Reubon Elbon, ca. 1763

Kent County, Maryland
Frederick, Shenandoah, and Wythe Counties, Virginia
West Virginia, Ohio, and Florida

Fourth Generation

This page was updated by Mara French on 6/25/13. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line to the next generation. Send any corrections or additions to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 2012, 2013.

Contents

Elben Home Page

Elben DNA Test Results

Early Elben Family in Maryland

Outline of Most Elben Families

Introduction to the Reubon Elbon Family

Outline of Reuben Elbon Descendants

Thanks to Ron Coffman for researching and creating this extensive and complete descendant chart of Reuben Elbon. The 124 pages also includes related surnames. Ron welcomes any corrections and/or additional information; please email him at roncoff@ca.rr.com.

Generations: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Maps of Virginia

Bibliography

Fourth Generation

Children of Reubon Elbon and Margaret Nisewanger, 3.1

Margaret Nisewanger had been previously married to Abraham Nisewanger and had son John Nisewanger born ca. 1772; therefore, Margaret would have been born probably at the earliest in 1755, and about age 33 when she had William. No more children were born to her.

4.1 William Elbon, b. ca. 1788 in Frederick Co., Virginia, after Reuben’s enlistment in Maryland, and after his move to Virginia. William was a farmer. Records show that William died 18 Aug 1861 in Shenandoah Co., VA, per Ron Coffman, who also states William did not have any children, but helped raise some of the children of his brothers Montgomery and Lorenzo after their deaths. Montgomery died 25 Mar 1849 in Shenandoah Co., VA, and had children born between 1822 and 1840. Lorenzo died between 1840-1845, and had children born between 1824-1837. Therefore, William raised his brothers’ children between 1845 and 1861.

Homesteads Strasburg and Stephens City, VA; West Virginia border where other members of this family lived is very nearby. Stephens City is in Frederick Co., VA, and just to the east is Frederick Co., MD. Nearby Strasburg just a few miles south of Stephens City is in Shenandoah Co., VA.

Below are photos from my trip to VA in May 2013 of a few of the many historic log homes in Stephens City, Frederick Co., VA.

Marriage

William m. Cathrine Rorer (Rohrer was the German Spelling) on 13 Jun 1818 in Shenandoah Co., VA, bondsman was Adam Kerster and marriage bond was on 11 Jun 1818. Catharine was b. ca. 1786 in VA, the daughter of Henry Rohrer who was in the Revolutionary War in 1780 with William’s father, Reubon Elbon. Henry Rohrer was b. in 1760

The Pension Application of Henry Roarer S19452 on 13 Jan 1834 reveals that Henry was born in April 1760, the same era as Reubon Elbon, but Henry was born in Lancaster Co., PA. Henry states that William Elbon can testify as to his character for veracity and belief in his services as a soldier in the revolution. Henry Roarer’s pension application also shows that William Elbon was living in Frederick Co., VA, in 1834. If William had lived in Wythe Co., VA in 1798 when his father had moved there and when William was only 10 years old, William chose to return to Frederick Co., VA, even though his mother, Margaret Nisewanger, had died ca. 1797. Perhaps William was raised by the Nisewanger family after 1798 when Reuben moved to Wythe Co., VA.

Census

1820 census of Columbia Furnace, Shenandoah Co., VA
1 male 16-20, b. 1800-1804, most likely his brother Montgomery as he didn’t marry until 14 Apr 1821.
1 male 26-44, b. 1776-1794, William engaged in agriculture, head of household
1 female 26-44, Catharine Rohrer/Rorer. This census was taken 2 years after William and Catherine married.

Listed in the 1830 census of Eastern District, Shenandoah Co., VA, spelled his name “Elbon”, with a family of 3:
1 male 40-49, William, b. 1781-1790, head of household
1 female 20-29, b. 1801-1810, most likely this is Elizabeth Rorer. She had son William born just after this census was taken.
1 female 40-49, Cathrine, b. 1781-1790, wife of William

Listed in the 1840 census of Shenandoah Co., VA, spelled his name “Elborn” with a family of 4:
1 male 10-14, b. 1826-1830 (must be 1830), must be William who shows up in the next census as born 1830. William must have been born about the time his father died, assuming his parents were James Elbon and Elizabeth Rorer, James being the son of William. THIS IS INCORRECT????
1 male 50-59, cannot read and write, William, b. 1781-1790, head of household
1 female 30-39, cannot read and write, most likely Elizabeth Rorer, b. 1801-1810
1 female 50-59, cannot read and write, wife Catharine, b. 1781-1790, William’s wife

William’s half brother Montgomery d. 25 Mar 1849 in Shenandoah Co., VA. William’s half brother Lorenzo died before 3 Apr 1845 in Rockingham Co., VA. Therefore, in the 1850 census, William was taking care of several of his half brothers’ children.

