History: Family: "John Sampson of Greensburg Pike, Pennsylvania and his descendants.": Allegheny/Westmoreland Cos, PA Excerpts from "The Sampson Family" by Lilla Briggs Sampson. Member Maryland Historical Society, Various pages. Copyright 1914 Composed and Printed at the Waverly Press By the Williams & Wilkins Company Baltimore, U.S.A. Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Wayne M. Sampson; 916 South Olive Street; Mexico, MO 65265. wayne@morrisnet.net ******************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be repro- duced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organi- zation or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The Submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file perma- nently for free access. http: //www.usgwarchives.net ******************************************************************* JOHN SAMPSON On Greensburg Pike, some eight miles east of Pittsburgh, Pa., which was the old road from Fort Pitt to Philadelphia, there is standing today and old dead walnut tree which marked one corner of the boundary line of John Sampson's farm over one hundred and twenty years ago. This John Sampson, supposed to have come from Ballyloughlin, County Tyrone, Ireland, was the father of Joseph Sampson, who emigrated to Columbia, Hamilton County, Ohio; and from all I can learn must have been one of the first of this name, if not abso- lutely the first Sampson to make a home in the wilderness of West- ern Pennsylvania. There is no family record of when John Sampson came to Penn- sylvania but I have found one indication that he was living in Western Pennsylvania as early as 1760. In the second volume of the "Pennsylvania Magazine", I find this important information: "From record of men, women and children not belonging to the Army, and living at Fort Pitt about 1760, are the names of James and Margaret Sampson." These are either two of John Sampson's children or his wife, Margaret, and son, James. Fort Pitt was built almost on the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers unite to form the Ohio, and was only eight miles west from the farm of John Sampson. In those days the rav- ages of the Indians frequently compelled all the inhabitants to flee to the forts for protection, and these forts were usually kept guarded by a sufficient force of soldiers for safety. Fort Pitt was built in 1759-1760 and had two powder magazines under ground built with heavy timber and covered with tarred cloth and earth. As late as 1773 Richard Penn advised a small garrison be kept at Fort Pitt as protection from the Indians. We have no way of learn- ing by what road or from which direction John Sampson came to Western Pennsylvania. Neither have we any knowledge of how many of John Sampson's family were with him when he emigrated from Ireland; nor any record as to when he took up this land eight miles east of Pittsburgh. The only history we can take our observations from are the records embraced in the numerous volumes of the "Pennsylvania Archives" and the court records in the Westmoreland County court house at Greens- burgh, Pa. In both the "Pennsylvania Archives" and the Court Records, John Sampson's name appears in the first volumes, which is a verification of the idea that he was among the earliest Sampsons to locate in this section. The most of the warrentees of land were taken up from 1779 to 1792 by the various Sampsons- and these warrantees embraced some 3500 acres. From "Minutes of Board of Property," the board orders that Capt. Thompson shall inquire into Wilkins location of John Sampson who furnished it, and endeavor to find the tree referred to as also the trees on two other tracts. This I mention in commencing my story is undoubtedly one of the trees here referred to and this land is now in Wilkinsburg, a town formed east of Pittsburgh, named from the Wilkins referred to in the minutes. Another reference to John Sampson, from the "History of Westmoreland County" by Geo. D. Albert: "In 1773 upon petition of sundry of the inhabitants of County Westmoreland for better roads from Fort Pitt to the town of Bed- ford, the court appointed six men to view said road and lay out the same." One of these six men was John Sampson. Nearly every farm boasted its own still in these pioneer days and I was told by one of the old residents, whose home is opposite the old farm of John Sampson, that there was a spring and a still near that spring on the John Sampson farm. This farm of John Sampson's was very extensive and in a roll- ing country. It lay at the top of quite a hill commanding a most beautiful view over the valley. To the north about two miles was the Presbyterian Church and graveyard. The Church was called "Beulah" and is the oldest in Western Pennsylvania and although we have no proof we must naturally conclude that John Sampson and his family lie buried in this old churchyard cemetery. There are no monuments to mark their resting place - there are no records in the church of bodies that were buried here in those pioneer days. Some of the oldest graves were marked with board at the head and foot and others have an ordinary three cornered stone such as you could pickup in fields, to show there is a grave on that spot. A Miss Martha Graham (a granddaughter of the pastor who preached in this little church some 41 years) told me they had ceased to bury in the old part of the cemetery, for in excavation for new graves they would come upon evidence of other bodies having been