Richard, son of Alexander and Elizabeth
Keeping with the McIntire tradition of producing large families throughout several marriages, Richard comes close to passing up his older brother Andrews’ record! So bear with me as we highlight his wives and children through this next path of our MacIntyre Journey!
Richard was the seventh child of Alexander and Elizabeth, born on October 18, 1805. His birth occurred during the family transition of moving from Pennsylvania to Ohio making his birth location in question. The family had certainly settled into Ohio life by 1808, but in all probability they were in their Fairfield County home soon after his birth. Richard was welcomed with five living older brothers and sisters so his parents had plenty of assistance in his care. Two of his sisters were only a few years older than himself, making baby and toddler care an ongoing and priority job! Based on the letters of Jane McIntire written to Martin McIntire many years later, those two sisters, Rebecca and Edith had some disabilities requiring more care as well.
Sovenia, the First Wife
As his siblings grew and married, some moved away from Clearcreek, Ohio where his parents had settled many years prior. His father, Alexander had passed away in 1819 and his mother, Elizabeth in 1838. On March 11, 1832, Richard married Sovenia Sidener, daughter of Nicholas and Nancy Cline Sidener. The couple remained in Fairfield County for nearly ten years after their marriage. Four daughters were born, Nancy in 1834, Mary Jane in 1835, Elizabeth in 1837 followed by Jemima in August of 1841.
In a self-published family history book titled “The Story of a Dozen Generations” by Orrin Wade Sidener, he wrote that Sovenia Sidener was the sixth child of Nicholas and Nancy Cline Sidener, born on February 5, 1807. She grew up on a farm in Fairfield County, near Tarlton, Ohio. No doubt the family knew the McIntire’s as they grew up in the same community. Sovenia married Richard McIntire, on March 11, 1832 and the couple stayed near family in Fairfield through the birth of their three eldest daughters. The family then migrated to the border of Clinton and Boone Counties, in Indiana close to where Richard’s elder brother Andrew and his family with first wife Sally had settled around the same time. Richard and Sovenia then had a fourth child born in May of 1839 but this infant did not survive. Their fifth child, another daughter named Jemima, was born in August of 1841. Birth records indicated she was born in Ohio, so the family may still have been in transition or quite simply had not been able to record her birth. She was only to be held in her mothers arms for a month before Sovenia left the world. In the prime of her life, Sovenia passed away on September 12, 1841 when Jemima was only one month old. She is buried in the McIntire cemetery, located near Kirklin, Indiana. Orrin Sidener wrote in his book that “Sovenia is said to have been an energetic and accomplished lady of talents and admired by all who knew her. She was said to possess a most lovable personality and very thoughtful of her family, loyal to her many friends and neighbors. It was a great loss to her family, her church and the community when she passed away” (p 473). This devastating news ironically followed on the heals of Andrew’s first wife Sally Moninger passing away shortly after the birth of their son William in 1840. So these two brothers, both recently widowed and recently resettled in Indiana also both remarried in quick order! Andrew and his new wife Rebecca Bogan married on December 29, 1841 in Clinton, Indiana while Richard and his new wife, Phebe Marsh Titus married on May 10, 1842 in Boone County, Indiana. Both brothers welcomed a child soon after their marriages, Joseph was born to Andrew and Rebecca and Richard born to Richard and Phebe.
Phebe Marsh Titus, the Second Wife
Richard and Phebe married May 10, 1842
Baby Richard born in March, 1843
Phebe died on August 11, 1843
Baby Richard died on October 5, 1843
Richard was faced with the unthinkable when his new wife Phebe committed suicide by cutting her throat. She was found on a pile of straw with a razor in her lap. This horrifying scenario was the culmination of her making threats to their baby and herself a day prior. The following are records are from the inquest into her death. I have typed them as they were recorded, with a few exceptions, in the spelling and punctuation of the times.
STATE OF INDIANA, CLINTON COUNTY
Julian Nelson Touching the Death of Phebe McIntire I Said Julian Nelson Deposeth and Sayeth that I have been Employed in the Service of said Phebe McIntire and that on the Night of the 9th, Insane she appeared to be somewhat Inane so that She threatened the Destruction of her child by tearing it in pieces and by Burning of it up. And on the Same Night She Drew out of the fireplace fire with her bear hands and Said She would Burn herself up. But was prevented By her husband. On the Day following I Saw her when she was found lying Dead on a pile of Straw near the house of her said husband’s wit the case of a Reizor in her lap her throat cut and that I verily believe that said Phebe committed suicide upon herself and also that she was insane at the time.
