For over 45 years during my research, I have believed that Sarah Minerva Vanatta was the daughter of Samuel Wilson and Sarah Lee Headley Vanatta. For the most part, everyone else has believed this too. Recently I traveled to Greene County, Pennsylvania to do more research on the various lines of my family including the Vanattas. Frankly, what I found shocked me.
On January 10, 1849, Jonathan Vanatta executed his Last Will and Testament, a copy of which is attached to this memorial. In it, among other things, he names two daughters, both minors, using their full names. His oldest was Sarah Minerva and his infant daughter was Mary Matilda. He mentioned his wife but did not name her. Jonathan died in February (his obit appeared in the Waynesburg (PA) Messenger on 27 Feb 1849). His will was registered for probate on 15 Mar 1849 and Samuel Vanatta was appointed as fiduciary.
Since Jonathan died in 1849, in 1850, his wife would have been a widow with at least two minor children. Where were they in 1850? Who was his wife? Research discloses that Sarah Minerva's spouse, Jonathan Wilson Barnhart, was living with his parents, Thomas and Margaret Gray Barnhart, in 1860. Since he was yet unmarried, Sarah Minerva had to be living with her family. A review of the 1860 Greene County, PA census reveals a P. Moore living a few doors away from Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co. In P. Moore's household we find: R. A. Moore, 33, Harriet Moore, 5, Almira Moore, 2, C. M. Moore (female - less than a year old), S. M. Vanatta (female), 17, Mary Vanatta, 10, and Eliza Vanatta, 12. Since Harriet and Almira Moore were presumed children of the adults in this household, they were used to find the family in 1870. The 1870 census revealed P. Moore to be Phineas Moore and R. A. Moore to be Rachel A. Moore, his wife. Having their first names, they were found buried in the Lazear Cemetery. Based on this information, it could be reasonably presumed that Rachel Moore was the mother of the Vanatta children found in the Moore household in 1860. Further, since Mary was one of the children named in Jonathan Vanatta's will and since this Mary was born probably in 1848-9, it could be equally presumed that "S. M. Vanatta", age 17, was Sarah Minerva. This presumption regarding Sarah Minerva is further strengthened when we do not find her living in the household of Samuel Wilson and Sarah Headley Vanatta as she was in 1850. We can also now say for certain that the Mary Vanatta (b. ca 1848) found in the household of Samuel Wilson is the other daughter of his brother Jonathan.
Shortly after the 1860 census was taken, Sarah Minerva Vanatta and Jonathan Wilson Barnhart married. Samuel Wilson and Sarah Vanatta moved to Kansas and as far as records indicate, neither Sarah Minerva nor her 5 children were referred to as a child or the grandchildren of them.
An additional piece of evidence establishes the relationship of Mary Vanatta (b. ca 1849) with Jonathan (d. 1849) and Samuel (1792-1863). When Samuel died in 1863, Mary was minor above the age of fourteen. Because she was expected to inherit some property from him, she petitioned the Orphan's Court in Greene County as a minor requesting that a guardian be appointed to manage any property she inherited. The Court agreed and on 17 Mar 1863, Francis Drake was appointed as her guardian. In the petition, it states "The petitioner, a minor child of Jonathan Vanatta dec'd above the age of fourteen years respectfully showeth that by the death of her grandfather Samuel Vanatta Esq. dec'd she is entitled to some personal estate and has no person legally authorized to take charge of her person or property and respectfully asking the Court to permit to make choice of such guardian and she will ever pray." This petition proves that this minor child, Mary Vanatta, was the daughter of Jonathan and her grandfather was Samuel. Based on the evidence this Mary is proven to be the same Mary Matilda who was an infant at the time Jonathan executed his Last Will and Testament in 1849. No guardian was sought on behalf of Sarah Minerva because by 1863, she was married to Barnhart.
Since we now know that Jonathan's wife was Rachel, who ultimately married Phineas Moore, we can now identify the Rachel that is found within the household of Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co. in 1850. Rachel Vanatta, age 27, is the widow of Jonathan and the daughter in law of Samuel. She is not one of his daughters as originally thought which explains why she was not mentioned in Samuel's will dated 17 Feb 1862.
