HENDRICKS COUNTY 16N, 1W, Section 32
West Family: 1833-1858
Hendricks County was founded and Danville was named the county seat in 1824. Danville is located in the center of Hendricks county in the township of Center, the township is labeled 15 and 16 N, 1E and 2W, and comprises 46 square miles. The west fork of the White Lick creek runs through this part of Hendricks county (including our backyard). This area was once covered with thick forests but now is mostly splintered treelines with agricultural farms. The land surrounding Danville was very good for farming and as such featured some homes with "urban advantages." The town was incorporated in 1859.
The land parcel where the current day house resides was purchased from David and Nancy Matlock on April 1, 1833 (recorded February 18, 1834) by William and Maria West. The Matlocks may have had a log cabin, and is assumed that the West Family did as well or perhaps stayed in the original cabin. The Matlocks were the first owners of the land after it was assumed from the Indian nation (Delaware tribe).
The West Family appear in the 1830, 1840 and 1850 Federal Census for Hendricks County, Indiana.
In 1850, William was 78 and his wife Maria was 70 and the property listed as dwelling 487 on the Federal Census. Their son lived nearby on dwelling 481 and were listed as James (43) and Dicea (40). They had 12 children: Zanler (20, f), Sarah A (18, f), John W (17, m), Harriet L (16, f), Mariah C (15, f), Edward B (14. m), Henry M. (12, m), Thomas H (10, m), Mary E (8, f), Stephen D (5, m), Susan F (3, f), and Diana E (2, f).
The West family moved to Raytown, Missouri and acquired property in October 16, 1857. The monument pictured below was erected in their honor. Their parents remained on the Windswept Homestead and are buried somewhere within the boundaries of the original lot on the deed marked 16N, 1W, Section 32. The exact location is unknown and presence was discovered in a copy of the deed recorded for the transfer of property from James McCoun to John MacCoun in March 15, 1861. An excerpt from deed reads, "one hundred and thirty six acres more or less, except one fourth of an acre where the Father and Mother of Robert(?) West are buried."
West Cemetery, Section 6, Township 48, Range 32W in Raytown Missouri has fourteen people buried on site.
The land parcel where the current day house resides was purchased from David and Nancy Matlock on April 1, 1833 (recorded February 18, 1834) by William and Maria West. The Matlocks may have had a log cabin, and is assumed that the West Family did as well or perhaps stayed in the original cabin. The Matlocks were the first owners of the land after it was assumed from the Indian nation (Delaware tribe).
The West Family appear in the 1830, 1840 and 1850 Federal Census for Hendricks County, Indiana.
In 1850, William was 78 and his wife Maria was 70 and the property listed as dwelling 487 on the Federal Census. Their son lived nearby on dwelling 481 and were listed as James (43) and Dicea (40). They had 12 children: Zanler (20, f), Sarah A (18, f), John W (17, m), Harriet L (16, f), Mariah C (15, f), Edward B (14. m), Henry M. (12, m), Thomas H (10, m), Mary E (8, f), Stephen D (5, m), Susan F (3, f), and Diana E (2, f).
The West family moved to Raytown, Missouri and acquired property in October 16, 1857. The monument pictured below was erected in their honor. Their parents remained on the Windswept Homestead and are buried somewhere within the boundaries of the original lot on the deed marked 16N, 1W, Section 32. The exact location is unknown and presence was discovered in a copy of the deed recorded for the transfer of property from James McCoun to John MacCoun in March 15, 1861. An excerpt from deed reads, "one hundred and thirty six acres more or less, except one fourth of an acre where the Father and Mother of Robert(?) West are buried."
West Cemetery, Section 6, Township 48, Range 32W in Raytown Missouri has fourteen people buried on site.
- Davenport, George, b: 1842
- Susan, b: 1848, d: 1914
- Goins, B. E., b: 1847, d: 1919
- Mariah C., wife of B. E. Goins, b: Dec. 25, 1835, d: Oct. 20, 1913 (daughter of James N.)
