Matilda Poland Troth

Matilda Poland is the eldest child of William Poland and Mary Swadley. There IS some debate as to whether or not Matilda was William's child though. In his will, William specifically names his "lawful heirs" which include all his children except Matilda. William then specifically addresses Matilda separately.

If Matilda were the only child grown and out of the house at the time of the will, it may make sense that he would call her out separately like that, but she was not.  Another point on this topic is that Matilda was listed as one of Mary's heirs. Mary died during the probate proceedings for her father's will. Since Mary died, her share needed to be disbursed to her heirs. All of William and Mary's children were listed as her heirs including Matilda.

The only sources for possible birth dates for Matilda, that have been found thus far, are census records. In 1850, her age is listed as 45; indicating her birth to be about 1805. In 1860, her age is listed as 48; indicating her birth to be about 1812. William was born about 1788 and Mary was born about 1793 and they were married January 17, 1810.

So if Matilda was born in 1805, William would have been 17 and Mary would have been 12. Mary giving birth at the age of 12 seems unlikely to me. The most likely answer, in my opinion, is that Mary may have been pregnant when she and William married and that Matilda was born some time in 1810. Obviously, more research is needed. If anyone has any clues to this mystery, please drop me a comment!

What I do know about Matilda is that she married Job Troth on September 13, 1827 in Highland County, Ohio and reared a family of 8 children:

1. Dove born about 1829 in Ohio and died before 1928
2. Martha born about 1830 in Ohio died as an infant in 1830
3. David H born Mar 30, 1833 in Ohio and died Sep 23, 1858 in Pittsboro, Hendricks county, Indiana. David married Elizabeth Susan Gregory on Jun 29, 1857 and had at least 1 child.
1. Mary M born about 1859 in Indiana and died about 1933 in Indiana
4. Lucinda Jane born Jun 29, 1835 in Ohio and died Jun 19, 1907 in Pittsboro, Hendricks county, Indiana. Lucinda married John Cowley on Feb 10, 1853 in Marion county, Indiana and they had 8 children.  
5. Hugh Jackson born Nov 6, 1837 in Highland county, Ohio and died Mar 25, 1912 in Marshall county, Kansas. Hugh married Elizabeth Susan Gregory Mar 31 1859 and they had 5 children. It appears Elizabeth Susan Gregory liked the Troth men. She married first Hugh's brother David and had 1 child before marrying Hugh and having their 5 children. 
6. Mary E born Sep 1840 and married Thomas W Gibson on Aug 26, 1857 in Hendricks county, Indiana.
7. Sarah C born Jan 1, 1843 in Ohio and died Nov 1, 1899 in Indianapolis, Marion county, Indiana. Sarah married William Thomas Newman on Dec 16, 1857 in Hendricks county, Indiana and they had 1 child. William went on to marry 2 other times and father 7 other children. 
8. Martha Ellen born Mar 12, 1849 in Indiana and died Nov 11, 1888 in Stoddard county, Missouri. Martha married Theodore S Sherrard on Apr 18, 1866 in Indiana and they had 5 children. 

I have been researching the descendants of Matilda and Job's children. Future posts to come with more information on these descendants. If you have any information or questions, please drop me a comment.

William Poland from Ohio and Indiana

My fourth great grandfather William Poland is believed to have been born in Virginia around 1788, but by 1810 he has already made his way to Highland County, Ohio to start his life as a young adult. On January 17th, 1810 William Poland married Mary Swadley (daughter of Nicholas Swadley and Elizabeth Hevener).

William and Mary started their family in Ohio with the birth of their first child Matilda in 1811. The following year, twins Phebe and John were born on February 2, 1812. Then, on July 29th 1813, William entered the war with Great Britain when he enlisted as a private in Captain Daniel McCreery's Company of the Ohio Militia in Col. William Keys' Regiment.

Not much has been found about the missions or orders that William would have been apart of during the war, but Col. Keys was quoted in Scott's "History of Highland" about his early settlement of Highland County. His narrative gives a good picture of what William's surroundings in Ohio would have been like when he and Mary were starting out.  Keys' says "we crossed at the Indian ford, two or three miles above the mouth of the Rocky Fork of Paint and then took the newly cut Anderson State road, which had been recently opened, so far as the chopping down and logging off the trees and saplings were concerned; but the logs were laying strewed helter-skelter over the line of the road, so we had; in order to get along, to commence a log-rolling of some ten miles long, the first day we entered the county."

