The Midkiff family

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The lineage of the Midkiff family is well documented and has a long history of published record, especially for the earliest ancestors. Strong family oral traditions have allowed some degree of ease in tracing this family, which otherwise might be difficult due to the numerous variations found in the Midkiff name. It appears that the Midkiffs have origins in Northern Ireland, with possible origins in Scotland. There is also a strong Quaker association in their earliest settlmen in Pennsylvania. Before the American Revolution, this family forged West and were early settlers of Kentucky.
The primary work for the earliest Midkiff family history is derived from James T. Metcalf’s early published work. In regards to the Midkiffs in Kentucky, Jerry Long has spent the last 10 years laying down the foundations of the Midkiff lineage in Ohio County, Kentucky of which this sketch is mainly concerned with. In addition to the research conducted by these two men, Stephanie Fitzpatrick has provided some of the family records and stories that she has compiled over the years that connect the Midkiffs of Hawaii to their ancestors in Illinois and Kentucky.
The primary branch of the family to preserve and record early Midkiff family history are the descendants of Isaac Midkiff, who settled in the State of Ohio and was the grandson of the original emigrant to America. In 1910 a descendant of Isaac, James T. Metcalf, wrote a book titled “Genealogy and Family History of the Metcalf Family for Five Generations, from 1700 to 1910.” James T. Metcalf identifies Benjamin Midkiff of Ohio County, Kentucky as the son of Curtis “Metcalf” of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and later of the State of North Carolina. Metcalf’s account of the Metcalf family is quite detailed and is believed to have come from extensive oral family history, provided from John C. Metcalf the great grandson of the original emigrant and a son of Isaac. This work can also be contrasted by early 19th century family biographies, which have not yet been reviewed. James T. Metcalf identifies Benjamin Midkiff of Kentucky as being linked to the Pennsylvania Metcalf and thereby establishes the first clue to the Kentucky branch’s origins.

James Medcalf, the Emigrant

According to James T. Metcalf, the first emigrant Midkiff to America is a James Metcalf who settled in and left records in Little Britain Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. James T. Metcalf quotes the great grandson of the first emigrant, John C. Metcalf, as his source for most of the early family history. According to his great grandson, James Metcalf came to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1720 from the town of Enniskillen in Ireland. James, the emigrant, married Margaret BRITTON; the Britton surname being among the names of the earliest settlers of Lancaster. I may also add that many of the settlers in Little Brittain township were of Scots-Irish origins; Scotsmen who were sent to settle plantations in Ireland to preserve the Crowns’ control over that island nation, but who later emigrated to States like Pennsylvania and became settlers of the Western frontier. I have been told that the land of James Metcalf bordered the Cecil County, Maryland line and many of his descendants are later found in Maryland.
James Metcalf, the emigrant died in Lancaster County in 1760 and his will provides us with the primary information on this family. James wrote his will on the 03rd of January 1760 and it was proved on the same month indicating his death in January of that year. The will names his wife Margaret and children: Curtis, Abraham, and Rachel. Curtis was of age, but Abraham was still a minor. The will also bequeaths his wife his “two orphan children, viz: Samuel Crastor and Doras Mcquestion to be at her disposal.” These children are probably indentured orphans brought into his household. In 1762, James’ daughter Rachel married Joseph Sidwell, establishing the first of several marriages amongst the Sidwell and Midkiff families. Margaret (Britton) Metcalf was a Quaker and her death is recorded in the records of the local Meetinghouse as the 29th Day of the 11th Month of 1784; she died at the age 87.

