| 4. | Sampson Wickersham was born on 20 May 1751 in East Marlborough, Chester County, Pennsylvania, America (son of James Wickersham and Ann Eachus); died on 22 Nov 1819 in Harrodsburge, Mercer County, Kentucky. Notes:
Notes and information from Jerri Garifalo (Wickersham family Researcher)
Sampson went to war [American Independance] in 1780, but he would have returned in 1781, the dates of his children's births with Elizabeth [Jackson] are 1780, 1781, 1782 and 1784. The Church records further note that Sampson deserted Elizabeth about 1787. as a result he wea disowned by the Society of Friends on 14th February 1788. Elizabeth [Jackson] then had a child with Reuben Barney who she claimed was her husband; Their child Mary was born 9th April 1792.
He reportedly left them in Chester Co, Pa and went to Rose Hill, Mercer County, Kentucky, and married Elizabeth Lessinger.
The Daughters of the American Revolution patriot Index lists him as a private in Andrew Boyds Fifth Company, 8th Battalion, 5th Co, from Chester County Pennsylvania in 1780, which gives his birth as 20th January 1751, and lists his second wife as Elizabeth Sessinger (sic). the Wickersham Family History recorded by Jerri Garofalo and published at Genealogy.com, states that Sampson was born in the Family Home at Kennett Square. He and his second wife Elizabeth Lessenger located themselves on a tract of land about 10 miles south of Harrodsburg. Their Oldest boy Daniel Boone Wickersham was named in honor of the Indian Fighter and Trail Blazer Daniel Boone, a neighbour whom they new and respected. Sampson Bought and sold considerable amounts of land in Mercer County, establishing a large tract of land on Carmickels Creek.
Why Sampson and Elizabeth [Lessinger] wanted to live in KY is a great mystery because it was certainly not an easy life. They lived a few miles west of Harrodsburg / Harrods's fort along a creek. There is no written information about what their home was like. Log cabins were typical and gave a good fortification against the elements, beasts and Indians. They often contained little view ports for firing at the enemy. This is the environment that Sampson and Elizabeth [Lessinger] brought at least 12 children into the world and raised them. It is rather difficult to imagine little toddlers in a crowded house while mother made bread, cut up the bear her husband just killed, rendered tallow or washed clothes.
It is not known for sure what date Sampson moved to KY or if he went with his new wife Elizabeth Lessinger or met her there. I have found a report of a large group of women travelling to KY to settle in order to find husbands. For the most part it was a rugged man's world. Supplies were very slim and so the provision and home life were built around the most rudimentary of things. Women did not have stoves but cooked over an open fire (either outdoors or from the fireplace in the house.) Laundry was done at the riverside on rocks or over a boiling cauldron and then pounding the garment with a heavy dowel over a tree stump. There was no longer the luxury of stylish garments but a few necessary items that if not worn hung from a peg on the wall of the cabin. Gourds were collected in which were stored items like maple syrup, soft soap, cornmeal, salt, and other precious supplies. Out of these gourds the women also made; egg baskets, sewing baskets, water dippers. From the rafters she would hang bunches of herbs, red peppers, smoked hams, tobacco, and yarn and more.
Lights were scarce ad precious. They were made with bear's oil or tallow, with twisted rags, pine pitch or open fire. Rain water was captured from the bark gutters into home-made barrels. Houses had no inner plaster, but had wooden shutters but no glass. Paper smeared with Bears grease served as glass windows.
Everything was homemade because transporting things from VA was extremely difficult. In time things were transported up and down the Mississippi and Ohio rivers but this was still expensive.
The roads leading from Virginia to Kentucky were few, in fact one called the Cumberland Gap which was one of the projects that Daniel Boone had been commissioned to do. Other "roads" were merely trails formed by the Indians and Animals. The travel was very rugged and in fact I found a quote by a travelling bishop who went to Kentucky in 1786 who said. " On the 7th day of the journey we reached Richmond, VA (where I live) and on the 10th Lexington, VA (after which they cross the Blue Ridge Mountains and many more days and miles before KY). I was strangely out done for want of sleep. Our way is over mountains, steep hills, deep rivers, and muddy creeks, a thick growth of reeds for miles together, and no inhabitants but wild beasts and savage men. I slept about one hour the first night and about two the last. We ate no regular meals, our bread grew short, and I was much spent. Along our way we saw the graves of the slain, 24 in one camp, who had a few nights previous been murdered by the Indians. Thus the fresh graves of the dead signalled us of the perils that awaited us. "
Along the trail there were but a few forts that were built as a place for storage, fortification, and protection. During an uprising the locals would rush to the forts where they would stay for as long as was necessary. In the year 1777 the residents stayed in the fortifications for a full year. Indian uprisings consisted of raiding (stealing), and burning down homes, stealing produce from the gardens, destroying the remains. The massacres that happened by the Indians and the white are beyond imaginable.