Keys' journey was much like William's must have been since Keys journeyed from Virginia to Ohio in 1805. In speaking of their long journey of eight weeks from Virginia, he says "Our mode of travelling over the whole length of the road, was like that of the children of Israel to the land of promise; we all took it a-foot, except the aged mother and women with young children; - they rode on horseback, where riding was possible." Quotes from Col. Keys' noted above are from the Highland Weekly News Aug 22, 1867. There is a full article that gives more detail than those I have extracted here. It's worth a look. 

After his service in the War, William returned to Mary and their 3 little ones. They continued to expand the family as William Jr(1815), Nicholas(1817), and Peter(1818) were born. By 1820,
William and Mary can be found in the 1820 US Federal Census in Paint Township, Fayette County, Ohio with 3 young boys (John, William Jr, and Nicholas - Peter had already passed) and 2 young girls (Matilda and Phebe). On July 8, 1820, William purchases 34 acres from Bazel Mussett and his wife Elizabeth as evidenced by a deed recorded. The family continued to grow in Ohio with the addition of Catherine(1821), Nathaniel(1823), Mary(1824) and Elizabeth(1826).

In 1828, William obtains 80 acres of land in Indianapolis, Indiana via Land Patent number 8317.

Interestingly, this tract of land that William bought in Indianapolis maps to the current day location of the Indianapolis International Airport.

So, sometime between 1828 and 1830, William and Mary pack up their children and make the journey to Indiana. By the 1830 US Federal Census, William is in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana with Mary, 5 sons, 4 daughters and a female 60-70.

• The 5 sons are: John, Wm Jr, Nicholas, Nathaniel, and Samuel
• The 4 daughters are: Phebe, Catherine, Mary, and Elizabeth
• I speculate that the 60-70 year old female is William's mother as Mary's mother is still in Ohio.

On June 14, 1830, William sells his land in Ohio and proceeds to buy and sell several tracts of land between 1830 and his death in 1856. William seems to have provided for his family by farming, like so many did in those times, along with buying and selling real estate.

William was active in politics in Indiana as is evidenced by a few mentions in the State Indiana Sentinel newspapers. He was listed as one of the gentlemen on the committee from Wayne Township that was appointed to make all proper arrangements for the reception of Gen. Cass when he visited Indianapolis, on August 21, 1844. At a meeting of the Democrats of Wayne Township, William was appointed as one of the forty delegates to the county convention in 1846. William was also listed as one of the "old soldiers" that attended a meeting on February 9, 1850. The object of the meeting was to implore Congress to compensate those who served in the last Great War with Britain either by a grant of lands or otherwise. William was eventually awarded land via the "act granting Bounty Land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States" passed on September 28th, 1850. The award of his bounty land came after William's passing and went to his son Martin. Martin was the only minor child of William at the time of his passing and his quest to obtain his father's bounty are well documented in the pensioners file for William including a handwritten letter from Daniel McCreery as proof of William's service.

William and Mary along with several of their children and descendants are buried in Bethel Cemetery (a nested area within Concordia Cemetery) in Indianapolis. See my other blog post for more information on Bethel Cemetery.

  

Hoffman\Houghman Family Connection to the Poland Family

Theory on the possible parents of William Poland (1788-1856)

Assuming William was born in Virginia and following Clerissa H. Tatterson's "History and Genealogy of the Poling Family", I did some searching in Loudoun County, VA.

I landed on a little 4 year old William Poland in 1791. He was bound out to a John Houghman Jr. This William stood out as a possible for many reasons, but what really caught my attention is that there is a Peter Houghman living next door to William in 1820 in the Ohio census. Peter Houghman also moves to Marion County, Indiana at the same time as William. And last, but not least, the Houghman\Hoffman's are buried in the same little cemetery as William and his wife.

William seemed to stick with this Houghman family rather than a Poland family. They have land patents dated on the same date in the same township and section. They bought and sold land to each other. And, of course, are buried near one another. 

A research trip to Virginia identified the original documents surrounding the binding out of young William Poland. Below is a picture of the original letter written 09/12/1791 by Elizabeth Polen asking that her son William Poland "aged 4 years the 10th of April next". This would put this William's birthday as April 10, 1788. 

Elizabeth returns to court on Oct 15, 1799 ordering that John Huffman be summoned to appear at the next court "to show cause why he detains William Poling in his service as an apprentice and for ill treatment to said apprentice". There are summons written up to order witnesses to appear on behalf of Elizabeth and John. 

