Ross County, Ohio

Genealogy Charts - H

Descendant Records of John Hester

Contributed by: Ralph Cokonougher

"History and Genealogy of the Descendents of John Lawrence Hester and Godfrey Stough. 1752 - 1905.", Martin M. Hester. Norwalk, Ohio: self-published, (1905)

Pages 3 to 5 (Henry Hester's ancestry) - "1. ... John Lawrence Hester (Hoerster, in German) was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, about
1738. He and his wife, Mary Margaret, and three children emigrated to America A.D. 1771. They took ship at Amsterdam and arrived in Philadelphia. Not being able to pay for their passage, which was $300, he and his family were sold into servitude for a term of six years to pay the debt. The following article will show that this was not a rare case,

EARLY SETTLERS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
John R. Commons.

    Another colony to which all races and religions were welcomed was Pennsylvania. William Penn established this colony both as a refuge for the
persecuted Quakers of England and as a real estate venture. He was the first American to advertise his dominions widely throughout Europe, offering
to sell one hundred acres of land at two English pounds and a low rental. His advertisements called attention to popular government and universal
suffrage; equal rights to all regardless of race or religious belief; trial by jury; murder and treason the only capital crimes, and reformation, not
retaliation, the object of punishment for other offenses. Thus Pennsylvania, although settled a half century later than the southern and
northern colonies, soon exceeded them in population.
    Penn sent his agents to Germany, and persuaded large numbers of German Quakers and Pietists to cast their lot in his plantation, so that, in twenty
years, the Germans numbered nearly one-half the population. Again, in the beginning of the eighteenth century, when Louis XIV overran the Palatinate, and thousands of Germans fled to England, the English government encouraged their migration to America. In one year four thousand of them, the largest single emigration of the colonial period, embarked for New York, but their treatment was so illiberal that they moved to Pennsylvania, and thenceforth the German migration sought the latter colony. These people settled at Germantown, near Philadelphia, and occupied the counties of Bucks and Montgomery, where they continue to this day with their peculiar language, the "Pennsylvania Dutch." Not only William Penn himself, but other landowners in Pennsylvania, and also the shipownwrs, advertised the country in Germany, and thousands of the poorer sort of Germans were induced to indenture themselves to the settlers, to whom they were auctioned off in payment for transportation. Probably one-half of all the immigrants of the colonial period came under this system of postpaid transportation, just as, at the present time, nearly two-thirds come on prepaid tickets.
    It was in Pennsylvania that the largest portion of the Scotch-Irish settled, and before the time of the Revolution that colony had become the most populous and most diversified of all the colonies. It was the only colony, except Maryland, that tolerated Roman Catholics, and with all the phases of the Christian religion and all branches of the Teutonic and Celtic races, Pennsylvania set the original type to which all of America has conformed - that of race intermixture on the basis of religious and political equality. -- Chautauguan. '

    The Hester Family were treated with great cruelty by their master; but towards the end of the first year, kind friends loaned them the money to procure their redemption; but the cruel master would not reduce the claim
one cent, on account of the year's service, already performed. The husband and father died A.D. about 1785, aged 46. The widowed mother was very strong physically, a woman of great energy and thrift and of deep piety. She kept her family together and reared them to honorable and useful manhood and womanhood. She died about 1800. They were members of the Lutheran Church and lived and died in Greene county, Pa.

SECOND GENERATION
To them were born ten children, being the second generation.
2. JOHN HESTER, Sr., b. February 9, 1763; m. Elizabeth Mason. She was
b. March 25, 1766; d. August 8, 1847, a. 81. He d. March 19, 1834; a. 71.
3. MARY MAGDALENE, b. 1765, d. ----; m. John Van Deman, son of a minister
from Holland.
4. MATTHIAS HESTER, b. July 4, 1766; m. Susannah Huckleberry, 1793. She
was b. 1775; d. August 21, 1859, a. 84. He d. November 22, 1823, a. 57.
The above three children were born in Germany. After coming to America,
there was born to them five more children, viz:
5. ELIZABETH, b. September 13, 1772; m. to Coonrad Coleman; lived seven
years in Detroit; d. April 30, 1870, near Charlestown, Ind., a. 97; was 70
years a widow.
6. ANN, b. 1774; m. Andrew Spangler; d. in Fayette county, Pa.
7. SUSAN, b. 1776; d. January 1, 1845, a. 69; m. to Martin Huckleberry;
lived near Charlestown, Ind.
8. HENRY, b. May 24, 1781; d. August 25, 1833; m. Rebecca Roberts. She
was b. 1780; d. 1833.
Three other children were born to them, one in Germany, one on the ocean
and one in America; all died in childhood. Names unknown."