interred in the same place. A little book of records kept by Miss Graham's grandfather since 1804 gave the name of Polly Sampson as uniting with the church. In a deed at the court house in Greensburg I find a signature of Mary (called Polly) Sampson. This record of Polly Sampson uniting with Beulah Church would indicate that the family were affiliated with this old Church, and makes the conviction still stronger that the little cemetery adjoining was the burial place of the earliest Sampsons of that section. This Mary Sampson in mentioned as a daughter in John Sampson's will. The will of John Sampsons, made January 27, 1800, and wit- nessed February 3, 1800, is a very important will, as it is (with a deed of which I also give a copy) the connecting link between the Joseph Sampson, of Hamilton County, Ohio, and his father, John Sampson, of Westmoreland County, Pa. * * * * * * W i l l o f J o h n S a m p s o n. January 27, 1800. { John Irvine Executors: { and { Jeremiah Murray I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Sampson, Ten Pounds to be paid to him when my youngest children came of age according to law. Then I give and bequeath to my daughter, Margaret Sampson, Twenty Pounds, to be paid to her, or her heirs, at the same time of the youngest children coming of age. Then I give and bequeath to my son, Joseph Sampson, Twenty Pounds, to be paid at the time above mentioned. Then I give and bequeath to my son James Sampson, Twenty Pounds, to be paid as above. Then I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Sampson, Five Pounds per year for four years after my decease, the first Five Pounds to be paid one year after my decease, paid to her and so to be paid regularly till she gets Twenty Pounds. My sons George has a horse and a steer and my daughter Mary has a heifer that is at their own disposal, as they are their own property. I also desire that all my stock of crea- tures be sold at public sale except two horses and three cows to be kept on the place, the remainder to be sold to pay funeral charges and personal debts. The plantation to remain in the possession of the widow and children, that is, under her jurisdiction until they all be of age according to law, with two ploughs and tackling, a harrow wagon and log chain with collars and other harness for four horses and the household furniture also to remain with them. For which time my son Charlie is to have the place or parcel of land adjoining Geo. McWilliams, Francis McFarlan, James Berry and the home place, and to extend as far as the run between the two im- provements to improve and cultivate as he sees cause and to have the full benefits thereof without molestation until the last heir be of lawful age, and then all the lands that I possess to be sold to the best possible advantage and the amount thereof equally divided between my wife Margaret Sampson, my sons Charles and George, and my daughters, Mary and Sarah, and my sons John, William and Robert, and my daughter Jane. Each and every one of them to have an equal share except the money to pay the first legacies which none of that is to come off my wife and widow, but she is to have full part, and the legatees money first mentioned to be taken off the last mentioned equal shares part. In witness hereunto I set my hand and seal the day and year above written: JOHN SAMPSON Signed, Sealed and Acknowledged in the presence of us: Richard Nash, Adam Thew. February 3, 1800. * * * * * * Suit of Joseph Sampson, of Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, 1817. John Sampson, late of Westmoreland County in the State of Penn- sylvania, deceased, by his last will and testament in writing did give and bequeath one Joseph Sampson, of the County of Hamilton, and State of Ohio, a legacy of Twenty Pounds, the currency of the said State of Pennsylvania to be paid to me at the time my sister Jane arrived at the age of 21 years. And of the said will made and constituted Jeremiah Murray, of said County of Westmoreland, Execu- tor, as in and by the said will may appear. Now know ye that the said Joseph Sampson have made, ordained and appointed William Sampson, of the aforesaid County of Westmoreland, his true and lawful attorney for me and my name, to ask, demand and receive, sue for and recover of and therefore the said Jeremiah Murray the legacy of Twenty Pounds with all due interest due there- on, given and bequeathed to me by the said Joseph Sampson by the said will of the said John Sampson as aforesaid and upon receipt thereof or payment to him my said Attorney shall lawfully do in the premises. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 16th day of Sept. 1817. JOSEPH SAMPSON In the presence of John F. Ayres, Benijah Ayres, State of Ohio, Hamilton County. Be it remembered Joseph Sampson, the within grantor, personal- ly appeared before me, Benijah Ayres, one of the Justices of the Peace for Sycamore Township, and acknowledged the signing of the within attorney to be his hand and seal his voluntary act and deed for the use and purpose therein mentioned. In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and affixed my seal, 16th day of Septem- ber, 1817. BENIJAH AYRES. Hamilton County, State of Ohio. I, John Gano, of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the COunty of Hamilton, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Benijah Ayres, Esq., before whom the above and aforegoing acknowledgement appears to have been made, is at the time thereof one of the Jus- tices