Ulmer Ancestry

Update
June 1, 2010

New information that documents Jacob as having been in Clark County, Indiana as early as 1804 has just came to our attention. This new information will likely change, or at least enlighten us more, about what we already know or have pieced together about this early Ulmer ancestor.

As the information is further researched and processed some web pages' information within this dot com service will be changed as needed.

If you'd like to know more about this new information check the Ulmer forum for the latest post about Jacob's land deed of 1804 and other information currently being shared.

We also believe we have now found at least one more child of Jacob, a daughter that was born in 1795 in Kentucky. This info is still being researched at this time.

Jacob Ulmer's Household - 1809 through 1836

  The theory explained within this article is not proven fact. But, it is a continued explanation of what I believe happened within the time period of 1800 to 1836, within Jacob Ulmer's household.

  This is a theory of mine, that the records seem to indicate happened, along with my own understanding of what most likely did occur with that family. This theory is based on document facts known.

  The time period, which has been under research of the Jacob Ulmer family involves; the birth of John William Ulmer; the death of Matilda, Jacob's wife; the census reports during those years; the Bible record provided by the James family; and many other known facts which provide a picture of what transpired in all the individuals' lives during the years of concern.

  We have found from within the Bible's information that Matilda died in 1809. This would appear to be close to a time when another small child enters into the family. Even though the 1810 Census is not available, the 1820 Census does support these facts.

  In the past, I have suspected that Matilda may have died when giving birth to this last born child. It would appear that she did die at that time, or within a very short number of years after the child was born. Either way, the child would have been very young at the time of Matilda's death.

  How would Jacob have cared for this small child after his wife died? Jacob's oldest son, William would have been 22 at the time Matilda died. It is unknown if William was married at that time, or shortly in the years to follow. But it is understood, or I should say known, that by 1812 William was married and had at least one child of his own, that child being Barbara Ulmer.

  It has pretty much been figured out, that William, and his family, was living in the household of Jacob in the 1820 Census. This is supported by the ages of the individuals in that Census. In 1815, George, William's younger brother, married Elizabeth Wardell, and by 1820 is a separate household in that census. But, William's family's ages continue to be in the household of Jacob in the 1820 Census.

  In appears that the arrangement of William, his wife, and family to be living with Jacob could have been a necessity, for all persons concerned; and because of the younger children being in the household. These younger children would not only include William's daughter, but also his youngest brother, John William. John William would have still been only in the age range of about 11 to 20 in 1820. And the fact that Jacob was becoming quite old, compared to the life span of males during this time period, would indicate the possibility of a necessity of such an arrangement as well. Jacob would have been 62 years old in 1820.

  I do think that even though Jacob was 62 in 1820, he still was somewhat healthy. I think this, because he did not died until 13 years later. And even before his death he made the move to Illinois after 1830. A man of poor health would not have made that move at age 72.

  That move was made after William, Jacob's son, had bought land in Illinois, and had died during one of his trips to Illinois in 1829. William's death in 1829, continued to cause the necessary arrangement of William's wife and family to continue living in the same household (Jacob's), even up to the time of Jacob's death in 1836.

  If Jacob had of been in poor health around the year of 1830, after William died, I think he would not made that move, but would have moved to his other son's household; that son being George, who only lived about 8 miles from Jacob's home in Indiana. Why would Jacob and his daughter in-law, take up the task of moving all the way to Illinois, if he was in poor health? Yes, William had bought land there, but Jacob would not have had to make that move, if poor health was involved, or for them to be able to continue living within the arrangement. They could have just stayed in Indiana, and sold the land in Illinois. I believe, that between the years of 1809 and on up till Jacob's death in 1836, that because the birth of John William, and the death of Matilda, and later William's death, that the household of Jacob and the combined household, of William and Jacob, was an arrangement formed out of the necessary needs and what worked best for all involved.

  I explain all this above, not only to explain what the documented facts indicate, but also to explain it in such a way as to point out why the documented facts, as we understand them, make perfect sense.

  Each item of input into the research of Jacob, William, Matilda, John William, and all other facts known, seem to all fall into place and support what I think is correct about the relationship of all these people. It also supports my belief that each one of these items is correct to a great degree. Which also answers such type of questions about whether or not our understanding of what each item indicates is correct, as well as the information shared with us by others as being correct.

  John William may have went to Illinois with Jacob and the family in 1830, right after the 1830 Census was taken; or he could have stayed with his brother George for a spell. He could have also stayed at Jacob's home. Either way, or however, in 1833 John William Ulmer married Elizabeth Allhands, and started his own family in Indiana. I can not say for sure, that he did not go to Illinois in 1830 with Jacob's household, and then later return to Indiana by 1833, when he married Elizabeth. But, because it appears that he did not go, or stay there past 1833, I don't think he was the son of William, but rather the brother of him, and the last born child of Jacob, of 1758, as indicated by all facts known by me. William's young age, at the time of John William's birth would also support this, as opposed to John William being a son of William.

    Last, but not least, I believe knowing all these things above helps to document, or at least supports the belief that the last born child of Jacob Ulmer was John William Ulmer.

Ron Ulmer