Person Page - 61

     Blanche Charlotte Brackin lived at 1432 Elbur Ave., Lakewood, OH. She married John A. Fuller. Blanche Charlotte Brackin was born on 19 June 1858. She was the daughter of Dr. Robert Brackin and Wealthia Ann Clark.

     John A. Fuller married Blanche Charlotte Brackin, daughter of Dr. Robert Brackin and Wealthia Ann Clark. John A. Fuller died in 1912.

     Erastus Robert Brackin was born on 14 January 1863. He was the son of Dr. Robert Brackin and Wealthia Ann Clark.

     Mining Engineer. Charles Clark Brackin was born on 11 March 1869. He was the son of Dr. Robert Brackin and Wealthia Ann Clark. Charles Clark Brackin was graduated in 1894 at Oberlin College.

     Burchard B. Brackin was born on 11 February 1872. He was the son of Dr. Robert Brackin and Wealthia Ann Clark.

     Marion Blanche Brackin was born on 9 November 1891. She was the daughter of Erastus Robert Brackin and Frances Scott.

     William Pindar Holcombe was born circa 1804 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Grove Catlin Holcombe and Aurelia Holcombe. William Pindar Holcombe married Sarah A. Elizabeth Graham on 16 October 1834 at Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co., GA. William Pindar Holcombe died in 1869.

After William went to the Dahlonega Gold fields, his brother John Flavel went to the California Gold Rush.

William left Granby for the gold fields of Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co., GA where he married. The marriage is recorded in the Lumpkin county probate office in Book "A-1", pages 13-14 of marriage records.

William is recorded in the 1860 census of Lexington, Oglethorpe Co., GA (film M653-133, page 694, lines 33-35) age 56, with Sarah A., age 44, and Aurelia, age 20.

There is a "William Holcomb" in the 1830 census of Jackson County. Lumpkin Co. was formed in 1832 from parts of Jackson county and others and the Indian Territories. Dahlonega was located in the Indian Territories. No William appears in the 1840 and 1850 Federal censuses of Lumpkin Co. or in the 1834 and 1838 State censuses of Lumpkin Co..

Although it was assumed that William's son enlisted in the Confederacy, the records at the National Archives, film series M266, roll 437 indicate that he was discharged because of "feeble health and disability of old age being 59 years old." Which would indicate that it was the father, not the son, that enlisted in Wrights Legion (40th Regiment, Georogia Infantry, Company I), or that both enlisted.

The 1829 Dahlonega Gold Rush

There is no documentation to support who first discovered gold in Dahlonega but the most widely accepted claim to the discovery that started the Georgia gold rush is that of Benjamin Parks. In 1828 Parks found gold on property belonging to the Reverend Robert O"Barr, pastor of the Yellow Creek Baptist Chruch, of which Parks was a member. Benjamin asked the Reverend for a lease on the site. O'Barr, thinking the request a joke, laughed at the very suggestion that gold had been found on his property, but finally agree to a forty-year lease whereby he would be paid one-fourth of the gold mined on the property. Parks took on a partner, Joel Stephens, and together they returned to the spot where young Benjamin had first stumbled over the sparkling stone. They turned up a pan full of dirt and to their amazement found it speckled with gold. Parks later recalled, "it was more than my eyes could believe." O'Barr sold his property and it eventually passed into the hands of Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, to whom Parks said he finally sold his lease for what the thought was a good price. According to Parks, Calhoun soon struck a rich vein and tool our 24,000 penny-weight in the first month.

Despite the popularityof the Parks legend and the various claims to "first" discoveries between 1826 and 1828, there is no documentary evidence of the discovery of gold in Georgia until August 1, 1829, when a notice appeared in a Milledgeville newspaper, the Georgia Journal. According to the Macon Telegraph, it was not " . . . until the winter of 1829 and 30, when the precious metals having been discovered in great abundance upn our Cherokee soil, great numbers of people from Georiga and other States rushed to the Territory in search of its treasures."