Curtis Medcalf

The story of Curtis Metcalf is not as well documented as that of his father James. Fortunately, the recollections of Curtis’ grandson John C. Metcalf fill in the gaps and provide us with information not yet found in surviving public records. Curtis married first a woman by the name of Mary, whose family name and association is unknown. Curtis’ son Benjamin names his first child “Mary Skillern,” which may indicate his mother’s maiden name was “Skillern.” The Skillern name has not been found in the records of Lancaster County, so her maiden name remains undocumented. It is believed that most of the children and in particular Benjamin are the offspring of Mary.
Curtis married secondly Charity Sidwill in Cecil County, Maryland, by evidence of a marriage license dated 01 August 1778. Land records in Cecil County do not show the Midkiff’s owning land, but do show that Elisah, Hugh, and Abraham Sidewell settled on land in that county in 1789. The ministers name is listed as Thompson. It is believed that Curtis married Charity (Harris) Sidwell who was the wife of Abraham Sidwell Sr.; Charity Harris was born in 1736. Some researchers have suggested that Curtis may have married Charity (Harris) Sidwell’s daughter instead, whose name was also Charity; she was born in 1757. Considering Curtis’ daughter Mary married Abraham Sidwell Jr., it is probably the more likely that Curtis married the widow, rather than the daughter.
According to John C. Metcalf, grandson of Curtis Metcalf, “Curtis had five sons and two daughters all born in Lancaster namely: James, Thomas, Susannah, Joseph, Benjamin, Isaac, Mary, and Abigail.” It is believed that Isaac is the only son who was born to Curtis’ second wife; however, it is not known if either of the daughters were born to Charity. The Metcalf oral history indicates that Curtis removed to North Carolina after his marriage to Charity Sidewell. Records in North Carolina have not been found to confirm this move, despite the excellent records in that State. North Carolina Census records for 1790 and 1800 show Medcalfs in Rutherford County and later in Buncombe and Mecklenburg Counties; however, no record of a “Curtis” is found. Surry County, NC also has a large Midkiff family; however, they do not appear to be connected. The following is believed to be known of Curtis Metcalf’s children; the source for this information is varied and unsubstantiated,

