Notes:

Per Narratives of Randolph County, he served in the Civil War. Their home was east of Oakdale, Illinois on a hill near Pilot Knob.

JAMES married AULD MARY CELESTA (LESSIE) on 10 Mar 1869. MARY (daughter of AULD JAMES and REYNOLDS SARAH) was born on 12 Sep 1850; died on 4 Jun 1888; was buried in Oakdale, Illinois Cemetery. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Per Narratives of Randolph County, she was nevery very strong but tried to do her duty, in home and church.

JOHN married MCKNIGHT MARY. MARY was born in in Sparta, Il.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

James Auld of New Concord, Muskingum County, Ohio (b. 6/28/1824 d. 1/1/1901) was a farmer and a carpet weaver. He m. 2/17/1848 Sarah Reynolds b. 3/21/1829 in Ohio, whosse grandfather was Col. John Reynolds in the revolutionary War. James came to Illinois on the train from Ohio, with his wife, 2 daughters Lessie and Jane, his mother and a sister Ann in 1858. They then lived on the old Auld homestead north of where Harold Auld now lives. There his mother Mary d. 4/1/1962. In May 1865, he bought from Andrew Todd a farm about 1/2 mile south of where they lived. There his wife Sarah d. 2/1/1890. Sarah was well known and appreciated for her assistance to other families in times of sickness and grief.

In April 1890, he sold the farm to his son John C. and his wife Isabelle. He continued to live with them after the deaath of his wife and continued as a weaver. He made an overnight visit with his daughter Jane and her family and died quietly in his sleep that night.

Their children were: Mary Celesta (Lessie) Auld (See James McKnight Torrens); Sarah Jane Auld b. 3/6/1852, d. 4/12/1932, m. 3/10/1870 Richard Boyd; William Reynolds Auld (See William R. Auld); John C. Auld (See John C. Auld); James Oliver Auld b. 2/14/1868, d. 8/17/1885 aged 17 years 6 months 3 days. He was overheated putting hay in the barn. He is buried in Oakdale, Illinois Cemetery.

By Maxine Musselman

From1979 WASHINGTON COUNTY ILLINOIS HISTORY

Per Narratives of Randolph County, James was a farmer and a weaver of cloth, as bedspreads, etc. He in his late years wore a paisley shawl over his shoulders when in church. He was tall and erect.

JAMES married REYNOLDS SARAH on 17 Feb 1848 in Married by Rev. J. Henderson. SARAH was born on 21 Mar 1829 in Date may be 9/12/1829; Ohio; died on 1 Feb 1890 in At their home west of Oakdale.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Per Narratives of Randolph County, she died at their hme west of Oakdale an just south of the old Auld homestead on the ridge. Harold Auld now living there (1957).
Sarah was a woman of large build, very good in her home and the church, was a good manager and made everything serve its purpose in the home. It is through her family line that there is Rev. war services.

Notes:

The family tree of descendents of Frances Torrens may be incorrect. It was difficult to follow the article as it was written. It was not really clear to whom most of the children belonged.

Article as printed:

Frances and Isabella Torrens immigrated from County Donegal, Ireland in 1839, coming through Philadelphia to Washington County. Frances entered land from the Government 8/7/1839 northeast of Oakdalae. One of their sons, John Torrens, was born in Ireland about 1819 and married Mary McKnight of Sparta. Their son was James McKnight Torrens.

James McKnight Torrens b. 8/2/1844, d. 9/30/1921

FRANCES married GRAHAM ISABELLA. ISABELLA was born in in Imigrated from Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

John Auld b. 2/22/1783 d. 11/9/1842 grew up in Rockbridge Co. Va. m. 12/17/1804 Mary Forsythe b. 3/28/1782 d. 4/1/1862. In 8/1814 they moved to Rich Hill Twp. Muskingam Co., Ohio. The widow, Mary, in 1857 camae with her son James and family and daughter Ann and settled on a ridge 2 miles west of Oakdale, north of the Harold Auld farm 1979. A son William had come earlier.

Their children were: Jane b. 9/14/1808, d. 8/21/1842, m. 7/2/1835 George Sterrett; Elizabeth b. 11/1/1810, d. 9/9/1836, m. 6/21/1836 Jason C. Wortman; John b. 10/28/1812, d. 3/23/1826, killed by lightning; William b. 5/12/1814, d. 6/19/1865, m. 5/7/1835 Mary Stevenson; Mary "Polly" b. 11/13/1820, d. 10/31/1846, buried in Ohio; James Auld b. 6281824 (See James Auld); Ann b. 2141827, d. 1/10/1869, m. 3/16/1858 David McClurkin.

By Maxine Musselman

From 1979 WASHINGTON COUNTY ILLINOIS HISTORY

Per Narratives of Randolph County, Sparta Public Library, Sparta, Illinois.

