John Olin II was born March 8, 1711/12 in East Greenwich, Kent, Rhode Island. He married Susannah Pierce in East Greenwich on December 8, 1734. She was born in North Kingston, Rhode Island April 8, 1708 and was the daughter of Jeremiah Pierce.
John and Susannah (Pierce) Olin lived in Rhode Island where they reared their family, but later in life they removed to Shaftsbury, Bennington, Vermont where John died on September 24, 1797 and Susannah died in February 1802 in Shaftsbury, Bennington, Vermont.
John and Susannah had seven children:
Phoebe Olin
Phoebe Olin born November 9, 1735 in East Greenwich, Rhode Island and married William Bailey.
Jonathan Olin, Esq.
Jonathan Olin Esq. born June 17, 1737 in East Greenwich, Kent, Rhode Island and d: January 9, 1826 probably in Shaftsbury, Bennington, Vermont. He married in 1757 to Anne Gardiner
ho was born May 2, 1735 in East Greenwich and died November 28, 1811 probably in Shaftsbury. He married secondly to a woman named Meriba. Jonathan and Anne may have had a daughter, Phebe Mattison and they adopted one son:
Captain Jonathan Olin born September 5, 1766 in East Greenwich and died June 25, 1851 in Franklin, Morrow County, Ohio. DNA has proven that this son was an Olin. He married Penelope Harrington who was born August 25, 1769 in Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island and died August 3, 1795 in Shaftsbury Center, Bennington, Vermont. There is another record for a Penelope Harrington married to Jonathan Olin that shows she died April 29, 1847 in Morrow County, Ohio. They had the following children:
- Hannah Olin born 1792 Bennington County, VT married Peter Richards, Sr. and had two children: George D. and Peter.
- Elizabeth Olin
- John
- Sarah
- Rebecca
- Aurelia
- Albert
- Lydia
- Archibald Olin (See the Olin Family Society site for more information on his branch)
- May Olin (See the Olin Family Society site for more information on her branch)
Query
Contact: Chris
Jonathan Olin, Jr. was my 5th GGF. His father, Jonathan Olin, Sr. referred to Jonathan, Jr. several times in his will as “my adopted son”. Jonathan, Jr. is the only child I know of from Jonathan and Anne (Gardiner) Olin’s marriage, and he was born 9 years after they were married. This seems to indicate that they could not have children and that they possibly took in a nephew or perhaps some other relative to raise. This is just conjecture on my part, but it was fairly common in those days. I doubt that any records would exist in RI that could point to who they “adopted” or who his biological parents were. It is hard enough for adoptees to find their parents today, much less after 200+ years. By the way, when Jonathan Olin, Jr. married Penelope Harrington, his uncle Gideon Olin conducted the wedding ceremony.
Please let me know if you have any info, comments, or suggestions about this line. It is always great to find another cousin researching genealogy. Please contact Chris if you are also researching this line.
The family of Jonathan Olin, Sr. (1737- 1826) is something of a mystery. He married first to Anne Gardiner in 1757. As far as is known, this marriage produced no NATURAL BORN children. After Anne’s death in the early 1800’s, he remarried to a Mereba _______. He was supposedly the father of an illegitimate daughter (Hannah Dyer).
