-
Page 1
Descendancy Narrative of Luke of Eglingham Ogle (2426)
I. Luke of Eglingham
1 OGLE (2426) married Isabella CRASTER (2427), daughter of
Edmund CRASTER (2428) and Alice MITFORD (2835). He died on
29 Oct 1604 Possibly buried at St. Nicholas Church in England
(unknown record type: unknown subject, by unknown photographer;
unknown series; unknown repository, unknown repository address.
Online unknown url; unknown file name.).
A. Nicholas2 OGLE (2432) (Sir Henry Ogle, Ogle and Bothal,
Newcastle /Tyne, Northbumberland, England, 1902, Library of
Congress.) married an
unknown person. He was born in 1600. 1. Luke
3 OGLE of Berwick (2666) (Ibid.) married an unknown person.
a) Samuel4 OGLE (2667) (unknown subject, unknown repository,
unknown repository address.) (Sir Henry A. Ogle, Ogle and
Bothal.)
married an unknown person. (1) Samuel
5 OGLE (2668) (unknown subject, unknown repository, unknown
repository address.) (Sir Henry A. Ogle, Ogle and Bothal.)
married an unknown person. (a) Benjamin
6 OGLE (2669) (Ibid.)
B. Captain Henry2 OGLE of Eglingham (2430). "Henry Ogle of
Eglingham was born in 1600, for he was four a a half years old on
the 19th of
January, 1605... In 1643 he was one of the sequestrators for
land, for the parliament, and on the 29th of November, 1644, was a
deputy lieutenant for the county... He was a strong parliamentarian
and in 1650... he entertained Cromwell in Eglingham, and the room
where his guest slept is still standing at the Hall... He was a
representative for the county in the Little Parliament 1653, and
was again returned as such on the 4th of September, 1654... Henry's
name occurs frequently as Captain Henry Ogle in State Papers, and
he seems to have been very active;...it...seems probable that prior
to the Restoration in 1660 he made over some of his property in
case he should have been deprived, but however that may be, on the
20th of June, 1668, he entailed his property on his two
grandchildren, with remainder to his own sons. He probably died in
1669. (Ogle and Bothal). He Top oPosted by: Phillip Ogle Date:
March 06, 2001 at 11:08:48 In Reply to: Ogle Manor House in England
by JUDY OGLE EDWARDS of 1565 Judy, I visited Northumberland 10 yrs.
ago. The people who own Ogle Castle now are John and Boddil Bonas.
I don't have the address for Ogle Castle, but suppose once you get
there you could contact them to see if they would give you a tour.
I didn't get in the Castle when I visited, I just drove up the
drive and knocked at the door but no one answered. Yes, I played
the "pushy American tourist" I would never have thought of doing
something like that here in the States, but I was "bound and
determined" to make the attempt once I arrived in Northumberland. I
did luckily get a tour of Eglingham Hall where our John Ogle of
Delaware's family lived. The owner at that time was April Potts.
She was very gracious and gave me a tour of the downstairs of the
Manor House. She was interested in the Ogle info that I had. I also
walked up to the door of Bothal Castle. The maid who answered the
door was very nice but she was amazed that I had gotten close
enough to even knock! It seems the gardener is under instructions
to chase off any uninvited intruder. She was urgently pressing me
to leave quickly since the day before the gardener had chased off
(with the dogs)another group of visiting Ogles! After she closed
the door she quickly opened it again and gave me a small booklet on
the history of the Castle. Bothal is still owned by the Duke of
Portlands family and is used for some sort of business retreat. The
Chapel at Bothal was closed for renovation so I couldn't get inside
there either. But the Chapel at Eglingham was open and also Whalton
Church close to Ogle. So I did get to see the tombstones of our
ancestors at those locations. There are also several Ogles buried
in Westminister Abbey. The Duke of Newcastle has a monument there
and then the Ogle heiress who married the Earl of Shresbury has a
large monument there. Some Ogle's I knew who visited Westminister
talked to one of the employees there and got a personal tour of
other Ogle sites within the Abbey. Hexam's Abbey also has some Ogle
monuments. Anyway I hope some of this has been of help to you. I
would be most interested in hearing about your trip when you
return. It is a very moving experience to stand where our Ogle
ancestors stood all those hundreds of years ago! Phillip Ogle. He
married Jane FORSTER (2431), daughter of N. FORSTER (2434). He was
born on 19 Jul 1600 (Ibid., p. 196-197.) (unknown subject unknown
record type, by unknown photographer.). He died circa 1669 (Sir
Henry A. Ogle, Ogle and Bothal.).
-
Page 2
1. John3 OGLE of Eglingham (2433). "John Ogle of
Eglingham was probably born about the year 1621. In 1650 he
received a commission as captain of militia for the four northern
counties, and the next year he was under the commonwealth a
commissioner and also commanding a troop of horses in Scotland. He
died before the 11th of June, 1686." (Ogle and Bothal) The Ogles of
Eglingham held lands at Berwick-upon-Tweed, where Luke Ogle, a
cousin of Captain John Ogle, became Vicar in 1655 (Ogle and Bothal
p. 210). Berwick-upon-Tweed was an important military extablishment
in the seventeenth century, where Captain Henry and Captain John
Ogle were frequently present; Eglingham is in fact closer to
Berwick than to Newcastle. With the men of the family occupied with
military and political matters and probably seeing very little of
the family seat at Eglingham, it is entirely reasonable to suppose
that Captain John Ogle's wife resided during this period at
Berwick, where she could be near her husband, and where her child
was born. The records of Captain John Ogle's family are meagre,
which is easily understood, considering the turbulent years in
which he lived; and in 1668, when Captain Henry Ogle made over his
property to his two grandchildren, young John Ogle had already gone
to America. Thus his name is not mentioned in any surviving family
papers, and as he was christened away from the family seat of
Eglingham, his existence was not noted by Sir Henry Ogle in "Ogle
and Bothal". (The English Origins of John Ogle) (Ibid.). He married
Eleanor PRINGLE (2436). He was born circa 1621 at Eglingham,
Northumberland, England (Ibid., p.198.). He witnessed the
christening of John OGLE (2437) on 30 Sep 1649 at Berwick on Tweed,
Northumberland, England (unknown subject, unknown repository,
unknown repository address.). He served in the military in 1650
(Sir Henry A. Ogle, Ogle and Bothal.). He died say 1686
(Ibid.).
a) John4 OGLE (2437) ("In 1664 affairs in England's American
colonies were not running smoothly. Disputes among various
settlements
were prevalent. In addition to these troubles, the aggressive
foreign policy of the Dutch government was a mater of serious
concern in America as well as other parts of the world. Charles II
and his brother, the Duke of York, having decided upon summary
action, appointed a commission to go over and adjust the
difficulties. Armed forces were to accompany them for the
enforcement of their decisions and for certain conquests which had
no doubt been anticipated. Colonel Richard Nicolls, in charge, with
Sir Rober Carr, Sir George Cartwright and Samuel Maverick as the
members, set out upon a mission that was destined to become an
important and far-reaching event in American history. While its
ostensible purpose was to straighten out the difficulties among the
English settlements, its primary object was the removal of the
Dutch menace to English trade and political power in America. Easy
victories for the English forces resulted in the fall of New
Amsterdam and New Amstel, and their re-establishment as New York
and New Castle, as well as the complete surrender of the contiguous
territory. The Dutch were almost eliminated, leaving only France
and Spain as serious contenders for supremacy in America. John
Ogle, "one of the soldiers at New Castle," was fearless,
independent, stubborn, contentious, and possessed a considerable
amount of the arrogance that the Elizabethan tradition had
transmitted to the individual British soldier. He was typical of
the men going out from Britain who were participating in the
beginnings of a world empire which was finally to eclipse all of
its predecessors) (John Ogle, Booklet, Library of
-
Page 3
Congress, Washingon, D.C.) (Ogle/Ogles Family Association,
"Ogle," Ogle Genealogist, 20 (1999). Hereinafter cited as
"Ogle."). Ancestor of the Month October 2006 John (of Delaware)
Ogle b. 30 Sep 1649 d. 1683/84 If we were going to make a movie of
our ancestor John Ogles life, we would probably choose an actor
like Erroll Flynn to play the lead. (I tried to think of a more
modern actorat least one who is alive and known to our younger
family members, but I just couldnt top Erroll Flynn, the
swashbuckling, handsome, daring, adventurous heartthrob of
yesteryears silver screen. Maybe Antonio Banderas would come close,
but the accent needs to be British.) The Ogles of Northumberland
John Ogle was born 30 Sep 1649 in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, England. He
was the son of John (of Eglingham) Ogle and Elizabeth Pringle. John
of Eglingham came from a long line of Ogles who traced their
lineage back to Edward I, William the Conqueror, and Charlemagne.
Though the Ogle family had been on the losing side during the
battle of Hastings when William the Conqueror had taken over the
throne of England, they had somehow maintained their holdings,
perhaps by pledging loyalty to the new king. Very few families in
Northumberland, the Ogles homeland since early times, had managed
to keep their properties after the Normans took over the throne.
Humphrey de Ogle, however, was given a special document from King
William which returned all the Ogle lands and holdings as they had
been before the war. This included Ogle castle and the town of
Ogle, both of which are still in existence in Northumberland. The
Civil War, the Commonwealth, and the Restoration In that respect,
the Ogles were lucky. Their luck was not always good, however.