Given under my hand and seal this 11th Day of August 1843
Signed,
Julian Nelson
THE EVIDENCE OF WILLIAM TITUS
at Richard McIntire’s August 11, 1843 and that his wife Phebe McEntire Got out of the head and went out of Door and was shortly after followed by said Titus, said McEntire and we found with hir Throat cut with a Rasor in her lap and he Verily believes that she had killed herself and that Said Titus said that he believes that She was Insain at the time.
Signed, William Titus
STATE OF INDIANA
COUNTY, CLINTON
I William Nelson of said County Same on the morning of the 11th Day of August 1843 Same with others Phebe McIntire lying dead near the house of Richard McIntire her husband with a razor near her with which Instrument I Verily believe She committed Suicide upon her self I also believe that said Phebe McIntire was Insane at the time.
Signed, William Nelson
I Abraham Barnam Do Hereby Testify to the Same with William Nelson and Abraham E Burnham.
STATE OF INDIANA
CLINTON COUNTY
We Julian Nelson Sen and Polly Asher Deposeth and Sayeth that on the 11 Day of August 1843 we saw with others Phebe McIntire Lying Dead with her throat cut which we verily believe she perpetrated upon her self we also (‘Drefred’, maybe meant ‘dragged’?) and layed her out and could see no other apparent cause of her Death for there Depose (thus) Sayeth Not
Given under out hand the Day and Dat aforesaid
Signed by Julian Nelson and Polly Asher
This undated statement is signed and sealed by the Jurors in the case:
STATE OF INDIANA, CLINTON COUNTY
To Wit:
An (in)quisition Taken at the Dwelling house of Richard McIntire of Kirklin Township in the County of Clinton on the Eleventh Day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty three Before James Hollcraft a Justice of the Peace of said County upon view of the Body of Phebe McIntire then and there lying Dead Upon the Path of Abraham Hollcraft, John Hefner, Oliver Whitiker, William Graham, Israel Wills, John McDowell sen., Edward McMiller, Isaac Miller, John Foster, Thomas Asher, John Williams and Allen Williams. Jurors of the Township aforesaid whos being Sworn Diligently to inquire how and in what a manner and by whome the said Phebe McIntire came to her death. Upon their Paths Do Say That the said Phebe McIntire at a certain old Stack Near the Dwelling house of Richard McIntire’s her husband in the Township and County aforesaid the said Phebe McIntire being there and there alone with a certain sharp Raisor of the value of twenty five cents which shw there and then held in her hand And then and there with the Raisor aforesaid She the Said Phebe McIntire Voluntarily Cut her own throat with the Raisor aforesaid So we the Jurors aforesaid upon Our Oath afore said Do that she said Phebe McIntire Then and there in manner and form aforesaid as a felon of herself Did there and then Did feloniously willfully and of her malice afore thought cut her own throat aforesaid Will and Murder herself against the Peace and Dignity of the State of Indiana.
On Testimony whereof We the Jurors aforesaid have here unto severally Set Our hands and Seals the day and year above written.
Signed and Sealed by the Jurors and Received by me. James Hollcraft JP
Signed by:
A. Hollcraft, Foreman
John Hefner
Thomas Asher
John Willliams
Alon Williams
Oliver Whitiker
William Graham
Israel Wills
John McDowell Sen.
Edward McMiller
Isaac Miller
John Foste
Fairfield County Courthouse, most likely the location of the Inquisition of Phebe McIntire's death
What began as a hopeful start to a new life after Sovenia’s death, the welcoming of Phebe into his household of young daughters and soon addition of a newborn son, quickly turned into a horrifying and heartbreaking nightmare. The chilling witness testimonies of Phebe’s troubling behavior and gruesome discovery of her body is no wonder how Richard’s little daughters were traumatized by this experience. Knowing they were sent to live with family members in Clearcreek, Ohio is of some comfort. However what transpired next is mostly left to speculation, especially with the care of baby Richard. His little life had been threatened by his mother and although his older half-sisters, were no strangers to basic baby care, they were likely traumatized by the outbursts and threats their stepmother made leading up to her suicide. Seven years later, Richard’s daughters Nancy and Elizabeth are found in the 1850’s census living with Alex and his sister Edith in Clearcreek, Ohio. Further, Solvenia Sidener’s half sister was also living in Clearcreek, Ohio where in the 1850 census shows his other two daughters, Mary Jane and Jemima living with them. Since Richard’s daughters were being cared for by family members after this tragedy, it seems quite likely that someone took in baby Richard. Sadly the little one passed away in October of the same year, 1843 and is buried in McIntire Cemetery near Kirklin, Indiana. In addition to Richard’s above losses, his older brother John also passed away in March of 1843 due to a prolonged illness brought on by his living conditions in the Civil War. He and his wife Henrietta and their children were living in Fairfield County, Ohio near where their mother Elizabeth had lived before her passing in 1838. John was four years older than Richard, having two sisters born between them. After this terrible season of loss, Richard met and married a woman named Jane Nealis, on January 6, 1847 in Clinton County, Indiana.
