Samuel Kirkland Sr and his wife Rebecca (Beckey Blair) and family, came to Licking Co. sometime after 1810. They resided somewhere near Homer. Sam Kirkland Jr married Elizabeth Em(m or b)erson. James, the eldest son of Sam Sr, married Sarah Smith and became a teacher in Utica, OH. They all moved to Hardin and Logan Co. OH in about 1835. Would like information on Elizabeth's and Sarah's ancestry.

Dick,

According to my family history my great great grandfather and great great grandmother were Samuel Kirkland Sr.b.1800 and Rebecca Blair. They had a daughter Keziah Kirkland born in 1842 who married Benjamin Palmer in Missouri Valley Iowa . Samuel's second wife was Abigail Palmer whom he married in 1856 in Missouri Valley Iowa.Now the question I have is Keziah actually the child of Samuel Sr. or Samuel Jr.& do you happen to know who her sisters and brothers were? I am also looking for Rebecca and Elizabeths line? Maybe we can help each other out.

Susan Frank

Susan Frank,
I don't see an answer to your question to Dick Jessen about the Samuel Kirkland family. I'm sure he could give you the information, but since I see no answer I will tell you what I know. Keziah Kirkland was born March 13, 1842 in Hardin County OH, the daughter of Samuel Kirkland, Jr. and his second wife, Nancy McBride (who was the daughter of John and Keziah McBride). Samuel went on to have three more wives (Love McBride - sister of Nancy, one whose name is lost, and Abigail Palmer). Samuel, Jr's first wife, Elizabeth Emerson, had died of cancer between 1833 and 1841. Rebecca (Becky) Blair was the wife of Samuel Kirkland, Sr. They were married in Augusta County VA on Oct 12, 1790. There is of course much more to tell, but that answers your immediate questions. If you would like to share further information please get in touch with me.

Bill,

Thank you so much for your reply. You helped explain the sequence of Samuel Jrs. wives and which one was actually Keziah's mother. I will be going on vacation in the near future to both Missouri, Valley Iowa and Ohio. I know where Samuel, Abigail, Benjamin & Keziah are buried, but if you have any suggestions for anybody in Ohio I would appreciate it. Also if I can give you any information about Keziah and Benjamin's children. I have been in the process of looking for Erastus Palmer, Abigail's first husband and father of Benjamin. I know he died in Cass County Michigan and they were married in New York. Thanks again and if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them.

Susan Frank

Susan,
I'm glad to hear that the information about Samuel Kirkland, Jr's wives was helpful. My primary sources of information on that family are Dick Jessen and a cousin of mine who, like me, is descended from Elizabeth Rebecca Kirkland, a daughter of Samuel, Jr. by his first wife Elizabeth Emerson. Elizabeth Rebecca married Robert McGavren, and that couple, along with the Kirklands, moved to Missouri Valley, and were prominent in that area toward the end of the 19th Century. My mother, grand-daughter of Robert and his wife, grew up in Missouri Valley, and remembered them well. She was also well acquainted with the Palmers. As for myself, I am restricting my research to the McGavren line. I presume you have been to Missouri Valley before; enjoy your visit. You ask if I have any thoughts about Ohio, but I really don't. If you ever get any leads about the family of Elizabeth Emerson I would love to hear about them.

Yes, Tom I spent many happy spring vacations in Missouri Valley when I was growing up. My grandmother Maggie Palmer married Stephen Williams and they lived on Erie Street for a long time.
I have also been researching McGavern in respect to Abigail Hungerford Palmer. Her sister I believe her name was Clarissa married a Dr. McGavern in New York I think and I think they went with Abigail and Eurastus to Cass County Michigan. I think Clarissa and her husband came to Missouri Valley and then later after Eurastus passed away Abigail and her children came to live with her sister and her husband. Does this sound like anything you have researched? Do you have Missouri Valley's celebration book or M V's 1905 marriage and directory book.They are great reference materials. If I find anything more about Elizabeth Emerson or the McGaverns I will let you know.
Susan Frank

Susan,
I am interested that you say a sister of Abigail Hungerford Palmer married a Dr. McGavern and lived in Michigan and Missouri Valley. This is a connection about which I am unaware, and I would like to know more about it. The only direct connection I am aware of between the McGavren and Palmer families is Viola McGavren, daughter of George McGavren, born 1853, who married Reuben Palmer.

Bill Compton

Bill,

I am going to have to go through my research materials, so it might take a couple of days to get back to you. Who was Reuben Palmer? Was he any relation to Abigail or Benjamin?


Susan Frank

Susan,

I really don't know who Reuben Palmer is. I presume, given the date of the marriage, that he was either a son or a stepson of Abigail Hungerford Palmer.

Bill Compton

Bill,

I looked at my research and I owe you an apology. Clarissa was married to John A. McKenney and Elizabeth Kirkland was married to Dr. Robert McGavern. Sorry about the mistake, but if I come up with anything more I will let you know.
Susan Frank

Dick,

I just got my newsletter from the Licking County Genealogical Society. In it they have a business account ledger of William Robertson who lived in Utica in Washington Twp. between 1825-1831 and he has listed Samuel Kirkland and Abel and Thomas Emberson as head of households. Just thought you might find it interesting.

Susan Frank