Of course during this time all of the area where gold was being mined was Cherokee land. The sudden influx of thousands of twenty-niners into the Cherokee Nation was known even at the time as the "Great Intrusion." Georgia was not to take possession of the area until June of 1830, and even then the Cherokees would retain title to their property until the state decided how to dispose of it. But his slight protection was practically worthless and when Indian-fighter Andrew Jackson was elected president in the fall of 1828 the fate of the Cherokees was sealed and the Indians were dirven from their land in the "Trail of Tears," and their land was distributed to white Georgians in a lottery in 1832.

On April 24, 1833, a cite in Lumpkin County was chosen as the county seat and became known as Dahlonega, a Cherokee word for gold, and it was there a year later that William and Sarah were married.

     John Flavel Holcombe was born circa 1803 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Grove Catlin Holcombe and Aurelia Holcombe. John Flavel Holcombe married Antoinette Casandra Thompson, daughter of William Thompson and Elsie Hampton.² John Flavel Holcombe died on 2 June 1861 at Yuba Co., CA.^3,2,4 He was buried at Keystone Cemetery, Dobbins, Yuba Co., CA.⁵

John went to the California Gold Rush; his brother William went to the Dahlonega Gold Rush.

John moved from Vernon, Ohio, to Hannibal, MO, about 1849; went to Shasta Co., CA in the "Gold Rush of 1849", where he succeeded faily in gold "diggings". Becoming well pleased with the West, he returned to Hannibal by boat resolved to remove his family to California and after a year, in 1851, in Mo. to arrange for the move. An emigrant train was organized for overland trip in wagons. He was made its captain, with the duty to ride on horse each day ahead of the wagons to locate water, a site for the camp that night with best feeding spots for horses and oxen, leaving his 14 year old son, Grove Robert to manage the team transporting the family for every day of the trip of four months until its end in the fall of 1852, settling in Yuba Co., California. He co-operated with the US Military Escort provided for protection against Indian attacks enroute, "crossing the plains".

John died suddenly at his homestead in Yuba Co., from exhaustion in the heat while digging a well. His widow, Antoinette, and children Florence, Thaddeus and Katherine are recorded as a family in the 1870 cnesus of Oregon House, Yuba Co. He and his wife are buried at Indiana Ranch near Brownsville, Yuba Co., California, where gravestones inscribed to them stand.

     Dryden Holcombe was born on 24 August 1801 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Grove Catlin Holcombe and Aurelia Holcombe. Dryden Holcombe married Laura E. Griswold, daughter of Alexander Griswold II and Alice Bascomb. Dryden Holcombe died on 25 September 1863 at Vernon, Trumbull Co., OH, at age 62.³ He was buried at Giddings-Brown Cemetery, Vernon, Trumbull Co., OH.⁴

Moved from Granby, Hartford Co., Ct. to Cortland, Trumbull Co., Ohio about 1848; is recorded as farmer in the 1850 and 1860 censuses of Vernon, Trumbull Co., Ohio, owning real estate, $1,800 at Vernon in 1860. ⁴

Dryden Holcomb is said to have worked first as a carpenter when he settled in Vernon and to have traveled extensively, including a journey to Cuba. [4] He owned land in Trumbull Co., OH, at least as early as 1840, and may have arrived in the area some years before. An atlas assigns Dryden's name to property along what would become the Kinsman-Orangeville Road on an 1840 map. [10] Dryden and Laura's oldest son, Hiram D. Holcomb, born in July 1834, consistently reported his place of birth as Vernon Township, Trumbull Co., on his military service and pension records as did his younger brothers. [2] An 1830 map shows Norman Holcomb (note: son of Benajah5) as the owner of the land Dryden and Laura would later farm [10] -- land that is still being farmed today and that is about 1-3/4 miles north of the graveyard where Dryden and Laura are buried. [2] It appears a subsequent owner replaced the original farmhouse. [2]

Sometime after 1850, their near neighbors to the north were George W. and Jane Brackin Holcomb's family [10, 16, census], who had Vernon's first brick house built there. [15] The house still stands on the Kinsman-Orangeville Road. [Ohio Historic Building Survey, 2] (Note: The house is #7151). ⁴

Leslie Albin notes that Laura died of "Liver complaints" [16]

The Giddings-Brown Cemetery is on Kinsman-Orangeville Road.