Dissatisfaction with the monarchy led to a period of Civil War that
broke out in 1642. On 30 Jan 1649 the war ended with the beheading
of King Charles I. Eight months later, on September 30, our John
Ogle was born. Since the Civil War had been basically court versus
country (aristocracy versus landed gentry) at first Johns family
fared well. John, Sr. received a commission in the army in 1650,
one year after his son was born. He became captain of the militia
for the four northern counties in England, and the next year under
the Commonwealth he was a commissioner and also commanded a mounted
troop in Scotland. In1661 King Charles II and the monarchy were
restored to power. Our John was only twelve years old, and his
future did not look promising. Whereas the Commonwealth had been
good for the Ogles, the period of Restoration would probably not
have been, and even at Johns young age, he was probably smart
enough to be looking for a way to improve his lot. Charles Blunders
Though Charles II was well loved by his people, he did a number of
things that were unwise, and his reign was fraught with problems
The most compelling at this time were disagreements with the Dutch
over lands in America which could easily lead to war. (Although
unknown to John and not influencing his decisions, things would
worsen. Later the winter and summer of 1665 would see the Black
Plague ravage England again. Sixteen-sixty-six would bring the
great fire that lasted five days and destroyed London.) Over some
of his problems Charles II had no control; for others he must take
complete blame. For example, in 1664, the Dutch were infuriated
when Charles cavalierly gave all the Dutch holdings in America to
his brother James, the Duke of York, claiming that they were
Englands by right of discovery. On 25 May, 1664, the Duke of York,
later to become King James II, sent Colonel Robert Nicholls with an
expedition of four ships, three hundred soldiers, and four hundred
fifty men to America to secure these lands. At this time, our John
was only fourteen years old; he wouldnt be fifteen until September.
Nevertheless, he quickly saw a way out of his familys possibly
bleak future, joined Nicholls group, and sailed to the Colonies.
Off to the America When the expedition reached New Amsterdam, the
Dutch, after minor negotiations, surrendered without firing a shot.
Immediately the name New Amsterdam was changed to New York. John
Ogles first encounter with war was an easy one. Delaware, like New
York, was of prime interest to European powers. It had been an area
of controversy among the Dutch, Swedes, and Finns for some time.
Shortly before the English arrival, the Dutch had captured Delaware
from the Swedes and added it to New Netherlands. The British saw an
easy solution to all the squabbling. They simply moved into
Delaware and took Fort Casimir, the major stronghold of the area.
John served under Capt. Robert Carr during the takeover of Delaware
and actually saw some fighting. He probably lived at Fort Casimir
with the other British soldiers after the takeover. He remained in
Delaware throughout his enlistment and continued to stay as a
civilian. Life in Delaware After the British conquered Delaware,
John settled first in New Castle and there lived the life of a
conquering soldier. Shortly afterwards, he apparently caught the
land ownership fever that was prevalent in the area. The early
Swedish and Dutch colonists wanted enough land for baronial
estateJohn OGLE (2437). They dealt in land parcels so large it was
hard to make improvements on them. Such desire for land. however,
would make land speculation attractive.. Almost immediatelyprobably
even before being discharged from the army--John began
-
Page 4
acquiring land and speculating in land and real estate. He did
so for the rest of his life. Soon he had a home called The Fishing
Place at Christiana Bridge, Christina River. His land lay next to
that of Anders Stille, a Swedish friend The Marriage, the
Elizabeths, and the Controversy Somewhere between 1664-1671 came
the biggest mixup of Johns life, for it was at this time that he
met and married his wife. The confusion is over who the wife was.
Version One says that John married Elizabeth Wollaston in 1665 He
was sixteen; she was thirteen. Elizabeth Wollaston was the daughter
(or sister) of Sgt. Thomas Wollaston, a comrade-in-arms of John
Ogle. Another account of Version One says that Elizabeth Wollaston
was the child of Thomas Wollaston, Sr., and that the couple married
in England before John sailed. Version Two says that at Anders
Stilles home sixteen-year-old John Ogle met thirteen-year-old
Elizabeth Petersdotter, who had moved from her home to that of her
uncle Anders in order to help take care of his household chores.
Elizabeth was the daughter of Swedish colonists Peter Jochimson and
Ella Olafsdotter. In this version John and this Elizabeth married
in1671. Although no record has been found to show when John was
discharged from the army, some of the other soldiers, including his
friend Thomas Wollaston, were discharged in October 1669. Waiting
to be discharged before marrying seems logical, but those in love
arent always logical. Version Three says that Elizabeth(s)
Petersdotter and Wollaston were the same person: Elizabeth
Petersdotter Wollaston. Now if she were the same person, all
problems would be solved; however, it is unlikely that she can be
melded into one. First of all we have the ethnic problem.
Petersdotter is definitely Swedish; Wollaston is English. Secondly,
there are at least two sets of parents involved. Thirdly, there are
two different (probable) dates of death. A possible solution would
be that John was married twice (Version Four) Again, there is a
problem. There is no known divorce record for Elizabeth Wollaston,
and she apparently lived until 1713. John supposedly married
Elizabeth Petersdotter in 1671. That would mean that John would
have been a bigamist or that he had gotten an unheard of divorce.
What was Elizabeth Wollaston doing in the colonies anyway? Did
daughters accompany their soldier fathers and/or husbands or
brothers to war? Another possibility, Version Five, is that there
are two John Ogles with wives named Elizabeth who moved to the same
region at about the same time and that the facts of one mans life
have been incorporated into the life of the other. Young John Ogles
best friends were James Crawford and Thomas Wollaston, both of whom
were older than he. His friendships with these men and with Anders
Stille further muddy the waters. Several marriages occurred among
descendents of the Ogle, Crawford, and Wollaston families. However,
there are Stille spouses in the Ogle family, too. Thus, we need to
verify just which of these theories about the Elizabeths is
correct. Wont that be fun? The more I look, the more possibilities
there seem to be. In any event, John (1) married somebody named
Elizabeth and the couple went on to have two sons; Thomas Ogle (b
c1672-d.1734) and John (2) Ogle (b. c1674-d 1720 Either Thomas or
John had a son named John (3). It is from this grandson of John
Ogle of Delaware that we descend. In 1997 the Ogle/Ogles Family
Association determined that until more positive evidence is
available to ascertain Elizabeth Ogles maiden name she shall be
known in Association records as Elizabeth, maiden name unknown or
Elizabeth??. As to our definite ancestor John (3)-- The Ogle/Ogles
Family Association has taken the stand that until more conclusive
evidence is available, John (3) will be noted as a son of either
John (2) or Thomas. Perhaps we shall never know for sure. Land
Deals John continued with his land acquisition. In 1666 he and
three of his friends-- Sgt. Thomas Wollaston, John Hendricks, and
Hermann Johnston--received part of a large grant from the Duke of
York. Their land abutted a tract held by James Crawford, another
comrade in arms of John Ogle. Ogle, Wollaston, Crawford, and their
families settled on plantations near each other in New Castle
County and were friends all their lives. John and Elizabeth also
lived next door to Anders Stille. Altercations and Disorder Never
one to be put upon, John Ogles outspokenness and temper sometimes
got him into trouble. He was said by some to be rash and reckless.
One incident that shows Ogles spirit occurred on 4 June 1675. The
magistrates of New Castle voted to build a road and dyke across the
marsh near the town. An additional dyke across a marsh owned by a
board member named Hans Block was also approved. Residents of the
area were to contribute either labor or money to the projects. John
Ogle led the group of objectors and informed the governing body
that no dykes at all would be built. He claimed that the conditions
were unfair since public labor and money would be used to improve
Blocks private lands and raised such a ruckus that he was thrown
out of the church where the meeting was being held. With Ogle gone,
Mathys Smith and Rev. Jacobus Fabricius, a Lutheran minister,
picked up the battle. The result was that Ogle and Fabricius were
arrested for inciting a riot and held in a nearby anchored boat.
From the boat Ogle and Fabricius continued to shout and curse.
Eventually the two men were released, but when Ogle encountered
Hans Block later on the street and insulted Block and authority,
something had to be done. The atmosphere in New Castle at that time
was very much like that of a wild western border town or gold town.
Fights, robberies, drunkenness, and general bad conduct were
common. The town was unsafe in many respects, so Ogle probably
thought nothing much would come of his shenanigans. The governor,
however, saw things differently and issued warrants for Ogle and
Fabricus who were considered the ringleaders of the fracas. The two
along with several others had also signed a grievance which didnt
help matters. Ogle and Fabricus were ordered to appear before court
in August, and the rest of the signers were to appear at a later
court. When the August court met, Rev. Fabricus appeared, was found
guilty, and defrocked. Ogle, who conveniently fell sick, did not
appear and some reports say that no further action was taken
against him. Later reports, however, show that both John Ogle and
Anders Stille were fined twenty guilders for refusing to work on
Hans Blocks dyke. John was also fined four hundred guilders for the
charge of inciting a riot. Public Works Later In 1675 John was
appointed overseer of the residents of Christina Creek when the
Governor ordered the construction of new highways. Citizens of New
Castle, the surrounding area, and the south side of Christina Creek
were to be responsible for constructing a road twelve feet
widefairly sizable in those days-- from New Castle to Red Lyon.
Perhaps the governor showed good judgment in appointing John
overseer (on the governments side) rather than run the possibility
of having him oppose the new road as he had opposed the dyke and
road construction earlier in the year. Age 25 and Beyond John Ogles
life after 1675 continued as before. He acquired more land and got
into more disputes. One quarrel occurred when he accused a Dutch
neighbor of stealing his heifer. The affair went to court, and
since Thomas Wollaston was one of the jury members, should we be
surprised that John won? As a tobacco planter, John Ogle suffered
the financial ups and downs of farming. He was almost continually
in financial difficulties which he attempted to assuage with land
dealings. Bartering was the high finance of the day, and little
money changed hands
-
Page 5
A seemingly insignifiant yet important event occurred 25 Aug
1680. At that time Thomas Wollaston asked his friend John Ogle to
deliver a letter he had written to John Briggs of West Jersey.
Briggs had owed Wollaston a debt for three years. John Ogle agreed,
took the letter, and stopped by New York where he made an affidavit
on 27 Aug concerning the transaction between Briggs and Wollaston.
The affidavit begins: John Ogle, aged thirty-two or thereabouts,
andbecause of his age--permits us to link him with more certainty
to the Ogle family in Northumberland. If there were two John Ogles,
the notebearer is ours. Johns Debts fall on Elizabeth For the
remainder of his life, John Ogle was involved in acquiring land and
participating in lawsuits. When he died in the winter of 1683/84 at
the age of thirty-four, he left many debts and no will. His wife
Elizabeth had to take up the battle. On 16 December 1684 Elizabeth
was in court to complain that her husband had already paid more
than the appropriate amount of taxes on their holdings. She was
harassed by claims of owing taxes for most of the rest of her life.