Pages 19 and 20 - "Henry Hester was the youngest son of John Lawrence Hester. He was born on May 24, 1781, in Fayette county, Pa. He
died at Chillicothe, Ohio, in August, 1833, of cholera. He was married to Rebecca Roberts in 1802. She was born September 20, 1782; died September 2, 1833. They were married in Fayette county, Pa., and moved from Redstone, Fayette county, Pa., in 1804, to Twin Creek township, Ross county, Ohio. He was a wheelwright and carpenter as well as a farmer and a very reliable and industrious man. He and his devoted wife were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, ever willing to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy, and to do much for the cause of his Master.

Children of Henry and Rebecca (Roberts) Hester, being the third generation,
were:
38. ZACCHEUS, b. December 15, 1803; m. Margaretta Hixon, 1826. She was b.
July 19, 1808; d. September 24, 1878. He d. July 19, 1878, a. 75. Had nine
children.
39. HENRY, b. June 14, 1808; m. Rachel Ann Cowen, 1835. She was b. 1817;
d. June 10, 1903, a. 86. He d. October 3, 1891, in Chillicothe, Ohio, a.
83. Had six children.
40. CHARLES MONTGOMERY, b. June 4, 1810; m. Mary Christian. She was b.
January, 1806; d. April 30, 1876, a. 70. He d. November 24, 1887, a. 77.
Had four children.
41. JACKSON, b. 1812.
42. ELANDER, b. 1813.
43. REBECCA, b. 1815; m. Jackson Huckleberry.
44. JAMES DICKEY, b. 1817; m. Rebecca Hixon."

Page 152 - "Henry Hester (No. 8 in the Hester Record) was captain in the war of 1812. The star from his cap is still in possession of one of his
descendents."
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Exerpts from "The County of Ross" by Henry Holcomb Bennett, editor.
Madison, Wisconsin: Selwyn A. Brant, 1908:

Page 316 - "Henry Hester came from Pennsylvania in 1804 and settled in the southeast corner of the township. He was a millwright, and soon
after coming west, erected an oil mill on his farm, which he operated some six years. Being called into service as lieutenant of a company to defend
the frontier during the war of 1812, his wife and sons, during his absence, remodeled the mill and turned it to good account, in doing custom work as a grist mill, the proceeds of which assisted materially in supporting the family. Returning from the army, Mr. Hester continued the grist mill for
many years, finally selling it to his son. This family also owned one of the early saw mills of the township. Mr. Hester and wife died of cholera in
1833." (An oil mill was used to squeeze the oil out of flax. The oil was then used on wagon wheels, amoung other things.)
Page 318 - "The primitive saw mills of pioneer days were erected as necessity demanded, and, being inexpensive in construction, they were
abandoned when neighborhood needs were supplied. The oil mill, on the Hester place, was merged into a grist mill in 1812, and continued as such
for a number of years, as previously stated."
Pages 514 and 515 - "The father and mother of Charles M. Hester were Pennsylvanians, who came to Ohio at a very early period, first settling at
Chillicothe and then removing to Buckskin township. The father, Henry Hester, served through the war of 1812 and bore his share of all the pioneer
hardships in the West."

