John Bock 1801-1877 (111100)

Fayette County PA

John Bock was born about 1801 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, to Michael Bock and Margaret (Crouser) Bock, the sixth of twelve children. His connection to his parents is confirmed by his death record from Marion County, West Virginia, which identifies his father as Michael Bock. His birth date (b. abt. 1801) comes from Census data.


His connection to his father is also confirmed by his father’s pension records. After Michael’s death, John became the administrator of his estate, and applied to the court for any pension money left to his father. This pension record names all of John’s siblings as well.

His family had moved to Harrison County, (now West) Virginia shortly after John was born, by about 1805. There he grew up and married. John was probably married twice. His first wife is believed to have been Elizabeth Baker, by whom he had his first four children:

Lafayette Bock b. 1828 Harrison County (W)VA: d. 13 Jul 1858 Marion, (W)VA; never married
Martin M. Bock b. 1829 Harrison County (W)VA; d. 10 Sep 1894 Marion (W)VA
John S. Bock b. 1831 Harrison County (W)VA; d.  02 Jun 1856 Marion (W)VA; never married
Nancy Bock b. 1831 Harrison County (W)VA; d. 8 Nov 1916 Farmington, Marion, West Virginia; m. Aba Cunningham 1853

John is listed living next to his brothers (Michael Jr., David, Solomon and Nicholas), and his father (therein called Michael Sr), in the 1830 Census.

John Bock in his own household for the 1830 Census in Harrison County, Virginia.

1830 United States Federal Census

Name:	John Bock
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):	Western District, Harrison, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:	2
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:	1
Free White Persons - Under 20:	2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	2
Total Free White Persons:	4
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):	4

John Bock in the 1840 Census, in Harrison County, Virginia.

1840 United States Federal Census

Name:	John Bock
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):	Harrison, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:	2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:	2
Persons Employed in Agriculture:	4
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write:	2
Free White Persons - Under 20:	3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	3
Total Free White Persons:	6
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:	6

The part of Harrison County in which he lived (the southern half) became Marion County in 1842. So, it was in Marion County that John met and married his second wife. Elizabeth must have died shortly after her last child was born, he married Mahala Ensminger. Their marriage certificate confirms Mahala's maiden name, Ensminger, and gives date and place of marriage, 14 Oct 1845 Marion County VA(WV). 

John and Mahala had the following children:
Mary Ann Bock b. 1848 Marion County VA(WV)
Lindsay Bock (m) b. 1849 Marion County VA(WV)
William W. Bock b. 1851 Marion County VA(WV)
Michael Leon Bock b. 1855 Marion County VA(WV)
Martha Bock b. 1857 Marion County VA(WV)


In 1848, John and Mahala were involved in a deed as part of the probate process on land that belonged to Nicholas Bock, John’s brother. It names John’s siblings as heirs of Nicholas, who must have died without issue:

Michael Bock and others }
2 } Deed
David Bock }
This Indenture made this 5th day of May in the year 1848, between Michael Bock and Hannah his wife Nicholas Bock and Amelia his wife, John Bock and Mahala his wife, Solomon Bock and Margaret his wife, Abigal Shaver, Mary Bock, Sally Bock, George Ensminger and Margaret his wife of the first part and David Bock of the seond part, all of the county of Marion and state of Virginia. Witnesseth that the said parties of the first for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar to them in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath granted, bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain sell alien enscoff release and confirm unto the said David Bock his heirs and assigns forever, all their right title interest and claim as heirs at law of Nicholas Bock dec’d in and to a certain lot or piece of land, lying and being in the county of Marion and state of Virginia, situate on the waters of Helens run, adjoining lands of John Bock, Michael Bock & others, and is bounded as follows towit, beginning at a white oak corner to Donone? & Cuningham and runing South 81 1/2 W 1111 poles to a stake thence N 57 W 92 1/2 poles to a Hickory thence N 160  111 3/4 poles to a chestnut oak stump, thence N 73 E 16 to a white oak stump thence N 62 - 68 poles to a white oak, thence N 71 1/2 E 32 to a white oak S 410 W 26 to a hickory S by E 76 to a chesnut oak, N 10 E 31 !/2 to the Begining containing Eighty seven and a half acres. To have and to hold the above described premises with the appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise appurtaining to the only proper use, benefit and behoof of him the said David Bock his heirs and assigns forever, and the said Michaeal Bock & Hannah his wife, Nicholas Bock and Amelia his wife, John Bock an Mahala his wife, Solomon Bock and Margaret his wife, Mary Bock, Sally Bock, Abigal Shaver, George Ensminger and Margaret his wife, for themselves and their heirs do hereby covenant to and with the said David Bock Bock (sic) his heirs and assigns that they will forever covenant and defend the above described promises to the said David Bock his heirs or assigns ever from the claim or claims of all persons claiming the same by through or under them.
In Testimony whereof the said Michael Bock & Hannah his wife, Nicholas Bock & Amelia his wife, John Bock & Mahala his wife, Solomon Bock and Margaret his wife, Mary Bock, Sally Bock, Abigal Shaver, George Ensminger and Margaret his wife, have hereunto set there hands and affixed their seals the day and year above written.

Nicholas (his X mark) Bock 
Amelia (her + Mark) Bock
Solomon (his + mark) Bock
Margaret (her X mark) Bock
John Bock
Mahlia (X) Bock
George (his X mark) Entsminger
Margaret (^) Enstminger
Abigal (}) Shaver
Sarah (his X mark) Bock
Mary (hir X mark) Bock
Marion County Court:
We John Michael and H. T. Morgan Justice of the Peace in the county aforesaid in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that Nicholas Bock, Solomon Bock, John Bock, George Entsminger, Abigal Shaver, Sarah Bock and Mary Bock parties to the within deed, bearing date fifth day May 1848 and hereunto ???? formally appeared before me in our county office, siad and acknowleged the same to be their act and deed and desire us to cirtify the said deed may be recorded. 

Verdant Marion County, West Virginia

It is interesting to note that John’s sister, Margaret, also married an Ensminger, George. Margaret’s husband may have been the brother of Mahala (Ensminger) Bock, John’s wife. It is also interesting to note that this deed names the watercourse near which the family lived, Helen’s Run, which is a tributary of the Monongahela River. Helen’s Run is within two miles of Farmington, and within five miles of Morgantown.


In 1850 he is still living in Marion County VA, with his wife Mahala and the children. Living near him are sister Sarah, and brother Solomon Bock.

John Bock with his family in the 1850 Census in Marion County, (now West) Virginia.

1850 United States Federal Census

Name:	John Bock
Age:	49
Birth Year:	abt 1801
Birthplace:	Pennsylvania
Home in 1850:	Western District, Marion, Virginia
Race:	See Image
Gender:	Male
Family Number:	760
Household Members:	Name Age John Bock 49 Mahala Bock 37 Lafayette Bock 22 Martin Bock 21 John S Bock 19 Mancy Bock 19 Mary Ann Bock 2 Lindsay Bock 0

In 1860, they are still living in Marion County, and Mahala's mother, Margaret (Crouser) Ensminger is living with them.

John Bock with his family in the 1860 Census in Marion County, (now West) Virginia. The last member listed here, Margaret Ensminger, was Mahala's 71 year old mother.

1860 United States Federal Census

Name:	John Boch
Age in 1860:	59
Birth Year:	abt 1801
Birthplace:	Pennsylvania
Home in 1860:	District 6, Marion, Virginia
Gender:	Male
Post Office:	Farmington
Household Members:	Name Age John Boch 59 Mahala Boch 46 Martin Boch 30 Mary A Boch 14 William Boch 8 Michael Boch 6 Martha Boch 5 Margaret Ensminger 70

John Bock with his family in the 1870 Census in Marion County, (now West) Virginia.

