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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
-----About 1815 Thomas Baskin and family moved from Northumberland Co. to Madison Twp., Highland Co., Ohio. Just to the east of Buckskin Twp., Ross Co., was John Baskin, surely a brother.
-----In 1802 William Baskins and John Diven moved north from Baskins Island to Seneca Lake, New York, settling at the head at what is now Watkins Glen. Baskins lies in an unmarked grave a mile west of the town on a hill overlooking the lake.
-----By what was likely coincidence 1n 1804 a few miles to the north near Starkey, Yates Co. located William Baskin, likely a distant relative. This William Baskin was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1776; siad to have been of Scotch parentage. His mother, named Scott, died about 1780 and his father remarried. William about 1790 came to New Jersey, wheer in 1802 in Sussex Co. he married Elizabeth Rapilee (Rapalje). In 1804 he settled at Friends Gore, in the town of Starkey, Yates Co. His brothers, possibly James,Robert and John, came to America. He had brothers in Georgia and Alabama, sisters in Philadelphia and South Carolina.
-----The Baskins pioneered in many states: 1730 Pennsylvania, 1740 Virginia, 1760 South Carolina, 1780 Tennessee, 1800 New York, 1820 Ohio, 1850 Iowa, as well as Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi after 1800. There are Baskin(s) Creeks in Kershaw and Abbeville Cos., South Caroina, at Gatlinburg, Tenn., and in Bremer Co., Iowa.
MAP OF PAXTON - JUNIATA REGION, PENNSYLVANIA
 This is not an exact reproduction. It is had drawn from the original. jpc
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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
7. Baskins Families of Pennsylvania
JAMES(see a)
1750 settled Juniata, taxed
1756 adm Wm estate
1757 recd money for boards
1761 adm Francie estate
`1762 on Hullings map
1763 Taxed Lower TyroneTwp (later Rye)
1766 warranted land
1767 ferry
1767-88 taxed Rye Twp
1771 action vs Ellis'
1774 land, Northumberland Co
1780 April court
1787 witness, deed
1788 died, Baskinsville
1755-61 and 1763-65 Indian attacksMITCHELL (see b)
1778-82 Revolution
1780-87 taxed freeman
1784 signed petition
1788 in will and deed
1790s land sold by sheriff
1790 census 2-1-1
1793 militia
1800 census, 4 sons, 1 dau
1809 died, Baskinsville,Pa
WILLIAM (see c) 1744 expedition
1747-48 militia
1750 taxed Narrows
1756 boards to fort Halifax
July 29 killed
estate administered
1762 Widow on map
Widow appl for land
1766 land to heirs
1770 settlement of estate
FRANCIS ELLIS (see d) 1744 expedition
1757-58 battoe man
1762 on Hulings map
1765 married Widow
1766-84 taxed
1767 road viewer
1784 letters of adm to son
FRANICS (see e) 1749 settled on big Island
1750 taxed as trader
1756 mentioned in Wm's estate
1762 on Hulings map
1769-87 Widow taxed |
WILLIAM (see f)
1772-73 freeman Rye Twp
1776-82 Revolution
1786 militia
1787-1802 taxed
1787 sold 197 acres
1790 census 1-1-2
1799 on Big Island
1800 census, 1 son, 4 dau
1801 witness Smith will
1802 to New York state
1818 Presbyterian elder
1822 sold interest in Big Island
c1832 died, Watkins Glen, NY
GEORGE (see g)
1784 signed petition
1787-89 taxed
1789 sold interest in Island
1791 sheriff sold land
1790s to Greene Co., Pa.
1824 to morrow Co., Ohio
1852 died, south of Galion, OhioJOHN DIVEN (see h)
1779-82 Revolution
1779-82 freeman Tyrone Twp
1782 married Margaret Baskins
1784 signed petition
1787 witness, deed
1790 census 2-3-3
1799 on Big Island
1800-02 deeds
1801 witness Smith will
1802 to New York state
1818 founder Pres church
1821 elder in church
1822 sold interest in Big Island
1823 postmaster
1842 died, Watkins Glen, NY
ROBERT BASKIN See i)
1808 Northumberland to Perry Co
1815 died, New Buffalo, Pa
THOMAS Baskin (see j)
1793 Cumberland Co militia
1812 named in will of bro, Robt
1820 Highland Co., Ohio
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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
a. James Baskins
-----Of the three brothers James is best known. He was married about 1743. In 1750 he was on the tax list for the Narrows of Paxton. In February 1767 he stated that he had been livng for 16 years at the mouth of the Juniata. This indicates his settlement in the fall of 1750.