The final group of documents were found in the deed records of Greene County. Samuel Vanatta (1792-1863) was appointed as the executor of his son, Jonathan's estate. However, Samuel died before completing the estate process. Francis Drake was appointed as successor fiduciary to complete the administration. On 12 Jun 1867, Drake transferred real property from the Estate of Jonathan Vanatta to Phineas Moore and Jonathan W. Barnhart. We know that these men were married to Rachel Garrett and Sarah Minerva Vanatta, respectively. On 22 Jun 1867, Phineas and Rachel Moore transferred some of their interest in the lands to Jonathan W. and Sarah Minerva Vanatta Barnhart. On the same date and most significantly, Phineas and Rachel and Jonathan and Sarah Minerva signed a deed transferring land to William S. Drake. In that deed which is found in Volume 22, Page 60 of Greene County Deed Records, Rachel is specifically named as "formerly relict of Jonathan Vanatta deceased" and Jonathan W. and Sarah M. Barnhart as named as "heirs at law of Jonathan Vanatta deceased". "Relict" is another word used previously for wife or spouse. This deed contains the final and undisputable proof establishing that Rachel was the wife and then widow of Jonathan Vanatta and Sarah Minerva Vanatta Barnhart was their daughter. Of course, since Mary Matilda Vanatta Cossel was also named as Jonathan's daughter in his will, the relationship proven by the deed equally proves that she was the daughter of Jonathan and Rachel Garret Vanatta.
It is now quite clear that Sarah Minerva and Mary Matilda Vanatta were the children of Jonathan and Rachel Garrett Vanatta. We can establish the timeline as follows based on the records available:
10 Jan 1849 -- Jonathan Vanatta, contemplating his imminent death, executes his Last Will and Testament naming his two young daughters, Sarah Minerva and Mary Matilda. Jonathan dies in February, 1849.
1850 -- Minerva and Mary Vanatta are found in the household of Samuel Wilson Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co., PA. Rachel Garrett Vanatta, the widow of Jonathan, is living with her father in law, Samuel, in Richhill Twp.
1860 -- Rachel Vanatta (R. A. Moore) is the wife of Phineas (P. Moore) living in Richhill Twp. a few doors up from Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp. In the Moore household are found Sarah Minerva Vanatta (S. M.), age 17, Mary Vanatta, age 10 and Eliza Vanatta, age 12.
1860-61--Sarah Minerva marries Jonathan Wilson Barnhart
1862--Samuel Vanatta executes his Last Will and Testament and does not name Rachel was one of his heirs. He also does not mention the heirs of his deceased son, Jonathan.
1863--Samuel Vanatta, the grandfather of Jonathan's children including Mary, dies and Mary, as a minor, seeks the appointment of a guardian to manage any inheritance she would receive from her grandfather's estate. Francis Drake is appointed.
22 Jun 1867 -- Deed from Phineas and Rachel Moore and Jonathan W. and Sarah M. Barnhart state that Rachel was Jonathan's former wife and widow and Sarah Minerva was his daughter (his heir at law).
1870--Rachel Moore was living with her husband and Moore children in Richhill Twp.
1880--Rachel Moore was living with her husband and Moore children in Richhill Twp.
1881--Rachel Garrett Vanatta Moore died on 31 Oct 1881 and is buried in Lazear Cemetery where her daughter was buried 10 years before
On January 10, 1849, Jonathan Vanatta executed his Last Will and Testament, a copy of which is attached to this memorial. In it, among other things, he names two daughters, both minors, using their full names. His oldest was Sarah Minerva and his infant daughter was Mary Matilda. He mentioned his wife but did not name her. Jonathan died in February (his obit appeared in the Waynesburg (PA) Messenger on 27 Feb 1849). His will was registered for probate on 15 Mar 1849 and Samuel Vanatta was appointed as fiduciary.
