Lawrence Winkler and Frances "Fanny" Paine

BIRTH MARRIAGE DEATH

15 January 1771, Morris Co., NJ or Burke Co., NC 1795, Burke County, North Carolina, USA 04 March 1848, Wayne Township, Wayne, Ohio, USA

Winkler 1800 Census - Burke County, NC

Lawrence Winkler was born on 15 Jan 1771 to (Hans) Jacob Winkler in Essex County, New Jersey. He was the 6th son in the family. It's believed 3 of his brothers were Joseph, Conrad, and Thomas who also lived in Morganton but a direct and definitive relation other than the Winkler name and living in the same town has yet to be discovered.

Lawrence's mother was likely Lydia Colver-Winkler. We know by 1786, when Lydia's father Thomas dies in neighboring Morris County, that she has since left New Jersey and is likely on the 1790 census under husband Jacob in Burke County, North Carolina (p. 108, with 5 males over 16 and one female).

At the age of 15 (1786), Lawrence migrated with his parents to Burke County, North Carolina where they settled and can later be found on the 1790 census (near George Payne).

Winkler 1810 Census - Monongalia County

Lawrence Winkler married Frances "Fanny" Payne in May of 1796 in Burke County, North Carolina. A common misconception (thanks to W.S. Myers' book) is that Fanny was from New Jersey and married there as well. Not only is there a lack of proof to support this, but evidence says differently. Fanny's parents are known to have relocated from Spotsylvania County, Virginia to Burke County, North Carolina shortly after selling their property in Virginia on 9 Dec 1783... there is no mention of New Jersey in the Payne family and they even appear on the 1790 census in Burke County along with Jacob Winkler (6 years prior to the couple's marriage). 

Green Twp.
1819 Census

Lawrence and Fanny started their family in Burke, North Carolina where Fanny gave birth to their first child, daughter Rebecca, in 1797, followed by sons John, George, and James.

Winkler Family 1820 Census

In 1806, Lawrence decided to leave Burke, North Carolina and seek a home further north, with the supposed intention of settling in Stubenville, OH with relatives (no relatives have been found on record near Stubenville and Stubenville was never mentioned until W.S. Myers wrote it in 1909). It should be noted that this journey was not undertaken alone as family stories make it appear. Lawrence and his family (6 people), left with father-in-law George Payne and his family also (8 people). (This was 3 years after Ohio receives statehood.)

Plans changed when the family had to halt relocation just west of the Appalachian Mountains in the middle of what is now Monongalia County, West Virginia, because of sickness** (daughter Lydia was born Sep 1806, so Fanny was pregnant during the move) (Monongalia was still a part of Virginia at the time as Virginia didn't split into 2 states until the Civil War). His father-in-law, George Payne, settled his family 20 miles north into Whiteley Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.

Lawrence's Land Patent
Certificate (1814)

Lawrence's Land Patent
Certificate (1819)

Over the next seven and a half years the Winklers lived in Monongalia County where Lawrence and Fanny would welcome 3 more girls to the family. It wouldn’t be until Feb 1814 when Lawrence finally would decide to continue his journey northward to Stubenville, Ohio.

Lawrence traveled to Whiteley Township, PA where he left his wife and children with his father-in-law and set out with eldest son John. They took one horse on which to carry provisions and occasionally ride. They also drove one cow and calf. They crossed the Ohio River at Steubenville (about even latitude with Pittsburgh), where he had supposedly expected to locate but was not pleased with what he saw in the land available.

Lawrence’s brother-in-law Jacob Brakefield [Brackbiel] had joined them when they left Pennsylvania and he had likely relayed information about Green Township farther north in Wayne County, Ohio. Thomas Boydstone, a resident of Whiteley Township, and likely friend of Jacob's had migrated to Green not long before them.*

Winkler Family 1823 Census

After listening to Jacob relay a glowing account of the opportunities available in the "almost unbroken wilderness covered in lush forest", the three men decided to travel on to Northern Ohio. When they arrived, they set out together and scouted land overgrown with heavy timber in a part of East Union Township, where there were only 2 cabins nearby at the time. Lawrence and Jacob liked what they saw and traveled on to the local government land office in Canton, OH. Lawrence purchased property on section 22 in what would become known as Green Township, 3 miles west of Orrville.

Upon returning, Lawrence and son John immediately started to set up camp and shelter from weather and wild animals. They proceeded to erect pens for their horse, cow and calf. They cleared a small area of land and planted potatoes. Then, they staked off four acres and began chopping trees, clearing brush and preparing logs to build a cabin.