- Rice, Nathaniel, d: Jan. 10, 1892; age: 63 years, 9 months, 6 days
- Harriet L., wife of N. Rice, d: Sept. 9, 1872; age: 37 years, 10 months, 29 days
- Serelda J., wife of N. Rice, d: Aug. 28, 1873; age: 44 years, 11 days
- Rice, infant daughter of Nathaniel and Harriet L. Rice, b: Feb. 1863
- West, James N., d: Aug. 2, 1871; age: 69 years, 8 months, 18 days
- West, Dicea, wife of James N. West, d: June 8, 1883; age: 74 years, 4 months, 15 days
- West, Mary E., daughter of James N. and Dicea West, d: Nov. 14, 1862; age: 20 years, 6 months, 5 days
- West, Henry M., son of J. N. and D. West, d: Nov. 24, 1873; age: 35 years, 6 months, 7 days
- West, Mary A., wife of J. H. West, d: Sept. 6, 1856; age: 19 years, 6 months, 2 days
- West, Mary A., daughter of J. H. and M. A. West, d: Nov. 18, 1862; age: 7 years, 2 months, 28 days
McCouns: 1860-1918
Three McCouns owned and operated the farm during this time period. Below, find a sketch about their lives in Indiana and connection to Kentucky.
Sanborn maps show the entire McCoun property in 1878 just to the northwest of Danville.
Sanborn maps show the entire McCoun property in 1878 just to the northwest of Danville.
An historic sketch was recorded about Samuel C. McCoun and his homestead farm, The Locust Grove Farm, what we now call Windswept Homestead.
John W. McCoun was a native of the state of Kentucky and was born in 1821 in Winchester. His parents, James and Eliza McCoun, moved to Indiana when he was five, first settling in Marion township (just adjacent to Center township) where they farmed for 15 years. James and his son John W. moved to Putnam county and in 1856, moved to Missouri. After one year, they returned to Center Township, and farmed on the homestead until his death in 1900. John W. was considered one of the successful farmers in the community raising livestock and Shorthorn cattle. He had been affiliated with the Whig party and later Democratic party, although never holding office. He was a faithful member of the Christian church. His first wife was Melvina Talbott, from Putnam county. He had seven children with her: John T. (d.), James L. (d.), Eliza Daugherty, Amelia Williams, Robert, Anne Johnson, and Boone. Melvina died in 1880 and he married Elizabeth Carrington who was born in 1839 in Hendricks county. They had one child, Samuel C. who stayed in the house after his fathers' death (Elizabeth lived with Samuel until the early 1900s).
The history of McCoun family in Kentucky is intriguing with records listing back as far as the following: Codicil, July 28, 1795, “Where you find this mark in the will, Janie is to have two hundred acres of land out of five hundred ? on the half for Alexander Buchanan living on ? the lands lie in the waters of Hamas Creek cornering to lands belonging to the heirs of James McCoun …” Is it possible that James and Eliza McCoun were the heirs and is the James, Sr. in this record? If so, he would have inherited the land in 1800. The family lineage is referenced in a document describing the Joseph McCoun/D.S. Sharp House from Mercer County, Kentucky, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An excerpt from the Description Summary on the form 10-900: “The chain of title for the Joseph McCoun/D.S. Sharp House is unclear and partially broken as a result of missing deeds, wills, and the absence of clearly recorded land divisions. It appears that the original acreage, prior to the construction of the house, was part of a 470 acre property located on Salt River owned by James McCoun, Sr. Several properties were inherited by John McCoun from his father James McCoun, Sr. in 1800. Though the actual division of land (located in Mercer, Shelby, Franklin, and Henry counties) is unclear, it is likely that this is how John acquired the property now associated with the Joseph McCoun/D.S. Sharp House. In 1816, John and his wife Elizabeth sold 93 acres of land to their son Joseph who had just married Esther Eccles (MCTA 1801, 1803, 1816, 1819; McCoun Family Files; DB 10:151; MB 1:200).”