In the will of Jonathan Olin, Sr., he twice refers to “my ADOPTED son”, Jonathan Olin, Jr. (1766-1851). Jonathan Olin, Jr. is my ancestor. In his will, Jonathan, Sr. also bequeathed property to Phebe Matteson (wife of Isaac Matteson, of Shaftsbury), who is also believed to have been a daughter of Jonathan, Sr. [but NOT the daughter of Anne (Gardiner) OIin]. Whew, this family is confusing!!! Can anyone provide any more information to help sort out this family? The following is the will of Jonathan Olin, Sr.:
April the 5th day of 1826
Jonathan Olin Estate
Whereas David Mattison the 2d of Shaftsbury in said District heretofore presented to the probate ourt a certain instrument purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Jonathan Olin late of said Shaftsbury deceased for probate and allowances where when it was ordered that the said David Mattison the 2d who was named as the Executor to said will to that he gives notice to all persons concerned to appear before said probate court at the probate offie in Bennington in district on the first Wednesday of April AD 1826 and then and there show cause if any they have why said Will and Testament should not be proved and approved by said court and it appearing to said court that the said David Mattison the 2d has complyed with the said order by publishing the substance of his application aforesaid and also a copy of said order the said probate court then when provided to take the proof of said Will and Testament which said Will and Testament was duly proven to be the last Will and Testament of the said Jonathan Olin deceased and the same was approved and ordered to be recorded by the court and which said Will and Testament was in the words and figure following to wit–
In the name of God Amen
I Jonathan Olin of Shaftsbury in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont being of sound isposing mind and memory and being desirous of settling my worldly affairs whilst I have culpability so to do make this as my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and first I commit my soul into the hands of my Creator who gave it and my body to be decently buried in the earth by my Executor hereafter named and as to such world Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to intrust me to dispose as follows–
First–That all my just debts be paid out of my goods and Estate. Second–I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Mereba the one equal half of all my real and personal estate to her and her heirs forever after the payment of my just debts and other charges and expences meaning and intending to give unto my said wife the property under which the word be intitled to be law should I die intestate. Thirdly–I give and bequeath unto Phebe Mattison the wife of Isaac Mattison of the Town of Shaftsbury in the County of Bennington State of Vermont the right to use improve and occupy all singular the rest and residue of my real estate with all the privilidges and appertainances thereto belonging for and during the natural life and after the death of the said Phebe I will and bequeath the said real estate unto her heirs as the law directs to their use forever meaning and intending hereby and it is especially to be understood to be my last will that after the payment of all by just debts out of my personal Estate if sufficient my wearing apprarel and joiner tools excepted and if not sufficient then after disposing of my said personal Estate towards the payment of my just debts my Executor is hereby impowered to sell so much of my real Estate as will pay the residue and that after the payment of debts in the manner aforesaid and after the said one equal half of real estate shall be set apart to my said wife then as the remaider of my real estate the said Phebe Mattison is to have and enjoy that the right of holding possessing and improving the same for her own benefit during her natural life and that after her death the said real estate is to descend to her heirs as before mentioned.
Fourthly–I give and bequeath unto my ADOPTED son Jonathan Olin of Shaftsbury aforesaid all my wearing apparel and all my carpenter and joiner tools and should there be any remaining part of my personaal estate after the payment of my just debts and not otherwise bequeathed for that case I give and bequeath the same to my ADOPTED son Jonathan Olin to his own proper use and benefit and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my trusty friend David Mattison the 2d to be my sole Executor to this my last
Will and Testament–
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14 day of September in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
Jonathan Olin [SEAL]
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Jonathan Olin to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses In the presence of Jonathan Olin and in the presence of each other
Henry Mattison
Henry Mattison Jun.
Susannah Mattison
More information from Chris Robinson
Jonathan Olin, Jr. was my 5th GGF. His father, Jonathan Olin, Sr. referred to Jonathan, Jr. several times in his will as “my adopted son”. Jonathan, Jr. is the only child I know of from Jonathan and Anne (Gardiner) Olin’s marriage, and he was born 9 years after they were married. This seems to indicate that they could not have children and that they possibly took in a nephew or perhaps some other relative to raise. This is just conjecture on my part, but it was fairly common in those days. I doubt that any records would exist in RI that could point to who they “adopted” or who his biological parents were. It is hard enough for adoptees to find their parents today, much less after 200+ years. By the way, when Jonathan Olin, Jr. married Penelope Harrington, his uncle Gideon Olin conducted the wedding ceremony.
Update: It is proven through our Y-DNA project that Jonathan was an Olin. If you are interested in our Olin Y-DNA project on FamilyTreeDNA, please contact us for more information.