William is listed in the 1850 census of District 58, Shenandoah Co., VA. Both William and Catharine were 62, Elizabeth Rorer was 40, and also living with them was William Elbon, age 20, b. 1830, a son of Lorenzo, his half-brother. All names were spelled “Elbon” but they also appear as “Elben”. Elizabeth Rorer was b. 1810; other records say 1806.

William died 18 Aug 1861 in Shenandoah Co., VA. From the census records it appears William did not have any children by Catherine Rorer, but took care of his brother’s children after his 2 brothers had died.

In the 1870 census, Catherine “Elburn” was widowed, in Davis near Edinburg, Shenandoah Co., VA, age 84 (born 1786), living with her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Rorer Elburn (b. 1806 in VA, age 64), both whom could not write, but they could read. Also living with them in 1870 was Elizabeth’s son, James H. Elburn, 35 (born 1835), his wife Eliza 31 (born 1839), and their children Sarah C. 8 (born 1862), Mary J. 5 (born 1865), and Laura E. 3 (born 1867). Also listed are various families: Coburn, Bauserman, Piefer, Suan, Bird, Dett, Whitington. All members of the Elburn family were born in VA. (see image of 1870 census below).

1880 census of Opequon, Frederick Co., VA, this same family appears again listed as “Elbern”.
James Elbern, 44, b. 1836 in WV, parents born in WV, farmer
Eliza Elbern, 41, b. 1839 in VA, parents born in WV, wife
Sarah Elbern, 17, b. 1863 in VA, dau.
Mary F. Elbern, 15, b. 1865, dau.
Laura Elbern, 12, b. 1868, dau.
Ada Elbern, 10, b. 1870, dau.

Court Order

The following is an court order to determine if Henry Roarer from Shenandoah Co., VA, was in the Revolutionary War. On 13 Jan 1834 this court order shows William Elburn's close relation to Henry Roarer, or Rohrer, who is 74 years old, who was in the Rev. War in 1780. Henry Rohrer was probably William’s father-in-law and the same age as William’s father Reuben Elburn, as Henry was born in April 1760 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He lived in Shenandoah Co. since he was 9 years old, or ca. 1769. William Elbon was one person that Henry Rohrer states can testify as to his character and who presently lives in his neighborhood, and who can testify about his service as a soldier in the revolution. It also shows the signature of William Elburn and how he spelled his name.

Children of Reubon Elbon and Mary Gorley, 3.1

From Ron Coffman: As far as I know, Reuben Elbon is the only one that may have had any association with Stephens City, VA. Please remember, St. Stephens is nothing more than a church and graveyard and it is not within Stephens City which is north a few miles on Hwy 81 and in Frederick Co., not Shenandoah Co. FindAGrave has that cemetery at Strasburg Junction, this is not correct. A church was erected in the Topnot Community of Shenandoah County (west of Strasburg) and it was called St. Stephens Church. Joseph Elbon (son of Montgomery) and his descendants lived in the Topnot Community and they are the Elbons buried at the St. Stephens Church Cemetery. This St. Stephens is not a community.

Strasburg is a town in Shenandoah Co., VA, founded in 1761. The Topnot Community of Shenandoah Co. is west of Strasburg.

4.2* Montgomery R. Elbon, b. ca. 1799 in VA. He was one of the first citizens of Hardy Co., WV, in 1833, d. 25 Mar 1849 in Shenandoah Co., VA. The middle initial “R” has never been identified as standing for “Reuben”, but may have stood for “Reed”.

Marriage

Montgomery m1. Margaret Hinkins, daughter of George Hinkins and Mary “Polly” Supinger, on 14 Apr 1821 in Shenandoah, VA. She was baptized on 23 Jan 1800. In the church her name was spelled Hipkins. Mary d. ca. 1841 in Shenandoah Co., VA. Her youngest child was Joseph who was born 23 Oct 1840. Montgomery d. 25 Mar 1849 while his children were still quite young; his half-brother William raised them. Montgomery and Margaret had 7 children.

Montgomery m2. Ann Miller on 27 Jun 1843 in Shenandoah Co., VA. They did not have children together.

Montgomery’s family belonged to the Lutheran Church, Saint Stephens, where they are buried, along with these members of the Elbon family.

