Read, Nathaniel

Helen Hunt Read only lists 4 children. The 1790 Census shows 2 malesunder age 10 (Ira and unknown). The 1800 Census shows 3 females underage 10 (Achsah, unknown, and unknown). There is also an unknown femalein the household over age 45. The 1810 Census shows and unknown male age10-15; 1 unknown female under age 10; and one unknown female age 10-15.When HHR writes about Ira, she says, "There he grew up as an only son ina family of seven." The seventh person is never listed.
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Helen Hunt Read:

Nathaniel was born August 5, 1758 at Mansfield, CT. the second child inthis family.

Sometime before 1788 Nathaniel moved from his father''s farm in Mansfieldto Tyringham, MA. People seldom moved to a new are unaccompanied byfriends or relatives but what circumstances dew Nathaniel to Tyringhamare not known.

He was a resident of Tyringham on 13 Mar. 1788 when he first purchasedproperty. He is listed as a yeoman, buying seventy acres of land for 30pounds. A short time later he purchased the six adjoining acres for 20pounds. By 1795 he had also become a blacksmith and on the 13th. ofNovember of that year he bought a fifty acre lot for 60 pounds.

Nathaniel inherited six acres of land in Mansfield, CT. from his fatherAmasa. On 7 Dec. 1805 he sold this lot for $53.00 to his brother Amasa,jr. who had remained in Mansfield.

Nathaniel married RHODA Sedgwick in June 1785. She was b. 28 July 1767in Westfield, MA. a daughter of Samuel and Deborah (Higgins) Sedgwick.Although the births of Nathaniel and Rhoda''s children were recorded inthe Tyringham Town records, their marriage was not. Tyringham is such anattractive place you wonder why anyone would want to eave. As you lookaround you soon realize how little flat area for farming is available andknowing the family farmed, you quickly see why the rich flat area of Ohiowas so appealing.

On August 23, 1815, while still a resident of Tyringham, Nathanielpurchased six hundred acres of land in Williamsfield, Ashtabula Co. OH.for $2,400. On Aug. 20th. he had selected the land he wanted taking thenorth part of lot #13 (160 acres) and the rest from lot #9.

When Nathaniel made his final move, to Ohio, we can identify may of thegroup that migrated with him. Along with Rhoda and their unmarriedchildren, their son Ira and his wife Mary were in the caravan. Mary''smother Grace Smith made the journey as well as Mary''s brothers Josiah,Levi and Elisha. Mary''s sister Triphene and her husband Elihu Allen werealso in the group. The families left for Ohio in June of 1816.

Nathaniel purchased his Ashtabula Co. land outright. Even though it isin the area known as the Connecticut Western Reserve it is not part ofthe Firelands. It was not awarded him by the government for damagesincurred during the Revolutionary War.

Some of Nathaniel''s land transactions are confusing but apparently hesold a large portion of his original land and purchased other parcels.The reasons are not clear but perhaps he was merely trying for betterland or perhaps it was for financial reasons.

Nathaniel was fifty eight years old when he came to Ohio. Presumably hewas still capable of putting in a long day of work but he probablydepended on Ira for much of the physical labor needed to create a newfarm.

In 1826 "for natural love and affection" Nathaniel deeded a total of 289acres to his four daughters. Probably none of the daughters ever livedon the land but were able to utilize the money from it''s sale. Ira, asthe only son, had the use and benefit from the majority of is father''sland.

Nathaniel died 10 Apr 1831 at Williamsfield and is buried at RobertsCemetery in Wayne twp. This cemetery originally adjoined a church but inlater years the church was sold and converted into a private home. Nowone goes between the barns to reach the cemetery. Rhoda died 9 Apr. 1824and her tombstone still stands although Nathaniel''s has been gone formany years. In 1929, it was reported his stone "is fast crumbling."

Nathaniel wrote a short will leaving Ira the home farm of one hundredacres, his wearing apparel and all his farming utensils. He willed $80to the Western Reserve Bible Society. To his four daughters he left allthe personal property not otherwise disposed of. Nathaniel nominated hisson Ira and Jonathan Tuttle as his executors. A receipt dated March 9,1833 shows Ira paid Tuttle #3.75 for his services as executor.

The value of Nathaniel''s personal property was given as $275.84 and hehad monies owed him of $327.11. Although the dollar value of this estateis modest, his belongings indicate a standard of living more comfortablyfurnished than his ancestors and many contemporaries. He had furnitureof quality wood and a large quantity of bedding. Following are some ofthe unusual and interesting items in Nathaniel''s estate inventory.
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1 black walnut cupboard, 4 plush chairs, 1 rocking chair, 1 cherrybedstead, 1 oak bedstead, feather mattresses, a black and white, a greenand yellow and a blue and yellow coverlet, 7 linen sheets, 4 woolenblankets, other beds and bedding, 3 table cloths, 5 towels, 1 cherrytable, 1 book cupboard, a Bible, dictionary, psalm book, sermon book, 1pr. spectacles, 1 lead inkstand, 1 stone flask, a lantern and two oldcandlesticks, 1 glass bottle, 1 great pitcher, a cloth loom and a quiltwheel, a pine chest with 2 drawers, an iron bound chest, 7 table forksand 8 knives, numerous dishes and blacksmith tools including bellows,anvil, vice and various hammers.
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The OFFICIAL ROSTER OF SOLDIERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION BURIED IN OHIOcredits Nathaniel with serving as a private in many battles under CaptainParker in the 3rd. Battalion of Wardsworth Brigade in the ConnecticutLine. This book states the 3rd. Battallion was raised June 1776 toreinforce General George Washington at New York. The men were dischargedon Dec. 25, 1776. Nathaniel was an appropriate age to serve as abovestated however, I have been unable to find any government documents toverify these statements.
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