EARNEST K. BAILEY WROTE: "Grandfather McLennan
came from London - he had one sister and he used to tell me his father
had a clockmaking business in London".
See photograph of Maclennan clock and
notes at the bottom of this page.
ALSOP'S TABLES - Volume II by Jerry David Alsup
1944
CHAPTER XIII
James and John Alsop of Derbyshire
John Alsop was born ca. 1805 in Derbyshire, England, and there he married Mary Fielding, born about 1808, who was a daughter of Samuel Fielding. This marriage took place on 4 November 1827, Glossop Parish, and their first child Levi was born on 17 October 1829, and christened 6 Dec. 1829, at Hadfield, England, Wesleyan Methodist Church. James Alsop, a brother of John, was born in Derbyshire on 30 September 1807, as validated by the court records of DeWitt Co., 111. Keziah, a daughter of John and Mary Alsop was christened at Hadfield 18 Dec. 1831, and died an infant.
After their marriage in England, John and Mary emigrated to the U.S.A. with their son Levi and were living in DeWitt Co., 111. by 1845, as proven by Marriage Book "A", page 64, located in the courthouse in Clinton, Illinois. This is the marriage record of Levi Alsop to Mary M. Barger dated 21 April 1845. Mary was born about 1829. The immigration date has yet to be learned, and it is not known where the Alsops first lived after arriving in America.
James Alsop decided to join his brother and family in DeWitt Co., Illinois. He left England in 1848, and became a lifelong resident of this area. The census of 1850 describes James as living in the household of Joseph H. Johnson, a tavern keeper, and following the trade of a carpenter and cabinet maker. In April 1851, he bought 14 lots in Clinton, 111. for $286, but the purpose for the transaction was not disclosed. As soon as the requirements had been fulfilled, James applied for citizenship and was approved on 21 May 1853.
Marriage Book "B", page 26 of the DeWitt Co. court records discloses the legal union of James Alsop to Mary Ann Malson on 17 February 1857. By I860, they were separated, as she was listed on the census report as living in Clinton in the household of M.V.B. Davis and his wife Elizabeth. Her age was given as 49, and she listed her state of birth as Ohio. James was also living in Clinton, and living in his household were Eliza M. Stallman, age 33 who was born in Pa., and her two children Harry, age 9 born in Maryland, and Alice, age 4 born in 111. At some point during I860, Eliza Stallman gave birth to a son Julius who died on 29 August 1884, but no other details are known about this issue.
On 2 November 1861, James wed Mrs. Stallman, as found in Marriage Book "B", page 295, DeWitt County court records. The ceremony was performed by his brother John, who was an ordained minister. In addition to Julius, the three children bom to James and Eliza were Anna, born ca. 1864, Sherman, born ca. 1866, and Harriet S. "Hattie" born 1870. The Methodist Church of DeWitt Co. has in its old records the statistics of a school built in 1868, and listed among the plasterers and bricklayers was James Alsop. He is not found in any DeWitt Co. record after this period, and the date and circumstances of his death are unknown. In 1880, Eliza Alsop and all of her children were living in Cook Co., Chicago, Illinois. Julius Alsop, son of James and Eliza Alsop, died on 29 August 1884, in Chicago at the age of 24. Eliza Alsop, son Harry W. Stallman, and daughter Harriet S. Alsop were living on 91st St. in Chicago, 111. in 1900. The son Sherman Ulysses Alsop was living, in 1900, with his wife Mary C. at 67 Bennett St., Battle Creek, Michigan. Mrs. Eliza M. Alsop died in Chicago on 7 April 1908, at the age of 81 years. There are present day descendants of Sherman U. Alsop living in Denver, Colorado.
