Apparently, Abraham Seevers was involved in this uprising. He pledged his Oath of Allegiance between November 18th and December 29th, of 1794. The oath that Abraham Seevers and many others signed can be found at: http://searches.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/pa/washington/military/oath1794.txt While living in Pennsylvania, Abraham shows up on a list of men who were fined six dollars over and above the amount of his taxes for being "exempt" or "declining to be enrolled" in the Militia. His name is listed under:
"First Regiment
This reference was in a book called "Militia Fines 1794-1798 Washington County, Pennsylvania". It is hard for me to understand exactly what it was saying. So, the Seevers researcher should read it for themselves. While living in Pennsylvania, Abraham and Mary Seevers had the following children: Margaret - Born in about 1788 Abraham Jr. - Born in about 1796 As mentioned before, they also had an unknown daughter that was born before 1790. This daughter could have been born in either Pennsylvania or New Jersey. In 1797, Abraham decided to move his family once again. This time to Washington County, Ohio. In Washington and Morgan Counties, Ohio, an Act of Congress passsed on April 21st, 1792 would set the path for Abraham Seevers' final move. This act allowed for 100,000 acres of land to be divided up into 100 acre lots. This land was known as the donation lands. Settlers would receive a 100 acre lot of land. The requirements for these patents were that you must be a male of at least 18 years of age and be willing to actully settle on the land at the time of deed conveyance. This tract of land was actully intended as a buffer zone between settlers in the Ohio Company Purchase and the Indians. Abraham Seevers received a settler's patent on April 17th, 1797. This was for lot number 134 of the Duck Creek Allotments. Abraham's sons Jacob and David also settled on their own respective lots. This settler's patent states that this lot was in Adams Township of Washington County, Ohio. This area was later Salem Township. This part of Salem Township became Fearing Township in the year 1808. Most of Abraham's records refer to him as living in Fearing Township. While living in Washington County, Ohio, Abraham and Mary Seevers had the following children: William - Born on January 29th, 1798 According to census records of Washington County, Ohio from 1810, they had another female child that would have been born between 1800 and 1810. Abraham's first known civil problems in Ohio seemed to have occurred in 1800. A man by the name of Francis D'hebecourt took Abraham to court claiming that Abraham owed him $18.00 of a total $38.83. This was for "Goods, Wares, & Merchandise". Abraham's attorney in this case was E. Putnam. Abraham claimed that he had already paid Mr. D'hebecourt $20.83 and owes him no more. In March of 1801, the case was heard by a Jury and in the end found in favor of Abraham Seevers, in fact claiming the Mr. D'hebecourt owed Abraham .29 cents. On September 12th, 1801 Abraham purchased adjoining land, lot number 133, from James Sharp for the price of $130.00. This was also 100 acres. Abraham and Mary now had a total of 200 acres of land. Then in 1805, a carpenter by the name of William Craig brought suit against Abraham Seevers. He claimed that he did carpentry work at Abraham's house and a dispute arose as to payment for the work. Apparently, William Craig was a boarder at Abraham's house while the work was being performed. Abraham and Mr. Craig decided to let arbitrators Allen Putnam and John porter settle the dispute. On April 6th, 1805, these two arbitrators decided that Mr. Craig was entitled to $67.00 and boarding. Abraham also owed Mr. Craig the sum of $22.50 cents for carpentry work. Abraham promised to pay him the total of $89.50. Abraham did not pay this money owed and William Craig brought suit against him claiming damages of $100.00. Abraham's attorney in this case was Louis Cass. The Court awarded William Craig $47.33 in damages, along with $16.95 for the cost of bringing suit. Abraham again expanded his farm on March 1st, 1808 with the purchase of three more lots of 100 acres each. These were from three members of the Chandler family. They were lots numbered 167, 171, and 172 of the Duck Creek Allotments and were purchased for $100.00 each. This brings the total amount of land of Abraham Seevers' farm to 500 acres. As far as the type of farm that Abraham operated, he had a large orchard of apple trees numbering about one thousand and several peach trees. We know that his crops included corn and potatoes. His animals included sheep, hogs, and cattle. He also owned several beehives. We also know that on his farm was a sawmill and a gristmill. These mills may have provided Abraham with a reasonable income, if they operated as a community business. In 1812, in Washington County, Ohio, a gentleman by the name of Godfrey Shrieves brought a case against Abraham Seevers. In this case, they both exhibited accounts that they claim were owed to each other, from each other.
