Revolutionary War Soldiers Series: Remembering Joseph Horn
By Betty F. Crum and Pat Young
Waw-wil-a-way Chapter Daughters
of the American Revolution, 250 Project
Note: This year, the United States of America will celebrate its semiquincentennial, its 250th anniversary. The semiquincentennial marks the first nationwide celebration of America's birth since the bicentennial in 1976. Of course, America's independence cannot be celebrated without also honoring the efforts of the Revolutionary War soldiers that led to independence. The Waw-wil-a-way Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, along with the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society, is presenting a series of articles featuring Revolutionary War soldiers who lived and died within the borders of Highland County.
Joseph Horn was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania on Jan. 13, 1758. He married Margaret Orr in Pennsylvania on Feb. 29, 1780. Together, they had the following known children all born in Cumberland County, Pa. except for the youngest, Isabella: James b-circa 1784, m-Elizabeth Miller 1804, Adams County. James and Elizabeth lived the remainder of their lives in Adams County and both are buried in the Locust Grove Cemetery in Franklin Township.
Jonathan, m-Adah Vinsonhaler 1812, Adams County. The couple lived first in Adams County before moving to Highland County. Samuel m-Eleanor Gibson 1820, Highland County. Sarah (Sally) Horn m-James Wilson 1806, Adams County. Agnes Horn, m-Angus McCoy 1810 in Adams County. Joseph Horn Jr. m-1 Anna Devore 1815, Adams County, m-2 Nancy Templin 1837, Highland County. Mary, m-Joseph Robbins 1820 in Highland Co. Isabella b-Adams County, m-Robert Patterson 1821, Highland County. There were other children, based on census records, whose names are unknown.
When the Revolutionary War started, Joseph lived in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted as a private in Capt. Blain’s Company and, later, served in Col. Watt’s Militia Regiment. He also served under a Capt. Clark, Capt. Mitchel, and a Col. Talbott. After the war, he moved to Mason County, Ky,. where he lived for two years. He crossed the Ohio River into Adams County, Ohio. He lived there for 18 years before moving to Highland County. While living in Adams County, he operated a tavern on what is now Route 41, not far from Wickerham’s Inn.
In 1816-17, Joseph and Margaret sold their land in Adams County and moved to Union Township in Highland County. On June 16, 1817, Nathaniel and Martha Pope conveyed 1,000 acres of land to Joseph Horn for $2,000. In 1820, he sold 200 acres each to sons, Jonathan and Joseph Jr. In 1823, he sold 180 acres to son, Samuel and 23 acres in 1832. By 1832, Joseph had sold the remainder of his land to various other individuals.
It is documented in Highland County Common Pleas Court Records, Order Book 5, 1829-1834, page 417, that on Oct. 30, 1833, Joseph Horn personally appeared in open court and presented his declaration under oath that he was a soldier of the Revolution. Also on Oct. 15, 1841, recorded in Order Book 8, 1840-1845, page 123 that “Joseph Horn was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $27 and 27 cents per annum, and that he was a resident of the said County of Highland and that he died in said county on the 31st day of May 1841, without leaving a widow.”
Margaret died Oct. 21, 1837. His will was proven July 26, 1841 with two daughters and three sons as heirs.
Both were buried in the Marshall Presbyterian Cemetery in Highland County, Ohio. Margaret was the first person with a recorded stone buried in that cemetery. – By Betty Crum & Joyce Patton.