John Alsop and his wife Mary Fielding Alsop, in 1850, were living just outside of Clinton on a farm where they were occupied in agricultural pursuits. Living across the road on his own farm was their only son Levi with his wife Mary and their one year old son Pleasant A. Levi was also involved in farming. John is not found in the 1860 census of DeWitt Co., nor is his son Levi, who moved in the early part of the year with his wife and six children to the Dayton community of Bourbon Co., Kansas.
Mary Alsop, wife of John, died some time prior to 1870, and was buried in Texas Christian Cemetery in DeWitt Co., although her tombstone does not give any dates. John and his second wife Hannah, who was listed in the 1870 enumeration as also being born in England, were reported as living in Texas Township, post office Clinton, and John's real estate was evaluated at $1, 200 with his personal worth estimated at $5/865, while Hannah owned $300 worth of real estate.
Hannah had died by 1874, and left a will which said that she lived the last years of her life with George Armstrong, (relationship unknown) and left property to Eliza Armstrong. She mentions husband as John Alsop. Circumstantial evidence indicates that this marriage was of short duration and rather unsuccessful.
John then married Barbara Smith 9 April 1874, which record is to be found in the DeWitt Co. Courthouse in Book "C", page 48, and the couple signed an agreement recorded in Book 7, page 603, to get married but keep respective properties in their own names. Levi Alsop, only living child of John Alsop, petitioned the DeWitt County Court on 20 March 1876, to have his father declared insane which was approved by a jury appointed by the court. Levi was appointed by the court to handle the estate of his father. These maneuverings by Levi helped create a spiteful dispute between his stepmother Barbara and himself.
Levi and his wife Mary M. Barger Alsop moved from Illinois to Kansas, late in 1859 or early 1860, to try to procure land which would enable them to support an already large and still growing family. They settled in Western Bourbon Co. in Franklin Township where Levi and Mary lived for the rest of their lives. A state census taken five years after their arrival gave their ages as Levi 36, Mary 36, Pleasant 16, Samuel F. 15, Andrew 13, John 12, Mary H. 9, Sarah J. 6, Rose Ann 4, and Levi Henry, 1. Other children born into this family on the following dates were Charles, 16 March 1866; Benjamin Franklin "Frank", 16 January 1868; P.M., February 1870, who died the following month of a hemorrhage; and William H., 26 December 1870. The various census reports (1860-1910) relating to the Alsop
ALSOP'S TABLES VOLUME II - Page 192
On 9 September 1870, Levi Alsop is recorded by the Regis- ter of Land Office Duplicate Book "M", page 237 as claiming the title to 160 acres in western Bourbon Co. described as SE1/2 of S 12, T 24, R 23. Land is also recorded by Levi on 14 June 1871, located as Sec. 12, Twp. 24, Range 21, and the reference is U.S. Patent Book "O", page 84.
When the death of Levi occurred on 24 January 1879, he had not completed the administration of his father's estate which was under the jurisdiction of the legal administration in DeWitt Co., 111. How long John Alsop was confined as mentally incompetent is unknown, but by 1880, he was living in a private residence with Andrew Peters and wife Adeline in DeWitt Co. His occupation was recorded as a retired farmer. Levi had tried very hard as administrator of his father's estate to keep Barbara Smith Alsop from receiving any part of John's property. How- ever, after John's death, the judge decreed that she be given her share. He died on 11 July 1881 without leaving a will. It is not known who was appointed administrator of John's estate after his death, but court records show that his third wife Barbara got her widow's share.
The probate records relating to John Alsop paint a very vivid picture of a multitalented man who had been fairly com- petent in many areas during his earlier days. His personal assets, recorded in the probate records of DeWitt Co., included a listing of the books in his possession at the time of his demise. The list contained church histories, theological institute com- mentaries, encyclopedias, and histories of the reformation. He obviously had a strong educational background and had been a very successful farmer after coming to the United States. His final years seem to have been filled with problems and disori- entation.
