Biography of Benjamin Cummins Biography of 2nd great grandfather Benjamin Cummins, he states that: "In the month of October, 1819 the grandfather (John) of our subject came by TEAMS with his family to this county. He was accompanied by his son in law, Abram Sinnard who was appointed Justice of the Peace by Gov. Bond and married the first couple in Sangamon County, and he lived here until 1847, (I believe your date is 1845 which is also on the Ogden Bio), when he moved to Iowa and there died. Each family drove through from Ohio to Richland with a team apiece, and on every Sunday Grandfather Cummins and Sinnard would rest while the other movers would push on, but they would overtake them before the week ended." Benjamin is the son of William Cummins who also moved to Wapello Co.,IA, (William moved to Iowa) but Benjamin was raised by John L. & Alsey Cummins, it appears by all records that Benjamin's mother died during or after childbirth of Benjamin, William raised the eldest son and John and Alsey raised Benjamin, and because of that I haven't found much wrong with his biography. John L. Cummins and Alice (Alsey) moved to Morgan Co., in 1835, and it appears that Alsey died after 1840 census, as John L. sold land after that period of time and no wife was mentioned. John was living in Sangamon Co., IL with his son John S., in 1850 census and he died in Morgan Co., abt 1856/57. (according to Will and Warrant Land records). All of this because of another statement of Aunt Hattie Pashley which states that the grandmother came to live with them after her second husband died.. The only way I can see Alice (Alsey) in Iowa is if she left and went to Iowa with the Abe and Mary Ann... she was not there in the 1850 census. There was also a younger daughter of John and Alsey still at home. It is a confusing fact, but I really don't think that is what happened. As you will be able to see on my other letter Jacob Jones posted bond for both marriages of Alice Jones Lewis Cummins to her marriage to John Lewis and to her marriage of John Cummins. So he is either father or brother, and I believe father, but KY records are really something else Alice/Elice/Elece better known to Family as ALSEY was previously married to John Lewis. They had daughter Mary Ann LEWIS who m. Abraham Sinnard, 2 Sep 1810 Cleremont Co., Ohio. Bond for marriage to John LEWIS provided by Jacob JONES he also provided bond for marriage to John L. CUMMINS. The family name of ALSEY, came from land records buried in the Sangamon Co., IL Court House....where she made her mark.....the name all through the document was spelled ALSEY. The JOP at the time who wrote and witnessed her signature (mark) was ABRAHAM SINNARD her son in law..(the above records were obtained for us by Edith (Cummins) Thomas. Marriage record of John Cummins and Alice Lewis from: Bourbon Co., KY, Copy of original in files. {ALL SPELLING AS WRITTEN ON ORIGINAL DOCUMENT Jenury the 17. 94...Sir this is to otherise you to issue marrige license for John Commins my son with out eny further inquirery Your Humb. Sert. John Commins. (his signature) ---Know all men by thse presentz that we John Cummings & Jacob Jones are held and firmly bound to his Ecellency the governor of Kentucky in the full amt of fifty pounds to which payment we bind our heirs, ----------------- jointly & severally firmly by these presents. Sealed and dated the 17th of January 1794.. The condition of the above Obligation is such, that whereas Tho. Reeder Clk. of Bourbon, hath this day Ifued (Issued) License for the marriage of John Cummings and Alice Lewis. Now if there is no lawful cause to obstruct said marriage, or no damage accrues by ---of said license being agreed to the above to be void else to remain in force. Test: Tho. Reeder, clk. signed Jno Cummings (his X mark) and Jacob Jones. Jenury the 17. 94...Sir this is to otherise you to issue marrige license for John Commins my son with out eny further inquirery Your Humb. Sert. John Commins. (his signature) Husband: Abraham SINNARD-320 Br/Ch:21 Jun 1791 Wife:Mary Ann LEWIS-283 Br/Ch:22 May 1792 CHILD BR/CH----- 1. Thomas J. SINNARD-321 20 Jun 1811 2. John L. SINNARD-322 14 Dec 1813 3. Eliza R. SINNARD-323 24 Jun 1815 4. William SINNARD-324 1 Jun 1818 5. Belinda SINNARD-325 14 Feb 1820 6. Susanna C. SINNARD-326 23 Dec 1821 7. Mary Ann SINNARD-327 27 Oct 1823 8. Cyrus SINNARD-328 14 Oct 1825 9. Abraham SINNARD-329 5 Jul 1827 10. Alice J. SINNARD-330 26 Mar 1830 11. David SINNARD-331 14 Mar 1832 12. Jacob SINNARD-332 14 Mar 1832. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Roger Sinnard and Avalon Cummins