-----In 1756 he administered William's estate; in 1761 Francis'. He is listed on the 1762 Hulings map. December 16, 1766 he bought 100 acres of land opposite Duncan's Island from John Reed. He received an order for 300 acres back of the Reed tract in October 28, 1766. It was surveyed as 177 acres. He had a ferry running in January, 1767 when a petition was presented to Cumberland Co. court for a road from Baskins' ferry on Susquehanna to Andrew Stephen's ferry on Juniata, via Frederick Watts' narrows. He had probably established it aboaut 1766 when the lands up the Juniata were opened for permanent settlement.
-----James appears on the tax lists 1763-1788. The New Purchase of 1768 opened land in Northumberland Co. In 1774 James applied for land on the north side of the Chillisquaque Middle West Branch in what is now Turbot Twp. The revolution probably discouraged him from settling on it.
-----His will was written January 30, a1788 and probated February 11. Executors were Frederick Watts, David Watts, Mitchell Baskins. Witnesses were Patrick martin, Cornelius Atkinson, Jr., David Watts. The will mentions daughters Elizabeth mcCoy, CAtherine Stephesn,Sarah Dougherty, Jane Jones; wife, Elizabeth; sons, Mitchell, Francis. Mitchell received ost of the estate 'subject to the maintenance of son Francis for life." Francis appears to have died after 1800. He must have been a dependent. June 26, 1792 Samuel Goudy was administerator of the estate of Elizabeth, widow of Jaems.
-----The inventoryof James Baskins estate shows that he was fairly well-to-do. is stock numbered 44. In his kitchen he had 7 queenware plates. He had a indentured servant and an apprentice. There was a ferrying flat and a canoe.
-----The land soon disappeared. The sheriff sold it. The little settlement where James lived became known as Baskinville. On the bluff abaove was a cemetery. When James' grandson, Andrew B. Stephens visited Mitchell's widow in 1813 he wrote to his sister:
"I saw Aunt Baskins, uncle Mitchells widow and family, who are living about two miles from grandfathers old Ferry. (she) ponted to the place wher he (Mitchell) slept alongside his father."
b. Mitchell Baskins (son of James)
-----His tombstone in Baskinsville Cemetery (Duncannon, Pa.) reads "Mitchel Baskins died April 10, 1809 aged 54 years, 6 months 4 days." His wife's says "Margaret Baskins died Dec. 9, 1814 Aged 45 years 5 months 4 days."
-----Mitchell served in the Revolution 1778-82. Soon after the death of his father he married Margaret,Likely a daughter ofCornelius Atkinson, a neighbor. Their oldes son James was born November 9, 1789. In the 1790 census there are 2 males over 16 (Mitchel & Francis), 1 male under 16 and 1 female. In 1804 Mitchell Baskins helped found the Presbyterian church.
-----Most of the land was sold by the sheriff. The land was take by Frederick and David Watts. In 1793 Mitchell was in the militia. In 1800 he had 4 sons and a daughter. The only Baskins who remained around the Islands were Mitchell and Robert. Mithcell had 3 married sons: James 1789-1848, Cornelius 1795-1871, ohn J. 1797-1848, Robert had 3: John 1785-1826, Oliver 1795-1860, Robert 1797-1831. |
16 THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell c. William Baskins
-----William first appears April 19, 1744 on the list of men who searched for and investigated the murder of John Armstrong, Indian Trader. He was then and likely had been for some time living inPaxton. (a fresh emigrant would not go among Indians.) In 1747-8 he was a member of the militia. In 1750 he appeared on the first tax list. He settled on the lower end of Duncan's Island, with Francis on the Big Island to the east and James to the west on the Juniata shore. Tradition says that James and Williamwere brothers. Certainly Francis was a third brother. In the fall f 1755 William with the others fled to Fort Hunter, but not till he had planted a crop of wheat on the island. He had also staked out claims up the Juniata River and on Little Juniata Creek. He had improved the former and evidently considered himself a resident of Cumberland Co.
-----The spring of 1756 saw the beginning of the erectin of Fort Halifax. Wiliam supplied 1660 feet of Pine boards for the fort. The fort was completed in July. On July 29 William Baskins was killed by Indians whom he thought friendly. He had returned to harvest grain. A full account is given elsewhere. His inventory lists 9 bushels of wheat at £1-13-9 (about $4).
-----The Indians may have picked him out because of his 1744 connections, or because he supplied the fort with boards, or because he was the only settler around when they came down the river. His estate was probated in Cumberland County, with James as administrator.
-----The 1762 map lists Widow Baskins on Duncan's Island. The ross petition says tha tthe Island was unoccupied 1756-62 with all buildings and fences burned. There was no one on it 1763-65.
