Rutha Lucinda Ridgely

     Rutha Lucinda was born on Sunday, 13 November 1803 in Buckeye Town District, Frederick County, Maryland. She was most likely named after her paternal grandmother & her aunt Rutha Lucinda. She often went by the nick names Ruth and Lucy. John moved from Pennsylvania to Crawford County, Ohio with his parents.¹ Rutha Lucinda married John Bair summer of 1822 in Jefferson Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Their marriage is noted as being the first or second marriage in Jefferson Township. Two or three of their children were born there in Crawford County. They then removed to St. Joseph County, Michigan & then on to Newburg Township, Cass County, Michigan in 1832. John & Ruth had children: Elizabeth [2/02/1826-12/10/1903][johnson Driskell], Mary [2/19/1828-6/24/1903][m. 1844 Dennis Driskell] , Asa [8/25/1830-11/06/1895], John [10/05/1832-1/16/1900][m. 8/16/1855 10/05/1908 Polly Ann Currier], Nancy [1833-7/16/1891][m. 10/30/1850 Daniel G. Bridge & 2nd 5/29/1884 Herman Kohl], Harriett Ann [1/23/1835-4/16/1902][m. Leander Bridge], Joseph [11/22/1837- 5/13/1893 [deaf & dumb][buried with his parents], Ruthina Mariam [1/11/1842-2/2/1907][m. 12/15/1872 George Moore], Myron [1846-4/28/1923] and Jonathan [1848-before 1860]. Rutha's husband, John, died on 13 April 1849 in Newburg Township leaving her a widow. 26 September 1850, Rutha was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Newburg Township, Cass County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Ruth Bear [48 Maryland], children: Nancy [17 Michigan], Asa [20 Michigan], Harriet [15 Michigan], Joseph [12 Michigan], Ruth [7 Michigan], Myrah [4 Michigan], & Jonathan [2 Michigan].² 5 July 1860, Rutha was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Newburg Township. Enumerated in this household were Ruth Bair [56 Maryland], her children: Ruth A. [17 Michigan], Myron [15 Michigan], John [12 Michigan], Joseph [23 Michigan - deaf & dumb].³ 15 August 1870, Rutha was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Newburg Township. Enumerated in this household were Ruth Bear [66 Maryland], Joseph [32 Michigan], Ruthinia [24 Michigan], John [21 Michigan], William Philips [24 Canada], George Moore [26 New York] & Francis J. D. Earl [17 Canada]. Ruth has real property valued at $3000 and personal property valued at $100. John is a farmer with real property valued at $3000 and personal property at $600. William and Francis are Farm Laborers and George works for the railroad.⁴ Rutha departed this life on Monday, 14 November 1870 in Newburg Township at age 67 years and 1 day.⁵ She was buried there in the Hutchins Cemetery. The inscription on her tombstone reads: Ruth - wife of John Bair - Died Nov. 14, 1870 - Aged 67 years.