Benjamin Midkiff of Ohio County, KY

The patriarch of the Ohio County, Kentucky Midkiff family is Benjamin Midkiff Sr. Benjamin is identified as the son of Curtis Midkiff of Lancaster, Pennsylvania by family oral tradition. Very little is known of Curtis after he leaves Pennsylvania. Both Curtis and his son Benjamin are found in the records of Lancaster up to about 1770, when it is believed they emigrate out of that region. The family may have moved into the Virginia Valley or further West into Greenbriar County, Virginia; an area now known as West Virginia. No documents have been found in the Virginia records to identify the Midkiff family there; however, the families they married into and are later found living amongst in Kentucky can be traced their origins back to this area of Virginia. It is said that Curtis Midkiff eventually settled in North Carolina, but this has yet to be proven by record.
The primary source for the life of Benjamin Midkiff is Jerry Long of Owensboro, Kentucky. Mr. Long has spent years collecting information on Benjamin Midkiff and his descendants and the main body of our knowledge of Benjamin is based on the work he has done. Mr. Long has established that Benjamin Midkiff came to Kentucky by 1796, possibly with the Robinson family of which his first wife Elizabeth belonged. Elizabeth’s father, James Robinson, and her brother-in-law appear in Madison County, Kentucky tax list of 1790; however, there is no evidence of Benjamin at this time. The Robinson family can be traced back to Botetourt County, Virginia where Elizabeth’s sister her sistere Sarah married John Sawyer in 1786 and her Jane married James McMullin in 1788. Elizabeth’s sister, Rebecca, is said to have married Lindsay Carson and was the mother of mountianman Kit Carson. The Midkiffs and Robinsons both appear in tax records of Madison County, Kentucky and by 1805 left records indicating they had settled in Shelby County, Kentucky. James Robinson died in Shelby County in 1805 and left a will dated the 03rd of May 1805 naming among his his heirs, a daughter Elizabeth and her husband Benjamin Midkiff. The will further identifies the Midkiffs by naming one of their children. Later records indicate that many of Benjamin’s children were born in Shelby County, further establishing the link. Benjamin also left a deed in Ohio County, Kentucky stating he had come from Shelby County.
Benjamin Midkiff and his children settled northeast of Fordsville in Ohio County in a place known as McGans or McGan’s Station. Though Benjamin did not remain in this area, several of his children did and several Midkiffs are buried in an old graveyard now known as the Capp Cemetery.
On the 03rd of May 1816, Stephen May of Nelson Co., Kentucky deeded to Benjamin Midkiff 5,000 acres of land in Ohio County, Kentucky for the sum of $2.00. At that time, Benjamin was already a resident of Ohio County. This large tract was located in the vicinity of Kough Creek. The land had been deeded to Stephen May on the 10th of June 1795 by William and Mary May, who had received the original grant to the land on the 18th of June 1787. The land granted to the Mays in 1787 is described as being located in Hardin County, which must have been the parent county of Ohio. Ohio County records show other large grants from the May family to other settlers in the region and further identify William May as the Surveyor for Nelson County. It is not clear if the Mays did not correctly register their grants or if they were selling land that had not been granted to them in the first place, but their dealing with Benjamin Midkiff would have dire consequences for Midkiff. This land would become the subject of a law suit brought against Benjamin Midkiff on the 09th of July 1822, which concluded in Midkiff’s eviction from his land and his complete loss of improvements. The case is referred to in later documents as John Doe on the devise of Hubbard Taylor vs. Benjamin Midkiff. Midkiff’s inability to establish his claim to the land was the genesis of a string of misfortunes for Benjamin, which would end in his insolvency at death and continued litigation against his heirs as late as the 1850s.
The lawsuit against Benjamin Midkiff later gave rise to another suit brought by the heirs of James Sutton of considerable length and confusion. The Sutton suit generated over one hundred pages of court documents, which provide a rich source of information on Benjamin Midkiff, including numerous depositions by family, friends, and acquaintances. These records have been personally reviewed by me and prove to be valuable in establishing the story of Benjamin’s final years, as well as, the naming of all his heirs. The basis for the lawsuit appears to date from the time before the loss of Benjamin’s title to the May tract in 1822. Benjamin Midkiff exchanged with a James Sutton of Indiana, 100 acres out of the May tract in Ohio County, Kentucky for two lots (118 and 119) in the town of Evansville, Vandenburgh County, Indiana. The transfer of land took place about 1818 or 1819. By this time, Benjamin’s home farm was a tract of land of 220 acres of which 100 acres were transferred to Sutton. When Midkiff lost title to his land in 1822 and was evicted from his property, James Sutton too lost his title to the 100 acres. On the 23rd of May 1854, the Sutton heirs, convinced that the Midkiff heirs had received money from the sale of land once owned by James Sutton in Indiana, brought suit against Benjamin Midkiff’s heirs for to recovery money that their father had lost. There is some discussion as to the fact that the land was not exchanged and therefore the Indiana land that Benjamin obtained through the transaction would not default back to Sutton or his heirs, since Midkiff conveyed the land “as is.” There also appears to be a parallel suit for the Sutton heirs’ claim to the town lots in Evansville that raises several confusing and conflicting questions about what actually happened and when. The court eventually concluded that Benjamin Midkiff left no estate and that his heirs never received money, so that there was nothing for the Sutton heirs to recover. It is interesting to note that James Sutton’s will, which was proved on the 21st of May 1842, is witnessed by Benjamin’s son John Midkiff. The two families were obviously on good terms at this time. James Sutton’s will makes no mention of the loss of the land or any debt to the Midkiffs and leaves most of his estate to his eldest son James Sutton. The