Jonathan Sprague.,56.,M.,Farmer.,Canada
Mahala Sprague.,49.,F.,--.,NY
John Sprague.,21.,M.,Farmer.,OH
Steward Sprague.,25.,M.,Farmer.,OH
George Sprague.,22.,M.,Farmer.,OH
Hellen M. Sprague.,18.,F.,--.,OH
Sarah E. Sprague.,9.,F.,--.,OH
Henry Hinkley.,16.,M.,Laborer.,NY
Henry Martin.,19.,M.,Laborer.,NY
John Martin.,21.,M.,Laborer.,NY
|
| Notes |
- From John Campbell, correspondent, note of December 25, 2008
Last Name: SPRAGUE
First Name: JONATHAN
Prefix/Suffix: n/a
Other Source Title: F497 H8W8 1879
Other Source Data: P 472
Location: HPC- History of Firelands
Description: History of the Fire Lands, Comprising Huron &Erie Counties, Ohio 1809 - 1879 by Williams.
=====
"History of the Fire Lands, Comprising Huron & ErieCounties, Ohio 1809-1879 by W. W. Williams
Jonathan S. Sprague, Esq. came to Huron with his family in1810, from Canada. He settled on the farm now ownedby Henry Holdaur. He married Miss Mahala Daly. He afterward bouth an adjoining aarm, of Judge charlesStandart. Johathan S. Sprague was a man of more thanordinary talents; he had not the benefit of a common schooleduction: yet he was held in so high estimation by hisfriends and associates that he was frequently eleted tooffices of trust. He held the office of justice ofthe peace for eighteen years in succession, at thetermination of which he refused to serve in that capacityany longer; his health was very much impaired for severalof the last years of his life. He died at his home,on the Standart farm, on January 15, 1861. Mrs.Sprague died at the house of her son-in-law, Mr. IsaacDurham, in April, 1872, near the village, at the age ofseventy-two years. page 472.
From John E. Campbell, correspondent, note of August 21,2013
The Fire Lands Pioneer, June 1858-- "The first settlementin the township was made at what is called PipeCreek, by Seth Harrington, from Rhode Island,--born in1771, --Jonathan Sprague from the Eastern part of New York.and Squire Richey. They came in 1809 and settled onLot number 1. Seth Harrinton and his family stilllive on that same lot. George Sprague died in Iowa."
The next narrative I have obtained is from 1863. Mahala Daly was still living, but Jonathan S. Sprague diedin 1861 at his house, formerly Standart Farm, Erie County,Ohio.
Firelands Pioneer, June 1863, p. 69-- "JonathanSprague came into the township with his family in 1810,locating upon the east side of the river, about fifty rodsbelow Delgarn's, upon or just north of the Benshcoterplace. He was probably one of those who did the ironwork for Russel's vessels; he left with his family in 1817,going south. His native place was probably N. York,though he came from Canada here."
Ted Reising-Derby was kind enough to provide me with a mapof Huron township dated 1865. The individual plotsheld by the Sprague, McDonald, Halladay, Wright, and otherfamilies I have reported on are clearly indicated.
From John E. Campbell, correspondent, note of September 25,2013
Jonathan S. Sprague would have been twenty-one in 1817 whenit appears that he (or possibly his father) bought afarm. "In March, 1817, Gideon Olmsted, a refugee fromCanada, who now, the war being over, wished himself andfamily in Canada again, sold me his farm of one hundredacres. About thirty acres were improved, and on it were alog cabin and stable. The price paid was six hundreddollars, one-third store goods and two-third's money. Iconsulted Judge Wright as to buying, He said it was a lowprice, and if I wanted land I would do well to take it.Still there was an obstacle in the way. I was two hundreddollars short of funds to pay for it. I then borrowed twohundred dollars of the Judge for one year, aud gave my notewith interest. I put John Mason on the farm as tenant. Iowned the farm about ten years, then sold it to JonathanSprague. It is situated one and a half miles west ofHuron."-Francis Graham's Autobiography from The FirelandsPioneer
I attached a transcription I made of the 1861 probate andinventory that followed the death of Jonathan S.Sprague. I know it is way too long to be included inyour database. It shows his movable property had avalue of about $3,000 which would have been substantial forthe time. I do not know what his real estate holdingswere worth. I have not found any record thatindicates that his mother, Elizabeth Stewart, or any of hissiblings (none are named) resided in Ohio.