Finally in March of 1698, the court agreed that she hath over and
above paid the inventory of goods belonging to the said [John] Ogle
deceased and discharged her from having to pay any more debts of
her husband to the court. There were, however, other debts and
problems. In 1684 Colonel James Talbot from Maryland raided the
area, destroyed Elizabeths hay by throwing it into the river, and
built a fort on her property. Anders Stille and Elizabeth Ogle sold
that property and moved to property called the Hopyard in White
Clay Creek . The Hopyard had been surveyed for John Ogle the
previous year. In 1687 Peter Petersson Yokum purchased the Hopyard
to protect it from Elizabeths creditors. These two events present
perhaps the best evidence in the wife mystery, as Anders Stille,
Elizabeth Petersdotters uncle, appears to be helping take care of
her, and Peter Petersson, Elizabeth Petersdotters brother, was also
assisting. (Note: In The History of Gatlinburg, 1931, the author
describes the Ogle family as blond. Could this be a Swedish trait
inherited from Elizabeth Petersdotter? Hmmm.) (Note 2: The name
Yokum comes from Peter Jochimson. Jochimson was anglicized to
Yokum. Peter Jochimson (Yokum) was Elizabeth and Peters father.)
Elizabeths Death In 1696 Elizabeths son John began selling off the
other Ogle lands, possibly around the time of his mothers death,
which occurred sometime before 12 Sept 1702. On that date the
executors of the Yocum estate sold the Hopyard property. (Elizabeth
Wollaston reportedly lived until 1713) After Elizabeths death and
the selling of the Ogle properties, the Ogle families relocated to
an area which came to be known as Ogletown. The lands originally
owned by the Ogles are located in what is now Christiana, Delaware.
John Ogles life was brief but full of action. Never one to walk
away from a fight, he showed the spirit, determination, and
occasional brashness needed by the early settlers of our country
who wanted to acquire land, establish homes, and prosper in the new
world. Like many of our forefathers, John Ogle was a young man who
came to America hoping to fulfill his dreams.of making his own way
in life. John (3) (of Delaware)Ogle is Eli McCarters great, great,
great, great, great, great (6 greats) grandfather Sources:
Celebrate Boston.com ( American History, Part II. A History of the
Colony of New York Back to Dutch Rule) Craig, Dr. Peter Stebbin.
Peter Jochim and his Yocum Descendents. Swedish Colonial News. Vol
#15, Spring 1997 Craig, Dr. Peter Stebbin. Elisabeth Petersdotter
Yocum, Wife of the English Soldier, John Ogle. The Ogle
Genealogist. Vol 18, 1997. pp. 19-27. Exchange of Views Regarding
the Identity of Elizabeth, Wife of John Ogle, Immigrant to Delaware
and Parent of John (3) Ogle. The Ogle Genealogist, Vol 18, 1997.
pp. 27-51. Greve, Jeanette. The History of Gatlinburg. Nashville:
Premiere Press, 1931 Hibbard, Francis Hamilton, The English Origins
of John Ogle, 1976, pp..9-14 John Ogle of Christiana
(www.xtinahs.org/Digitaltour/JohnOgleGrave.html) John (of Delaware)
Ogle. Smokykin.com Reagan, Donald B. Smoky Mountain Clans, Vol I.
Robert Nicholls in Pioneers of New Jersey. Wikipedia Scharf, Thomas
J. History of Delaware 1609-88. Vol 2. Philadelphia: W. Richard and
Co., 1886., Ch. XLII, p. 848 (unknown compiler, online
http://ebmfamily.tripod.com/mccarterarchives/id10.html, unknown
author (unknown location).).
Http://xtinahs.org/Digitaltour/JohnOgleGrave.html JOHN OGLE OF
CHRISTIANA John Ogle was born on September 30, 1649, at Berwick
Upon Tweed, Northumberland, England to John Ogle of the same place.
The elder John was from Eglingham, and in 1650 received a
commission as captain of militia for the four northern counties,
and the next year he was under the commonwealth a commissioner and
also commanding a troop of horse in Scotland. According to Mormon
Church which deals in genealogy, John was a direct descendant of
King Edward the First. The Ogle?s had their own castle in
Northumberland. Young John Ogle early became aware of the
difficulties which his family were likely to experience after the
Restoration, and he undoubtedly had heard tales of adventures in
the New World; and so when the opportunity was presented to him,
John Ogle joined Colonel Nicolls' expedition, bound for America. He
was a scant 14 when he joined Nicholl?s ranks. In March 1664, the
whole of the territory in America occupied by the Dutch on the
Atlantic seaboard was granted by Charles II to his brother, the
Duke of York, on the plea that it was British soil by right of
discovery. On 25 May 1664, Colonel Nicolls, with four ships, 300
soldiers and 450 men, sailed from Portsmouth. The expedition
arrived at New Amsterdam, and without firing a shot, Governor
Stuyvesant surrendered the town on 29 August and promptly changed
the name to New York. Delaware had been originally settled by
Swedes, who quarreled with the Dutch, who built Fort Casimir 6
miles from the Swedish Fort Christiana. In 1654 Governor Rising
brought a large number of colonists from Sweden; he took Fort
Casimir, renaming it Fort of the Holy Trinity, in honor of the day
of capture. Governor Stuyvesant, who later came down from New
Amsterdam and recaptured the fort, renamed it New Amstel. John
Ogle, who had served under Captain Carr in Delaware, became a
permanent resident of White Clay Creek Hundred, named from the
deposits of white clay found along its banks. John Ogle first
resided at New Castle, where he was a large land-buyer; he
afterwards lived at
-
Page 6
various sites on his extensive holdings. He commenced acquiring
land at an early date, probably as soon as the confusion of the
conquest and the settlement of Indian troubles permitted it. The
first grant that John Ogle received was in February 1666, from
Governor Nicolls, who had empowered the officers of Delaware to
dispose of 'implanted' land there for the best advantage of the
inhabitants. This tract was 800 or 1000 acres total, including a
300 acre tract known as "Muscle Cripple". The original document
omits the exact acreage, but it requires a yearly quitrent of 8
bushels of wheat, the standard being 1 bushel for each hundred
acres per year. Later records record him owning 1,000 acres in
Christiana, although it is unknown if it was all from the original
grant or a combination of lands. The following is the wording in
the Duke of York?s grant of this land: "A Confirmation granted unto
Sergeant Thomas Wollaston, John Ogle, John Hendrick, and Hermann
Johnston, for a certain parcel of land in White Clay kill in
Delaware River Richard Nicholls, Esqr. &c Whereas there is a
certain piece or parcel of land lying and being in White Clay kill
near unto Christeen kill in Delaware River bounded to the E. with
Hans Bones Plantation to the South with James Crawford's, to the
North and West by a fresh creek or Run of water at the head of
Bread and Cheese Island containing about (blank) acres of woodland,
as also a piece of valley or meadow ground known by the name of
Muscle Cripple running up the kill about (blank) of a mile which
said piece or parcel of land was by the officers of Delaware who
were empowered by my commission to dispose of implanted land there
for the best advantage of the inhabitants granted unto Sergeant
Thomas Wollaston, John Ogle, John Hendrick, and Herman Johnson, the
said grant bearing date (blank) day of February 1666. Now for a
confirmation unto them the said Thomas Wollaston, John Ogle, John
Hendrick, and Herman Johnston, in their possession and enjoyment of
the premises. Know yee that by virtue of the commission and
authority to me given, I have given ratified confirmed and granted
unto the said Thomas Wollaston &c. the afore recited parcels of
land and premises, &c., yielding and paying therefore yearly
and every year unto his Majesties use eight bushels of Wheat as a
Quit Rent when it shall be demanded, by such person or persons in
authority as his majesty shall please to establish and empower in
Delaware River and the parts and plantations adjacent. Given under
my hand and seal, at Fort James, in New York, on the Island
Manhattan, the first day of August, in the 20th year of his
Majesty's reign, Anno Domini, 1668." The land as platted for Ogle
was a long rectangle, lying between the north side of the
Christiana Creek and the south side of the White Clay Creek. It
encompasses the area currently encompassing the town of Christiana,
the Christiana Mall, and the Christiana Hospital Center Complex. 39
degrees 40' 50.33 N and 75 degrees 39' 04.28 W It was bounded on
the east by Hans Bones, the south by James Crawford, and the
southeast by Sergeant John Erskine. The north and west were
undeveloped, due to the fact that they were above the head of
navigation on the streams. The parcel known as Muscle Cripple was
granted to Sgt Thomas Wollaston, John Ogle, John Hendricks and
Herman Johnson. It consisted of a part of 300 acres and was bounded
by a creek at the head of Bread and Cheese Island and also by the
plantations of Hans Bones and James Crawford. Sgt Wollaston had
been a comrade in arms, as had James Crawford of the adjoining
plantation. James Crawford, having gained some knowledge of
medicine in the army, was known as 'Doctor' on the early assessment
rolls. His daughter Mary was later to marry into the Ogle family.