assigned to keep the peace within and for the County of Hamilton, aforesaid, duly elected, commissioned and sworn into office, and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Common Court of Pleas at Cincinnati, this 9th of September, 1817. * * * * * * Another important deed made in 1816 of John Sampson's heirs to Jeremiah Murray: "Between Charles Sampson and Margaret, his wife; George Samp- son and Margaret, his wife; and William Sampson and Jane, his wife; Thomas Grumly and Mary, his wife (called Polly Sampson); John, Robert, Jane and Sarah Sampson. Land in Franklin Township, West- moreland County, bounded by land of George McWilliams, and land of John Irvine, and land of Adam Thew and land of James Sampson. Also lands of John Cavert and Jeremiah Murray." This deed shows that Charles, George, William and Mary had been married at some date previous to 1816. This will of John Sampson gives us his wife as named Margaret, and twelve children, Thomas, Margaret, Joseph, James, Sarah, George, Mary, Charles, John, William, Robert and Jane. Of these twelve children, Joseph is the only one whose history we can be absolutely sure of. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1768. One of the traditions of the neighborhood in this section where Joseph was born is the story of his being stolen by the Indians. Some say he was going on horseback to salt the cows, was surprised by the Indians and while urging his horse in the effort to escape, the animal fell, pinioning Joseph under him, and the Indians caught him easily. Another version is that Joseph was on foot, on the same er- rand, and when the Indians surprised him, he ran and stumbled into the wild grape vines, which grew so profusely in that region, and so Joseph was captured. Joseph's son James has written and inter- esting letter giving some account of his father, as follows: Mr. John Caldwell, Dear sir: I promised that I would give you a history of my life as a pioneer. To give you a full detail I shall be under the necessity of commencing with my father, Joseph Sampson. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in the year 1768. When ten years of age he was taken prisoner by the Indians (a scouting war party) and taken to Niagara Falls, Canada, and held for five years. He was adopted into a family who had no children and his squaw mother thought he could outbrave any of the Indian boys both in fighting and foot racing. Their great pleasure was in the practice of bow and arrow, in which he was and expert. Five years after his capture, his father heard he was in Montreal and went there and recognized his son. He was soon after sold to a British Officer by the Indians for $12.50 and a little later ex- changed as a prisoner of war at Montreal and sent home. I will here state what he saw the first night after his cap- ture, when a boy of ten. The party traveled nearly all that night and the next day. In the evening they halted and struck camp. Another party of Indians came into their camp with one his neighbor women as a prisoner and a host of scalps hanging form their waists. These Indians had fallen on a school and murdered the entire school. He was well acquainted with all the tricks and strategy of the Indians, which fitted him to come to the West in Indian times. He was married to Elizabeth McClelland in 1790, and in 1792 emigrated west with Capt. Flinn on a flat boat and settled at Columbia in Turkey Bottom, landing at Columbia, May 12, 1792. On the way down the Ohio at the mouth of Grave Creek about midnight on night they were hailed from the shore by a woman (no doubt a prisoner of the Indians) who wanted them to land and take her aboard. Some of the crew were for landing and taking her on board. My father objected and told them that it was ad Indian Camp, and he told them "shoot off a gun and you will see the fire soon extinguished." They did so and the fire was at once put out. So they continued on their way to Columbia, where my father settled and lived for six years. He was one who cared not for the Indians. He was the first man who came to relieve Griffin after he was shot and scalped - got him on a horse and brought him into Columbia. In 1789 he moved from Columbia to McFarlan's Station (now Pleasant Ridge). He settled and lived there four years, when he leased the farm now owned by the heirs of William Wood, and lived there four years, when he leased the farm owned by Mr. Kincaid, near Pleasant Ridge, living here seven years. Then he purchased the farm now owned by his grandson, Joseph Sampson, Jr. Here he built a two-story hewed log house in 1803, and replaced this by a brick house in 1834, and died in 1848. * * * * * * Joseph Sampson was twice married. His first wife, Elizabeth McClelland, died November 8, 1829. She bore him seven children. The second wife was Mary Patmore, whom he married September 2, 1830. She was born November 4, 1789, and outlived her husband, spending her last days with her grandson, Joseph Sampson, in Lock- land Ohio. The seven children of Joseph and Elizabeth were John M., James, Agnes, Margaret Bond, Martha McClelland, Mary Harkness, and William. No. 1 - John M. Sampson, son of Joseph and Elizabeth, was born November 13, 1792, and died July 5, 1849. He is buried in the little churchyard cemetery in Rossmoyne, Ohio. His wife was Marga- ret, called Patsy, and they had four children, Kitty, Jane, Polly Ann, and Elizabeth. Polly Ann married Clark Radabough. Elizabeth married John Lough and had three children, Martha, Josephine