John Auld is the earliest ancestor we have been able to definately claim in this Auld line. Statements of proof are herein given.

John Auld was a tax-payer in Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1804. In August 1814, he and his wife Mary Forsythe Auld, moved to Rich Hill Township, Muskingam County, Ohio. Mary Forsythe's parents, Elijah and Jean Ewing Forsythe were married by Rev. John Cuthbertson in May 1781 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Rev. John Cuthbertson baptised on November 21, 1784, their two children, stating their birthdays in his diary - Mary Forsythe born March 28, 1782 and Ann Forsythe born February 8, 1784. (See Cuthbertsons' Diary - do not have this. wlg)

John and wife Mary Forsythe Auld, were two of forty members, who enjoyed the First Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, in the newly organized group of Covenanters near the farm home of Mr. McCutcheon, near Zanesville, Ohio. John was elected a ruling elder there in 1821. In 1836 a church on Sec. 30 was called High Hill Reformed Presbyterian Church (Covenanter). The pastor was Robert Wallace and two ruling elders were John Auld and Charles Sterrett. We think Charles was father of George, James, William and Joseph Sterrett. (Mr. Young)

As John and Mary were about to leave Rockbridge County, Virginia, for their new home in Ohio, two letters of introduction were given them, a copy of which follows:
1) State of Virginia, Rockbridge County.
I, the undersigned subscriber, do certify that I have known and have long been acquainted with John Auld and believe him to be a man of inflexible hosesty, confidence and integrity; well disposed toward the General Government of the US and worthy the attention of every good man. He has been a citizen of said county and state from his infancy and his character stands without a blot or blemish.
Given under my hand this 19th day of August 1814
John McGorkle
Aaron Harper, deputy
N. B. Knowing you are about to move to Ohio, I took the liberty to send you this certificate.

2)We the undersigned, have been acquainted personally with John Auld and Mary his wife (the bearer of this) for many years and as far as we know, believe them to be peaceable, good citizens and have supported a good moral character.
Rockbridge County, Virginia, the 18th day of August 1814,
Signed:Wm. Davidson
Robert Davidson
Elijah Forsythe
Abraham Edmiston

John Auld died of tuberculesis November 9, 1842 and is buried in the McNaughton Cemetery in Sec. 29, near the graves of his neighbor and friend, Charles Sterrett and his wife Jane McNaughton Sterrett. At the time of John Auld's death, he and wife Mary, owned 120 acres of land in Sec. 30 SE1/2 in Rich Hill Township, Muskingam County, Ohio. Mary and her son James later sold the homestead to Mrs. Jane Forsythe Wilson, a widow of Samuel Wilson. Jane was afflicted with palsey of the hands. She and her sons kept well the farm. The youngest son remained on the farm till accidently killed.

My father, Wm. Reynolds Auld, a grandchild of John Auld, stated to me, his daughter, that he recalled some good times he had at play on a chain and pole swing in the timber, just across the road from the house on the homestead. Also that he remembered that the water was drawn by a windlass and pulley, from a spring, up to the back porch of the house. And that the church, known as the South Branch Coventer Church, could be seen from the house, Mrs. Wilson paid $4000 for the farm.

John and Mary's son William Auld came to Washington County, Illinois some time before the widow Mary, who with her son James and daughter Ann came to Illinois in 1857. They settled on a farm on the ridge about 2 miles West of Oakdale, Illinois, later known as the Petrashek place and still later known as the McClay place it being just North of the Harold Auld farm. (1957)

The widow Mary and son James and daughter Ann came to Illinois on a train, arriving at Richview, Illinois. There they discovered that Ann's trunk was missing. But quite some time later (in 1960) the trunk was located at Claremont, Illinois, with most of its contents gone.

This home farm, on the ridge, was bought of James H. Jamison, October 10, 1857, SW SE Sec. 9 to Jamest Auld and Lot 2 Sec. 16 Twp3 SE R4W.

The widow Mary Auld died of cancer of the nose and is buried in Oakdale, Illinois Cemetery, as are her daughter Ann and sons William and James and many descendants.

The following information regarding the Auld homestead in Ohio, comes from Fred J. Nethers, Recorder, Muskingam County, Ohio.
Zanesville, Ohio, November 1937

In 1832 John Auld purchased from the administrators of the Wm. Forsythe estate, the S 1/2 of SE 1/4 of Sec. 30 Twp 13, R 11. This land was sold by order of court to pay a claim against the estate of William Forsythe, for the price of 3 pounds of gunpowder, sold by a man by the name of Leach, in Rockbridge County, Virginia. (Had William Forsythe been in the Revolutionary War?)

In 1839 John Auld purchased from James Armstrong 79.81 acres, this being the N 1/2 of SE 1/4 of Sec. 30, Twp 13 R 11.

