The Will of William Alkire, 1818; Madison County, Ohio

From James R. Glacking


Initial research for a genealogy of the Alkire family reveals that it was a very prolific family with an abundance of common given names and a heritage about which there is much lore. In organizing data there is much conflicting and incomplete information to be sorted. This necessitates close scrutiny, and careful study of all research material. Continuous diligent evaluation of that material and its sources is a must.

William Alkire, one of the members of this family, was a pioneer settler in Pleasant Township, Madison County, Ohio. To clarify the history of the man and his descendants it is important to consult extant primary source materials. One such item is the gentleman's will. Found in MADISON COUNTY, OHIO, WILL BOOK 1, page 15, it reads as follows:


"In the name of God, Amen. I, William Alkire, of the county of Madison and State of Ohio, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following. That is to say:

"First, I give and bequeath unto Mary Ann Tanner no more than what she has already received of my estate, she being my daughter.

"I will and bequeath unto Robert Alkire, Jacob Alkire, Isaac Alkire, Abraham Alkire, and Harmonas Alkire, my sons, all the money in the hands of John Donelston, my attorney in the State of Kentucky, one thousand and two dollars, with Charles Clay's estate in the hands of my said attorney excepted. I further will to these aforementioned sons all my money in hand at my decease, fifty dollars excepted, to be equally divided between them. I further order that my aforementioned sons will have no more of my estate.

"I further will and bequeath unto John Alkire and William Alkire, my sons, all my lands containing three thousand and thirty acres and a half acre held by deed in my name, lying and being situated on the Deer Creek part of Baylor's survey, number of entry four hundred and sixty four, in the county and state above mentioned, for them, their heirs, and designees, to have and to hold forever at my decease and at the decease of my wife, Temperance, or when she alters her name by marriage. In consequence of which I will and order that the said John and William Alkire shall have said land equally divided between them.

"I further will and order that the said John Alkire and William Alkire, my sons, in consequence of their holding said land shall pay three hundred dollars, current money of the United States, out of said land when they get in full possession of said land unto Margaret and Elizabeth and Phoebe Alkire, my daughters, to be equally divided between them.

"I further will and order that William Alkire shall have one sorrel horse and his mare out of my personal property at my decease.

"I will and order that Lydia Graham, Margaret Alkire, Elizabeth Alkire, and Phoebe Alkire, my daughters, shall have all my moveable property at my decease, one hundred dollars excepted, out of said property, to be equally divided between them.

"I further will and order that Joseph Alkire and Green Alkire, my sons, shall have all of their grandfather Charles Clay's estate in the hands of John Donelston, my attorney, together with one hundred and twenty dollars of my other money in said Donelston's hands, also one hundred dollars out of my personal property, to be equally divided between them when they become of lawful age. I further will that fifty dollars of my money in hand shall be appropriated to the schooling of the aforesaid Joseph and Green Alkire.

"I further will and order in this my last will and testament that Abraham Alkire and John Graham shall be sole executors of my estate, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen."


The will was recorded and admitted to probate during the May, 1822 court term.

William Alkire and his first wife, Elizabeth (Moore) Alkire, came from the Hampshire and Hardy counties, Virginia, area to Bourbon County, Kentucky, ca 1787. They settled in that country; and Elizabeth Alkire died there shortly after the birth of her youngest child in 1803. The following year on 7 June 1804, in neighboring Clark County, Kentucky, William Alkire married Mrs. Temperance (Clay) Black, a widow with five children. They removed to Madison County, Ohio, prior to 1810, when that county was created. Both spent their remaining years there.

Children of William Alkire

1. The will speaks of Mary Ann (Alkire) Tanner as if she were still alive. That was not the case. Mary Ann Alkire was born in Virginia, 5 Oct 1781. She married Courtney Tanner in Clark County, Kentucky, 6 Oct 1803. They removed to that part of Franklin County, Ohio, that is now Madison County. She died there shortly after the birth of her only son, 25 Nov 1805.


2. Robert Alkire was born in Virginia, 3 Oct. 1783. He was married in Franklin County, Ohio, 20 June 1809, to Elizabeth Douglas. He farmed in Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio. At the age of 43, he died in 1827, leaving a widow with seven minor children.


3. John Alkire was born in Virginia, 17 Dec. 1784, and died in infancy during the following year.


4. Jacob Alkire was born in Virginia, 1 April 1786. He married in Pickaway County, Ohio, 28 March 1812, to Mary Phebus. A Madison County farmer, he died in that county, 5 June 1847, age 61 years.


5. Isaac Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 12 Oct 1789. In Madison County, Ohio, he married Mary Graham, 7 Dec 1811. A well-known Pickaway County farmer, he died there 16 May 1877, age 87 years.


6. Abraham Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 6 Aug 1790. In Madison County, Ohio, he married Jane Martin Creath, 15 May 1812. He farmed in Madison County, and died at his farm home, 19 May 1859, age 68 years.


7. Harmonas Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 10 Feb 1792. In Madison County, Ohio, on 19 July 1814, he was married to Margaret Denton. About 1824 they removed to Fountain County, Indiana; and he died in that place 30 Oct 1869, at the age of 77 years.


8. Lydia Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 3 Jan 1793. In Pickaway County, Ohio, on 4 May 1812, she married John Graham, a farmer and blacksmith. She died in Madison County prior to 1860.


9. Margaret Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 23 Jan 1794. On 11 Feb 1819, she was married in Madison County, Ohio, to James H. Denison. The last survivor of the immediate William Alkire family, she died at her Madison County home, 3 Feb 1888, at the advanced age of 94 years.


10. John Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 15 Oct 1795. He married Susannah Mantle in Pickaway County, Ohio, 28 Aug 1817. He spent his adult life as a farmer in Madison and Pickaway counties. He died 7 July 1848, age 52 years.


11. William Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 21 Nov 1799. He married Hannah Osborn in Madison County, Ohio on 12 July 1822. Prior to 1840 they removed to Putnam County, Ohio. A farmer and a carpenter, he remained in Putnam County until his death, 25 Jan 1886, aged 86 years.


12. Elizabeth Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 9 June 1803. She married Washington Graham in Madison County, Ohio, 5 Feb 1824. That same year they removed to Fountain County, Indiana. She died in that county, 3 May 1875, age 71 years.


13. Joseph Wright Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 24 Nov 1805. He was first married in Madison County, Ohio, on 13 June 1822, to Effie Anderson. About 1824, they, in company with other relatives, removed to Fountain County, Indiana, where she died. He then married in Fountain County, on 1 July 1830, to Tillitha C. DeHaven. She died while the family was living in Pike County, Illinois. In the latter county, Joseph Alkire married Mrs. Katherine (Kurfman) Taylor on 26 Feb 1857. They later settled in Newton County, Missouri, where he died 7 June 1873, age 67 years.


14. Henry Green Clay Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 25 May 1807. He married Elizabeth Neff in Pickaway County, Ohio, 7 July 1831. A prominent Madison County farmer, he died 23 July 1863, age 56 years.


15. Phoebe Lewis Clay Alkire was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, ca 1809. She died as a young woman in Madison County, Ohio. She never married.

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