Kinsley Family
Ancestor Story Submitted by Colleen Helmstetter
First Families of Huron County Member #226
Ancestor Story Submitted by Colleen Helmstetter
First Families of Huron County Member #226
PETER KINSLEY - 1817 - Pioneer
While PETER was a young man living in Ireland, he joined the British Army. He was sent to Niagara Falls, Canada. Once there, he heeded the call of freedom and, under British fire, swam across the Niagara River to New York State in 1815. By 1817, he had worked his way to Florence, Ohio, to teach school. In 1818, he arrived in New London and taught school for two years. One of his pupils was Lydia Merrifield, whose family had moved to New London in 1817. The two were married on March 12, 1820. In May of 1824, PETER declared his intent to become a citizen and, in May of 1827, he officially became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America.
PETER built his log house around 1822 on the east side of North Main Street, and as his family grew, so did the house. After several additions, this house became New London's first hotel, first store, the first Justice's office, and maybe the first post office. From 1822 to 1837, the community was named Kinsley's Comers. At one time, PETER owned much of the land on which the business portion of New London is built.
In 1833, PETER and his brother-in-law, Joseph Seymour Merrifield, bought and finished a nearby mill. PETER and Joseph had the mill moved into the town. The move employed 50 yokes of oxen and took several days. It is said that most of the people of four townships took part in moving the mill, making it a remarkable event for the town.
In 1835, PETER built a small frame store (the first in the place), and it remained the only store for several years. In 1837, he was constructing another building when he died of an enlarged and indurated liver on December 15, 1837. His burial place is unknown.
PETER and Lydia were the parents of Francis, James Hilarian, Edward B., Mary Lovisa, Betsey Ann, and Seymour Charles.
PETER built his log house around 1822 on the east side of North Main Street, and as his family grew, so did the house. After several additions, this house became New London's first hotel, first store, the first Justice's office, and maybe the first post office. From 1822 to 1837, the community was named Kinsley's Comers. At one time, PETER owned much of the land on which the business portion of New London is built.
In 1833, PETER and his brother-in-law, Joseph Seymour Merrifield, bought and finished a nearby mill. PETER and Joseph had the mill moved into the town. The move employed 50 yokes of oxen and took several days. It is said that most of the people of four townships took part in moving the mill, making it a remarkable event for the town.
In 1835, PETER built a small frame store (the first in the place), and it remained the only store for several years. In 1837, he was constructing another building when he died of an enlarged and indurated liver on December 15, 1837. His burial place is unknown.
PETER and Lydia were the parents of Francis, James Hilarian, Edward B., Mary Lovisa, Betsey Ann, and Seymour Charles.
JAMES HILARIAN KINSLEY - 1838 - Settler
JAMES was born in New London, the son of Peter and Lydia Merrifleld Kinsley. He was still a child when his father died in 1837, and times were hard for the family.
On September 25, 1853, in New London, JAMES married Catharine Brooks, daughter of Minshall and Sarah Norris Brooks. They were the parents of five children: Lydia Margaret, Ida J., William Henry, James and Catherine.
After living in Ruggles Township, Ashland County, the family moved to Clear Lake Township in Steuben County, Indiana. On August 15, 1862, he enlisted at La Grange, Indiana, and was a private in Company C, 100th Regiment Indiana Infantry. According to the description book, JAMES was 34 years old, 5' 9-1/2 " tall, dark complexed, with gray eyes and black hair.
The company was sent to Holly Springs, Mississippi, November and December 1862. In January, 1863, they were sent to Grand Junction, Tennessee, where many men were suffering severely from sickness due to the long and tedious march. The company then moved on to Collierville, Tennessee, and Oak Ridge, Mississippi. On the evening of July 4, the company moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where the men were constantly exposed to danger. There was still much sickness in camp and on July 18, 1863, JAMES died of typhoid fever at Haines Bluff in a military hospital.
Catharine was left alone to raise their family. She received a pension of $8 per month, plus an additional $2 per month for each of their five children.
On September 25, 1853, in New London, JAMES married Catharine Brooks, daughter of Minshall and Sarah Norris Brooks. They were the parents of five children: Lydia Margaret, Ida J., William Henry, James and Catherine.
After living in Ruggles Township, Ashland County, the family moved to Clear Lake Township in Steuben County, Indiana. On August 15, 1862, he enlisted at La Grange, Indiana, and was a private in Company C, 100th Regiment Indiana Infantry. According to the description book, JAMES was 34 years old, 5' 9-1/2 " tall, dark complexed, with gray eyes and black hair.
The company was sent to Holly Springs, Mississippi, November and December 1862. In January, 1863, they were sent to Grand Junction, Tennessee, where many men were suffering severely from sickness due to the long and tedious march. The company then moved on to Collierville, Tennessee, and Oak Ridge, Mississippi. On the evening of July 4, the company moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where the men were constantly exposed to danger. There was still much sickness in camp and on July 18, 1863, JAMES died of typhoid fever at Haines Bluff in a military hospital.
Catharine was left alone to raise their family. She received a pension of $8 per month, plus an additional $2 per month for each of their five children.
