Descendants of Jacob** Laman
Generation No. 1
1. JACOB**1 LAMAN was born February 1805 in Pennsylvania, and died June 17, 1850 in Allen Cty, Ohio. He married CATHERINE** ENSMINGER. She was born 1807 in Pennsylvania, and died April 27, 1888 in Allen Cty, Ohio.
Notes for JACOB** LAMAN:
To Do: Locate the spouses and children of Abraham's children and work forward in the hope we can find a researcher that can take us backwards.
Purchased 160 acres of land on November 9, 1848 for $400. #16023 Land Office - Defiance Ohio NW quarter of section #15, town three, south range, five east, Allen Cty Ohio.
ElidaTrinityLutheranChurch (cemetery was destroyed several years ago, but they have records at the church). I found a burial for Jacob Lemon (same spelling as on Gov't Land Grant). When he died he was aged 45 years, 4 months and 19 days. He died before the 1850 census was taken as he was not included in that census.
1900 Census for Allen Cty, AmandaTownship shows Elizabeth Laman, d/o Jacob married to Nicholas Strayer and indicates that both of Elizabeth's parents were born in PA
The land tax records of Marion Twp. Allen Cty for 1855 through 1860 show that Jacob Laman paid taxes for his 160 in R-5, T-3, S-15 - NW 1/4 acres. Starting in 1856, his name was spelled LEHMAN, not LAMAN.
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Laman notes:
We were advised by Janet Laman Hodge that her father (a Laman descendent) once said that there were three Laman's that migrated to Ohio together. We believe that two of these individuals could be our Jacob Laman and Abraham Laman who are most likely brothers, although they could be cousins. We have also located a Samuel Laman that could be the third brother.
Rationale for our theory lies with a number of points:
They are in the same age category. Abraham's birth year was determined from the 1850 census for AllenCounty where he was listed as 42 years of age, which places his date of birth in about 1808. He indicated that he was born in Pennsylvania.
They owned contiguous property in Fairfield Cty in Range 18, Twp 14, Section 13. This was in BerneTownship.
Jacob Laman was in FairfieldCounty by at least 1846 since his oldest daughter Elizabeth Ann was married in Fairfield County, Ohio in 1846 (to Nicholas Strayer) and some of his children were also born in FairfieldCounty.
Research in the Fairfield Cty, Ohio records revealed the following:
Jacob Laman's son Joseph married Mary Magdalene Stemen, a daughter of Peter Stemen Jr. A Peter Stemen owned property in FairfieldCounty (Section 26, Twp 16 - Rushcreek, NE ¼). It is assumed that Joe Laman met Mary Magdalene in Fairfield Cty because both were residing there at the same time and both are the same age. Jacob Laman was then living in Berne Twp, Fairfield Cty in Section 13.
We know that an Abraham Laman was also in FairfieldCounty since the land purchase document shows him as being from FairfieldCounty at the time he purchased land in AllenCounty. We can not, however, find him in any of the Fairfield Cty census.
Jacob Laman purchased property in AllenCounty on 8/10/1849: The NW portion, Section 15, Township 3-S, Range 5-E. His name was spelled LEMAN on the Land Patent document.
Abraham Laman purchased property in AllenCounty on 2/1/1849: The E½ NE portion, Section 11, Township 3-S Range 5-E His name was spelled LAMAN.
These two properties were within a quarter to half mile of each other in southern MarionTownship.
We know that Abraham Laman was in the 1850 census in AllenCounty, MarionTownship. Listed was his wife and children as follows:
Descendants of Abrahamx Laman
1 Abrahamx Lamanb: Abt. 1808 in PA (see notes)d: May 16, 1882 in Note: not certain of date
.+Christina Foremanb: Abt. 1808 in Ohiom: September 15, 1831 in FairfieldCty, Ohio
....2 John Lamanb: Abt. 1833
....2 Lavina Lamanb: Abt. 1834
....2 Elizabeth Lamanb: Abt. 1838
....2 Jacob Lamanb: Abt. 1842
....2 Simon Lamanb: Abt. 1843
....2 Susanna Lamanb: Abt. 1844
....2 Leah Lamanb: Abt. 1846
....2 Samuel Lamanb: Abt. 1848
....2 David Lamanb: Abt. 1850
Another clue is that many of the children of Jacob Laman married people who populated Fairfield Cty at the time of the marriage. They married people with surnames of Strayer, Stalter, Sherrick and Brenneman - - all familiar surnames in Fairfield Cty.
