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
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| 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.
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"History of the Fire Lands, Comprising Huron & Erie Counties, Ohio 1809-1879 by W. W. Williams
Jonathan S. Sprague, Esq. came to Huron with his family in 1810, from Canada. He settled on the farm now owned by Henry Holdaur. He married Miss Mahala Daly. He afterward bouth an adjoining aarm, of Judge charles Standart. Johathan S. Sprague was a man of more than ordinary talents; he had not the benefit of a common school eduction: yet he was held in so high estimation by his friends and associates that he was frequently eleted to offices of trust. He held the office of justice of the peace for eighteen years in succession, at the termination of which he refused to serve in that capacity any longer; his health was very much impaired for several of 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. Isaac Durham, in April, 1872, near the village, at the age of seventy-two years. page 472.
From John E. Campbell, correspondent, note of August 21, 2013
The Fire Lands Pioneer, June 1858-- "The first settlement in the township was made at what is called Pipe Creek, by Seth Harrington, from Rhode Island,--born in 1771, --Jonathan Sprague from the Eastern part of New York. and Squire Richey. They came in 1809 and settled on Lot number 1. Seth Harrinton and his family still live 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 died in 1861 at his house, formerly Standart Farm, Erie County, Ohio.
Firelands Pioneer, June 1863, p. 69-- "Jonathan Sprague came into the township with his family in 1810, locating upon the east side of the river, about fifty rods below Delgarn's, upon or just north of the Benshcoter place. He was probably one of those who did the iron work 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 map of Huron township dated 1865. The individual plots held by the Sprague, McDonald, Halladay, Wright, and other families 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 when it appears that he (or possibly his father) bought a farm. "In March, 1817, Gideon Olmsted, a refugee from Canada, who now, the war being over, wished himself and family in Canada again, sold me his farm of one hundred acres. About thirty acres were improved, and on it were a log cabin and stable. The price paid was six hundred dollars, one-third store goods and two-third's money. I consulted Judge Wright as to buying, He said it was a low price, and if I wanted land I would do well to take it. Still there was an obstacle in the way. I was two hundred dollars short of funds to pay for it. I then borrowed two hundred dollars of the Judge for one year, aud gave my note with interest. I put John Mason on the farm as tenant. I owned the farm about ten years, then sold it to Jonathan Sprague. It is situated one and a half miles west of Huron."-Francis Graham's Autobiography from The Firelands Pioneer
I attached a transcription I made of the 1861 probate and inventory that followed the death of Jonathan S. Sprague. I know it is way too long to be included in your database. It shows his movable property had a value of about $3,000 which would have been substantial for the time. I do not know what his real estate holdings were worth. I have not found any record that indicates that his mother, Elizabeth Stewart, or any of his siblings (none are named) resided in Ohio.
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Correction to above: Jonathan S. Sprague would have been 31 years old when he bought the farm from Francis Graham, since Graham says he owned it for ten years.
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NOTE: The following is the beginning of the above mentioned transcription. Tabular information
formats improperly so have not been included:
\\PROBATE & INVENTORY OF ESTATE OF
JONATHAN S. SPRAGUE
John Sprague Executor
of
Jonathan S. Sprague
The State of Ohio, Erie County-- Proceedings before the Probate Court within and for said County of Erie on the 9th day of February A.D. 1861. Be it remembered that on Said day the Probate Court as will fully appear by its journal issued Letters Testamentary to John Sprague Executor which were in the words following to wit: At a probate Court held on the 9th day of 9th day of February 1861 at the Courthouse within and for Said County, Present Rush R. Sloane Judge of Said Court, In the name and by the authority of the State of Ohio to all to whom these presents shall come. Be it known that before Said Court was found, approved and admitted to Record the last Will and Testament of Jonathan S. Sprague in Said County, deceased, a true copy whereof is to these presents annexed having whilst living, and at the time of his death goods, chattels, rights, credits and este, within Said County by reason whereof the proving and allowing the Said Will, and the granting administration of all and singular the Said goods, chattels, rights, credits, and estate of Said deceased and any say concerning his will was granted to John Sprague Executor named in Said will having accepted Said Trust and executed his bond to the acceptance of the Court well and faithfully in the manner prescribed by Law to make and return to Said Court an Inventory on oath within three months from the date of these Letters Testamentary, a true inventory of all the monies, goods, chattels, rights, and credits of the Testator which are by law to be administered and which shall have come to his possession or knowledge and if required by Said Court an Inventory of the real estate of the deceased also to administer according to Law and to the will of the Testator all monies, goods, chattels, rights, and credits, and the proceeds of all his real estate that may be sold for the payment of his debts or legacies, which shall at any time come to the possession of any other person for him; and also to render upon oath a just and true account of this administration within eighteen months from the date of these Letters Testamentary; and at any other time when required by the Court or The Law. And we appoint Robert Jackson, Tomer Jackson, and Stark Adams appraisers of all and Singular the goods, and chattels, rights and credits and estate which were of the Said Jonathan S. Sprague in his lifetime. In Testimony Whereof I have caused the Seal of Said Court to be hereunto affixed. Witness Rush R. Sloane, Judge of the Probate Court and afterwards said Executor filed
in said Court the Inventory and Sale Bill of said Estate which was in the words and figures following to wit: We the undersigned do make solemn oath that we do truly, honestly, and impartially appraise the Estate and Property that may be exhibited to us belonging to the Estate of Jonathan S. Sprague deceased, and perform the other duties required by law of us in the premises as etc., according to the best of our knowledge and ability.
