1. Beitzell History of the Gerard/Cheseldine Family.
2. OH. Census. 1850, 1860, 1870 1890. 1910 .
3. Clermont County DAR Records of Williamsburg, Ohio. Cemetery.
4 .Madison County, OH Property Deeds.
5. History of Clermont County Ohio.
6. Obit of Posey Cheseldine from a St. Mary's County Maryland Newspaper.
7. Clermont County marriage records.
8. Marriages and Deaths in St. Mary's County MD by Fresco.
9. Posey Cheseldine's Will in Probate Court in Madison County Ohio.
10. Family Records of Kenneth Cheseldine, Grandson of Posey Cheseldine.
11. Clermont Co. Ohio. Marriage Records.

NOTES:
Census: 1850 Ohio Clermont Co. Williamsburg
Posey Cheseldine 28 Merchant $150 b MD
Nancy 24 b OH
Samuel Dent 3 b OH
Dent (brother) 26 Merchant b MD

1860 OH/Clermont/Williamsburg
Posey 38 Merchant b MD
Nancy 36 b OH
Samuel Dent 13 b OH
Izora Sims 18 b OH

1870 OH/Clermont/Williamsburg
Posey 48 Merchant b MD
Izora 28 wife b OH
Charles 7 b OH
Biscoe 4 b OH

1880 OH/Madison Co./London
Posey 58
Izora 38
Charles 17
Pearl 13
Katie Moral 21 domestic

1890 OH/Madison Co./London
Samuel Dent Cheseldine 33 merchant
Katie 25 wife
Jennie 5 daughter
Bessie 2 daughter
Fannie Fields 20 domestic

1910 Soundex Madison Co. London Oh
Raymond Cheseldine 18 b Oh
Minnie mother
Kenneth (brother of Raymond)

Monument inscriptions Williamsburg Cemetery:
Cheseldine: Posey b 9 Jun 1822 d 14 Jan 1894
Nancy d. 5 Aug 1865 40 years 9 months
Izora d 2 Aug 1887 46 years

Family Records of Kenneth Cheseldine, Posey's Grandson. (This information was on the back of an old picture that Kenneth found in the home of his mother and father.)

Posey Cheseldine: born June 9 1822 Whiteneck Farm, St. Mary's County Maryland. Posey died Jan 14 1894 in London, Ohio. Posey was the son of Kenelm Cheseldine and Sophia Gardner. Kenelm and Sophia were married Feb 23 1819 in St. Mary's County Maryland. Kenelm and Sophia had 7 children. Kenelm died 13 Mar 1835. Sophia remarried to William Allston 5 Jan 1841. Sophia died 1 Aug 1842.

Posey was born at Whiteneck Farm in St. Mary's County Maryland which was the old Cheseldine home inherited by Mary Girard Cheseldine from her father, Dr. Thomas Girard who came to Maryland in the time of Lord Baltimore. His birth occurred on June 9 1822. He came to Cincinnati, Ohio as a young man still in his teens. There was an uncle that preceeded him to Cincinnati, and he may have worked for this uncle who was a merchant there. After a couple of years he went to Williamsburg, Clermont County, Ohio where he opened his own store. He was very successful as a merchant as one finds by reading the history of the area.

He married Nancy Sims, daughter of Sarah Crane and Samuel Sims. How they met is a mystery because she lived in Bethel, a town south of Williamsburg. The History of Clermont County page 299 states that Posey was one of the most prominent and successful merchandizers in Williamsburg which at that time was known for successful merchandizing. Nancy bore Posey a son named Samuel Dent. She evidently had a long illness for her younger sister, Izora Sue came to live with them. Nancy died after they had been married for 20 years, in 1865. Posey married Izora Sue in 1866. Now, a son, Charles, was born in 1863 which would make Nancy his mother, but the family always stated that Izora was his mother. Posey and Izora had a child, my grandfather, born in 1866 named Biscoe Kenelm Cheseldine. The family called him Pearl. Either the dates of Charles's birth are incorrect or their is another mistake, but Charles was Nancy's son according to birth records, even though the family thought he was Izora's.