-----The name of William Baskins' wife is not known. It is likely Mary. Since she named son Moses she may have name him for her father. The only Moses in the 1750 tax lists is a Moses Wayne. In 1762 the "Widow Baskins" applied for 200 acres including her improvement up the Juniata. In 1766 James applied for land on Little Juniata Creek for the William Baskin estate. The 1767 Ross petition shows that she was married then to Francis Ellis. The Ross petition says that in 1762 he rented the Island from the widow. In 1767 he mentions the WidowBaskins and her husband. This implies tha tthey were married about 1765. Mary was probably married three tiems, first to William Baskins about 1744, secont to _____ Findley, third to Francis Ellis. Rev. John C. Bucher on June 20, 1765 married Francis Ellis and Mary Findley. A William Findley is listed in the William Baskins' estate. Mary Baaskins' oldest daughter married a Finley. In January 1771 James Baskins, administerator of the William Baskins estate entered a judgment against Francis Ellis and his wife, Mary.
-----William Baskins had two sons, John and Moses (letters of administration granted in Lancaster Co. April 25, 1777). They are named in the estate settlement. Moses is mentioned in a Rye Twp deed 1775 and is assessed the same year. He lived along the Juniata River o his father's claim. John Baskins in 1774 sold his share in the Carolina. This is now the Abbeville region. The deed was acknowledged in Cumblerland Co, Pa - this shows that John was back home in 1774. He may be th John who in 1768 made a trip to Tennessee, was captured by Indians along the lower Ohio, and was taken to Detroit. During the Revolution John Baskins lived in Wasington Co., Tenn. (then N.C.). He is listed inWashington Co. court records 1781, 1782, 1784. On June 12, 1783 the commissioners paid him for revolutionary service in three payments a total of £16-11-8. That year he was also granted 173 acres on Onion Branch of Little Limestone Creek. He may have moved south for in 1791 his hame is in Greene Co. Ten. court records. He may have married a second time, for John Baskins married Dec. 7, 1790 inGreene Co, Mary Middleton. There is no further record of John Baskins, but some of the family must have pushed on south for there is a Baskins Creek at Gatlinburg, Tenn. A son, Moses, was living inTipton Co., Tenn. 1740. |
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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
-----A third son of William is indicated under the chapter on Timothy Murphy. There were two daughers, Margaret, who married a Finley and later John Smith; Ann (Nancy) who marrid Joseph Martin and later Gilbert McCoy. The oldest Martin daugther were named Mary.
d. Francis Ellis
-----Francis Ellis had gone with William Baskins on the 1744 trip; he had been a battoe man 1767-8 with Thomas Baskins (probably a fourth brother). He is listed as having two frams on the 1762 map. In 1766 he paid taxes on Rye Twp; 1772-73 in Upper Paxton Twp; 1779-84 in Greenwood Twp. Lettes of administration in his estate were granted Sept. 3, 1784 to Francis Ellis, Jr. in Cumberland Co. The wife was likely dead, for in 1786 the land was sold. Francis Ellis, Jr. a freeman in Rye Twp. 1788, bought a lot in the new town of Lewistown mar. 15, 1792. On Mar. 1, 1792 he had married Isabella Millar of Rye Twp. In 1899 he was back at the island. He returned to Lewistown and after 1806 he married the widow of William Powers. Francis Ellis, Jr. d Oct 24, 1818, at Lewistown, a Revolutionary veteran. These facts are known about him: 1793 store; 1809 tavern; 1812 butcher; 1813 house for sale; several children including Robert Finley Ellis 1797-1870.
e. Francis Baskins
-----There are not many details to the life of Francis Baskins. He settled on Big Island in 1759 -- the year it was opened for settlement. The first Assessment (1750) after the 1749 Purchase shows Francis Baskins as a trader, surely living on the ower end of Big Island -- known in 1760 as Baskins' Island. This was the site of an old Conoy Inidan town. As an Indian trader Francis likely knew many of the Indians who travelled up and down the rivers. The lower end of the Big Island was a strategic location, at the junciton of the Juniata and Susquehanna.
-----In the fall of 1755 everyone fled to Fort Hunter an the Paxton region. Francis is listed as receiving £1-15-6 from and paying £9-6-0 to James Baskins, the administrator of WilliamBaskins' estate. In the summer of 1761 Francis Baskins died. This was just about the itme the settlers were returning. James Baskins was appointed administrator Aug 31, 1761 by the Lancaster Co. court. The 1762 Hulings map of the region was made at Fort Pitt. Hulings did now know of Francis' death and shows his land at the tip of Big Island.
