Isaac Ayer was born to John Ayer and Elizabeth Thurston on March 13, 1794 in Newport NH. There has been debate that Isaac was born in Corinth, Vermont (I believe this is due to the fact that his father John lived and died in Corinth) but the 1850 Census clearly states his birthplace as New Hampshire, as well as other vital sources. Isaac had 3 brothers (John, Warren, and Elisha) and 2 sisters (Lucindia and Mary).
According to Warren Ayer's research Isaac lived in the northern PA, southern NY area for a while before moving to Ohio. Isaac was a soldier in the War of 1812 in Ohio - and possibly while he was in Vermont as well- below are some links to pay stubs, and other War of 1812 documents to view.
Pay Card 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 - Identification Card 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
Isaac married Nancy McFarland on Aug. 24, 1835 in Gallia County Ohio. Click here for the record of marriage.
Isaac and Nancy did have 8 children while in Ohio, 4 boys (John Addison, James Robert, William Henry Harrison, and Isaac Clifford) and 4 girls (Elizabeth, Mary, Alda, and Rosetta). Some believe Isaac and family did move around a bit withen the counties of Gallia, Meigs, and Lawrence in Ohio, due to vital records coming out of all three counties. However in that time record keepers and courts sometimes moved around from town to town. This should be taken into consideration.
Some claim that Isaac died in the early to mid 1850's in Ohio, and some even claim he died in Missouri. The truth is, from my knowledge, there is no data to support this, just speculation. There are many different scenerios that are possible for the wherabouts of Isaac during this time. The facts are:
* Isaac was a soldier in the War of 1812 as stated above.
* Isaac and Nancy were married in Gallia County as stated above in 1835.
* Isaac and Nancy were exchanging land deeds in Ohio around 1837 (click here to download deed pages 1, 2, and 3)
* Isaac and family are listed in the Lawrence County Ohio census in 1850. You can download the two pages here and here.
* Nancy and Children (without Isaac) are in Schuyler County Missouri before 1860
* Nancy remarried to a Foglesong while in Missouri
So with the known facts stated, most people assume that Isaac died in Ohio, or in Missouri, or in route to Missouri.
I have my own theory - which will probably be torn apart by advanced researchers. That is okay, if someone has other information or contradicting information, please let me know.
I believe that Isaac and Nancy had some "rocky" periods in their marraige. After reading through the deed records dated in 1837, the wording leads me to believe that Isaac and Nancy were married, but possibly seperated. (Download page 3 here). Now, I realize that the wording of the time was different in comparison to the way we word things these days, so let me know if I am mistaken.
With that said, an Isaac Ayer (veteran to the War of 1812) pops up in the mid to late 1850's in the Kentucky and Tennessee area. At this time Nancy and childeren are on their way to Missouri. Now I am not sure if this is our Isaac or not, but in letters (mentioning a brother named John - Page 1, Page 2) and Bounty Land Grant forms (from the War of 1812 - Page1, Page 2) are two pieces of evendence supporting that this is the Isaac Ayer we are talking about.
So if this is all correct, it appears as though Isaac and Nancy did split up. Isaac heading South to Kentucky and Tennessee as Nancy and children head West to Missouri. Divorce or seperation were uncommon, but not unheard of during these times. If Isaac and Nancy did have a "rocky" relationship, this theory isn't too far out there.
Please share your thoughts, comments, or other data with me at jansona@hotmail.com, and I will post them this page, with the submitters permission.
If you are interested in the ancestors or descendants of Isaac Ayer, please visit our Genealogy page here!
For more historical document scans, visit our Downloads Page!
Email me at jansona@hotmail.com for further information, questions, or data requests
Thank you to Robert Ayres for the War of 1812 records, Ann Brown of the Gallia County Genealogical Society for the marriage record and deed papers, and Warren Ayer for his outstanding research on the genealogy of John Ayer and Elizabeth Thurston
