List Members:
I continue to see numerous website and personal genealogies with what I believe is an
incorrect family linked to Solomon Joseph Channell, who is thought to be a son of Samuel
and Elizabeth Hornbeck Channell. In every instance of the error that I have seen, the
information is:
1-Solomon Channel b. Sep 1808, Harrison County, Virginia, d. After 1850
+Mahala b. Jul 1806, , Virginia, d. After 1850, m. Abt 1833, , Virginia
...2-Amanda Channel b. 1832-1833, , Virginia, d. After 1850
...2-Mahala Channel b. 1835-1836, , Ohio, d. After 1850
...2-Jackson Channel b. 1838-1839, , Ohio, d. After 1850
This Solomon is listed as being 41 years of age and having an occupation of a Blacksmith.
I have taken to calling him Solomon the Blacksmith.
I believe this error exists due to a misinterpretation of the age data from the census for
1850 in Highland county Ohio. I know of three Solomon Channell's in Ohio during the
early to mid 1800's -- two of whom were living in Highland county at the same time,
both of whom are approximately the same age.
Family bible records, written family histories, and certified Virginia documents in my
possession clearly show that Solomon Joseph Channell married Catherine S. Taggert,
daughter of John and Mary Parsons Taggert on August 15, 1833. These same documents,
including land records, support the evidence that shortly after their marriage, Solomon
and Catherine moved to Ohio, where over the short span of the next twelve years they had
nine children, including twin girls Julia A. and Cynthia A. In September of 1845,
Catherine died, leaving Solomon with children who ranged in age from less than a year to
approximately twelve years of age to care for. At this time, I have not located any type
of probate record for the children of Solomon and Catherine -- but there is some
interesting information from the census records that give us clues. I will comment on
that issue at a later time.
Solomon Joseph Channel was never a blacksmith, the land records and documentary evidence
coupled with the family histories and accounts clearly show that he was a farmer slash
Methodist preacher.
Supporting information that Solomon was married to Sally/Sarah at the time of the census
is:
CHANNELL, Solomon
m. Sally Gerin on Nov 3, 1847 in Highland Co., OH
Source: FHL Main Library, SLC, UT US/CAN Film #0570612/13/14
Supported by
Genealogy.com: Selected Counties of Ohio, 1789-1850 Marriage Index (Online
database)
The names Sally and Sarah were commonly used for each other, and I find the name Sally
compared to the census record of Sarah to be completely credible. Also, as evidenced by
the following, she was still alive at the time of the census:
On 30 SEP 1863, Solomon Channell is appointed Guardian of his children, William aged 12
years and Hester Jane Channell, aged 7 years who are minor children and legal
representatives of Sarah Channell, dec'd. Surities are issued by John Shockley and
William W. Fenner.
I would like to see those researchers who are carrying this Solomon the Blacksmith family
error in their family databases to delink this Solomon and Mahala and children from Samuel
and Sara Elizabeth Hornbeck Channell and replace with this Solomon Joseph Channell and
family:
1-Solomon Channell b. 1809, Virginia, d. Between Apr 1870, Lincoln Township, Clark
County, Missouri
+Catherine S. Taggert b. 7 Apr 1810, Randolph County, Virginia, d. 21 Sep 1845, m. 15
Aug 1833, Randolph County, Virginia, par. John Taggart and Mary Parsons
...2-Johnathan Channel
...2-Martha Ellen Channel
...2-Miles M. Channel b. 1836
...2-Sally M. Channel b. 1838, Near Buford, Highland County, Ohio
...2-Marshall William Channel b. 10 May 1837, Near Buford, Highland County, Ohio, d. 22
Nov 1882, Near Crawfordsville, Chase Co., Kansas
...2-Samuel Nutt Channel b. 10 Nov 1839, Near Buford, Highland County, Ohio, d. 22 Oct
1928, National Military Home, Dayton, Ohio
...2-Cynthia A. Channel b. 1842, Highland County, Ohio
...2-Julia A. Channel b. 1842, Highland County, Ohio
...2-Lydia Ann Channel b. 1845, Highland County, Ohio
While I have an idea who Solomon the Blacksmith and Mahala and family are, it is not a
family that I have researched, therefore I do not wish to perpetuate speculation and
continued errors by suggesting where I believe this Solomon the Blacksmith should be
connected.
Should anyone have any further information, questions or comments I am certainly open to
receiving them on this issue.
Regards,
M. Mathews
--------------------------------------------------
"Quid me nutrit me destruit" --
--------------------------------------------------
"Quid me nutrit me destruit" --