-----The inventory of Francis Baskins was filed Ov. 30, 1761 and lists only his improvement, valued at £80. An incorrect statement is made in the inventory. The goods an chattels "as they were equally divided amongst the children at the deceased of his widow" is the term used. It meant as "they are to be divided." The Widow is taxed until 1898 for land on Big Island. In that year her name is scratched out and the land divided between William and George. When the sheriff sold George's interest, it is discribed as an undivided third. The third interest was held by Margaret Baskins Diven. John Diven and William Baskins are listed togheter a number of places.
-----The tax lists show Widow Baskins 1769-86 and "Francis Baskins" 1771-75. The assessor knew that it was the estate of Francis and listed it under that name. The given name of the Widow is not known. It may have been Susannah. She was likely a daughter of George Clark, Sr. George Clark is on the 1750 assessment. The William Baskins inventory (1756) mentins George Clark, Jr. George Clark is listed on the 1762 map. He was dead in 1770. George Clark, William Baskins and John Diven lived on the lower part of Big Island in 1799. Francis' son, George, introduced a new given name to the Baskins family. The name Clark is a given name in George and William;s descendants. The name Francis was also a new name in the Baskins family.
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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
He was likely named for his maternal grandfather.
-----Francis likely had to other daughters. Mary Baskins born c1754, died 1825, married c1775 David Gray, died 1822. They moved to Richhill Twp. Greene Co., before 1779, where David was a judge from 1796 until his death in 1822.
-----Her sister, Susannah Baskins born 1756, died 1827, married c1775 Matthew Gray, brother of David. Their oldest son William was born Sept. 20, 1776. Matthew was killed by Indians March 9, 1781 three miles west of Fort Jackson, now Waynesburg, Pa. David and matthew had a brother John who was born Jan. 18, 1761 near Carlisle, went West in 1779 and died Aug. 19, 1823 in Greene Co. All three served in the Revolution.
-----Mrs. M. C. Liggett of Washington, Pa. has an iron port hich "was property of (David) Baskins who resided at (Valley Forge,)pa. by him given to her daughter Susannah at her marriage 1775 and brought over the mountains 1776".Shortly before her death in June 1837 Susannah Baskins Gray gave the pot to her grandson, whowrote the account. Mrs. Liggett is granddaughter of the grandson.
f. William Baskins (son of Francis)
-----William Baskins was born about 1750 either at Paxton or on the Big Island. His father died in 1761. His mother returned to Big Isalnd permanently about 1765 and lived there till her death about 1786. She is listed as Widow Baskins.
-----William was a freeman, single man over 21, in Rye Twp. 1772 and 1773. He served in the Revolution as a private. Feb. 14, 1776 he and Gilbert McCoy enlisted in Capt. Robert Adams' company for oneyear. They marched from the Juniata to Quebec, where Adams of Mifflin county was killed and Ensign Thomas McCoy taken prisoner.
-----In 1782 William together with George Clark and John Diven served in Capt. Wiliam Johnston's militia company. In 1786 William Baskins was a member of the militia. About 1785 William married Catharine Armstrong, a neighbor. Their oldest son, Armstrong, was born 1786. They gave a deed Mar 23, 1787 for a location which Catharine had taken up on Armstron'gs Creek; a 197 acre tract named Indian Botton. John Diven and James Baskins were witnesses to the dead.
-----William's name appears on the tax lists 1787-1802. He apparently always lived on Big Island. John Diven had married William's sister Margaret in 1782. His brother George went to Greene Co., pa. about 1790. In the 1790 census William had 1 son and 1 daughter. In the 1800 census he had one son over 10 and 4 daughters under 10. In 1801 he and John Diven witnessed John Smith's will.
-----In 1802 William Baskins and his brother-in-law John Diven pulled up stakes and turned their faces to the North, leaving their home on the Susquehanna at Baskins Island. They stopped at Elmira and Montour Falls, finally ending at what is now Watkins Glen, N. Y. - town of Dix, county of Schuyler - then town of Catharine, county of Tioga. They found several white families in thei pioneer settlement, a number of Indians as wella panther,wild cats, foxes, woolves, deer, bear. This account was related by William's son, Clark, and is take from the 1879 History of Schuyler and othe Cos. On Sept. 8, 1818 the Presbyterian Church at what is now Watkins Glen was organized with William & Catharine Baskins, John and Eleanor Diven, Mrs. Jane Baskins, Miss Elizabeth Diven among the founders. William Baskins was an elder. John diven, Sr. became an elder in 1821. In 1822 William Baskins and John Diven sold thier interest in Big Island or Baskins Island in Penna. Margaret Baskins Diven died in Penna. Oct. 9, 1799. The date of death of William Baskins has not been found. He was living in 1830.
