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I. Clifford Roll and his Grandfather's Clock made by Luman Watson GENEALOGY DEPARTMENT

Marie Dickore, Editor

THE ABRAHAM ROLL FAMILY FROM PIONEERS IN HAMILTON COUNTY, by I. CLIFFORD ROLL with MARIE DICKORE In the pioneer annals of and Hamilton County, Ohio, the Abraham Roll family played an interesting part although the patina of time has dimmed much of their history. We are indebted to a lineal descendant, I. Clifford Roll of Akron, Ohio, for documented data which bring to light the part this family played in the development of their new home in the Miami Purchase. The native home of this branch of the Roll family, immedi- ately prior to their migration to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1798, was New Jersey in the Morristown area where family connections included those of Mathias Denman, whose daughter married Abraham Roll Woolley. It was probably through this connection with the proprietor of the Cincinnati site and their service in the Revolutionary War that the Rolls came here. The first to arrive and make a land purchase was Mathias Roll whose name is found in the list of several hundred settlers who petitioned Congress for relief as to payment for and clear title to lands purchased from John Cleves Symmes. The dates for these petitions were 1799 and 1801. In 1799 are found also John Roll and his son John Roll Jr. whose names are among the citizens of Hamilton County who voted in an election for delegates. Mathias Roll and his wife, Mary Rutan, were the first Rolls to migrate to Hamilton County. He was a brother of Abraham Roll, I. Clifford Roll's great-grandfather who came in 1805. Mathias Roll's name appears on the Soldiers and Sailors Monu- 286 The Bulletin

ment in Hamilton, Ohio. He had served in both the Revolutionary War and on the western frontier. Abraham seemed to have been the leader and business agent for the group which came here in 1805. He had extensive holdings in Millcreek township, Spring- field township, and in adjacent Butler County. These were highly productive farms whose crops were marketed in Cincinnati. Mr. I. Clifford Roll's lineage in America begins with Jan Mangelse and Peter Adriaensen von Woggelum who married a daughter of Caniachkoo, a chief of the Mohawk tribe of Indians, thus giving Mr. Roll a truly American ancestor. Other nationali- ties represented in his family include English, Welsh, Irish and Dutch. ROLL LINEAGE Adriaen Pietersen from Alkmaar, north Holland Province, married Annetie Pieters from Holstein. They had two sons: 1. Pieter Adriaensen Van Woggelum (Peter, the son of Adriaen from Woggelum — a village in North Holland). He was nicknamed Soo gemackelyck, a Dutch phrase meaning 'so easy going, good natured, etc' Believed to have been born about 1610. 2. Jacob Adriaensen Van Woggelum. These brothers were inn-keepers at Beverwyck (Albany, N. Y.). Pieter married about 1635. The name of his wife has not been learned. When she is mentioned in records, it is simply as 'the wife of Pieter.' Tradition says that she was the daughter of Caniachkoo, the Sachem of the Third Castle of the Mohawks. On 4 Mar. 1681/2, three Mohawk Sachems deeded as a gift to Jan Mangelse a large tract of land north of Schenectady, N. Y. Todorasse, a grandson of Caniachkoo (deceased) signed the deed for his grandfather. Jan Mangelse, considered to be the Dutch immigrant from whom the Rolls in America are descended, married a daughter of Pieter and wife. I refer to him as my ggggg grandfather. Jan Mangelse and wife had several children. Whether his first wife died and he remarried has not been determined. He is mentioned as the husband of the above, 25 Aug. 1661, was referred to as honorable in 1661, and was a pall bearer at the funeral of Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Director of the colony of Renssel- Genealogy Department 287 aerswyck, 17/7 Oct. 1674. Jan baptized a son, Johannes, at Albany 27 Jan. 1686 — probably my gggg grandfather. Because of Indian troubles in and around Albany and Schenec- tady, N. Y., they, or most of them, moved to Staten Island where they lived for many years. From there they migrated to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Jan died about 1704 and on 2 Apr. 1713 his heirs petitioned for a Patent on the land north of Schenectady. A John Mangelse Roll, Sr. is listed as an heir, but he did not sign the document. Why? Had he gone to Holland? If so, did he ever return to America? Or did his son John go to Holland and marry over there, later to return to America? A John Roll arrived at the Port of Philadelphia 11 Sep. 1732, another 2 Oct. 1741 and another 26 Oct. 1754 (Penna. Archives). Could not have been the one arriving in 1754, since my ggg grandfather was in New Jersey during the 1740's. So my gggg grandfather's generation is still in question after several years of research. The records that have come to me state that Jan's children changed the name to Roll after the defeat of the Dutch by the English in 1664. Dutch mangel to English roll. But data received from Holland recently states definitely that there was a Roll family in Hoorn and one in Purmerend, both in North Holland. They also state that Mangel (Mangele) was an old Christian name in Holland. Jan Mangelse (Mangelsz, Mangelsen). Each of the three means 'son of Mangel.' I consider this proof that Jan Mangelse (Roll) entered this country as Jan Mangelse, and that his children did not change the name, but simply restored the family name. We now come to my ggg grandfather whose will was probated 12 Feb. 1782. I have a photostatic copy. His wife's name was Elizabeth, but I have never been able to learn her maiden name, nor the date of their marriage. Children — Named in the order in which they appear in my record. John — My gg grandfather —• See family sheet later. Catron (Catherine) Married Parsel Listed in her father's will, but no further data. Isaac — Married Sarah Cauldwell For his descendants see History of the Early Settlers of 288 The Bulletin