Esther S. Elbon, 16 Apr 1911 – 5 Jun 1998 – 7^th generation, wife of Jasper
James E. Elbon, 28 Oct 1937 – 17 Jan 1997 – 8^th generation
Jasper W. Elbon, 22 Oct 1908 – 24 Apr 1981 – 7^th generation
Pvt. Joseph Elbon, 23 Oct 1840 – 13 Oct 1888 – 5^th generation
Sgt. Joseph Daniel Elbon, 16 Jun 1916 – 23 Sep 1998 – 7^th generation
Lydia C. Elbon, 12 Apr 1843 – 18 Mar 1913 – 5^th generation, wife of Joseph
Margie W. Elbon, 15 Feb 1939 – 19 Apr 1991
Moses H. Elbon, 1881 – 1948
Susie B. Elbon, 1880 – 1937
William W. Elbon, 29 May 1935 – 22 Jul 2007

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GSiman=1&GScid=52033&GSfn=&GSln=Elb*

Elbons buried at this church: See http://www.vagenweb.org/shenandoah/cem/ststeph.html.

Census

Montgomery was listed in the 1810 census of Wythe, VA, with his parents.

Montgomery was listed in the 1820 census of Evensham, Wythe Co., VA, living with his parents.

Montgomery married on 14 Apr 1821 in Shenandoah Co., VA.

Montgomery was listed in the 1830 census, Hardy Co., VA, now WV
2 males under 5, Montgomery H., b. 1828
1 male 10-14, George W., b. 1825; Benjamin b. ca. 1826.
1 male 20-29, Montgomery, head of household, b. 1799
1 female 5-9, dau. Mary, b. ca. 1822
1 female 20-29, wife Margaret

Montgomery as listed in the 1840 census of Hampshire Co., VA (now WV), as Montgomery “Elmore” with 6 in his family.
1 male 5-9, b. 1831-1835, John H., b. 1831
2 male 10-14, b. 1826-1830, George, Montgomery H., Benjamin?
1 male 30-39, Montgomery, b. 1801-1810, head of household
1 female 15-19, b. 1821-1825, Mary Ann
1 female 30-39, Margaret Hinkins, wife of Montgomery

By the 1850 census, Montgomery had died and some of his children moved to Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio. There is an Elbon Rd. in Lebanon near where the family lived.

4.3* Lorenzo Dow Elbon, Sr., b. ca. 1802 per census records in Wythe Co., VA. He died before 3 Apr 1845 in Rockingham Co., VA. Lorenzo was still living on 25 Nov 1840, as on this date he signed a permission slip in Rockingham County for his daughter Eliza to marry. On 3 Apr 1845 in Shenandoah County Lorenzo's daughter Mary Ann posted a marriage bond and it states she is a daughter of Catherine so, this would probably indicate Lorenzo was deceased by this date. In several court documents, Lorenzo is referred to as “Ren” Elbon.

If you can trace your ancestry back to the early 1800s someplace in the United States, you can probably find someone in the family tree named Lorenzo. In fact, that person probably had a middle name of Dow, as in Lorenzo Dow Smith or Lorenzo Dow Jones. If you find a record that refers to "Lorenzo D." as the first name and middle initial, you can likely assume that the middle name was "Dow." Indeed, the name Lorenzo Dow appeared all over the country in the early to mid-1800s, especially in the Mid-Atlantic States and the South. It is believed that more than 10,000 babies were named after Lorenzo Dow. In the 1850 U.S. census, "Lorenzo" is one of the more popular first names.

At one time, Lorenzo Dow was perhaps the second or third-most famous person in the United States, behind the President and perhaps one or two other politicians. His autobiography at one time was the second-best selling book in the United States, exceeded only by the Bible. He also invented the term "camp meeting." Yet you almost never hear of Lorenzo Dow today. Indeed, he earns only a tiny footnote in a very few history books. That seems strange for a person with so many thousands of children named after him. If you have an ancestor with the given names of Lorenzo Dow, you may be interested in the story of his namesake.

Marriage

Lorenzo m. Catherine Copp on 5 Oct 1822 in Shenandoah Co., VA. She was b. 1804 in Maurertown, Shenandoah Co., VA, dau. of Anna Elizabeth Artz and John Copp, ward of Jacob Artz. Lorenzo was son of Reuben from Shenandoah County Marriage Bonds. She d. 9 Feb 1879 in Shenandoah Co., VA. They had 8 children.

Jacob Artz and his wife Rachel were both born in 1783 in PA and were 97 both living in the 1880 census of Hubley, Schuykill Co., PA.

Lorenzo was also the bondsman for the marriage of Catherine’s sister, Ann Elizabeth Copp to David Clem Sr. on 7 Feb 1824.

Lorenzo was also the bondsman for the marriage of Catherine’s sister, Elizabeth Copp to Samuel Spiker on 10 Nov 1828.

