First Generation

1. George HARTSHORN Sr. was born about 1752 in England?. He died on 25 Dec 1829 in Jefferson County, Ohio.¹ Presumed to have "gone to America, 1780-1790?" If this is the George listed on the Bertram K. Hartshorne (Dumfries, Scotland) chart, he is the ancestor of one line of Ohio Hartshorns and can be traced back to about 1200 A.D..

A George Hartshorn is listed in the 1800 Delaware census at Grog Town, Duck Creek Hundred, Kent County with 2 males under 10, 1 male 26-45, 1 female under 10, 1 female 16-26. He would have been born 1755-74. His wife would have been born 1774-84.

A George is listed in the Muster Roll of the 2nd Company, 4th Regiment of the Delaware Militia (Kent County) in 1812.

Early records show a land purchase by William Johnson, dated 7 1796 (recorded Jun 1798, McKeesport, Pa.), from a daughter of Geo Hartshorn. The Hartshorns there were reported to be blacksmiths and hatmakers.

1812 Tax records (for War of 1812) George Hartshorne - Washington County, Salem Twp., Ohio George Hartshorn - Jefferson County, Springfield Twp., Ohio

War of 1812 (Newberry Library, Chicago) George Hartshorn - Private, 1st Regmt (Andrews), Ohio Militia

A George Hartshorn was a resident of Kent County, Maryland. The family of Jonathan-3 Hartshorn (David-2, Thomas-1) was a resident of Cecil County, Maryland by 1726. While this is about 30 miles from Kent County, there were no Georges in his line. To my knowledge, no other Hartshorn of the line of Thomas settled in that area. There were several Hartshorns in the area by the year 1700, none of which I can trace with a degree of certainty. Kent County, Delaware is about 25 miles east of Harford County, Maryland and I expect that the Hartshorns in these areas had knowledge of each other and were possibly related.

George was not a popular name in the colonies until after about 1790 due to the hated king and the beloved president. It was never a popular name in the line of Richard-1 of Monmouth County, New Jersey and wasn't used by the line of Thomas-1 until 1792.

George and his sons were reported to have been successful farmers in Jefferson Co., Ohio. They were know as the "Yellow Creek" Riflemen in 29 Aug 1812. George was captain of a company in 1812.

The following is a transcript of of the will of GEORGE HARTSHORN. It was dated 21 February 1821 and probated April 10, 1830, in Jefferson County, Ohio

GEORGE HARTSHORNS WILL

In the name of God, Amen. I George Hartshorn being old and frail but in and of perfect mind and memory calling to mind the mortality of my body and that it is allowed for all men to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament and in the first place I recomment my soul to God that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors. And as touching such worldly estate as it has pleased God to endow me with in this world I do grant and dispose of in the following manner and form (to wit).

I do grant and give unto my beloved wife HANNAH HARTSHORN my plantation whereon I now live for and during the term of four years from and after my decease to have and enjoy all the privileges and benefits arising therefrom during said term but not to cut nor waste any timber except what is wanted for firewood and rails. I do likewise give the said HANNAH the bald mare, saddle and bridle and one black horse colt, riding three-year old, two cows of her own standing out in the flock, one half of the beds and bed clothing. And one bed stead to be her own choice - the family stable - the cupboard and half the furniture therein - one half the hogs - and all the sheep. And to my daughter ELIZA, wife of JAMES DAVICE, I do give all and singular my blacksmith tools in toto, one cow and one bed and bedding, and to my son, GEORGE HARTSHORN, I do give the third best horse creature on the plantation and my watch, my gun and shot moulds and bullet moulds, powder horn and shot pouch.

And to PRISCILLA JONES, wife of DAVID JONES I do give her and allow her to get fifty dollars worth of property to be paid to her in two years after the plantation shall come into the hands of my sons, HUGH HARTSHORN and EDWARD HARTSHORN by them, the said HUGH and EDWARD.

And to my daughter MARY RODGERS, wife of ROWLAND RODGERS I do give and allow the said HUGH HARTSHORN and EDWARD HARTSHORN to pay her the sum of fifty dollars worth of property in the two years after the plantation comes into their hands.

And to my son, EDWARD HARTSHORN, I do give my saddle and bridle. And to my son, HUGH HARTSHORN, I do give my chest. My wearing apparel I do allow to be equally divided amongst my three sons. All the remainder of my property which is nowhere before mentioned I do allow to be equally divided amongst my six children, sons and daughters, all alike.

My plantation I do give and bequeath to my sons HUGH HARTSHORN and GEORGE HARTSHORN to be equally divided between the two, the partition line to run north and south to their heirs and assigns forever after the expiration of the four years before reserved for my wife, HANNAH HARTSHORN.

Witness my hand and seal 21st day of February A. D. 1821, GEORGE HARTSHORN (seal). Signed, sealed and declared to be the last will and testament of GEORGE HARTSHORN in the presence of us, John Moodey, William Duffield, Junr, John Harvey. Before signed I do hereby constitute and appoint HUGH HARTSHORN and EDWARD HARTSHORN, my sons, to be my Executors, to do and perform in all things agreeable to this, my last will and testament. And to collect all my outstanding debts and after paying debts I may leave behind including funeral expenses they shall divide the balance equally amongst themselves.

GEORGE HARTSHORN (seal) Signed in presence of John Moodey, William Duffield Junr, John Harvey.

OTHER NOTES ON George Hartshorn, Sr.

George HARTSHORN Sr. and Hannah OLDHAM were married before 1772 in poss. Kent Co., Delaware. Hannah OLDHAM^2,3 was born on 15 Apr 1757 in Chester Co., Pennsylvania. She died in 1844 in Coshocton Co., Ohio. George HARTSHORN Sr. and Hannah OLDHAM had the following children: