Generation No 1

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=94 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC;" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Devorss Network</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >     </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> |    </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Devorss Network">home</A></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>back to:     </B></FONT><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Family History">Our Family History</A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Descendants Devorss Family ">Descendants - Devorss Family </A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Familys Ancestry ">My Family's Ancestry </A></div> <div> <B>Generation No 1</B>   |   <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 2">No 2</A>   |   <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 3">No 3</A>   |   <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 4">No 4</A>   |   <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 5">No 5</A>   |   <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 6">No 6</A>   |   <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No7">No7</A>   |   <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 8">No 8</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=386 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <A NAME="backto_____our_family_history______"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >Generation No 1</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Descendants of Daniel DeVorss</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1.  DANIEL</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>1</B></FONT><B> DEVORSS was born 1769 in PA?, and died 1844 in Buchanan Co., MO.  He married RUTH.  She was born Bet. 1760 - 1770 in PA?, and died Bet. 1830 - 1840 in Twin Twp., Ross Co., OH.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Notes for DANIEL DEVORSS:</B></div> <div> <B>Descendants of 2 of Daniel's sons (Joseph and Daniel) were told the family was French Huguenot. Descendants of his son John believe the family to have been Dutch.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>He is thought to be the son of Joseph DeVause/DeVaus/DeVoss who died ca 1794 in what is now East Huntington Township, Westmoreland Co., PA. There is plenty of circumstantial evidence for this assumption, but no proof.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>His siblings may have been (again no proof) John DeVoss, Joseph DeVoss Jr., Catherine DeVoise Deringer, and Elizabeth DeVorse Bryan.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Found in the 1790 Federal census for Plum Township, Allegheny Co., PA as Daniel Devaus, one white male over 16, one white male under 16, and one female. (Zephaniah and Elizabeth DeVorse Bryan moved to Plum Township, Allegheny Co., PA about 1789.)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Daniel Divowece is listed on the master roll of a detachment of militia serving on the frontiers of Allegheny Co., PA under the command of Capt. Thomas McMullen from August 28 to October 3, 1792. (Son Joseph's name spelled Devowese on marriage certificate 1811 Ross Co., OH.)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The 1793 tax list for Mason Co., KY contains the name Daniel DeVorsse. Daniel DeVorss is listed as an appraiser on the estate inventory of Christopher Pitzer in 1797 in Mason Co., KY.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>There are several references to Daniel DeVoss in the history books of Ross Co., OH, not all of them completely accurate. Two are important; George VinsonHaller and Abijah Flora were two of the first settlers of Twin Township; and among the first settlers in Heller's/Haller's Bottom on Paint Creek were Peter Shanks, Alex. Johnston, Thomas Ladd, George Kilgore, Philip Maston, Robert McMahon, and Daniel DeVoss.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>In a history of Ross and Highland Counties (OH) published in 1880 - A grist mill was erected by Job Harness on Paint Creek south of where Bourneville now stands, about 1807 or 1808. The millstones were made by Daniel Devoss out of a couple of 'hard heads' found in the vicinity. (Job Harness officiated at the wedding of Daniel's son, also a Daniel.) The book also mentions that Daniel led a posse of his neighbors  on a bear hunt. It seems that the settlers had to put their sows under their houses for safe keeping, but the bears would come around at night  and the settlers would be awakened by the sound of squealing piglets. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The following quote from The Story of Bourneville by J. Rodney Gragg is thought to be in error. (Rebecca DeVoss may have been a niece of Daniel's.)      ...Rebecca (DeVoss) was a member of a prominent family, one of whom was her brother, Daniel DeVoss of the DeVoss or Spruce Hill. Dan DeVoss had the first apple orchard in Twin Township. In a good apple year, as he came to the Dehart Mill on Paint Creek, he would be accosted by the youngsters of that time with a greeting of "Good Morning, Mr. DeVoss, or "Howdy, Mr. DeVoss", and so on. One time after being so greeted he said, "Yes it's Mr. DeVoss now, since it is a good apple year, but last year with no apples you all said, there goes blue-bellied Dan."