Crawford was one of the heroes of the Nicolls expedition, his grant
specifically stating that it was given 'in consideration of the
good service performed by James Crawford, a soldier'. In addition,
John Ogle purchased lands along St. George?s Creek, near the
present town of Delaware City. It was on these lands to which some
of his sons would later relocate. The story of John Ogle is closely
bound up with that of his friends Thomas Wollaston and James
Crawford, who took a liking to young Ogle and formed a friendship
which continued throughout their lives. In about 1670, Ogle married
Elizabeth Petersdotter. Elizabeth Petersdotter was the daughter of
Peter Jochimsson, a settler in New Sweden in the first voyage in
1642. She was born in 1654, moved from her home as a teenager to
help in the household of her uncle, Anders Stille, living on
Christina River. Here she met and married John Ogle, an English
soldier who had participated in the English conquest of the
Delaware in 1664. John and Elizabeth Ogle had two sons: Thomas
Ogle, born c. 1672, died 1734 in White Clay Creek Hundred, New
Castle County; married [1] Mary Crawford, [2] widow Elizabeth
Graham., John Ogle, born c. 1674, died 1720 in White Clay Creek
Hundred; married widow Elizabeth Harris. John Ogle and Rev. Jacob
Fabritius were indicted in 1675 for inciting the Swedes and Finns
to riot in opposition to orders of the New Castle Court to build a
dike and road for Hans Block, a Dutchman. The three friends settled
on nearby plantations in New Castle County, where their wives
survived them. The Records of the Court of Newcastle give a picture
of their lives after 1676. An eye-witness account of the events of
June 1675 has revealed something of the character of John Ogle of
that period - swashbuckling, rash and reckless, with an amount of
courage appropriate to the rough and tumble frontier environment.
He was not one to be imposed on, especially by one of the Dutch who
certainly did not amount to much in the eyes of His Majesty's
soldiers. Under order of the Governor-General, the magistrates met
at New Castle on 4 June 1675, and decided that it would be
necessary to build a road across the marsh and to build a dyke in
the marsh next to the town. Another dyke across Hans Block's marsh
was also thought necessary, and the inhabitants were ordered to
assist in the project by contributing labor or money. The project
was strenuously opposed by the settlers because the dyke across
Hans Block's marsh was an improvement to private property. John
Ogle was a leader of the objectors and peremptorily informed the
magistrates that no dykes at all would be built under any such
unfair conditions. His objections stirred the people to great
excitement in the church where the public meeting was held; and
Ogle was put out of the church. Mathys Smith and the Rev. Jacobus
Fabricius took up the cause and as a result Ogle and Fabricius were
arrested. They were confined in a boat which was anchored nearby,
where they continued their public imprecations. Excitement was
high, and they were eventually released. Later Hans Block
encountered Ogle on the street and was told that if the Finns had
been drunk no good would have come from the incident. It was an
affront to constituted authority and called for severe disciplinary
measures. Conditions in New Castle were not good at that time;
carousals, fights and robberies were the order of the day, and it
wasn't a safe place for a stranger. William Edmunsdon, 'a Public
Friend' visiting there, found it difficult to secure lodgings, 'the
inhabitants being chiefly Dutch and Finns addicted to drunkenness',
who refused to take him in, even though he had money.
-
Page 7
Special warrants were issued by the Governor against Fabricius
and Ogle, who with others had signed a remonstrance. The two chief
trouble makers were ordered to appear in the August Court, and the
other signers before a later court. Fabricius appeared and the
proceedings resulted in the unfrocking of the troublesome person;
Ogle, who conveniently fell sick, failed to appear, and no further
action was taken against him. After the excitement of the summer of
1675, Ogle proceeded to acquire more land, and the tract known as
Hampton, on the south side of St. George's Creek, consisting of 300
acres, was confirmed to him by Governor Andross on 5 November 1675.
New Castle court records reveal that in February 1676 Ogle accused
one of the Dutch residents of stealing his heifer. As one of the
jurymen was Thomas Wollaston, the outcome was predictable. The
above incident marked the beginning of a series of court
proceedings which involved John Ogle and James Crawford for the
rest of their lives. Ogle was an extensive producer of tobacco, and
like other planters he was continually involved in financial and
other difficulties. Little ready money changed hands in those days,
and the barter system was the common way of doing business. In 1675
the Governor ordered the construction of highways, and the
inhabitants of New Castle and the surrounding area, and on the
south side of Christiana Creek were made responsible for
constructing a highway from New Castle to Red Lyon between the
first of January and the end of February. The highway was to be a
good passable one, twelve feet wide, and John Ogle was appointed
overseer of the residents around Christiana Creek. Various deeds of
the period after 1678 record transfers of extensive tracts of land
to a number of Ogle's associates; among them, Swart Neuton's Island
was transferred to John Darby of Maryland, and other lands to John
Test and to Augustine Dixon. Ogle was instrumental in the
construction of a bridge over the Christiana Creek on his land.
"The court at New Castle in 1679 specified that certain roads were
to be laid out ten feet wide, under the jurisdiction of an
overseer. The inhabitants on the north side of the Christiana were
ordered to clear a road to Christina Head and there erect a bridge.
The head of tidewater on the Delmarva Peninsula was the preordained
site of a town, so at an early date, the little hamlet that was to
become Christiana Bridge had sent its roots into the soil. Higher
up on the Christiana, John Ogle and the Quaker, Valentine
Hollingsworth had each come into possession of 1000 acres.
(Weslager 1947:39). "The area that was to become the village was
originally part of a tract called "Eagle's Point" which was
surveyed for John Ogle by the government of William Penn in 1683.
This parcel of land was located to the north of the present-day
intersection of routes 7 and 273, and contained the upland and high
ground north of the modern town. Ogle (sic :Ogle's descendants)
sold this parcel in 1731 to Dr. Rees Jones, a "practicioner of
Physick", and a prominent individual in the village, and the land
was resurveyed to Jones in 1741" (Catts 1989:22). On 25 August
1680, Thomas Wollaston of White Clay Creek wrote a letter to John
Briggs of West Jersey which he gave to John Ogle for delivery.
Wollaston had a debt of three years standing against Briggs. Ogle
made the journey, stopping in New York, where 27 August he made an
affidavit concerning the transaction. The affidavit began: 'John
Ogle, aged thirty-two or thereabouts," The incident itself is not
important, but Ogle's statement of his approximate age has been of
crucial importance to ogle genealogy, as without it, it would have
been impossible to connect him with absolute certainty to his
Northumberland Family. John Ogle was recorded as owning 400 acres
of land near New Castle, and the 1,000 acre plantation in the
"Constabulary of North Christina Creek" in 1680 (Records of New
Castle, II, pps 80, 83). In November 1681 Ogle received a court
order to take up 200 acres of land for each of his two sons, Thomas
and John Ogle, and on 27 December 435 acres, called the 'Fishing
Place', on Christiana Creek were surveyed on the warrant. On August
of the following year, Northampton, a tract of 200 acres in White
Clay Creek Hundred was surveyed for Ogle. On 14 October 1683 more
acres in Mill Creek Hundred were surveyed for him, and on 8
December Eagles Point in White Clay Creek Hundred was also
surveyed. This ended the accumulation of the original Ogle acreage,
for in late 1683 John Ogle died. John Ogle died insolvent in the
winter of 1683/4. A clue to the death is found in the will of Ralph
Hutchinson, which. Although written and signed on February 16,
1679, it was not proved until December 31, 1683, and mentions land
to go to ?John Ogle?s sons?, suggesting he may have died soon
before (Calendar of Delaware Wills, p. 7). As early as December 16,
1684, Elizabeth Ogle was complaining to the Court that her husband
had already paid more than the appropriate amount of taxes on their
holdings: "Att a Court held at Newcastle for our Lord ye King &
ye Hon?ble Proprietary December ye 16th 1684?Elisabeth Ogle brings
in an account in Court that She hath paid many pounds more to her
husbands account than the whole Estate of her said late husband did
amount to by ye Appraysment (Records of New Castle, II, 93)."
Adding to his widow's troubles was a 1684 raid by Colonel James
Talbot from Maryland which resulted in the destruction of her hay
and the building of a Maryland "fort" on her property. Elizabeth
Ogle and Anders Stille then sold their property and moved to White
Clay Creek. She lived at the "Hopyard," which had been surveyed for
her husband the year before. The next listings of the taxables in
Delaware, recorded in early 1685, early 1686, and 1687 listed
Elizabeth Ogle as owning 1,000 acres on the north side of
Christiana Creek (Records of New Castle, II, p. 102. 122. 170).
However, apparently the question of whether the taxes were paid on
the estate continued to plague Mrs. Ogle most of her life. She
appeared in court a second time, in March of 1689, wherein it was
recorded: "Came into Court Elisabeth Ogle widdow and Administratrix
of John Ogle deceased and made appear by Inventory and other papers
and accounts in Court produced, that she hath over and above paid
the Value of the Inventory of goods belonging to the said Ogle
deceased, and
-
Page 8
committed to her Administration whereupon the Court grant her a
Quieta est and discharge her from paying any more debts of the said
John Ogle." Unable to pay all of the estate's debts, Elizabeth Ogle
was discharged from all further debts of her husband on 17 June
1690 by the New Castle Court. Meanwhile, her brother Peter
Petersson Yocum in 1687 had purchased the "Hopyard" to protect it
from creditors. In 1696, Elizabeth's son John began to sell off the
lands around present day Christiana. A tract of 75 acres was sold
by John Ogle to John Latham on March 16th, 1696, for "land at
Christina Bridge" (Records of New Castle, II, 224); and on the same
day sold the upper half of a tract of land at White Clay Creek,
three hundred acres (Records of New Castle, II, 225). These land
sales suggest that Elisabeth Ogle may have already been deceased by
that date. Elizabeth died before 12 Sept. 1702 when John Hans (mvw
note - this could be Stalcop) Steelman and Judith Yocum, as
executors of the Yocum estate, sold the property. The family
relocated to the area which was to become known as Ogletown, but
maintained a wharf in Christiana as late as 1806, when the Orphans
Court in the estate of Joseph Ogle recorded a Wharf and two old
Store houses in Christiana Bridge. (New Castle County Orphans
Court, Record I-I-451). However, the passing of Elizabeth Ogle and
the division of her lands by her sons finally set the stage for the
town of Christiana to be able to be developed. (Here's a note from
a gen forum:do not have the information with me, but there is a
story that John (?) was originally and Adrienson (or something
similar), but while coming to this county by ship was given the
nickname "Steelcape" because of his attire. He decided to keep it
as his surname.) Sources Smoky Mountain Clans, Donald B. Reagan,
1978, p 128b. 'The English Origin of John Ogle', Francis Hamilton
Hibbard, 1967, p 9-14, 16. Pedigrees of Some of the Emperor
Charlemagne's Descendants, Langston & Buck, 1986, p 199. 'Ogle
& Bothal', Sir Henry Ogle, 1902, Pedigree XIB. Calendar of
Delaware Wills, New Castle County, 1682-1800. Historical Dames of
Delaware, Frederick H. Hitchcock, New York. Records of the Court of
New Castle, Vol. II, 1681-1699. Published by the Colonial Society
of Pennsylvania, Meadville, PA, 1935
http://www.smokykin.com/ged/f000/f37/a0003794.htm
http://www.oghgul.org/Ahnentafel/Chart-uk/geneuk.htm
http://www.colonialswedes.org/Forefathers/Yocum.html John Ogle's
House, formerly at Ogletown, Delaware. He was born in Sep 1649 at
Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland, England. He was christened on 30
Sep 1649 at Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland, England (unknown
subject unknown repository.). He immigrated in 1664 to New Castle,
DE. He served in the military in 1664 (John Ogle, Booklet Library
of Congress.). He was described as "The town was taken on October
1, 1664. Later in October Colonel Richard Nicolls, deputy governor
for the Duke of York, of all the Duke's conquered territory in
America, came to New Amstel to establish his authority over the
Delaware colony, because Sir Roert Carr, when called to account for
his plundering of the people, had sent to New York a defiant
message claiming independence of Nicolls in the reduction of the
river. ...it was on the occasion of this visit that Nicolls changed
the name of New Amstel to New Castle. It may be that Col. Nicolls
was impressed by the beauty of the site upon the majestic river ...
