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Biography For the family of Oliver Cromwell McLouth and Elizabeth Dillon
Oliver Cromwell McLouth was born on 07 July 1784 in Cheshire or Taunton, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He was the son of John McLouth and Sarah Pierce. Around 1795, the family moved to Clyde or Manchester, New York.
Elizabeth Dillon was born on 11 Sept 1784 in Orange County, New York. She was the daughter of John Dillon and Phebe Ackey (exact spelling uncertain). The family moved to Ontario County, New York at some point and there she met Oliver. They were married around 1803. Even though no marriage record has yet been found, we can estimate based on the birth of their first child. I believe that they lived in Ontario County up until 1835. In 1832, land was transferred from Moses Dillon to Betsy McLouth (as Elizabeth was apparently known as). I presume that Moses was Betsy's brother and the land was probably her share of her father's estate, who had died in 1827.
Oliver and his family came to Hillsdale County from Ontario County New York. They landed in Washtenaw County on 01 June 1835 and lived there for three years. Oliver McLouth was noted as building the first log home in the northeast part of York Township. It was 28 by 18 feet. They then sold out and moved to Hillsdale County. This seems to agree with federal land records: in 1837 he purchased about 120 acres of land in Hillsdale County, Michigan and in 1838 he purchased 560 acres in Calhoun County, Michigan.
By 1840, the family was enumerated on the federal population census. In Somerset, Hillsdale County, Michigan, the household included Oliver C McLouth male age 50-59, female age 50-59 (Betsy), female age 20-29 (unknown), male age 15-19 (Augustus) and female age 10-14 (Emily). Not included in this list was daughter Margaret who would have been about 8 years old.
On 10 January 1842, Oliver was very ill and wrote his will. He had died by January 13, presumably at his home, in Somerset Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan. His son John was named as administrator of the estate. Heirs included Betsey (wife), Augustus (son), Emily (daughter), Nathan (son), Amanda Powers (daughter), Minerva Spear (daughter), Polly Gilbert (daughter), John McLouth (son), heirs of son Oscar McLouth, and Mary Muir (servant). An interesting thought - Sarah Muir had married his son Oscar. I wonder if Mary was Sarah's sister? His estate was inventoried at $5581, which was significantly higher than other estates of the same time frame. He must have been very well off.
By 1850, Betsy was living with her son Augustus and his family. Most likely, Augustus was still living with Betsy at the family farm and then just brought his bride to the farm. The enumerator probably listed Augustus as the head of household since he was the oldest male. The 1850 census was different than the ones before, in that each person of the household was listed, as well as their age and birthplace. So Elizabeth McLouth was listed as age 66 and born in New York. In the household also were her daughters Emily age 24 and Margaret age 18.
On 20 January 1859, Betsy died at her home in Somerset at age 74. Both Betsy and Oliver are buried at the Dibble Cemetery on North Adams Road in Wheatland Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan.
They had nine known children, all born in Somerset, Hillsdale County, Michigan. All children surnamed McLOUTH:
Copyright 2001
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