</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Daniel DeVorss purchased from Henry Massie 104 1/2 acres on the waters of Paint Creek in Twin Township, Ross Co., OH on July 18, 1806. Tax records for 1806-1810 spelled his name DeVorse.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>On March 16, 1812 Daniel DeVoss purchased 29 acres and 2 rods on the waters of Paint Creek in Twin Township, Ross Co., OH from George Vinsonhaler. (Daniel's land adjoined that of George's brother Jacob. George's son, also named Jacob, went to northwest MO--Forest City and Oregon in Holt Co., which is where one of Daniel's sons went. It is also noteworthy that the first  5 children of George Vinsonhaler were born 1793-January 1800 in Mason Co., KY. ) </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Daniel DeVoss purchased another 104 1/2 acres in Twin Township from Henry Massie on June 20, 1815. This land was on the south side of Paint Creek. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Daniel's name was spelled DeVoss on the 1816-1818 tax rolls and in the 1820 and 1830 Federal census.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Daniel DeVoss and Daniel DeVoss, Jr. appeared before the Board of Trustees of Twin township, Ross Co., OH in 1818.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>1820 Twin Twp., Ross Co., OH census:</B></div> <div> <B>Daniel DeVoss, age 45+, 1 female age 45+, 2 males age 16-26, 2 females age 16-26, 1 male under 10 and 1 female under 10. One of the young men would have been Daniel's son, William, but it is unclear who the others are. They may have included his son Daniel, wife Mary, and their first two children.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>In the Richard Clough Anderson Papers at the University of Illinois is material relating to the bounty lands of the Virginia Military District in KY and OH. These entries could be Daniel or his son Daniel, or they could be someone else entirely. There are 2 entries of interest in folder 60 (January to July 1822):</B></div> <div> <B>     #13. A. C. Looker to Daniel Devoise. Requests giving bearer, John Woolcut, mare left in his      keeping. March 12, 1822.</B></div> <div> <B>     #14. Article of agreement. Allison Looker sold fifty acres, $111, to Daniel Devoise. March 12,      1822.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>1830 Twin Twp., Ross Co., OH census:</B></div> <div> <B>Daniel DeVoss age 60-70, 1 female age 60-70</B></div> <div> <B>(The next entry is Daniel's son, William.)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>On January 10, 1831 Daniel DeVorss and wife Ruth sold the 104 1/2 acres of that was purchased in 1815 to John Reeves. A survey for this land dated October 10 and 16, 1830 bears the names Thomas Reeves, Nathan Freshour and John Freshour, possibly as witnesses. It is thought they were neighbors.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>1840 Twin Twp., Ross Co., OH census:</B></div> <div> <B>Daniel DeVois age 60-70, 1 female age 50-60</B></div> <div> <B>(Was there a mistake in the 1830 census, or is this another woman?)</B></div> <div> <B>William DeVois is the next person on the census.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Note: There was a subscription school in Twin Township, Ross Co., OH as early as 1803, so Daniel's children may have had some education, particularly the younger ones. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Sons Daniel Jr. and Joseph were in Buchanan Co., MO in 1840, but son John was still in the Pickaway Co., OH census in 1840. There are conflicting reports about when John moved to MO. Some researchers say he went to MO in the fall of 1843, so his father may have gone with him then. At any rate, Daniel's son, William, probably traveled to MO with him.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Daniel's will was written January 21, 1844  in Buchanan Co., MO, and filed with the court April 1, 1844. Witnesses were Robert E. Dougherty and Elijah Robertson. He left his land in Ohio to sons John, Daniel, and William, and daughter Ann (Ford). On November 14, 1846 his heirs sold 2 tracts of Ohio land on Paint Creek to John Freshour (104 1/2 acres and 29 1/2 acres). This was done in Buchanan Co., MO by John and William DeVorss who had powers of attorney from Ann Ford and Daniel DeVorss. A witness to this sale was William M. Shanks. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Buchanan Co. MO Wills, Book A, pages 73 & 74:</B></div> <div> <B>     In the name of God amen - I Daniel Devorss, of Buchanan County and State of Missouri being of sound mind and deposing memory (praised by God for the same and being) desirous to settle my worldly affairs which I have strength and capacity so to do, do make and publish this my last will and testament, and first and principally I commit my soul in to the hands of my Creator who gave it and my body to be decently buried and as to such worldly Estate where with it has pleased god to intrust me. I dispose of the same as follows - namely - secondly I give and bequesath unto my Son Joseph my wagon gears together with my wearing appearal except one pair of cloth pantilooms and vest also my bed and blanket or one Courtet and two blankets at the choise of my Son Daniel Thirdly I give and bequeath my real Estate in Ohio to my Son John my Son Daniel my Son William and my Daughter Ann one equal fourth to each one. Anns part to be laid out in land for here during her natural life then belong to her two sons namely B. Jasper and Daniel. Fourthly my Dun Horse I give and bequeath to James Devorss my Grand Son, Son of Joseph Devorss - Fifthly I give and bequeath my Sorrel Mare to Daniel Devorss Son of John Devorss - Sixthly I give and bequeath the remainder of my little affairs to Edee Devorss, Except my chest and that I give and bequeath to Rebecca Devorss - I hereby leave my Son John and my Son William as Executors to this last will and testament.