=====
Correction to above: Jonathan S. Sprague would havebeen 31 years old when he bought the farm from FrancisGraham, since Graham says he owned it for ten years.
=====
NOTE: The following is the beginning of the above mentionedtranscription. Tabular information
formats improperly so have not been included:
\\PROBATE & INVENTORY OF ESTATE OF
JONATHAN S. SPRAGUE
John Sprague Executor
of
Jonathan S. SpragueThe State of Ohio, Erie County-- Proceedings before theProbate Court within and for said County of Erie on the 9thday of February A.D. 1861. Be it remembered that on Saidday the Probate Court as will fully appear by its journalissued Letters Testamentary to John Sprague Executor whichwere in the words following to wit: At a probate Court heldon the 9th day of 9th day of February 1861 at theCourthouse within and for Said County, Present Rush R.Sloane Judge of Said Court, In the name and by theauthority of the State of Ohio to all to whom thesepresents shall come. Be it known that before Said Court wasfound, approved and admitted to Record the last Will andTestament of Jonathan S. Sprague in Said County, deceased,a true copy whereof is to these presents annexed havingwhilst living, and at the time of his death goods,chattels, rights, credits and este, within Said County byreason whereof the proving and allowing the Said Will, andthe granting administration of all and singular the Saidgoods, chattels, rights, credits, and estate of Saiddeceased and any say concerning his will was granted toJohn Sprague Executor named in Said will having acceptedSaid Trust and executed his bond to the acceptance of theCourt well and faithfully in the manner prescribed by Lawto make and return to Said Court an Inventory on oathwithin three months from the date of these LettersTestamentary, a true inventory of all the monies, goods,chattels, rights, and credits of the Testator which are bylaw to be administered and which shall have come to hispossession or knowledge and if required by Said Court anInventory of the real estate of the deceased also toadminister according to Law and to the will of the Testatorall monies, goods, chattels, rights, and credits, and theproceeds of all his real estate that may be sold for thepayment of his debts or legacies, which shall at any timecome to the possession of any other person for him; andalso to render upon oath a just and true account of thisadministration within eighteen months from the date ofthese Letters Testamentary; and at any other time whenrequired by the Court or The Law. And we appoint RobertJackson, Tomer Jackson, and Stark Adams appraisers of alland Singular the goods, and chattels, rights and creditsand estate which were of the Said Jonathan S. Sprague inhis lifetime. In Testimony Whereof I have caused the Sealof Said Court to be hereunto affixed. Witness Rush R.Sloane, Judge of the Probate Court and afterwards saidExecutor filed in said Court the Inventory and Sale Bill of said Estatewhich was in the words and figures following to wit: We theundersigned do make solemn oath that we do truly, honestly,and impartially appraise the Estate and Property that maybe exhibited to us belonging to the Estate of Jonathan S.Sprague deceased, and perform the other duties required bylaw of us in the premises as etc., according to the best ofour knowledge and ability.
Robt Bennett, Stark Adams, Gower JacksonSworn to and Subscribed before me this 18th day of Feb A.D1861
R. R. Webber J.P. We the undersigned appraisers of the Estate andProperty of Jonathan S. Sprague deceased, after being dulySworn have made an Inventory and Appraisement thereof asfollows:
[Table not included]
No money on hand. The following claims in favor of theEstate are collectable in full promissory note two hundreddollars against John S rague Dated April 1st 1860 due April1st 1863 with interest annually Secured by mortgage.Promissory note for Three hundred dollars $300 against JohnSprague dated April 1st 1860 payable April 1st 1866 withinterest, annually Secured by mortgage. Promissory note forthree hundred $300 against John Sprague dated April 1st1860 payable April 1st 1867 with interest annually securedby mortgage. Promissory note for Two hundred dollar & three$203 against Philip Rosmurm dated March 1st 1861 payableDec 1st 1861. Promissory note for Twenty dollars agaistMary Wilson & S. Barnett dated April 5th 1859 due ninemonths from date with interest. Promissory note for onehundred & fourteen dollars $114 against J. H. Wilsone MaryAnn Wilson & S Barnett dated April 5th a859 due nine monthsafter date.