John Olin (died in childhood)
John was born July 1, 1739 and died April 7, 1740 in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
John Olin, III
John Olin III was born September 17, 1741 in East Greenwich, Rhode Island and died November 2, 1821[1] at Shaftsbury, Bennington, Vermont. More about John Olin, III>>>
Gideon Olin
Gideon was born October 22, 1743 in East Greenwich, Kent, Rhode Island and died January 21, 1823 in Shaftsbury, Bennington Cty, Vermont. His first wife was Patience Dwinnell born January 25, 1744/45 in East Greenwich, Kent, Rhode Island and died January 30, 1801 in Shaftsbury, Bennington Cty, Vermont. His second wife was Lydia Myres Pope.
Giles Olin
Giles was born March 23, 1745 in East Greenwich, Kent Cty, Rhode Island, and died September 1, 1835 in Shaftsbury Center, Bennington, Vermont. His wife Anna Reynolds was born August 9, 1751 in Rhode Island to John Reynolds and Anne Utter. She died February 23, 1838 In Shaftsbury Center, Bennington, Vermont. More information on Giles Olin>>>
Barbara (or Barbary) Olin
Barbara (Barbery) Olin was born September 4, 1748 in East Greenwich, Rhode Island and died January 20, 1830 in Alene, Madison County, New York. She married Valentine Whitman who was born July 12, 1747 in North Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island and died October 12, 1820 in Lenox, Madison, New York. the son of Valentine (Wightman) Whitman and Rebecca Jamain. Rebecca is believed to have been a French Huguenot. Their children:
- Daniel Olin Whitman born March 21, 1768 in North Kingston, Washington, Rhode Island.
- William Whitman/Wightman was born 1770. He married Ruth James, sister of John’s wife. They had one son, James Wightman. Lenox juror 1806-1814.
- Gideon Whitman 1778.
- Giles Whitman m. Marcia Cranson, daughter of Asa and Zallah Cranson born 1793 and died March 21, 1828. Buried at Cranson’s. Second wife Polly Rose. Children: Andrew S. Lewis, Harriet, Roselle, Asa and Adelia who married Dr. Dunham. Giles was born in 1836 and was a carpenter. He lived in Lincoln with William Case 1850.
- John Whitman 1780
- Susan Whitman
- Peleg Whitman
- Henry Whitman — Lenox Constable 1815-1817. Ensign in 74th Regiment 1816. On Dem.- Rep. Committee 1831.
Valentine Whitman’s house [Valentine Whitman Jr. House (1694) Whitman’s home is one of a few surviving “stone-end” houses built in the 17th century. Whitman was a friend of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island. The first town meeting of old Smithfield, which included Lincoln, was held in this house in 1730 is still standing in Lincoln, RI.] Not sure of the connection — could have been this Valentine’s grandfather?
The William Whitman branch was provided by: C.J. Goodstar. This is a direct line descendancy chart.
Susannah Olin
We are unsure if Susannah was a child of John III.
Since this is my direct line, I am providing more detail on the above families. Additional information can be found on the Olin Family Society website, “A Complete Record of the John Olin Family” by C.C. Olin, Historian, 1893: Baker Randolph Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, and on Ancestry.com.
The date of John II’s birth was given in the “Outline Chart of the Direct Ancestral Line of William Gideon Clossen from the First American Paternal Ancestor, Josiah Clossen 1655-1698/9 and Maternal Ancestor, John Olin 1664-1725” by William G. Clossen, Civil Engineer, Flushing, NY 1931 Rev. 1951
Susannah is also shown with the spellings Pearce and Price.
Fun fact: I am double-related to this Pierce family, see below.
Sources
A Complete Record of the John Olin Family, C.C. Olin, Historian, 1893, Baker Randolph Co., Indianapolis, Indiana
The Gravestone Records of Shaftsbury, Bennington County, Vermont, Levi Henry Elwell, Compiliation and Presswork, Amherst, MA 1911
Biological Sketches of the Samuel Olin Family pp. 124-125
Pearce Genealogy, by Col. Frederick C. Pierce, Rockford, Illinois 1888
History of the Town of East Greenwich, 1677-1877, D.H. Greene, M.D., J.A. & R.A Reid, Printer and Publishers, Providence, 1877.
The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy, First Families in America-A Genealogical Encyclopedia of the U.S., Frederick A. Virkus, A.N. Marquis Y Company, Chicago 1925
Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by rootie