William M. McCurdy I

     William M. was born on Monday, 7 March 1803 in Path Valley, Metal Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. In 1822, with his parents, William moved to Mansfield, Ohio. He and his father continued on into Crawford County, found there homestead and built a small cabin. In the early spring of 1823, the family set off from Mansfield to their new home. They had trouble finding the cabin, but eventually did. This was the site that became a family farm and has been in the family since that day. William married Zilpha Matthews on 23 September 1835 in Liberty Township.¹ In his early life, he joined the Presbyterian Church, but around the year 1851, William & Zilpha joined the United Brethren in Christ Church where they remained a member until their death. It has been stated by other church members, if "Mother McCurdy" was not in church, the family needed to be visited for someone was sick. One of Zilpha's favorite sayings was "I am resting on the rock." William had several afflictions for may years which prevented him from getting out.
William and Zilpha resided on a tract of land purchased from the government when William came with his parents to Crawford County. This farm was located on McCurdy Road by the river crossing in Liberty Township. They had twelve children. Several died at birth or very young but no record of their birth, death or burial can be found. It has also been noted that William & his two sons: William W. & Thomas J. were ministers. The children of William and Zilpha were: Francis Elisha [5/30/1837-4/24/1909][m. 12/27/1866 Marietta Ramsey], James Newton [9/031838-1/10/1918][m. 11/17/1868 Malisa Lower], William Washington [2/19/1840-4/05/1914][m. 3/12/1866 Ann Elizabeth Gowing] , Mary Jane [1843-10/__/1877], Sarah R. V. [1848-][m. 1/15/1885 James E. Fuller], Thomas J. [1852-4/04/1881][m. 4/02/1871 Mary Parcher], Joseph Donald [1854-][m. 6/29/1878 Dorothea A. Vought]. The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates [L-3] the family of William McCordy [300011:10101].² 3 September 1850, William and his wife, Zilpha, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were William McCurdy [46 Pennsylvania], his wife" Zilpha [35 Ohio], children: Elisha [14 Ohio], James N. [12 Ohio], William W. [10 Ohio], Mary Jane [7 Ohio], & Sarah R. [1 Ohio].³ 28 June 1860, William and his wife, Zilpha, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were William McCurdy [56 Pennsylvania], his wife: Zilpha [45 Ohio], children: William W. [20 Ohio], Sarah R. [12 Ohio], Thomas [8 Ohio], Joseph D. [6 Ohio], & domestic: Matilda Reed [21].⁴ 1 July 1870, William and his wife, Zilpha, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were William McCurty [67 Pennsylvania - retired farmer], & his wife: Zilpha [55 Ohio], Joseph D. [15 Ohio].⁵ William's wife, Zilpha, died on 4 October 1877 in Liberty Township leaving him a widower. 19 June 1880, William was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were William McCurdy [77 Pennsylvania]. & his daughter: Sarah [31 Ohio].⁶ William made his will on 17 October 1881 at Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio.

In the name of the Benevolent Father of all I, William McCurdy being of sound mind do herein make and publish my last will and testament in the terms and bequests following, to-wit, after the payment of debts and expenses I bequeath to Mary McCurdy, wife of Francis E. McCurdy the sum of three hundred dollars. I will and bequeath to Melissa McCurdy, wife of James N. McCurdy the sum of four hundred dollars. I bequeath to Wm W. McCurdy the sum of four hundred dollars. I bequeath to Joseph D. McCurdy the sum of four hundred dollars. I will and bequeath to Sarah R. V. McCurdy four hundred dollars. I will and bequeath the living children of Thomas J. McCurdy and Mary McCurdy, his wife, the sum of one hundred dollars to be divided equally among the said children and paid to each one his or her equal share of the one hundred dollars when they arrive at lawful age. The amount in the last bequest is to be without interest. Now should the proceeds of the estate not be sufficient to meet the bequests herein above specified then all but the last one hundred dollars are to be proportionally diminished and should the estate amount to more than the amounts herein above bequeathed then all except the last hundred dollars bequest are to be proportionally increased.
And I hereby appoint William W. McCurdy (my son) Executor of this my last will.
In testimony thereof I sign this instrument in presence of J. B. Squires and Wm Chandler who also sign it in my presence as witnesses.
Willian McCurdy
Oct 17^th 1881
Signed in presence of John B. Squires, William B. Chandler.⁷

William departed this life on Friday, 27 July 1883 in Liberty Township at age 80 years, 4 months and 20 days. He was buried there in Crall Cemetery (Liberty Chapel). William was buried in grave no. 241. His will was probated on 23 April 1885. The final dispersal of his estate was the 21st of March 1888.