Page 515 - "Taylor Hester, long connected with agricultural affairs in the township of Buckskin and Concord, is a descendant of early settlers
in Ross county. As far back as 1804, Capt. Henry Hester migrated with his family from Pennsylvania to Ohio and located on land in Buckskin Township. He was a millwright by trade and some time after arriving in Ross county concluded to remove to Chillicothe as a better point for obtaining business in his line. While resident there he was swept off by the cholera plague which devastated southern Ohio cities in 1832 - 33. Captain Hester was the father of three sons and one daughter, the latter of whom married and went to Indiana, while others remained in Ross county and reared families. Zaccheus Hester, the oldest child, was born in Pennsylvania December 15, 1803, and hence was less than a year old when his parents reached Ross county."
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Exerpted from "History of Ross and Highland Counties, Ohio, With
Illustrations and Biographical Sketches.", Cleveland, Ohio: Williams Bros.
Publishers, 1880:

Page 335 - "Henry Hester came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1804 and settled in the southeast corner of Buckskin township, on Lower Twin creek,
where he purchased one hundred and fifty acres of the Abram Sheperd survey, number twelve thousand, five hundred and sixty-six. He brought one child, Zacheus F., and after settlement had seven others - Henry, Charles M., James D., Rebecca, and three who died in infancy. Charles remained in the township many years, and now lives in Twin. James lives in the southeast part of the township. Zacheus was a carpenter, and had a sawmill in the southeast part of the township. Rebecca married in Indiana. Henry was born in the township in 1808, and when a young man learned the trade of blacksmith, which business, together with wagon-making, he has since followed.
    Henry Hester, sr., was by trade a millwright, and two years after his settlement started an oil mill on his place, which he kept in operation six years, during that time transacting business with very many of the pioneers of his own and adjoining townships. In 1812 he went to the defense of the frontiers with the army, and during his absence his wife, with the assistance of her sons, converted the oil-mill into a grist mill, and from the custom received sustained her family. After his return Mr. Hester continued the grist-mill until about 1832, when he sold to his son Zacheus, who kept it in operation until 1856, when he gave it up. He then put up a steam mill, which was run six or seven years and given up. Henry Hester and his wife died of cholera in 1833."
Page 337 - "INDUSTRIES OF THE TOWNSHIP. The early settlers of Buckskin seem to have depended to a large extent upon the mills in the
adjacent country for their supplies, and few were the grist- mills hereabout. One of the first industries was the oil-mill of Henry Hester in
the southeast part of the township, which is more fully mentioned in connection with his settlement. The mill was changed to a grist-mill in
1812, and as such was continued for a considerable length of time."
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From "Abstracts of Will Books A,B,C, and D of Ross County, Ohio, Including
Records of Administrations of Estates in Back of Will Book A and Abstracts
of Inventory Book No. 1 of Ross County, Ohio." by D.A.R. Washington C.H.
Chapter. Washington C.H., Ohio: D.A.R., 1961.:

Henry Hester was witness to the will of John Loveless. March 14, 1808. Will Book ABCD, No. 46, p.45.

Henry Hester and Zacheus Hester were witnesses to the will of John W. Pool. Oct. 7, 1823. Will Book ABCD, No. 155, p. 185.
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Exerpt from "Early Ohio Tax Records" compiled by Esther Weygandt
Powell. Akron: 1971: "Tax Resident Duplicate for Ross County for the year 1810". By Auditor for State of Ohio.
NAME TWP.
Hester, Henry Twin
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From Military Service Records (NNCC), National Archives (GSA), Washington,
DC 20408:
"Henrey Hester, Ensign, Capt. Benjamin Goldsberey's Co., 1 Regiment Ohio Militia, War of 1812, Appears on Company Muster Roll for July
28, 1813 to Aug. 19, 1815. Roll dated Sep. 23, 1815. Date of appointment or commencement of service - July 28, 1813. To what time engaged or
expiration of service - Aug. 19, 1813. Present or absent - present. J. Baker, Copyist."
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From "Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War of 1812" published by the 1916
Adjutant General. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968.:
Page 113/266 - Ensign Henry Hester is listed in the Roll of Capt. Benjamin Goldberry's Company (County unknown). He served from July
28, until August 15, 1813.
Page 149/385 - Private Henry Hester is listed in the Roll of Capt. Samuel Davis' Mounted Company (Probably from Ross County.) He served
from Sept. 28, until Oct. 28, 1812.
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From the "First Session Book and Third Session Book Buckskin Presbyterian
Church South Salem, Ohio Ross County, Ohio." by Washington C.H., Ohio
Chapter. D. A. R. 1963 - 1964:
Page 13 - First Session. Anno Domini 1815. Oct. 28th. Henry Hester and Rebecca his wife, George Frame, John Castle, James Morton were
admitted to the communion of the church upon examination and Frederick Parrett and Elizabeth his wife on certificate.
Page 54 - First Session. Anno Domini 1816. April 21st. John and Hannah Wallace their daughter Margaret Hamilton, Henry and Rebecca Hester
obtained baptism for their children viz; Zacheus Freeland, Henry Allison, Charles Montgomery, Rebecca and Lucretia.
Page 57 - First Session. Anno Domini 1821. May 6th. Henry and
Rebecca Hester obtained Baptism for their daughter Jane Wardlow.
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From the 1820 Federal Census record for Buckskin Township, Ross County,
Ohio:
Henry Hester - 1 free white male under 10, 2 free white males 10
- 16, 1 free white male 16 - 18, 1 free white male 18 - 26, 1 free white
male 26 - 45, 2 free white females under 10, 1 free white female 16 - 26, 4
persons engaged in agriculture, and 1 person engaged in manufacturing.
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From the 7 April 1825 and 14 April 1825 "The Supporter and Scioto Gazette"
newspaper, No. 3, Vol. V., Chillicothe, Ohio:
"LIST OF LETTERS. Remaining in the Post Office at Chillicothe,
on the first of April, 1825; which if not redeemed before the first of July next, will be sent to the General Post Office as dead letters: Hester,
Henry; Miller, George; Miller, Rev. Jeremiah; Miller, David."
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Exerpted from Page 63 of "Pioneer Record and Reminiscences of the Early
Settlers and Settlement of Ross County, Ohio." by Isaac J. Finley and Rufus
Putnam. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co., 1871. :
"BUCKSKIN TOWNSHIP. By Henry Hester. His father emigrated to Ohio in 1804, from West Pennsylvania; was in the war of 1812 as a lieutenant of a company; served as clerk of the township for many years; was by trade a millwright; died aged fifty-two years, in Chillicothe"
 

Descendants of John Holloway

Contributed by: Jill Holloway

John Holloway married Betty Davis (Betty Davis, of Alabama, was a cousin of Jefferson Davis). John and Betty came to Ross County Ohio in 1800 and located at Egypt, Ohio near Clarksburg. To this union was born Jesse Holloway and Rita Holloway. John Holloway died in 1865.

Candley Vass married Mollie Dennis (Mollie Dennis father was Charles Dennis from Maryland.) To this union was born Julia Ann in 1811, and others.

Jesse Holloway married Julia Ann Vass
Rita Holloway married John Vass
(Brother and sister married brother and sister)

Our Direct Ancestor
Jesse Holloway married Julia Ann Vass. To this union was born one child, Jerome Candley Holloway (August 13, 1835 to January 16, 1916 ). Julia Ann died when he was quite young. Jerome was a Civil War hero. During JeromeŐs early life, he left his fatherŐs home to live with his maternal Uncle and Paternal Aunt: Rita Holloway Vass (his fatherŐs sister.) and John Vass. (his motherŐs brother.) . Jerome Candley Holloway married Nancy Josephine Bailey February 8, 1870. (Josephine was born March 15, 1851 and died December 24, 1938). To this union was born nine children; Louise, Daisy, Harley, Mary Catherine (Katie), Clyde, Nellie, Bessie and Burton (twins) and Grace.

Jesse Holloway then married Julia AnnŐs sister. This wife, no name given, also died when the baby was quite young. To this union was born one child, Adeline Holloway.

Adeline Holloway married Michael Linninger.

Jesse Holloway married for the third time. Jesse Holloway and his new bride moved west and it is mentioned that there was a large family born to this union.

[NB: Originally compiled in July 1955 by Bessie Holloway Tulleys]