It seems that although we can not prove that the wife of Zachariah was
named Osborne the circumstantial evidence seems to continue to build.
If you recall many messages back I asked about an Agnes Wells who married a
Jonathan Osborn cir 1800. From the researcher who has an interest in this
Jonathan comes this:
"Agnes Wells was married to Jonathan Osborn (B:01/13/1753, Rowan Co. NC) on
September 24, 1796 in Grayson County Virginia. She was probably his second
wife. (His first wife had the last name Howell.) They lived on the New
River near Fox Creek. About 1830, Jonathan moved from Virginia to Ashe
County, North Carolina; there he was married to a woman who called herself
"Mary." Some researchers indicate that this Mary was a third wife, but she
was probably Agnes, rather than a third wife, because "Mary" for some
strange reason was a common nickname for women named "Agnes"... especially in
the Osborn family.
Agnes Wells was the mother of:
1. an un-named daughter (B:1796);
2. Stephen Osborn (B:Feb 21 1801; D:21 Dec 1892);
3. George W. Osborn(B:28Apr1803; D:c1880);
4. Tabitha Osborn Cole (B:1805 M:Joshua Cole);
5. Enoch Osborn (B:c1807);
6. Caleb Osborn (Bc1808);
7. Josiah Osborn (Bc1810).
James Osborn who was probated in 1822 died on 29 Nov
1822 in what was then Scott County, VA. He was the only child of Jonathan
Osborne's brother Solomon. I did not know about this daughter Abigail,
though. I have only two daughters for him, Tabitha who married Zedekiah
Coody and Delila who married Silas Ratliff. The living heirs of James
Osborn are listed in a document dated 2 May 1842, but Abigail Osborn Wells
(or any other Wells) is not listed there either."
Has anyone seen this list? How does it compare with the will listing of
heirs?
Do we have any proof that James was actually the son of Jonathan and not
Solomon as this indicates?
Now, the really interesting question. This information indicates that
James Osborne's father was a Solomon Wells (not Jonathan). Even if he
wasn't, he did name a son Solomon to whom he left most of his estate. The
executors of James' will were a David Osborne (not a son) and a Solomon
Osborne who was probably NOT the son Solomon (but may have been).
We also know that Zachariah Wells, II named a son Solomon! Is it possible
that he named this son after someone in the Osborne family such as his uncle?
Not proof, just another circumstantial brick in the wall.
Orin R. Wells
Wells Family Research Association
Kent, Washington
<ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wellsfam/wfrahome.html