Notes from the Kennett MM regarding Samiel Wickersham provided by Jerri Garofalo, [Wickersham family Researcher]
Kennett MM
Disownments of Sampson and Elizabeth Wickersham
Documents provided by Mary Alice Thomas
Kennet Monthly Meeting Minutes 1739-1791
17th of 1st month, 1788-pg. 873
Complaint is made of Sampson Wickersham for behaving himself in a unseemly manner with a young woman, with whom it is suspected he is absconded, his having left his wife and family and place of abode. On consideration of which, this meeting appoints Wm. Philips Junr, Wm and Robt Samborn to make inquiry into the charge and if they have cause to forbear, produce a testimony to next meeting.
14th of 2nd month, 1788-pg. 875
The friends aptd in Sampson Wickersham's case report they have complied with their appointment and have produced a testimony which is approved and signed. The same friends are continued to have read in Hockessin first day Meeting and return it to our nest, and endeavour to furnish him with a copy if any opportunity should offer.
13th of 3rd month, 1788-pg. 876
The testimony of Kennet Mo. Meeting against ye reproachful conduct of Sampson Wickersham who had his birth and education amongst and made profession with Friends but for want of more circumspection in conduct, hath been guilty unbecoming behaviour with a young woman with whom it is suspected he hath gone from the neighbourhood, he having left his wife and family and place of abode. For which disgraceful conduct we disown him from being a member of our Religious Society, until by repentance and amendment of life he may be enabled to condemn his misconduct to the satisfaction of this meeting which that he may is our desire. Given forth by the aforesaid MNo. Meeting held ye 14th of 2nd Mo, 1788. Signed by ye same by Robt Lamborn Jnr Clk.
Mercer Co., Kentucky Will Book 6, p. 257, recorded Feb. 1820 lists wife as Elizabeth, leaves children of first wife (Thomas, Job, Joel, Levi, Ann) 25 cents each. Everything else goes to Elizabeth to divide among the children as they come of age.
Kennett Monthly Meeting, Church Records 1705-1944, page 791, 873, 875, 876, 917 923-925. FHL film 389399
"Disownments of: Sampson and Elizabeth Wickersham _"Levi Wickersham's parents, Sampson Wickersham and Elizabeth Jackson, were both disowned from the Society of Friends:
"Sampson WICKERSHAM Sr. was born on Mar 20 1750/51 in East Marlborough Twp., Chester Co. PA. Quaker O.S. (old style) date. He emigrated between 1785 and 1788 from KY. He was Disowned by the Society of Friends on Feb 14 1788. He died on Nov 22 1819 in Harrodsburg KY. He served in the military: Revolutionary War in
Continental Army, 8th Btn, 5th Reg't, Co. C., Pa. Line. He was a Quaker.
Sampson was disowned for deserting Elizabeth Jackson and their
children. He reportedly left them in Chester Co. PA, went to Mercer Co.
KY, and married Elizabeth Lessinger. He was married to Elizabeth LESSENGER in 1789 in KY.
"Disownment of Elizabeth (Jackson) Wickersham: (Elizabeth was the
daughter of Jonathan JACKSON and Mary NICKOLS. Elizabeth was born
on 7 Nov 1752. She died in 1806.)
"Kennet Monthly Meeting - Minutes 1739 - 1791
"11th of 3rd Mo 1790 - Page 917
"Complaint is made of Elizabeth who was left by her Husband Sampson
Wickersham about two years & a half ago and she hath since kept
Company with & now saith she is married to another man, by the
assistance of a Hireling Teacher & there being no account of the
decease of her former husband. On consideration thereof, this Meeting
appoints John Marshal, Wm Harvey, Jas Wilson, Wm Lamborn, Amos
Harvey, Wm Philips Jnr & John Lamborn to join Women Friends in
conferring together on ye occasion, and proceed thereon as they in ye
Wisdom of Faith may be directed in us a __ding a circumstance to
Society & report.
"1790 - Page 923
"The Friends continued on Eliza. Wickersham's Case have produced a
Testimony which is approved and signed. The same Friends are
continued to give her a Copy and inform her of her privilege of an
appeal which if she declines have it read at Hockessin first day Meeting
and return to next meeting.
"17th of 6th Mo, 1790 - Pages 924 & 925
"The direction of the Meeting being complied with in E. Wickersham's C.
& ?. The Testimonies are returned being as follows - The Testimony of
Kennet Meeting against the reproachful Conduct of Elizabeth
Wickersham who was left by her husband Sampson Wickersham & since
his absence has cohabited with another man & saith she is married to
him by ye assistance of a Presbyterian [sic] Teacher. She saith she doth
not know anything of said Sampson's Death. The leaning of our
Religious Society of the Reproach of such unwarrantable Conduct we
disown her from being a Member thereof; with desires for the sincerity
of her repentance. Given forth by the above said meeting held ye 13th
day of 5th mo 1790 & signed by order of the same by Jas Jackson Clk
at this time."
Archive;
Printed list of Family from Carroll B Coslow (FG1-19)
Sampson married Elizabeth Lessenger in 1789 in Mercer County, Kentucky. Elizabeth was born on 2 Feb 1769 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, America; died on 13 Apr 1854 in Mercer County, Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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Abt 1849 -