Green Township Land Map (1826)

Word is that Indians were many in the area but were peaceful and friendly and often stopped by their camp.

It took Lawrence and his son 3 months to clear the area and prepare all the logs needed for a house. When finished, they packed up and headed for Pennsylvania.

On 01 Oct 1814, Lawrence left Whiteley Township with the entire family (and George Payne) to return to East Union (later Green Township). The road was rough and they are said to have experienced many delays, most of them requiring Lawrence and Jacob to cut a path wide enough for their wagon to travel.

NOTE: This was in the middle of the War of 1812 with Britain and some Native Americans tribes. Two months prior, in August of 1814, Washington was practically burned to the ground by the British.

Green Township Tax Records (1826)

Three days after their arrival, Lawrence sent John out to gather all the men he could find around their rural wilderness homestead to assist in raising the cabin with the logs they had previously prepared. Several families had moved into the area that summer and John returned with seven men who were more than happy to respond to the call. By nightfall the Winklers had an 18x20 ft. cabin and a roof. Lawrence cut a door, built a fire and the family had a place they could call home.

Five years later, Lawrence went back to the Government land offices in Canton and purchased the rest of Section 22’s southern half on 23 Apr 1819 in what had now become Green Township in Wayne County, Ohio. Lawrence would own a total of 167 acres between the two southern quadrants of section 22.

Winkler Family 1840 Census

In October 1819, George Payne is mentioned as the 2nd person to pass away in the newly formed Green Township.

It appears that after about 12 or so years in Green, around the time of son John's marriage to Margaret Wilford, Lawrence sells the farm in Green to his eldest son. Whether this was inheritance related, retirement related, general downsizing, or a wedding gift, I'm not sure. Lawrence and family moved a short distance west to Wayne Township where they settled down next to the Christian Alleman Family (Soon-to-be father-in-law to his son Jacob).

Fanny Winkler - 1850 Census

Lawrence Winkler died on 04 Mar 1848 in Wayne Township, Wayne, Ohio at the age of 77 years. He was buried on the family farm in Wayne Township (but later removed to the Wayne Presbyterian Church Cemetery). At Lawrence's time of death, he owned roughly 182 acres in Wayne Township.

After Lawrence’s death, Fanny continued to live in the family house with daughter Mary. Sons Jacob and Enoch also lived with their wives in their own houses on the farm.

On 20 Jun 1859, Frances Fanny Winkler died in Wayne Township and was buried with her husband on the Winkler Farm (later removed to the Wayne Presbyterian Church Cemetery)

Children of Lawrence & Fanny Winkler

1. Rebecca Winkler, 11 Mar 1797 – 18 Mar 1887

2. Johan Jacob “John” Winkler, 22 Apr 1799 – 22 May 1886

3. George Winkler, 6 May 1801 – 28 Jul 1877

4. James Winkler, 8 Feb 1804 – Dec 1846

5. Lydia Winkler, 19 Feb 1848 – 3 Jun 1939

6. Mary Winkler, 8 Sep 1806 – 1878

7. Edia Ann “Eady” Winkler, 19 Apr 1812 – 13 Mar 1893

8. Jacob D. Winkler, 6 Mar 1815 – 6 Sep 1890

9. Enoch Winkler, 8 Jun 1819 – 5 Aug 1867

Sourced from: The Winkler History, by W.S. Myers, 1900 in Dallas, TX; Published 1909

Note: A large portion of information here was Sourced from: "The Winkler History", by W.S. Myers, 1900 in Dallas, TX; Published 1909 and vetted against multiple news articles, including the obituary of Lawrence's son John, which was written 23 years prior to The Winkler History, an account of Green Township's early years by son John Winkler, himself, 28 year prior and the Green Township History which was written 33 years prior. (See clarifications below.) Other sources used were: "The Big Payne Book", by John C. Payne with assistance from Toney L. Payne and Gale Payne Nagy, 2007 in Chattanooga, TN; Published 2007 and includes an extensive list of sources.

CLARIFICATIONS: Many early facts that W.S. Myers noted about Lawrence Winkler are untrue (A sentiment shared in "The Big Payne Book" by John C. Payne). He states Lawrence was originally born along the Rhine River in Prussia (Germany), however DNA evidence and Green Township history, written 33 years prior to WS Myers book, contradict this. He also mentioned that Fanny was from NJ and they were married there (also contradicts records and documents of the Payne family). Lawrence was living in NC at the time based on 1800 census records (Fanny too) and all evidence says Fanny was from Virginia. However, the majority of the information he relays about Lawrence and Fanny after their marriage matches up with recovered documents.