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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
-----William Baskins and John Diven settled sout of what is now known as the "old county line":
g. George Baskins (son of Francis)
-----George Baskins was born at Paxton in June 1761, a few weeks before his father died. From 1765 to 1790 he lived on Big Island. Following his mother's death he was taxed for part of the Island 1787-89. In 1789 he sold his share of the land. Two years later his share was sold by the Sheriff to satisfy a debt.
-----George decided to try his fortune in the west andmoved to Richhill Twp., Greene Co. Pa. Here he warranted 75 acres of land May 6, 1794. About this timehe married Rachel Braddock, daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Martin) Braddock. He is said to have served as an Indian acout under Anthony Wayne. In 1804 he bought 432 acres of land in Richhill Twp.
-----His location in Richhill Twp. was likely due to the fact that his sisters, Mary Baskins Gray and Susannah Baskins Gray had settled inRichhil Twp. moving from Paxton about 1775.
-----Ohio beckoned, so in 1824 Georege Baskins and hsi family moved to North Bloomfield Twp., Morrow Co, Ohio. He and James Kerr, son-in-law, came all the say from Penna. in wagons, and settled in an unbroken forest. (History of Morrow Co. 1880, p. 392). In this township was born Warren G. Harding; his father was one of the pioneers. Here George baskins died in 1852 at the age of 91. His wife died in 1848.They are buried in theEbenezer Methodist Churchyard 4½ miles south of Galion, Ohio, on Highway 19. They had a number of children, including sons, Francis, Abner, William, and George.
-----A Methodist society was organized at Kerr's 1835-36. On December 23, 1845 George and wife, Rachel, and son Francis sold land for Ebenezer Church. Apparently by 1855 all the sons had moved. Abner left Ohio May 27, 1852 and arrived in Bremer Co., Iowa June 22, travelling with teams. Their first home was a log cabin covered with clapboards,having a puncheon floor.
h. John Diven
-----John Diven was born, probably at Carlisle, 1757. His father, Alexander Diven, a native of Co. Tyrone, Ireland, had gone from York County, Penna. and taken up 195 acres in Tyrone (now Spring) Twp., Perry County in 1755. This was the year the land office opened. By October 1755 Indian attachks had driven the settlers south to Carlsle. They did not return permanently until 1865.
-----His son said of John Diven: "He was a private in the company of Penna. Volunteers. His captain, name as I remember it was Kelly, a cabinet-maker with a number of apprentices, among them my father. (Robert Kelly lived in Tyrone Twp. as early as 1763. He died in 1790.) Kelly influenced his apprentices to enlist. My father was at he battle of Princeton (Jan. 1777) and in camp at Valley Forge, and his term of enlistment exprierd about the time of the breaking camp at the latter place (likely spring of 1778). I remember his statments of his harships and the cold.
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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
at Valley Forge; of guarding the Hessian prisoners at Princeton, and their terror from the idea tha they were to be shot; of a pathetic scene at a review by Washington of the troops at Valley Forge."
-----John Diven served as a private in the Cumberland County miitia 1779-82. On Jan. 10, 1782 Joh Diven of Centre Church and Margaret Baskins of Susquehanna were married by the Rev. John Linn. They settled on Bi (or Baskins) Island; on which Margaret's father, Francis, had first settled in 1749.
-----John Diven was a carpenter, according to a 1794 deed. In 1793-94 he was Captain of a company of riflemen in the Dauphin County miitia. Margaret died in 1799 and JOhn Divne m2 Eleanor Means. In 1802 John Diven and his brother-in-law William Baskins moved north to what is now Watkins Glen, New York. On June 14, 1802 Diven bought 100 acres; in 1816 50 more. Here he was a founder (1818) and elder (1821) in the Presbyterian Church. In 1823 he was postmaster. He died in 1842. His grave in the County Line Cemetery, one mile west of Watkins Glen is marked by a monument "Capt. John Diven, a soldier of the Revolution, died Sept. 23, 1842, in his 86th year."
-----A Son by the second marriage was Alexander S. Diven (1809-1896) whose biography is found in the Dictionary of AmericanBiography. He was a lawyer in Elmira, a member of the New York Senate and of the United States Congress 1851-63. He was a general in the Civil War; a magnate in the Erie Railroad. (E.D. Buchanan is a descendant.)
i. Robert Baskin
-----Robert Baskin, a fuller, moved from Northumberland Co. in 1808 to Buffalo Twp. Perry Co. His willwas written Aug. 25, 1813 witha a codicil Aug. 25, 1814. It was probated Jun 1, 1815. Besides mentioning his wife and children, he mentions hs "dear brother Thomas" of Northumberland Co. and his brother-in-law John McGiniss. He andhis wife are buried in the McGinniss lot at the Hill Church, near New Buffalo. Robert's stone reads "Died Apr. 14, 1815 Aged 53." His wife's stone reads Catharine Baskin "Died September 30, 1824 Aged 74." Her ages is likely incorrect, for her father was born 1739 and her mother 1743. The name is always "Baskin" in this branch.