For Elizabeth: Pierce Bayley, Nathaniel Poland, Nancy Stephens, Jno Stephens and Ann Ellmore

For John: Theophilus Hughs and Elizabeth his wife, Peggy Hiler, John Holding, Harry Lowe, Nathl Pegg, and Polly Stevens. 

I am currently researching the Houghman\Huffman\Hoffman family to make a connection between the Peter Houghman in Ohio to the John Houghman in Virginia. If anyone has any information on this family, please reach out! 

If my theory is true, that means my William Poland was born on Apr 10, 1788 which would mean he was 67 in Jan 1856 when he died like his headstone indicates. He would have turned 68 that following April. It would also mean that his mother's name was Elizabeth, but we still don't know who his father was. 

My current theory on a possible father if this scenario is true is William Poland born 1769 in Loudoun County a twin to Nathaniel Poland. 

These twins were the sons of Hannah Pegg (sister to Nathaniel Pegg) and ?? Poland. There is debate as to whether the father of the twins was William Poland (1754-1778 son of Samuel and Madeline) or Daniel Baronet Poland. All sources I have found indicate that Hannah died during the childbirth of the twins. If the father was William Poland (1754-1778), then he would have died when the twins were 9 years old. The twins were bound to Nathaniel Pegg on June 12, 1780 (Loudoun County Order Book entry). A theory is the twins were with their grandfather Samuel (assuming the father is William Poland) until he was too feeble to care for them. Samuel is reported to have died in 1782. 

Nathaniel Pegg's will recorded September 10, 1804 lists the twins as his nephews and heirs. Note the security for Nathaniel Pegg's will was John Huffman. 

William Poland (b:1769) is documented to have moved to Jefferson County, Ohio, married an Elizabeth and had several children, the first being John Poland born in 1804. My thoughts are he was old enough to have had William (b:1788) prior to moving to Ohio, but I have not found any evidence to that fact yet. I do have DNA matches with individuals said to descend from both Nathaniel and William Poland (b:1769). The DNA matches lead me to believe I'm on the right track. 

Please drop me a comment and let me know your thoughts on this theory and\or if you have any questions. 

William Poland's Parentage

As I've said, I hit a brick wall with William Poland. I can't seem to figure out who his parents are. There is a very popular opinion that his parents were John Poland and Sarah Smock Bennett. I believe there is proof that this is not the case albeit there is not proof of who his actual parents are.

Evidence that the William Poland born to John Poland and Sarah Smock Bennett is not the same  William Poland who raised a large family in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana is best laid out in a post by Bill Poland from 2011 (click here to read that post). Bill does a fabulous job of making the case that they are in fact two different people.

With that said, we still need to determine who William's parents were. I'm convinced he was born in Virginia, probably in 1788. There is an elderly woman living with him in 1830 and 1840. Since we know where Mary's mother is during this time-frame (Elizabeth Hevener died Apr 1 1826 in Highland County, Ohio), we can assume this is likely William's mother. The fact that she is alone would indicate his father may be dead by 1830? I have looked for newspaper's online for the 1840-1850 time-frame to see if I could find an entry for the death of a Poland woman, but no luck.

Below is a synopsis of what I have found on William Poland thus far. I have a current working theory that I will detail in a future post, but would love to hear from any of you on the topic!!

What I know:

• In the 1850 census, William says he was born in VA.
• His children in the 1880 census list their father has having been born in:
• John: VA
• Nicholas: leaves it blank
• Nathaniel: VA
• Catherine: IN
• Elizabeth: VA
• Samuel: VA
• Henry: VA
• Martin: OH
• William lists his age inconsistently. 
• Sep 28 1850 he says 62
• Oct 1850 he says 64
• Apr 7 1855 he says 66
• Tombstone says 67 in Jan 1856
• William marries Mary Swadley on Jan 17, 1810 in Highland County, Ohio.
• William serves in the War of 1812 in Captain Daniel McCreery's company of the Ohio militia. His NARA Service Record lists 2 merchants from the town of Hillsborough Ohio as his power of attornies. 
• William is listed in Paint Township, Highland County, Ohio in the 1820 census. 
• He buys 34 acres from Bazel Musset in Highland County, Ohio in July of 1820.
• In Jan 1828, William is issued a land patent for 80 acres in Marion County, Indiana.
• William is listed in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana in the 1830 census.
• There is a 60-69 year old female in the household. We know where Mary's mother is in 1830, so this must be William's mother?
• William buys and sells land several times in Indiana between 1830 and his death. He sells his land in Highland County, Ohio in June of 1830 after he has moved to Indiana. 
• In the 1840 census, William is still living in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana. 
• The older female is still in his household (70-79)
• In 1844, William can be found mentioned in the newspaper. He is listed as part of the committee from Wayne Township that will help make arrangements for Gen. Cass's visit. 
• In 1846, William is listed in the newspaper as one of the 40 delegates appointed to the county Democratic convention. 
• In 1850, William is once again in the newspaper. He is listed as one of the "old soldiers" that are signing the resolution to be sent to congress asking for bounty lands to be given to soldiers of the last war with Great Brittan. 
• On Apr 26 1855, William writes his son John (who's living in Illinois) to let him know that Mary died on Apr 22.
• William had a will that lists all his "heirs". Separately, he leaves $5 to Matilda. Matilda is not listed with all the other children as "heirs". 
• William is Buried in Bethel Cemetery (now a nested cemetery inside Concordia Cemetery). 

