Most everyone with any connection to Morgan County has heard of Edmund Wells - the founding father who provided the original tract of land for West Liberty (which just happened to be the same site as his grist mill; and which, as far as I know, he was compensated for. He was also awarded the contracts to build the first public buildings in the new town). I always had some vague idea that most everyone from Morgan County are somehow (& distantly) related to each other, but I never realized that Edmund was my 4th great grandfather, and that he was just as much my ancestor as any of the rest of my apx. 63 4th great grandfathers and grandmothers. (But I am only one among several thousands of his descendants). The 1810 census tells us that Edmund had 2 daughters & 2 sons (Rachel, David, Benjamin, & Martha). By 1830, Edmond, Sarah (Sally), one daughter & one son are living in Morgan County; and he has acquired 3 slaves - one male & one female under age 10, and one female aged 10 - 24. (As indicated by his will, those individuals should have been Aggy and her children Washington & Sarah. By 1840, only one son is still at home but Edmond has acquired two more slaves - both boys under the age of ten. (Again, by his will they should have been Absolum & Thomas). Finally, by 13 Oct 1845 (the date of his will), he has acquired 6th & final slave - a girl by the name of Amanda. ... It may be assumed that Aggy & her children were acquired as a family group (but without a father). And to his credit, it should be noted that Edmund kept them together & bequeathed all three to his wife Sally; and that they should then remain together & go to his son David upon Sallys death. Finally, since there is no mention of either a mother or father of the later three slave children, it would seem that Edmund must have purchased them. It is also possible that they were the children of either Aggy or her daughter Sarah; and that they were fathered either by another male slave in the area, or possibly by Edmund himself. (?)
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 15:03:45 +0000
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