Leslie's Notes:

[2] Personal visit to the grave site or other location discussed, Sept. 1999.

[4] Thomas Kachur, Historical Collection of Bazetta, Cortland, OH, 1983.

[10] The atlas collection of the Warren-Trumbull Co. Library, inc. Atlas and Directory of Trumbull Co.: Including a Directory of Freeholders and Official Register of the County (reprint of an 1899 atlas), Cleveland: American Atlas Co., 1979; Combination Atlas Map of Trumbull Co., Chicago: L. H. Everts, 1874; and Trumbull Co. Cadastral or Land Ownership Maps, 1830-1840-1850, ed. Ruth Alle for Trumbull Co. Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society, Evansville, IN: Whippoorwill Publications, 1985.

[15] From a newspaper retrospective on Trumbull County's pioneer days, part of a collection of articles in the library's vertical files on local history. (Note: I neglected to note the name of the paper or date of publication--will relocate it next trip.)

[16] Michael Barren Clegg, Trumbull Co. Newspaper Obituary Abstracts, 1812-1870 (here, specifically abstracts for the Western Reserve Chronicle), Fort Wayne, IN: M.B. Clegg, 1981.


Dryden and Laura were enumerated in the 1850 Vernon, Trumbull Co. OH, federal census. He was a farmer, age 49, she was 48. Children in the household were Hiram, 16, Virgil 14, Caroline 12, Charles R. 10, and Judson, 8.

     Julia A. Holcombe was born in 1806 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Grove Catlin Holcombe and Aurelia Holcombe. Julia A. Holcombe married Silas Phelps II, son of Silas Phelps and Ursula Thrall, on 15 August 1826 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ Julia A. Holcombe died after 1850 at Vernon, Trumbull Co., OH.⁴

     Silas Phelps II was born on 12 April 1800.² He was the son of Silas Phelps and Ursula Thrall. Silas Phelps II married Julia A. Holcombe, daughter of Grove Catlin Holcombe and Aurelia Holcombe, on 15 August 1826 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ Silas Phelps II died on 31 July 1891 at Champion, OH, at age 91. Silas II moved from Turkey Hills, Hartford Co., Ct., to Vernon, Trumbull Co., OH, in 1828; is recorded as a farmer with family in the 1850 census of Vernon.

     Grove Catlin Holcombe was born in 1798 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Grove Catlin Holcombe and Aurelia Holcombe. Grove Catlin Holcombe married Sarah Dibble on 5 May 1828 at Village of North Granby, Granby, Hartford Co., CT. Grove Catlin Holcombe died in September 1881 at Stromsburg, Polk Co., NE.

On the 1860 Vernon Twp., Trumbull Co., OH, census, Grove's occupation is given as shoemaker.

     Huldah Holcombe was born on 14 November 1772 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^4,1 She was the daughter of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post. Huldah Holcombe married Sterling Graves Bushnell, son of Alexander Bushnell and Chloe Wait, on 23 December 1795.¹ Huldah Holcombe died on 5 July 1862 at Hayesville, Ashland Co., OH, at age 89.¹

Seaver says she died young, Bowman lists 1826 death date and a husband, McCracken justs lists birth.

     Benajah Holcombe lived at Chester, MA. He was born on 1 January 1776 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ He was the son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post.

     Jotham Holcombe was born on 23 November 1777 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁵ He was the son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post. Jotham Holcombe married Ruth Banning.

Jotham is enumerated in the 1850 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census, age 72, as the head of the household, with Nathan and his family.

     Ruth Banning married Jotham Holcombe, son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post.

     Alanson Holcombe was born on 27 December 1779 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post. Alanson Holcombe married Aurora Spring, daughter of Thomas Spring II and Jerusha Pomeroy, on 7 December 1845 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² Alanson Holcombe died on 5 June 1862 at age 82.³ He was buried at Spring Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.³

At the time of his marriage to Aurora, Alanson was listed as "of Ill."

Alanson and Aurora were enumerated in the 1860 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census. He was 79, she was 64.

It is apparently Aurora who is enumerated in the 1870 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census, living alone, age 74.

     Aurora Spring was also known as Aurelia Spring.¹ She was born on 29 May 1796.^2,3 She was the daughter of Thomas Spring II and Jerusha Pomeroy.³ Aurora Spring married Alanson Holcombe, son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post, on 7 December 1845 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ Aurora Spring died on 16 October 1880 at age 84.³ She was buried at Spring Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.³

     Emeline Holcombe was the daughter of Alanson Holcombe and Minty Roby.

     Wilson Holcombe was born circa 1840.¹ He was the son of Alanson Holcombe and Minty Roby. Wilson Holcombe died on 12 May 1904.¹

     Caroline Holcombe was the daughter of Alanson Holcombe and Minty Roby.

     Dwight Holcombe was the son of Alanson Holcombe and Minty Roby.

Probably the Dwight Holcombe, age 4, enumerated in the 1860 East Granby, Hartford Co., CT, federal census, in the household of a Caroline Franken(?).

Probably the Dwight Holcombe, age 13, enumerated in the 1870 East Granby, Hartford Co., CT, federal census in the household of Samuel A. Clark.

Probably the Dwight Holcombe enumerated in the 1880 East Granby, Hartford Co., CT, fedral census. He was a farm laborer, age 23.

Probably the Dwight Holcombe, age 43, enumerated in the 1900 Windsor Locks, Hartford Co., CT, federal census. He was a teamster age 43.

     Louisa Holcombe was the daughter of Alanson Holcombe and Minty Roby.

     Norman Holcombe was born on 15 November 1774 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post. Norman Holcombe married Olive Thompson in 1814. Norman Holcombe died on 16 November 1856 at Vernon, Trumbull Co., OH, at age 82. He was buried at Kinsman Cemetery New, Kinsman, Vernon Co., OH.²

Norman moved in 1808 to Vernon Twp. from Connecticut by ox team to occupy land bought from the Conn. Land Co., on which he established a farm and homestead.

Norman and Olive were enumerated in the 1850 Vernon, Trumbull Co., OH, federal census. He was a farmer age 68, she was 66. Children in the household were George 30, and Collins 23.

     Topher Holcombe was the son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post.

     Flavel Holcombe was born in 1787. He was the son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post.

     Collins Holcombe was born in 1812. He was the son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post. Collins Holcombe married Sarah Hudson. Collins Holcombe died between 1 June 1850 and 1 June 1860.

Collins and Sarah were enumerated in the 1850 Manchester, Ontario Co., NY, federal census. He was a farmer age 37 (or 57), she was 47. Children in the household were James 20, Oliver 18, Sarah 16, Edgar A. 14, Collins 12, Mary 9, Frances 7. Also in the household was Ruby Char**, age 70.

Sarah was enumerated in the 1860 Manchester, Ontario Co., NY, federal census. She was 57. Children in the household were Oliver 26, Edgar A. 23, Collins, 21, Mary 19, Alice F. 11.

     Sterling Graves Bushnell was born on 14 December 1772 at East Hartland, CT.² He was the son of Alexander Bushnell and Chloe Wait. Sterling Graves Bushnell married Huldah Holcombe, daughter of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post, on 23 December 1795.² Sterling Graves Bushnell died on 16 August 1846 at Ashland Co., OH, at age 73.

     Olive Thompson was born circa 1784 at Turkey Hills, Hartford Co., CT. She married Norman Holcombe, son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post, in 1814. Olive Thompson died on 7 February 1857 at Vernon, Trumbull Co., OH.

     Sarah Hudson married Collins Holcombe, son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post.

     Zopher Holcombe was the son of Benajah Holcombe and Hulda Post. Bowman lists this child, but Seaver and McCracken do not.

     Rhoda Holcombe was born on 7 February 1743/44 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ She was the daughter of Judah Holcombe and Hannah Buttolph.⁵

     Anna Hubbard was born on 18 November 1755 at Chatham, Middlesex Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Hezekiah Hubbard and Hannah Olcott.² Anna Hubbard married Judah Holcombe, son of Judah Holcombe and Hannah Buttolph, on 30 June 1774.¹ Anna Hubbard died on 27 November 1828 at age 73.² She was buried at Baptist Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3