Aaron Wells Family Association

Newsletter #25??????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????January?2000

 

Aaron Wells and Ruth Wiggins were married 31 July (bond), 3 August (minister’s return), 1790. Children: Nathan, Elizabeth A., Rachel E., Drucilla & Ruama, Sarah “Sally?W., Nancy, William W., Robert, John W., Ruth, Aaron, Mary “Polly? Daniel & Uriah.?

 

MARK YOUR

CALENDARS!

 

Wells Family Reunion

Sunday, July 16, 2000

 

North Central 4-H Center

Carlisle, Kentucky

 

Genealogist/Founder

Lucy Thompson

1917-1991

 

President

Jon Hagee

3021 Stanford Drive

Lexington, KY?40517

Day (606) 257-5833

Eve (606) 271-2918

jhagee@pop.uky.edu

www.webpub.com/jhagee/

 

Secretary/Treasurer

Betty Jo Wells

R. R. 2, Box 215

Mount Olivet, KY 41064

(606) 724-5696

 

Newsletter Editor

Patricia Roane Straube

6203 Rexford Court

Granite Bay, CA?95746

(916) 791-8534

straube@earthlink.net

 

Happy New Year!

 

Message from the President

 

Dear Wells Cousins,

 

I hope everyone had a good holiday. We always look forward to seeing family members on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We look forward to seeing a lot of you in July!

 

We are making plans to be at the 4-H site again. This has worked out well for us. It is easier access and unfortunately, the Blue Licks site requires that we buy their catering. If anyone is interested in us checking out prices, etc. for catering, let me know before July and we'll find out more details. If several want to consider that option, we will take a vote at the next reunion.

 

Concerning our genealogical research, we have set up a web page at:

 

http://www.webpub.com/jhagee/wells.html

 

The web page is serving as a place for us to store genealogy information that can be accessed from library, work or home

computers. We currently have a fairly up-to-date Wells database for your use. Let Patricia know of updates!

 

We also have a Wells eMail List which serves as an email discussion forum.?If you have email, contact me at jhagee@mail.com and I'll get you added to the discussion. I have been doing a lot of research on pioneer ways. If any of you are interested in discussing that, let me know.

 

????????????????????????????????????????????????Your Cousin,

????????????????????????????????????????????????Jon

?/span>

Treasurer’s Report

 

Dear Cousins,

 

Happy New Year to all who survived Y2K.

 

Many years ago, it was with great anticipation that we looked forward to this new century ?with all the new technology that it would hold. Somehow the anticipation was more interesting than the reality.

 

For those of you who have lived long, as have I, we have become a part of this new world and have hardly noticed the change.

 

The New Millennium is here for us. May each of you enjoy peace, love and joy.

 

There has been no recent activity in our Treasury. The balance is $1158.01.

 

????????????????????????Respectfully submitted,

????????????????????????Betty Jo Wells

????????????????????????Secretary/Treasurer

 

Letter from the Editor

 

In the past, I have depended on items, especially obituaries, found in the on-line edition of the Maysville Ledger-Independent, http://www.maysville-online.com/index.html. When I went to prepare the January issue of the newsletter, however, I found that the archived information was no longer available. The Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentuckyconnect.com/heraldleader/index.htm, is still on-line. And fortunately, I found another excellent source, The Kentucky Post, http://www.kypost.com/, the Covington edition of the Cincinnati Post.?I also want to thank Joyce Smith, Charlie Wells, and Nicky Wells for their contributions.?

 

Updating the Family Association database is a job which is never done. Fortunately, there are some new tools which don’t require spending hours in courthouses, archives or tromping through the underbrush in desolate cemeteries. Two of these sources are in print form and three are available via the World Wide Web.?