Abraham Lehman paid Personal Property taxes in Allen Cty in 1849. He was listed with Jacob Lehman and a Gabriel Lehman. This Gabriel Lehman was living in Section 10 "town lots". We were unable to locate any land taxes paid by either Abraham or Jacob in the 1849 records. But in examining the records, we found very few (3 to 5) properties residing in either Sections 11 or 15. Could it be that the land had not been developed, therefore not taxable?? We did note an Isaac Brenneman residing in Section 11 (he was taxed). Also residing in 11 were Abe Miller: H. Carroll and in 15 were V. Moper; Wm Stonebruner; J. Keller.
The 1852 land tax records for Allen Cty, Marion Twp. indicate that a John Fritz owned half of the property originally acquired by Abraham. I was identified as 40 acres in NW ~ NE: Section 11; Twp 3S; Range 5E. It appears that a John Griffith occupied the property contiguous to the aforementioned.
The 1852 Personal Property tax records for Allen Cty, Marion Twp. lists an Abraham Lammon (Laman) as a tax payer. Below him an Elizabeth Lammon (Laman) paid Personal Property taxes but the entry was footnoted "Paid by Catherine".
More About JACOB** LAMAN:
Burial: ElidaTrinityLutheranChurch
More About CATHERINE** ENSMINGER:
Burial: SalemMennoniteCemetery
Children of JACOB** LAMAN and CATHERINE** ENSMINGER are:
2.i.ELIZABETH(LAYMAN) ANN2 LAMAN, b. November 09, 1829, Pennsylvania (1870 Census says Ohio); d. January 01, 1910, Ft. Worth, TX while visiting daughter..
3.ii.JOSEPH** LAMAN, b. February 28, 1832, Pennsylvania; d. October 29, 1905, Allen Cty, Ohio.
4.iii.JOHN A. LAMAN, b. June 14, 1834, Pennsylvania; d. June 04, 1926, Allen County, Ohio - Hartford cemetery (Have picture).
iv.REBECCA LAMAN, b. 1835; m. EPHRIAM MCMULLEN, December 06, 1853, Allen County, Ohio.
5.v.DAVID LAMAN, b. August 30, 1836, FairfieldCty, Ohio; d. November 12, 1907, Decatur, Adams Cty, Root Twp., Indiana.
6.vi.ELLEN LAMAN, b. 1839, Ohio.
7.vii.ABRAHAM LAMAN, b. 1842, Ohio; d. March 05, 1888.
8.viii.GEORGE WASHINGTON LAMAN, b. 1843, Ohio; d. 1932.
9.ix.MARY ANN LAMAN, b. December 16, 1844, Fairfield County or AllenCounty Ohio; d. November 21, 1917, Allen Cty, Ohio, Salem Cemetery.
10.x.ARTAMISAH ALINE LAMAN, b. 1847, Ohio.
11.xi.CATHERINE LAMAN, b. 1850; d. 1902, AllenCounty, OH - SalemMennoniteCemetery.
Generation No. 2
2. ELIZABETH(LAYMAN) ANN2 LAMAN (JACOB**1) was born November 09, 1829 in Pennsylvania (1870 Census says Ohio), and died January 01, 1910 in Ft. Worth, TX while visiting daughter.. She married NICHOLAS STRAYER III May 17, 1846 in Fairfield Cty, Ohio, son of NICHOLAS STRAYER and EVA EVERHART. He was born August 13, 1823 in Hartford Co, Maryland (1880 Census says Maryland), and died September 01, 1902 in Marion Twp., Allen Co., OH.
Notes for ELIZABETH(LAYMAN) ANN LAMAN:
Obit of Elizabeth Strayer from Lima, Ohio
Times-Democrat Jan, 7, 1910
Mrs. Elizabeth Strayer Died Suddenly While in Ft. Worth, Texas
AllenCounty has lost another old pioneer resident, as yesterday a message was received from Fort Worth, Texas, announcing the sudden death of Mrs. Elisabeth Strayer on January 1st.
Mrs. Strayer was past eighty-one years of age at the time of her death, and though born in Pennsylvania, had spent almost her entire life in this county. Her maiden name was Laman and she was brought up in Amanda township. later marrying Nicholas Strayer, one of a very large family, many of which are still living at and near Delphos.
Some three months ago Mrs. Strayer left for Fort Worth, where she has been a guest at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Della A. Clark, and at the time of her departure from Ohio, she seemed in excellent health. Death came through a sudden and severe attack of heart trouble, and the remains were today brought back to this county for interment.
The funeral services will be held at Allentown Methodist church, Thursday morning at ten o'clock. All relatives and friends of Mrs. Strayer will have this opportunity to pay their last respects to a women who has done much in past years for the good of the community.