and remembered Newcastle-on-Tyne at home, famous for a similar
distinction of site. Taken from "New Castle on The Delaware"
published by the New Castle Historical Society. on 1 Oct 1664 at
New Castle, DE. He married Elizabeth (--?--) (2438), daughter of
Peter JOCHIMSSON (4934) and Ella STILLEY (4933), in 1665 at New
Castle, DE (Internet file [email protected], 1999 Owen
Kardatzke, appears accurate - see list of his sources which are the
traditional ones for the family.). He died before 19 Feb 1683 at
New Castle, DE (John Ogle, Booklet Library of Congress.) (unknown
subject unknown record type, by unknown photographer.). Notes from
the Daily News, Frederick County, Maryland April 2, l914 "The older
Ogle arrived in Delaware on military expedition about September,
1664. His grandson (Joseph Ogle) married in Old Swedes Church,
Wilmington, Delaware December 4, 1729 and settled in Frederick
County Maryland where he died in 1756. His will mentioned his two
brothers, Thomas and Benjamin and children. Benjamin, his brother
witnessed the will. Joseph Ogle and his wife Sarah Winters Ogle had
10 children." He accumulated much property in New Castle, Delaware
and his widow assessed for 1,000 acres. The following is a quote
from Founding the American Colonies 1583-1660 written by John E.
Pomfret: Stuvesant's last months were difficult and unhappy. The
Hudson overflowed destoying crops, and there was an earthquake. The
Indians threatened trouble, and Connecticut was again advancing
extravagant claims. The New Amsterdam magistrates were busy drawing
up their usual remonstrances addressed to the States General and
the company. Only a Charter, the sort of thing an Englishman dotes
on as an idol would satisfy them wrote the director. The Dutch West
India Company informed Stuyvesant in the spring of 1664 that the
English Expedition intended to bring New England under one
government and it said that henceforth there would be less trouble
from the north. On August 18, 1664, the English fleet of four
frigates entered New Amsterdam waters. Meanwhile, the Connecticut
General court had resolved that its charter embraced the whole of
Long Island. The English fleet under Richard Nicolls reached the
Narrows on August 28, 1664 and Nicholls published the king's
patent. Nicolls was named deputy governor of the kings domains (by
King James) and he remained in New York to carry out the king's
assignments. King James and England now had control from Maine to
the Carolinas. In spite of the fact that King James was not a
colonizer, nevertheless, small settlements grew up along the
Delaware River. It is said that John Ogle came to America in 1664
on a military expedition to claim New York and Delaware for the
King of England. Peter Stuyvesant surrendered August 29, l664. New
Amsterdam became New York and New Amstel became New Castle,
Delaware. John resided
-
Page 9
at New Castle and later acquired 1,000 acres there. THE ENGLISH
ORIGIN OF JOHN OGLE In March of 1664, the whole of the territory in
America occupied by the Dutch on the Atlantic seaboard was granted
by Charles II to his brother, the Duke of York, on the plea that it
was British soil by right of discovery. On May 25, 1664, Colonel
Nicholls sailed from Portsmouth with four ships, 300 soldiers and
450 men. The expedition arrived at New Amsterdam, and without
firing a shot, Governor Stuyvesant surrendered the town on August
29 and it became known as New York. Among the members of colonel
Nicoll's military expedition of 1664 was young John Ogle. His
mission was to defeat the Dutch and help establish English rule in
New York and Delaware. Serving under the command of Captain Carr,
John participated in the capture of New Castle Delaware and the
surrounding territory. Delaware had been originally settled by the
Swedes who quarrelled with the Dutch located at Fort Casimir
located six miles from the Swedish outpost of Fort Christiana. The
quarrel continued until in 1654 Governor Rising arrived from Sweden
with a large number of colonist and overran Fort Casimir taking it
from the Dutch and renaming if in honor of the day of capture, Fort
of the Hold Trinity. In time Governor Stuyvesant brought troops
from New Amsterdam and recaptured the fort and confering upon it
the name of New Amstel. In time the name would be changed to New
Castle under the English. Why would the sixteen year old John Ogle
be involved in a military expedition designed to sieze lands from
the Dutch and what sort of life did he leave behind in order to
enjoy this adventure? He was essentially a victim of revolutionary
times. He was the son of Captain John Ogle and Eleanor Pringle of
Eglingham, Northumberland. Both his father and his grandfather,
Captain Henry Ogle distinguished themselves in Cromwell's army and
young John Ogle no doubt became aware at an early age of the
difficulties which his family was likely to experience after the
Restoration and certainly he had heard tales of adventures in the
New World. One plus one equaled two and John Ogle jumped at the
opportunity to join Colonel Nicoll's expedition bound for America.
No doubt leaving the County of Northumberland in the north of
England was a difficult decision for it was anciently the home of
the Ogles where they lived for many generations before the Norman
conquest and where even in the seventeenth century various branches
of the family continued to hold considerable estates. The
Northumberland Ogles have been thoroughly investigated and
well-chronicled by Sir Henry Asgill Ogle in his exhaustive and
authoritative work, which was published in Newcastle upon Tyne in
1902. Unfortunately, Sir Henry's otherwise excellent book failed to
mention a young Ogle who left his home in 1664 and eventually
settled in Delaware. How then is it possible to connect the John
Ogle of Delaware with this ancient family of Northumberland? The
connection was made by Francis H. Hibbard and is documented in the
work, The English Origin of John Ogle, First of the Name in
Delaware, 1664 much of which is quoted here. The book states on
page six, "If John Ogle's connection with his Northumberland
ancestors was to be discovered and proved, research obviously would
have to be done in the original records in England where I would
hope to uncover one essential fact which had eluded not only Sir
Henry Ogle but every other Ogle genealogis to the presnet time --
namely, contemporary evidence of the birth of John Ogle about 1649.
My search for the English origin of John Ogle was carried out
mainly on the spot in Northumberland with a number of excursions
into other localities having records of seventeenth century Ogles
and of course, in the fine specialist libraries in London and
Newcastle." The connection was made on February 21, 1963 in the
following manner: " On Saturday afternoon February 16, 1963 I
attended a lecture on "The Manuscript Collections in the Newcastle
Central Library" given at the rooms of the Society of Genealogists
in London by Mr. A. Wallace, F.L.S, of the Central Library,
Newcastle; and I then determined to go immediately to Newcastle for
research. Five days later, I was at work in the Central Library
when Mr. Wallace came over to my table carrying a volume of parish
records which he opened in front of me, and pointing to an entry
for 1649, asked me it that might be the information I was searching
for. It was; and thus the discovery was made. The volume which we
examined was a volume of parish registers of Berwick-upon-Tweed
Volume A, 1574-1700, Holy Trinity Parish in which we read:
CHRISTENINGS: 30 Sep. 1649 John, son of John Ogell, captain. After
my excitement at the long hoped for discovery had abated, my
checking for evidence that might disprove the identification of the
son of Captain John Ogle with John Ogle of Delaware began; but to
this day I have found no further evidence. John Ogle was not
mentioned in any of the legal records concerning his father or his
grandfather, Henry Ogle of Eglingham, nor was any further
information uncovered in the parish registers. The inescapable
conclusion is that young John Ogle left his home in Northumberland
at the age of 15 to join Colonel Nicoll's expedition." He would
marry and settle in Delaware founding the American branch of the
Ogle family. His widow would be recorded as living near New Castle,
Delaware in 1684. The whole of this highly speculative find would
be better confirmed by an unimportant incident for On August 25,
1680 a Thomas Wollaston of White clay Creek wrote a letter to John
Briggs of West Jersey which he gave to John Ogel for delivery. It
seems that Wollaston had a debt of three years standing against
Briggs. Ogle made the journey, stopping in New York where on August
27, 1680 he made an affidavit concerning the transaction. The
affidavit began: "John Ogle, aged thirty-two or thereabouts..."
(Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, Vol. I, p.89) The incident
itself is not important, but Ogle's statement of his approximate
age has been of crucial importance to Ogle genealogy as without it
connecting him with absolute centainly to his Northumberland family
would have been impossible. The place where John Ogle would settle
to begin his new life was originally called Nieuw Port May by the
Dutch, but before long the name was changed to Delaware. A phamplet
put out by the state gives a nice summary of the early history of
the territory. It says," Delaware's history is a long and proud
one. The earliest explorations of the coastline were made by
Spanish and Portugese sailors in the sixteenth century. The state
derived its name from Lord De La Warr, an early governor of
Virginia. In 1610 Captain Samuel Argall, sailing for Lord De La
Warr, was blown off course and sailed into a strange bay which he
named in honor of his governor. The Dutch made the first European
settlement on Delaware soil. A party of approximately thirty
individuals landed near the present town of Lewes in 1631. Their
settlement named Zwaanendael (Valley of the Swans) was destroyed by
Indians in less than a year. In 1638 Swedish colonist led by Peter
Minuit landed at a spot that is now part of downtown Wilmington.
