THOMAS FAWCETT, IRISH QUAKER, AMERICAN PIONEER.
Reading edition
CONTRIBUTED BY THOMAS PLUNKETT, EAST LIVERPOOL, OHIO.
The following article possesses sufficient historical interest, I think, to merit a place in the Journal of the American-Irish Historical Society. The article was evidently written by some one well acquainted with the Fawcett family and appeared in the Tribune of East Liverpool, Ohio, Aug. 9, 1900. It interested me and I thought it might also interest my fellow-members of the Society. I therefore send it to you.[39]
There has just been erected and completed a granite memorial monument in Riverview Cemetery[40] an illustration of which is given below, which is worthy of mention in the Tribune. It will be found to the right of the main driveway, and about midway in the section which slopes gently to the south, and faces the city which was founded by Thomas Fawcett about 1800[41] just one hundred years ago. Here, in a beautiful lot, have been placed the remains of these old pioneers, which were buried in the old cemetery now going to ruin, and soon to be abandoned. The Tribune takes pleasure in illustrating the memorial and giving the several inscriptions:
SOUTH INSCRIPTION.
THOMAS FAWCETT,
A QUAKER, WAS BORN IN IRELAND IN 1747; DIED IN 1820.
ISABELLA SNODGRASS,
HIS WIFE, WAS BORN IN IRELAND IN 1754; DIED IN 1825.
These two were married in Ireland in 1772.
All their children (eight) were born in Pennsylvania.
They emigrated to Ohio in 1795.
This pioneer platted “Fawcettstown,” now East Liverpool, in 1798.
----
This memorial was erected by the fourth generation in 1900.
119NORTH INSCRIPTION.
JOSEPH FAWCETT. ESTHER WHITE, his wife.
1773‒1825. 1778‒1829.
THEIR CHILDREN:
Elizabeth Fawcett Warrick. Robert E. Fawcett.
1801‒1834. 1803‒ ----
Nancy Fawcett. Thomas Fawcett.
1809‒1834. 1813‒ ----
Joseph W. Fawcett, Jr. Daniel W. Fawcett.
1817‒ ---- 1820‒ ----
WEST INSCRIPTION.
JOSEPH HAMILTON.
----
MARY FAWCETT, his wife.
1780‒1836.
EAST INSCRIPTION.
JULIA A. HUMRICKHOUSE.
1815‒1878.
----
JULIA FAWCETT-HUMRICKHOUSE.
1848‒1876.
The late James H. Goodwin, a descendant of Abigail Fawcett, daughter of Thomas Fawcett, had in his possession the oldest record of Thomas Fawcett’s family. He had special interest in matters historical, and gathered all the data he could find relating to the Fawcetts and Smiths. He offered to donate a lot in Riverview cemetery and share the expense of removing these old pioneers to a place where their remains could sleep in peace, and rest undisturbed forevermore.
This matter was very dear to his heart, and he contemplated doing just what has been done, when death claimed him so suddenly the night of President McKinley’s election in November, 1896. He had in his possession the original deed granting to Isaac Craig, 120of Pittsburgh, Pa., sections Nos. 23 and 24, in range No. 1, township No. 5, bought December 6, 1796, the deed being dated at Philadelphia, Pa., August 30, 1798, signed by John Adams, president.
Also the deed from Isaac Craig to Thomas Fawcett, conveying the same sections of land containing 1,090 75‒100 acres for the consideration of $3,651.00 cash; both deeds are in a good state of preservation, having been written on parchment.
These relics had been in possession of John Fawcett of Wooster, Ohio, and at his death fell into the hands of Mrs. Julia Humrickhouse, thence to her son George, deceased, and through his wife, Mrs. Clara B. Humrickhouse, to James H. Goodwin.
Thomas Fawcett and his wife, Isabella, were among the earliest settlers in Chartier’s Valley, Washington county, Pa., and lived there until about 1795, when they moved to this place, then a part of the Northwest Territory. His daughter, Abigail Fawcett, married Joseph Smith, father of the late Wm. G. Smith, and through this union James H. Goodwin, George S. Goodwin, Henry S. Goodwin, Homer S. Knowles, Mrs. Jno. N. Taylor, Mrs. Esther Thomas, Mrs. Louisa Anderson, Mrs. Susan Harker, and all their children, are descended from Thomas Fawcett.
Thomas Fawcett’s eldest son, Joseph, married Esther White, and their daughter, Elizabeth, married the late George Anderson, on whose farm Riverview cemetery is located. Of their children four are living—Matthew Anderson, John Anderson and Miss Lizzie Anderson of this city,[42] and Joseph Anderson, living in Colorado. The children of Thomas Fawcett Anderson, deceased, also live with their mother in this city. Mary Fawcett, another daughter of Joseph and Esther White, married William Hill, deceased, and two of her children are living here—Mrs. Mary Hill-Andrews, of Seventh street, and George Hill, on the old farm north of town.
Julia Fawcett-Humrickhouse was another daughter, and a sister of Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Hill. She made her home before her marriage with her brother John, who married Julia R. Larwell. Miss Rest Humrickhouse, daughter of Mr. George A. Humrickhouse, this city, is the only living descendant of this branch of the Fawcett family.
Through Elizabeth Fawcett, who married John Nessly, are descended Mrs. Matilda Wallace of Hammondsville, Mrs. Judith 121McCoy of McCoy’s Station, Jefferson county, and Mrs. Nancy Nessly Winstanley, who was born in Jefferson county and moved to Cabrey, Ill. Her brother, Rev. John F. Nessly, is a minister of the Pittsburgh M. E. conference.
THOMAS FAWCETT’S FAMILY RECORD.
Thomas Fawcett was born in Ireland, June 11, 1747.
Isabella Snodgrass was born in Ireland, March 1, 1754.
Thomas Fawcett and Isabella Snodgrass were married in Ireland, February 26, 1772.
Their children were all born in the Chartier’s Valley, Pennsylvania:
Joseph was born January 16, 1773.
Thomas was born Sept. 13, 1774.
Abigail was born July 15, 1778.
Mary was born June 30, 1780.
Elizabeth was born April 15, 1782.
John was born January 13, 1784.
Isabella was born June 4, 1792.
Benjamin was born July 2, 1794.
Thomas Fawcett, Sr., died September 19, 1820.
Isabella Fawcett, Sr., died December 4, 1825.
MARRIAGES.
Joseph Fawcett was married to Esther White.
Thomas Fawcett was married to Sarah Hamilton.
Abigail Fawcett was married to Joseph Smith.
Mary Fawcett was married to Joseph Hamilton.
Elizabeth Fawcett was married to John Nessly.
John Fawcett was married to Julia R. Larwell.
Benjamin Fawcett was married to Hannah Zane.
Isabella Fawcett did not marry.
122