????????????????????????Patricia Roane Straube

????????????????????????Newsletter Editor

 

Sources for Research

 

?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        ?/span>Robertson County Marriages 1867-1939?

is available from Bill Wheaton, R.R. 2, Box 191, Mt Olivet, KY 41064-9733. The cost is $18 plus $3 shipping and handling

 

?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        Monument Inscriptions of Robertson County, Kentucky

is available from Ford & Nagle, Historians and Genealogists, Neville Street, Dayton, OH?45424-6072.?The cost is $25. They also have a web site at http://users.erinet.com/31363/publishi.htm.

 

The following two Internet sources cover the whole state of Kentucky, not just Robertson Co:

 

?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        Kentucky Vital Statistics Index??

http://ukcc.uky.edu/~vitalrec/?????????

 

Kentucky Death Index for 1911-1986

Kentucky Death Index for 1987-1992

Kentucky Marriage Index for 1973-1993

Kentucky Divorce Index for 1973-1993

 

The following Internet source covers the whole United States.

 

?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        Social Security Death Index

http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi

The most full-featured and up-to-date SSDI search engine on the internet.

These last three are completely free of charge.

 

LINEAGE LINKS

 

When putting together a jigsaw puzzle, progress in finding “the whole picture?is sometimes limited to just fitting two pieces together. Then, suddenly, one small piece links many seemingly different parts. The jigsaw metaphor, which is often used in genealogical research, is well demonstrated by one short obituary which turned out to add new information to the lines of Rachel, Nancy AND Uriah.

 

Marilyn Wood Armstrong was kind enough to send me all the obituaries she found pertaining to our Wells family in Bracken County Kentucky Obituaries: Volume I ?1820-1950 by John E. Leming Jr. and published by The Bracken County Historical Society, P. O. Box 66, Brooksville, KY?41004, 1995.

 

The following obituary was dated 1919:

 

MRS. ELIZABETH WELLS

 

? Mrs. Elizabeth Wells, widow of the late Joh [sic] D. Wells, died Sunday night, July 13, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ora Wells, near Brooksville. She had been a resident of Bracken county for many years, and was a good, christian woman. Besides the daughter named above she is survived by another daughter, Mrs. Mary Jett, of near Brooksville, and one step-son, L. O. Wells of Augusta. Her relatives gathered at the home on the day of her death to celebrate her 93rd birthday, which occurred July 14. The funeral was held at Asbury church Tuesday morning; burial at McKendre Chapel by the side of her husband.

 

John D. Wells was born about 1825 in Clermont Co., Ohio, the son of John D. Wells and Rachel E. Wells. Rachel, of course, was the daughter of Aaron and Ruth. Her husband, John D. Wells, was the son of Robert Wells and Mary Downing. Their exact relationship is presently unknown.

 

John D. Wells, age 25, was in the household of John D. and Rachel Wells in the 1850 Federal Census of Clermont Co., after which he could no longer be found in the Ohio records. He was almost certainly the John D. Wells who married Martha A. Ward, daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Wells) Ward, 25 Feb 1851 in Nicholas Co., KY and later Elizabeth Mitchell, probable daughter of William and Drucilla (Wells) Mitchell, 30 Aug 1861. John D. Wells, age 45 born in Ohio, appears in the 1870 Federal Census of Robertson Co., KY with wife, Elizabeth (___) Underwood, whom he married 4 Aug 1868, along with Levi Wells, age 14, born in Ohio; Matilda, age 4, born in Kentucky and Sarah, age, 1 born in Kentucky.

 

According to the Aaron Wells Family Association’s records, Ora Wells was born October 6, 1870 to Christopher Columbus Wells and Elizabeth Angeline Overbey. He married Mrs. Sallie Peed, 3 Feb 1910, in Germantown, Bracken Co. KY.? He died February 20, 1941 in Bracken Co. Sallie died there on February 5, 1957.?They had no children. Since Sallie/Sally is a nickname for Sarah, Ora’s wife can be identified as the daughter of John D. Wells and his third wife, Elizabeth.?The Bracken Co. marriage records can probably give us the full name of her first husband.