This first permanent settlement was called Fort Christina after the
young queen of Sweden, and the river likewise named for her. Their
colony soon extended along the Delaware River from the mouth of the
Bay up to modern Trenton. In 1651 the Dutch returned to Delaware
Bay building Fort Casimir and about twenty houses where New Castle
now stands. In 1654 the Swedes seized control of this Fort but the
next year Dutch soldiers and warships from New Amsterday, led by
Peter Stuyvesant, conquered all of New Sweden. By 1657 the village
outside Fort Casimir, renamed New Amstel, had grown to nearly a
hundred houses. [Then in 1664 came John Ogle and Col. Nicholl's
expedition] When the English under the Duke of York in 1664
captured all the Dutch territory in America, they called the town
New Castle. The Swedes ruled here for thirteen years, the Dutch for
nine. The English stayed in power for 112 years. The Duke of York
kept possession until 1682. Then he transferred the colony to
William Penn who joined it to Pennsylvania as The Three Lower
Counties. After twenty-two years these Lower Counties became partly
independent, with their own Assembly which met at the old town of
New Castle. In 1776 Delaware became completely seperate from
Pennsylvania as well as independent of Great Britain. Delaware
played a substantial role in the Revolution. It raised nearly 4000
men. Its long-term continental regiment fought in almost every
important battle from Long Island in 1776 to Yorktown in 1781. The
only Revolutionary engagement fought on Delaware soil was a
skirmish at Cooch's Bridge near Newark on September 3, l777.
Tradition has it that it was here that the American flag was
unfurled in land battle on United States
-
Page 10
soil. In 1787 Delaware was the first of the thirteen original
states to ratify the United States Constitution, thus earning the
nickname, The First State." A good biographical sketch of John Ogle
appears on page 10 of The English Origin of John Ogle by Francis
Hibbard in which he states: "John Ogle , had served under Captain
Carr in Delaware, became a permanent resident of White Clay Creek
Hundred, named from the deposits of white clay found along its
banks. John Ogle first resided at New Castle where he was a large
land-buyer; he afterwards lived at various sites on his extensive
holdings. He commenced acquiring land at an early date, probably as
soon as the confusion of the conquest and the settlement of Indian
troubles permitted it. The first grant that John Ogle received was
in February 1666 from Governor Nicolls who had empowered the
officers of Delaware to dispose of "implanted" land there for the
best advantage of the inhabitants. The parcel known as Muscle
Cripple was granted to Sgt. Thomas Wollaston, John Ogle, John
Hendricks and Herman Johnson. It consisted of a part of 300 acres
and was bounded by a creek at the head of Bread and Cheese Island
and also by the plantations of Hans Bones and James Crawford.
Sargent Wollaston had been a comrade in arms as had Hames Crawford,
having gained some knowledge of medicine in the army, was known as
"Doctor" on the early assessment rolls. His daughter, Mary, was
later to marry into the Ogle family. Crawford was on of the heroes
of the Nicoll's expedition with his land grant specifically stating
that it was given "in consideration of the good service performed
by James Crawford, a soldier". The story of John Ogle is closely
bound up with that of his friends Thomas Wollaston and James
Crawford who took a liking to young Ogle and formed a friendship
which continued throughout their lives. The three friends settled
on nearby plantations in New Castle county, where their wives
survived them. The Records of the Court of Newcastle give a picture
of their lives after 1676. The three are the foundation of the Ogle
genealogy. John Ogle's son, Thomas, married Mary Crawford, daughter
of James. Wollaston connections appear in the fourth and fifth
generations. Joseph Ogle married Priscilla Wollaston and their son,
Samuel, married Deborah Wollaston. An eye-witness account of the
events of June 1675 has come down to us revealing something of the
character of John Ogle of that period - swashbuckling, rash and
reckless with an amount of courage appropriate to the rough and
tumble frontier enviorment. He was not one to be imposed on,
especially by one of the Dutch who certainly did not amount to much
in the eyes of His Majesty's soldiers. Under order of the
Governor-General the magistrates met at New Castle on June 4, 1675
and decided that it would be necessary to build a road across the
marsh and to build a dyke in the marsh next to the town. Another
dyke across Hans Block's marsh was also thought necessary, and the
inhabitants were ordered to assist in the project by contributing
labour or money. The project was strenuously opposed by the
settlers because the dyke across Hans Block's marsh was an
improvement to private property. John Ogle was a leader of the
objectors and preemptorily informed the magistrates that no dykes
at all would be built under such unfair conditions. His objection
stirred the people to great excitement in the church where the
public meeting was held; and Ogle was put out of the church. Mathys
Smith and the Rev. Jacobus Fabricius took up the cause and as a
result Ogle and Fabricius were arrested. They were confined in a
boat which was anchored nearby, where they continued their public
imprecations. Excitement was high and they were eventually
released. Later Hans Block encountered Ogle on the street and was
told that if the Finns had been drunk no good would have come from
the incident. It was an affront to constituted authority and called
for severe disciplinary measures. Conditions in New Castle were not
good at that time; carousals, fights and robberies were the order
of the day, and it wasn't a safe place for a stranger. William
Edmundson, "a public friend" visiting there, found it difficult to
secure lodgings, "the inhabitants being chiefly Dutch and Finns
addicted to drunkenness," who refused to take him in even though he
had money. Special warrants were issued by the Governor against
Fabricius and Ogle who with others had signed resistance. The two
chief trouble makers were ordered to appear in the August Court,
and the other signers before a later court. Fabricius appearned and
the proceedings resulted in the unfrocking of the troublesome
parson; Ogle, who conveniently fell sick, failed to appear, and no
further action was taken against him. After the excitement of the
summer of 1675, Ogle proceeded to acquire more land, and the tract
known as Hampton, on the south side of St. George's Creek,
consisting of 300 acres, was confirmed to him by Governor Andross
on November 5, 1675. New Castle court records reveal that in
February 1676 Ogle accused one of the Dutch residents of stealing
his heiffer. As one of the jurymen was Thomas Wallaston, the
outcome was predictable. The above incident marked the beginning of
a series of court proceedings which involved John Ogle and James
Crawford for the rest of their lives. Ogle was an extensive
producer of tobacco, and like other planters he was continually
involved in financial and other difficulties. Little ready money
changed hands in those days as the barter syster was the common way
of doing business. Various deeds of the period after 1678 record
transfers of extensive tracts of land to a number of Ogle's
associates; among them, Swart Neuton's Island was transferred to
John Darby of Maryland, and other lands to John Test and to
Augustine Dixon. In 1675 the Governor ordered the construction of
highways and the inhabitants of New Castle and the surrounding
area, and on the south side of Christiana Creek were made
responsible for construction a highway from New Castle to Red Lyon
between the first of January and the end of February. The highway
was to be a good passable one, twelve feet wide and John Ogle was
appointed overseer of the residents around Christiana Creek." We
know the names of John Ogle's sons because in November 1681 Ogle
received a court order to take up 200 acres of land for each of his
two sons, Thomas and John Ogle, and on December 27 to take up 435
acres called "The Fishing Place" on Christiana Creek were surveyed.
On August 16, of the following he took up a tract, Northampton, of
200 acres.
(1) Mary5 OGLE (4902) (Ibid.) (Ibid.) (Ibid.) is still
living.
(2) William5 OGLE (4901) (Ibid.) (Ibid.) (Ibid.) is still
living.
(3) Thomas5 OGLE (2440) (Thomas and Mary were the parents of at
least eight children. After her death he married a widow, Mrs.
Elizabeth Graham, who had a number of children by her first
marriage. Thomas and Elizabeth had an additional six children)
("Ogle."). Thomas Ogle owned extensive lands at Ogletown, Delaware.
He was mentioned in the Calendar of Delaware Wills as follows:
Ralph Hurchinson February 16, 1679, Dec. 31, 1683 A-61 named Peter
Alrichs, Thomas Wolleston, Daniel Tilewant (of Fairfield, John
Ogle's two sons, Joanes Arskin, John Smith, John Anderson, Ann
Wolleston, Uncle John Bedford and brother Robert. He married Mary
CRAWFORD (2441), daughter of Sargent James CRAWFORD (2454) and Judy
(--?--) (2836). He was born circa 1672 at New Castle, DE. He
married Elizabeth GRAHAM (2442) in 1720 at New Castle, DE. He died
say 1734 at Ogletown, DE, Lived at White Clay Creek Hundred (,
Calendar of Delaware Wills, Atlanta Public Library. ).
-
Page 11
(a) Joseph6 OGLE (2455) (Joseph, the second son crossed over
into Lancaster County, which at the time was in the disputed
borders
of Maryland and Pennsylvania. He finally settled in Frederick
County, Maryland, where he became an important figure in the
founding of the county whose borders he had helped survey. He was a
Major in the frontier-defending militia;engaged in planting and at
his death left over three thousand acres of land) (unknown subject,
unknown repository, unknown repository address.)
("Ogle."). Lord Baltimore's debt books housed at the Maryland
Historical Society in Baltimore Maryland record Joseph Ogle under
taxes. In his will Joseph is recorded as Major Joseph Ogle.
Correspondence of Governor Sharpe later addressed him as Colonel.
Joseph Ogle owned about 3,000 acres of land in Frederick Co., Md.
which is recorded in Annapolis Tax Books. The births of all the
children are recorded at All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick
County, Maryland. In the Wills of Frederick County, Maryland (Adm.
