+-----------------------------+
| JULIA A. HUMRICKHOUSE. |
| 1815‒1878. |
| ---- |
| JULIA FAWCETT-HUMRICKHOUSE. |
| 1848‒1876. |
+-----------------------------+
The late James H. Goodwin, a descendant of Abigail Fawcett, daughter of
Thomas Fawcett, had in his possession the oldest record of Thomas
Fawcett’s family. He had special interest in matters historical, and
gathered all the data he could find relating to the Fawcetts and Smiths.
He offered to donate a lot in Riverview cemetery and share the expense
of removing these old pioneers to a place where their remains could
sleep in peace, and rest undisturbed forevermore.
This matter was very dear to his heart, and he contemplated doing just
what has been done, when death claimed him so suddenly the night of
President McKinley’s election in November, 1896. He had in his
possession the original deed granting to Isaac Craig, of Pittsburgh,
Pa., sections Nos. 23 and 24, in range No. 1, township No. 5, bought
December 6, 1796, the deed being dated at Philadelphia, Pa., August 30,
1798, signed by John Adams, president.
Also the deed from Isaac Craig to Thomas Fawcett, conveying the same
sections of land containing 1,090 75‒100 acres for the consideration of
$3,651.00 cash; both deeds are in a good state of preservation, having
been written on parchment.
These relics had been in possession of John Fawcett of Wooster, Ohio,
and at his death fell into the hands of Mrs. Julia Humrickhouse, thence
to her son George, deceased, and through his wife, Mrs. Clara B.
Humrickhouse, to James H. Goodwin.
Thomas Fawcett and his wife, Isabella, were among the earliest settlers
in Chartier’s Valley, Washington county, Pa., and lived there until
about 1795, when they moved to this place, then a part of the Northwest
Territory. His daughter, Abigail Fawcett, married Joseph Smith, father
of the late Wm. G. Smith, and through this union James H. Goodwin,
George S. Goodwin, Henry S. Goodwin, Homer S. Knowles, Mrs. Jno. N.
Taylor, Mrs. Esther Thomas, Mrs. Louisa Anderson, Mrs. Susan Harker, and
all their children, are descended from Thomas Fawcett.
Thomas Fawcett’s eldest son, Joseph, married Esther White, and their
daughter, Elizabeth, married the late George Anderson, on whose farm
Riverview cemetery is located. Of their children four are living—Matthew
Anderson, John Anderson and Miss Lizzie Anderson of this city,[42] and
Joseph Anderson, living in Colorado. The children of Thomas Fawcett
Anderson, deceased, also live with their mother in this city. Mary
Fawcett, another daughter of Joseph and Esther White, married William
Hill, deceased, and two of her children are living here—Mrs. Mary
Hill-Andrews, of Seventh street, and George Hill, on the old farm north
of town.
Julia Fawcett-Humrickhouse was another daughter, and a sister of Mrs.
Anderson and Mrs. Hill. She made her home before her marriage with her
brother John, who married Julia R. Larwell. Miss Rest Humrickhouse,
daughter of Mr. George A. Humrickhouse, this city, is the only living
descendant of this branch of the Fawcett family.
Through Elizabeth Fawcett, who married John Nessly, are descended Mrs.
Matilda Wallace of Hammondsville, Mrs. Judith McCoy of McCoy’s Station,
Jefferson county, and Mrs. Nancy Nessly Winstanley, who was born in
Jefferson county and moved to Cabrey, Ill. Her brother, Rev. John F.
Nessly, is a minister of the Pittsburgh M. E. conference.