Rear of Abraham Roll house, built 1819 at Baltimore and McHenry Avenues

Sangamon County, Illinois; by — John Carroll Power (1876). The article entitled "Lincoln's Lost Dog" in the 15 Feb. 1954 issue of Life Magazine. Abraham, b. 29 Aug. 1739; d. 20 Oct. 1813. Married (1) Mary Brooks and (2) Catherine Vreeland His descendants came to Cincinnati. He never left New Jersey. Molly (Mary) — Married John Woolley Jean (Jane), b. 1743 (?); d. ? Mar. 1828, aged 84 years. Married Thomas Cory, son of Elnathan Cory. Thomas died 2 Feb. 1813, aged 74 years. My ggg grandfather, John, was known in New Jersey as John Mangels Roll. In his will he spells his name Rool. John Littell in his Family Records or Genealogies of the First Settlers of Passaic Valley, N. J. says, "John Roll — died 1782 — (called in German Johannes Mongle) came from Holland and settled between Springfield and Westfield (N. J.) on the side of the first mountain about one mile from Springfield on the old stage route from Elizabethtown to Turkey (now New Providence) in the late 1600's or early 1700's A.D." Genealogy Department 289 JOHN ROLL My GG Grandfather John Roll was born 17 Oct. 1733, and died at Cincinnati 23 Apr. 1808. He married Rachel Van Winkle — date unknown. She was born ? and died 21 May 1768, aged 30 years. John was interred in the old cemetery in South Cumminsville. Children: John, b. 10 Oct. 1757. Married Martha (Patty) Force of Horse Neck, Cauld- well Township, Essex County, N. J. Abraham — My great grandfather — See family later on. Matthias, b. 22 Aug. 1762; d. 7 Oct. 1831. Married Mary Rutan, 7 Apr. 1785. She was born 2 Apr. 1764, and died 9 Feb. 1838. Both are interred at McGonigles near Hamilton, Ohio, in the burial plot on the 100 acre farm which Matthias received for his Revolutionary Service. He was in the . Abigail; b. 11 Jul. 1764; d. 20 Mar. 1788. Married Samuel Miller, 7 Apr. 1785. NOTE — Double wedding.

Front of Abraham Roll house, built 1819 290 The Bulletin

Isaac, b. 8 Sep. 1766; d. 11 Mar. 1787. Rachel, b. 21 May 1768; d. 1 Jan. 1850. Married (1) Robert Badgley, 1788, and (2) David Baker. Robert and Rachel are buried in Wesleyan Cemetery in Cumminsville. Note that Rachel was born on the day of her mother's death. John Roll's second wife was Edith Wick, whom he married in 1769. Children: Wick, b. 5 Aug. 1770; d. 8 Jan. 1790. Edward, b. 14 Jul. 1772; d. 1822. Married Phebe Louder — Date unknown. She re- married and died at Memphis, Tenn., 18 Aug. 1838. Edward was buried in the old cemetery. He was the one who gave part of the plot to the Quakers. Whenever this cemetery is mentioned, it is referred to as the old Quaker Cemetery. Jacob, b. 28 Jan. 1775; d. 14 Aug. 1793. Struck by lightning. In his will John mentions a third wife, Lydia No issue. ABRAHAM ROLL Abraham Roll was born 11 Aug. 1759, and died 21 Aug. 1827. He married Prudence Vance, 24 Jan. 1783. She was born 24 Jan. 1763, and died 16 Feb. 1849. Both were buried in the old Roll cemetery. Children: Sarah, b. 29 Dec. 1785; died young. Samuel Vance, b. 21 Jan. 1788; d. 15 Sep. 1883. Married (1) Keziah Higgins, 1809, and (2) Nancy Ann Whallon Knox, 2 Oct. 1834. Samuel and Nancy are buried in the New Burlington Cemetery. Sarah, b. 28 Sep. 1789; d. 26 Jun. 1882. * Married Isaac Brokaw. Date unknown. He was born ? Aug. 1783, and died 19 Jun. 1830. Wickham (Wick), b. 21 Mar. 1791; d. 19 Jun. 1863. Married (1) Baty Van Sant; (2) Mary Jones; (3) Eliza- beth Van Dyke. Genealogy Department 291