As often as old family stories go, it is more likely the stories got crossed and over time became attributed to Lawrence himself instead of his ancestors. Recovered documents note that Lawrence was the 6th son of Jacob & born in Essex Co, New Jersey and moved to North Carolina at age 15. The New Jersey marriage is probably for Lawrence's parents (it has been fairly well documented that Lydia Colver married a Winkler in New Jersey) and his father was the one likely born along the Rhine river in Prussia.

*(W.S. Myers account about learning of Green Township is phrased differently. Research shows Lawrence's son John never mentions many of Myers' details in his accounts. Jacob Brackbiel was living in Whiteley Township by the Payne family in 1810. They both purchased their lands on 4 Mar 1814 in Canton and both Green Township histories and John's personal account say there were only 2 cabins in the township at the time: Michael Thomas of Washington Co, PA & Thomas Boydstone also of Whiteley Township, PA, so Jacob could not have built a cabin prior to Lawrence's arrival nor given him a guided tour of the area like some local expert.)

Lawrence Winkler's Grave

Frances Paine's Grave

Lawrence's Will (Page 1)

Lawrence's Will (Page 2)

FATHER:

Hans Jacob Winkler *

MOTHER:

Lydia Colver *

SPOUSE:

Frances "Fanny" Paine, 18 Nov 1775 - 30 Jun 1859

CHILDREN:

1. Rebecca Winkler, 11 Mar 1797 – 1887
2. Johan Jacob "John" Winkler, 22 Apr 1799 – 22 May 1886
3. George Winkler, 06 May 1801 – 28 Jul 1877
4. James Winkler Sr., 08 Feb 1804 – 17 Dec 1846
5. Lydia Winkler, 08 Sep 1806 – 30 Nov 1857
6. Mary Winkler, 11 Dec 1809 – 14 Dec 1826
7. Edia Ann "Eady" Winkler, 19 Apr 1812 – 13 Mar 1893
8. Jacob D. Winkler, 06 May 1815 – 06 Sep 1890
9. Enoch Winkler, 08 Jun 1819 – 05 Aug 1867

Footnotes

* There is no proof to show that these are actually Lawrence's parents. To clarify, it seems everyone agrees Lawrence descends from Hans Jacob. That was the belief in the 1800's and it continues on today. Lydia is a hunch based on the name Lydia being passed to a child of Lawrence's, names of her known family, the family lore of someone coming from New Jersey and Lydia's know marriage to a Winkler.

** This statement can also be contested. While it's definitely possible a sickness stopped the family in their tracks & caused them to re-evaluate their relocation, it's more likely a sickness would stop you for the winter, not for 7 and a half years; which is how long the family stayed in Monogalia County, Virginia. The family likely stopped because when they left Burke County, Fanny was about 3 months pregnant with daughter Lydia, and they wanted to find somewhere comfortable for her to give birth. A sickness could have followed this, possibly with Lydia, that prevented them from continuing before winter set in.

*** Once again, this statement can also be contested. There are no known family members in Steubenville, Ohio on the 1800 or 1810 census; definitely no Winklers. That, however, doesn't mean this isn't a true statement. Lawrence could have married sisters or aunts living there. A William Payne was noted as living there, but that wasn't until the late 1820's.

A I cannot confirm this beyond being an old family story, however census records do not make any mention of Lawrence owning slaves in 1800. The Big Payne Book by John C. Payne also doubts this explanation and instead posits a more likely scenario: "Hans Jacob Winkler (who is present on the 1790 and 1800 census) dies in Burke County, NC in late 1802/early 1803 with his will being filed for probate in April 1803 (Burke Co. NC County Court Minutes 1799-1806, p379). The more logical explanation was Lawrence waited for his father's estate to be settled, took his share of the proceeds, and left the state."

B Lawrence lived in on plot of land in Green Township for about 17 years of his life in Wayne County. Only issue is, when he arrived, Green Township didn't exist (originally written as Greene). For about the first four years the area was know under East Union Township. Later, in 1818 Green Township was formed from part of East Union, which included the area that Lawrence and his family lived. They would later move to Wayne Township.

