Joshua W. Florea

Notes:

OBITUARY
...Joshua Florea, son of John and Elizabeth Florea, was born Feb. 29, 1844 and passed to his reward Jan. 18, 1926. He was of a family of fourteen children all of whom have passed away except two sisters, Mrs. M. Q. Turner, of New Vienna, Ohio, and Mrs. David McDermoth (McDermit) of Lawshe, Ohio.
He was born near the town then called New Port, in Adams County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. On the 18th of September 1865, he was married to Mary S.(usan) Peterson, who preceded him in death two and one-half years. They resided in Ohio until the autumn of 1868 when they came to Worth County, Mo., near Blockton, Ia., where they continued to reside until bereft of his companion, since then he made his home with the children near the old home. He was the father of ten children---six sons and four daughters—all of whom survive. Namely: Mrs. Chas. S. Cobb, Blockton; A. E. Florea, Thedford, Nebr.; J. N. Florea, Alton, Mo., Mrs. Geo. Glenn and Mrs. A. L. Goff, Irena, Mo.; L. R. Florea, Leona, Kansas; W. G. Florea, F. L. Florea, Mrs. J. L. Hall and B. A. Florea, Blockton. All with twenty-nine grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, a great number of relatives, and a host of friends, mourn his departure.
...Early in life he became obedient to the Gospel, lived faithful to the (closing?) and died in the triumph of a living faith. He united with the church at Newport, Ohio, and when he came to Worth County, placed his membership with a congregation (located) at Isadora and afterward united with the church at Pleasant Ridge (words illegible) September, 1898, he became a charter member of the Church of Christ at Tent Chapel, was ordained an elder and continued until death. It was through his efforts the congregation was established. His home was one of hospitality and many faithful preachers have partaken of its blessings.
Thus marks the passing of another pioneer of good ripe old age, as a ripe sheaf for the garner, whose pilgrimage covered the period of 81 years, 10 months and 18 days.
...The funeral services were conducted at Tent Chapel on Wednesday, Jan. 20, by L. R. Cobb of Bedford. The pallbearers were Will, Charles, Albert, Denver, Samuel and Delbert Florea, of Nodaway County, Mo., nephews of the deceased. After the service the remains were laid to rest in the Tent Chapel cemetery to await the resurrection. Blockton News, Thursday, January 28, 1926 (p. 1) (Source: Find A Grave Memorial# 16631808)

Joshua married Mary Susan Peterson on 28 Sep 1865 in Adams County, Ohio, United States. Mary was born on 20 Aug 1845 in Adams County, Ohio, United States; died on 6 Aug 1923 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States; was buried in Aug 1923 in Redding, Ringgold County, Iowa, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Druzella Jane Florea was born on 9 Oct 1866 in Lawshe, Adams County, Ohio, United States; died on 4 Dec 1945 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States; was buried in Dec 1945 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States.
2. Albert Edward Florea was born on 16 Jan 1869 in Worth County, Missouri, United States; died on 23 Jun 1933 in Thedford, Thomas County, Nebraska, United States; was buried in Jun 1933 in Thedford, Thomas County, Nebraska, United States.
3. Joseph Nelson Florea was born on 9 Nov 1871 in Worth County, Missouri, United States; died on 4 Feb 1972 in Thayer, Oregon County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Feb 1972 in Alton, Oregon County, Missouri, United States.
4. Mae Aldua Florea was born on 20 Feb 1874 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States; died in 1956 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States; was buried in 1956 in Redding, Ringgold County, Iowa, United States.
5. Maude Anna Florea was born on 25 Jun 1876 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States; died on 20 May 1957 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States; was buried in May 1957 in Redding, Ringgold County, Iowa.
6. Walter George Florea was born on 23 Feb 1879 in Worth County, Missouri, United States; died on 2 Jan 1960 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States; was buried in Jan 1960 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States.
7. Francis Lloyd Florea was born on 14 Oct 1882 in Worth County, Missouri, United States; died in Oct 1964 in Grant City, Worth County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Oct 1964 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States.
8. Leroy Roscoe Florea was born on 26 Aug 1882 in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, United States; died on 21 Jun 1949 in Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Jun 1949 in Vienna, Maries County, Missouri, United States.
9. Inez F. Florea was born on 14 Oct 1886 in Worth County, Missouri, United States; died on 26 Feb 1934 in Alamosa, Alamosa County, Colorado, United States; was buried in Feb 1934 in Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colorado, United States.
10. Barton Allen Florea was born on 19 Dec 1888 in Worth County, Missouri, United States; died on 3 Dec 1953 in Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa, United States; was buried in Dec 1953 in Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa, United States.