More About ELIZABETH(LAYMAN) ANN LAMAN:
Burial: Buried in Allen Cty, OH
Census: 1850, Fairfield Co. Ohio - Born in Pa
Notes for NICHOLAS STRAYER III:
274 HISTORY OF ALLENCOUNTY
In August, 1852, moved to AllenCounty. Nicholas and Elizabeth (Layman) Strayer were born in Pennsylvania but were married in Fairfield County, Ohio. On coming to AllenCounty, they settled in the woods of AmandaTownship. Their first home was a cabin built in a small clearing. Nicholas Strayer was well fitted for pioneer duties, and gradually the acres of his cultivated fields expanded and long before his death he had one of the good farms and was rated as one of the prosperous men of the community. He and his wife were very active in church relations and in politics he was a democrat. In the family were seven children : Catherine, wife of David Baxter; Samuel ; David, a farmer living near Elida; Rebecca, deceased ; John, an Amanda Township farmer; William, also of Amanda Township; and Della, widow of George Clark, living at Fort Worth, Texas.
According to the FairfieldCounty tax records for the year of 1852 it showed that Nicholas Strayer sold his land to his brother Daniel but still paid a state, county and township tax for the 1852 tax year.
Parents may be buried in Fairfield County Ohio in GrandviewCemetery.
History of FairfieldCounty p 366- Bio on Frank P. Strayer
Was a native of Maryland and came with his parents, Nicholas and Eva (Everhart) Strayer to FairfieldCounty in 1828. The family settled in BerneTownship near what is now Berne Station, where Nicholas and Eva spent their remaining days. He had a brother Jacob, that was Frank P. Strayer's father.
More About NICHOLAS STRAYER III:
Burial: Allentown United MethodistChurch Cem.
Census: 1850, Listed as head of house
Children of ELIZABETH LAMAN and NICHOLAS STRAYER are:
i.CARTHERINE3 STRAYER, b. 1850; m. DAVID BAXTER.
12.ii.SAMUEL STRAYER, b. May 02, 1852, Fairfield County, Ohio; d. 1922, Allen Cty, Ohio.
13.iii.DAVID STRAYER, b. June 1855, Amanda Twp, Allen Co, OH; d. 1925, Elida, Allen Co, OH.
iv.REBECCA STRAYER, b. 1858; m. LEVI CRAMER.
14.v.JOHN WESLEY STRAYER, b. January 02, 1861, AllenCounty, Ohio; d. March 12, 1922, AllenCounty, Ohio.
vi.WILLIAM STRAYER, b. June 20, 1867; d. May 17, 1947, Allen County, Ohio; m. (1) LAURA HEIDEL; b. 1865; d. April 14, 1889, Allen County, Ohio - Hartford Cemetery; m. (2) JENNIE(UNKNOWN); b. 1866; d. 1931, Allen County - Hartford Cemetery.
More About WILLIAM STRAYER:
Burial: HartfordCemetery, Delphos, Ohio
vii.DELLA STRAYER, b. 1871; m. GEORGE CLARK.
3. JOSEPH**2 LAMAN (JACOB**1) was born February 28, 1832 in Pennsylvania, and died October 29, 1905 in Allen Cty, Ohio. He married MARY** MAGDELENE STEMENOctober 11, 1853 in Allen County, Ohio, daughter of PETER** STEMEN and MARY** BLOSSER. She was born March 28, 1832 in Fairfield Cty, Ohio, and died March 28, 1922 in Allen Cty, Ohio.
Notes for JOSEPH** LAMAN:
An article from the HERALD of TRUTH November 9, 1905
In this article it said:
He had made no profession (but in his life he was upright, honest and strictly moral) until five days before he died, when he became deeply concerned about his salvation and began to call upon God for mercy, and though he had a wonderful struggle until peace came to his soul, we now have reason to believe that he was truly converted and in accordance with his request and confession of a living faith in Christ he was baptized and received into fellowship, which caused joy in many hearts.
Then he began to admonish his children that they, too, should become Christians, which made such an impression on his oldest son (Peter) that he gave the promise to his father that he would spend the remainder of his days in the service of God and meet him in heaven.