Paid on the ? Sept 3rd 1859 fifty dollars $50Paid Nov 8th 1859 twelve dollars $12 foregoing inventory isin all respects just and true ad is contained a Paid Dec14th 1859 Twenty-five 25/100 $25.25
Balance on the above up to date $32.12I John Sprague the Administrator on the Estate of JonathanSprague late of Said County deceased being duly sworndepose and Say that the true Statement of all the estateand property of the deceased which had come to my knowledgeand also all money, bank bills, or other circulating mediumbelonging to the deceased and also all just claimed of thdeceased against myself or other perons according to thebest of my knowledge. John Sprague. The above wassubscribed and sworn to this 17th day of April A.D 1861before me G. O. Selkirk Deputy Clerk of Probate Court.Inventory and appraisement of the personal estate ofJonathan S. Sprague deceased made on the 18th day ofFebruary 1861 by T. Jackson, R. Bennett, and S. Adamsappraisers of said Estate. In compliance with the Statutethe undersigned appraised Sett off to the Widow of the SaidJonathan S. Sprague deceased. The following articleswithout appraisement the same being exempt fromadministration. 1 spinning wheel, all the stores put up andused by the family. The family Bible and pictures, 1 cow,12 sheep, the shorn wool from others, all wearing apparel,beds, bedsteads, and bedding, all the cooking utensils, thewearing apparel of the deceased, 1 table6 chairs, 6 knivesand forks, 6 plates, 6 teacups & saucers, 1 sugar dish, 1milk pot, 1 teapot, 12 spoons, and one ditto also Sett offand allow to Mahala Sprague the widow of Said decedent thefollowing property in support for twelve months from thetime of his death provisions and the property alreadyconsumed by her:
[Table not included]
And there not being sufficient property of a suitable kindto set off, we certify that she will need as money theadditional sum of two hundred thirty-one dollars.
Huron Feb. 18th 1861A bill of the property sold by John Sprague executor of theEstate of Jonathan S. Sprague deceased at public on the 5thday of March 1861 A.D.
[Table not included]
The above sale bill is correct. Miron Sexton Clerk of Sale
[Table not Included]
I, John Sprague, Executor of Said Estate of JonathanSprague deceased do make solemn oath that that the above isa correct statement and bill of the sale of the property ofJonathan Sprague deceased in all respect to the best of myknowledge and belief . John Sprague – Subscribed andsworn to this 17th day of April 1861 before me G.O.Selkirk, Deputy Clerk of Probate Court.
From John E. Campbell, correspondent, note of September29, 2013
I found the 1850 census for Jonathan S. Sprague in Huron,Ohio. It values his real estate at $20,000. Using the calculators athttp://www.measuringworth.com/uscompare/relativevalue.php Iobtained the following result:
"If you want to compare the value of a $20,000.00 Income orWealth , in 1850 there are three choices. In 2012 therelative:
historic standard of living value of that income or wealthis $607,000.00
economic status value of that income or wealth is$9,320,000.00
economic power value of that income or wealth is$126,000,000.00"
The result illustrates how difficult it is to equateeconomic value from one historic period to another. By anymeasure, this farmer was among the economic elite for hiscommunity.
He served as justice of the peace for many years but hisformal education was scanty and of a very low order. There was a recent study in anthropology that examined thefirst generation of settlers in an isolated (hence thequality of the data obtained) part of Quebec thatdemonstrated that the first generation achieved a level ofprosperity that was significantly higher than that levelachieved by subsequent generations in the area. Findings from other areas show similar results. Jonathan S. Sprague was among the first generation tosettle in Huron, Ohio. His father was among the firstgeneration to settle in Long Point, Ontario. Mygg-grandfather was among the first generation of Germanimmigrants to Texas and he founded the town ofComfort. Statistics show that the first generation ofsettlers produces a larger number of surviving children andobtains a more valuable real estate holding. [1, 5, 6]
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1796 - 1861 (64 years)
[2, 3] 
Census
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
