Contributed by Donna (Maxwell) Tivener
Here is some family information on some Jeff Co families. I do not have the book where the information is located, someone sent me the pages (copies) many years ago. I assume it is in the Jeff Co county history books.
Early Pioneers of Jefferson County Ohio.
Pionner Days...pg. 136-137
JACOB WALKER, born of Protestant parents near Londonderry, Ireland in 1755. He was the youngest of ten children and learned the weaver’s trade. He had trouble with his brother regarding the sale of linen he wove so he ran away from home and sailed as a stowaway for America in 1773. During the voyage they were overhauled by an English vessel and at that time they pressed all single men into the British Army. Having become acquainted with a young lady on board, Jacob Walker prevailed upon her to swear that she was his wife which she consented to do and thus he was saved from being forced into the service of Great Britain. When the ship arrived at Baltimore the captain would not let him land, as he had shipped as a stowaway, until his passage money was paid. he sent for an uncle who lived in Baltimore who agreed to pay his fare with the understanding that he was to work for his uncle for six months. This he agreed to do and by driving a dray he was able to repay the loan and save a little money for himself besides. After a time he decided to hunt for a home in the great west. So he started alone and afoot with what little money he had saved in his pocket, a gun on his shoulder and a few necessities tied up in a handkerchief. he came west by way of Fort Pitt, and arrive in the Ohio Valley in April of 1774, at the farm of Harmon Greathouse, which was later owned by D. J. Sinclair, Cyrus Ferguson and others. He aided Mr. Greathouse in clearing about three acres of land where the tri-state traction barn is now located. They cleared the land, planted corn, and raised the crop without horse or plow. During the summer he bought of Mr. Greathouse 400 acres of land for which he paid 15 cents per acre. On this he built a log cabin and deadened three trees near a spring indicating his ownership and title. That fall he went back to Baltimore and married Margaret Guthrie, remaining in that city until the severe winter months were over. In the spring of 1775 he bought a horse and they started back to his farm, she riding the horse and he walking, bringing with them all they possessed. After a long and tedious journey, they arrived at their cabin, he went on ahead and broke down the weeds and told Margaret that was her home. None could blame her that, womanlike, after viewing the desolate prospect she sat down and had a good cry. They stayed for seven months at Fort Decker, which was located where Broad Street now is in Follansbee, and during the winter they stayed out on the farm. Each day when he went to his clearing he took a soldier to stand guard against the Indians while he plowed. Jacob Walker raised a family of six children, five girls and one boy. His wife died 5 Sept. 1819, and he died 6 May 1845. His oly son, John Walker was born in 1783, and he married Sarah Abraham in 1808 and they moved to Ohio in 1825. They bought a farm then owned by his wife’s people, now known as Walker farm south of the Union Cemetery in Steubenville, Ohio. The original barn is still standing on this property and is over one hundred years old. John & Sarah Abraham Walker had a family of eleven children, , five sons and six daughters. His wife died 2 Apr. 1845; he died 18 Sept. 1871. Alexander Walker was the youngest child, and was born 3 April. 1832. He married Margaretta Workman in 1852 and they had eleven children, five sons and six daughters, the four youngest being twins. Alexander Walker died 25 May 1909 on the farm where he was born and had spent his entire life since 1832. His wife died in 1901. Jacob Walker, the pioneer, took a “Tomahawk” claim on what is now the site of Steubenville in 1775, and Foster Walker a descendant, has the original map in his possession.
JOHN JOHNSTON
Pages 103-104
Nestled among the hills west of this city is the Johnston Farm purchased from Bazaleel Wells in 1798 and the family and their descendants have lived on it ever s since. It is said to have been one of the first three large parcels of farm land sold by Wells in this vicinity. The family originally came from Annandale, Scotland, and Sir John Johnston is said to be one of their ancestors. It is a family tradition that Sir Walter Scott referred to their family when he wrote the lines; “Among the glades of Annandale The gentle Johnston's ride; They have been there a thousand years, A thousand more they’ll bide.” The first of the family to come to this country was John Johnston who ran away from home to seek his fortune when he was only sixteen years old. He went to the city of Baltimore , and when the Revolutionary War broke out he enlisted. As the army was on the march they passed through Path Valley, Maryland, and his company stopped at a farm house for water. The young daughter of the house, Ann Almeny by name, stood in the doorway and after taking one good look at her, John Johnston vowed that if he returned alive from the war, he would make her his wife. And it is pleasing to relate, that after receiving his discharge he was able to make good his vow. One of his descendants said that all the graces and virtues of the Johnston's were to traced to this Southern girl. They came to Steubenville late in the 17th century and located on the beautiful farm among the hills where they brought up their family of seven sons and two daughters. One of the sons was William and about the year 1814 he took a load of salt to the “Cross Keys Tavern” which was kept by Col. Todd and was located on the north side of Market Street