1870 United States Federal Census

Name:	John Bock
Age in 1870:	69
Birth Year:	abt 1801
Birthplace:	Pennsylvania
Home in 1870:	Lincoln, Marion, West Virginia
Gender:	Male
Post Office:	Fairmont
Household Members:	Name Age John Bock 69 Mahala Bock 55 Martin M Bock 38 William Bock 18 Michael Bock 15 Martha Bock 13

Marion County Deaths pg. 70 1875 - 1884 BOCK, John died: 4/14/1877 age: n/g parents: Michael & n/g wife: Mahala son: M.M. [Martin M.] Bock

His death record gives his date and place of death, and his wife's and his father's name. The informant was his son Martin M. Bock:

West Virginia, Deaths Index, 1853-1973

Name:	John Bock
Birth Place:	Marion Co
Death Date:	14 Apr 1877
Death Place:	Marion County, West Virginia
Gender:	Male
Father Name:	Michael
FHL Film Number:	464957

It is still uncertain where he was buried.

William Thatcher Hiatt 1821-1885 (11000)

William Thatcher Hiatt was born 11 May 1821 in Fleming County, Kentucky. He was the first of two sons born to Thatcher Hiatt and his wife Esther (Hunt) Hiatt. William's father, Thatcher, was in Fleming Kentucky for the 1820 & 1830 Federal Censuses. In the mid-1830s, William's father abandoned his family, and divorced his wife Esther. He left their two sons with her, and moved to Ohio. Shortly afterward, Thatcher remarried and started a second family in Ohio.


William Thatcher Hiatt is one of the two boys between 15 and 19 who were enumerated with their mother in the 1840 Federal Census.  By the 1850 Federal Census, twenty nine year old William T. Hiatt and his brother, the 25 year old Josiah A. Hiatt, can be found in their own households. Esther was enumerated in the home of her son by a previous marriage, Joel Markwell.

In 1841, William Thatcher Hiatt fell in love and married Lavina Hedges. A Fleming County, Kentucky marriage record was recorded for them:

William Thatcher met and married Lavina Hedges in Fleming County KY:
Marriage Records of Fleming County, Kentucky 1798-1851
Name: William Hyatt
Spouse: Lavina Hedges
Marriage Date: 24 Jun 1841

William Thatcher and Lavina (Hedges) Hiatt had the following children:
1) Nancy Ellen Hyatt b. 13 Jul 1842 Fleming, KY; m. ? Gillespie
2) George Washington Hyatt b. 13 Feb 1844 Fleming, KY; m. Georgia Ann LNU
3) Rosannah W. Hyatt b. 1845 Fleming, KY
4) William Wallace Hyatt b. 1847 Fleming, KY; d. 7 May 1919 Fleming, KY; m. Rosa Carolina Roberts
5) Mary Elizabeth Hyatt b. 1849 Fleming, KY
6) Ann Eliza Hyatt b. 1851 Fleming, KY
7) Sarah Hyatt b. 13 May 1853 Hillsboro, Fleming, KY (twin)
8) Jonathan Edgar Hyatt b. 13 May 1853 Hillsboro, Fleming, KY (twin); d. 1910 Bath, KY; m. Matilda Jane Hawkins
9) Loran Ernest Hyatt b. 12 Jun 1855 Fleming, KY; d. 6 Jun 1914 Fleming, KY; m. Joyce Roberts
10) Richard Thurston Hyatt b. 3 Jun 1857 Fleming, KY; d. 17 Jan 1935 Akron, Summit, Ohio; m. Hadassah Jane May
11) Robert A. Hyatt b. 4 Oct 1859 Fleming, KY; d. 17 Feb 1931 Fleming, KY
12) Lavina Jane Hyatt b. 15 Oct 1861 Mason, KY; d. 17 Dec 1915; m. Robert Hawkins
13) Jennie Hyatt b. 1862 KY

The 1850 Census Record says his occupation was "Shoe Maker." Later census records identify him as a farmer. It was not uncommon in early American history for a man to hold down several occupations, particularly among those who migrated into the great frontier. A variety of skills were necessary in order to prosper in the wilderness. William and Lavina show up with their growing family in the 1850, 1860 & 1870 Census in District 2, Fleming County, KY.