Levi Alsop died at age 49 without leaving a will. His survi- vors consisted of his wife, eleven children, and his father. He owned 160 acres of land near Bronson, Bourbon Co., Kansas which was SE 1/2 of S 12, T 24, R 21. He left this land, which was the location of the family residence, to his wife and chil- dren. His older sons were appointed his administrator. He is buried in the Bronson Cemetery.
The oldest son of Levi and Mary, Pleasant A."Pleas" Alsop, was born in DeWitt Co., 111. in 1849, and after his family's move to Kansas, lived the greater part of his life in Bourbon Co. He never married and died on 5 June 1889. His mother Mary was named his only heir.
Samuel Fielding Alsop, born 9 August 1850 in Illinois, reached manhood in Franklin Twp., Kansas where he married Mary Elizabeth Miller on 1 November 1877. They were married at Dry Ridge in Bourbon Co. by George E. Wilcox, M.G. The license was applied for on 23 October of the same year, and Mary gave her age as 21.
On 8 March 1883, Charles Love, administrator of the estate of R. Munday, deceased, conveyed to Samuel F. Alsop and wife Mary 160 acres of land located as the NE1/4 of the NE1/4 of S 13, T 24, R 22. This deed is found in D.B. 35, page 427, along with the transference of 80 acres of this same property to An- drew J. Alsop, brother of Samuel, for $601. Some of this prop- erty was inherited by Samuel's wife Mary, and this estate of inheritance in land was fee simple, meaning that there was no limitation to any class of heirs or restriction upon alienation. Samuel and Mary were the parents of four children: Dana, Vir- gil Fay, Floyd, and Cora Marie. More information will be pre- sented on this family in the next volume.
Andrew Jackson Alsop, known as "A.J.", was born in Illinois on 10 December 1852, and grew up in Bourbon Co., Kan- sas. There he and E. Augusta (Love?) were married, although the marriage record has not been found. A.J. became a partner in the Love Brothers and Co., a business thought to have been located in Fort Scott, Kansas. A.J. died on 20 April 1887, leaving a young widow and an only daughter May. As A.J. Alsop left no will, letters of administration were issued to his business partner, Charles Love, who determined that A.J.'s interest in the company amounted to $5, 333.14 with debts of $3, 170.84 which left an estate of $2, 262.30. After the death of her hus- band, Augusta was remarried to a man named Theodore Learned. The census of 1880, Bourbon Co., Kansas lists Oliver Alsop, age 9 months, as an adopted son of Charles Love. Whose son this was is uncertain.
John E., the third son of Levi and Mary Alsop, was born on 21 January 1854, in DeWitt Co., 111. and lived with his family in Kansas until leaving home in the late 1870's to work as a farm helper in the area. On 21 February 1882, he and Rhonda J. Withers, age 18, were married by O.A. Cheney, Probate Judge, Fort Scott, Bourbon Co., Kansas.
John purchased 40 acres of land from David A. Munger on 16 February 1883, located S 32, T 23, R 22, in Bourbon Co. for $200. This transaction can be found in Book 34, page 115. On 18 May 1883, John and Rhonda sold ten acres of land located in Section 30, Township 23, Range 22 to G. Enzminger by means of a Q.C.D. as recorded in D.B. 37, page 121.
This family was living near Blue Mound, Linn Co., Kansas by 1900, with their son George Alsop who was born February 1888. This town was located only a few miles north of Bronson in Linn Co. which adjoined Bourbon Co. on its southern boundary.
The other two children of Levi and Mary born in Illinois were Mary H., in 1856, and Sarah J., in 1859. Mary, age 20, married Horace L Jennings, age 21, on 14 September 1882. The 1910 census records them as living in the Bronson, Kansas area. Sarah J.'s married name was Dye, although nothing else has been learned about her.