and Ollie. Ollie married Harry Emerson. No. 2 - James Sampson, son of Joseph and Elizabeth, was born February 5, 1794, and died December 18, 1878. He was three times married; the first wife was Agnes Cromwell, by whom he had six children: Joseph, John C., Mary R., Eliza McClelland, William, and Jesse. The second wife was Eleanor Viley Day, who bore him three children, Isaac, Margaret Little, and Amy Viley. The third wife was Martha Patmore. The following obituary is sent me by her oldest child Mrs. Anna Morgan. "Martha A. Patmore was born November 12, 1828 at Montgomery, Ohio, on the site of the present residence of Mr. Isaac Todd, and died at the home in Silverton, Ohio, October 12, 1910. Her ances- tors (the Fetter family of her mother's side) were the first set- tlers at Montgomery, Ohio, naming the village from the county from which they originally came in the East. Martha Patmore and James Sampson were married in 1847, and she was survived by these three children, three grandchildren, and one great grandchild. The children were - David L., Anna M., and Caroline. By the three marriages of Mr. James Sampson, there were fourteen children, seven step grandchildren, six great step grand- children and eight great great step grandchildren. In the same year of her marriage, Martha Patmore Sampson united with the Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church where she re- mained a member until 1888. When she was released to the Silverton Church as one of the charter members. The same quit devoted moth- erhood that was significant of her life, marked her passing from this world with her loved ones near her. The balance of this letter written by James Sampson to Mr. Caldwell gives some account of his own life. "I now come to my own experiences as a pioneer. I was born February 5, 1794, in the town of Columbia. I was told by my par- ents that at the time I was born the Indians were around the house. When I was four years old my father moved to McFarlan's Station (now Pleasant Ridge). While we lived there I went with my father to Cincinnati. It was in the Spring when the mud was knee deep in the streets. There were no pavements in the city and we went to market on horseback and went from house to house to sell our pro- duce. Our store where we sold our corn-meal and flour was to Black Sandy the Baker. There were only three or four stores in Cincin- nati at this time and property was cheap. My father was offered four acres of land where the court house now stands for one yoke of oxen, but he declined to take it. I well recollect the time when we lived on wild meat, corn bread, and hominy - what we called sluts hominy. Salt was scarce - four dollars a bushel. We lived five years at Mr. Wood's place in Pleasant Ridge, and seven on Mr. Kincaid's and then bought near Mr. Kennedy's which is now called Silverton. From a sketch of James Sampson's life: Here James Sampson made his home until he was married in 1816, when he bought the farm upon which he lived till he died December 14, 1877, living there more than fifty-six years. During the many years following the war of 18112, when all male citizens of proper age were required to do duty, he was an active military man, as evinced by his rising rapidly from orderly sergeant to that of Brigadier General. Among the few remaining pioneers of those days he is still know as Col. Sampson. Later in life he was elected Justice of the Peace and by the present generation is known as Squire Sampson. Squire Sampson has been a faithful and consistent member of the Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church since the year 1819, and at the time of his death was by far the oldest living native resident of Hamilton County, Ohio. He well remembered the time when he rode on the logs dragged by his father Joseph, for the first structure with yoke of oxen, nearly eighty years before. When that log church was torn down to give place to a brick structure, he took the contract for brick and plastering for $90.00, $15.00 of which he donated on subscription. During a greater part of the 58 years he was a member of the church, he occupied the position in official relation as chorister, trustee or clerk. He is buried in Pleasant Ridge cemetery just back of the church, one of the oldest cemeteries of the County, and he remembered the first grave dug in this cemetery. There is a memorial window to James Sampson in this church. * * * * * * Of James Sampson's children, Mary R., daughter of James and Agnes, was the oldest. She was born April 20th, 1817, and married to Jacob Felter, August 31, 1841. She died October 31, 1897 and is buried in the old Purviance Cemetery in Huntington County, Indiana, with four of her children. Six children were born to Jacob and Mary, five of them passing away early in life. Agnes Felter, born November 27, 1842, died August 25, 1879. Jasper Felter, born November 23, 1845, died February 8, 1864. Margaret Felter, born July 9, 1849, died December 26, 1850. James Felter, born October 25, 1851, but no record of his death. Harriet Felter, born March 25, 1855, and no record of her death. Franklin Felter, the youngest child of Jacob and Mary Sampson. Franklin Felter was born March 29, 1865 and married to Edna Belle Simons, July 7, 1887, and lives in Huntington, Indiana. He purchased in 1911 the "Globe Clothing Store," one of the largest business institutions in Huntington. His home is one of the old mansions with extensive grounds, which he is beautifying and