 

According to the obituary, John and Elizabeth also had a daughter Mary (Wells) Jett. Our records also show that Owen Wells married?Emma E. Jett on October 5, 1937 in Brooksville, Bracken Co., KY. She was born October 4, 1900 to Charles Jett and Mary Wells and died August 11, 1967 in Mason Co., KY.?

 

The following obituary was dated 1943:

 

OWEN WELLS

? Owen Wells, son of the late Dr. Christopher Columbus Wells and Elizabeth Overby Wells, was born at Sardis, Mason county, Kentucky, Feb. 14, 1883 and passed away at the Veterans Hospital at Outwood, Ky., on Sunday, March 7, 1943, being 60 years and 21 days of age.

? About five years ago he united in marriage with Miss Emma Jett of Brooksville, Ky., who survives him. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Cave Gibbs of Maysville, Ky., Irvin Wells of Greensburg, Indiana, and Ed Wells of Millersburg, Ky.

? Mr. Wells was a veteran of the World War No. 1 and was cited?for his service by being awarded the Purple Heart.

? Funeral services were conducted Wednesday after noon at 3:00 p. m., at the Brooksville Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. C. L. Nelkirk, Rev. Milton W. Dills and Rev. Lowery.

? Interment in town cemetery under direction of Moore and Parker.

 

And what can we learn of Elizabeth’s stepson, Levi O. Wells, son of John D. Wells and Martha Ward??We’ll save that for the next issue, along with the obituaries of Dr. Alton U. Wells and William W. Wells, son of Mitchell Calmes Wells.

 

Starring Roles

 

Reprinted from the Greensburg (Indiana) Daily News

Monday, May 31, 1999

Dan Markham, managing editor

submitted by Luella Wells

?

? They were brothers in arms. An awful lot of brothers. During World War II, the military families of Decatur County earned renown for their dedication to the cause.

? Eight local families had four sons serving Uncle Same, earning their undeniably worried mothers the tag Four-Star Moms. And two other county moms generated even more to the winning side.

? The families Pratt and Wells, both of Greensburg, sent six sons into the service during World War II. Mothers, Mrs. Alive Pratt and Mrs. Irvin Wells, were in rarified company.

? A few of those members survive, including the local Commander of the American Legion, Quentin Wells.

? Wells said the development of his family into almost a full fighting unit was really by chance.

? His oldest brothers, Herman, Oakley and Hartsel were drafted into the cause.

? “When it came down to me, Clevie and Delmar, we said ‘Hey, let’s go enlist.?o:p>

? “We weren’t coerced. We didn’t have any recruiting sergeants coming up to us.?o:p>

? The story was the same for his family, said B.J. Pratt.?After his first few brothers entered, the parade to the nearest enlistment site began.

? Following Harold, a Navy man, and Bill, in the Army, brothers Lovell, B.J., Don and Bob couldn’t join quickly enough. All entered the Marines, including Don going twice, getting kicked out when he first signed up at age 16.

?“It wasn’t just the Pratt boys. Unless you were married with kids (you enlisted,?B.J. Pratt said.

? All of the Pratt family members went overseas. Two of the Wells, including Quentin, who joined the service just as the war was ending, were spared combat.

? But not every member of the Wells family was so lucky. Oakley, an Army infantryman, was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. Bill, who served in the Air Force, was wounded in battle.

? “It was very unusual, five children right in battle at once,? Wells said. But the conditions then were different. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, men the age of the Pratts and Wells immediately turned to getting involved.

? “There was an obligation. We need to do our part,?Wells said. He wonders if such a scenario could ever develop now.

? Pratt, however, thinks its possible for this return of patriotism.

? “If somebody attacked the United State, I think you'll see it again,?he said. “I think the young people could be patriotic, if something happened.:

? Coincidentally, both families weren’t finished aiding the United States overseas. Brothers Rex Pratt and Delmar Wells, too young for WWII, both saw action in the Korean War.