</B></div> <div> <B>In witness where of I the said Daniel Devorss - to this my last will and testament have set my hand and seal dated this twenty first day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty four - </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>On April 1, 1844 Robert E. Dougherty and Elijah Robertson said that they saw him sign the will and signed as witnesses in his presence. The will was recorded in the Buchanan Co., MO court on April 4, 1844. It was recorded in the Ross Co., OH court on May 12, 1846.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Note: The will recorded in the Will book in Buchanan Co., MO appears to be in the handwriting of William Fowler, clerk of the court. There is another will filed in the probate record that appears to be the original. It seems to be in the hand writing of Robert E. Doherty and Daniel DeVorss has penned his signature instead of making a mark. Only the witness, Elijah Robertson, has "made his mark".</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Edee Devorss, mentioned in Daniel's will has not been identified. There was a male Edy DeVorss, age 40, in the 1850 census for Buchanan Co., MO, and an Edy DeVorss married Cyrus Sprague on December 12, 1852 in Buchanan Co., MO. (See notes under Daniel's son William.)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Notes for RUTH:</B></div> <div> <B>The only record of Ruth is a 1831 land record in Ross Co., OH where she is named as Daniel's wife. However, three of Daniel's children named daughters Ruth.</B></div> <div> <B>     </B></div> <div> <B>Children of DANIEL DEVORSS and RUTH are:</B></div> <div> <B>2.     i.     JOSEPH</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>2</B></FONT><B> DEVORSS, b. Bef. 1790, PA; d. Bef. November 04, 1845, Buchanan Co., MO.</B></div> <div> <B>     ii.     JAMES DEVORSS, b. Aft. 1790; d. Bef. 1820, Ross Co., OH; m. CATHERINE F. FLORA, October 12, 1809, Ross Co., OH.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Notes for JAMES DEVORSS:</B></div> <div> <B>There is no proof that James was the son of Daniel DeVorss. James Demose is listed on the tax list in 1810 Twin Township, Ross Co., OH. Served in the 1st Reg't (McDonald's) OH Militia which is the same one as Daniel DeVorss' sons, Joseph, Daniel, and John. Known to have died from injuries or disease suffered in the War of 1812. In the Story of Bourneville (OH) an article about the Flora family mentions Caty Flora's husband James Devoss who served in the War of 1812.  Caty (daughter of Abijah Flora), remarried February 7, 1820 to Simon Johnson, son of Alexander Johnson and Jane Miller. (Alexander & Jane died in Twin Township, Ross Co., OH.) Simon and Caty Johnson lived close to Daniel DeVorss. In the 1830 census for Twin Twp. on page 262 Daniel Devoss is #1, his son William is #2, and Simon Johnson is #8. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Note: Among those listed as early settlers of Haller's Bottom, Twin Township, Ross Co., OH are Daniel DeVoss, Abijah Flora, and Alexander Johnson. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3.     iii.     DANIEL DEVORSS, b. Abt. 1793, Mason Co., KY; d. Aft. 1850, Holt Co., MO.</B></div> <div> <B>4.     iv.     JOHN D. DEVORSS, b. Abt. 1794, Mason Co., KY; d. April 08, 1847, Buchanan Co., MO.</B></div> <div> <B>5.     v.     ANN DEVORSS, b. Abt. 1798, KY; d. July 31, 1876, Vermilion Co., IL.</B></div> <div> <B>6.     vi.     WILLIAM DEVORSS, b. Abt. 1800, Mason Co., KY; d. Bef. March 06, 1849, Buchanan Co., MO.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="#backto_____our_family_history______" TITLE="Generation No 1"><B>(Back To Top)</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>back to:</B></FONT><B>     </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Family History">Our Family History</A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Descendants Devorss Family ">Descendants - Devorss Family </A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Familys Ancestry ">My Family's Ancestry </A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Generation No 1</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 2">No 2</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 3">No 3</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 4">No 4</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 5">No 5</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 6">No 6</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No7">No7</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No 8">No 8</A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="058c8490.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="73" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Get in touch via email at </B><A HREF="mailto:webmaster@Devorss.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:webmaster@Devorss.net"><B>webmaster@Devorss.net</B></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>