Jane Nealis, the Third Wife
Richard most certainly needed some time to mend his very broken heart and did not remarry until January 6, 1847 nearly four years later. By this time his daughters were growing up with Nancy aged 13, Mary Jane 12, Lizzie 10 and Jemima 6. The girls were all settling into their new homes with family in Clearcreek and some records hint that they may have returned back to Indiana later, By the 1860 census, the only one of his daughters living with him was Jemima, the baby born right before her mother Sovenia passed away. Nancy married in 1852, in Indiana, so it is possible she was back home for a short time. Mary Jane married in 1855 also in Clinton, Indiana. “Lizzie” passed away in 1855 and is buried in McIntire Cemetery in Indiana.
Jane Nealis became wife number 3, and she was young enough to produce more family into the Richard McIntire household! First born to the couple was Amorette born in 1847, followed by Sovenia on May 15, 1848, and finally a little boy they named Truman, born on November 6, 1849, Sarah Mary born on March 27, 1852 with Amanda Edith born two years later on April 8, 1854. June of 1856 brought another baby (unknown name or gender) who did not live but less than two years, passing away on March 8, 1858. But little Laura Frances joined the family on May 26 of 1858, a little over two months since loosing the baby born nearly two years prior.
In all, Richard fathered thirteen children with his three wives, nine daughters, two sons and two unknown (to us) genders! Not quite as many children as his brother Andrew, who fathered fourteen children between two wives, but a very close second! With both families living in close proximity, I only imagine what fun the family picnics and holiday celebrations might have been!
All of Richard's Children and Grandchildren
The children born to Richard and his first wife Sovenia Sidener were Nancy, who first married David Trimble Nealis (no apparent relationship to Richard’s third wife). Nancy and David had three children, Mary Elizabeth born and died in 1853. Sovenia Edith was born June of 1855 but died on February 7 of 1856. The grieving couple welcomed a son, Richard Alexander on July 3, 1857. Richard lived to adulthood, married and bore 3 children! Nancy’s husband David passed away on August 14, 1871. She remarried Linus Fulkerson later in their lives on November 10, 1887 where they enjoyed a few years of time together before she passed away in 1901.
Mary Jane was the second child born to Richard and Sovenia, on May 12, 1835. She married James Calvin Clark on August 7, 1855 and welcomed a little girl in their Clinton County home on their third wedding anniversary August 7, 1858! They named her Eva Belle, however when she was only four years old, her mother passed away in 1862 and her father remarried a few years later. The 1870’s census shows Eva living with her grandfather Alexander Clark and his new wife Nancy in Clinton County.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” was born two years after Mary Jane on Nov 13, 1837 but passed at her young age of 18, in 1855.
Richard and his second wife Phebe Marsh Titus only had one child, a son Richard who died shortly after his mother died in 1843.
Richard and his third wife Jane Nealis first welcomed Amorette, born in 1847. She passed away at the age of fourteen on April 19, 1861.
Sovenia Ann was born into the family on May 15, 1848. Sovenia married Pvt. Henry Edward Miller in 1867 and the couple blessed Richard and Jane with three grandchildren, named Nettie, Bert and Oliver.
Truman was born on November 6, 1849 and married Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Coombs on October 31, 1852. Truman and Lizzie had three surviving sons named James born in 1873, Richard in 1880 and Bennie in 1887, and and infant that passed away at birth in 1877. Bennie passed away from tuberculosis at the age of 17.
Sarah Mary was born on March 27, 1852. On March 24, 1869 she married Thomas Douglas Russell, the son of a prominent family in Indiana. He was a farmer, served in the Civil War twice. Sarah and Thomas had two children, a daughter named Captola born in December of 1869 and a son named Oscar born in 1873. Sarah passed away on October 22, 1876. Thomas remarried in 1883 to Mary Martha McIntyre, no relation. More about Thomas may be found on Google Books or by clicking the link here:
A Portrait and Biographical Record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. p. 851
And finally, the many young deaths in this family brings to question what may have been a sanitary or epidemiology cause. In the absence of family records, diaries or letters to lend a hint we can only guess. In the mid 1800’s people settled where there was water, which was used for all of their daily chores, farming, animals, drinking, washing and cooking. If you are likewise curious to what might have been a probable cause of the prevailing deaths, especially with the children, mothers and newborns, then this link may provide some answers. The article is an interesting and academic glimpse into what the many sanitary challenges our ancestors were being faced with during this time period, and unknown to them. Who knows how Richard’s family members were actually taken down, but birth, childbirth and young life is as vulnerable as it gets if clean water is not readily available.