-----Robert, Thomas and John may have been sons of Thomas Baskin who was a battoe man with Francis Ellis 1757-8 between Harris' Farry and Fort Augusta (Sunbury). No record has been found of the death of Thomas Sr. Since Robert, Thomas and John each named their coldes sons, John, they may have been sons of a John; but no John appears in the records. The name Oliver is found in all three families, Robert, Thomas, John.
-----Information on Robert Baskin before 1808,when he mvoed from Northumerland Co, is difficult to obtain. He is not listed in the 1790 or 1800 census. His son Oliver was born inPennsylvania 1795. His wife Catharine was likely daughter of James 1739-17040 and Mary (1743-1805) Cocharan McGinnis. Catharine was born about 1764. She and Robert married about 1784 for their son ohn was born Mar. 16, 1785.
-----The only mCGinniss in Northumberland Co. is James McGinniss who lived in White Deer Twp. now union Co. 1738-87 according to tax lists and in 1790 and 3 sons under 16 and three daughters. Marcus Hulings was n White Deer Twp. 1776. Across theSusquehanna fromWhite Deer Twp. was Turbot Twp. Here ived cornelius Atkinson frmo about 1771-78. James Baskins applied for land in Turbot in 1774. Thomas "Basins" lived in Turbot 1800.
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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
-----If Thomas, Sr. was the father of Robert, Thomas and John, he may have been married about 1761. He might have moved to Northumberland Co. in the 1770s; or possibly his sons did in the 1780s. Robert certainly in White Deer in 1784. There was movement back andforth, for Thomas was in Cumberland Co. 1793.
-----James McGinnis was in Derry Twp., now Dauphin Co. 1782. The McGinnis's likely moved from Derry to White Deer and then back to Perry Co. James, Sr. and Jr., Mary wife of Sr., and other are buried with Robert Baskin and wife near New Buffalo. James Jr. bought a farm i Buffalo Twp. 1795.
j. Thomas Baskin (brother of Robert)
-----Thomas Baskin in 1793 was between 18 and 45 and was amember of the Cumberland County militia with Mitchell Baskins. In 1800 he is likely the "Thomas Basins" who was in Turbot Towhship, Northumberland County, and had 1 son over 10, one under 10, and two daughters under 10. He and his wife were between 25 and 45. Hi is likely the father of Dr. John Baskin, born 1788, died 1851 Mercer, Pa., a resident of Selinsgrove, Pa. 1818-20 and a Judge i Union County 1843.
-----Thomas married Catharine cunningham about 1787. She had a brothe, Andrew, who died in Ohio. About 1815 Thomas and family, except the oldest, John, moved to Madison Twp., Higlahd Co., Ohio. In the 1820 census he had 3 sons and 7 daughters. In 1838 he and his son, Robert, had a tannery in Marshall Twp. Thomas died about 1845. In 1849 his sons, Andrew and Robert were in Jackson Twp. in 1860 the widow of Andrew, Robert and the widow of Thomas (?) were in Liberty Twp.
-----There was likely a third brother of Robert and Thomas -- John Baskin, who in 1820 lived just east of Thoms in Buckskin Twp., Ross Co., Ohio with 1 son (16-26) and 4 daughters. Likely the son ois the John Baskin (born 1798 Pa.) who died in 1864 in Hillsboro, Liberty Twp. Highland Co., Ohio
Land
Francis Baskins
1749 150 a improvement on big Island (now known as Haldeman's Island)
1760 November 13 Baskins Island surveyed for Proprietaries - 677a.
1761 November 30 valued at £80.
1762 Hulings map showed Francis Baskins on lower end of Big Island
1770 Alexander Stephens sold claim to part of Big Island (adjoining James Baskin, Francis Baskins, Widow Clark)
1787 William and George assessed for land on Island
1789 August George sold his share in 150 a improvement by his father Francis deceased on lower end of big Island
1791 December 20 Sheriff sold one undivided third part of a tract of land containig 400 a being part of Baskins Island - owned by George Baskins
1769-1786 Widow assessed 1799 William Baskins, John Diven, George Clark living on lower part of Big Island (John Diven 1782 m. Margaret Baskin) George Ass's 1787-89 William 1787-1802
1799 Baskins Island 677 a sold to Thomas Duncan
1822 William Baskins and John Diven sold their interest in Big or Baskins Island
1834 Sheriff sold Island as property of Thomas Duncan to Jacob Haldeman
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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
Land (continued)
James Baskins
1776 August 2 James applied for 200 a at mouth of Juniata
1766 October 28 Order for 300 a
1766 November 24 Caveat against Joseph Boude
1776December 16 Bought 100 a adj his from John Reed,br>1767 February 24 Had been living on land 16 years
