Adolphus Powers HUTCHISON 1850–1941 – Genealogical Records

Sources

Genealogy Event 1
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 29 Dec 1850
Event Place: Wilmington Township, Lawrence, Pennsylvania

Genealogy Event 2
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: 1921 [about]
Record Source: Letter from A.P. Hutchison to Mrs. George (Helen Watson) Hutchison

Your request for ancestral names calls up some things. I told Anna most things. George's grandfather Hutchison was born at Armaugh in Indiana County, Pa. in July 1809, was married At 31, Dies At 75. He was a splendid stone and marble cutter, moved onto the farm, then in the woods, at his marriage and cleared it. He was made an elder in the Shenango church near your grandfather Johnson Watson's place. On a sabbath, perhaps about 1860, we all left church and ran to the fire when his house was burnt and about all in it. None of the family was there when the fire started but your uncle Mark.

Father married Mary Ann Bennett, The Eldest Of 13 Children. She was 22. George's great grandfather was a native born Westmoreland County man, Abram Bennett, a stone mason and farmer. He was not, I think, a church man, and died at 77. I remember him pretty well. I never saw father's mother or father. George's great grandmother was Sarah Huston. She smoked a pipe, was a good woman and died at the age of 94, 8 mo., 5 da. For 57 years she attended the ministry of Dr. Joseph Scroggs of the Fairfield church in Ligonier Valley, who baptized her children. Her grave is within a few feet of his monument, and grandpap he's between, as if she hoped that she and doctor Scroggs would get him through on resurrection day.

There was a [husking] in the olden time. Supper and whiskey was a feature. Grandmother Bennett had a brother Archie who was Irish, and crusty when in booze. At supper a funny boy of 18, was sitting next; John Love. John spread butter on a piece of warm apple pie. It set the ould gintleman aff. With a side thrust at the boy he growled - "Like a brute or a baste atin butter to pie!" The crowd got it. Later John rigged up a bucket for a base drum with a towel for a drum head and slung it from his neck, and with both hands beating time, and mid peals of laughter, marched through the house singing,

"Six milk keows and siven av thim dry,

Like a brute or a baste aten butter to pie."

George's great great grandfather was William Bennett, a Huguenot Frenchman. The Huguenots were the Protestant martyr blood of France. 130,000 of these on St. Bartholemew's day, 1572, gave up their lives for Christ. William Bennett came to this country prior to the Revolutionary War and married A Dutch Wife. Her name I never knew, nor do I know whether they had any children save my grandfather Abram Bennett or not. This great great grandfather of George's was killed in the battle of Bunker Hill. I do not know the name of either my grandfather or grandmother Hutchison.

I am glad that George can still work with his hands and to some purpose. He will only be more vigorous in the class room. I worked hard and to some purpose during the past year. I was verry verry poor when Mumsy died and if George hadn't helped me out I do not know how I could have buried her. When Ruth and I set up our home I had nothing save scuffed books and scuffed furniture and my lot in the cemetery, and about $250 dollars of debt. I was surprised when two or three weeks before our marriage she sent money to buy a home. It was bought paid for, the debt paid and God has so blessed us that when we take stock of our assets as they were when she came to Butler; and what they were when we made an inventory last night; we have gained just $2176.38 over what we had when married. Ruth is a fine economist, better than I, as George knows, and yet she leaves almost al to me.

I have tried to save for two reasons. First I am getting old and do not want to be chargable to my children. Second Ruth's money has been consecrated to Christ, whatever may be left, and I am resolved that it shall not be less on my account. I wanted George to know this. It is much of a gratification to me that while I could not give my children an education, nor help them financially, and will have nothing to leave them, that in character, education, success, and even looks, they are quite equal to the best in the land. Don't you think they are a pretty good lot.

I had sent the picture of [urse] and twins on to Carson and Edith. I have a long drawn out fight with the council over our walk and that next door. It is not settled yet. They have given us a rotten deal. I learn that Frances has left the hospital at Johnstown. My letter came back. I wonder where she is? My great concern for all my children is that they may not fail of the life everlasting. These are perilous times. God bless you all, Daddy. Love to Anna and the Carls.