C Winkler History notes Lawrence's brother-in-law as "Jacob Brakefield", however he is listed on all manner of documents as Jacob Brackbiel. The statement about Jacob preceding Lawrence is also not true, tract books record that Jacob and Lawrence both purchased their land in Wayne County on the same day. Jacob was also documented as being from Greene County, PA and the 1810 census notes he's from Whitley Township in Greene County. This is just north a few miles north of Monongalia County, Virginia. So, if Jacob is indeed Lawrence's brother-in-law, it means Lawrence didn't travel alone from North Carolina and was at least joined by a younger sister, if not more siblings. When they stopped in Virginia, his younger sister married Jacob sometime over the next 8 years. This also means Jacob likely accompanied Lawrence for the entire 1814 trip and not just the tour of Wayne County like the book seems to say. If Jacob gave a "glowing account of the area", it sounds more like he enjoyed what he was seeing and talked Lawrence into settling there with him rather than talking up his home through great experience and getting Lawrence to join him, which is how the book comes across.

D Some people believe that Lawrence's father was born in Zell, Zurich, Switzerland and that cannot be substantiated. This information comes from an Ancestry.com "hint" that points to a "Millennium File" which also states that this "Hans Jakob" also DIED in Zell in 1797, long after our Jacob immigrated to America. Our Jacob can also be found in 1790 in Burke County, NC just a few farms away from son Lawrence's father-in-law George Paine. -- The "Millennium File" is a database created by the "Institute of Family Research" to track the records of its clients and the results of its professional research, but just because it shows up as a "hint" doesn't mean it's accurate to your ancestor, nor does it mean the research is accurate (the database definitely doesn't provide sources for us to check).

E A note was made in The Big Payne Book by John C. Payne that Lawrence and Fanny were originally buried on their farm but later were moved to the cemetery. It's also noted that the Winklers were Methodists and the relocation had them buried at a Presbyterian Church (via email with Sarah Barker 21 Mar 2006).

F A source in The Big Payne Book by John C. Payne states "In the Winkler Family History, compiled by W.S. Myers (n.d,), on p. 13 of the copy in the possession of Sarah Barker, there is a handwritten note that says 'The second death which occurred in Green Township was that of George Payne-father of Fanny Payne Winkler- in October 1819.'" I confirmed this via my own conversation with Sarah.

G A common theme with family farm cemeteries is that generations pass, the land is sold off and the owners have no relation to the deceased individuals buried on their property, which may now even be subdivided into multiple lots. The grounds become neglected and fall into disrepair and/or become a burden on the current owners who have no connection to those who passed. This is where local churches, communities or governments step in and assist in the relocation of the gravesites to cemeteries where they will be maintained and remembered.

Sources

¹ 1800 United States Federal Census about Lawrence Winkler; Year: 1800; Census Place: , Burke, North Carolina; Roll: 29; Page: 806; Image: 231; Family History Library Film: 337905.

² 1810 United States Federal Census about Law Winkler; Year: 1810; Census Place: , Monongalia, Virginia; Roll: 69; Page: 548; Image: 0181429; Family History Library Film: 00848.

³ BLM GLO Records for Lawrence Winkler; U.S. Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management; General Land Office Records ( http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx); Site Accessed: 17 Jan 2014; Wayne County, Ohio; Lawrence Winkler; Accession: CV-0021-179; Date: 6 May 1814.

⁴ BLM GLO Records for Lawrence Winkler; U.S. Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management; General Land Office Records ( http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx); Site Accessed: 17 Jan 2014; Wayne County, Ohio; Lawrence Winkler; Accession: CV-0044-500; Date: 23 Apr 1819.

⁵ Headstone of Lawrence Winkler; Wayne Presbyterian Church Cemetery; Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio; Lawrance Winkler; 1848; Pair of tall slender headstones in front row of graves closest to church and main road.

⁶ Last Will and Testament of Lawrence Winkler; Will abstracts, estates and guardianships Wayne County, Ohio 1812-1851; Wooster Public Library; Family History Collection; Wayne County, Ohio; Lawrance Winkler; 8 Mar 1848.

⁷ 1850 United States Federal Census about Fanny Winkler; Year: 1850; Census Place: Wayne, Wayne, Ohio; Roll: M432_740; Page: 291B; Image: 145.

⁸ Headstone of Fanny Winkler; Wayne Presbyterian Church Cemetery; Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio; Fanney wife of Lawrence Winkler; 1859; Pair of tall slender headstones in front row of graves closest to church and main road.