Olivers and Peabodys in Hopewell

Hopewell is located at about
500 east and 300 north in
Wabash County. There is little
left but the church and cemtery.

I have always been drawn to
this spot in Wabash County.
When I started our genalogy I
feel like I learned why.

Benjamin and Sebthany Westlake Oliver came to Hopewell with their
daughter Mary in the 1840's. They came from Montgomery County,
Ohio after a brief time in Tippecanoe County, IN. Benjamin was son
of James Bracy Oliver and Mary Hardman. I am not sure of the
parents of Sebthany. Benjamin was a very successful farmer.

Bejamin and Sebthany's children
were:

Mary A. (1838)

John W. (1841)

James W. (1843)

Sarah J. (1846)

David H. (1848)

Rhetta M. (1850)

Sampson (1850)

Thomas W. (1852)

Henrietta (1858)

Thomas W. Oliver was our great grandfather. I know little of what
happened to the other children.

Benjamin was one of the founders of the church along with neighborh
Mark Stratton who provided the land for the church and cemtery.
Mark's daughter was author Gene Stratton-Porter known for her
nature books. The Olivers son, John W. married the oldest daughter
of the Strattons, Mary. She died a few years later without children.

The Olivers and Peabodys
were related my marriage
and very close. Thomas
W. Oliver married Mary
Francis Harter. Her sister,
Alice married Cyrus
Peabody in 1872.

Their children were:

Lewis A. (1873)

Maude (1877)

Edward H. (1879)

Mary Francis (1883)

Ethel (1889)

Cyrus, Ethel, Fanny Peabody

Left to right standing

Others are unknown.

Date: September 16, 1917

Cyrus parents were Augustus A. and Pamelia Lester Peabody. They cam from New York via
Switzerland County Indiana also in 1840's. Augustus was known to have operated a stop on the

Underground Railroad in Wabash County.

Their children are:

David (1833 twins)

Sarah (1833)

Hiram (1835)

Edward (1837)

Cyrus (1840)

Mary (no date)

William (no date)

Sarah married Joseph Pratt. Their daughter Pamelia, was basis for character Princess in Gene Stratton-
Porters book Laddie.