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My great great grandfather was Ephraim Levi Church born 28 April 1834 in Richland County, Ohio. I have been looking for his ancestry for some time. Let me highlight what I have.
I. OUR FAMILY STORY
Ephraim Levi Church was the youngest of three brothers born to “Elijah” Church and unknown. “Elijah” Church was born in New York, had three boys and died when Ephraim was young.
The three boys were:
William L. Church born 13 March 1827
Israel Church born unknown
Ephraim Levi Church born 28 April 1834
William L. is said to be a Mexican and Civil War veteran. Israel is said to be a Civil War veteran.
All are believed to have been born in Richland County, Ohio. Shortly after “Elijah” died, Ephraim was placed with a “German” family named Cole. When Ephraim came of age he left the Coles, sought out his mother in Wisconsin (she had remarried) but learned she had died.
Ephraim ended up in Michigan and I am absolutely clear on the family history from 1859 onwards regarding him, his wife Adeline Messenger and their descendents.
II. WHAT I HAVE DETERMINED INDEPENDENTLY
I can find Ephraim Levi Church with a Cole family in Auburn Township, Crawford County (adjacent to Plymouth Township, Richland County) in 1850 at 17 years old. William Cole was born in Maryland, his first wife was Irish. She died in 1846 and William Cole married a German woman in March 1847. So the Cole family was not “German” until 1847.
I can find brothers William (age 23) and Israel (age 21) with a McCrae family in Plymouth Township, Richland County, Ohio in 1850. Isaac McCrae’s wife is a Mary Ann Church (age 25).
In 1860 both the McCrae family above and Ephraim Levi Church and his wife are found in Maple Grove, Barry County, Michigan.
In 1870 I find William L Church (age 42) and Israel Church (age 40) together in Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa.
In 1830 in Plymouth Township, Richland County, Ohio I find Asa Church (age 20-30) with a female (age 20-30) and four children; two boys under five and two girls (age 5-10).
Asa Church married Eunice Stillwell 17 Jan 1822 in Richland County, Ohio.
III. WHAT I DETERMINED FROM ROOTSWEB SITES
Asa Church had a son William L Church born about 1828.
Asa Church’s father William Church emigrated from Syracuse New York in 1814 to Ohio.
Asa had a brother Ephraem G., a brother William, a sister Mary, and another sister who married a Stillwell.
Asa died in the Mexican War in September 1847.
Asa had a son in Webster Iowa.
Asa’s brothers Ephraem and William died before him.
Asa’s grandfather is Benjamin Church born 1719 in England.
IV. WHAT I THINK THIS TELLS ME
I now feel that it is likely that the “Elijah” I have been seeking is in fact Asa. Asa would have been born before 1814 so would have been born in New York. His son William L Church fits the facts of the brother of my Ephraim. The 1830 census supports William L. and Israel being in the household at the right ages. Israel shows up with William L periodically. Asa died in the same year that the Cole family became “German”. Mary Ann Church (McCrae) could very well be a sister, also supported by the 1830 census. The earlier deaths of Asa’s brothers may have eliminated a Church family option for the placement of my Ephraim. The given names are repeated.
V. VERIFICATION
Does anyone have any insight or evidence to support or refute my conclusion that Asa Church and Eunice Stillwell are the likely parents of my Ephraim, William L., and Israel, and perhaps Mary Ann?
Does anyone have any further history of this family?
Any thoughts or comments would be welcome.
Bruce T Leonard
775 Nettlebrook Lane
Alpharetta, Georgia
30004
btleon@bellsouth.net
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