Acct. B#2 p.108) is recorded that: "Came Sarah Henry (widow,
remarried) executrix of Joseph Ogle, deceased." To: Mary Butler,
Judith daughter of Mary Butler Mary, daughter of Benjamin Ogle
(b:1715 -?) Susanna and Johanna his other two daughters To: Sarah,
Eleanor, Joseph, Benjamin, Thomas, William and James (George has
since died) 1/9 part To: Sarah, this accountant 2/9 part. Dated 21
June 1771. The following is a list of land owned in Frederick
County, Maryland by Major Joseph Ogle. Chestnut Hill 13 Acres
Hillside (Ogleton, where he lived) 100 Acres Ogle's Necessary
Compact 40 Acres Lisbon and Good Luck 150 Acres Peace 250 Acres
Peace and Plenty 750 Acres Fountain Lou 1050 Acres Resurvey and
Content 685 Acres Part of Creve 50 Acres Worley's Delight 104 Acres
Resurvey on Black Walnut Bottom 440 Acres Farmers Delight 310 Acres
Kingslonhad 100 Acres Tasker's Chance 14 Acres Mountain Tract 100
Acres Hard Bargain 75 Acres Content 71 Acres Hazzard and Never Fear
50 Acres TOTAL 4352 Acres This land is now Thurmont, Frederick
County, Maryland He owned two sites on Patrick Street in
Fredericktown. One site on Patrick Street was later Francis Scott
Key Hotel and in 1982 became the site of the Homewood Retirement
Center.
-
Page 12
He was a Major in the French and Indian Wars and was later
addressed as Colonel in correspondence of Governor Sharpe. He was
one of the officials who drew up the Mason-Dixon Line ("Compiled
Notes of Mary Carey Durkin", 1976-1996, Mary Durkin Carey (Takoma
Park, MD (now deceased)), to Margaret Vollmer Woodrough (100 Beach
Dr. # 1801 St. Petersburg, FL 33701); MVW file, Margaret V.
Woodrough, 100 Beach Dr. # 1801, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County,
FL 33701. Hereinafter cited as "MDC notes."). He was born in 1705
at Ogletown, DE, Another record says born 1707 ("Ogle."). He
immigrated in 1729 to Frederick, MD, After his marriage in Delaware
the couple moved to Frederick County Maryland (Mary Durkin Carey,
"MDC notes."). He married Sarah WINTERS (2456) on 4 Dec 1729 at
Wilmington, DE, Married at Old Swede's Church see P. 310 of
marriage record book (Ibid.). He was buried on 29 Apr 1756
(Brumbaugh, Earliest Record of All Saints Parish, Atlanta Public
Library, 929.3, Volume 1 Frederick, Maryland 1727-1781 p. 260.
).
i) John (Jehu)7 OGLE (2463) married Ruth BEALL (2464), daughter
of William BEALL (2944) and Anna MAGRUDER (2945). He
was born on 5 Aug 1731 at Frederick, MD (Ibid.). According to
Jean Godwin of the Ogle society he went to Allegheny Co., MD and
his children went on to Pennsylvania and Ohio.
(a) Joseph8 OGLE (2465)
(b) Charles8 OGLE (2466)
(c) Samuel8 OGLE (2612)
(d) John8 OGLE (2469)
(e) Benjamin8 OGLE (2611)
(f) Alexander8 OGLE (2467) (unknown subject, unknown repository,
unknown repository address.) married Mary WILLIAMS
(2468). He was born on 10 Aug 1765. ii) Mary
7 OGLE (2470) married Thomas BRAWNER (2948). She married Captain
Peter BUTLER (2471) This was Peter Butler's
second marriage. Her married name was BRAWNER (2470). Her
married name was BUTLER (2470). She was born on 15 Apr 1735
(Brumbaugh, Earliest Records All Saints.). She died in 1818 First
Admin Acct in August 1818.
(a) Judith8 BUTLER (2472)
iii) Sarah7 OGLE (2473) was born on 22 Apr 1739 (Ibid.). She
married Thomas OGLE (2474) in 1756 at Frederick, MD, Her
husband is her cousin (Ibid.). She died in 1759. iv) Eleanor
7 OGLE (2476) married Ninian Magruder BEALL (2949) This is first
husband. He died shortly after marriage. She
married Guy ELDER (2477). Her married name was BEALL (2476). Her
married name was ELDER (2476). She was born on 2 Mar 1740 (Ibid.).
She died before 1800 Died before 1800 census. v) Joseph
7 OGLE (2478). According to Maryland Records by Brumbaugh he
voted for John Tyler the Federalist candidate in the
election of 1796. The election was held November 9 to 12, 1796
and there were a total of 1,917 voters. He was born on 10 Oct 1743
(Ibid.). He married Martha BRAWNER (2479) circa 1762 Some say wife
is Brawner, but no marriage record found. He died on 30 Aug 1827 at
Frederick, MD, aged 83. vi) Major Benjamin
7 OGLE (2480). Benjamin Ogle served as a Vestryman of All Saints
Episcopal Church from 1801 to 1807.
See: Vol.11 Page 428 and 426 Maryland Archives Vol 11 Page 53
Maryland Historical Magazine According to Maryland Records by
Brumbaugh he voted for George Murdock the Dem/Rep candidate in the
election of 1796. Interestingly, two brothers, James and Joseph
voted for the Federalist candidate in this same election (Mary
Durkin Carey, "MDC notes."). He was employed by Records from the
Maryland Historical Society show that Benjamin Ogle was in business
at his dry goods store on Patrick Street in Frederick for many
years. His town house was across the street on the site of the
present Francis Scott Key Hotel. at Frederick, MD (Ibid.). He was
born on 13 Jan 1746 at Frederick, MD (Brumbaugh, Earliest Records
All Saints.). He served in the military in 1776 He served first as
a Captain in the Upper District of Frederick County Militia and his
younger brother, James Ogle, was Ensign in the same regiment. Later
in 1776 on May 15 after Benjamin had been commissioned Major, James
was appointed Captain to take his place (Mary Durkin Carey, "MDC
notes."). He married Rebecca STILLEY (2481), daughter of Peter
STILLEY (2522) and Mary (--?--) (2523), on 1 Oct 1776 Date of 1776
given by Jean Godwin of Ogle Society 11-99. He died on 6 Sep 1813
at Frederick, MD, aged 67 Note I believe these comments are best
attached to Benjamin's son, but until I have time to study it
further am leaving them here - mvw 2007 He was one of the appointed
executors of the will of Rebecca Stilley Ogle and stated, "do
renounce all my right of title and claim to the executorship,
accordingly desiring at the same time that letters of
administration be granted to Ezra Mantz of Frederick County" dated
and signed November 28, 1821. Later he moved to Georgetown and
fought in the War of 1812-1814. He was educated in Frederick
Maryland, but moved to Georgetown (once a part of Maryland) as an
apprentice to Mr. Thomas Hyde in his tannery busniness. Mr. Hyde
was a close friend of Major Benjamin Ogle. The following is taken
from a letter that his sister - in-law, Catherine Clements wrote to
Ambrose L. Ogle in response to a request for family information:
Well my child its a great any years since I lived with your
grandfather, You must know that when sister "Polly" ( a family
nick-name for Mary, married your grandfather Horace Ogle. I went to
live with them. They were considered the most handsome couple in
Georgetown, (now West Washington) at that time and your grandfather
was I think the proudest man I ever knew. From what I heard during
the time I was living with your grandfather, his father's name was
Benjamin and he kept a dry goods and general merchandise store in
Frederick, Md. Your grandfather had one brother named Eli and
another named Benjainin, after whom your Uncle Benjamin was named.
He also had a sister whose name was Elizabeth. I do not remember
having seen any of your grandfather's relations except his brother
Benjamin who I think must have been the youngest child of the
family. He (Benjamin) made frequent visits to Washington to see his
brother Horace and I have always supposed from the earnest
conversations that passed between them that there was some
important business connected with the visits. What his business
was, however, I never understood or at least do not remember now;
but you must remember child that has been a long, long time ago -~
nigh four score years. His brother ( Benjamin) often invited your
grandfather to accompany him to Fredericktown~ but
he,(grandfather), seemed indignant at these invitations and often
remarked that he would never ask them for anything. During the war
(1812) , however, while he (grandfather) was in service, Sister
Polly received regular remittances of gold coin - and my child gold
was gold then - as well as provisions and clothing from ~ his
people in Frederick. These remittances were kept up during Sister
Polly's entire period of gestation and for some time after the
birth of your. Father (Rezin). Here the old lady waxed eloquent,
referring to father's birth she said: "Will I ever forget that
night (August 14, 1814); there lay Sister Polly in the agonies of
travail
-
Page 13
while from the window could be seen the Capitol in flame.
Despite the~ efforts of the kind old doctor and dear old Aunt
"Winnie~ (the nurse), it seemed impossible to exclude the lurid
glare, the red streaked sky and agonizing yells of horror that0
seemed to bid defiance to paturition and the kind old doctor's
effort." (Her graphic description of this night of horror is beyond
the power to depict - no pen could do it justice; not tongue could.
reproduce it, unless assisted by a memory of the scene) But my
child, I have quite drifted from my theme. You must know that your
grandfather left his house in Frederick under quite delicate
circumstances and I trust my frank relation of them since it is by
your request, will not give offense. From what I could understand
your grandfather fell in love with a pretty servant girl who was at
that time in his father's employ. This proud and dignified parent
could never suffer their son to form a marital alliance with their
domestic menial, and finding that the boy was bent, upon his
purpose, and their efforts to restrain him were useless they
resolved upon the plan to send him to Georgetown (West Washington)
where he was bound as an apprentice to Mr. Thomas Hyde ( a former
resident of Frederick and warm personal friend of his
(grandfather's) father ) in the tanning and currying business. My
father lived directly opposite the tannery and there it was that
sister Polly first became acquainted with your grandfather, an
acquaintance which ultimately ended. in their union, and this,
strange to say he did precisely what his parents had endeavored to
prevent him from doing , that is marrying a poor girl. Upon the
death of his (Horace's) father, he went to Frederick to attend the
funeral. He was mentioned as one of the executors or administrators
of the will I think which I also think he declined in favor of his
brother (whether this brother was Eli or Benjamin the old lady did
not state and as she has now passed from earth the information is
beyond ascertainment unless the testatory documents on file in
Frederick would show this) His father I understood died very
suddenly if indeed he was not found dead in bed. Of your
grandather's mother I heard but very little which must have been
very unimportant as I have not the slightest remembrances of any
incident connected with her life, not even do I remember having
heard her first name. Your grandfather's uncle Eli also died
suddenly so I understood somewhat after the mannerof his father's
death, apoplexy I suppose. - Of your grandfather's sister Elizabeth
I also know but little save that I remember having seen some
specimens of the most handsome artistic- needle embroidery which
bore her initials and which were said to have been executed by her.