Genealogy Event 3
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: 1922 [about]
Record Source: Letter from A.P. Hutchison to Mrs. Carl (Anna Hutchison) Bates

I drove to Sharon on a recent sabbath and preached. It was 15 miles the way I went and save for 5 miles of macadam the road was deep scarred and utterly perverse. I paid 2.50 for my horse, got 10 for preaching and driving 30 miles, preached to a congregation of 600 members, and was thankfull and happy. You know I always was thankfull and happy and a money maker. I do wonder, my dear Anna, if you can make as good biscuit, coffee and bread as Mumsy and make Carl feel as good, contented, happy,- nd---- nd---- crowded under the belt as she made me.

I enclose a picture of one in a group who holds you for a friend. And you ask me for something of my people and children. Ruth paints as the step ladder stilts her and sends this picture of your friend which she has carefully kept and preserved in return for Carl Jrs. Now for our folks.

I was born in brother Mehard's hogpen on Dec. 29, 1850, and went to school a mile away in Wilson's wagon shed from 1857 to 1862. -that is the log house in which I was born is now Mehard's hogpen and the old schoolhouse in which I got the rudiments is now the Wilson wagon shed. I had no fine clothes when I was born and not a cent in my pocket, and have held my own ever since. Grandfather Hutchison and family came to this country in 1798, and for four years I have no account of them. In 1802 they settled at Armaugh, Indiana County, Pa. where father was born. There were grandpap, grandmother, Aliza, Adolphus, William, Mary, Alexander, and David. Some of these were born in County Down, Ireland, but the younger children were born in America. Father was the youngest and was born in July 1809.

Grandfather was a schoolmaster, given to drink, and poor. Of them all, I saw and knew Alexander, Aliza, Mary and David. They were all good people. Mary died at father's. Father and Lincoln were the same age, Jeff Davis one year older, and the life of Victor Hugo, 1802 - 1885 spanned them all. Father was a master mechanic in stone - granite, marble, and many tombstones which he cut are still standing over the dead.

He bought one hundred and fifty acres of Woods where Mehard now lives in 1840. It was then in Mercer County. He cleared two acres, planted 20 apple trees, built a small log barn, a log house by a fine spring and with team and wagon started for mother 150 miles away at West Fairfield, Westmoreland County, Pa. I was too young to go to the wedding. With mother and her churn and little flitting in the wagon and a cow tied behind they travelled down the Covenaugh and Riskiminitas to Freeport and were there ferried over the Allegheny and came through Butler to the old place. Mother was 22 and father 31.

I have seen the log house which father built by the spring in 1840. It was roofed with clapboards split with a fro out of the log, held on with long poles and shingle gluts. The logs were small and I suspect that father built the house with the help of a horse, and without further help. The stone mantle piece, jambs, chimney, steps, and the spring walls at once revealed father's handiwork in stone. This house had a [puncheon] floor and was as I remember a tool and feed house. It served for a home for about 10 years, and sister Sarah Jane, 1842, brother David - 1844, brother Mehard 1846, sister Laura 1848, must have been born there. But father in order to have a good house for me to be born in built a good log house in 1850 or there abouts. It too was witness to father's handicraft in stone. There myself - 1850, and brother Calvin 1853 and Mollie, 1862 - were born. It stood just in front of the more modern house built in 1868.

Father was a poor horseman but an excellent farmer, and could do nearly anything with tools. In the first log house mother, a young wife, stayed alone in the heart of the woods from before day break Monday morning till dark Saturday night. The owles hooted, the foxes barked, and the whipporwills whipped poor will all night. A wild bear crossed the farm coming near to the barn about 1855. I remember seeing the tracks and four men with guns following.

Of my father's family, Sarah Jane died at Oxford, O., at the age of 38, leaving six children and taking an infant with her. David Bennett died a prisoner of war. Captured at Cold Harbor, June 2 '64 he was done to death in Andersonville and died in Savannah Oct 21, 1864. Mehard is on the old farm, Laura Wilson McLachlan lives at Atkinson, Neb. Adolphus Powers, usually called [Dos] or daddy, still lives to sling ink. Robert Calvin died in his buggy, among strangers, nine miles from home at New Bedford, Pa., Mollie, demented died of tuberculosis in '82. Mollie was 21, Callie 28, Davy 20.

Of grandfather Hutchison and grandmother I know almost nothing. Grandpap must have died when father was young for father was brought up in grandfather Bennett's family. Grandfather Bennett was a stone mason. He and his wife had no children for eight years. Father was taken in to the home at West Fairfield in the Ligioneer Valley, Pa. to keep grandmother company while grandpap was away. But at the end of eight years mother was born, the oldest of thirteen born rapidly. Of these grandpap - Abram Bennett - died at 78, grandmother at 94, 8 mo.-5 da. - uncle David 96, uncle John 92, uncle Isaac 89, mother at 83. Others I do not know how old; aunt Rachell lives at West Fairfield yet and must be up in 80 a good piece.