 

 

Editors Note:

Since this article was published, we have lost Clevie , as reported in the June 1999 issue of the newsletter, and Delmar, as reported in the current issue. Hartsel passed away in 1995.

 

Civil War Soldiers

 

The Heritage of Aaron Wells and Ruth Wiggins mentions several descendants or spouses of descendants who served in the Civil War, both Union and Confederate. Here are two more who have been identified. One from each side.

 

James B. F. Callon3 [Ruth Wells2, Aaron1] enlisted June 20, 1861, at Indianapolis, Indiana in Company K of the 1st Cavalry of the 28th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. He was mustered out near Petersburg, Virginia, June 19, 1864, holding the rank of? Sergeant.

 

According to the Indiana State Archives, “Company K was an independent company, organized and mustered into service at Indianapolis with James R. Bracken as Captain.

 

It moved to Western Virginia in July, and was assigned to duty under General Reynolds. It was present at the battle of Greenbrier and Alleghany, and charged the rebel cavalry at the taking of Huntersville.

 

Formed into a squadron with Stewart’s Company I, it was chosen by General Fremont as his bodyguard and was with him in his Valley campaign. It was engaged in the fight at Strasburg, and skirmished twelve days with the rebel cavalry—the skirmish terminating in the battle of Cross Keys.

 

On being transferred to General Sigel as his bodyguard, it re-enforced Banks and participated in the battle of Cedar Mountain.

 

It was afterwards with Pope’s army in the battles on Manassas Plains. On the 9th of November, 1862, the famous cavalry charge of Captain Dahlgren into Fredericksburg, was made by companies I and K, First Indiana Cavalry, who alone crossed the river, and alone made the charge.

 

After this the squadron was assigned to escort duty with General Howard, of the 11th Corps, and participated in the battle of Chancellorsville, and subsequently the battle of Gettysburg.

 

When the 11th Corps was ordered West the squadron was sent to Glymount, on the lower Potomac, and continued there doing provost duty until after the battles in the Wilderness. It joined the Army of the Potomac at White House, and remained on duty at the headquarters of General Meade until the 23rd of June, 1864, when it started for Indianapolis where the men were finally discharged.?o:p>

 

???????

 

From Civil War Soldiers from Robertson and Tidbits in and Around?Kentontown which appeared on the Robertson County, Kentucky mail list at RootsWeb :

 

?b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'>Aris Bonaparte Curtis, CSA, 1839-1872, wife: Mary Ellen Mullikin4 [Matilda Wiggins3, Elizabeth Ashcraft Wells2, Aaron1], buried: Pyles Graveyard, enlisted in Company F, 9th Kentucky Cavalry, Colonel W.C.P. Breckinridge, Captain Hines, September 15, 1862 at Camp Brown near Sharpsburg (Morgan's Command). He fought in all the skirmishes and battles of Murfreesboro and McMinnville. He was also with Morgan on his raids through Indiana and Ohio. Captured at Bluffington Island, Ohio and imprisoned until February, 1864 when he took the Oath of Allegiance. Died at Piqua.

 

Also, Seth Thomas Curtis, CSA, 1841-1863, brother of Aris listed above, enlisted in?the same company together, died of complications from wounds received at McMinnville, March 21, 1863.?o:p>

 

Editor’s Note:

Aris and Seth were the sons of Job and Margery (Wheatley) Curtis. [1850 Census and marriage records of Nicholas Co., KY] Their older brother, Salathiel Curtis, married Elizabeth A. Wells3 [Uriah2, Aaron1].

 

 

The Heritage of Aaron Wells and Ruth Wiggins

 

Descendants of Nancy Wells and Ruth Wells

 

Andrew S. Ward, son of Andrew Ward and Nancy Wells, married Mary Ann Callon, daughter of?William Callon and Ruth Wells, 3 Dec 1854, in Marion Co., IN. She was the widow of Valentine Fred. I had originally thought Andrew may have died before 1870 since Mary Ann is listed alone with the children in the Marion Co. census. However, he may have already been in the next county south, Johnson Co., since the whole family is there in 1880. Mary Ann’s uncle, Robert W. Callon, and aunt, Jemima (Callon) Ford, lived there, near the town of Trafalgar. While visiting my parents in nearby Morgan Co. in November, I was able to visit the Indiana Room at the public library in Franklin, the county seat of Johnson Co. I was able to find a short obituary for Andrew and a death record for Mary Ann. With more research, I hope to find additional information about their children.

