CALDWELL IN WASHINGTON COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA

This internet is a wonderful thing. Thanks to a wonderful lady by the name of Mary Bentley I learned that Sarah Nicholl's parents were Mathias and Margaret Caldwell NICHOLS. This couple moved to Muskingum Co Ohio before the 1820 census. They moved from Ohio Co Virginia where they were married 28 January 1796.

Mary Bentley is a descendant of Mathias NICHOLL'S brother John Nicholls. The parents of John and Mathias are John and Rebecca NICHOLS/ NICHOLLS/ NICOLAS (depending who is doing the spelling.) At this point, we can't figure out how this family goes further back. There are a number of NICHOLS/ NICHOLLS/ NICOLAS folks around, but we haven't determined which ones are the right ones.

The wife of Mathias Nicholls is Margaret Caldwell. There are many Caldwells around the area of Ohio County and back into Washington County of PA during those decades of the late 1700s who may be kin to each other. Margaret C. Nicholl's father is William Caldwell. This fact is based on the following document which is located in the Washington County PA courthouse. That lead was kindly pointed out by Steve Dennehy, and a letter to the courthouse was the way to locate the document. The document as follows regarding land transfer some ten years after the death of William Caldwell, finds some of his younger children married so we learn of their spouses:

From Washington Co PA.

William Riddle & others to Robert Gutrey

This Indenture made this tenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven Between William Riddle and Ezebela his wife Methias Nichols and Mary his wife Isaac Vanmeatre Mary his wife Ambros Cunningham and Elizabeth his wife Elinor Caldwell William Caldwell Alexander Anderson and Martha his wife and Nancy Caldwell the hayers of William Caldwell deceased of the County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania of the one part and Robert Guttrey of the county and State aforeseaid of the other part.

Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of Ten Pounds to them in hand paid by the above mentioned Hayers of William Caldwell deceased before the insealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged we hath granted bargained sold and by these presents doth bargain sell release and confirm to the said Robert Gutrey and to his heirs and assigns All that following described peace of ground situated in Hopewell Township in the County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania Bounded as follows viz

Beginning at a post thence by lands of William Smillie north fower degrees and one quarter west two hundred and thirty two perches and a quarter to a white oak thence by land of James Vincent north sixty two degrees west twenty four perches to a shugar tree south fortey nine degrees west sixty six perches and two thirds to a black oak thence by land of William Caldwell south twenty four degrees East sixty four perches to a white oak south twelve degrees East twenty five perches to an allom south five degrees East fiftey one perches and an half to an ash South one degree East thirty perches and an half to a cherry tree north eighty five degrees East twenty seven perches to a hickory north sixty eight degrees perches and two thirds to the Beginning Containing Sixty four acres one hundred and forty perches and allowance of six pcent for roads etc which said tract was surveyed in pursuance of a warrant dated the sixth September 1786 granted to the said William Caldwell for which there a patent isued the 29th day of April 1797 Recorded in the Rolls Office in Patton Book N.31 Page 452 etc.

And the said William Riddle & Ezabella his wife Michel Nichols and Margret his wife Isaac Vanmetre and Mary his wife Ambros Cunningham and Martha his wife and Nancey Caldwell for themselves their hayers executors Administrators and eatch and every of them doth covenant and a gree to and with the said Robert Guttrey for the above described tract of land.

Together also with all and singlor the rights libertys improvements to and appertainances whatsoever is thereunto belonging or aney ways appertaining and also all the rights title claim and demand whatsoever of us the above mentioned Hayers unto the said Robert Guttrey and to his hayers and assigns in and to the same.

To have and to hold in fee simple with all its appertainances unto Robert Guttrey and to his hayers and assigns forever and the above mentioned hayers for themselves their hayers executors administrators and eatch and every of them doth warrant and defend the above described tract of land with the appertainances unto the said Robert Guttrey and to his hayers and assigns against them the above mentioned hayers and against all and every other person or persons lawfully claiming or to claim shall and will warent and forever defend.

In witness whereof the said William Riddle & Ezabela his wife Methias Nicols and wife Margret Isaac Vanmetre and Mary his wife & Ambros Cunningham and wife Elizabeth and Elinor Caldwell & William Caldwell and Alexander Anderson and wife Martha and Nancy Caldwell hath hereunto set there hands and seals the day and year above written.

-(seals of) William Riddile, Ezebala Riddle, Marey Vanmeetre Ambrose Cunningham Elizabeth Cunningham Elinor Caldwell Wm Caldwell Alexander Anderson Martha Anderson Nancey Caldwell

Signed & delivered in presents of us. Saml Urie. David Craig.

Washington County

Before me Samuel Urie one of the Justices of the peace of the county aforesaid came William and his wife Ezebala marey Vanmetre the wife of Isaac Vanmetree Ambrose Cunningham & Elizabeth his wife Elinor Caldwell William Caldwell Alexander Anderson & his wife Martha and Nancey Caldwell the grantors of the fore gowing convayence and acknowledged the same as thire act and deed delivered for the purpose therein expressed and as such desired it should be recorded.

The said Ezebala, Mary, Elizabeth & Martha being by me examined seperate & apart from thire said husbands and having the sentents of the same fully made known to them & the then declaring that the did volentary & of thire own free will & accord seal as thire act and deed deliver the said deed or convayence without aney feere or compulsion of thire said husbands.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal the 10th day of Nov 1797.

Sam'l Urie

Recorded & compared with original this 24th day of September A.D. 1803. John E Sanderson for John Israel, Recorder.

US Genweb site for Washington Co. PA is an awesome place to visit. If you have ancestors from that area, there are many records on line to be found including the 1790 census for Washington County. A Margaret Caldwell is head of a household of six women in Hopewell township. Since she is not mentioned in the 1797 document above, she may have died by then. William Caldwell's will can be found by searching the US genweb archives, so I will not repeat it here. It is an odd thing as his wife is called Elizabeth in that when the prevailing wisdom seems to be that his wife was Margaret McCune Caldwell. That so far, is unproven by me.

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