John P. & Nancy Scott Vinson family

Nancy Scott b. 22 Feb 1804 Pendleton district, S. C. or Jackson co. Tenn. (I have yet to see proof of this birthdate) d. 1842-8 Washington co., Iowa Territory m. 1 Sep 1822 Sangamon co. Ill. John P. Vinson s/o William & Lucy Guthrie Vinson b. 4 Nov 1796 Adair co. Ky. d. July 1857 Jefferson co. Iowa. Said to have had 14 children, but only 6 "survived to manhood". Many of the dates and names for children I'm showing below are quite unproven.  John married a second time but had no other children.

From 'Portrait & Biographical Album of Dewitt co. Ill.', published 1893- "Born Kentucky... came to this state with his father, and in Sangamon co. in 1821 married Nancy... In 1839 he removed to Iowa where he died in 1856, his wife having preceded him... John served as constable in Iowa for several years".

Nancy's last child was born 1842/3 and John remarried in 1848 so Nancy must have died 1842-8, possibly in childbirth.  There was an epidemic of probably typhoid or cholera that hit Jefferson county Iowa in 1845 and 1846, which might account for the astonishingly high mortality rate in the children of this family (and may well have been the cause of Nancy's death as well).

John was thought to have married Jane McCulley in Henry co. Iowa (25 July 1843).  This, however, was different John Vinson/Vincent.  John was married a second time 21 Oct 1848 to Mrs. Rachel Wycuff (b. 1797/8 Maryland).  Rachel had 4 (known) children by her previous marriage- Peter b. 1830 Ohio, James b. 1832 Ohio (m 8 Sep 1853 Elizabeth Thornton), William b. 1836 Ohio, Rachel J. b. 1840 Ohio (who was living in 1860 in Washington twp., Marion co. Iowa, working as a "domestic").

All these children were living with John and Rachel Vinson in 1850 (Fairfield township, Jefferson co. Iowa).

John bought 160 acres in sec. 24 in Locust Grove township, Jefferson co. Iowa in 1845.  Subsequently, he must have acquired land in the adjoining Center township as the following sales of land appear in the records:
27 Apr 1846 John Vinson to Jacob Sears sec. 24-72-11 Locust Grove township
9 Apr 1853 John Vinson to Joseph Hickinbottom sec. 19-72-10 Center township
21 Oct 1853 John Vinson & Rachel to William Gilmer sec. 24-72-11 Locust Grove
4 Mar 1853 Rachel Vinson & husband to Hazall C. Wycuff sec. 24-72-11 Locust Grove
4 Mar 1853 John Vinson & Wife to William Gilmer sec. 24-72-11 Locust Grove township

Rachel predeceased John as there is no mention of her in his probate administration, nor is there mention of any of her children.  He was living, in poor health, with one John B. Graves for the nine months prior to his death.

When John died (July 1857) no will was filed and his children in Illinois were not notified.  John Graves submitted a bill for $308 for care of John, $8 per week for nine months.  He also filed, and was granted, letters of administration.  No inventory was taken although John was reputedly worth $600.

In September 1857 Nancy's children, who lived in Illinois, heard of their father's death.  John Jr. went to Iowa and filed a petition requesting John Graves' administration be set aside because he (John Jr.) and his brother Andrew were not notified of the death, because John Graves had overcharged for their fathers keep, and lastly, had not taken an inventory.

In October 1857 an inventory was finally taken but the only items found were a saddle and bridle valued at $10.50.

John's petition succeeded and he was appointed administrator but all he received from the estate was his fathers horse, a grey mare valued at $35.

(Most of the above written by Rosa Goodrich)
 

Author: Matt Scott