From what I could understand her mind became impaired and she was
sent to place called Bethlehem or Betheney (I am not certain about
the .orthography of the word, but the phonetic impression upon the
ear was Beth er-ni) which at that time was celebrated for it s
excellent sanitarium for the insane. I never heard whether she
recovered or not but suppose (and it is simply supposition) that
she died there. I believe my- child that I have related all the
incidents 'that I remember, which occurred previous to the
childhood of your father. What has occurred since he can as well if
not better inform you than myself. You might remark to your
inquiring friend Dr. Todd that I consider the Ogle Family the
proudest flesh and blood I ever knew. If I can call to mind
anything not here enumerated or give you any further information I
will be pleased to do so at some subsequent interview. REMARKS made
by Ambrose L. Ogle regarding Catherine Clements I found this old
lady tottering beneath the cares sad sorrows of nigh four score and
ten, to be one of the most remarkable personages I ever met.
Congenial and pleasant, educated and refined, possessing a nice
vocabulary an eloquent delivery, a most lively imagination and
above all the most wonderful power to vividly portray the many
interesting incidents of the past decades. Her knowledge of the
past and store of general information seemed inexhaustible and I
therefore feel confident that the accompanying statement contains
all the information relative to the family current at the time, for
in my opinion she was the most wonderful and reliable authority
that could be consulted. Yours truly, Ambrose L. Ogle.
(a) Peter Stilley8 OGLE (2533) was born on 18 Oct 1779. He was
baptized on 3 Dec 1779. He died on 19 Mar 1807 at
Frederick, MD, aged 27 Death date from Frederick Herald
obituary. Courtesy of Jean Godwin of Ogle Society. "died Thurs
morning last, Peter Ogle, son of Benjamin Ogle of this place."
Taken from Western Maryland Newspaper Abstracts, 1806-1810 Vol. 3,
F. Edw. Wright, Family Line Pub 1987. (b) Aaron
8 OGLE (2534) was born on 12 Feb 1781. He was baptized on 23 Feb
1781. He died on 25 Feb 1781.
(c) Eli8 OGLE (2535). On January 14, l809 Eli Ogle advertised
for the store in Fredericktown, Maryland. He was employed at
Storekeeper. He was born on 23 Jan 1783. He was baptized on 3
Aug 1783 at Frederick, MD, Baptized at All Saints Episcopal Church
in Fredrick Maryland. He was buried on 16 Feb 1819. He died on 19
Feb 1820 at Frederick, MD, aged 37 Fredericktown Herald, Feb. 19,
1820. "Died suddenly Tues morning last, Mr. Elie Ogle, a young man,
leaving an aged mother and numerous friends." So his death would
have been on 15 Feb. 1820. Note there is no mention of Horatio
since he was in D.C. I guess, and no mention of any brother,
Benjamin, who I don't think existed. This obit. is published in
MARRIAGES AND DEATHS IN THE NEWSPAPERS OF FREDERICK AND MONTGOMERY
COUNTIES, MARYLAND, 1820-1830, compiled by F. Edward Wright, pub.
Family Line, 1987. (Note from Jean Godwin of Ogle Society 11-99.
His estate was probated on 25 Apr 1820. (d) Elizabeth
8 OGLE (2536) was born on 16 Oct 1785.
(e) Rebecca8 OGLE (2537) was born on 25 Dec 1787.
(f) Horatio (Horace)8 OGLE (2538) was born circa 1789 at
Fredericktown, MD. He served in the military in 1812 Served in
War
of 1812 as a private in Captain Edward Edmonston's Company of
Grenadiers, 1st Regiment, district of Columbia Militia (Ibid.). He
was moved The Ogle family lived in Georgetown from 1812 when
Horatio (Horace0 Ogle moved there from Frederick County, Md. in
1812 at Georgetown, D.C (Ibid.). He married Mary Ellen SHIPLEY
(2539) on 4 Feb 1812 at Georgetown, Washington, D.C. He was one of
the appointed executors of the will of Rebecca Stilley Ogle and
stated, "do renounce all my right of title and claim to the
executorship, accordingly desiring at the same time that letters of
administration be granted to Ezra Mantz of Frederick County" dated
and signed November 28, 1821. Later he moved to Georgetown and
fought in the War of 1812-1814. He was educated in Frederick
Maryland, but moved to Georgetown (once a part of Maryland) as an
apprentice to Mr. Thomas Hyde in his tannery busniness. Mr. Hyde
was a close friend of Major Benjamin Ogle. The following is taken
from a letter that his sister - in-law, Catherine Clements wrote to
Ambrose L. Ogle in response to a request for family information:
Well my child its a great any years since I lived with your
grandfather, You must know that when sister "Polly" ( a family
nick-name for Mary, married your grandfather Horace Ogle. I went to
live with them. They were considered the most handsome couple in
Georgetown, (now West Washington) at that time and your grandfather
was I think the proudest man I ever knew.
-
Page 14
From what I heard during the time I was living with your
grandfather, his father's name was Benjamin and he kept a dry goods
and general merchandise store in Frederick, Md. Your grandfather
had one brother named Eli and another named Benjainin, after whom
your Uncle Benjamin was named. He also had a sister whose name was
Elizabeth. I do not remember having seen any of your grandfather's
relations except his brother Benjamin who I think must have been
the youngest child of the family. He (Benjamin) made frequent
visits to Washington to see his brother Horace and I have always
supposed from the earnest conversations that passed between them
that there was some important business connected with the visits.
What his business was, however, I never understood or at least do
not remember now; but you must remember child that has been a long,
long time ago -~ nigh four score years. His brother ( Benjamin)
often invited your grandfather to accompany him to Fredericktown~
but he,(grandfather), seemed indignant at these invitations and
often remarked that he would never ask them for anything. During
the war (1812) , however, while he (grandfather) was in service,
Sister Polly received regular remittances of gold coin - and my
child gold was gold then - as well as provisions and clothing from
~ his people in Frederick. These remittances were kept up during
Sister Polly's entire period of gestation and for some time after
the birth of your. Father (Rezin). Here the old lady waxed
eloquent, referring to father's birth she said: "Will I ever forget
that night (August 14, 1814); there lay Sister Polly in the agonies
of travail while from the window could be seen the Capitol in
flame. Despite the~ efforts of the kind old doctor and dear old
Aunt "Winnie~ (the nurse), it seemed impossible to exclude the
lurid glare, the red streaked sky and agonizing yells of horror
that0 seemed to bid defiance to paturition and the kind old
doctor's effort." (Her graphic description of this night of horror
is beyond the power to depict - no pen could do it justice; not
tongue could. reproduce it, unless assisted by a memory of the
scene) But my child, I have quite drifted from my theme. You must
know that your grandfather left his house in Frederick under quite
delicate circumstances and I trust my frank relation of them since
it is by your request, will not give offense. From what I could
understand your grandfather fell in love with a pretty servant girl
who was at that time in his father's employ. This proud and
dignified parent could never suffer their son to form a marital
alliance with their domestic menial, and finding that the boy was
bent, upon his purpose, and their efforts to restrain him were
useless they resolved upon the plan to send him to Georgetown (West
Washington) where he was bound as an apprentice to Mr. Thomas Hyde
( a former resident of Frederick and warm personal friend of his
(grandfather's) father ) in the tanning and currying business. My
father lived directly opposite the tannery and there it was that
sister Polly first became acquainted with your grandfather, an
acquaintance which ultimately ended. in their union, and this,
strange to say he did precisely what his parents had endeavored to
prevent him from doing , that is marrying a poor girl. Upon the
death of his (Horace's) father, he went to Frederick to attend the
funeral. He was mentioned as one of the executors or administrators
of the will I think which I also think he declined in favor of his
brother (whether this brother was Eli or Benjamin the old lady did
not state and as she has now passed from earth the information is
beyond ascertainment unless the testatory documents on file in
Frederick would show this) His father I understood died very
suddenly if indeed he was not found dead in bed. Of your
grandather's mother I heard but very little which must have been
very unimportant as I have not the slightest remembrances of any
incident connected with her life, not even do I remember having
heard her first name. Your grandfather's uncle Eli also died
suddenly so I understood somewhat after the mannerof his father's
death, apoplexy I suppose. - Of your grandfather's sister Elizabeth
I also know but little save that I remember having seen some
specimens of the most handsome artistic- needle embroidery which
bore her initials and which were said to have been executed by her.
From what I could understand her mind became impaired and she was
sent to place called Bethlehem or Betheney (I am not certain about
the .orthography of the word, but the phonetic impression upon the
ear was Beth er-ni) which at that time was celebrated for it s
excellent sanitarium for the insane. I never heard whether she
recovered or not but suppose (and it is simply supposition) that
she died there. I believe my- child that I have related all the
incidents 'that I remember, which occurred previous to the
childhood of your father. What has occurred since he can as well if
not better inform you than myself. You might remark to your
inquiring friend Dr. Todd that I consider the Ogle Family the
proudest flesh and blood I ever knew. If I can call to mind
anything not here enumerated or give you any further information I
will be pleased to do so at some subsequent interview. REMARKS made
by Ambrose L. Ogle regarding Catherine Clements I found this old
lady tottering beneath the cares sad sorrows of nigh four score and
ten, to be one of the most remarkable personages I ever met.
Congenial and pleasant, educated and refin