Census

Lorenzo is listed in the 1810 census of Wythe Co., VA, living with his parents.

He is listed in the 1820 census of Evensham, Scott Co., VA, living with his parents.

In the 1830 census of Eastern District, Shenandoah Co., VA, Lorenzo Elbon was head of household to a family of 6:
1 male 5-9, b. 1821-1825, John H., b. 1828?
1 male 15-19, 1811-1815, most likely Lorenzo’s brother Harold, b. 1814.
1 male 20-29, b. 1801-1810, Lorenzo
2 females under 5, 1825-1830, Mary Ann, Eliza
1 female 20-29, 1801-1810, Lorenzo’s wife

Lorenzo “Ellburn” appears in the 1840 census of Rockingham Co., VA as aged 30-39 or born ca. 1801-1810. He had 10 people in his household.
1 male under 5, son William C., b. 1836
1 male 15-19, b. 1821-1825, son John H., b. 1828?
1 male 20-29, b. 1811-1820, most likely Lorenzo’s brother Harold, b. 1814, m. 1836.
1 male 30-39, b. 1801-1810, Lorenzo, head of household
1 female under 5, dau. Caroline
2 females 5-9, b. 1831-1835, daughters Sarah and Louisa
1 female 10-14, dau. Eliza
1 female 15-19, dau. Mary Ann
1 female 30-39, Lorenzo’s wife

Lorenzo died before the 1850 census of Shenandoah Co., VA, where Catharine Elbon is 46 and living with her children Sarah Elbon, 19, who m. Philip H. Boehm 33; Caroline Elbon 10; and youngest sonLorenzo D. Elbon 7.

By the 1860 census of Tom’s Brook, Shenandoah Co., VA, Catharine Elbon, widow of Lorenzo, age 55, b. 1805, appears living with the Keller family.

In 1870 Catharine was still living with Caroline Keller in Stonewall, Shenandoah Co., VA. The “Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedule” shows Catherine Elbon living in Opequon, Frederick Co., VA, on 29 Jun 1870. She d. 6 Feb 1879 in Shenandoah Co., VA.

Abraham Keller m1. Louisa C. Elbon and m2. Caroline V. Elbon, her sister, indicating that Louisa had died.

4.4* Harold Reed Elburn, b. 25 Feb 1814 in Wythe Co., VA. He d. 5 Sep 1863 at age 50 at Ft. Delaware Pea Patch Island, New Castle Co., Delaware, a Prisoner of War (his death date varies as seen below). He was buried in Finn’s Point Cemetery, New Jersey. He was a millwright.

Marriage

Harold m. Catharine Michaels on 25 Jan 1836 and resided in Rockingham Co., VA, Catherine was b. 28 Feb 1819 in Pendleton Co., WV, and d. 25 Jan 1876 in Pendleton Co., WV. He and Catharine had 11 children.

Census

Harold is listed in the 1820 census of Evensham, Scott Co., VA, living with his parents.

He is also listed in the 1830 census of Wythe, VA.

Harold appears in the 1850 census of Rockingham Co., VA, age 35, b. 1815, living with his wife Catharine, age 30, and their children: William A. Elburn 12, Joseph Elburn 10, Frances V. Elburn 8, (Harold) Franklin Elburn 6, James Elburn 4, Simeon Tappy 23, and James Tappy 15.

In the 1860 census of Pendleton, VA, all names are spelled Elbon. Note that eldest sons William Anderson Elbon and Joseph Harrison Elbon were living on their own.
Harold C. Elbon is 46,
Cath Elbon is 41,
Francis V. 19,
Harold F. 17,
Jas P. 14,
Jno Hy 12,
George L. 10,
Amanda J. 5,
Saml R. 2,
Isiah Buregard Elbon, was born on 19 Jul 1859 and may have died by the 1860 census.

Military

Harold was in the Civil War as a Private enlisted in Company A, 1^st Cavalry Regiment of Virginia, 6’ 1”, hazel eyes, brown hair, florid complexion. He was a Prisoner of War on 25 Jan 1863 and died on 17 June 1863 at age 50, for disloyalty by the Union Army. His death date varies as seen below.

Harold Elbon is listed in the American Civil War in Pendleton Co., VA, millwright, served on the Confederacy side, enlisted as a Private in Company A, 1^st Cavalry Regiment, 6’ 1” tall with hazel eyes and brown hair. He is listed as a Civil War Prisoner of War, age 50, 17 Jun 1865. He was a millwright and fought as a Private for the Confederacy. The source below gives his middle name as Ruben instead of Reed, plus it states he died in Ohio and not in Delaware; the latter is correct.

