The book “Two Centuries in Elizabethtown and Hardin County, Kentucky” by Daniel E. McClure Jr.; fills in some interesting details about the Friends and Cessnas of Friend’s Cove in Bedford, PA.
Five of the seven Friend Sisters convinced their families and several friends to migrate as a group from Bedford County to Kentucky in the Summer of 1780. Building a small fleet of flatboats, the party moved all their possessions, livestock and children down the Ohio River to a point called “The Falls of the Ohio” and stopped at a tiny outpost called “Fort on Shore”. They arrived in July, about the same time as an armed party sent by the Virginia Assembly. July 1780 Col. John Slaughter and a company of 150 men arrived at Falls of Ohio to establish a fort to protect the people of Kentucky. He had been sent by newly elected Governor Thomas Jefferson with an act of Virginia Legislature in May to lay out a town at the Falls of the Ohio to be named Louisville after the King of France who was sending soldiers to help fight the American Revolution. Most of the “Friend” party made plans to move inland, but Jonathan Cessna was excited by the news brought by Col. Slaughter. He decided to stay and help build the new fort. With the help of others in the party, Cessna dismantled his flatboat and build the first house in the newly platted town of Louisville. It was probably in the vicinity of the current intersection of Twelfth and Rowan Streets, within a short distance of both the old “Fort on Shore” and the new “Fort Nelson” which was being built. Jediah Ascraft (and possibly others in the group) were veterans of George Rogers Clark’s Illinois Campaign. As such, he had been given a large land grant near present day Hodgenville, KY. Leaving Jonathan and Mary Cessna behind in Louisville, the group established a small fort and community known as Phillips’ Fort, about a mile west of Hodgenville. The parents of Abraham Lincoln became a part of the extended family of this community. In 1781, Jonathan Cessna was killed while fighting Indians in George Rogers Clark’s second campaign. He was fighting alongside such men as Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton. His wife, Mary was given a land grant by Clark for her husband’s service. She moved herself and her son William to the same community around Phillip’s Fort to be with her sisters. William Cessna would grow up to be a judge in Hardin County, KY. These are the members of the “Friend Party” who made the trip from Bedford, PA to Hardin County, KY. Jediah Ashcraft and wife Nancy Friend. Nancy was born in 1735 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Phillip Phillips and wife Susanna Friend. Susannah was born in 1749 in Bedford, Pennsylvania. Joseph Kirkpatrick and wife Eleanoir Friend, married 1775 Bedford, PA William Hinch and wife Elizabeth Friend…..after his death she married William Brownfield. Elizabeth was born in 1754 in Bedford, Pennsylvania. (An earlier Elizabeth was born in ‘36 and died in ‘43) Jonathan Cessna and wife Mary Friend. Mary was born in 1750 in Bedford, Pennsylvania (two other daughters named Mary were born and died young, before this Mary) A niece, Elizabeth (Friend) Cessna who married William Stewart A nephew, Banner Friend who never married Phillips’ brothers, John and Thomas Phillips Isaac Friend and family. (Isaac Friend only mentions his children coming, so wife may have died sooner.) The children he mentions are: Jesse Friend who married Mary (Polly) Hanks, sister of Nancy Hanks who married Thomas Lincoln on Dec 10, 1795. (parents of Abraham Lincoln) Andrew Friend who married Catherine Lee Sara Friend who married Ezra Wilcox Nancy Friend who married Thomas Hatfield Mary (Polly) Friend who married Barnabus Brown John Friend who married Catherine Howey William Friend who married Mary (Polly) Allen Isaac Friend Jr who married Susannah Reed Charles Friend who married Sarah Huss
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Early Footprints in America
The Court of Common Pleas records from 1668-1800 for Christiana County, DE (once PA) have survived in the form of Micro Film rolls held at the state archives. They are also available on Ancestry.com. Carol Garrett and Carol Bryant have transcribed many of these and their books are available at delmarvaroots.com. A search of the indexes of their volumes reveal three references to Cessnas prior to 1750. A search of over 2000 pages of the micro film has given two references which they missed. Here is a report on what we have found as of May 8, 2017. NOTES ON STEPHEN CESSNA: 26 Apr 1738. Deed of Erasmus Stedham and Christiana his wife. Erasmus was the younger son of Ashmund Stedham, who was the younger son of Tyman Stedham, who was son and heir of late Luloff Stedham, who was son and heir of late Tyman Stedham to release rights. Whereas Tyman Stedham by virtue of a Patent from Frances Lovelace on 3 May 