Rose Anna Alsop, the first child of Levi and Mary born in Kansas, is recorded as arriving in the world on 19 December 1861. She lived at home with her parents until the age of 20, then left home to become the bride of Francis Marion Owens, age 23, the wedding taking place on 29 June 1882. After their two daughters. Alma and Blanche, were born. Rose divorced her husband and lived the balance of her life unmarried. She died 28 February 1905. Very little is known of the two daughters, except one of them. Alma, married a Mr. Cawthorn.
NB: This family is continued in Alsops Tables Volume III Part 1 - CLICK HERE
ENDS
Note: The above
information was extracted from the book titled ALSOP'S TABLES
- Volume II by Jerry David Alsup 1944
----------------------------------------------
EK Bailey wrote in 1943:
"..... Grandmother
McLennan (nee Alsop) came from England
but
what part I cannot find out. I have a letter written by her father
James Alsop, dated May 16th 1864, from Clinton in
Dewitt County, State of Illinois in United States and he said he
was going to Chicago in about 4 weeks from the time this letter was
dated and from what I can find out of later years Grandmother never
heard any more after the big fire in Chicago. There is a passage in
this letter reads "by return of your letter I hope to have completed my
machinery which will be the world's propeller for all kinds of power".
This was our Great Grandfather and we have lost all trace of them. By
this letter I have Grandmother's 2 Brothers, Julius
James Alsop and John Hadfield Alsop - one sister Ann Grant Bowden Alsop.
By this letter Grandmother's father wanted her to go to America and he
would pay all expenses by the American ship. Grandmother used to tell
me her father was an inventor, so all I can think he was on Electricity
and I have only found one book on Electricity by a writer Alsop I can't
see any trace of our lost relations in the old days ...... "
(See below: The complete
letter under the heading KOONDROOK, VICTORIA,
AUSTRALIA)
99-06-09 (We) E-mail received
Ron Alsop wrote: Ron Alsop wrote:
Dear David,
Thanks for the mail. You are a wealth of information. Your relationship to brothers John and James Alsop does indeed tie my family with yours. How and where in the world did you get the information about the Levi Alsop family. Some of that I already had, but much of it is new. As I believe I told you sometime back, Levi Alsop is my great-great-grandfather. That would make John Alsop my great-great-great-grandfather; and his brother James, a distant uncle. This gets a bit confusing to me. But it's a wonderful revelation.
In all likelihood, I am the person Jerry Alsup is referring to in Kansas. I recently moved to Missouri (3 years ago). I am a high school assistant principal. Before coming here to Clinton (Missouri), I was a high school principal near Leavenworth, Kansas.
Not to bore you, David, but something about myself: I'm 52 years old; my wife and I have been married 23 years; we have two children: our daughter, Kimberly Lynn Alsop, 20, is a college student, studying accounting; our son, Michael Gordon Alsop, 16, a junior in high school, whose passion is dirt bikes and football.
My father, Harold Dean Alsop, passed away almost two years ago, at the age of 79 years. My mother, Pauline Louise Alsop (Gordon) is living in the Kansas City area. She is 76, and in good health. I have an older brother, Gordon Dean Alsop; and a younger sister, Paula Sue Black (Alsop).
I live outside of the community of Clinton about 12 miles, on 3.5 acres of land. The address is 370 SE 500 Road, Clinton, Missouri 64735. Feel free to snail-mail me sometime.
I am very interested in hearing from you again. Tell me about yourself, your family and where you live. I don't check my e-mail on a timely basis, but rest assured that I will respond to all you send.
Stay in touch, my friend. My best to you and yours.
Best Wishes,
Your distant cousin, Ron.