More distressing is the account that Godfrey Shrieves submitted as to what Abraham Seevers owed to him. It reads:
The fourth line in the account of moneys claimed to be owed to Mr. Shrieves by Abraham says:
 I wish that I could have found out more concerning the circumstances of this entry. Abraham Seevers also had several court dealings concerning money matters with one John Taylor. They seemed to go back and forth about who owed what to who. There was a note mentioned in these court cases that Abraham did sign. It read: "Know all men by these presents that I Abraham Seavers of Fearing in the County of Washington & State of Ohio am held and firmly bound unto John Taylor of Salem in said County in the sum of five hundred dollars lawful money of the united States to be paid to the said John Taylor his heirs executors or Administrators to which payment will and truly to be made I bind myself my heirs executors and Administrators firmly by these presents sealed with my seal dated this 24th day of October AD 1812." Abraham placed an ad in a Marietta newspaper called the "American Friend". The following ad appeared in 1820:
 This ad was for lots 133 and 134 of the Duck Creek Allotments. This was the original Seevers farm. This 200 acres were sold to Ebenezer R. Robinson for $1,000.00 on December 23rd, 1820. He reserved however, one quarter of an acre of land on lot 134, stating that this is "where the grave of my daughter is". Exactly which daughter that Abraham was referring to is unknown. There are two daughters that are still unidentified. One being born before their arrival in Ohio and one after. This leaves Abraham and Mary with three hundred acres of land. The year 1820 was not avery good year for Abraham Seevers. The previous year, he had trouble with a man by the name of Thomas Kidd. Abraham accused Mr. Kidd of stealing "a certain scythe and snath and hangings of the value of five dollars". Thomas Kidd was arrested and charged with the crime. He was found not guilty. Thomas Kidd filed two suits against Abraham Seevers. One was for malicious prosecution and the other was for slander. In both cases, Mr. Kidd was asking for $1,000.00 dollars in damages. Abraham did not prevail in either of these cases. In July of 1820, Abraham was ordered to pay Mr. Kidd $50.00 for damages and $39.61 in costs in the malicious prosecution case. Also, in July of 1820, in the case of slander, Abraham was ordered to pay Thomas Kidd $15.00 for damages and $40.71 in costs. Somewhere in these proceedings with Thomas Kidd, Abraham's son John must have testified to something that was contrary to what his father Abraham was trying to prove against Mr. Kidd. Abraham accused John of perjury in the case. In the same newspaper, dated 1820, in which Abraham had placed the ad for the sale of his farm, he also placed another notice. It read:
 John did not take to kindly to Abraham's accusation. On April 3rd, 1820, he filed suit against his father for trying to ruin his name and reputation. In this suit John Seevers stated: "And the said John Seevers further saith that the said Abraham Seevers further contriving and intending as aforesaid afterwards to wit on the same twenty third day of February ?? eighteen hundred and twenty at said Marietta falsely wickedly maliciously wrongfully and unjustly did publish and cause and procure to be published a certain other false scandalous malicious and defamatory libel of and concerning the said John Seevers..." In the end, John was awarded one hundred dollars in damages and Abraham was also ordered to pay court costs. This was awarded on April 7th, 1820 and Abraham had to pay it within 60 days. Abraham also had to the pay costs of $20.71 for the case. Since this was only two years before the death of Abraham Seevers, I wonder if this father and son worked out thier differences. Abraham, at this point in his life had quite a bit to deal with. He had sold the part of his farm that had his living house and orchards. So, he must have been living on the other three hundred acres that was, more than likely, where his son Abraham was living. Abraham Jr. was not married at this time and was probably the person with whom Abraham may have been living the last days of his life. As if the problems with his neighbors and his son John were not enough to deal with, the now 72 year old Abraham was faced with another problem. His wife Mary had left him. I always thought it unusual for a couple in thier 70's to decide to separate and live apart. Abaham placed another notice in the same paper in 1820. This notice read:
 Abraham and Mary did not seem to have divorced, as both of thier names appear on the land record when they sold the two hundred acre farm to Ebeneezer R. Robinson on December 23rd, 1820. Also, an agreement after Abraham's death, refers to her as "Mary Seevers the wife of Abraham Seevers deceased". The farm that Abraham and Mary lived on was located in Fearing Township in Washington County, Ohio. This is very close to Marietta. Marietta, Ohio had suffered much during the years 1807, 1822, and 1823. These were the years of the epidemics. In 1807, there was disease, sickness and fever. This was not confined to the Marietta area, but along the Ohio River. The cause was too much rain. Many crops were ruined and pools of stagnant water were plentiful. In 1822, the exact problem occurred. This time, the problem was the heat and lack of rain. Then in 1823, during the summer, once again the problem was too much rain. Our Abraham passed away on August 1, 1822 in Fearing Township, Washington County, Ohio. This was the year of the drought. The "sickness" that was present in the area in the year of 1822 included Yellow Fever and Cholera. We know that illness and hardships can be especially trying on the elderly and you must consider that Abraham was 74 years old at his death. In the August 9th, 1822 edition of the Marietta, Ohio newspaper "American Freind", the death notice for Abraham Seevers appeared. It read:
 It is unsure where Abraham was buried. But, according to land records he did have a daughter that was buried on his farm. So, there could have been a burial section on his farm where Abraham and Mary may be buried. According to the Settlement of Abraham's estate, there was $3.75 paid to a Doctor John Cotton. This was probably the doctor who took care of Abraham in his final days. Abraham's widow placed the following notice in the Marietta newspaper the American Friend on March 1st, 1823. It read:
 After his death, Abraham's land was divided up among four of his sons Abraham, Jacob, John, and William. I have always wondered why Abraham's other son David or his two known daughters Charity Wiley and Margaret Reynolds did not receive any of this land. One possible explanation for this was that maybe David's whereabouts were unknown. Sections of the Deed of Partition reads as follows: "Witnesseth; that whereas they the said Jacob Seevers, Abraham Seevers, William Seevers, and John Seevers are siezed in ?? and have and hold as teneaments in common equal shares in value of a certain tract, piece or parcel of land lying and being in the township of Fearing aforesaid containing three hundred acres, being lots numbered one hundred and sixty seven (167), one hundred and seventy one (171), and one hundred and seventy two (172) in the plan of Duck Creek Allotment and is the same land owned by Abraham Seevers, deceased, at the time of his decease and descended to us the said Jacob, Abraham, William and John as his lawful heirs." "First, that he the said Jacob Seevers, his heirs and assigns shall and may from henceforth have, hold, posess and enjoy in severally fifty acres of land, it being one half of lot numbered one hundred and seventy two (172) on the West end of said lot..." "Secondly, that the said Abraham Seevers, his hiers and assigns, shall and may from henceforth forever peacably hold and posess and enjoy in severally one hundred acres of land, it being lot numbered one hundred and sixty seven (167)..." "Thirdly, that the said William Seevers, his hiers and assigns shall and may from henceforth have, hold, posess and enjoy in severally one hundred acres of land, it being the West half of lot numbered one hundred and seventy one (171) and the East half of lot numbered one hundred and seventy two (172) fifty acres of each of the last mentioned numbers (171 and 172)..." "Fourthly, that the said John Seevers, his hiers and assigns shall and may from henceforth have, hold, posess and enjoy in severally fifty acres of land it being the East half of lot numbered one hundred and seventy one (171)..." "The parties aforesaid wish it be expessly understood that on lot numbered one hundred and seventy two above mentioned stands a Saw Mill and that the person or persons now owning or occupying said Mill or who may at any time hereafter own or occupy the said Saw Mill may have the privilege of keeping open and repairing water course or mill race conveying the water to the said Saw Mill while the mill stands, and also the privilege of getting suitable materials for repairing said water course on the lands adjoining: Also a Grist Mill standing, near the Saw Mill with the same privileges as the Saw Mill while it stands." Following Abraham's death, an appraisement of his personal property was made and it's value was listed at $148.48. His personal property included the following:
There were other items mentioned, but I could not make them out. An agreement after the death of Abraham Seevers found in the Washington County, Ohio courthouse. It reads: "Know all men by these presents that we the said Jacob and Mary Seevers have been appointed by the hiers of Abraham Seevers late of Fearing deceased for the purpose of settleing the estate and to see the same divided to each hier legal rite for which purpose we the said John Seevers and John Wiley and John Reynolds and and Abraham Seevers and William Seevers and do each of us bind ourselves in the current sum of Five hundred dollars of good and lawful money of the United States for Which purpose we severly bind our hiers, executors, administrators or assigns in the sum of five hundred dollars unto Jacob and Mary Seevers the wife of Abraham Seevers deceased to thier hiers and assigns..." Abraham's widow Mary apparently continued to live in the grist mill after the death of her husband Abraham. This was on the east half of lot 171. Abraham's son John recieved this piece of land and when he sold it he made stipulations allowing his mother to occupy and operate the mill. Other records say that this mill was on lot 172, but it was on lot 171 as more than once, when this land was transferred, it mentions the mill. Mary Seevers is listed as the head of her own household living alone in Fearing Township, Washington County, Ohio in the 1830 census. In 1826, John received from the Deed of Partition from the death of his father Abraham, fifty acres of land, which were formerly part of his father's farm. On this particular piece of land was where his mother Mary was living in the grist mill. John did not wish to keep this land and then sold it on that very day to Nathaniel Kidd. Even though he was selling the land on which his elderly mother was living, he made provisions concerning keeping the waterway to the grist mill open, thus allowing the business to continue "for the natural life of Mary Seevers who occupies said grist mill". There was also a provision made in this land record that concerned John's mother Mary Seevers. It reads that Nathaniel Kidd would pay for or cause to be paid for:
"four Steers each to be one year old past by the first day of November 1826;
This land would eventually be sold by Nathaniel Kidd to John's brother Jacob Seevers in 1829. Jacob would then sell this piece of land to Jewett Palmer on April 6th, 1831 and Jacob mentions his mother Mary Seevers and the same type of reservations allowing his mother to live there as long as the mill continues to do business. So we know that Mary lived until at least that date. Now concerning our ancestral grandmother Mary, wife of Abraham Seevers. I could find no record of the marriage of Abraham Seevers to Mary. This does not mean that it doesn't exist, it just simply means that it hasn't been located. If I am right about Abraham's early life in New Jersey, then some things must be considered about Mary herself and the children. If we are talking about the correct Abraham Seevers, then there are court records in Hunterdon County, New Jersey that indicate that Abraham spent the summers of 1784, 1787, and 1788 in jail. Taking into account that many of these people depended on the farming occupation for thier livelyhood and the summer growing season in New Jersey this would present a hardship for Mary and the children. Mary must have been left to tend to the farms and the homelife of her and her children. After the migration from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, she and the children would have witnessed the civil unrest during the "Whiskey Rebellion" and seen Abraham's involvement in it. Then, after the move from Pennsylvania to Ohio, she would endure the problems between her husband Abraham and her son John, and many problems that Abraham seemed to have met. She would leave Abraham in 1820 for a while. After the death of her husband Abraham, she seems to have lived out her remaining years living in a grist mill. Finally, she herself passed away without any modern researcher knowing her maiden name, her birth year, or even the date of her death. As with her husband it is unknown exactly where she is buried. But, I have always imagined that they are buried on the section of land that was reserved as the final resting spot for thier daughter mentioned earlier. Abraham and Mary Seevers seemed to have had a total of nine children, and most seemed to have had sizable families themselves. When accounting for the decsendants of Abraham and Mary Seevers, you will notice that they had many, many grandchildren. We know of at least sixty-six grandchildren. This number includes unkown, or should I say unnamed individuals that were listed in census records before 1850. There were doubtless others that may have died in between the taking of the census or simply were not known due to the lack of information.
such as Abraham, Mary, Charity, William, John and Elizabeth.
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