According to the pension files for his widow Elizabeth Clymer, Amassa Clymer was his name but he used Massey throughout his life.
Massey’s birthdate is provided by Anita L. Ockert in her book “The Clymer Clan of Maryland, Delaware and Points West.” He was the son of Charles Fountain Clymer (1764-1815) and Nancy Needles (1768-1834).
He married to Elizabeth ‘Betsey’ Van Gundy (or, Gunder) on 15 October 1816 in Violet Township, Fairfield County, Ohio.
They were the parents of eleven known children: Mary ‘Polly’, sp. Daniel Smothers; Nancy, sp. Philip Bolenbaugh; Peter, sps. Nancy Melissa Canaday, Martha Foreman, and Sarah ‘Sallie’ Clymer; Sarah, sp. William Judd; Daniel, sps. Elizabeth Huntwork and Mrs. Mariah J. Wetherell; Henry, sps. Sarah MNU, Mary Ann Hastings, Martha Marshall; George, sps. Elizabeth J. Myers and Christine Elizabeth Kegley; John, never married?; Charles, sp. Mary Catherine Benefeil; Elizabeth, sp. William Jackson Smothers.
Massey’s death date and location is from Elizabeth's widow’s pension application.
Oral family history is that Massey died while his family was moving from Indiana to Iowa. The 1850 census locates Massey and family in New Durham Twp, La Porte Co, Indiana and the record shows that at the age of 56 years he had no occupation. This would suggest that he was chronically ill, at least too sick to work, and whatever this affliction may have been it was likely the cause of his death one year later.
Following several months of research it became evident that Massey’s grave was lost. His death in Rock Island occurred before the creation of any community cemeteries (Chippiannock Cemetery, opened for burials in 1855). Prior to this date, people buried their loved ones on land in family plots, as was the custom of the day. But what of those who died but did not have family property, or a relative with property? To meet the need a large landowner, Bailey Davenport, allowed burials on a small portion of his property that he had used for pasturing cows.
That land is now part of Longview Park in Rock Island.
None of the burials were recorded, and it would appear that none had any type of permanent grave marker. The burial ground remained undisturbed until after Bailey Davenport’s death in 1890, although Davenport continued to pasture his animals in the area.
In 1905, workers developing Longview Park discovered human bones, which were reburied in Chippiannock. The burial ground, by that date, was a surprise to the community who had evidently long forgotten it was there; there were no grave markers in existence which would have clued the workers in that they were encroaching upon a burial ground. None of these burials were identified and all were placed in a single common grave, which itself did not, initially have a marker. There was no record of the estimated numbers; it could be few or many, only that all were buried in a single grave. Our Massey Clymer could have been amongst those numbers, but we will never know.
In 2002, during the construction of an aquatic facility within the park, more remains were found. To date, none have been identified, only that it is certain the remains were European pioneers, and not native Americans, and they were approximately 11 individuals in number.
It is my belief that Massey Clymer was buried in Bailey's Field and that his remains are either in present-day Longview Park or were re-interred in Chippiannock Cemetery.
Lisa J. Stalnaker
Massey’s birthdate is provided by Anita L. Ockert in her book “The Clymer Clan of Maryland, Delaware and Points West.” He was the son of Charles Fountain Clymer (1764-1815) and Nancy Needles (1768-1834).
He married to Elizabeth ‘Betsey’ Van Gundy (or, Gunder) on 15 October 1816 in Violet Township, Fairfield County, Ohio.
They were the parents of eleven known children: Mary ‘Polly’, sp. Daniel Smothers; Nancy, sp. Philip Bolenbaugh; Peter, sps. Nancy Melissa Canaday, Martha Foreman, and Sarah ‘Sallie’ Clymer; Sarah, sp. William Judd; Daniel, sps. Elizabeth Huntwork and Mrs. Mariah J. Wetherell; Henry, sps. Sarah MNU, Mary Ann Hastings, Martha Marshall; George, sps. Elizabeth J. Myers and Christine Elizabeth Kegley; John, never married?; Charles, sp. Mary Catherine Benefeil; Elizabeth, sp. William Jackson Smothers.
Massey’s death date and location is from Elizabeth's widow’s pension application.
Oral family history is that Massey died while his family was moving from Indiana to Iowa. The 1850 census locates Massey and family in New Durham Twp, La Porte Co, Indiana and the record shows that at the age of 56 years he had no occupation. This would suggest that he was chronically ill, at least too sick to work, and whatever this affliction may have been it was likely the cause of his death one year later.
Following several months of research it became evident that Massey’s grave was lost. His death in Rock Island occurred before the creation of any community cemeteries (Chippiannock Cemetery, opened for burials in 1855). Prior to this date, people buried their loved ones on land in family plots, as was the custom of the day. But what of those who died but did not have family property, or a relative with property? To meet the need a large landowner, Bailey Davenport, allowed burials on a small portion of his property that he had used for pasturing cows.
That land is now part of Longview Park in Rock Island.
None of the burials were recorded, and it would appear that none had any type of permanent grave marker. The burial ground remained undisturbed until after Bailey Davenport’s death in 1890, although Davenport continued to pasture his animals in the area.
In 1905, workers developing Longview Park discovered human bones, which were reburied in Chippiannock. The burial ground, by that date, was a surprise to the community who had evidently long forgotten it was there; there were no grave markers in existence which would have clued the workers in that they were encroaching upon a burial ground. None of these burials were identified and all were placed in a single common grave, which itself did not, initially have a marker. There was no record of the estimated numbers; it could be few or many, only that all were buried in a single grave. Our Massey Clymer could have been amongst those numbers, but we will never know.