Ronald Dale Alsop sent the following note about his father:
ALSOP, Harold Dean
b: Jul 31 1917, Bronson, Bourbon Co, KY
d: Jun 18 1997, Fort Scott, Bourbon Co, KS
bur: National Cemetery, Ft. Scott, Bourbon Co, KS
Daily Democrat, Clinton MO - Harold Dean Alsop, 79, Fort Scott, Kansas, died Wednesday, June 18, 1997, at Fort Scott Mercy Hospital. He was born July 31, 1917, in Bronson, Kansas, the son of Virgil and Opal Burt Alsop. He married Polly Gordon February 8, 1941, in Girard, Kansas. She survives of the home. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II, where he received the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, the European Campaign Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Ribbon and one Overseas Service Bar. He worked for 330 years for Herrman Lumber Company, serving as manager for many of those years. He later worked for Leek's Clothing and most recently was employed by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home for more than 10 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Olson-Fray-Burkhart Post 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars, a 50-year member of the Rising Sun Lodge #8 AF&AM, a member of the Scottish Rite, and Mirza Shrine. Survivors include his wife Polly of the home; two sons, Gordon Dean Alsop, Overland Park, Kansas and Ronald Dale Alsop, Clinton; one daughter Paula Sue Black, Stanley, Kansas, and five grandchildren, Kimberly Alsop, Michael Alsop, Spencer Alsop, Morgan Alsop and Hayley Black. Services were Friday, June 20, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Burial was in the U. S. National Cemetery.
--------------------------------------------------
KOONDROOK, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.
April 16th 1943.
My dear Cousin Ivy (nee Jones) and Victor (Larsen),
I received your letter 7.11 .42 after about 3 months so you see it takes some time to reach us the way the world is disturbed. We got the snaps and I can see a lot of resemblance of our cousins here in Victoria. Nell is like my daughter Isabel. June and Pamela are like some of Uncle George McLennan's children. Brian Andrews is like myself when I was about this age and he is like Cousin llean. Uncle Charlie McLennan's daughter's boy. 1 think Cousin Earnest is like the Jones family, very much like what Uncle Jack Jones to me look like it is a good while since I have not seen any of the Jones for years.
Well to tell you what uncles and aunts and cousins on the McLennan side - I will endeavor to let you know the most of them :
(Over 76) Uncle William McLennan and Wife Annie McLennan :
They have 3 children - George, Earnie (Sons) and Zephora, daughter.
All three are married - I think George has 2 children, Ernie 2 and Zephora has two boys I think.
Uncle Charlie McLennan and Wife Minnie :
3 Children ; Raymond (3 children), Leo (Bachelor), Eileen (1 Boy, 2 Married).
Uncle Penfold (McLennan?), who used to call on you years ago has one son in Melbourne. His wife is dead. I have not seen or heard of him since about 191S.
Uncle George McLennan and Bid his Wife :
They have about 7 or 8 in family and about 5 are married. As I have not seen much of them this last 23 years they have all got a bit out of my reckoning so I will endeavour to tell you all the family history as I have known of the Early History of Grandfather and Grandmother and as they reared me (their grandson) after father and mother died when I was just on 8 years old and I can remember if it was only yesterday your dear father and mother was with us then and it was not very long after that your **father went to Africa and I cannot remember how long after mother followed him and I never had the pleasure of seeing them again as your mother* was a mother to me and our Grandmother McLennan (born Alsop) was wonderful, she suffered with asthma for years, and I was about 23 years old when she passed away and I stuck to her till the last as dear Granddad McLennan would give his boots away to anybody in need.
Grandfather McLennan came from London - he had one sister and he used to tell me his father had a clockmaking business in London and when his mother died his Aunt took him and his sister. And then he went to sea and when he arrived back in port she would send him off in another sailing ship and he used to tell me when he was in Africa leading bullock teams as a boy with leather trousers and get a cut with the whip would make him move he always said this Aunt got what money his father had. His sister married a Mr. Penfold and he had a printing works in London. She died and then Penfold got married again (I understand no children) and his children by the second wife were carrying on the business as Uncle Bill made enquiries when he was in London and Uncle Reg was at their office before Grandfather died and Grandfather was wanting to know how his son got treated when he went to London but Uncle Pen now said he told your mother and that's how we got the news about him going to sea.