My great grandfather William Bennett married A Dutch Wife. He was a French Huguenot and was a revolutionary soldier and was killed in the battle of Bunker Hill. Father was born July 24, '09 mother July 18, 1818. Father was a godly man and an elder of the church many years. We always had a family altar. Father died in '84 mother in 1902.

Now as to we, us and co. Mumsy was born Feb. 12, 1855. I on December 29, 1850. We were married A Few Steps From Here On November 27, 1872, By Our Pastor Rev. [ ] Donaldson. We [ ] with the church on the [same] day under Rev. J. R. Miller about 1868. [ ] L. Mar 26, 1875. Kirwan Bennett was born July 22, 1877, and died of typhoid and hemorage on a sabbath evening at sunset, at Oxford, Pa. on Oct. 15, 1891. Laura Belle died in infancy in the old seminary building at Xenia Ohio, on Feb. 28, 1879, and is buried in the cemetery there. Carson was born here on April 24, 1880. Roy died in infancy and was buried at Rushville, Indiana, September 28, 1881. Mable born Mar. 16, 1883. George Craig, born June 24, 1885, Mary Adolphia, August 31, 1887. Gerald Milwood Dec. 29, 1889. Mary Louella, died in infancy and is buried here. - Oct. 15, 1891. Anna Elizabeth knows more about herself than I do, and George Craig knows more about himself than he would have any one else know. Durelle Lee was born Oct. 14, 1895 and Frances Williard Nov. 13, 1888. I am the son of the oldest of 13, the father of 13, have 21 grandchildren, one great grandchild, a good appetite, and no report for a week. Rah for us! Whoop!

Jerry wrote to have me preach for McMichael on May 28, but I am engaged, I am sorry. When I visited Aunt Rachel Bennett Menoher and uncle Thomas in Ligonier Valley about 1877, I rode to the mountains and about the valley on horseback with their nephew Charley who was a boy about 17. He was good boy and a good rider. And what was my astonishment the other day to learn that Charley is Major General Charles J. Menoher who made such a record in France as the commander of the Rainbow division. Let George read this letter if he cares to. With love, longing, prayer and my hearty best to George, Helen, Anna, Carl and the kiddies - Daddy.

Genealogy Event 4
Event Type: Education
Record Source: Graduated 1878

Genealogy Event 5
Event Type: Education
Record Source: Graduated in 1881

Genealogy Event 6
Event Type: Occupation
Record Source: William Bennett. Born in France in 1742. Came to Bennett's Mills, New Jersey, 1760. Died at Mason, Ohio 1828. Age 86. Was born when Washington was 10, and was 26 when Bonaparte was born. Was a color bearer at Bunker Hill, and later a body guard of Washington. Was severely wounded at Yorktown.

Adria Ann Britton, wife of William Bennett, was born in Holland, came to New Jersey in childhood. Married my great grandfather William Bennett at the close of the Revolutionary War, and settled with him in Ligonier Valley, Pa. Probably married About 1787. She was red of hair. Their children are as follows - grandfather was the middle child. John, William, Nicholas, Abram, Mary, David, Isaac. William Bennett my great gandpap, moved from Westmoreland Co., Pa. to Warren Co., Ohio in 1816. William, Nicholas, Mary, David and Isaac went with him. John and Abram, mother's father, remained in Ligonier Valley.

The Nicholas Bennett line runs thus: William Bennett of the Revolution, Nicholas his 3rd son, born 1797. Married Catherine Innes 1816. Their eldest son was William born 1817 and married To Emaline Cuddy 1838. This William was quite a singer and religious charader. Nicholas Bennett was married A Second Time; To Rachel Anderson. Her oldest daughter Catherine was married To Mother'S Brother Robert, Her Full Cousin. By this union we get our geneology.

There was a reunion of the Nicholas Bennett family at the Boone Co., Ind. fair, at Lebanon the county seat, on Sept. 2, 1910. At it they chose a family historian who was Nicholas Bennett's granddaughter, Mrs. Essie Bennett Essex. This history was published by the Pioneer Press of Lebanon in a neat book. I borrowed it from my cousin, Mrs. Mary E. Anderson of Cincinnatti, now an old woman. From it I get our ancient history. So you are without doubt a daughter of the Revolution. I have taken a good deal of care to look this up for you.