Since Jonathan died in 1849, in 1850, his wife would have been a widow with at least two minor children. Where were they in 1850? Who was his wife? Research discloses that Sarah Minerva's spouse, Jonathan Wilson Barnhart, was living with his parents, Thomas and Margaret Gray Barnhart, in 1860. Since he was yet unmarried, Sarah Minerva had to be living with her family. A review of the 1860 Greene County, PA census reveals a P. Moore living a few doors away from Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co. In P. Moore's household we find: R. A. Moore, 33, Harriet Moore, 5, Almira Moore, 2, C. M. Moore (female - less than a year old), S. M. Vanatta (female), 17, Mary Vanatta, 10, and Eliza Vanatta, 12. Since Harriet and Almira Moore were presumed children of the adults in this household, they were used to find the family in 1870. The 1870 census revealed P. Moore to be Phineas Moore and R. A. Moore to be Rachel A. Moore, his wife. Having their first names, they were found buried in the Lazear Cemetery. Based on this information, it could be reasonably presumed that Rachel Moore was the mother of the Vanatta children found in the Moore household in 1860. Further, since Mary was one of the children named in Jonathan Vanatta's will and since this Mary was born probably in 1848-9, it could be equally presumed that "S. M. Vanatta", age 17, was Sarah Minerva. This presumption regarding Sarah Minerva is further strengthened when we do not find her living in the household of Samuel Wilson and Sarah Headley Vanatta as she was in 1850. We can also now say for certain that the Mary Vanatta (b. ca 1848) found in the household of Samuel Wilson is the other daughter of his brother Jonathan.
Shortly after the 1860 census was taken, Sarah Minerva Vanatta and Jonathan Wilson Barnhart married. Samuel Wilson and Sarah Vanatta moved to Kansas and as far as records indicate, neither Sarah Minerva nor her 5 children were referred to as a child or the grandchildren of them.
An additional piece of evidence establishes the relationship of Mary Vanatta (b. ca 1849) with Jonathan (d. 1849) and Samuel (1792-1863). When Samuel died in 1863, Mary was minor above the age of fourteen. Because she was expected to inherit some property from him, she petitioned the Orphan's Court in Greene County as a minor requesting that a guardian be appointed to manage any property she inherited. The Court agreed and on 17 Mar 1863, Francis Drake was appointed as her guardian. In the petition, it states "The petitioner, a minor child of Jonathan Vanatta dec'd above the age of fourteen years respectfully showeth that by the death of her grandfather Samuel Vanatta Esq. dec'd she is entitled to some personal estate and has no person legally authorized to take charge of her person or property and respectfully asking the Court to permit to make choice of such guardian and she will ever pray." This petition proves that this minor child, Mary Vanatta, was the daughter of Jonathan and her grandfather was Samuel. Based on the evidence this Mary is proven to be the same Mary Matilda who was an infant at the time Jonathan executed his Last Will and Testament in 1849. No guardian was sought on behalf of Sarah Minerva because by 1863, she was married to Barnhart.
Since we now know that Jonathan's wife was Rachel, who ultimately married Phineas Moore, we can now identify the Rachel that is found within the household of Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co. in 1850. Rachel Vanatta, age 27, is the widow of Jonathan and the daughter in law of Samuel. She is not one of his daughters as originally thought which explains why she was not mentioned in Samuel's will dated 17 Feb 1862.
The final group of documents were found in the deed records of Greene County. Samuel Vanatta (1792-1863) was appointed as the executor of his son, Jonathan's estate. However, Samuel died before completing the estate process. Francis Drake was appointed as successor fiduciary to complete the administration. On 12 Jun 1867, Drake transferred real property from the Estate of Jonathan Vanatta to Phineas Moore and Jonathan W. Barnhart. We know that these men were married to Rachel Garrett and Sarah Minerva Vanatta, respectively. On 22 Jun 1867, Phineas and Rachel Moore transferred some of their interest in the lands to Jonathan W. and Sarah Minerva Vanatta Barnhart. On the same date and most significantly, Phineas and Rachel and Jonathan and Sarah Minerva signed a deed transferring land to William S. Drake. In that deed which is found in Volume 22, Page 60 of Greene County Deed Records, Rachel is specifically named as "formerly relict of Jonathan Vanatta deceased" and Jonathan W. and Sarah M. Barnhart as named as "heirs at law of Jonathan Vanatta deceased". "Relict" is another word used previously for wife or spouse. This deed contains the final and undisputable proof establishing that Rachel was the wife and then widow of Jonathan Vanatta and Sarah Minerva Vanatta Barnhart was their daughter. Of course, since Mary Matilda Vanatta Cossel was also named as Jonathan's daughter in his will, the relationship proven by the deed equally proves that she was the daughter of Jonathan and Rachel Garret Vanatta.