They moved from Marion township, Putnam County, and in 1856 moved to Missouri, returning to Danville in 1857. He purchased this land on March 22, 1858 (with his first wife Melvina Talbott). John W. McCoun married Melvina Talbott of Putnam County and had seven children (John T., James L., Eliza Jane Daugherty (the Daugherty’s were from Kentucky and settled in Montgomery county in 1830 – James E., Eliza’s father, attained “a position of influence in this community”), Amelia Williams, Robert, Anne Johnson, and Boone. Mrs. McCoun died in 1880 and he married Elizabeth Carrington (born in 1839, from Putnam County) on September 12, 1882. John raised Shorthorn cattle and was affiliated with the Whig party and later, the Democratic Party. According to census records, the McCoun family was the second wealthiest in the county with earnings of $47,000. John McCoun farmed on this homestead farm until his death in 1900. John and Elizabeth had one son, Samuel C.
Samuel was born on March 25, 1884 on the homestead just northwest of Danville. He spent his childhood on the home farm and attended township schools. He went to Purdue University and completed a two-year agricultural course. He did general farming, bred Berkshire hogs, and raised and sold many animals. He had one large building that was devoted exclusively to the raising of hogs. He was considered a progressive farmer and hard worker. The farm residence is a handsome brick structure of modern design, "considered one of the finest homes in the county." On November 15, 1905, he married Mabel McCoun, the daughter of Edward and Alice Steward McCoun. They had one child, Alice (read more about her in the 1900s). Samuel was affiliated with the freemasonry Lodge No. 26 in Danville, was a chapter member of the Eastern Star, and identified with the Democratic party. He was not affiliated with a church but apparently supported the Christian church where his wife had membership.
Interestingly, in November of 1860, the plat shows ownership to James and Levinia MacCoun (also Mccown) for $2,240. In the 1930 census record, this family moved to Newburgh, Warrick, Indiana. James was 33 and Levinia 35 at the time with two children, Jamie L. McCown, m, age 6, born in Kentucky, and Marc(h) Mccown, f, age 4, born in Indiana. I believe that James (L.) was a son with his first wife and when he left, he gave the property to his half brother Samuel. James MacCoun sold the property to Samuel C. McCoun and wife Mabel McCoun, who remained on the property until it was sold to William C. Osborne in the early 1900s.
I included the married names in the narrative as many of these families were prominent figures in this area and mention of them can be found in other records pertaining to them. I will explore those extended relationships some time!
John W. McCoun was a native of the state of Kentucky and was born in 1821 in Winchester. His parents, James and Eliza McCoun, moved to Indiana when he was five, first settling in Marion township (just adjacent to Center township) where they farmed for 15 years. James and his son John W. moved to Putnam county and in 1856, moved to Missouri. After one year, they returned to Center Township, and farmed on the homestead until his death in 1900. John W. was considered one of the successful farmers in the community raising livestock and Shorthorn cattle. He had been affiliated with the Whig party and later Democratic party, although never holding office. He was a faithful member of the Christian church. His first wife was Melvina Talbott, from Putnam county. He had seven children with her: John T. (d.), James L. (d.), Eliza Daugherty, Amelia Williams, Robert, Anne Johnson, and Boone. Melvina died in 1880 and he married Elizabeth Carrington who was born in 1839 in Hendricks county. They had one child, Samuel C. who stayed in the house after his fathers' death (Elizabeth lived with Samuel until the early 1900s).