making one of the ideal residences of that section. * * * * * * Eliza McClelland Sampson, the next oldest child of James and Agnes, was born October 9, 1819. She married Clark Brecount and had four children: Wilson (who was killed in the Civil War), James, Lorena, and Mary Jane. Eliza Brecount is buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in the lot with her father, James Sampson. Her daughter, Mary Jane Brecount, who was born October 24, 1846, married T. N. Clark, September 3, 1867, and is living in Scotch Lebanon, Ohio. She had eight children: Pearl, Edward W., Ellis, Emma B., Vina Mary, Arista B., Hawley N., and William P. Lorena Brecount, daughter of Eliza and Clark, was born March 10, 1849. She married Josiah E. Clark, October 7, 1874. To them was born five children: Albert Carey, Charley, Jesse Pierson, Minnie B., and Edith L. Albert Carey Clark, born September 13, 1878, was married to Matilda Biehl, March 22, 1902. They have one child, Eleanor A. Edith L. Clark, born December 14, 1885, was married to Albert E. Dawson, April 7, 1910. Charley Clark, born March 17, 1881, died April 24, 1881. * * * * * * Joseph Sampson, the oldest son of James and Agnes, was named for his grandfather, Joseph, who came from Pennsylvania. He was born June 4, 1821, and brought up on his father's farm in Silver- ton, Hamilton County, Ohio, and followed in his father's footsteps in the business of mason and brick contractor. He was twice mar- ried, his first wife, Lucinda Baxter (to whom he was united January 6, 1847), bore him two children, Albert and Mary. Mary Sampson was born November 4, 1847, and died September 23, 1853. She is buried by her mother Lucinda (who died December 6, 1850) in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Albert Sampson, son of Joseph and Lucinda, was born October 31, 1849, and married to Mary J. Victor. They had one child, Thomas Sampson, who was born December 13, 1877. Albert died December 19, 1893, and is buried in his father's lot in Reading Cemetery. Thomas Sampson married Mary A. Gideon, and they live in North Eaton, Ohio. They have one child, Joseph, born November 3, 1907. Joseph Sampson married for his second wife, Mrs. Jane Oliver Doty, March 6, 1853. More than three quarters of their married life was spent in the village of Lockland, Ohio. Jane Sampson passed away two years before her husband Joseph, and both are buried in the Reading Cemetery. Jane was a member of the Christian Church in Carthage, Ohio, from her sixteenth year, and it was said of her that she was known by every man, woman and child in the village; was loyal to her Church and friends, and every ready to lend a helping hand. She was born near Sharonville, Ohio, April 13, 1822, and died May 4, 1889, just as the clock chimed the mid- night hour. Joseph followed her April 22, 1901, and of him it was written that the village lost one of its oldest and most esteemed citizens. He was familiarly called "Uncle Joe," as his wife was called "Aunt Jane" by old and young alike. Joseph was in this eightieth year and had been a contractor and builder for sixty years in the community and the Miami Valley. He was a life-time member of the Christian Church; he was a corporal in Company "E," 138th Infantry, and a member of the A.W. Graves Post of the G.A.R. Joseph and Jane had one son, John Lewis Sampson, named for his mother's uncle and cousin, John Lewis Oliver. He was born in Carthage, Ohio, May 23, 1854, but his parents moved to Lockland, Ohio, when he was a small boy. He has been twice married. His first wife was Nancy B. Olden, of Lockland, whom he married Decem- ber 7, 1876. To them were born four children: Joseph Gano, May O., Laura B., and a son who died at birth. Joseph Gano was born March 5, 1878, and died March 12, 1878. May O., born February 18, 1879, was married to Herbert A. Sibbet, December 26, 1889, and has three children: Anna M., Laura B., and Nancy. They live in Los Angeles, California. Laura B., daughter of John Lewis and Nancy, born October 31, 1880, married Arthur J. Dietrick, May 26, 1906, and has one son, Arthur J. Jr. They also live in California. John Lewis Sampson married for his second wife, June 1, 1897, Lilla E. Briggs, of New York City, New York. (Lilla Briggs Sampson is the author of "The Sampson Family"). * * * * * * J. LEWIS SAMPSON RETIRES FROM PAPER TRADE TO BECOME CHESAPEAKE BAY FARMER Somewhere in this wide world the sun may be shining, somewhere men may be happy and gay, but this is not true of the paper trade in the Middle West, for J. Lewis Sampson has retired and gone "from our midst." A Whole souled, genial, jolly good fellow has quit the paper trade, and nothing seems so bright as before, when his smil- ing countenance was here; but what is our loss will be the gain of another section of the country. J. Lewis Sampson has quit the trade, and has left for his new home on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, in Maryland, and will henceforth be a farmer. A farmer of oysters, and quail, and other wild games. He tells me that he had already tamed his wild game to act according to the ability of the hunter; that is, if the sports- man is a good shot, to fly very fast, but if the hunter be a nov- ice, then to fly slowly, so that the gunner may have some chance of getting his bird. Mr. Sampson also has his oysters trained so that when he whistles they will walk out of the water, carrying their half shells on their backs. There is, possibly, no man better known in the trade than this same