Meet the Family of Alexander and Elizabeth
Alexander and Elizabeth started their family in Pennsylvania, soon after they arrived in this country. It is unclear where the couple were married as the records are somewhat ambiguous. Some in the family believe they may have been cousins, but that is also unclear. We will likely never know for certain!
Their firstborn was named Andrew, born in Pennsylvania, in 1787. Not much is known of his short life, as he passed away in 1792. Abigail was born July 27, 1789, followed by another son in 1798, also named Andrew. John was born on December 22, 1801 quickly followed by Rebecca in 1802. According to Jane McIntyre’s letter to Martin McIntire verify these first children were all born in Pennsylvania. The family then migrated west shortly after Rebecca’s birth after purchasing some land in Ohio. Edith was born soon after they resettled in 1804, however the 1850 Ohio census where she was living with her brother Andrew (born in 1798) states she was born in Pennsylvania. The next child, Richard was born on October 18, 1805 in Fairfield County, Ohio. Alexander “Alex” was born several years later early in 1808. Isaac was born in 1812.
Very little is known of how Alexander was able to support his fast growing family. Jane wrote that he kept a tavern and some early tax records indicate he was a shoe maker. In her letter of 1925 Jane wrote that
“Grandfather was married in Scotland and came to Penn. in early days and tomahawked around a large body of land and stayed there until the three oldest children was born and then came to Ohio”.
The meaning of “tomahawked around” has been puzzling to many family researchers familiar with Jane’s letters, but the general consensus is that it means doing odd jobs in trade for wares. However another explanation comes from a book titled “Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania, A Copious Selection of the Most Interesting Facts, Traditions, Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes, Etc” by Sherman Day and published by George W. Gorton. Edna Hall Miller, my second cousin who generously passed along many records and photocopies including this gem from her relentless research long before the days of the internet! I find the following idea of what a “tomahawk right” might have been gives credence to Alexander’s activity given the early 1800’s time frame and that he and other settlers were eager to make their claims and security in land. Mr. Day writes:
“There was, at an early period of our settlements, an inferior kind of land title denominated a “tomahawk right” which was made by deadening a few trees near the head of a spring, and marking the bark of some one or more of them with the initials of the name of the person who made the improvement. I have no knowledge of the efficacy of the tomahawk improvement, or whether it conferred any right whatever, unless followed by an actual settlement. These rights, however were often bought and sold. Those who wished to make settlements on their favorite tracts of land, bought up the tomahawk improvements, rather than enter into quarrels with those who had made them. Other improvers of the land, with a view to actual settlement, and who happened to be stout veteran fellows, took a very different course from that of purchasing the “tomahawk rights”. When annoyed by the claimants under those rights, they deliberately cut a few good hickories, and gave them what was called in those days a “laced jacket”, that is a sound whipping”. (p. 337)
Alexander did purchase land by Patent from the US government on July 19, 1805 for $320.00, however he defaulted on his payments and nearly lost the property. Sometime around the 1810 marriage of his daughter Abigail to Robert Lisle, a well known family in the community, the required payment to secure the farm from foreclosure was posted. Alexander died nearly 10 years later, intestate, but once again Robert posted bond and became one of the administrators for his father-in-laws estate. Two other men familiar with the families also signed. A receipt of a thousand dollars was received for one quarter Section of Land Sale to Samuel Kirkwood and was signed with a mark by Elizabeth McIntyre, Alexander’s widow.
As mentioned previously there is a common story told within our family of Alexander’s death. (As my Grandmother, Frances Meyer McIntire liked to say, “I know I told this story before, but I’d like to hear it again!). Jane also mentioned the story to Martin in her letter. (It is a good story!) It is surmised Alexander went on a journey looking for property and found himself in Missouri, just outside of St. Louis in what is now known as Femme Osage. He became ill and took refuge near the homestead of Daniel Boone, but unfortunately he passed away. The story claims he was buried in one of the coffins that Daniel Boone had previously had made for perhaps his own use. Daniel Boone died on September 26, 1820, nearly a year later after a season of ill health. It is said that Alexander was buried somewhere on the Boone property. Supposedly Elizabeth and her children went looking for him when long after he was expected to return. When they arrived at Boone’s property they were told of his death and soon prepared to return back home to Ohio. I have searched for confirmation of this story, even contacting the Daniel Bone Historical Society however have not reached any substantive information to verify or reject this notion. Jane’s recall of the incident in her 1920 letter to Martin, was over a century beyond the event. However, her father Andrew was likely with his mother, as he was the eldest son and not yet married to his first wife. It would have fallen to his duty to have accompanied his mother on this journey. Being a first-hand witness may have left such an impression that this story was likely repeated to his own children. Jane was one of the last born, to his second wife, so many siblings to also repeat the story! Of course, it is quite speculative, but our family enjoys a good and reasonably sound story and it is my desire to embrace the folklore as part of our heritage! As you can see in this excerpt of Jane’s letter, she referred to “Grandfather” as Isaac, most likely an error in her aging memory of long ago events or perhaps she only knew Alexander as “Grandther”.
“Our grandfather McIntire was born and raised in Scotland and his wife and cousin, Elizabeth McBride in Ireland, just over the line. They came to Penn. in the early day and stayed there until their four oldest children were born and came to Ohio leaving a large body of land homesteaded in Ohio. They kept a tavern and grandfather later came to Missouri to get more land, leaving his family behind who came later and when they came to his place he was dead. They went to his grave and camped until morning and turned back. (Isaac) McIntire was with Daniel Boone and was layed (sic) to rest in one of Daniel Boone’s coffins”.
Jane McIntire Carpenter 1921 letter to Martin Luther McIntire
After Alexander’s death, Elizabeth stayed in Franklin County, Ohio continuing to raise the younger children. Abigail and Robert Lisle were already married and started their family. Andrew married in December of 1820 and soon added children to his marriage as well. John was still living at home and was about 19 when his father passed away. Rebecca had already passed away in 1817 at the age of 15. Edith was “a cripple” so was at home being cared for by her mother, as were the youngest of Richard, Alexander “Alex” and Isaac. More on all of Alexander and Elizabeth’s children in the future. Some of their stories are quite interesting!
The headstone of Elizabeth McBride McIntire, wife of Alexander marks where she lies in rest. She died on August 7, 1838 and is buried in Tarlton Cemetery, Tarlton, Pickaway County, Ohio, a long way from her birth home of Scotland