Mildred Dixon Harrod
Flat Rock, Indiana


May 3, 1970

Dear Barbara,

These letters on genealogy get quite complicated as we go along, answering questions, looking up new information, etc. Getting together to talk over the material each has collected seems to be the best way, but time, distance, energy, etc. enter into getting together as we would often like.

In my letter written to Mrs. Cora Beldon you will find the answers to several of your questions. I believe the Catherine Cox who wrote the letter to my grandfather, Weir Dixon, married in later life and left no children; a nephew getting her possessions.

As to the Wilsons, Mrs. B. R. Addenbreeke of Seal Beach, California,  has helped me with Jeremiah Wilson family background, even send me a copy of the will of Jeremiah's father, Henry Sr. in Prince William County, Virginia. She is descended (6th generation) from Henry Wilson, brother of Jeremiah. This Henry Wilson went to Nelson County, Kentucky with his father-in-law, Richard Milton and was there in 1830. His daughter, Margaret, married William Cleveland; on the record she joined the DAR in 1923. In some letter she says there were four Henry Wilsons in Kentucky at an early date.

I wonder if your Alfonso T. Bennett was a relative of Andrew Bennett who married Catherine Osborn, born May 28, 1811, sister of Jesse Osborn.

Deed Book B, Page 431, February 12, 1827 - John Osburn deeds 50 acres to John Cobb; $248; on Eagle Creek.  Deed Book A, Page 11, April 15, 1819 - Moses L. Moses of N.Y. deeds to Thomas Cobb and John Osburn of Owen County, trustees, one acre for the use of the Baptist Church called Mussel Shoals Church.

My family seemed to know only a few facts about Jesse Osburn. One was that he stayed in Kentucky when the rest of the family came to Indiana, and secondly, that he was a slave owner and being afraid during the Civil War he came to the home of my great-grandparents, Williamson and Nancy Osborn Dixon at Old Paris, Jennings County, Indiana. After the war he went back to Kentucky. There is also a story about an officer in Morgan's Raiders from Kentucky who may have been an Osborn and would not let the soldiers blunder the home and belongings of Williamson Dixon. Williamson was a tailor and I have two of his old account books before the Civil War.

The 1830 census for Montgomery Twp., Jennings County, Indiana, gives John Osborne as age 50 and under 60; 1 female same age; and one female, 5 and under 10. His youngest daughter, Nancy, my great-grandmother was born August 8, 1816 in Owen County. This girl could have been of the second marriage, but  I never heard of her. However, in 1840 census, John is 60-70; wife 60-70; and female 20-30.

In 1880 census, Montgomery Twp., Jennings County, Indiana, Nancy Osborn Dixon says she is 64 and that her mother and father were born in North Carolina.

I don't know where I got this since I have never located their graves, but I have that John Osborn was born October 11, 1773 and died September 6, 1863. Surely he is buried in Jennings County. The second wife, Elizabeth Foster or Fortner died at the home of Nancy Dixon, according to my Dad's cousin, who lived to be 93. This Lillie Perry Brown's mother was a daughter of William and Nancy Dixon.

I wonder if our John Osborn could be the son of or grandson of Samuel Cobb and Peak Cobb who came from South Carolina to Owen County, Kentucky in 1795. Samuel was born in 1750, died 1800 - and Peak was born 1760 and died in 1803. Their children were John, William, Daniel, Elisha, Asa, and Thomas. The latter came to Indiana bout 1817. I found this at Owenton, Ky.

I believe your records from Grant County, Kentucky of Jesse Osborn prove our searching may not have to include Scott County and other border counties around Owen.

                                                                  Sincerely,

                                                                  Mildred

Submitted by Barbara Wilson.  If you have additional
information on this family or questions, please -email Barb.
Used with permission.


Home  ~  Letters