It is now quite clear that Sarah Minerva and Mary Matilda Vanatta were the children of Jonathan and Rachel Garrett Vanatta. We can establish the timeline as follows based on the records available:
10 Jan 1849 -- Jonathan Vanatta, contemplating his imminent death, executes his Last Will and Testament naming his two young daughters, Sarah Minerva and Mary Matilda. Jonathan dies in February, 1849.
1850 -- Minerva and Mary Vanatta are found in the household of Samuel Wilson Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co., PA. Rachel Garrett Vanatta, the widow of Jonathan, is living with her father in law, Samuel, in Richhill Twp.
1860 -- Rachel Vanatta (R. A. Moore) is the wife of Phineas (P. Moore) living in Richhill Twp. a few doors up from Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp. In the Moore household are found Sarah Minerva Vanatta (S. M.), age 17, Mary Vanatta, age 10 and Eliza Vanatta, age 12.
1860-61--Sarah Minerva marries Jonathan Wilson Barnhart
1862--Samuel Vanatta executes his Last Will and Testament and does not name Rachel was one of his heirs. He also does not mention the heirs of his deceased son, Jonathan.
1863--Samuel Vanatta, the grandfather of Jonathan's children including Mary, dies and Mary, as a minor, seeks the appointment of a guardian to manage any inheritance she would receive from her grandfather's estate. Francis Drake is appointed.
22 Jun 1867 -- Deed from Phineas and Rachel Moore and Jonathan W. and Sarah M. Barnhart state that Rachel was Jonathan's former wife and widow and Sarah Minerva was his daughter (his heir at law).
1870--Rachel Moore was living with her husband and Moore children in Richhill Twp.
1880--Rachel Moore was living with her husband and Moore children in Richhill Twp.
1881--Rachel Garrett Vanatta Moore died on 31 Oct 1881 and is buried in Lazear Cemetery where her daughter was buried 10 years before
For over 45 years during my research, I have believed that Sarah Minerva Vanatta was the daughter of Samuel Wilson and Sarah Lee Headley Vanatta. For the most part, everyone else has believed this too. Recently I traveled to Greene County, Pennsylvania to do more research on the various lines of my family including the Vanattas. Frankly, what I found shocked me.
On January 10, 1849, Jonathan Vanatta executed his Last Will and Testament, a copy of which is attached to this memorial. In it, among other things, he names two daughters, both minors, using their full names. His oldest was Sarah Minerva and his infant daughter was Mary Matilda. He mentioned his wife but did not name her. Jonathan died in February (his obit appeared in the Waynesburg (PA) Messenger on 27 Feb 1849). His will was registered for probate on 15 Mar 1849 and Samuel Vanatta was appointed as fiduciary.
Since Jonathan died in 1849, in 1850, his wife would have been a widow with at least two minor children. Where were they in 1850? Who was his wife? Research discloses that Sarah Minerva's spouse, Jonathan Wilson Barnhart, was living with his parents, Thomas and Margaret Gray Barnhart, in 1860. Since he was yet unmarried, Sarah Minerva had to be living with her family. A review of the 1860 Greene County, PA census reveals a P. Moore living a few doors away from Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co. In P. Moore's household we find: R. A. Moore, 33, Harriet Moore, 5, Almira Moore, 2, C. M. Moore (female - less than a year old), S. M. Vanatta (female), 17, Mary Vanatta, 10, and Eliza Vanatta, 12. Since Harriet and Almira Moore were presumed children of the adults in this household, they were used to find the family in 1870. The 1870 census revealed P. Moore to be Phineas Moore and R. A. Moore to be Rachel A. Moore, his wife. Having their first names, they were found buried in the Lazear Cemetery. Based on this information, it could be reasonably presumed that Rachel Moore was the mother of the Vanatta children found in the Moore household in 1860. Further, since Mary was one of the children named in Jonathan Vanatta's will and since this Mary was born probably in 1848-9, it could be equally presumed that "S. M. Vanatta", age 17, was Sarah Minerva. This presumption regarding Sarah Minerva is further strengthened when we do not find her living in the household of Samuel Wilson and Sarah Headley Vanatta as she was in 1850. We can also now say for certain that the Mary Vanatta (b. ca 1848) found in the household of Samuel Wilson is the other daughter of his brother Jonathan.