------Land sold by Sheriff 1790s as Mitchell's
1770 Alexander Stephens land on big Island adjoined James Baskins
1774 Applied for land at head of Sinking Springs forks on Susquehanna, Northumberland Co., (Turbot Twp.)
William Baskins
(1) Duncans's Island (or Hill's Island)
1752 Widow shown on Hulings map
1764 10-11 December Surveyed for Proprietaries - 3205 a
1767 May 19 David Ross calimed to have rented Island from Widow about 1762
1805 Island 305 a sold to John Reed
(2)Little Juniata Creek,br>1766 James applied for land for William's heirs 300 a adjoining John McCoy, McCowan's path & Dicks Mt>
1776 December 16 238 a ordered granted to William Baskins' heirs site of Montibello FurnaceLand sold for taxes - title not able to be traced
(3) Juniata River
1762 May 31 Widow Baskins applied for 200 a includingher improvement 5 or 6 mi from the mouth of Juniata
1774 September 16 John Baskins sold 2/5 share of this 200 a (wrongly assumed to b 1766 grant) - Oct 4 to Hugh Miller
1776 March 26 Joseph and Ann BAskins Martin sold 1/5 share to Hugh Miller
1775 April 6 120 a to HughMiller warrant
1791 March 3 25 a to Hugh Miller warrant (bal of "200 a")
 (3) as divided
8. Timothy Murphy of Ontario
-----One of the most interesting chapters in the Baskins history is that of Timothy Murphy. When William Baskins was killed by the Indians July 29, 1756, the Pennsylvania Gazette says the Indians "carried off his wife and childen." A grandson of Willliam, James Smith, as related in Rupp's History (1846), said that the wife escaped and the girl, 7, and boy, 3, were taken into captivity. The girl, Margaret (Peggy), was released at the forks of the Muskingum in Ohio in 1764 and returned home. The settlement of William Baskins estate in 1770 does not include the boy who was presumed dead.
-----The James Smith account relates:"The lad...was carried to Canada, where he was raised by Sir William Johnson, not knowing the name of the boy, when he was baptised by a missionary, was named Timothy Murphy. He was afterwards dis-
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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
covered by Alexander Stephens, Mr. James Stephens' father, who resides in Juniata Twp. Perry Co. by some eculiar mark on his head. He has visited his friends in Perry; James Smith, his nephew, when at Canada in defense of his ocuntry, during the late war (1812), visited him and found him comofortabley situated near malden In Upper Canada (now Ontario) and the owner of a large estate."
-----Apparently the Baskins boy was taken by a different tibe of Indians and was carried to the Detroit area where he was ransmoed by a British officer or trader. Most of the Smith account appears to be correct, except that Sir William Johnson (1715-1774) did not live in Canada. He lived in eastern New York, However, he visited Detroit in 1761 and had many dealing with Indians.
-----Alexander Stephesn, who discovered Timothy Murphy, had lived as an Indian tradera ong the Shawnee Indians for a number of years. From 1758 for several years he travelled in western Pennsylvania. He would have a very good chance of locationg Baskins. He moved to Georgia about 1786 and became the grandfather of Alexander H. Stephens. James Smith in 1814 Perry Co. was a part of Cumberland. The American troops during the War of 1812 occupied the Fort Malden area 1813-15. The countryside was not disturbed.
-----"James Smith was born April 4, 1777 in Cumberland County on the Bank of the Juniata on the Farm then Belonging to andrew Stephens Sr." Taken from the Smith Bibile. James Smith married mary Clark June 5, 1800. for a while the Smiths lived at Lewistown; later they lived at Newport,Pa.
-----The interesting part about Timothy Murphy is that a search of records in Michigan and Ontario shows that Timothy Murphy lived in this area as early as 1787, and that he died in the Township of Sandwich, County of Essex, Ontario, May 4, 1830. If 3 when captured in 1756, he died at 97. His wife, Eleanor Fields Murphy, died in the winter of 1744, 45.
Documentary record o Timothy Murphy:
(1764 Detroit given by the French to British)
1787 Blacksmith at (Fort) Michilimackinac (now Mackinae, Michigan)
1790 Mentioned in a letter
(1795 Detroit and Michilimackinac ceded to United States)
(1797-99 fort Malden built at Anhersburg, Ont.)