The history of McCoun family in Kentucky is intriguing with records listing back as far as the following: Codicil, July 28, 1795, “Where you find this mark in the will, Janie is to have two hundred acres of land out of five hundred ? on the half for Alexander Buchanan living on ? the lands lie in the waters of Hamas Creek cornering to lands belonging to the heirs of James McCoun …” Is it possible that James and Eliza McCoun were the heirs and is the James, Sr. in this record? If so, he would have inherited the land in 1800. The family lineage is referenced in a document describing the Joseph McCoun/D.S. Sharp House from Mercer County, Kentucky, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An excerpt from the Description Summary on the form 10-900: “The chain of title for the Joseph McCoun/D.S. Sharp House is unclear and partially broken as a result of missing deeds, wills, and the absence of clearly recorded land divisions. It appears that the original acreage, prior to the construction of the house, was part of a 470 acre property located on Salt River owned by James McCoun, Sr. Several properties were inherited by John McCoun from his father James McCoun, Sr. in 1800. Though the actual division of land (located in Mercer, Shelby, Franklin, and Henry counties) is unclear, it is likely that this is how John acquired the property now associated with the Joseph McCoun/D.S. Sharp House. In 1816, John and his wife Elizabeth sold 93 acres of land to their son Joseph who had just married Esther Eccles (MCTA 1801, 1803, 1816, 1819; McCoun Family Files; DB 10:151; MB 1:200).”
They moved from Marion township, Putnam County, and in 1856 moved to Missouri, returning to Danville in 1857. He purchased this land on March 22, 1858 (with his first wife Melvina Talbott). John W. McCoun married Melvina Talbott of Putnam County and had seven children (John T., James L., Eliza Jane Daugherty (the Daugherty’s were from Kentucky and settled in Montgomery county in 1830 – James E., Eliza’s father, attained “a position of influence in this community”), Amelia Williams, Robert, Anne Johnson, and Boone. Mrs. McCoun died in 1880 and he married Elizabeth Carrington (born in 1839, from Putnam County) on September 12, 1882. John raised Shorthorn cattle and was affiliated with the Whig party and later, the Democratic Party. According to census records, the McCoun family was the second wealthiest in the county with earnings of $47,000. John McCoun farmed on this homestead farm until his death in 1900. John and Elizabeth had one son, Samuel C.
Samuel was born on March 25, 1884 on the homestead just northwest of Danville. He spent his childhood on the home farm and attended township schools. He went to Purdue University and completed a two-year agricultural course. He did general farming, bred Berkshire hogs, and raised and sold many animals. He had one large building that was devoted exclusively to the raising of hogs. He was considered a progressive farmer and hard worker. The farm residence is a handsome brick structure of modern design, "considered one of the finest homes in the county." On November 15, 1905, he married Mabel McCoun, the daughter of Edward and Alice Steward McCoun. They had one child, Alice (read more about her in the 1900s). Samuel was affiliated with the freemasonry Lodge No. 26 in Danville, was a chapter member of the Eastern Star, and identified with the Democratic party. He was not affiliated with a church but apparently supported the Christian church where his wife had membership.
Interestingly, in November of 1860, the plat shows ownership to James and Levinia MacCoun (also Mccown) for $2,240. In the 1930 census record, this family moved to Newburgh, Warrick, Indiana. James was 33 and Levinia 35 at the time with two children, Jamie L. McCown, m, age 6, born in Kentucky, and Marc(h) Mccown, f, age 4, born in Indiana. I believe that James (L.) was a son with his first wife and when he left, he gave the property to his half brother Samuel. James MacCoun sold the property to Samuel C. McCoun and wife Mabel McCoun, who remained on the property until it was sold to William C. Osborne in the early 1900s.
I included the married names in the narrative as many of these families were prominent figures in this area and mention of them can be found in other records pertaining to them. I will explore those extended relationships some time!
This brick is on the eastern wall of what used to be an exterior wall (or, perhaps the wall to an outside kitchen). It's hard to believe this was found under drywall or some other wall covering when the brick was exposed in the current kitchen. One letter is missing in front of this initial. It looks like a J. The date appears to be July, single digit, 1860 or 1880. Much of the brick has been worn but you can clearly see the carved Mcoun in the brickwork. A friend of mine, a geologist, stated that the bricks looked like they were created from the land. It's possible. The bricks are lined with limestone mortar and are very delicate (hard to clean too). We have records indicating the house was built around 1860 with an addition in 1880. This brick location would agree with the change in wood flooring and the addition of a kitchen area.