1671 acquired Land bounded by Brandywine Hill, Rattle Snake Hill, and Rutt Hill. In Tyman Stedham’s last will he devised his land to be divided equally among his children; except daughter Ingeber who received one steer and one cow for her part. Tyman’s children were Luloff, Lucas, Ashmund, Adam, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Mary, Magdalene & Ingeber. In May 1725 Luloff sold his share to Timothy. In 1721, Mary Stedham-Kneelson sold her part to Timothy, On 10 Aug Magdalene sold her part to Timothy, On 3Aug 1717 Lucas bought Elizabeth’s share and sold it to Timothy the same day. Thus, Erasmus held 3 of eight shares and Timothy owned 5 shares. There is a three page description of the land’s survey which starts with; The parcel of land Beginning at a corner marked Walnut Sapling Standing by the great Road side by Stephen Cessna’s House running along his line to Brandywine Creek. (Search Ancestry.com: Erasmus Stedham, 26 Apr 1738, Christiana County, DE) Note: There are a number of listings for the family of Stedham, that refer to the land north of Kings Road running north all the way to Rattlesnake Hill and Rattlesnake Creek, and lying between Kennet Road and Brandywine Creek. When the patriarch, Tymen Stedham died, he divided the property between his nine children. This deed says that Stephen Cessna’s House and land are on the south side of this property, and Cessna’ line runs from Kennet Road to Brandywine Creek. (Stedhams arrived in 1671, so it is possible that Stephen Cessna bought or rented his land from the Stedhams). This indicates that Stephen Cessna lived in a house, not cabin, and it was located on the North-West corner of his property, next to Kennet Road. 12 MAY 1757: This indenture made this twelfth day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty seven. Between Daniel Few of Christiana Hundred in the County of Newcastle upon Delaware and Esther his wife of one part and Richard Richardson of the same hundred and county on the other part: Whereas the above named Daniel Few, being by virtue of a deed from and under the hand and seal of Erasmus Nedham and Christiana his wife became lawful seized in his defense of free and in a Certain tract of land lying and being in the same place aforesaid and Beginning at a corner marked Black Oak Saplin standing at the corner of Stephen Cessna’s Lot, thence along his line south Eighty Eight degrees East, Twenty nine perches to a corner of his land, thence South fifty eight degrees east Seven perches and a half to a corner White Oak Standing by the Head of a small run thence down the several courses there of about sixty five perches to a corner marked Hickory by Brandywine Side, thence up Brandywine….(Search Ancestry.com: Daniel Few, 12 May 1757, Christiana County, DE) Note: Deed describes that Danie Few purchased land from Timothy Steadman in 1730, and is now selling to Richard Richardson. That the land lies between Kennet Road and Brandywine Creek, bordered on the south by Kings Road and on the North by the farm of Stephen Cessna. This is the same farm described as belonging to Stephen Cessna in the 26 April 1738 entry. It would indicate that this Stephen Cessna is still living on the farm after Stephen Sisney (husband of Patience) has died in Carlisle, PA. 18 Jul 1760. Daniel Few, late of Christiana Hun. in County of Newcastle and Ester his wife for 225 pounds sold to Joseph Shallcross of same place two tracts of land situate in same place, containing 60 acres. They bound Brandywine creek on the NE to the NW the land of late Timothy Scott (but now of Joseph Shallcross), to the SW by the lines of John Seeds and Stephen Sisney and the Kennit Road, to the SE by Kings Road. (Search Ancestry.com: Daniel Few, 18 Jul 1760, Christiana County, DE). Note: This is the same location for Stephen Cessna’s farm mentioned in 1738 deeds for Stedham family. Stephen of the three brothers, and his wife Patience, are living in Lancaster County at this time. This indicates another person of that name, with a long time established farm. It is very strange that there should be reference to Stephen Cessna living on a farm along Brandywine creek, just north of Wilmington in the 1750’s and 1760’s. Stephen and Patience have moved on to Carlisle, PA. One explanation is that this is the French soldier, and father of Stephen, Charles and John. Making his name Etienne De Cesna and not Jean De Cesna. But this is not sure! NOTES ON JOHN CESSNA: (either Jean Cessna or John of Shippensburg) 11 May 1738: John Cessna, John Stolop and Joseph Simpson witness sale between Nathan Hussey, weaver late of Christian Hundred in Newcastle on Delaware and Jonathan Evans of same hundred and county, cordwainer, (by his patent from Penn on July 5, 1684, now sells a tract of land near Brandywine Creek, containing four hundred acres. (Search Ancestry.com, Nathan Hussey, 11 May 1738, Christiana County, DE) 4 Sept 1738 John Cessna Joseph Simpson, John Stalop witness sale of land by John & Rebecca Day to Nathan Hussey. Tract of land near Brandywine Creek. (Search Ancestry.com, John Day, 4 Sep 1738, Christiana County, DE) Note: John of Shippensburg, PA names three of his children, Jonathan, Joseph and Evans. These names were not common in family before, but are very common after. 