Clermont County

The Behymer/Becklehimer/Picklesimers of Clermont Co. came to the area

from Botetourt/Franklin/Montgomery Counties of Virginia. The first

settlers were apparently three brothers, Samuel, Jacob, and Nathaniel,

sons of Jonathan Behymer. They bought 2000 acres in Pierce Township -

then part of Ohio Township - from Nathaniel Lucas of Virginia, who had

been granted the land for his Revolutionary War service.

The number of children of Jonathan Behymer varies depending on

the source. The following is a list of all the known names of brothers

and sisters that I have found, but much research still needs

to be done on this family.

Samuel

Joseph

Jacob

Nathaniel

Enos

John

Martin

Solomon

Joel

David

Anna

Elizabeth

There may also have been a Jonathan and Daniel. The records of the children

are confused due to the apparent use of middle names in informal documents

and first names in official documents.

The entire family seems to have been expert millwrights. John Behymer

operated a saw-mill on Ten-Mile Creek very early, while Samuel and Nathaniel had

mills just below John's. Daniel Behymer had a gristmill at "Pin Hook",

while Joseph Behymer had a saw-mill on the south Fork of Ten-mile Creek.

(An excellent map of Pierce Twp., showing many Behymer homesteads and mill

locations, can be found in The Atlas of Clermont Co. Ohio, by D.J. Lake

(1870).

At least four Behymer families were members of a nearby Brethren Church,

while others were later principals in Methodist Espicopal congregations.

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June 4, 1791, John Pickleshimer and Barbary his wife, sold to Alexander Ferguson "a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the county of Franklin on the waters of Gills Creek containing two hundred acres more or less" Signatures were recorded as "John Pickleshimer" and "Barbary Pickleshimer".

John was named in the tax lists for Franklin County in 1791 where he lived until he removed to Clermont County, OH in 1805.

Samuel was listed in the 1792 tax list of Franklin County, he was not however listed in the 1793 tax list, but married in Franklin County to a Catrena Logan dau of William and Marget Logan in 1793. He was in the Franklin County tax lists from 1794-1796.

March 21, 1793, Joseph Pickelsimer married Christina Lazena. Joseph moved to Clermont County, OH 1805.

December 2, 1797, John Beckleshymer and Elizabeth sold 184 acres "on the South Fork of the Roan Oak" to Joseph Beckleshymer, his son, of Montgomery County, VA.

December 2, 1797, Joseph Beckleshymer, sold 83 acres "on the North Fork of Chestnut Creek" to John Beckleshymer, his father, of Franklin County, VA.

January 7, 1804 Samuel Pickelsimer sold to Nathaniel Lucas "42 acres on Meadow Run" in Montgomery County. On the same date, he sold all his remaining land on Meadow Run except 80 acres to Isaac Jackson.

Shortly after Samuel sold his land in Montgomery County he moved to Clermont County, OH as he is shown as a resident taxpayer in 1806, Clermont County.

The following members were named resident taxpayers in Clermont County, 1806:

1. Samuel Bhymer - already noted.

2. John Bechelshymer - wife was Barbara, father of Sophia.

3. Joseph Bhymer - married Christina Lazena

4. Nathaniel Bhymer

5. Chapman Archer - husband of Sophia Bechelshymer.

The Tax List of 1810 in Clermont contains:

John Bhymer

Jonathan Bhymer

Nath'l Bhymer

Joseph Bhymor

The 1820 Census in Ohio Twnshp shows:

P. 37 Joseph Bhymer 000001-02201

Jessie Bhymer 000200-00100

Samuel Bhymer 100100-00100

Nathl Bhymer 300001-10110

p. 38 Joel Bhymer 200010-30011

Jacob Bhymer 320010-11001

Daniel Bhymer 200010-00010

Samuel Bhymer 201201-12010

Martin Bhymer 100010-10010

Benjamin Bhymer 100010-10010

Barbara Bhymer 100000-11001

John Bhymer 000100-00100

John B'hymer died in 1812, Barbara his wife was listed as head of household in the 1820 census of Clermont County, OH. All other members above listed except Jonathan who was listed in Preble County, OH 1820 census.

The list of property holders in 1826 by the name of Behymer:

Barbara

Benjamin

Daniel

Jacob

Joel

John

John (2d)

Joseph

Nathaniel

Samuel

Samuel , Sr

William

Some early Clermont Wills and Estates

Beckelhymer, David estate 1818

Beckelhymer, Enoch estate 1816

Beckelhymer, John estate 1813

Behymer, Samuel will 1848

Behymer, Aaron estate 1855

Bhymer, Jacob will 1862

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