Posey Cheseldine must have believed deeply in education. His home was well stocked with books. Possibly his son, Charles attended college, but it is well known that Charles's sons went to Ohio Weslyn University.

Posey served on the Williamsburg Council from 1851 to 1855. In 1873 he left Williamsburg and went to London, Ohio. He opened a store in London. Over the years he opened several stores. He owned a great deal of land. It seems that he and son, Samuel Dent, were in a lot of business deals together.

Posey's Obit in the St. Mary's county newspaper reads as follows:

"Posey Cheseldine born Whiteneck, St. Mary's County Maryland, born 9 Jan 1822, died 14 Jan 1894, age 72. London Dry Good Merchant. Residence W. High St. London, Ohio. Went west at age 16 (1838).Landed in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later opened store in Clermont Co. and moved to Williamsburg. At 25 married Nancy Sims. One son Samuel Dent, a merchant in N. Columbus, Ohio. After Nancy died he married her sister, Izora who died 1887, leaving 2 sons Charles and Pearl. Moved to London 1873 and bought property on Main St. Member of the ME Church. Survived by 3 sons, 4 nieces, Mrs. Daniel Snaks, Mrs Fred Dent, Mrs Jack Chandler and Miss Bicca Cheseldine. Buried in Williamsburg beside his wives."

Will of Posey Cheseldine

The Last Will and Testament of Posey Cheseldine of London, Madison County, Ohio. In the name of the Benevolent Father of all. I, the said Posey Cheseldine being of sound mind and memory, considering the uncertainty of continuance in life, and desiring to make such disposition of my worldly estate as I deem best, do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking and anulling any and all former will or wills whatsoever by me made.

First: I desire all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid, as soon as possible after my decease.
Second: I give and bequeath to my son Samuel D. Cheseldine one note No. 8 given by Charles Cheseldine payable to the order of Posey Cheseldine, calling for one Thousand ($1000) dollars, with six % interest after date, dated Sep 1 1892, payable 5 years and six months after date.

One note: No 12 given by Charles Cheseldine, payable to the order of Posey Cheseldine, calling for two Hundred (200) dollars with 6% interest from date, dated Sep. 1st 1892 payable four years from date. I, also, give to Samuel Dent Cheseldine my gold-head walking stick to be kept in the family, this was a Christmas present from my children.

Third: To my son Charles Cheseldine I give and bequeath my homestead on East High St. together with all the furniture, books and pictures. I also give him one fourth (1/4) of my undivided three fourths (3/4) interest which I now own, in the store room No 3l7 Main St. London, Ohio. I, also, give him one note of hand No. 6 F (s?) drawn by him made payable to Posey Cheseldine or order calling for one Thousand ($1000) dollars payable four years and three months after date --dated Sep 1st 1892. I, also, give him one note No. 13 dated Sep 1st 1892 calling for three hundred ($300) dollars payable four years
after date payable to P. Cheseldine or order.

Fourth: I give and bequeath to my son Biscoe Kenelm Cheseldine, commonly called Pearl, my dwelling house situated on Elm Street, London, Ohio, property bought of Johnathan Arnett. I, also, give and bequeath to him two fourths (2/4) of my undivided 3/4 interest in the store house building No. 37 Main St., London, Ohio. I, also, give him my entire interest that I may have at my death in the stock of merchandize, money and credits in the store at South Charleston, Clark County, Ohio, now carried on under the firm name of P and PB Cheseldine, he is to pay all expenses due on the stock. I, also, give him one note No. 7 calling for one thousand ($1000) dollars payable to Posey Cheseldine on order with six per cent interest after date, dated Sep 1st 1892. I, also,
give him one note no 4 calling for five hundred ($500) dollars drawn by Charles Cheseldine payable to Posey Cheseldine on order, with six per cent interest after date dated Sep 1st 1892, due three years after date. I, also, give and bequeath my gold watch and chain.