Abram Bennett, mother's father, married Sarah Huston Who Was Born In Ireland. They were married In 1811. His years were 1789 - 1866. Her's 1794 - 1888. Their children were Mother, Mary Ann, 1818 - 1903, Robert H. 1819, David B. 1820, Margaret 1822, William 1824, John B. 1826, Isaac 1828, Agness J. 1829, Elizabeth R. 1830, Sarah J. 1834, Samuel J. 1836, Samuel H. 1838. Of these Sarah J. died in childhood, and the two Samuels were drown in the same spot. I have seen the place.

My father and mother were James Hutchison 1809-1884, and Mary Ann Bennett 1818-1903. They were married In 1840 In Ligonier Valley And Settled There On The Farm In Lawrence Co., Pa. Then in woods. The children were Sarah J. Dodds 1842-1882, David Bennett 1844-1864 - a soldier and died a prisoner of war. Thomas Mehard 1846-, Laura Wilson 1848, and yours truly Adolphus Powers, 1850-, Robert Calvin 1853-1882, died of a hemorrhage in his buggy 9 miles from home, Mary Eliza 1862-1883, demented. Sarah had 7 children, Laura 4, mumsy and I 13.

Mrs Essie Essex says in her history that my grandfather Bennett and his three brothers John, Nicholas, and David were in the Mexican War, and that grandfather Abram and his brother Nicholas were color bearers. In this she is clearly mistaken, as grandfather's age would have been sixty and John's age and that of Nicholas still more, rather greater. They were just the soldier age for the War of 1812, and most likely served in it. Please let George see this sheet. My children should keep it as geneology. -Daddy

Genealogy Event 7
Event Type: Occupation

Genealogy Event 8
Event Type: Occupation

Genealogy Event 9
Event Type: Occupation
Record Source: Retired Minister Dies Early Today

The Rev. A. P. Hutchison Was 90 Years of Age \endash Funeral Saturday


The Rev. A. P. Hutchison, aged 90, retired United Presbyterian minister, died at the residence of his daughter Mrs. Mary Brandon in Conoquenessing at 6:15 o'clock today.

Mr. Hutchison was born in Wilmington township, Lawrence county, December 29, 1850, a son of the late James and Mary Ann Hutchison.

He attended the public schools there and entered Westminster college from where he was graduated in 1878. He taught school for a number of years in the Lawrence county area and entered Xenia Theological Seminary from where he was graduated in 1881.

In 1872 he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Thompson who died in 1916. In 1917 he married J. Ruth Whetstone who died in April this year. Since his second wife's death he had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Mary Brandon, in Conoquenessing.

Mr. Hutchison began his pastorate in Rushville, Indiana, and served succeeding pastorates in the United Presbyterian church at Mahoning and Harbor, Lawrence county, Oxford, Sandy Lake and North Sandy, Shiloh, Cherry Run, Mt. Zion, Linden, N.Y. and Franklinville, N.Y.

He was one time editor of the Mercer County Herald of Grove City and of the Clean Commonwealth of Butler.

He was a member of the United Presbyterian church at large and the Conemaugh Presbytery.

Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Irene Hoovler of Wilkinsburg; Mrs. Mabel Magner of Greensburg, Mrs. Ann Bates of West Haven, Conn., Mrs. Frances Miller of Grantwood, N. J. and Mrs. Mary Brandon at whose home he died; four sons, Carson of Polk, George C., of West Haven, Conn., Gerald M., of Pittsburgh and Deurelle L. Hutchison of Miami, Fla.; 24 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

The body has been removed to the Thompson Funeral Home, East North street at McKean street where the family will receive friends between the hours of 7 and 9 o'clock tonight; 2 and 5 o'clock tomorrow afternoon and 7 and 9 o'clock tomorrow night.

Funeral services will be held from the Thompson Funeral Home at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon with the Rev. Henry K. Hawkins pastor of the White Oak Springs church and the Rev. Samuel Dodds, of Prospect, officiating. Burial will be in the Fair Oaks cemetery at New Wilmington.

Genealogy Event 10
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 18 Sept 1941
Event Place: Connoquenessing, Butler, Pennsylvania
Record Source: Year: 1941 Adolphus P Hutchison CNQNSNG H 322 10 9 18 41 81221

Genealogy Event 11
Event Type: Burial
Event Place: Fair Oaks Cemetery, New Wilmington, Lawrence, Pennsylvania