1738 John Cessna buys a license to settle on land from Bunston’s Purchases. See his will.This land is west of Susquehanna River, about 90 miles from Wilmington. 1751 Cumberland County Tax, John Cesna, Lurgan Twp. 1753 Cumberland County Tax, John Cesna, Lurgan Twp. July 1754, a petition is delivered to the Pennsylvania Assembly, requesting government to provide protection for citizens from Indians and other marauders. Included in the signatories is John Cesna of Shippensburg. 8 July 1755, John Sisney warrants 25 acres in Cumberland County. 18 July 1757, John Cessna and sons Joseph & Jonathan are kidnapped from their harvest field near Shippensburg. NOTES ON STEPHEN AND PATIENCE CESSNA/SISNEY 2 Dec 1738. Richard Nicholas of Christiana Hun. In the County of Newcastle, a carpenter, and Ann his wife, for the sum of £53, sold unto Nicholas Bishop of Mill Creek Hun. In said County, a lott of land situate in Willingtown (sic). It bounds lott of James Millner Junr. On Second St. and contains 11 perches 3 feet. This is the property that Dr. James Millner was seized of by conveyance dated 3 July 1732 (Book K/pp234). Sd Millner by his indenture dated 27 Oct 1736, sold lotts unto his son, Thomas Millner. Then sd Thomas by indenture dated 10 June 1737, sold a lott unto Stephen Cissna; then sd Cissna and Patience his wife, sold sd lott unto afsd Richard Nicholas. Signed: Richard Nicholas, Ann Nicholas. Wit: Stephen Cessna, Neille Fearon. Rec: 13 March 1738. (Search Ancestry.com: Richard Nicholas, 2 Dec 1738, Christiana County, DE) Note: This a town lot in Wilmington, Stephen Cissna sells property, but a second Stephen Cessna is the witness. These records from PA Archives indicate that Stephen and Patience moved to Lancaster County after the sale of this town lot in Wilmington. 1740 Sheriffs sale for land southeast of Swatara creek at the Susquehanna on Messuage Plantation, land described as late in the occupation of Stephen Foulke and taken on execution at the suit of Stephen Cessnay. This would be Stephen, husband of Patience. 1 July 1741, John Smooze of Leacock Twp, Lancaster County sold 53acres in Leacock Twp to Stephen Cessna. Stephen does not record the sale until 9 Aug 1749. November 1741, Stephen Sesney is a member of the grand jury for Lancaster County. 17 October 1743 Stephen Cessney had 200 acres surveyed and titled in Lancaster County. land warrant is issued at Shippensburg to Stephen Cessna Sr, for a plantation that had been surveyed for Mr. Campbell in 1740. After the French and Indian War (1756-63) Theophilus Sisney lives on this farm. He is too old to be a son of John Cessna of Shippensburg, and probably Stephen and Patience youngest son. 1777, T. Sisney is drafted in the Militia for Cumberland County. Theophilus Cessna, son of John in Shippensburg was only 16 and too young to be drafted. 17 October 1743, warrants of Lancaster County, #217 (Stephen Cessney) and #369 (Stephen Sissing, via patentee Michael Grove, warranted for 300 acres and 150 acres respectively in Derry Township. 1744 -Quarter Sessions Court of Lancaster County; a number of people petition or a new road to Lancaster from Harris’s Ferry. Road would cross the Swatara Creek at Stephen Sisner’s plantation. Stephen and John Cessna both sign. About 1744- son, John Cessna, married Priscilla Foulke and moved over the Susquehanna River to what will be Newberry Twp. York County. Their son Stephen is born ca 1745. This is son of Stephen and Patience. 1751 Cumberland County Tax, Stephen Cesna, West Pennsborough Twp (Carlisle) 16 Mar 1754, Stephen Cesna takes a mortgage of £20 on lot 17 in Carlisle. Note due 1 Oct 1754. April 1756 Court Records state that Stephen Sisney is sick and in jail at the suit of Daniel Hogen. Sisney states that it is an unjust debt regarding a hat. 5 Oct 1757 Stephen Sisney is still in jail and severely ill, court issues administration to Arther Foster and Patience Cessna. 18 April 1758, Property of Stephen Sesna, deceased, is sheriff-d and sold to William Russel, a perry-wigmaker. August 1763 Patience Sisney, wife of Stephen, asks for guardianship regarding part of her husband’s estate which is due her grandchildren: Stephen and John Sisney, sons of her son John (deceased): and Stephen Sisney s/o her son Thomas (Deceased).William Smith is appointed guardian. Note: Stephen Sisney died in debtor prison 4 years earlier and his property was “Sheriffed”. How does he have an estate now? |
AuthorBill Cissna Archives
June 2023
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