1795 December 25 Appointed Balcksmith for Indian Dept. of Amhersburg (Murphy then of Detroit)
1796 Spring Bought a farm in Essex Co.
1797 Dec 25 Appointed blacksmith for the Indian Dept at Amhersburg
1798 Summer Resigned as blacksmith, did not want to reside at Amhersburg
1809 April 4 Timothy & Eleanor Murphy witness at baptism of son of Fred'k Fisher, Indian Dept. employee
1810 April 1 witness at marriage of George Ironside (Indian Dept employee) to Isabella, an indian, sister of Tecumseh - St. John's Anglican Parish
1812-13 Timothy Murphy assessed at Malden
(1813-15) Malden occuied by Americians)
1815 June 15 Murphy from age and long services (then 62) is no longer able to repair the arms of the Indians
1819 Timothy Murphy, a resident of the Petit Cote, south side of Betroit River saw two brithish soldiers desert to an American ship in the Detroit River
1840 April 9 Will written, left everything to his wife Eleanor (apparently the witnesses included some Indians)
1840 May 4 Died
1844 Dec 18 Eleanor Murphy (no children mentioned) left her property to her brother James Fields & her niece, Mary Ann & nephews Timothy, John, James, Daniel. |
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THE BASKINS-BASKIN FAMILY - Raymond Martin Bell
Her will lists property totaling about 1000 acres in farm land and a house and lot on Bedford St. Sandwich (now Windsor).
-----Apparently, the Baskins boy was taken by the Indiats to the Detroit region. He was given the name Timothy Murphy and after the British took over Detroit he was released by the Indians. He was brought up as a British subject and when the British gave up detroit he settled across the river at Sandwich, although he was living south of Sandwich at Malden in 1812-13. Before 1809 he married Eleanor Fields. Murphy was a blacksmith as was his brother, John n Dist 96, South Carolina. Was this a coincidence? (Did he meet his brother John at Detroit 1788?)
-----This Timothy Murphy should not be convused 9as many wirters have done) with another Timothy Murphy. The other Timothy murphy, the heroof the battle of Saratoga was baptised March 23, 1755 by Rev. John Casparus Freyemuth of the Minisink-Mackachameck (NJ) Dutch Reform Church. Is parents wer Thomas and Mary (Lundy) Murphy. He was born in what is now Morris Co., N.J. About 1773 he moved to the New Purchase, Northumberland Co. On June 25, 1775 he enlisted under Capt. John Lowdon and served as a rifleman in many battles of the Revolution.
-----On October 7, 1777 he killed at long range General Fraser and turned the tide at the battle of Saratoga. He married first Oct. 1, 1780 Margaret Feeck by whom he had six children. He had four more by his second wife Mary Robertson, whom he married April 22, 1810. Tiothy Murphy's tombstone at Middleburg, N.Y. says he died June 27, 1818 at the age of 67.
-- Timothy Murphy by M. J. O'Brien 1941
9. Alexander Stephens of Georgia
-----(For full account see Alexander Stephens by Raymond Bell and Robert Grier Stephens 1956)
Chronology
Forty years in Pennsylvania
1746 From Leith, Scotland to Paxton, Pennsylvania - age 19
1748 Brother Andrew married - Mother remarried
1750-54 Indian trader near Pittsburg among the Shawnee
1755 Possibly with Braddock at Turtle Creek
1745-57 At Fort Augusta (with Cornelius Atkinson)
1758 Possible with Forbes at Fort Duquesne
1759-62 In charge of supplies on Forbes Road
(1760 Atkinson at Fort Pitt, 1761 took up land at mouth of Juniata)
1761 Reported 1753-54 losses to the French - at Philadelphia
1763 Possibly with Bouquet at Bushy Run
1764 Afficavit regarding Paxton Boys and Conestoga Indians
1766 Married Catherin, daughter ofJames and Elizabeth Baskins - ferryman at mouth of Juniata
1768 Applied for land adjoining James Baskins
1769 &bnsp;Gave power of Attorney to William Trent for royal claim
1770 Brother died -- Sold claim on Big Island
1770 Moved to New Purchase with Atkinson and brother-in-law Jones
1774 Father-in-law took up claim in New Purchase (Turbot Twonship)
1776-78 Possible Captain in Northumberland Co. (Atkinson a lieutenant)
1778 In Great Ranaway returned to mouth of Juniata
1780-82 &nbs;Private with Atkinson incumberland Co. Militia
1786 Recieved £7 for services
1786 Moved to Georgia - died in 1814 at 87, Crawfordville
1766-70 Lived in what is now Reed Township, Dauphin Co, on big Island at mouth of Juniata - east side of Baskins Ferry
1770-78 Probably lived in Turbot Twp., Northumberland Co., - north of Fort Augusta
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