Shortly after the 1860 census was taken, Sarah Minerva Vanatta and Jonathan Wilson Barnhart married. Samuel Wilson and Sarah Vanatta moved to Kansas and as far as records indicate, neither Sarah Minerva nor her 5 children were referred to as a child or the grandchildren of them.
An additional piece of evidence establishes the relationship of Mary Vanatta (b. ca 1849) with Jonathan (d. 1849) and Samuel (1792-1863). When Samuel died in 1863, Mary was minor above the age of fourteen. Because she was expected to inherit some property from him, she petitioned the Orphan's Court in Greene County as a minor requesting that a guardian be appointed to manage any property she inherited. The Court agreed and on 17 Mar 1863, Francis Drake was appointed as her guardian. In the petition, it states "The petitioner, a minor child of Jonathan Vanatta dec'd above the age of fourteen years respectfully showeth that by the death of her grandfather Samuel Vanatta Esq. dec'd she is entitled to some personal estate and has no person legally authorized to take charge of her person or property and respectfully asking the Court to permit to make choice of such guardian and she will ever pray." This petition proves that this minor child, Mary Vanatta, was the daughter of Jonathan and her grandfather was Samuel. Based on the evidence this Mary is proven to be the same Mary Matilda who was an infant at the time Jonathan executed his Last Will and Testament in 1849. No guardian was sought on behalf of Sarah Minerva because by 1863, she was married to Barnhart.
Since we now know that Jonathan's wife was Rachel, who ultimately married Phineas Moore, we can now identify the Rachel that is found within the household of Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co. in 1850. Rachel Vanatta, age 27, is the widow of Jonathan and the daughter in law of Samuel. She is not one of his daughters as originally thought which explains why she was not mentioned in Samuel's will dated 17 Feb 1862.
The final group of documents were found in the deed records of Greene County. Samuel Vanatta (1792-1863) was appointed as the executor of his son, Jonathan's estate. However, Samuel died before completing the estate process. Francis Drake was appointed as successor fiduciary to complete the administration. On 12 Jun 1867, Drake transferred real property from the Estate of Jonathan Vanatta to Phineas Moore and Jonathan W. Barnhart. We know that these men were married to Rachel Garrett and Sarah Minerva Vanatta, respectively. On 22 Jun 1867, Phineas and Rachel Moore transferred some of their interest in the lands to Jonathan W. and Sarah Minerva Vanatta Barnhart. On the same date and most significantly, Phineas and Rachel and Jonathan and Sarah Minerva signed a deed transferring land to William S. Drake. In that deed which is found in Volume 22, Page 60 of Greene County Deed Records, Rachel is specifically named as "formerly relict of Jonathan Vanatta deceased" and Jonathan W. and Sarah M. Barnhart as named as "heirs at law of Jonathan Vanatta deceased". "Relict" is another word used previously for wife or spouse. This deed contains the final and undisputable proof establishing that Rachel was the wife and then widow of Jonathan Vanatta and Sarah Minerva Vanatta Barnhart was their daughter. Of course, since Mary Matilda Vanatta Cossel was also named as Jonathan's daughter in his will, the relationship proven by the deed equally proves that she was the daughter of Jonathan and Rachel Garret Vanatta.
It is now quite clear that Sarah Minerva and Mary Matilda Vanatta were the children of Jonathan and Rachel Garrett Vanatta. We can establish the timeline as follows based on the records available:
10 Jan 1849 -- Jonathan Vanatta, contemplating his imminent death, executes his Last Will and Testament naming his two young daughters, Sarah Minerva and Mary Matilda. Jonathan dies in February, 1849.
1850 -- Minerva and Mary Vanatta are found in the household of Samuel Wilson Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co., PA. Rachel Garrett Vanatta, the widow of Jonathan, is living with her father in law, Samuel, in Richhill Twp.