gentleman, he having spent more than a quarter of a century in the trade. His first paper trade connection was with the Tytus- Gardner Paper Manufacturing Company of Middletown, Ohio, as manager of sales, one of the pioneer mills in the West in the wrapping and bag business. From 1902 to 1904 he was Chicago representative of the International Paper Company, handling manilas, wrappings and specialties. In 1904 he opened and office in Chicago as sales manager for the Fletcher Paper Company of Alpena, Mich., and has served in this capacity until the present time. Some time ago he bought a plantation of 500 acres in Maryland, near the coast of the Chesapeake Bay, at a point about 40 miles southeast of Washington, on the Patuxent River. One hundred acres of this plantation is in virgin forest, which is said to abound in wild game and specially good hunting. There will be a boat landing for his friends on their way by water from Baltimore. Mr. Sampson is one of the oldest, in service, of the men traveling in the trade, and I am sure there never was a more popu- lar man that represented any branch of the industry. We may be a little envious of the good time he will have while we must continue to work, but we all wish him every good thing in this world, and many, many long years to enjoy his new home and new possession. - From "The Paper Mill" of April 2, 1912. OBITUARY WRITTEN BY MR. SAMPSON'S COUSIN MRS. LAWRENCE SLABACK OF SILVERTON, OHIO J. Lewis Sampson, descendant of John Sampson, who came from Ireland to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and of his son Joseph who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1792. The deceased was the son of Joseph and Jane Oliver Sampson, and was born in Lockland, Ohio, in the year 1854. He was one of three children, none of whom survive him. in early boyhood he united with the Christian Church of Car- thage, Ohio. In young manhood he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Olden, to which union were born four children, tow of whom survive him; Mrs. May O. Sibbet and Mrs. Laura B. Dietrick, both of Los Angeles, California. There are also three grand-daughters and one grand-son. While the daughters were but children the wife and mother passed away. After some years Mr. Sampson married Miss Lilla Briggs of New York State, who survives him. Mr. Sampson was widely known in the business world, having been actively engaged in the paper business for many years, until April 2, 1912, when he retired to his new plantation home, Samp- son's Harbor, St. Mary's County, Maryland, where he and his wife planned to spend the best of their years. Friday morning, March 14th, Mr. Sampson was suddenly called home. A man of happy disposition, ever ready with a bit of humor and a smile always, and a kindly work for all; a most generous heart, and ever ready helpful hand. A loving memory to those who knew and loved him. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark, And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark. For tho' from out the bourne of time and place The flood may bear me far, I hope to meet my pilot face to face, When I have crossed the bar. * * * * * * John C. Sampson, next oldest child of James and Agnes, was born December 19, 1823, and died July 5, 1828. William Sampson, the next son of James and Agnes, was born December 19, 1825, and married to Sarah B. Perryman, November 22, 1848. To them were born eleven children: (1) James Sampson, the oldest son of William and Sarah, was born May 7, 1850, and married to Elnora Friend, January 15, 1873. They have had four children: Cora, Jennie, Grace and Flo. Cora, who was born August 12, 1878, died August 27, 1892. Jennie M., born August 12, 1878, married Walter Williamson, November 21, 1900, and they reside in Larned, Kans. The have three children: Monroe, Charles and Floyd. Grace, born August 27, 1892, married John Pardee, July 26, 1904, and lives in Mattoon, Illinois. Flo was born September 29, 1890 and lives with her parents in Mattoon, Illinois. Since writing the above, James Sampson has been called home. With his wife he attended the funeral services of Martha Patmore Sampson in Silverton, Ohio, October, 1910. A year later in October, 1911, he too was summoned. James Sampson was instantly killed in the cab of his engine, on the Big Four R.R., when nearing his home in Mattoon, Ill., one afternoon about four p.m. The accident occurred through a collision at a crossing not far from Mattoon, and James Sampson's engine was turned completely over, crushing him underneath. He was born in Silverton, Ohio, but when three years of age his parents moved to Shelbyville, Illinois. There he grew to manhood. At the age of fourteen, he enlisted in the Civil War, being a member of Company "G", 143 Illinois Volunteers. He enlisted May 13, 1864; was mustered in at Mattoon, June 11, and honorably discharged September 25, 1864. He served under Col. D. C. Smith and Capt. Webster. While on picket duty he was struck in the left hand by a minnie ball and was confined in the hospital at Jefferson Barracks for twenty-six days. He entered the employ of the Big Four R.R., July 28, 1880, and was in their service as engineer at the time of his death. He was promoted to position of engineer, February 11, 1884, and spent fourteen years in the passenger service, twelve of which were on the fast runs. Mr. Sampson always had the highest esteem for his fireman and was greatly beloved by men who worked under him as well as by the