Other Events:

• Name: John Riley Florea
• Religion: Church of Christ
• Baptism: Sep 1847

John married Sarah Elizabeth Smalley on 26 Dec 1833. Sarah was born on 1 Apr 1816 in Virginia, United States; died on 11 Aug 1884 in Adams County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Aug 1884 in Lawshe, Adams County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Smalley
• Religion: Church of Christ

Notes:

Parents: Andrew and Elizabeth Smalley (From Pat Garrit)

Notes:

...Joshua apparently was born in Maryland and went with the family to Kentucky and Adams County, Ohio. He lived on a farm on the east side of Ohio Brush Creek about two miles south of Newport (now Lawshe). About 1833 he and his family, except the eldest son, John, moved to a farm near Rushville, Rush County, Indiana. There he died and was buried in the Barrett Cemetery near Knightstown.
...There are few, if any, descendants of Joshua now in Ohio but they are numerous in Indiana. The greatest concentration of them now, however, seems to be in the Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska area.

Moved to Rush County, Indiana 1835/1840

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
Sheepskin Deed
...Joshua Florea was the son of Albright and Ruthy Charity. A few days prior to Joshua's marriage he bought 150 acres, according to Adams County land records. This land lay about two miles south of Lawshe (then known as Newport) on the eas bank of the Ohio Brush Creek. It was known later as the Mccoy farm. joshua kept adding land until he owned 417 acres. Some of the last part of the land grant had belonged to four soldiers, Charles Consolver, William Stanley, Thomas Puryer and William Willis, who had served in the Revolutionary War.
...They assigned their right to Joseph Watkins, to whom the patent (deed) was issued on 14 May, 1796. this was a real sheepskin deed signed by George Washington and countersigned by the Secretary of State, Timothy Pickering. The parchment also bore the signatures of James W. Henry, Secretary of War and S. K. Taylor, Junior chief Clerk of the War Departmen. Josua's son, John, received the deed when he purchased the entire 417 acres from his father. The deed then was passed to Joohn's youngest son, Jeremiah, ho left it to his eldest daughter, Daisy (Florea) Edwards (Mrs. George Edwards), who lived in Portsmouth, Ohio
"The ink was undimmed, my father (Ernest) wrote when it was rescued from the Ohio river
flood in 1936. Chicago experts, under bond, examined it and declared it to be a genuine
George Washington original."

In 1984 James Harold Florea wrote that he did not know who had the deed at this time.

Happy ending
...James Harold Florea told of clippings his parents held concerning Joshua Florea. This story was about Joshua and his sweetheart, Polly Spurgeon. It was written on an old tablet, which was undated.
..."Polly Spurgeon and Joshua were old time lovers. After a continued courtship they were engaged to marry. He decided to go east to work in the furnaces to have a little finance for a beginnning to support he and Polly after their marriage. (There were a few iron furnaces in Ohio by that date but we don't know if he went to those or to Pennsylvania JHF) Joshua bid Polly farewell and expected to return later and take Polly as hi own. Time went on, soon a year had gone. the methods of communication at this early period were limited. Hearing nothing from each other, another year passed with no trace of Joshua. Polly decided Joshua was dead. During this time a young man by the name of Davis fell in love with Polly and they were soon engaged to be married.
...One spring morning Polly went to pick greens. One of her old neighbors came picking greens also. the neighbor asked Polly if she knew that Joshua had returned. She said no. the woman informed Polly that he was home. And sure enough she was rightly informed.
...Polly and Joshua went on horseback to West Union, where they were married. When coming out of the courthouse, they met Mr. Davis at the door. He had come to prevent the marriage. He was very angry and revengeful. With all the threats, Polly and Joshua escaped unharmed. They settled on a Brush Creek farm known as the Frank Mccoy Farm. (Source: Flory, Leslie E. and Bill. "Sheepskin Deed". The Flora-Flory-Fleury Family Volume 2, Number 3 (1 July 1989): pg. 6.)