1860 -- Rachel Vanatta (R. A. Moore) is the wife of Phineas (P. Moore) living in Richhill Twp. a few doors up from Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp. In the Moore household are found Sarah Minerva Vanatta (S. M.), age 17, Mary Vanatta, age 10 and Eliza Vanatta, age 12.
1860-61--Sarah Minerva marries Jonathan Wilson Barnhart
1862--Samuel Vanatta executes his Last Will and Testament and does not name Rachel was one of his heirs. He also does not mention the heirs of his deceased son, Jonathan.
1863--Samuel Vanatta, the grandfather of Jonathan's children including Mary, dies and Mary, as a minor, seeks the appointment of a guardian to manage any inheritance she would receive from her grandfather's estate. Francis Drake is appointed.
22 Jun 1867 -- Deed from Phineas and Rachel Moore and Jonathan W. and Sarah M. Barnhart state that Rachel was Jonathan's former wife and widow and Sarah Minerva was his daughter (his heir at law).
1870--Rachel Moore was living with her husband and Moore children in Richhill Twp.
1880--Rachel Moore was living with her husband and Moore children in Richhill Twp.
1881--Rachel Garrett Vanatta Moore died on 31 Oct 1881 and is buried in Lazear Cemetery where her daughter was buried 10 years before
On January 10, 1849, Jonathan Vanatta executed his Last Will and Testament, a copy of which is attached to this memorial. In it, among other things, he names two daughters, both minors, using their full names. His oldest was Sarah Minerva and his infant daughter was Mary Matilda. He mentioned his wife but did not name her. Jonathan died in February (his obit appeared in the Waynesburg (PA) Messenger on 27 Feb 1849). His will was registered for probate on 15 Mar 1849 and Samuel Vanatta was appointed as fiduciary.
Since Jonathan died in 1849, in 1850, his wife would have been a widow with at least two minor children. Where were they in 1850? Who was his wife? Research discloses that Sarah Minerva's spouse, Jonathan Wilson Barnhart, was living with his parents, Thomas and Margaret Gray Barnhart, in 1860. Since he was yet unmarried, Sarah Minerva had to be living with her family. A review of the 1860 Greene County, PA census reveals a P. Moore living a few doors away from Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co. In P. Moore's household we find: R. A. Moore, 33, Harriet Moore, 5, Almira Moore, 2, C. M. Moore (female - less than a year old), S. M. Vanatta (female), 17, Mary Vanatta, 10, and Eliza Vanatta, 12. Since Harriet and Almira Moore were presumed children of the adults in this household, they were used to find the family in 1870. The 1870 census revealed P. Moore to be Phineas Moore and R. A. Moore to be Rachel A. Moore, his wife. Having their first names, they were found buried in the Lazear Cemetery. Based on this information, it could be reasonably presumed that Rachel Moore was the mother of the Vanatta children found in the Moore household in 1860. Further, since Mary was one of the children named in Jonathan Vanatta's will and since this Mary was born probably in 1848-9, it could be equally presumed that "S. M. Vanatta", age 17, was Sarah Minerva. This presumption regarding Sarah Minerva is further strengthened when we do not find her living in the household of Samuel Wilson and Sarah Headley Vanatta as she was in 1850. We can also now say for certain that the Mary Vanatta (b. ca 1848) found in the household of Samuel Wilson is the other daughter of his brother Jonathan.
Shortly after the 1860 census was taken, Sarah Minerva Vanatta and Jonathan Wilson Barnhart married. Samuel Wilson and Sarah Vanatta moved to Kansas and as far as records indicate, neither Sarah Minerva nor her 5 children were referred to as a child or the grandchildren of them.
An additional piece of evidence establishes the relationship of Mary Vanatta (b. ca 1849) with Jonathan (d. 1849) and Samuel (1792-1863). When Samuel died in 1863, Mary was minor above the age of fourteen. Because she was expected to inherit some property from him, she petitioned the Orphan's Court in Greene County as a minor requesting that a guardian be appointed to manage any property she inherited. The Court agreed and on 17 Mar 1863, Francis Drake was appointed as her guardian. In the petition, it states "The petitioner, a minor child of Jonathan Vanatta dec'd above the age of fourteen years respectfully showeth that by the death of her grandfather Samuel Vanatta Esq. dec'd she is entitled to some personal estate and has no person legally authorized to take charge of her person or property and respectfully asking the Court to permit to make choice of such guardian and she will ever pray." This petition proves that this minor child, Mary Vanatta, was the daughter of Jonathan and her grandfather was Samuel. Based on the evidence this Mary is proven to be the same Mary Matilda who was an infant at the time Jonathan executed his Last Will and Testament in 1849. No guardian was sought on behalf of Sarah Minerva because by 1863, she was married to Barnhart.