Elizabeth, b. 12 Feb. 1793. Married Reuben Raymond. They had at least two children — Calvin, and Eliza Ann who married Barnett. They lived in Finneytown. I have never been able to find anything further concerning the family. Rachel, b. 8 Oct. 1794; d. 8 Jun. 1881. Married Robert Simpson Preston, 9 Mar. 1815. Lived at Fountain City, Indiana. John, b. 9 Oct. 1796; d. 2 Jul. 1876. Married (1) Sarah Whallon, 13 Mar. 1823; and (2) Di- anthe Cranston. Isaac, My grandfather. See family sheet later. Martha, b. 31 Dec. 1800. Married Jairus Rich, 25 Feb. 1819. Lived in the vicinity of North Vernon, Indiana.

ISAAC ROLL My Grandfather Isaac Roll was born 31 May 1799; died 14 Feb. 1875. He married Catherine Van Dyke, 10 May 1821. She was born 16 Jun. 1802; died 15 Jul. 1880. Children: William Corwin, b. 19 Apr. 1823; d. 5 Feb. 1888. Married Margot M. George. Date unknown. She was born 10 Mar. 1825; died 26 Nov. 1901. Phoebe Van Dyke, b. 20 Feb. 1825; d. 8 Feb. 1876. Married Charles G. Manning, 1 May 1851. He was born 17 Aug. 1825; died 13 Oct. 1883. Emaline, b. 12 May 1827; d. 12 Apr. 1838. Maranda, b. 1 Oct. 1829; d. 5 Oct. 1904. Married Edwin Williams, 14 Apr. 1853. He was born 1 Oct. 1822; died 4 Feb. 1893. Silas, b. 6 Jan. 1832; d. 11 May 1908. Married Mary Jane Runyan, 25 Sep. 1856. She was born 20 Apr. 1835; died 6 Jan. 1903. Elizabeth V., b. 3 Oct. 1834; d. 28 Jan. 1918. Never married. 292 The Bulletin

John, b. 9 Oct. 1837; d. 28 Aug. 1888. Married Clara Williams. Date unknown. No issue. She was born 15 Oct. 1852; died 2 Dec. 1926. Isaac, My father. See family below. Catherine, b. 26 Oct. 1842; d. 16 Jun. 1922. Never married. Dominicus Van Dyke, b. 25 Dec. 1844; d. 8 Nov. 1864. ISAAC ROLL My Father Isaac Roll was born 25 Aug. 1840; died 28 Mar. 1897. He married Edna Coates, 22 Feb. 1882. She was born 28 Nov. 1849; died 17 Sep. 1914. Children: Son, b. unknown, Circa 1884. Dead at birth. Isaac Clifford, b. 31 Jan. 1886. Married (1) Mabel Ernestine Reed of Kinsman, Ohio, 20 Jun. 1914. Divorced 15 Jan. 1923. She was born 7 Jul. 1890. Married (2) Thelma Inez Cobb of Indianapolis, Ind., 12 May 1923. She was born 23 Jun. 1900, at Romona, Ind., and died at Akron, Ohio, 1 Dec. 1955. Pearl Edna, b. 8 Aug. 1888; d. 8 Jun. 1895. WICKHAM ROLL FAMILY Wickham (Wick) Roll, b. 21 Mar. 1791; d. 19 Jun. 1863. Son of Abraham, my great grandfather. He married (2) Mary Jones, 6 Mar. 1823. She was born 21 May 1805; d. 2 Aug. 1834. Children: Child, dead at birth. Baty, b. 15 Feb. 1825. Do not have death date. Married Thomas A. Stephenson, 2 Feb. 1843. Robert S., b. 13 Jun. 1827; d. 14 Oct. 1835. Rebecca J., b. 16 Feb. 1830; d. 17 Jun. 1913. Married John Adams, 7 Jan. 1861. He died 1863. Martin V., b. 28 Jan. 1833. Married Abigail Preston, 18 Apr. 1855. Genealogy Department 293