Birth:
probably

Joshua married Mary Jane Spurgeon on 3 Aug 1812 in Adams County, Ohio, United States. Mary was born on 29 Dec 1793 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, United States; died on 6 Oct 1869 in Rush County, Indiana, United States; was buried in Oct 1869 in Rush County, Indiana, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Polly Spurgeon
• Death: 6 Oct 1869, Huntington County, Indiana, United States

Other Events:

• Name: Albright Florea
• Birth: 1755, Virginia, United States
• Census: 1790, Frederick County, Maryland, United States; as Abright Flora
• Tax Record: 1800, Mason County, Kentucky, United States
• Tax Record: 1810, Adams County, Ohio, United States
• Census: 1820, Tiffin Township, Adams County, Ohio, United States; as Albright Flora, farmer

Notes:

The following is a summary and update concerning the Florea line...
..."Much effort has been devoted to the research of Albright Florea's forbearers, but so far they have not been identified. He appeared in Frederick County, Maryland just prior to the first Federal Census of 1790. The earliest record known which refers to Albright is found where he served as a juror on Coroner's inquest (1778 - 1789, Frederick County, Md. In 1790 the first Federal Census of Population was taken. Albright Florea is listed as the head of a family in Frederick County, Md.
His family consisted of:
Males over 16...1
Males under 16...3
Females.........5
...Apart from the head of the family, no other names were provided by this census. It is assumed, based on fact found later, that the family consisted of Albright, his wife, (Ruth), three sons, John, Joshua and Isaac, and four daughters, Elizabeth, Nancy, Rebecca and Mary. Considering the age of the children given in the census, it would suggest that Albright and Ruth began their family circa 1775, having been married a year or so before. With Albright's age estimated in his twenties, he would have been born circa 1750. There were earlier records of land transactions involving a tract called Foxes Chase. in 1796 Albright sold Foxes Chase in three separate parcels. there are some interesting observations in these transactions. It seems clear that Albright was unable to read, write or spell his name. He made his mark on all deeds, relying on the person preparing the deed to spell his name properly. On one deed the seller was identified as Albert Flory and Albert Florey. Officials who prepared the documents were able to read and write, their spelling relied on what they heard, or thought they heard. After selling Foxes Chase Albright took his family to the new state of Kentucky. He appears on the tax list for Mason County in 1796. His name has not been found on any land transfers in Kentucky. By 1810 Albright had moved again, this time to Adams County, Ohio. He appeared on the tax list for 1810 in that area. in 1820 the Federal Census shows him in Tiffin Township, Adams county, Ohio. This is the last official record of him.
...There is a land transaction record in West Union, Adams County, court house dated Oct. 10, 1812 where Albright gives land to his son, Isaac; the property is described as, "The Lands Where The Said Albright Florea Now Lives", so Albright must have owned property even though the deed to this tract isn't (apparently) recorded. Since Albright doesn't appear on the census of 1830, the best guess is that he died circa 1825. Many have searched for his grave, but it has not been located. (Source: Flory, Leslie E and Bill. The Flora-Flory-Fleury Family Newsletter Volume 8 Number 1 (January 1, 1995):.pg. 44)

Albright was residing in BOURBON County, Kentucky in 1804 as Rebecca was married there to Benjamin Franklin GUY (born NJ) by bond recorded there on 10 Nov 1804