Bethel Cemetery Rededication Ceremony

William Poland was buried in Bethel Cemetery in Indianapolis (on what is now the Indianapolis International Airport's land) with 543 other souls. In 2018, the decision was made that the cemetery must be moved. Although the decision to move the cemetery leaves me with a very heavy heart, I do think those involved did the very best job anyone could ask.

In 2019, Bethel Cemetery was relocated to a nested area within Concordia Cemetery located at 2703 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46225. The burials were kept in the same positions within the nested cemetery as they were in the original Bethel Cemetery. A memorial stone and flag pole were added in the center of the nested area.

William Poland is mentioned on the stone for his War of 1812 service.

On September 28, 2019, a rededication ceremony was performed and I was lucky to be in attendance.
From the handout given during the Rededication Ceremony of Bethel at Concordia Cemetery: "Bethel Cemetery was established in 1827 with the last known burial recorded in 1935. Many of the individuals may have been members of the Bethel Methodist Church, which once stood adjacent to the original cemetery location (Latitude: 39 42 47.78N Longitude: 86 16 31.00W)"

The ceremony consisted of: Prayers, Flag Raising, National Anthem, History & Overview of the Cemetery, Cemetery Dedication, Veteran's Acknowledgment and Military Tributes that included a 21-gun salute, Historic weapon firing, TAPS and Cannon firing.

Poland's buried in Bethel Cemetery (my comments in italics):

• Albert Poland: 1883-1883
• Elizabeth Poland: Born Sept. 9 1820 Died Apr 4 1896 (nee Brassfield, wife of Nicholas, my 3G Grandmother)
• Lydia Poland: Born Jan 14 1827 Died Mar 11 1907 (nee Rickabaugh, wife of Nathaniel)
• Mary, Daut of Nathaniel and Lydia Poland Died Oct 6 1852
• Mary A, Wife of George Poland Born Oct 30 1846 Died Feb 9 1883 (nee Murrell, my 2G Grandmother)
• Mary E Poland 1849-1855
• Mary, Wife of William Poland Died Apr 22 1855 Aged 64 years 7Mo & 4 days (nee Swadley, my 4G Grandmother)
• Minerva Poland 1865-1865
• Nathaniel Poland Born Apr 1 1823 Died Apr 9 1882
• Nicholas Poland Born Oct 6 1861 Aged 64years, 3 mo and 18days
• Nicholas Michael Poland 1846-1884
• Phebe Poland Died Jul 10 1833 age 21y 5m & 8d (dau of Wm and Mary my 4G grandparents)
• William Poland - Died Jan 2, 1856 age 67 (my 4G Grandfather)

Welcome to my Poland Family History Blog!

Welcome to my new blog! I'm so glad you stopped by!

My intent with this blog is the share my Poland Family genealogical search, tell Poland Family stories, and hopefully connect with long lost cousins!

I started my genealogy journey back in 1998. I met a lovely lady at work that had been bitten by the genealogy bug. We got to talking and I was off the races with her guidance.

I had always had an interest in the Poland Family due to the fact that my parents divorced when I was six years old, my father (who was an only child) died way too young at the age of 38, and his parents also died while I was very young. So when my co-worker was kind enough to "show me the ropes", I was hooked in no time.

I, very quickly, got back to my fourth great-grandfather William Poland and hit the proverbial brick wall. Since then, I have been researching all the descendants of William's children, analyzing DNA results, and making as many genealogy research trips as possible.

I hope you come back and join me on this journey!