1850 United States Federal Census

Name:	William T Hiatt
Age:	29
Birth Year:	abt 1821
Birthplace:	Kentucky
Home in 1850:	Division 2, Fleming, Kentucky
Gender:	Male
Family Number:	504
Household Members:	Name Age William T Hiatt 29 Lavina T Hiatt 28 Nancy E Hiatt 7 George W Hiatt 6 Rosana H Hiatt 4 William W Hiatt 3 Mary E Hiatt 0 Sarah Jane Gilkison 17

1860 United States Federal Census

Name:	William T Hyatt
Age in 1860:	39
Birth Year:	abt 1821
Birthplace:	Kentucky
Home in 1860:	District 2, Fleming, Kentucky
Gender:	Male
Post Office:	Flemingsburg
Household Members:	Name Age William T Hyatt 39 Lavina J Hyatt 39 Nancy E Hyatt 18 George W Hyatt 16 Rosannah H Hyatt 15 William W Hyatt 13 Mary E Hyatt 11 Ann E Hyatt 9 Johithan E Hyatt 8 Loran E Hyatt 6 Richard T Hyatt 4 Robert A Hyatt 10/12

William Hiatt served during the Civil War, on the Union side, as a Saddler in the 10th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry.

U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865

Name:	William Hyatt
Side:	Union
Regiment State/Origin:	West Virginia
Regiment Name:	10 W. Va. Inf.
Regiment Name Expanded:	10th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry
Company:	F
Rank In:	Private
Rank In Expanded:	Private
Rank Out:	Private
Rank Out Expanded:	Private
Alternate Name:	William/Wyatt
Film Number:	M507 roll 6

It is recorded on the official Civil War site for the National Park Service that William T. Hiatt was  a Saddler in the 10th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry. As a leather worker, who was familiar with the process of tanning, and sewing heavy leather boots and shoes, it would have been a relatively easy transition to become a saddle and harness maker.

Hiatt, William T.

Regiment Name: 10th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry

Side: Union:
Company: C
Soldier's Rank In: Saddler
Soldier's Rank Out: Saddler
Alternate name:
Film Number: M386 roll 13

A brief history of the 10th Regiment on that site gives the following curt description:

"Duty about Mt. Sterling, Ky., and in the District of Central Kentucky, scouting and operating against guerrillas and protecting that part of the State, till September, 1863. Skirmish near Florence, Ky., September 8, 1862. Expedition to East Tennessee December 24, 1862, to January 1, 1863. Parker's Mills, on Elk Fork, December 28, 1862. Operations against Cluke's forces February 18-March 5, 1863. Coomb's Ferry February 22. Slate Creek, near Mt. Sterling, and Stoner's Bridge, February 24. Slate Creek, near Mt. Sterling, March 2. Operations against Pegram March 22-April 1. Mt. Sterling March 22. Operations against Everett's Raid in Eastern Kentucky June 13-23. Triplett's Bridge, Flemming County, June 16. Operations against Scott's forces July 25-August 6. Richmond July 28. Lancaster and Paint Creek Bridge July 31-August 1. Smith's Shoals, Cumberland River, August 1. Duty at Mt. Sterling till September. (2nd Battalion served detached in District Eastern Kentucky. Expedition from Beaver Creek into Southwest Virginia July 3-11, 1863. Gladesville, Va., July 7.) Regiment mustered out September 17, 1863.

"Regiment lost during service 13 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 61 Enlisted men by disease. Total 75."

