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Misc Records
for the Sellars Family Line
The 1850 census for Union Township
in Montgomery County, Indiana (where Crawfordsville is located) shows the
following entry (page 436) for our earliest traceable Sellars/Sellers ancestor.
William Sellers, age 33
(b: 1817), Carpenter, born in Ohio (Ohio was indicated by a quotation mark)
Jane Sellers, age 26 (b: 1824), born in Indiana. Indiana marriage
register indicates Jane's maiden name was Jane McGillard and also
that she married William on May 27, 1841 in Montgomery County.
James Sellers, age 7 (b: 1843), born in Indiana
John Sellers, age 5 (b: 1846), born in Indiana
William Sellers, age 2 (b: 1848), born in Indiana
Isaac Sellers, Born about 1851 in Indiana (added per the 1860 census)
The above census record was taken
on September 2, 1850. We don't know the son John's exact birth date, however,
other records indicate he was born in 1846. Thus this record provides us with
some evidence that his birthday may have been between September and December
of 1846.
The 1860 census for Union Township, Montgomery County, Indiana, doesn't include
the mother Jane, so we can assume she probably passed away between 1851 and
1860. The 1860 census does also include a new nine year old son named Isaac,
so we can assume he was born about 1851.
1860 Crawfordsville Ward #3 #213
William Seller age 44 no occupation all born Indiana
James age 16
John age 13
William age 11
Isaac age 9
Here is a picture of John
and his younger brother William.
Looking at the 1850 census for Union Township in Montgomery County, Indiana,
one also finds several Sellar/er families with two distinct spelling variations
of the Sellars name. These are "Sellar" and "Sellers."
Despite the difference, it is quite possible all these people are related.
The first two of these other Sellar families were listed sequentially in the
census book, which means they lived next door to each other and possibly on
the same farm. On page 374 of the census, one can find the following two families:
The first family listed on this
page was:
John M. Sellar, age 23
(b: 1827), farmer, (couldn't read the birth place)
Harriet J. Sellar, age 26 (b: 1824), (couldn't read the birth place)
Henry C. Sellar, age 2 (b: 1848), born in Indiana
Robert M. Sellar, age 1 (b: 1849), born in Indiana
(Due to the name, age, and proxcimity, this can only be one of the sons
of the James Sellar listed below.)
The second family on this page
was listed as follows:
James Sellar, age 55 (b:
1795)
Mary D. Sellar, age 50 (b: 1700)
Thomas P. Sellar, age 24 (b: 1826), medical student
Marshal H. Sellar, age 23 (b: 1827), farmer
Elizabeth J. Sellar, age 20 (b: 1830)
Eliphalet D. Sellar, (male) age 20 (b: 1830)
Mary S. Barloro (not sure on last name spelling as it was hard to
read), age 13 (1837)
The next listing (on page 429 of
the census) for Union Township was for a John Sellers:
John Sellers, age 23;
born in Kentucky
(Based on the age and place of birth, this is probably a double count of
the John M. Sellar listed on page 374 of the same census.)
Another son of James SELLAR, William A. SELLER shows up on pages 493
and 455 (respectively) of the 1850 and 1860 Walnut, Montgomery County,
Indiana census:
1850 Census - Walnut, Montgomery
County, Indiana, p. 493:
William SELLER, age 26, born in Kentucky
Elizabeth, age 24, born in Ohio
James M. age 4, born in Indiana.
Louisa J., age 2, born in Indiana
1860 Census - Walnut, Montgomery County, Indiana, p. 493:
William A. SELLER, age 36, born in Kentucky
Elizabeth, age 35, born in Ohio
James M. age 14, born in Indiana.
Louisa J., age 12, born in Indiana
From the biography of Marshall
H. SELLER (H.W. Beckwith History; Chicago: HH Hill, 1880; p. 175),
farmer, Crawfordsville, a respectable and good-natured gentleman, was born
Oct. 26 1826. From their names, ages, and proxcimity, we can be fairly certain
that the above James Sellar is the father of the above John M. Sellar. Also,
from the following information, we it is quite certain that James Sellar
is not the father of the William Sellers, age 33 (b: 1817)
listed above with his family. Though due to the names and proxcimity, it is
still very probable that the families are somehow related.
"James Seller, was born
at Harrison County, Kentucky on January 31, 1795. He lived near Dayton,
Ohio awhile, and settled in Montgomery County, Indiana in October 1823.
The country was then new and undeveloped. He first about 240 acres of land,
and when he died (1875) owned 480 acres. Mr. Seller was one of the active
men who built up this county and made the civilization which we now enjoy.
He came from Kentucky in a wagon and was 17 days on the road. They travled
about 10 miles a day and endured the hardships of emigrating to a new country
through forests and swamps without roads. Mr. Seller was county commissioner
at an early day. The first time he ran for the state legislature he was
defeated, but the next time was elected and served one term as Rep. of this
county. He took an active interest in all measures for the good of the people,
and was an intelligent and efficient representative. Mr. Seller was a Captain
in the Black Hawk War, a Whig in politics and elder in the Presbyterian
Church. He was married in 1820 to Mary D. JOHNSTON who was a member
of the Presbyterian church and was b. in 1800. She has had 6 children (probably
not listed in order of age) and they are all living: John M, William
A, Thomas P, Marshall H, Eliphalet D. and Elizabeth J."
This story is added to on page 374 of the same book:
"James M. Seller, attorney, Crawfordsville. James and Mary D. Seller
were natives of Va. and went to Ky, then came to Montgomery Co, In in 1827.
Mr. Seller had been a Capt. in the Black Hawk war. he first came in the
spring and started the clearning and planted a small crop, then returned
to Harrison Co, Ky, hiring a man to erect a hewn-log cabin of fair size
and two stories high. This cabin is now owned by Marshall H. Seller, E.
of Crawfordsville. It has been boarded and ceiled. Into this Mr. and Mrs.
Seller and four children moved in the fall of 1827. They bought 280- acres.
Mr. Seller became quite an active man in politics, first as a whig and later
a republican. he was co. commissioner for several years, and in the winter
of 1843-4 he represented the county in the state legislature. He died Dec.
24, 1874 and his wife is still living. He was an elder in the Presbyterian
church of which mrs. Seller is also a member. William A. Seller, son
of the above was born Sept 20, 1823 in Harrison Co, Ky. He was marr.
Oct 10, 1844 to Elizabeth Wilson, who was b. Nov 24, 1824 in Miami Co, Ohio.
They farmed one year in Walnut township, then two years in Franklin, and
in 1849 they bougth 20 acres of land and added to this till they now own
230. Mr. Seller was first a whig, then democrat and now a national. They
have two children: Louisa J, now mrs. Peterson and James M. James M. Seller,
was born Dec 20, 1845 in montgomery Co, ind. He derived his education from
the common schools and academy. In 1869 he began the study of law with James
McCabe of Williamsport. He further studied with John M. Butler of Crawordsville.
After studying one year he went to Illinois, where he was engaged in teaching
for 3 years and at the same time pursued his studies. Returning to in he
associated himself with John W. Smith for the practice of his profession
in 1872 in Williamsport. In 1874 he located in Crawfordsville wher ehe has
become established. In 1876 he formed a partnership with james Wright and
this firm still continue to do business under the firm name of Wright &
Seller. Mr. Seller is a stunch democrat and in 1880 was a candidate for
the state legistlature. Mr. Seller was marr. May 1, 1877 to Laura Heaton,
daughter of James Heaton Sr one of the oldest settlers in the county. She
was born May 1, 1846. They have had two children: William born June 9, 1878
and an infant (deceased). They Heatons are related to Gen. W.S. Hancock
and figured in the revolution. Mr. Seller is a Mason and an active temperance
worker. Mrs. Seller is a member of the Methodist Church."
This is a Query posted June 17, 1997 by Sherry Mazzetti on the Harrison County,
Kentucky USGenWeb site regarding the will of a John Sellers (who may be the
father of the above James M. Seller):
"Appreciate any info on
JOHN SELLERS Will book A, page 6 Harrison Co-names wife Elizabeth (other
source says she is Elizabeth Finley) and children: Mary, Elizabeth, Jane,
Margaret, Sarah, John, Ruth, James. Written March 21, 1798 and proved
July. Execs. wife, John Adams, James Brown. Witnesses William Adams, James
Thompson. Think it possible that Mary married John McDaniel 1800 in Bracken
Co and that John lived Bracken. Need proof (or help in disproving). Some
of same names appear on land sales in Bracken."
Finally, some other possible relatives
that were included in the 1850 Montgomery County, Indiana cesus:
ISAAC SALLARS 63 PA , page 372
UNION (1787)married Anna Slayback
Anna 54 NJ
Jonathon 18 Oh (1832)
Sarah 15 In (1835)
David 14 In
Ira S. SALLARS 36 Oh , page 372 UNION (born 1813 Butler Co, Ohio)
Nancy 25 Oh (married 9-13-1840 Cass Co, In to Nancy Williams)
Emily 9 In
James M. 5 In
Anna M. 3 In
Nathaniel 6/12 In
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