The children of John and Mary Auld were Jane, Elizabeth, John, William, Mary, James and Ann. These will be found in the genealogy.

A daughter of William was Mrs. Elizabeth Beall, who lived in Oakdale, Illinois in her later days and she was a very interesting person. She kept a diary of important doings in and around town, for many years. This diary was last known to be in the possession of the family of William Carson in Oakdale, Illinois. She took active part in church and community life and in her younger days was a one room, country school teacher. I found this record of her teaching days written in her hand writing, naming her pupils which I will copy here.

My first school, taught 3 mo. began 7/4/1853, taught in log school house, near the Sparta - Nashville road, near Thomas McClurken's, in Elkhorn Prairie, near Oakdale, Illinois.
Elizabeth Auld, teacher

1. Sarah E. Auld10. Sarah Washburn19. Margaret A. Dunlap
2. Margaret J. Auld11. Venecia Keeland20. Eliza J. Neille
3. Jane McClurken12. Martha McClelland21. Sarah McClurken
4. Cyrus F. S. McClurken13. Elizabeth McClelland22. James H. McClurken
5. Emma R. McClurken14. Sam R. McClurken23. Andrew McClurken
6. Susan Washburn15. Elizabeth S. McClurken24. Clara A. McClurken
7. Elizabeth I. McClurken16. James Flanagan25. Archie Hood
8. Wylie Washburn17. Elizabeth Hood26. Kennedy Hood
9. William Washburn18. Emma McAfee27. John J. Torrens

Same School - 4/5/1854Elizabeth Auld, teacher

1. Margaret McAfee 9. John McClane17. James Lancaster
2. Emma J. McAfee10. James W. McClane18. Sarah E. Lancaster
3. John McAfee11. Robert G. McClane19. Margaret Cochran
4. James Morrison12. Melissa Childers20. Martha McClane
5. Mary Morrison13. George Fuger21. Allen Osborne
6. Rebecca Donnelly14. Elizabeth McClelland22. Thomas Mitchell
7. Mary J. McAfee15. Lucinda Osborne23. Elizabeth Mitchell
8. Margaret J. Auld16. Martha McClelland24. James Flanagan


THE WILL OF JOHN AULD

I, John Auld of Mskingham County, Ohio, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form, following, that is to say:
First, It is my will that my funeral expenses and all my lawful debts be fully paid.
Second, I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary Auld, in liew of her dower, the plantation on which we reside, and all my other real estate in the Twp of Rich Hill, County of Muskingham, State of Ohio, containing in all about one hundred and twenty one acres, during her natural lifetime, and all the livestock, horses, cows, sheep, and hogs by me now owned and kept thereon, also all household furniture and other items not particularly names and otherwise disposed of by this will, during her natural lifetime, as aforesaid, she however first disposing of a sufficient quantity thereof to pay my just debts as aforesaid. And that at the death of my said wife, all the land bequeathed to her, to my son James Auld, out of which he shall pay my daughters Mary and Ann each fifty dollars.
Third, I give and devise to my eldest daughter, Jane Sterrett, fifty dollars.
Fourth, I give and bequeath to my son William Auld, fifty dollars.
Fifth, I give and devise to my daughter Mary Auld, my black colt, 2 yrs. old next spring and a good saddle and bridle, good bedding and bed a good bureau and $100.
Sixth, I give and devise to my son James Auld, besides my farm as aforesaid, my wagon, my bay mare, 4 yrs. old, a good sadlled and bridle.
Seventh, I give and devise to my youngest daughter Ann Auld, when she come of age, my sorrel colt 2 yrs. old, a good saddle and bridle, a good bed and bedding a bureau and $100 in money.
Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my wife, Mary Auld, to be Executor of this my last will, revoking and annulling all others by me made and confirming this and no other, as my last will. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal. this 17th day of January 1840.
Signed, John Auld.
Signed, published and declared by the above, JOhn Auld, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request have signed as witnesses of the same.
John Forsythe
Elijah Forsythe.
State of Ohio, and County of Muskingham,
I, George W. Manypenny, Clerk of Court of Common pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing will is truly copied and taken from the record of Wills in my office. In testimony whereof I ahve hereunto set my hand and seal of the Court of Zanesville, this 19th day of November 1842.George W. Manypenny, Clerk
A. Wilkins, Deputy

A signed statement by William Auld (son of John and Mary Auld).
Received of Mrs. Mary Auld, Administrator of John Auld's Will, $50, it being in full paid of dowry left me in said will, this 22nd day of April 1848.
Signed, Wm. Auld

JOHN married FORSYTHE MARY on 17 Dec 1807. MARY was born on 28 Mar 1782 in Date may be 3/8/1782; Pennsylvania; died on 1 Apr 1862. [Group Sheet]