Volume 7 , Issue 6

WARWICK-GREGORY Genealogy

"I ran across you web site (OkieLegacy & ParisTimes Genealogy). My ancestors are David Gregory and Margaret Warwick. I thought you might be interested in the following biographical sketch which can be found at rootsweb.com/~intippec/bios9.html -- (Note - I visited Butler Co., Ohio last summer and found David and Margaret's grave markers. Margaret died in 1821. I have a photo's of the markers circa 1920's.

I took another when I visited, but the origional for David has disintegrated and can't be read any longer. Margaret's can however - and is interesting: Here lies the woman, the first, save one, That settled on the Miami, above Fort Hamilton, Her table was spread, and that of the best, And Anthony Wayne was often her guest.)

DAVID H. GREGORY, Sheffield Township -- DAVID GREGORY, the father of the gentleman whose name appears above, was a native of Virginia. During his residence in that State he married MISS MARGARET WARWICK, also a native Virginian. Shortly after his marriage, he moved with his wife to Kentucky, and became identified with the early settlement of that State.

They were members of the colony that followed the renowned Col. Daniel Boone, and formed the "Boone Settlement." Some years later, while still residing there, he purchased 420 acres on the Big Miami River, in Butler County, Ohio, but was deterred from locating upon his newly purchased farm by the hostility of the Indians surrounding it. A treat of peace was finally effected, and he moved his family to that point on a keel-boat, pushed up river by means of long poles.

During his residence at this point, the noted "Mad Anthony Wayne" was a frequent guest at his cabin, on his route from Fort Greenville to Hamilton; and in the labor of felling trees MR. GREGORY often received valuable assistance form a squad of Gen. Wayne's soldiers. He decided to make this settlement permanent, and with this view continued steadily to improve his farm. Here he reared a family of two sons and four daughters, all of whom arrived at maturity, but of whom only DAVID H. and MARGARET now survive. Their names were WILLIAM, MARY, MARGARET, ANNIE, NANCY and DAVID H.

The latter, who is a subject of this sketch, was born in Butler County, Ohio, on the 30th day of January, 1801. At the age of eighteen months, he was left an orphan by the death of his father; and as soon as his strength became sufficient for the task, he gave his time to the support of his mother by working on the farm. Before he was 21 years old, she too, was called away by death. Shortly after her decease, DAVID, with his brother-in-law JESSE WILSON, took a contract for digging a section of the Miami Canal, performing their labor to the entire satisfaction of the Company.

At the age of 24 years he married MISS MARIA WILSON, a native of Virginia. Three years after his marriage, he conceived a desire to move further west, and accordingly started with his wife on a journey to Indiana. To this point his cousins and his brother WILLIAM had preceded him, and through their kind forethought a comfortable cabin was ready to receive the weary immigrants at the end of their tedious journey.

This cabin was located in the central part of the present town of Dayton, although the name of Dayton had not then been given to the town. Being the proprietor of a large tract of land, adjacent to the towns of Marquis and Fairfield, he divided a large portion of it into the town lots, and the three towns were united under the name of Dayton. This name was conferred by MR. GREGORY, in memory of Dayton, Ohio. Here, after clearing a large tract of land, he entered upon the life of a farmer, happy in the enjoyment of a quiet little home. Six children crowned the happiness of his married life, named, respectively, MARY A., WILLIAM, ALFRED, NANCY, CYNTHIA A. and MARGARET, of whom all are deceased, save ALFRED and NANCY. On the 31st day of May, 1872, death again entered his family, choosing for its victim the faithful wife.

For a period of fifty years, MR. GREGORY has been a resident of Sheffield Township, having entered upon his residence here in 1828, at a time when but few families had found their way to this point, and when it frequently became necessary for those living here to unite in defense of their poultry or pigs against the ravages of the wolves and foxes. He has witnessed the various stages of progress through which his township has passed, and in these improvements he has been an active participant, always contributing liberally toward the advancement of enterprises calculated to promote the interests of his township. Until the election of James Buchanan, he acted and voted with the Democratic party, but during his administration his political principles became changed, and he has since supported the Republican party.

The infirmities of age have made themselves apparent in his heretofore vigorous constitution, and for several years he has lived a life of quiet repose among his grandchildren. In his religious views he is a Universalist, having been converted to that faith at the age of 17 years. He is a diligent student of the Scriptures, and has learned the great lessons of charity, so essential to a Christian life." -- Tracey Saucy   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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