[http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/index.htm]

U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles

Name:	William T Hiatt
Enlistment Date:	8 Aug 1862
Rank at enlistment:	Saddler
Enlistment Place:	Covington, KY
State Served:	Kentucky
Service Record:	Enlisted in Company C, Kentucky 10th Cavalry Regiment on 09 Sep 1862.
Sources:	Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kentucky

Ancestry.com gives the following history of the regiment:
Regimental History
Tenth Cavalry
KENTUCKY
(3-YEARS)
Tenth Cavalry. -- Cols., Joshua Tevis, Charles J. Walker;
Lieut.Col. Ralph R. Maltby; Majs., James L. Foley, William A.
Doniphan, John Mason Brown, James M. Taylor.

This regiment was raised by Col. Tevis and organized at Maysville during the summer of 1862. In July, August and September it was at Covington, but did not encounter the enemy until the battle of Perryville.

The 10th Cavalry remained in Kentucky during the principal part of its service, though in the work of driving the enemy from the state it once entered Tennessee and was once in Virginia. On December 25, 1862, one battalion under Maj. Brown went on an expedition through London and Barboursville to Big Creek gap, and engaged numerous skirmishes. Another battalion proceeded on to Perkins' Mill, Tennessee, where it encountered the enemy. They had a sharp fight, which resulted in complete success. They captured 51 prisoners, 80 horses and 200 muskets.

The courthouse at Mt. Sterling, under encampment during the Civil War. William Thatcher Hiatt may have been among the troops in the camp at this time. [Massachusetts Commandery Military Order of the Loyal Legion and the US Army Military History Institute,vol. 95, p. 4877].

In March, 1863, Col. Cluke's command crossed Cumberland River at Stigall's ferry below Somerset and made its way to Richmond, Winchester, Mt. Sterling and other points. The 10th Cavalry engaged in opposing Col. Cluke's men. They advanced from Crab Orchard and skirmished at Lancaster. Then, pursuing on, they encountered Cluke's men at a great many points, among them a fight about half way from Winchester to Mt. Sterling, where Maj. Brown checked a fierce attack, and the 44th Ohio coming up, the enemy fled.

The maps shows where the Battle of Perryville was fought.

Col. Cluke was charged and driven out of Winchester, then by feigning to go to Paris he directed the Federal forces in that direction, and returned to Mt. Sterling where he fell upon a portion of the 10th under Capt. Ratcliffe, who defended themselves from houses. Cluke resorted to the torch, and after

Showing the vicinity of Mt. Sterling in
reference to Fleming County, home of W. T. Hiatt.

burning the place captured Ratcliffe and paroled him and his men. Finally the regiment cooperating with a force under Col. Sanders, of the 5th KY Cavalry succeeded in driving Cluke to Virginia.

It was a portion of the 10th under Maj. Brown, which captured Gen. Humphrey Marshall's "artillery". The regiment was mustered out Sept. 17 1863, at Maysville Ky.
[Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 352]

Battles Fought
Fought on 17 Sep 1862.
Fought on 22 Mar 1863 at Mount Sterling, KY.
Fought on 16 Jun 1863 at Triplett's Bridge, KY.
Fought on 3 Jul 1863.
Fought on 28 Jul 1863 at Richmond, KY.

We can see from this that William spent the war years patrolling and engaging in skirmishes in Kentucky, not far from his home. Fighting battles so near to home would have made it clear to the men that they were fighting to protect their families and neighbors. How much more sympathetic we can feel to realize how personal the war had become for our ancestors.

One interesting record gives a little color to William's history:

"Hiatt, William T. Saddler C under arrest for shooting a citizen"

This was undoubtedly an accidental shooting during one of the many skirmishes that William's regiment fought. The unfortunate incident must have been resolved, or his widow would not likely have been given a pension. We know that Lavina did file for a widow's pension, and that it was approved by 1891 (see below).

In the 1870 Census, we find William with his family near Mt. Carmel, in Fleming County, Kentucky. 