Fifth: I give and bequeath to my grand daughter, Izora Cheseldine, daughter of B.K. Cheseldine and Maggy his wife, note No. 5 or Five Hundred (500) dollars drawn by Charles Cheseldine, payable to Posey l Cheseldine on order three years and six months from date with six % interest after date, dated Sep 1st, 1892. I, also, give to my grand child, Anna, daughter of B.K. and Maggy Cheseldine, his wife, one hundred ($100) dollars, also, his son Kyle, one hundred dollars($100).

Sixth: I will and bequeath to my grandson Raymond, child of Charles and Pet Cheseldine one hundred dollars ($100): to my grandchildren of Samuel Dent Cheseldine and his wife Cate, his wife, twenty five dollars ($25) each making one hundred dollars ($100) in the agragate, as follows: to Jenny $25, to Bessy $25, To Don $25 and to Sterling $25 dollars.

If after the above claims are all met there is any moneys or claims not disposed of I wish it to be equally divided between my children.

I nominate and appoint Samuel D. Cheseldine, Charles Cheseldine, and Biscoe K. Cheseldine to be Executors of this will, that no bond or bonds be required during the administration of said trust. In witness thereof, I have here unto set my hand and seal this 8th day of November in the year 1892.

Posey Cheseldine Seal

witnessed by W.S. Murray and L. R. Watts

This will is filed in the Probate Court in Madison County, Ohio. When I first read it I felt that It was biased, leaving the children of Samuel Dent with little, and my mother's sister Izora being recognized more than any other of the grandchildren. Samuel Dent didn't actually get much, either, however he may have given a great deal to every one in the family prior to his death.

Chronolgy for Posey Cheseldine:
1822 Birth of Posey at St. Mary's Co. MD.
1838 Posey came to Ohio, probably Cincinnati. Age 16
1840-43 Opened Dry Goods store in Williamsburg, Oh, Clemont Co.
1845 Posey married Nancy Sims dtr. of Samuel Sims and Sarah Crane.
1846 Son, Samuel Dent, born in Williamsburg.
1860 Oh Census Williamsburg. Family in Williamsburg
1863 Birth of Charles Cheseldine
1865 Death of Nancy Cheseldine
1866 Marriage of Posey to Nancy's sister Izora Sue Sims.
1866 Birth of Biscoe Kenelm Cheseldine, commonly called Pearl.
1873 Family moved to London, OH.
1873 Posey and Samuel Dent opened London Store.
1887 Izora Sue died. Buried Williamsburg, OH.
1892 Posey died. Will posted. Three sons and a few grandchildren named.

Clermont Co. Cemetery Records. Williamsburg Cemetery.
Ohio Census. 1850 & 1860 Clermont Co.
Clermont Co. Marriage Records.
!NOTES:

Nancy Sims was the first wife of Posey Cheseldine. She was thedaughter of Sarah Crane and Samuel Sims. She was born in Bethel, Ohioin 1826. She was the first child of Sarah and Samuel. She had twochildren, Samuel Dent and Charles Cheseldine. She died at 39 years ofage, evidently after a long illness. She is buried in theWilliamsburg Cemetery alongside Posey and her sister Izora SimsCheseldine.

IGI File Ohio.
Clermont Co. Marriage Licenses
Ohio Census for Clermont and Madison Counties
Cemetery Records. Williamsburg DAR
!NOTES:

Izora Sue Sims was a daughter of Sarah Crane and Samuel Sims. She went to live with Posey Cheseldine and her sister Nancy, his wife, probably to help with the housework and to help Nancy who was in ill health. After Nancy died, Izora married Posey Cheseldine. Supposedly Izora was the mother of both Charles and Biscoe Kenelm (my grandfather), at least the family always said so, but birth records of Charles Cheseldine show that he was born in 1863, and in that case his mother had to be Nancy Cheseldine for Nancy had not yet died.

Izora went to London Ohio with Posey and the two boys. By this time Samuel Dent was an adult and in business for himself. Izora died in London, Ohio, but is buried beside Nancy and Posey in the Williamsburg Cemetery. Izora's son was named Biscoe Kenelm Cheseldine, but always went by the name Pearl. I imagine that this was a nickname given him by his mother.