Harold R. Elbon was taken prisoner because of disloyalty on 17-Jun-1863 in Pendleton County, West Virginia by the Union Army, age 50, citizen. Apparently he did something to aid the Rebels and the Union Army didn't like it, no further information on the particulars. Harold was sent to Fort Delaware, Pea Patch Island, Delaware for confinement and died there 5-Sep-1863.Harold's name is on the Confederate Monument at Finns Point National Cemetery across the Delaware River in New Jersey. He is listed as Elbum, H. R., Civilian, died 5-Sep-1863 from Virginia. Harold was one of 36 civilians that died at Fort Delaware. In April, 1862, Fort Delaware, a masonry fortification located on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River, received its first prisoners of war- a total of 358 Confederate soldiers from the Battle of Kernstown, Va. By January, 1866 when the fort was discontinued as a prison, the number of men confined had reached 22,773. This total includes southern soldiers, officers and political prisoners. House Report No. 45- 3rd Session, 40th Congress (1868-69) states that 2,502 of these men died on the island. Of this number, the bodies of 2,436 soldiers and 36 civilians were buried in trenches at Finn's Point National cemetery on the New Jersey shore overlooking Fort Delaware. Identification was soon lost. Later a granite obelisk was erected in their honor. Around the monument's base bronze plaques bear the names of the interred. Three soldiers' bodies were turned over to friends and relatives for private burial; 27 are unaccounted for. Fort Delaware has been called "the Andersonville of the North -- the most dreaded Union prison."

Harold was taken prisoner on the 11th of June 1863 in Pendleton Co., WV, and was sent to Fort Delaware. Conditions were decent, but many prisoners died of disease. Harold died in the prison on 5 Sep 1863.

From an online comment by Hugh Simmons, 13 Jun 2011: Craig Kuhn of Frederick, MD recently queried the Fort Delaware Society about H. R. ELBON and allowed me access to this family tree. Our database shows that H. R. ELBUM, a citizen from Virginia, died while being detained as a civilian prisoner at Fort Delaware on 5 Sep 1863. The source of this information is the "Register of Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Who Died in Federal Prisons and Military Hospitals in the North" (U. S. War Department, 1912). The names of the civilians listed in this work are not presented on the bronze memorial plates at the base of the Confederate monument in Finns Point National Cemetery, Salem County, New Jersey. However, according to this 1912 War Department "Register", these civilians were buried with the Confederate military prisoners at the time of their deaths in the soldiers' burial ground "on the Jersey shore" in Salem County directly across the Delaware River from Pea Patch Island. I would very much like to exchange information with family members who can tell us something about this civilian detainee. His date of death is given as 25 Jan 1863 in this family tree which is at odds with the War Department record. This must have come from a family source. Hugh Simmons Fort Delaware Society E-mail: society@fortdelaware.org.

From Daniel Elbon, at nobel61854@hotmail.com. Harold Reed Elbon’s son was my great great grandfather William Anderson Elbon, (a sergeant in the 41st Virginia Cavalry) who raised my grandfather, Lester Elbon.

Fort Mott and Finns Point National Cemetery District on the NRHP since August 31, 1978. NW of Salem on Fort Mott Rd. past Ft. Mott. This column commemorates 2,000+ Confederate soldiers who died there as POWs.

Harold's name is on the Confederate Monument at Finns Point National Cemetery across the Delaware River in New Jersey. He is listed as Elbum, H. R., Civilian, died 5-Sep-1863 from Virginia. Harold was one of 36 civilians who died at Fort Delaware.

In April, 1862, Fort Delaware, a masonry fortification located on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River, received its first prisoners of war -- a total of 358 Confederate soldiers from the Battle of Kernstown, VA (within Winchester, VA, where Reuben, Harold’s father, had first lived when he moved to Virginia). By January 1866 when the fort was discontinued as a prison, the number of men confined had reached 22,773. This total includes southern soldiers, officers and political prisoners.

House Report No. 45- 3rd Session, 40th Congress (1868-69) states that 2,502 of these men died on the island. Of this number, the bodies of 2,436 soldiers and 36 civilians were buried in trenches at Finn's Point National cemetery on the New Jersey shore overlooking Fort Delaware. Identification was soon lost. Later a granite obelisk was erected in their honor. Around the monument's base bronze plaques bear the names of the interred. Three soldiers' bodies were turned over to friends and relatives for private burial; 27 are unaccounted for.

Fort Delaware has been called "the Andersonville of the North -- the most dreaded Union prison." He is listed as Elbum, H. R., Civilian, died 5-Sep-1863 from Virginia. Harold was one of 36 civilians who died at Fort Delaware.

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