1870 United States Federal Census

Name:	W T Hyatt
Age in 1870:	49
Birth Year:	abt 1821
Birthplace:	Kentucky
Home in 1870:	MT Carmell, Fleming, Kentucky
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Post Office:	MT Carmell
Household Members:	Name Age W T Hyatt 49 Lavin Hyatt 48 William Hyatt 23 Rosanna Hyatt 20 Jno E Hyatt 18 Loran Hyatt 15 Richard Hyatt 13 Robert Hyatt 12 Carter Asbury 19 Martin Hicks 18 Gustavus Foudray 17 Wallace Foudray 23

After William's family names are listed, there were four more names listed in the household. These four men were boarders who were staying with the Hyatts while working on the turnpike road. William, himself, was also working on the turnpike road. The "turnpike road" was the name given for an "artificial road"--a constructed roadway, as opposed to the natural dirt roads that were the most common road surface of the time.

Typical Turnpike Road of the period

Turnpike roads were paid for by private investors, and in part by the state government, who were investing in the future. Road surfaces were notoriously bad in the early 1800s, with ruts, stumps and pools of mud that could become several feet deep. Getting crops and manufactured goods to market was a ridiculously difficult process, causing constant delays. Those who invested in the turnpike companies hoped the reliable roads would increase business and profits.

They would recoup their costs, and receive a return on their investment through tolls that would be charged for use of the new road. Included in the construction were tollhouses built at intervals of about five miles along the roadway, which included a gate across the road. Toll keepers resided in these houses, and collected tolls from those passing by on the road. Those who attempted to avoid the tolls by detouring through neighboring farmland were given steep fines, for that day, of $15 plus court costs.

The turnpike roads were built and later repaired by teams of trained workers, among which were William Thatcher Hiatt and his three eldest sons (George, William and Jonathan E.). The workers leveled any hills, and built up any depressions to make as level a surface and as straight a path as possible. They also built bridges over the watercourses. The road was built twenty one feet wide, of a convex surface that was about three inches higher in the middle than on either side. The surface consisted of stones no bigger than two and a half inches wide.

In order to achieve a uniformity of size for these stones, a large iron sieve was placed above the road surface. This sieve had holes two and a half inches in diameter. Locally quarried stones were thrown into the sieve, then beaten with three pound hammers to break them down to size. When enough stone had been added to the surface in one place, the sieve would be moved to the next, until the entire road was covered several inches deep.

By the 1870 census, the turnpike road from Mt. Carmel, where the Hiatt family lived, to Flemingsburg, which was the heart of Fleming County, had already been in use for over a decade. At this point, workers would have been employed repairing sections of the road that had washed out, or had developed potholes through weather and heavy use. It would have been hard work, but would have paid well. William was undoubtedly earning a seasonal wage that would have supplemented his farm production to help support the family after the difficult loses during the Civil War.

By 1880, the family had moved, and can be found in the Census in Bethel, Bath County, KY. Once again, William is listed as a farmer.

1880 United States Federal Census

Name:	William Hiatt
Age:	59
Birth Year:	abt 1821
Birthplace:	Kentucky
Home in 1880:	Bethel, Bath, Kentucky
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Relation to Head of House:	Self (Head)
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	Lavina Hiatt
Father's Birthplace:	Kentucky
Mother's Birthplace:	Kentucky
Occupation:	Farmer
Household Members:	Name Age William Hiatt 59 Lavina Hiatt 58 Richard Hiatt 22 Robert A. Hiatt 20 Jennie Hiatt 18 Edgar Hiatt 27 Matilda Hiatt 17 William W. Hiatt 31 Rosa Hiatt 26 Lavina Hiatt 8 Ella Hiatt 1 William Hiatt 5 Robert Hiatt 4 William Campbell 6

William Thatcher Hiatt's gravestone gives both his birth (11 May 1821) and death (18 Mar 1885) dates. Lavina was left a widow for several years after his death. There is an 1890 Veterans Schedule Record for "Lovinia Hiatt", widow of William T. Hiatt which shows that she was a pensioner as a widow of a soldier who served during the Civil War. Another record shows that "Louvine J. Hiatt" received a widow's pension on 2 Dec 1891. Since this was several months after her death, it is likely that her children received this final installment. William and Lavina (Hedges) Hiatt are both buried in Gilead Cemetery in Bath County, Kentucky.