suit against the Midkiffs appears to be spearheaded by the children and not the father. Another clue to the genesis of this litigation is a deed executed by William C. Midkiff, the son of Benjamin Midkiff by his second wife Jemima. On April 3, 1850, William conveyed to James C. Sutton, son of James Sutton Sr., his share in the two tracts in Evansville for the sum of $25 or $10 dollars. Though the deed is provided by Sutton, neither William Midkiff or the witnesses claim it was executed. To further confuse issues, in the deposition of Benjamin’s elder half-brother, Joseph Midkiff, Joseph states that his father died in August 1834 or 1835 and left no estate in Kentucky and that he believed that the lots in Evansville were sold for taxes. He proceeds to state that in March of 1850, he sold his interest in the tracts to a John Huson for $25. It may be that these conveying of interests in the land was not a formal deed, but giving Huson and Sutton the right to go to Indiana and claim the land lost to taxes, but that does not seem to make sense either. In all, it appears the litigation went on for many years.
The lawsuit does give a great deal of information on Benjamin Midkiff and is the primary source of information on his life. It also is the primary source that records the names of his children, including William C. Midkiff who is often excluded in family group sheets. In the complaint of the Sutton suit it states that Benjamin, “removed from this county (Ohio) about the year 1823 ... and (removed) to the state of Indiana about the year 1827 or 1828.“ The story that emerges from the lawsuit is that Benjamin was evicted from his land in 1822 and in the following two years is forced to default on loans made to him, since he had no source of income. People like Benjamin’s son-in-law Joseph Barnett also lot money, since he had secured Benjamin’s debt. In a deposition dated November 1853, Elijah Phipps the former Deputy Sheriff of Ohio County recalls that he was forced to take property belonging to Benjamin Midkiff to pay off claims against Midkiff, but found this difficult as Midkiff had little left after the loss of the May grant. By 1823, Benjamin Midkiff appears to have borrowed money from William Wadkin and John Calhoon. Benjamin managed to pay the Watkins debt off, but the Calhoon debt appears to have not been satisfied. Phipps states that Benjamin Midkiff “was called an industrious man and made money and property and had as much property about him in 1823 as most of the families of that day.” This statement again suggests that the loss of his title to the May grant was the primary cause of Benjamin’s financial problems. Insolvent, Benjamin left Kentucky and settled in Indiana where he had purchased two town lots in Evansville, Vandenburgh County, Indiana. The move to Indiana would have allowed him to start anew, since he could not be sued for debt in another state; however, Benjamin’s luck did not improve in Indiana. By this time, Benjamin was in his late 60s. It is not clear what happened in Indiana, but his two lots appear to have been lost to taxes. In the complaint of the Sutton suit it states that Benjamin died in August of 1834 in Indiana and that “no one has administration on his estate in Kentucky or Indiana or believe he had no property ...” This has been confirmed by Jerry Long who has looked at both Kentucky and Indiana records and found no probate.
Benjamin was married twice and raised a large family. Though some of the Midkiffs are buried in the Capp Cemetery, no Midkiff family graveyard has been located and no family Bible has surfaced to give a full account of the births, marriages, and deaths in this family. Benjamin married first Elizabeth Robinson, daughter of James Robinson of Shelby Co., Kentucky about 1796. No marriage record has been found for the couple in Kentucky. Jerry Long has searched the records of both Madison and Shelby counties and have found no evidence of their marriage. However, the will of Elizabeth’s father in Shelby County proves this relationship and the birth of their first child in 1797 indicates they were probably married by that point in time. It is possible that Benjamin and Elizabeth married in Virginia where it is known that the Robinsons had settled for a short time before removing to Kentucky. Early Virginia records are poor and to date have not been searched. Benjamin and Elizabeth had at least eight children that lived to adulthood, all appear to have been born in Kentucky and most in Shelby County. Sometime between 1816 and 1825 Benjamin married Jemima Garner who bore him his last child; William Curtis Midkiff. Nothing is known of Jemima or her family. There are no Garners or Gardners in the Ohio County area and it is thought that perhaps she came from the neighboring county of Breckenridge (now Hancock Co., KY). Breckenridge lost their early marriage records in a fire in the 1950s, which would explain the absence of a marriage bond. Jemima Midkiff is found in the 1850 Census as a widow living with her son William C. Midkiff in Hancock County. She must have died before the lawsuit of 1853/4, since she is not named as an heir to Benjamin Midkiff.
Many of Benjamin’s children remained in the Ohio County area. It should be noted though that there is another “Medcalf” family in Ohio County, starting with the arrival of George Medcalf who is found in the 1800 Census well before Benjamin’s arrival. It is believed that the two families are not related. Though Benjamin came from a Quaker family in Pennsylvania, the family abandoned their early religious roots and most became Baptists. The papers involving the Sutton claim against the Midkiffs indicate that most of the Midkiff men could not sign their name and instead chose to “mark” their documents. This is not a clear indication of illiteracy, since some people could often read, but not write or if they could not write well, they often chose to mark instead. However, the 1860 Census indicates that James G. Midkiff could not read or write, so it is possible that none of these men had any formal education. In the Civil War the family became divided over loyalties to the Union and to the Confederacy. Children of John Midkiff, who appears to have been the only slave owner in the family fought on the side of the Confederacy. John Midkiff had married into the Smith family, which were slave owners in the County and with his bride came slaves. The children of James Midkiff are known to have sided with the Union.

