The Estate of Jacob Switzer :: Widow's Allowance

There were three men (actually four, another has been found) with the name of Jacob Switzer who resided in Columbiana County, Ohio during the 1805-1860 time period. This estate file is for the Jacob Switzer who is my 4th great-grandfather and who married first Catherine Brinker (in 1811, the mother of his children) and second Leathy Bricker (in 1853). Jacob died on November 2, 1859.



Text within square brackets [ ] has been added to indicate difficult to read words.



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The deceased having left a widow, we set off to her the following property, without appraising the same as directed by Statute.

one Lew [?] plate [?] Stove one Family Bible all the Books in Library one Cow all wearing apparel all Beds Bedsteads & Bedding Necessary Cooking Utensils The Clothing of the Family The Clothes and ornaments of the widow The wearing apparel of the deceased one Table Six Chairs Six knives and forks Six plates Six Tea cups and Saucers one Sugar dish one Milk Pot one Tea pot 12 Spoons

Widow's Allowance. Property not appraised.Estate of Jacob Switzer. Probate Packet 4962Columbiana County, Ohio

The following is a schedule of property [illegible word], belonging to the estate of Jacob Switzer deceased, set off by the undersigned for the support of Leathy Switzer his widow,

2 Hog's 21 ½ Ton of Hay 4 Bushels old Corn 4 Bushels Potatoes [???] Cash (there being no other property of a suitable kind to set off [total]	14.00 15.00 3.721 .80 225.00 $258.521

Widow's Allowance. Appraised property.Estate of Jacob Switzer. Probate Packet 4962Columbiana County, Ohio

A special place

One of my wildflower society friends took us to explore her friends' land.


There were hundreds of young Trout Lily leaves (Erythronium americanum).


Close-up of the bloom.


Shooting stars! Tons! (Dodecatheon meadia.) I've never seen so many in one place.


So cool.


I wasn't familiar with these, but was assured that they are Carolina Lilies (Lilium michauxii). Not blooming yet.


Not your ordinary ginger. Shuttleworth's, I think. (Hexastylis shuttleworthii.)


Cranefly orchid leaves. (Tipularia discolor). Waaaay more than usual.


I'd heard of Yellowroot before - it's a traditional medicinal plant - but had never seen it blooming. I love the burdundy color. (Xanthorhiza simplicissima.)

Also in the area...


No idea what it is, except a pretty white tree.


Bloom where you're planted...? Yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta).


A Verbena, growing in a roadside ditch.

Turkey Feast at Rich and Donna's

Rich and Donna invited Nathan, Ava and I to their place for dinner. Dinner doesn't really cover it though because she really made a full Thanksgiving feast. She had so much there, I could even fully remember all she cooked for us so I took this from her blog:

Hors d'oeuvres included fresh carrots, celery and tomatoes with ranch dipping, and crackers -and cheese.


Pre - dinner cocktails: Your choice of straberry dacquari, pina colada, marguarita, wine or beer

Dinner include a 13 lb turkey, beautifully browned and perfectly moist with sausage stuffing, ( that's the dish with the foil still on it!) mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, fresh rolls and cranberry bread, and cranberry sauce.



Unfortunately I had to take the pictures from her blog also, because they were not on Nathan's phone when I went to get them. Not sure what I did wrong there, but I sure am glad that she had some.





This was a wonderful treat for me, because I did not get Thanksgiving dinner this past year due to having strep throat on that day. Donna more than made up for it because everything was fabulous!



After dinner we headed to the pickleball courts which is always an interesting experience for Donna and I. We hobbled along, while the guys barely broke a sweat. We had great fun though! I love nights like this and we sure have been spoiled by them since we have been at The Villages!



On a completely unrelated note, our poor girl came back from her nightly walk with green feet! I'm not sure what was on the grass to make her feet look this way but she was not a happy camper and I imagine it is probably not a healthy thing for her to be walking on grass that produces this result:

A Change of Scenery

On the day of my arrival, the temperature reached a scorching 68°F and the sun came out for the entire afternoon! Yes, summer is in full swing in Northern Ireland. I have relocated here temporarily - to the countryside along the coast, not far from the city of Derry and the town of Limavady. As I write this, a sheep is looking over my shoulder. A mountain looms in the distance. And the breeze is so gentle, I am almost tempted to remove my wool blazer.




What am I doing here? Mostly two things: writing and riding. I've brought over my roadbike and I have a Brompton on loan from the lovely Chris Sharp. The nearest town is 3.5 miles away. The nearest mountain is just around the corner.




The food situation is pretty straightforward. There is plenty of fish in the Lough Foyle and berries in Ballykelly Forest. In a pinch, there is also the Tesco down the road.




I am still getting my bearings after 2 days of no sleep, but posting should be pretty regular. The wifi is fired up and working splendidly, so long as I add coal every half hour or so.




Later this afternoon I am off to watch a time trial. What more could a girl ask for?

The Fairy Parasol

The Fairy Parasol shoots up to the sky after the recent rainfall we have had. This is one of many mushrooms I have found on the way that other walkers have failed to see..

Jefferson, Ohio to Reading Center, New York

Along the canal from Foxton Locks

Wednesday 13 April. With Harry, Esther and Joseph in the buggy. 6.37 miles according to the new toy, at an average speed of 2 miles per hour - strolling,, taking pics etc



Chilly wind day. Large amount of cheese in the ploughman's at Foxton Locks Inn!