Grandmother McLennan came from England but what part I cannot find out. I have a letter written by her father James Alsop, dated May 16th 1864, from Clinton in Dewitt County, State of Illinois in United States and he said he was going to Chicago in about 4 weeks from the time this letter was dated and from what I can find out of later years Grandmother never heard any more after the big fire in Chicago. There is a passage in this letter reads "by return of your letter I hope to have completed my machinery which will be the world's propeller for all kinds of power". This was our Great Grandfather and we have lost all trace of them. By this letter I have Grandmother's 2 Brothers, Julius James Alsop and John Hadfield Alsop - one sister Ann Grant Bowden Alsop. By this letter Grandmother's father wanted her to go to America and he would pay all expenses by the American ship. Grandmother used to tell me her father was an inventor, so all I can think he was on Electricity and I have only found one book on Electricity by a writer Alsop I can't see any trace of our lost relations in the old days.
Well Our Cousins, as we are all well here on the farm and we are experiencing a change of Winter I think you have about the same climate as we are in the South Latitude as you so we share about the same sort of weather we ore such Tropical and a very dry area, 14" rain average, we only had one drop of rain in March and April is about settled and we have had only a few showers. We have plenty of water in the channels for irrigation so we have no rain and we have green grass for the cattle. We are on a main highway and we are 3 miles from one town, 12 miles from another and 16 miles from another and the country is flat and we can see a long way - see your neighbors at work 2 to 3 miles away as we have no hills to stop our view.
We grow a lot of oranges, tomatoes, wool, plenty of sheep and cattle and our new industry is rice growing as this war has caused a lot of starvation and Australia will have to do her share of feeding the poor unfortunate people of other parts of the world. I hope by the time you receive this letter the Japs are all driven home again and conquered forever. I am pleased to hear Marjorie's husband is still alive and can only hope he is getting treated as well as can be expected in them places.
Well Ivy, I will conclude with love from us all at Deasdale Farm.
Your loving Cousins, I have turned my 57 years Feb last so I am creeping up.
EARNEST K. BAILEY LILLIAN CHARLOTTE BAILY
3 snaps enclosed.
** James Stretton Jones (Maternal grandfather of David Larsen)
* Zepora Jones (nee McLennan) (Materal grandmother of David Larsen)
(Note: Marjorie's husband
was POW in Italy and later
Germany. He returned to South Africa after the war.)
EARNEST
K. BAILEY WROTE:
"Grandfather McLennan came from London - he had one
sister
and he used to tell me his father had a clockmaking business in London"
The clock shown
below was advertised
for sale by the company W.F. Turk
(Long Case clock made by
Kennith Maclennan)
Long Case clock made by Kennith Maclennan
The above clock was offered for
sale by W.F. Turk: Antique clocks
Antique clock dealer specialising in
clocks dating from 1680 - 1900. Antique clock sales, repair and
restoration.
Prairie Boy (1847-1851) by Ethel Allsop Lorton
From Belper To The Prairie
(DVL has a copy to this book)
NB: This James
Allsop is not related to John and
James Alsop of Derbyshire
John Allsop was born 3 March 1804, in Derbyshire, England. The parish records of this county disclose only one person with this name who was christened during this approximate time. A John Alsop, son of Sarah Alsop, was listed by the Parish of Brassington as being christened on 18 October 1805. This could possibly have been the John who grew up in the town of Belper. Brassington is located about eight miles northwest of Belper and only about three miles north of Hognaston and Hulland Ward where relatives of John Allsop were known to have lived.
Ethel Allsop Lorton great-granddaughter of John Allsop wrote a sixty page book entitled Prairie Boy (1847-1851) in which she describes her emigrant ancestor and his trip from Belper, England to the prairies of central Illinois in the U.S.A. The time period covered in the book is from approximately 1847 to 1851, but this volume also provides information on very early Allsop history as well as data on the more recent descendants of this intrepid pioneer.