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Joseph Laman Obit from "The Gospel Witness" October 25, 1905
Joseph Laman was born in Pennsylvania, February 28, 1832; died in Allen Co., Ohio, October 29, 1905; aged 73 Y., 7 M., 29 D. He, with his parents, came to Fairfield Co., Ohio, when he was four years old, and at eighteen to Allen County, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Mary Magdalena Stemen, October 10, 1853. To this union were born nine children. Five sons and two daughters survive him. There also born 46 grandchildren, of whom 39 survive, and 10 great-grandchildren, all living. A bereaved wife, with whom he lived 52 years, three brothers and four sisters, survive him. Also many relatives, friends and neighbors mourn the death of one whom they all highly esteemed. He had made no profession, (but in his life he was upright, honest and strictly moral) until five days before he died, when he became deeply concerned about his salvation and began to call upon God for mercy, and though he had a wonderful struggle until peace came to this soul, we now have reason to believe that he was truly converted and in accordance with his request and confession of living faith in Christ he was baptized and received into the church. Then he began to admonish his children that they, too, should become Christians, which made such an impression on his oldest son (Peter) that he gave the promise to his father that he would spend the remainder of his days in the service of God. May the conversion and death of Bro. Laman reach out as a loud call to many unsaved souls, to prepare to meet their God in peace. His funeral, at the Salem M.H., on the 31st of October, was largely attended. Services were conducted by Moses and C.B. Brenneman and J. M. Shenk from Num. 23:10, "Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his."
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The Gospel Witness - November 15, 1905
LAMAN.-Joseph Laman was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 28, 1832; died in Allen Co., O., Oct. 29, 1905; aged 73 Y., 7 M., 29 D. He, with his parents, came to Fairfield Co., O., when he was four years old, and at eighteen to Allen Co., O., where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Mary Magdalena Steman, Oct. 10, 1853. To this union were born nine children. Five sons and two daughters survive him. There were also born 46 grandchildren, of whom 39 survive, and 10 great-grandchildren, all living. A bereaved wife, with whom he lived 52 years, three brothers and four sisters also survive him. Also many relatives, friends and neighbors mourn the death of one whom they all highly esteemed. He had made no profession, (but in his life he was upright, honest and strictly moral) until five days before he died, when he became deeply concerned about his salvation and began to call upon God for mercy, and though he had a wonderful struggle until peace came to his soul, we now have reason to believe that he was truly converted and in accordance with his request and confession of a living faith in Christ he was baptized an received into the church. Then he began to admonish his children that they, too, should become Christians, which made such an impression on his oldest son that he gave the promise to his father that he would spend the remainder of his days in the service of God. May the conversion and death of Bro. Laman reach out as a loud call to many unsaved souls, to prepare to meet their God in peace. His funeral, at the Salem M.H., on the 31st of October, was largely attended. Services were conducted by Moses and C.B. Brenneman and J.M. Shenk from Num. 23:10.
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Obit in Lima Paper
Joseph Laman, a pioneer resident of MarionTownship, and father-in-law of Deputy Probate Judge Henry Gillespie, died last night after a long illness from kidney trouble and paralysis. Deceased was aged about 75 years and leaves a large family. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at one o'clock.
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Have will of Joseph Laman recorded in Allen Co. Court House Book 137 p682
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Marriage certificate on file in AllenCounty
License issued October 10, 1853
Joseph Lehman and Mary M. Stemen
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Joseph F. Laman's son Bartley is with Joseph and Mary Magdalene (Stemen) Laman in the 1900 OH Census and is listed as a grandson.
Joseph Laman is shown on an 1880 Township map as the owner of 80 acres in section #15, town three, south range, five. This would be one-half of Jacob Laman’s original purchase of 160 acres. Living on the other 80 acres is John Laman, 40 acres, son of Jacob and John G. Brenneman, 40 acres and husband of Mary Ann Laman, d/o Jacob.
More About JOSEPH** LAMAN:
Burial: SalemMennoniteCemetery (Row 10)
Notes for MARY** MAGDELENE STEMEN:
1880 census, living with son Peter Laman.
Have death Certificate.
Margaret Davidson Koester's recollection of Mary Magdalene Stemen:
I remember when Mary Magdalene died. I know my grandfather William Aaron Lehman inherited some money when she died. She was buried from our house (680 W. Spring St. Lima, OH) In those days people were 'laid out' in the home - then taken to a church for services and then to the cemetery. She had on the traditional black dress and white cap and apron of the Mennonites and only a sheaf of wheat on the coffin. No flowers. The wheat was traditional. She was very old and I guess had become senile and unmanageable. They had put her in the insane asylum. She had a big bruise on her face and I can remember being scared to death when I looked at the corpse. I can remember insisting on sleeping with my mother and hanging on her all night I was so scared. My grandmother, Mary Waters, was very incensed. She said the old women had been beaten (probably) because one arm was broken. She had either fallen or was beaten - who knows. However, I can also remember her - Mary Magdalene staying with us for awhile. I think they shifted her around amongst the children. When it rained and the street was wet in front of our house she would say - Will, the creek's a' coming up. Will was my grandfather. Poor old soul - not easy to get old. I was about 4 or 5 when we moved to 680 - my grandparents bought the house then. So, I might have been 6 or 7 - maybe 8 when she died. It was impressed on my memory quite vividly.