Forsyths of Wapello Co.

Index

Research

  1. Introduction
     
  2. Initial Morrison Research
     
  3. Initial Forsyth Research
     
  4. Breakthrough - Probate File
     
  5. Probate Two & Conclusion
     
  6. Addendum: Forsyth Reunions

John Forsyth Family Group Sheet

Eliza Descendant Chart

Images

Eliza Wapello County Deed

Eliza Probate Assignment

Thomas Notice of Land Sale

James Notification of Thomas

Breakthrough - Probate File

I have searched the area surrounding Wapello County for a John Morrison married to an Elizabeth born in Ireland about 1827 and have not been able to find any such couple or family.  Either Frances was wrong about Elizabeth coming to Wapello County, Iowa with her family or was wrong about when she came and who she married.  Or both.  A land entry for an Eliza Morrison shows her taking possession of 23 acres of Richland Township, Wapello County land from John G. Simpson on 26 June 1861 [Book 1, Wapello County Deeds, page 396].  This land is right in the middle of land owned by Forsyth family members.  It was not common for a woman to purchase land in those days.  Why?  Did she receive help from the Forsyth's because she was a sister to George?  Why not Joseph?

Recently found probate information provides some possible help with this.  The Wapello County Clerk of Court had told me probate records were unavailable because they had been sent out for microfilming.  Only recently (May 2002) did I find that the Wapello County Genealogical Society could gain access to some of these records, since they were overseeing the microfilming.  According to Eliza Morrison's probate records, Wapello County file #0005-000277, she died intestate on or about the 10th day of June 1866, left no husband surviving, and only one child, a minor named Thomas.  The only belonging ascribed to Eliza was real estate of 23 acres and the same legal description as above.  Although I do not know when Joseph died I suspect it was sometime between the taking of the 1860 census and 26 June 1861, when Eliza originally purchased this property.

I now take my second leap of faith.  Circumstantial evidence would indicate Elizabeth met Joseph Morrison through her siblings in Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  It is possible when her parents moved to Wapello County, Iowa in 1851 she stayed with her sibling Mary Jane in Allegheny County, and married Joseph - probably circa 1851 since she was single in 1850 and John Thomas was born in 1852.  Somewhere around 1854 or 1855, they migrated to Wapello County and settled near her siblings (her father had died in 1853).  In fact, it may have been her father's death that caused Eliza and Joseph to move to Iowa.  Among the documents in his probate file, Wapello County file #0002-000113, is the following document (italics in parentheses my comments):

Ottumwa Iowa June 27/57
To the Honorable Judge of Wapello County Iowa
We the undersigned executors of the Estate of John Forsyth deceased of Wapello County State of Iowa do hereby make the following Report To wit
Paid July 9th 1855 James Forsyth (son)
beaing (sic) in full of all claims against the Estate
$1.00
Paid July 9 1855 John Forsyth (son)
in full of all claims against the Estate
$1.00
Paid April 2 1856 Thompson Forsyth (son)
in full of all claims against the Estate
$1.00
Paid May 2 1856 William Forsyth (son)
in full of all claims against the Estate
$1.00
Paid July 28 1856 Frances Hayden (daughter)
beaing (sic) in full of all claims against the Estate
$100.00
Paid June 26 1856 Eliza Morrison (daughter)
in full of all Demands
$1.00
Archibald Forsyth (son) has received all the assistance in the way of improvement as the will of said Deceased calls for. (will was not in packet)
All other claims satisfied with the exception of one Heir, Mary Jane Kidney (daughter) of Ohio.

George Forsythe (son)
David McCollough

All living children were accounted for (their first child, another William, died when he was two).  The wording associated with Eliza is interesting - "in full of all Demands" rather than "in full of all claims against the Estate".  Was she on the outs with her father?  Is that why she stayed in Pennsylvania when most of the rest of the family migrated to Iowa?  Did she come to Iowa after her father died, hoping that relations would be mended?  The original will wording does not seem to indicate however that her father was upset with her and that he was treating her in any way differently.

Images are somewhat large for readability.  Use the back arrow to navigate back to the originating Forsyth narrative page from the image pages, the group sheet page and the descendant chart page.

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