I am searching for information on a James Turbitt Pollock and Sarah Massey of
Rising Sun. They came from VA and settled first in Rising Sun before moving
to Crawfordsville, IN. James became Senator and Rep for Indiana then Receiver
of Public land. time period 1828-38.
I am trying to verify some historical papers that say he had a major empire
in Rising Sun selling produce up and down the river. He supposedly bought up
all the small farms around on his word and no collateral then when there was
a scandal he had to sell and flee Indiana leaving small farmers who sold
their farms to him with nothing. Story also goes he left his wife, Sarah
Massey Pollock and children and ran off with some household help to KY but
the 1850 census has Sarah on it and he turned up being a Justice of the Peace
for 20 years in Meade Co kY so I am wondering if the floozy story is true.
Would there be land records of such transactions? If so are they available to
search on line? I believe he went to IN from VA about 1825 leaving about
1838. He started out as a blacksmith before politics. Sarah's brother and
uncle went with them from VA to IN and they were blacksmith's by trade, too.
Also there were in laws named ENGLE. James sisters married a father and son
Philip and Michael Engle. Michael Engle's son became James' clerk when he
went into public office.
any advice on how I can find out about him buying up all the land then
selling it to repay the govt for money that disappeared from the Receiver
office? Would there be newspaper articles about that sort of thing? Were
there papers back then?
thanks
Pam