William Curtis Midkiff

Many researchers of the Benjamin Midkiff family do not include William Curtis Midkiff as Benjamin’s son; however, records of the Ohio County land suits brought by the Sutton heirs clearly identifies William Curtis as Benjamin’s heir and son. In the 1850 Census, Benjamin’s widow and second wife Jemima is found in William’s household in Hancock County, KY. The appearance of Jemima in his household suggest that William Curtis was probably Benjamin’s son by his second wife and a half-sibling to the rest of the Ohio County Midkiffs. William Curtis was born about 1828, as estimated by his age as given by the 1850 Census of Hancock County (see, pg. 298, 466/483). The 1850 Census shows that he was born in Kentucky, but in the Sutton lawsuit it is stated that his father left Ohio County in 1823, so it is possible that William was born elsewhere. William’s father removal to Indiana in 1827 or 1828, so it is also possible that William was born in Evansville, Vandenburgh Co., Indiana.

After the death of his father, William Curtis Midkiff appears to have moved back to Kentucky. William married the daughter of a farmer in Hancock County; Julia Ann Huff. The couples’ marriage license is found in Hancock County and dated the 16th of June 1849; they were married on the 19 June 1849. The Huffs lived just across the county line from the area that many of the Midkiffs had lived. Very little is known about William Curtis Midkiff. He lived in Hancock County, but family recollection relate that William died in or near Fordsville in Ohio County. The 1850 Census show William Curtis as living next door to John Huff, probably farming on the Huff land, since he is shown with no real estate. William is not found listed in the 1860, 1870, or 1880 Census in Kentucky and it is not clear what happened to him. There is at least one deed in Ohio County in his name in the 1860s. According to Jerry Long, tax records indicate William died between 1880 and 1885 in Hancock County; however, no tombstone or obituary has been located. It is possible that he removed to Indiana for a period of time and in his old age returned to Kentucky.

William Curtis Midkiff is said to have married only once to Julia Huff; however, there is also a marriage bond in Ohio County for a William C. Midkiff to a Hulda Garth dated the 25th of March 1867. Family oral history place Julia’s death in 1864. So far, I have been only able to establish the following children for William Curtis, all except John, who is found in the Census records, was obtained from oral history:

  • John Will Midkiff
    born 10 March 1850; died 24 Feb 1909
    born Hancock Co., KY ; died
    married: Mary Jane NEWTON , Dau. of Isaac & Jane (Leaf) N.
    married on 11 Apr 1870
    children: Jacob; Willie J.; Leo G.; Myrtle; Fred; Dollie; Cecilea; Malie
    note: the first four children died young; no issue)

  • Rev. James Jesse Midkiff
    born 05 June 1851; died 07 May 1930
    born Hancock Co., KY; died Glendale, Los Angles Co., CA
    married 1st: Bertha WILSON (28 Feb 1854 - 28 Apr 1890), Dau. of Joel & Angeline (Whittinghill) W.
    married on 12 May 1881
    children: Herbert Wilson; Jesse Earl; Grace Carr; Frank Elbert; Morris Ezra; Abbey Pear; John Howard; Robert Forrest; Bertha Ruth
    married 2ndly:
    marriage bond dated

  • Henry Clay Midkiff
    born born c1851/2; died
    born Ohio Co., KY ; died
    married: Sarah Hester MARLOW
    married on 18 Mar 1875
    children:

  • Thomas B. Midkiff
    born 26 Sep 1855; died
    born Hancock Co., KY; died
    married: Martha Ann MARLOW
    married on 17 Feb 1875; Ohio Co., KY
    children:

  • Lewis M. Midkiff
    born 07 Apr 1859; died
    born Ohio Co., KY; died
    married:
    marriage bond dated
    children:

  • Samuel Grant Midkiff
    born 26 Jul 1863; died 23 Aug 1938
    born Fordsville, Ohio Co., KY; died Owensboro, Daviess Co., KY
    married 1st: Sarah Ann Goode
    married 1st on 04 Oct 1888; Ohio Co., KY
    children:
    married 2ndly: Mary Lula Givens
    married 2nd on 08 Aug 1898; Hancock Co., KY
    children:


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