railroad boys in general. He was kindhearted ever, firm in his convictions and a true friend. When quite a young man, the dread disease cholera held the city of Shelbyville in its grasp; and Mr. Sampson was one of those who day and night helped to care for the stricken and the dead; many times being called to lay beneath the sod its victims. He was buried in the family lot at Mattoon, Illinois, by the side of his oldest daughter, Cora. (2) Margaret P. Sampson, daughter of William and Sarah, was born August 10, 1852, and died November 19, 1853. (3) William N. Sampson, a son of William and Sarah, was born October 2, 1854, and died October 4, 1855. (4) Daniel P. Sampson, a son of William and Sarah, was born March 5, 1857, and died September 6, 1858. (5) Edward W. Sampson, a son of William and Sarah, was born March 20, 1858 and married to Julia J. Heitz, October 4, 1881. The have one daughter, Mabel E., Who was born November 1, 1882, and married to Joseph Garfield Worker, May 20, 1909. Edward W. Sampson is a resident of Urbana, Illinois. (6) Mattie B. Sampson, daughter of William and Sarah, was born August 4, 1860, and died August 17, 1860. (7) Anna L. Sampson, daughter of William and Sarah, was born October 12, 1862, and married to Jacob P. Babb, November 22, 1887. They lived in Mattoon, Ill., and Mr. Babb passed away November 9, 1908, most sincerely loved and mourned by all who knew him. The following obituary was published in one of the Mattoon papers. Jacob Pickney Babb was born in Osage County, Mo., April 30 1857. While young, his parents moved to Cole County, Mo., about ten miles from Jefferson City and settled on a farm where Mr. Babb grew to manhood. He entered the photographic studio of M. D. Winnings in Jefferson City and through person- al effort, untiring energy, and that thoroughness, which marked every effort of his life, he became and expert in photography. He eventually opened a studio in Shelbyville, Ill., and there met Miss Anna L. Sampson to whom he was united in mar- riage on November 22, 1887. In 1892 Mr. Babb moved to Mat- toon, Ill., and there continued his successful business of photography. He was a man of sterling integrity and bright, sunny disposition, which won for him the love and esteem of those with whom he came in contact. Mr. Babb passed away December 9, 1908, in Eureka Springs, Ark., where he had gone for the benefit of his health. For many years Mr. Babb was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and lived his religion day in and day out. At the time of his death, he was a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Mattoon, Ill., which position he had held for twelve years. He was also a member of the Men's League and an active member of the Usher's Association and with one exception, the oldest usher in the church. Mr. Babb was a member of Mattoon Lodge No. 260, A.F. and A.M. -Palestine Lodge No. 46. Knights of Pythias-Mattoon Lodge No., 260. I.O.O.F.-a charter member of Mattoon Lodge No. 495. B.P.O.E. Also, a member of the Woodmen of America and of Elect Lady Chapter No., 40. O.E.S. The funeral was held in the first Presbyterian Church, December 13, at 2 p.m., and the church was most beautifully decorated in palms and flowers. The sermon preached by his pastor and friend, Rev. Edward M. Martin, was eloquent and most fitting and the tribute paid to Mr. Babb was on that his life merited and one that will linger in the memory of those who heard it. Jesse Sampson, son of James and Agnes, was born May 14, 1829. He disappeared from home when a boy and has never been heard from since. Isaac Sampson, the son of James and his second wife Eleanor Viley Day, married Sarah Thornhill and had three children - Frank, Jerry and Ollie. Margaret Little Sampson, daughter of James and Eleanor, mar- ried M. Hall, and had three children - Ada, Emma and Carrie. Mr. Hall was through the Civil War, and after the war they lived in Olney, Ill. Eventually they moved South. Mr. Hall died at Jackson, La., and Margaret Sampson, his wife, was a victim of yellow fever at Tangipahoa, La. Ada, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, married a Farborough, and had seven children, and lives in Aquilla, Hill Co, Texas. Emma Married a George, and lives in Kentwood, La., and has four children. Amy Viley Sampson, daughter of James and Eleanor, married M. Martin. * * * * * * Anna M. Sampson, daughter of James and Martha Patmore, his third wife, was born July 12, 1848, and married to James S. Morgan, April 14, 1872. They had two children, one who died in infancy, and Jean, born January 31, 1881. Jean married William Shoemaker and lives in Cincinnati. James S. Morgan was born April 15, 1844 and died August 31, 1880. He is buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Mrs. Morgan has always lived in Silverton and made a home for her mother, Martha Patmore Sampson, near the old home where she was born. David L. Sampson, son of James and Martha, was born October 30, 1850, and married to Emma Kennedy, February 26, 1879. He has always lived in the old home where he was born in Silverton, Ohio, but will soon remove to another home on the main road in Silverton. Mr. Sampson is President of the Hamilton County Fair Association, as well as Secretary of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, and carries on farming interests. He is devoted to his horses and dogs and like many of the Sampsons a good hunter. Caroline Sampson, daughter of James and Martha, was born November 29, 1854, and married to Harvey Durham, October 8, 1878. They have two children - Ollie and Blanche. Ollie married Lawrence Slaback, October 10, 1904 and has one child, Dorothy Alice Slaback. Blanch, who was born July 31, 1888, lives at home on the farm near Newton, Ohio. (3) Margaret Bond Sampson, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth, was born December 18, 1799. She married David Little, March 28, 1822, and died November 21, 1875. Family history states that David Little and his wife, Margaret Sampson are buried in the Purviance Cemetery in Jefferson Township, Ind. This cemetery was part of the David Little Farm and was given by him to the Commissioners of Huntington Co, Indiana, for burial purposes forever and ever. There were no children born to David and Margaret. (4) Agnes Sampson, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth, was born May 13, 1796, and died November 15, 1837. She married Jacob Swallow and had eight children. Isaac, Eliza M., Mary S., Eremina C., David B., John S., Margaret A., and Martha. Isaac Swallow born 1816, married Elizabeth Rinehart and had six children: Jacob, John, Martha, Kate, Isaac, and Minnie. Eliza M. Swallow born 1821, married William Williamson and had six children: John, Jacob, Percy, Mary, Alice, and Nancy Jane. Mary S. Swallow born 1823, married Samuel Percy and had five children: Joseph, Frank, Laura, Ella, and Samuel. Eremina C. Swallow born 1825, married Elias Miller and had three children: Mary, Clifford, and Frank. David B. Swallow born 1827, died 1835. John S. Swallow born 1830, died 1833. Margaret A. Swallow born 1832, died 1835. Martha Swallow born 1834. (5) Mary Harkness Sampson, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth, was born October 8, 1882, and married William Ireland. To them were born three children - David Ireland, Sampson Ireland, and John P. Ireland. Mary Sampson Ireland died March 15, 1832, and is buried in the old cemetery at New Paris, Ohio. David Ireland, son of William and Mary, died in Yates Center, Iowa. Sampson Ireland, son of William and Mary, married and had one daughter, who is Mrs. Clate Templar, of Muncie, Ind. John P. Ireland, son of William and Mary, married Nancy Hop- per, and had nine children. (6) Martha McClelland Sampson, daughter of Joseph and Eliza- beth, was born February 22, 1801, and died December 25, 1832. She married Jesse Pierson, and had three children: William, Rebecca, and Eliza. William Pierson, son of Martha and Jesse, was born June 5, 1828, and was twice married. His first wife was Amelia Jones, whom he married September 5, 1850. His second wife was Margaret Willer, whom he married March 5, 1862. Of these marriages were born eleven children: Eliza, Belinda E., Charles E., Eugene M., Mary A., ----- L., Frank, Ennes P., Ella, George M., and Orton. Rebecca Peirson, daughter of Martha and Jesse, was twice married, first to Aaron Buxton, and second to S.A. Bell. Harriet, Marietta and Oro were the children of these marriages. Eliza Pierson, daughter of Martha and Jesse, was born August 27, 1828, and married Samuel Hanimel, February 20, 1856. They had three children: Jesse P., John, and Frank. (7) William Sampson, son of Joseph and Elizabeth, was born July 25, 1804, and married to Catherine Graham, January 28, 1832. Catherine Graham was born May 1, 1807, and died August 16, 1875. William died March 3, 1888. William and Catherine Sampson had eight children, the oldest Martha, born June 26, 1833, and died August 19, 1908. She was married to Josiah Gaston and had three children: William S., James, and Albert M. Albert M. Married Florence Mattingly and had three children: Robert, James, and Eva. Elizabeth Sampson, the second child of William and Catherine, was born February 15, 1835, and died May 25, 1882. She married George Williamson and had two children: Walter M., and Lucius S. Walter M. Williamson, married Eliza Shumard, and had three children: Albert M., George W., and Theodosia. Lucius S. Williamson married Constance Gattle, and had two children: Emerson C., and Ethel E. James Sampson, the third child of William and Catherine, was born March 15, 1837, and died December 20, 1866. He married Ellen Klick, and had no children and is buried in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mary Ellen Sampson, fourth child of William and Catherine, was born December 5, 1839, and died February 25, 1898. She married John Magee and had five children - Edward, John F., David, William, and Catherine. Catherine married Jackson Lloyd. David Little Sampson and Margaret Little Sampson, twin chil- dren of William and Catherine, were born April 17, 1841. David L. married Lucy Hale and had one son, John M., who married Mary Camp- bell and has a daughter Oma. David L. died February 2, 1908. Margaret Little Sampson married John Riker and had one daugh- ter, Ella May, who was born July 19, 1870. She married James Peter- son. John Howard, the seventh child of William and Catherine, was born November 14, 1843, and died December 12, 1909. He married Mary J. Bope, and they had one son, Philip E. Phoeby Freeman Sampson, the eighth child of William and Cath- erine, was born April 8, 1846, and is living with her sister Marga- ret and husband, on the Riker farm in Oxford, Ohio. * * * * * * This completes the history of the Ohio Sampsons, who descended from the Joseph Sampson who emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1792. This book is affectiontely dedicated to my husband, JOHN LEWIS SAMPSON. Lilla Briggs Sampson * * *