where later Garrett’s Hall stood and now the Rex Theatre. There he saw the beautiful Rosanna Todd, who in the romantic language of that day, was called “The Rose of Steubenville.” Like his father before him, it was a case of love at first sight when he saw the woman he as to marry. After one day’s courtship, the young man asked her to marry him, telling her to think it over and he would be back in about a month for his answer. He returned on the day appointed and her answer was ‘Yes.” So the young couple crossed the river, to Squire Daniel O’Neill and he married them. Little Rosanna was sixteen years old on her wedding day. When they returned home, and made their announcement, Col. Todd was much displeased and said, “My daughter must be married under my roof in the presence of her parents and friends.” So a hurry call was sent to friends and neighbors and a second ceremony was preformed on the same day; the second time it was witnessed by a goodly company. They young couple located their home on the west side of Market Street, across from the Tavern, and near the home of Dr. David Stanton and his wife, Lucy Norman Stanton. Shortly after Mrs. Stanton’s little son was born, she was very ill for a long time, so Mrs. Johnston took the baby home and nursed and card for him for many weeks, as she had a baby of her own the same age. When she first took him home he had only two little calico slips as his mother’s illness had prevented her from sewing for him. But Mrs. Johnston was an expert needlewomen and her skillful fingers soon replenished his wardrobe. The Johnston family had a patchwork quilt which contained many pieces of Edwin M. Stanton’s baby dresses. When Mrs. Stanton recovered sufficiently to care for her child, she asked Mrs. Johnston, since she had been a foster mother to him, to do her the honor of naming him. Mrs. Johnston had two names she like, Anson and Edwin, but she wisely concluced that Edwin sounded better with Stanton, so she gave him that name little dreaming that it was later to be one of the great names in our country’s history. A son of William & Rosanna Todd Johnston by name of John, married Margaretta Permar of another old pioneer family. They were married in 1849 and had a family of eight children, five girls and three boys. The sons of the family have passed away but four unmarried daughters live on the old Johnston farm and the fifth sister, Mrs. Maxwell resides in Steubenville. These ladies have wonderful memories of events of olden times and one of their cherished possessions is a large turkey platter of English ware which in former years was used in the “Cross Keys Tavern.” Col. Todd was most genial and popular host and his hospitality to weary travelers made the place famous. In Union Cemetery are the graves of Edward Todd, 1762-1843, and Elizabeth S. Todd, 1768-1855. Johnny Appleseed, a noted character of that day was a frequent visitor. Col. Todd came to this section from Pennsylvania after the Whiskey Insurrection. He had five daughters, one of whom married Mr. James Turnbull, another married Mr. Robert Hanlin, another a Mr. O’Neill, another Mr. William Findley and the fifth, Rosanna became the wife of William Johnston.
SPENCER & ORR FAMILIES
Page 104-105.
There came to Steubenville, in the year 1804, Captain Hutton Rowe Spencer, a young English officer of the “Royal First Battalion.” he brought with him his young wife, whom he had married in 1799. Her name was Alicia Courtneay, a cultured and highly educated Irish girl, who married the English soldier without her father’s consent. They came to America in 1803 an done year later came to Steubenville. They had a daughter, Catherine who was one of the belles of the day and like her beautiful mother, she, too, married without consent of her guardian, which action gave great offense to her English ancestors. She married John D. Slck, who was one of the most prosperous young merchants of the city. Her father had died about three years after coming here, and James Hening was appointed her guardian. Mr. Slack had three large stores, and it is said he went east for his stock of goods on horseback, and they were brought back over the mountains by wagons. Hon. Thomas Spencer, long a prominent lawyer at the Steubenville bar, was a descendant of the dashing English officer. Mrs. Spencer, with her three daughters, Mary, Elizabeth and Gracia live in the homestead on North Fourth Street. Another daughter Helen Spencer Wassell lives on Long Island. It is said that the patriotism of the United States so entered the soul of the young Englishmen, that eventually his brilliant red coat, worn so proudly while in the service of Great Britain, was cheerfully contributed to dress a “scarecrow” out in the cornfield. In Two Ridges Cemetery is the grave of Captain Hutton Rowe Spencer, born 1770, died 1807. The James Hening mentioned above was one of two brothers who came here about 1805 from Winchester, Virginia. James & Robert Hening were considered to be at the height of the aristocracy of that day, and were in great demand at social gatherings. It is said of Robert that he was always faultlessly attired as follows: white silk hat, blue broadcloth coat, linen frills, and shoes of a marvelous shine, and was never seen on the street without his umbrella. He carried on a general merchandise business on lower Market Street, on the northeast corner of Marker and High. Mrs. Thomas Spencer was a member of another old pioneer family, the Hayes family who had come to Steubenville from Rochester, New York. Mrs. Emma Hayes Putnam, a sister, married Dr. T. J. Putnam and their home is in Springfield, Mass. A brother, Charles Hayes was a popular resident of this city (Steubenville), but his business connections caused him to locate in the east.