Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Tombstone Tuesday - December 1, 2009

Isaac Wiseman
18 Aug. 1738 - 03 May 1818
Elizabeth Davis Wiseman
26 Aug 1738 - 19 July 1807

The stone marking their graves is neither old, nor ancient, considering that this couple left their earthly remains about 200 years ago! The marker was placed about 1960 marking the spot where this quite revered couple were buried, side-by-side.

Isaac Wiseman is actually a Junior; named after his father, Isaac Wiseman, who was the first Wiseman of our ancestry to set foot on these American shores in 1700. He actually has the distinction of being born while his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Renberg) Wiseman, were sailing to our continent (but that is another story unto itself!) The Isaac whom we are speaking of today was born in Amity Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on a hot summers day of 18 August 1738. He was the first of at least 10 known children born to the couple.

Between 1738 and 1740 Isaac Sr. and family moved into Berks County. And it was here in 1758 that Isaac Jr. met and married 20-year old Elizabeth Davis. At this time, we know absolutely nothing of Elizabeth's parentage.

Isaac and Elizabeth went on to have 11 children while residing in Berks County. Isaac served in the Pennsylvania Militia during the American Revolution. Then around 1784, when the youngest child as about 5 years of age, the family migrated down into Rockingham County, Virginia. And approximately 10 years later, they headed west, just across the Alleghany Divide, into Monroe County, Virginia [now West Virginia].

Isaac and Elizabeth were an integral part in establishing the oldest church west of the Alleghany, The Old Rehobeth Church.Their son, John, was odained here under the auspices of the Bishop Francis Asbury, of the Methodist Church.


The Old Rehobeth Church
Keenan, Monroe, West Virginia
Most of the Wiseman children went on to continue moving west into Kentucky and most went into Ohio, several settling in Gallia County. However, Isaac and Elizabeth's eldest son, Joseph, stayed in Monroe County. In fact, he and his wife, Elizabeth (Bateman), are buried right beside his parents.

Isaac and Elizabeth were given a place of honor for their burial. The Northwest Corner of the churchyard was reserved for those individuals who helped to establish church. Here lie the Keenan's [who donated the property for the church and it's burial ground] and the Wiseman's.

A bronze Revolutionary War marker, also marks Isaac's grave.
Isaac died 03 May 1818. Elizabeth went before him on 19 July 1807. The shadow of the old log church covers their graves.



1 comment:

Sherry - Family Tree Writer said...

I like your post very much. I can see the area, both in your words, and in the picture that you posted, and you made the people come alive. Love the photo of the church, too, though my first guess would have been that it was a barn.

Isn't it awesome to search one's roots and find people who helped raise a family, an build a church, a community, and a nation, brick by brick.