...The first ancestor of whom we have a firm record is Albright Flora, (later Florea). Albright is found in the 1790 census, the first federal census in the United States. He was married and listed as head of a family in Frederick County, Maryland. The family consisted of one male over sixteen, three males under sixteen and five females. From this we assume that the family consisted of Albright, his wife, three sons, and four daughters. Two more daughters were born later.
...In 1792, Albright paid about fifty-seven pounds for 286 acres, a tract of land known as Foxes Choice, in Frederick County, Maryland. This tract had been surveyed originally for Albert Flora "who had neglected compounding on the same agreeably to law..." in 1788. The relationship between Albert and Albright is not known. (Land patent acquired by Albright Flora March 26, 1792 as recorded in the Hall of Records, P. O. Box 828, Annapolis, MD 21404. Patents IC#H, pp. 653-654.)
...In 1795, Albright sold this tract of land known as "Foxes Choice" in three parcels: On August 14, 37 acres "more or less" to Jacob Fitzpatrick for 10 pounds; on August 14, 144-1/4 acres "more or less" to Jacob Rohrer for 286 pounds; on October 19, 101-3/4 acres "more or less" to Godfrey Leatherman for 95 pounds. Albright received 391 pounds for the land which had cost him 57 pounds three years earlier - a very handsome profit.
...From Maryland Albright took his family to the new state of Kentucky. Confirmation is found in the listing of Albright on the tax lists of Mason County, Kentucky in 1800. Mason County was formed from a part of Bourbon County in 1788 and the county seat established at Limestone, later named Maysville. No land records of land transfers have been found in Kentucky which involved Albright.
...Albright moved across the Ohio river to the new state of Ohio sometime before 1810, and apparently followed the Zane Trace to North of West Union, not far from the old Treber Inn, and settled on Ohio Brush Creek near the mouth of Lick Fork, not far from Dunkinsville, Adams County. He was still in Kentucky in 1800, not listed in the federal census of Kentucky in 1810, but appears on the 1810 tax list for Adams County, Ohio. In 1820, on the first Federal Census of Ohio, he is listed as living in Tiffin Township of Adams County. Albright and his wife do not appear in the federal census of 1830. We do not have any record of his death or where he is buried.
...Recorded in the Adams County courthouse is what appears to be a combination will and deed dated October 10, 1812 and recorded March 16, 1813, as follows:
...Know all men by these presents that I, Albright Florea, of Adams county and State of Ohio for the good will and affection which I have and do bear toward my loving son Isaac Florea of the county and state aforesaid have given and granted and by these presents do hereby give and grant unto the said Isaac Florea, his heirs or administrators all or singular, the lands where the said Albright Florea now lives, privileges, and commodities to the same belonging together with all and singular my goods and chattles now being in my dwelling house together with all and singular the property belonging unto the said Albright Florea together with all debts, dues and demands of the said Albright Flore. The said Isaac Florea does grant unto the said Albright Florea the privilege of living on the said premises as long as the said Albright Florea and Ruthy Florea, wife of the said Albright, may live, together with the use of the horses whenever the said Albright may have use for them; and after the deth of the aforesaid Albright and Ruth, wife of the said Albright, that the three youngest daughters, Charity, Ruth, and Rachel Florea, daughters of the said Albright Florea and Ruth, wife of the said Albright Florea, may each have an equal share of the household furniture, and likewise the said Isaac Florea is to give and equal fourth part of the stock aforesaid unto each of the aforesaid children. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10 of October, 1812.
Albright (x his mark) Florea
Attest:
John Ellison, Jun., Joshue Florea
State of Ohio, Adams County

This day personally came the within named Albright Florea before me, the subscriber, a justice of peace for county, and acknowledged the within signing and sealing to be his act and deed for the purpose within mentioned. Given under my hand and seal this sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord 1813.
Job Dinning

Albright married Charity Ruth Baker in 1774 in Frederick County, Maryland, British Colonial America. Charity was born in 1755; died in 1842 in Adams County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Ruth Flora

Notes:

...Albright's wife was traditionally known as Charity but he referred to her as "Ruthy" as recorded in the "Book of Wills", Adams County, Ohio. (Source: Walter W. Bunderman, Flory, Flora, Fleury(: Lebanon County Flory Reunion Organization, 1948), pg. 112.)
...Albright was from Frederick County, Maryland. Charity (also known as Ruthy), his wife, was of Dutch descent. They moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky in about 1790. From there they moved to Adams County, Ohio to a farm for some years known as the Mccoy farm.