Alexander and Elizabeth became parents to firstborn Andrew in 1787 while living in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area. Unfortunately Andrew passed away in 1792, at the young age of five. History shows that mortality was high during this time period and children were particularly vulnerable. In western Pennsylvania, yellow fever, malaria, dysentery and smallpox were just a few of the diseases circulating the population. Hygiene was likely poor as was the ability to isolate from others in their cramped homes. There is a high probability that little Andrew suffered from one of these illnesses and met his demise.
Abigail was born in 1789 when baby Andrew was about two years of age. It is noteworthy to add that Abigail was not quite 3 years of age when her brother passed away, but nine years of age when her next sibling was born! It does leave the question of whether there were other infants miscarried, or stillborn to Alexander and Elizabeth during the lengthy time period between Abigail and her next surviving sibling, also named Andrew.
It’s hard to imagine the hardship and sadness that permeated the family of Alexander and Elizabeth during this season of their lives.
Abigail was most likely a big help to her parents with all of the children born into her family and her being the eldest surviving child after the death of Andrew in 1792. The family moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the early part of the 1800’s and according to records and Jane’s letter, four of Alexander and Elizabeth’s children were born in there, five counting the firstborn Andrew. Four more children were born after settling in Ohio. It was in Ohio that Abigail later met and married her husband, Robert Irwin Lisle. He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to parents John Bulmer Lisle, an Irish immigrant and Rachel Irwin, of Pennsylvania.
A very interesting and helpful resource is a book titled “The Lisles of Franklin County, Ohio”, written by Richard D. Lisle, a direct descendent of Robert Irwin Lisle, Abigail’s husband! The book describes what life may have been like for our ancestors in the early 1800’s, their land acquisitions and a full account of the related families. He also gives a brief historical account of the Lisle family name, their roots in Scotland and Ireland, and their connection to the Huguenot’s, protestants who fled France to escape persecution. It is a fascinating story and knowing it connects to our MacIntyre roots makes it even more enticing. There is a chapter and several references on our Alexander and Elizabeth, and it was in this book that I finally located where Elizabeth was buried. The book information can be found in the resource section. Richard D. Lisle passed away in 2020, at the age of 97.
When Robert’s father John Bulmer Lisle passed away on December 27, 1808, he left behind a well-crafted will, written a few weeks before his death. Robert was given a portion of his father’s property, livestock, a rifle and a saddle, all valuable items in those times. The property was on Big Walnut Creek in Fairfield. After Abigail and Robert were married on April 27, 1810, they settled there and wasted no time in adding to their family. Their firstborn son John was born on December 10, 1810. A second son was born in 1812 and named Alexander. Sadly, he passed away two years later in November of 1814, about six months after his little brother Samuel was born. Elizabeth was born in June of 1816 with Rebecca following in February of 1818, but passed away at one month old. Rachel then came along in January of 1819, followed by another brother named Eli. James Irwin was born in December of 1822 but did not survive to see his first birthday. On March 30, 1825 another little sister came into the family named Jane. Then Harvey was born over a year later in October of 1826. In December of 1828, Jeremiah was born, but he too did not live long, passing away at age 4. And lastly Andrew was born on September 30, 1830. In addition to their own twelve children, the Lisle’s raised a nephew, William Henry McIntyre, the infant son of Abigail’s brother Andrew McIntyre and his first wife Sarah Munger. Sarah died shortly after giving birth to William in 1840. Out of the twelve children born to Abigail and Robert, four of them, Alexander, Rebecca, James and Jeremiah passed away in infancy or early childhood.
Robert was also a Private during the War of 1812
As the eldest son , Robert took on the responsibility to look after and help raise and support his younger siblings. The family had already settled in Ohio (with a detour to Kentucky) when his father died. His father had purchased property on Big Walnut Creek which had been in his will to Robert and his siblings to divide. Robert had already moved to Hamilton Township near where Abigail and her family were living in Fairfield County. The pair soon met and later married. In 1805, Abigail’s father purchased property but by the time of Abigail and Robert’s marriage, on April 27, 1810, Alexander was in default and in danger of losing his farm. Robert stepped up and posted the bond for the land allowing Alexander to recover the farm. What a good son-in-law!! Robert later became one of the administrators for Alexander’s estate after he passed away in 1819.
ALEXANDER McINTYRE ESTATE
Fairfield County, Clearcreek Township
Proceeding J. Case Number 271
Initiated 31 Mar 1820. Completed 27 Oct 1827
It isn’t hard to imagine what a merry Christmas the extended McIntyre family enjoyed in December 1810. Alexander and Elizabeth were no longer in jeopardy of losing their farm, thanks to the generosity of their new son-in-law. They were enjoying a brand new grandson, and their younger children were happy to welcome their first baby cousin. Perhaps this scenario is a bit speculative, but it’s a warm and festive idea that I’m sticking with!!
The receipt below, dated October 1819 for one thousand dollars was issued for part of the money received for one quarter section (approximately 160 acres) of the land sale to Samuel Kirkwood. It was signed by both Samuel Kirkwood and marked by Elizabeth McIntyre. Further resolve in Alexander’s estate was made on October 17, 1864, by the son of Alexander and Elizabeth, also named Alexander with the following document:
Alexander McIntyre
Fairfield County, Clearcreek Township, Case 3885
Will Dated 17 Oct 1864
Book 5, Page 409
1st Pay all my just debts and charges against my estate
2nd All the residue, real and personal I leave to my sister Edith McIntyre, except for my buggy and harness which she can dispose of as she sees fit
3rd Should I survive my said sister Edith McIntyre all property real and personal is to be sold at public sale and divided between my brother Andrew McIntyre of the State of Indiana Richard McIntyre of the State of Indiana and the heirs of my brother John McIntyre (He being dead) of the State of Illinois and the heirs of my sister Abigail Lisle (She being dead) of the State of Ohio
4th Should my sister not need all my property she be directed to sell unwanted property to pay for just debts,
2 July 1864
Alexander McIntyre. SEAL Filed, 7 Oct. 1864
A few clarifications in the above document written by the younger Alexander McIntyre. According to one of Jane’s letters, she described Edith as a “cripple”. It is not known as to the nature of her disability, most likely a birth defect or result of a childhood disease or even an accident affecting her functionality. What is known through census records and Jane’s letters and the above document, she was taken care of by her family, most notably, her brother Alexander. At the time of the writing of this will, Abigail and her husband Robert Lisle had passed away, both in 1862. Their surviving heirs at this time would have been daughters Elizabeth and Rachel and their sons John, Eli, Harvey and Andrew. The nephew they raised, William Henry McIntyre was still alive, however it is not known if he was directly affected as his birth father, Abigail’s brother Andrew was also still living and had a large estate. However, as will be discussed in a future post, Andrew died intestate. William Henry passed away in 1885, less than a decade after his father Andrew. The other brother mentioned, Richard McIntyre, passed away in December 1865, and had a number of children through his three wives. Two of his four daughters with his late first wife were still living, his son from the late second wife died soon after birth and all of his six children except one were still alive when this will was produced. More in Richard’s life in an upcoming post!
These two images of Harvey and John Lisle, grandsons of Alexander McIntyre are the oldest photos I have of our family, offering a hint of how our Scottish ancestors may have looked. I can see the likeness of many in our family, the fair complexion, high cheekbones and prominent brow.
After a long and sometimes difficult life, Abigail McIntyre and Robert Lisle passed away within weeks of each other in the spring of 1862.
Rest peacefully dear ones.