Robt Bennett, Stark Adams, Gower Jackson
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 18th day of Feb A.D 1861
R. R. Webber J.P.
We the undersigned appraisers of the Estate and Property of Jonathan S. Sprague deceased, after being duly Sworn have made an Inventory and Appraisement thereof as follows:
[Table not included]
No money on hand. The following claims in favor of the Estate are collectable in full promissory note two hundred dollars against John S rague Dated April 1st 1860 due April 1st 1863 with interest annually Secured by mortgage. Promissory note for Three hundred dollars $300 against John Sprague dated April 1st 1860 payable April 1st 1866 with interest, annually Secured by mortgage. Promissory note for three hundred $300 against John Sprague dated April 1st 1860 payable April 1st 1867 with interest annually secured by mortgage. Promissory note for Two hundred dollar & three $203 against Philip Rosmurm dated March 1st 1861 payable Dec 1st 1861. Promissory note for Twenty dollars agaist Mary Wilson & S. Barnett dated April 5th 1859 due nine months from date with interest. Promissory note for one hundred & fourteen dollars $114 against J. H. Wilsone Mary Ann Wilson & S Barnett dated April 5th a859 due nine months after date.
Paid on the ? Sept 3rd 1859 fifty dollars $50
Paid Nov 8th 1859 twelve dollars $12 foregoing inventory is in all respects just and true ad is contained a Paid Dec 14th 1859 Twenty-five 25/100 $25.25
Balance on the above up to date $32.12
I John Sprague the Administrator on the Estate of Jonathan Sprague late of Said County deceased being duly sworn depose and Say that the true Statement of all the estate and property of the deceased which had come to my knowledge and also all money, bank bills, or other circulating medium belonging to the deceased and also all just claimed of th deceased against myself or other perons according to the best of my knowledge. John Sprague. The above was subscribed and sworn to this 17th day of April A.D 1861 before me G. O. Selkirk Deputy Clerk of Probate Court. Inventory and appraisement of the personal estate of Jonathan S. Sprague deceased made on the 18th day of February 1861 by T. Jackson, R. Bennett, and S. Adams appraisers of said Estate. In compliance with the Statute the undersigned appraised Sett off to the Widow of the Said Jonathan S. Sprague deceased. The following articles without appraisement the same being exempt from administration. 1 spinning wheel, all the stores put up and used 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, the wearing apparel of the deceased, 1 table6 chairs, 6 knives and forks, 6 plates, 6 teacups & saucers, 1 sugar dish, 1 milk pot, 1 teapot, 12 spoons, and one ditto also Sett off and allow to Mahala Sprague the widow of Said decedent the following property in support for twelve months from the time of his death provisions and the property already consumed by her:
[Table not included]
And there not being sufficient property of a suitable kind to set off, we certify that she will need as money the additional sum of two hundred thirty-one dollars.
Huron Feb. 18th 1861
A bill of the property sold by John Sprague executor of the Estate of Jonathan S. Sprague deceased at public on the 5th day 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 Jonathan Sprague deceased do make solemn oath that that the above is a correct statement and bill of the sale of the property of Jonathan Sprague deceased in all respect to the best of my knowledge and belief . John Sprague – Subscribed and sworn to this 17th day of April 1861 before me G.O. Selkirk, Deputy Clerk of Probate Court.
From John E. Campbell, correspondent, note of September 29, 2013
I found the 1850 census for Jonathan S. Sprague in Huron, Ohio. It values his real estate at $20,000. Using the calculators at http://www.measuringworth.com/uscompare/relativevalue.php I obtained the following result:
"If you want to compare the value of a $20,000.00 Income or Wealth , in 1850 there are three choices. In 2012 the relative:
historic standard of living value of that income or wealth is $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 equate economic value from one historic period to another. By any measure, this farmer was among the economic elite for his community.
He served as justice of the peace for many years but his formal education was scanty and of a very low order. There was a recent study in anthropology that examined the first generation of settlers in an isolated (hence the quality of the data obtained) part of Quebec that demonstrated that the first generation achieved a level of prosperity that was significantly higher than that level achieved by subsequent generations in the area. Findings from other areas show similar results. Jonathan S. Sprague was among the first generation to settle in Huron, Ohio. His father was among the first generation to settle in Long Point, Ontario. My gg-grandfather was among the first generation of German immigrants to Texas and he founded the town of Comfort. Statistics show that the first generation of settlers produces a larger number of surviving children and obtains 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