 

26. Andrew S. Ward b. abt 1824, Kentucky, m. (1) bef 1850, Celia Jones, m. (2) 3 Dec 1854, in Marion Co., IN, 43. Mary Ann Callon, b. 1 Nov 1830, Marion Co., IN. d. 24 Feb 1909, Trafalgar, Johnson Co., IN. Andrew died 11 Jul 1897, Hensley Twp., Johnson Co., IN.

 

The information about James B. F. Callon’s participation in the Civil War was submitted by a descendant, Jerre Callon Williams. We have discovered that he was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana in 1912 and hope to have additional information about his family in the next newsletter. As another descendant of of Ruth Wells, I’d like to submit the following pictures of Marquis DeLafayette Callon, Ruth’s son, and brother to both?James B. F. and Mary Ann.. These photographs of my great grandfather took on a special meaning when I found his occupation listed as Veterinarian, as well as farmer in several censuses.?

 

Descendants of William W. Wells

 

The following Ancestral File was submitted at the LDS Family Search web site, http://www.familysearch.org/,? by Mary Jo Hopping Craig, 152 N 2650 E , St. George, UT?84770, Submission:?AF95-107481

 

39. Edmond Collins Wells b. 16 Feb 1851, Mount Olivet, Nicholas Co., KY, (son of William W. Wells and Matilda Collins), m. 26 Oct 1881, in Floyd Co., KY, Maggie Yantis, b. 4 Mar 1863, Flemingsburg, Fleming Co., KY, (daughter of Robert H. Yantis and Mary L. Howe) d. 30 May 1932, Delphi, Carroll Co., IN. Edmond died 16 Aug 1934, Delphi, Carroll Co., IN.

????????Children:

?????????/span>i. Yantis Wells b. 30 Aug 1882, Maysville, Mason Co., KY, d. 1957, Delphi, Carroll Co., IN

 

Our book included the information that Edmond C. Wells was a 1877 graduate of Lexington Bible College (now Lexington Theological Seminary). The Disciples of Christ Historical Society home page at http://users.aol.com/dishistsoc/index.htm has “indexes of biographical files of members of the Stone-Campbell Movement held in the Disciples of Christ Historical Society archives. Further information about the contents of each file can be ascertained by visiting the DCHS building in Nashville or by becoming a member of the Society and by making a written request (fax, e-mail, postal mail) for the information in each file. Certain fees will apply.?Among those listed is Wells, Edmund Collins 1851-1934.

 

Disciples of Christ Historical Society

1101 Nineteenth Avenue SouthIt

Nashville, TN 37212-2196

(615) 327-1444 FAX (615) 327-1445

e-mail: dishistsoc@aol.com

 

Descendants of Uriah Wells

 

The marriage bond of Uriah Wells and Esther Pollock gives her father’s name as John Pollock. However, the oral tradition has been that her name was Esther Pogue. Clan Pollock International at http://clanpollock.com/ has a possible explanation for this discrepancy:

 

The name of Pollock (Pollok) is among the oldest family names in Scotland. The surname was adopted from the ancient lands of Pollock in Renfrewshire. Records of the 12th century reveal these lands were held by the sons of Fulbert, progenitor of the Pollocks of Scotland.

 

With the passage of time, changes occurred to the Pollock surname. For some descendants of Scottish Pollock it became Polk and Pogue, spelled in various ways.

 

It appears that Pollock and Pogue are essentially the same surname, one the “correct?spelling and the other closer to the actual pronunciation.?