Wick's third wife was Elizabeth Van Dyke. Sister to my grandmother, Catherine. She was born 15 May, 1811; died 30 Apr. 1849; they were married 4 Feb. 1836. They had six children, four of whom died in infancy during the 1840's. Thomas A. Stephenson was born ? and died 16 Mar. 1858. He married Baty Roll 5 Feb. 1843. She was born 15 Feb. 1825 and died ? Children: William H., b. 16 Nov. 1843. Thomas A., b. 4 Sep. 1846; d. 22 May 1928. Married Elizabeth Ann Kempton. August Biederman married their daughter, Mae. Martha E., b. 5 Feb. 1848; d. 5 May 1848. Martha R., b. 3 Jan. 1850. Married J. Englehart. Olive A., b. 16 Mar. 1853; d. 16 Aug. 1854. Edgar E., b. 30 Jan. 1855. Addice Emmet, b. 12 Oct. 1857. Married Sarah E. Brokaw, his third cousin.

THREE GENERATIONS IN AMERICAN REVOLUTION It is an unusual record to have members of three generations who served in the American Revolution, yet Mr. Roll has estab- lished this service and thus corrects several errors that have crept into DAR and SAR lineage records. His ancestor, John Roll, the sergeant in the Revolution, had a son, Isaac, who served in the war and three of John's grandsons, John, Abraham and Mathias, were also in the New Jersey troops. Although Sergeant John Roll was about 70 years of age when the war broke out, he evidently drilled the citizens who became Minute Men. His son John is listed as such and as a private. Abraham was known as a perfect shot with the rifle and was 294 The Bulletin engaged as spy in one of the scouting groups. Abraham Roll (1759-1827) was a member of Capt. Peter Layton's Company, Col. Sylvanus Seely's Battalion, Morris County, N. J. Militia.

THE ABRAHAM ROLL HOMESTEAD The family homestead, well constructed of native wood in 1819, still stands at the corner of Baltimore and McHenry ave- nues. Of his many acres John Roll had set aside a piece of land for the family burial ground. His son, Edward, gave the northern part to the Quakers who were forced to remove both their house of worship and the cemetery in downtown Cincinnati as the march of progress pushed them out. Later, in 1905, these Quaker burials were removed to Spring Grove. The Roll burials were removed to nearby Wesleyan Cemetery in 1926. This old Roll cemetery was at Dreman Avenue and West Fork, near the Garfield School. The grave of the Revolutionary War patriot is unmarked by either the DAR or the SAR.

FAMILY TREASURES Among his treasured family possessions is the 8 foot tall grandfather's clock, a fine timepiece fashioned by the noted Cincinnati pioneer clockmaker, Luman Watson. It has some features of the distinctive design and Masonic emblems Watson used for his own clock which is still in existence, but Mr. Roll's clock is made of cherry wood that came from the family farm. A lovely rocking chair is the one in which Prudence, wife of Abraham Roll, used to rock her babies to sleep, and the spinning wheel kept her busy when other chores around the house were done. The rocking chair was probably fashioned by Jacob Roll who was a well known chair maker in downtown Cincinnati for many years. His flourishing business was located at No. 9 East Fourth Street, while his residence was close by, at No. 7. Mr. Roll also has the Family Bible, published in 1803, and a curious receptacle used in the family to hold glue. It was made from a bar of lead taken from the battlefield of Brandywine. Mr. I. Clifford Roll, who is a member of the Historical and Philosophical Society, is very proud of the unusual distinction of having three generations of Rolls in the American Revolution as Genealogy Department 295 patriots, and he is also proud of the truly American line which goes back to the daughter of a Mohawk chief. He is a member of the Lafayette Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, in Akron, Ohio, which he has served in various offices and as secre- tary. He is one of few living members of the organization who could become a member on the record of a great grandfather.

Prudence Roll's Rocking Chair and Spinning Wheel