Last week cousin Phil Leisure contacted me with some
interesting information regarding the connection between the Leisure and
Osborn/Osburn/Osborne families. He had noticed Elizabeth Leisure, daughter of
George Washington and sister to Nathan J. and Joseph. (Phil is descended from
Nathan and I’m from Joseph.) Phil recalled some of the surnames from family
deeds he’s kept at the bank.
After looking at the deeds he found “deeded to John Osburn
and wife Elizabeth in 1863 from his father Benjamin F (deeded in 1851) who then
sold it to son Frank Osburn in 1894. Nathan J. eventually bought it in 1913.”
Another tract of land just across from the original went from Benjamin to John
in 1862. After John’s death the land was transferred to his children: George,
Frank, Joseph, Mary Toole, Ida May Hinds and Jane Snook.
I’ve spent several days trying to tie Benjamin F. and John
Osburn/Osborn through census records. My current theory is the Benjamin Osburn
of Clermont County, Ohio who purchased 80 acres in Rush County, Indiana from
the government at the Indianapolis Land Office (certificate 132623) in 1834 is
John’s father but don’ have them together on a census record. This same
Benjamin could easily have purchased the land in Grant County in 1851.
Some of my finds are listed below. Where the deeds are
mentioned, the information is from Phil.
References to
Benjamin Osburn/Osborn:
- Benjamin Osburn of Clermont County, Ohio
purchased 80 acres from the government: east ½ of the North West quarter of
Section twelve in township 14, north of range 9 east, 12 Aug 1834 – Rush County,
Indiana
- Benjamin Osburn purchases 80 acre tract on St
rd. #13 in 1851 – Grant County, Indiana
- Deeded property to son John & wife Elizabeth
– 1863 – Grant County, Indiana
- Deeded property “across the road” to John &
wife – 1862 – Grant county Indiana
- 1850 Federal Census for Jackson township, Rush
County, Indiana (Roll: M432_170; page 557B/558A, of NARA Record Group 29;
accessed on Ancestry.com 18 Jan 2012) lists a Benjamin Osburn age 26 born in
Ohio with wife Elizabeth age 27. He is listed as a Wagon Maker. This couple is
living near familiar families: George W & Lucinda Leisure – including our
Elizabeth age 7, John & Sarah (Leisure) Price, & Nathan and Sarah (Irvin)
Leisure.
- 1860 Federal Census for Green township, Grant County, Indiana (Roll: M653_261;
page 238; accessed on Ancestry.com 20 Jan 2012) lists a Benj. P Osborn age 37
born in Ohio with wife Elizabeth age 38 and children Elijah 10, John W. 7,
Catharine 6, Dan 4, Wilson 1. He is listed as a Farmer but also in the
household is a Soloman R Beara age 67, Mill Wright.
- 1870 Federal Census for Noble township, Wabash County, Indiana (roll: M593_367,
page: 154A; accessed on Ancestry.com 20 Jan 2012) lists Benj P Osborn age 45
with wife Elizabeth age 49 and children William age 18, Catharine age 16, and
Daniel age 12. Also listed is Catharine Kirtley age 63 [probably Elizabeth’s
mother.]
This is probably not The Benjamin Osborn/Osburn we
seek. His son, John, age 7 in 1860 could not have married Elizabeth Leisure in
1859. However, this Benjamin could be
a brother to the John we seek.
References to John Osborn/Osburn
· Deeded property from father, Benjamin – 1863 – Grant County, Indiana
- Deeded property “across the road” from father,
Benjamin – 1862 – Grant county Indiana
- John’s deed transferred to children at his
death: George, Frank, Joseph, Mary Toole, Ida May Hinds and Jane Snook.
- 1880 Federal Census for Green township, Grant
County, Indiana Roll: 279; Family History Film: 1254279; Page: 432D;
Enumeration District: 169; dwelling 33, family 35 (accessed on Ancestry.com)
lists John Osborn age 44 - parents born
in Ohio – with wife, Elisabeth, age 37 and children: George age 20, Frank age
17, Mary E. age 14, Joseph age 10, and Idah M [Ida Mae] age 7. [Daughter Jane
had married in 1877 to William J. Snook and was also living in Green, Grant,
Indiana]
- 1900 Federal Census for Green township, Grant
County, Indiana, ED 35, sheet 8B;
enumerated 18 Jun 1900,(National Archive Film # T623, roll 373; accessed on
Ancestry.com 20 Jan 2012).
- Dwelling 182, Family 182, lines 64-70 lists John Osburn age 59 with wife
Elizabeth age 55; daughter Jane Snook [widow] age 40 with children Alta age 15
and Onrie[?] age 12; and daughter Mary E Tolle [widow] age 34 with daughter
Orphie age 10. Everyone listed as born in Indiana. John’s parents listed as
born in Ohio and Elizabeth’s parents listed as born in Kentucky.
Dwelling 183, Family 183, lines 71-74 lists Frank Osburn age 36 with wife Mary
E. age 27 with children Mamie B age 8 and Floy age 3 months. All born in
Indiana.
- John’s deed transferred to children at his
death: George, Frank, Joseph, Mary Toole, Ida May Hinds and Jane Snook.
We’d
love to hear from anyone with addition information or clarification. For now, I
have to get back to my work writing about Mary Francis Leisure.
