This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Leonard, Steel, Kaufman, Yourd
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ik.2ADE/352
Message Board Post:
I am looking for these three families that came from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and
settled in Whitley County, Indiana in the Union Twp. area. (Kaufman, Leonard and Steel).
John A. Kaufman married Jane B. (Leonard) and they were in Whitley County, Indiana by May
20, 1840 per a letter from James M. Steel to John A. Kaufman. (to follow).
James A. Steel married Lydia Leonard, sister of Jane B. (Leonard) Kaufman. He and his
family were in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania until approximately April 1854.
John A. Kaufman and wife Jane B. (Leonard) Kaufman are buried at the Presbyterian Church
Cemetery on Old U.S. 30 in Coesse, Union Twp., Whitley County, Indiana.
James M. Steel and wife Lyida (Leonard) Steel are also buried here with some of their
children as well as the mother of Jane B. Kaufman and Lydia Steel, Mrs. Mary Leonard
(maiden name unknown).
The following is a letter sent by James M. Steel of Allegheny County,PA to John A.
Kaufman, who I believe to be in Whitley County,Indiana. This letter was published in the
June 1988 "The Bulletin". This letter was sent to me and I don't know its
origins.
This 1840 letter from James Steel of Union Twp., Whitley County, Indiana to John A.
Kaufman in Pennsylvania was donated to the Whitley County Historical Society by John
Shiltz. The original spelling in the letter is kept throughout the text:
Dear Brother i take this opportunity to inform you that we are all well at present but
mother she has had very poor health this spring I received your letter May the 6 and it
was vary near wore out that I could hardley and the next letter that you send send it by
the male James Leonard answered your letter about the last of March I have a vary throng
time I have sowed about 60 bushels of oats and i have cleared a hepe of ground and I was
elected supervisor and the roads to attend too i have not got don planting my corn yet
And I have got a bout 2 acrs of potatoes to plant It will be out of my power to come out
before fall if then to see you Mother is going to send Mary to town to Easter Kirk To
learn the dress making Mary Jane Steel is running every whare and she will soon be that
she can ride maddin Mother sends her love to Jane B. Kaufman and the oald lady and all
the rest of the rest of the famelly I want you John A. Kaufman to send in word in the
next letter !
that you send wether Jane B. Kaufman has taken the pons at hur dinner yet or not
The Marketes is recruitin a little oats worth 12 1/2 potatoes worth 6 1/4 hay worth 600
wheat worth 50 cts butter worth 6 1/4 cts egg worth 2 cts a dozen in trade John Steel
wants for me to put in this letter that we have lots of chicens and yong gese
Samuel Yourd sends his best respects to his oul lover when Jane B. Kaufman comes is she
must alow for to stay a bout a week any how for to sea All hur old neighbors for she neder
for to come alot without she gives tham all a visit John Steel and Robert Steel and Mary
Jane Steel wants John to kiss Jane for them
Mary Leonard sends hur best repects to Wilson Kaufman and James Leonard is agouing to for
to take hur out In the winter time thar is any slaying for to sea Wilson
Thare is a worse misfortune happened Samuel Yourd than at the surnading frollic he went to
town and got drunk and lost his hat No more at present James M. Steel
May the 20th the year of our lord 1840
Lydy Steel ses that when Jane writs that she wants to know whether she wants that patern
that she wanted to take with hur or not Lydy Steel sends hur love to you all and all
** If anyone has any information on either of these families, I would love to hear from
you.
Best ever.. Tammy