Since we now know that Jonathan's wife was Rachel, who ultimately married Phineas Moore, we can now identify the Rachel that is found within the household of Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co. in 1850. Rachel Vanatta, age 27, is the widow of Jonathan and the daughter in law of Samuel. She is not one of his daughters as originally thought which explains why she was not mentioned in Samuel's will dated 17 Feb 1862.
The final group of documents were found in the deed records of Greene County. Samuel Vanatta (1792-1863) was appointed as the executor of his son, Jonathan's estate. However, Samuel died before completing the estate process. Francis Drake was appointed as successor fiduciary to complete the administration. On 12 Jun 1867, Drake transferred real property from the Estate of Jonathan Vanatta to Phineas Moore and Jonathan W. Barnhart. We know that these men were married to Rachel Garrett and Sarah Minerva Vanatta, respectively. On 22 Jun 1867, Phineas and Rachel Moore transferred some of their interest in the lands to Jonathan W. and Sarah Minerva Vanatta Barnhart. On the same date and most significantly, Phineas and Rachel and Jonathan and Sarah Minerva signed a deed transferring land to William S. Drake. In that deed which is found in Volume 22, Page 60 of Greene County Deed Records, Rachel is specifically named as "formerly relict of Jonathan Vanatta deceased" and Jonathan W. and Sarah M. Barnhart as named as "heirs at law of Jonathan Vanatta deceased". "Relict" is another word used previously for wife or spouse. This deed contains the final and undisputable proof establishing that Rachel was the wife and then widow of Jonathan Vanatta and Sarah Minerva Vanatta Barnhart was their daughter. Of course, since Mary Matilda Vanatta Cossel was also named as Jonathan's daughter in his will, the relationship proven by the deed equally proves that she was the daughter of Jonathan and Rachel Garret Vanatta.
It is now quite clear that Sarah Minerva and Mary Matilda Vanatta were the children of Jonathan and Rachel Garrett Vanatta. We can establish the timeline as follows based on the records available:
10 Jan 1849 -- Jonathan Vanatta, contemplating his imminent death, executes his Last Will and Testament naming his two young daughters, Sarah Minerva and Mary Matilda. Jonathan dies in February, 1849.
1850 -- Minerva and Mary Vanatta are found in the household of Samuel Wilson Vanatta in Richhill Twp., Greene Co., PA. Rachel Garrett Vanatta, the widow of Jonathan, is living with her father in law, Samuel, in Richhill Twp.
1860 -- Rachel Vanatta (R. A. Moore) is the wife of Phineas (P. Moore) living in Richhill Twp. a few doors up from Samuel Vanatta in Richhill Twp. In the Moore household are found Sarah Minerva Vanatta (S. M.), age 17, Mary Vanatta, age 10 and Eliza Vanatta, age 12.
1860-61--Sarah Minerva marries Jonathan Wilson Barnhart
1862--Samuel Vanatta executes his Last Will and Testament and does not name Rachel was one of his heirs. He also does not mention the heirs of his deceased son, Jonathan.
1863--Samuel Vanatta, the grandfather of Jonathan's children including Mary, dies and Mary, as a minor, seeks the appointment of a guardian to manage any inheritance she would receive from her grandfather's estate. Francis Drake is appointed.
22 Jun 1867 -- Deed from Phineas and Rachel Moore and Jonathan W. and Sarah M. Barnhart state that Rachel was Jonathan's former wife and widow and Sarah Minerva was his daughter (his heir at law).
1870--Rachel Moore was living with her husband and Moore children in Richhill Twp.
1880--Rachel Moore was living with her husband and Moore children in Richhill Twp.
1881--Rachel Garrett Vanatta Moore died on 31 Oct 1881 and is buried in Lazear Cemetery where her daughter was buried 10 years before
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