In 2002, during the construction of an aquatic facility within the park, more remains were found. To date, none have been identified, only that it is certain the remains were European pioneers, and not native Americans, and they were approximately 11 individuals in number.
It is my belief that Massey Clymer was buried in Bailey's Field and that his remains are either in present-day Longview Park or were re-interred in Chippiannock Cemetery.
Lisa J. Stalnaker
According to the pension files for his widow Elizabeth Clymer, Amassa Clymer was his name but he used Massey throughout his life.
Massey’s birthdate is provided by Anita L. Ockert in her book “The Clymer Clan of Maryland, Delaware and Points West.” He was the son of Charles Fountain Clymer (1764-1815) and Nancy Needles (1768-1834).
He married to Elizabeth ‘Betsey’ Van Gundy (or, Gunder) on 15 October 1816 in Violet Township, Fairfield County, Ohio.
They were the parents of eleven known children: Mary ‘Polly’, sp. Daniel Smothers; Nancy, sp. Philip Bolenbaugh; Peter, sps. Nancy Melissa Canaday, Martha Foreman, and Sarah ‘Sallie’ Clymer; Sarah, sp. William Judd; Daniel, sps. Elizabeth Huntwork and Mrs. Mariah J. Wetherell; Henry, sps. Sarah MNU, Mary Ann Hastings, Martha Marshall; George, sps. Elizabeth J. Myers and Christine Elizabeth Kegley; John, never married?; Charles, sp. Mary Catherine Benefeil; Elizabeth, sp. William Jackson Smothers.
Massey’s death date and location is from Elizabeth's widow’s pension application.
Oral family history is that Massey died while his family was moving from Indiana to Iowa. The 1850 census locates Massey and family in New Durham Twp, La Porte Co, Indiana and the record shows that at the age of 56 years he had no occupation. This would suggest that he was chronically ill, at least too sick to work, and whatever this affliction may have been it was likely the cause of his death one year later.
Following several months of research it became evident that Massey’s grave was lost. His death in Rock Island occurred before the creation of any community cemeteries (Chippiannock Cemetery, opened for burials in 1855). Prior to this date, people buried their loved ones on land in family plots, as was the custom of the day. But what of those who died but did not have family property, or a relative with property? To meet the need a large landowner, Bailey Davenport, allowed burials on a small portion of his property that he had used for pasturing cows.
That land is now part of Longview Park in Rock Island.
None of the burials were recorded, and it would appear that none had any type of permanent grave marker. The burial ground remained undisturbed until after Bailey Davenport’s death in 1890, although Davenport continued to pasture his animals in the area.
In 1905, workers developing Longview Park discovered human bones, which were reburied in Chippiannock. The burial ground, by that date, was a surprise to the community who had evidently long forgotten it was there; there were no grave markers in existence which would have clued the workers in that they were encroaching upon a burial ground. None of these burials were identified and all were placed in a single common grave, which itself did not, initially have a marker. There was no record of the estimated numbers; it could be few or many, only that all were buried in a single grave. Our Massey Clymer could have been amongst those numbers, but we will never know.
In 2002, during the construction of an aquatic facility within the park, more remains were found. To date, none have been identified, only that it is certain the remains were European pioneers, and not native Americans, and they were approximately 11 individuals in number.
It is my belief that Massey Clymer was buried in Bailey's Field and that his remains are either in present-day Longview Park or were re-interred in Chippiannock Cemetery.
Lisa J. Stalnaker
Massey’s birthdate is provided by Anita L. Ockert in her book “The Clymer Clan of Maryland, Delaware and Points West.” He was the son of Charles Fountain Clymer (1764-1815) and Nancy Needles (1768-1834).
He married to Elizabeth ‘Betsey’ Van Gundy (or, Gunder) on 15 October 1816 in Violet Township, Fairfield County, Ohio.
They were the parents of eleven known children: Mary ‘Polly’, sp. Daniel Smothers; Nancy, sp. Philip Bolenbaugh; Peter, sps. Nancy Melissa Canaday, Martha Foreman, and Sarah ‘Sallie’ Clymer; Sarah, sp. William Judd; Daniel, sps. Elizabeth Huntwork and Mrs. Mariah J. Wetherell; Henry, sps. Sarah MNU, Mary Ann Hastings, Martha Marshall; George, sps. Elizabeth J. Myers and Christine Elizabeth Kegley; John, never married?; Charles, sp. Mary Catherine Benefeil; Elizabeth, sp. William Jackson Smothers.
Massey’s death date and location is from Elizabeth's widow’s pension application.
Oral family history is that Massey died while his family was moving from Indiana to Iowa. The 1850 census locates Massey and family in New Durham Twp, La Porte Co, Indiana and the record shows that at the age of 56 years he had no occupation. This would suggest that he was chronically ill, at least too sick to work, and whatever this affliction may have been it was likely the cause of his death one year later.
Following several months of research it became evident that Massey’s grave was lost. His death in Rock Island occurred before the creation of any community cemeteries (Chippiannock Cemetery, opened for burials in 1855). Prior to this date, people buried their loved ones on land in family plots, as was the custom of the day. But what of those who died but did not have family property, or a relative with property? To meet the need a large landowner, Bailey Davenport, allowed burials on a small portion of his property that he had used for pasturing cows.
That land is now part of Longview Park in Rock Island.
None of the burials were recorded, and it would appear that none had any type of permanent grave marker. The burial ground remained undisturbed until after Bailey Davenport’s death in 1890, although Davenport continued to pasture his animals in the area.
In 1905, workers developing Longview Park discovered human bones, which were reburied in Chippiannock. The burial ground, by that date, was a surprise to the community who had evidently long forgotten it was there; there were no grave markers in existence which would have clued the workers in that they were encroaching upon a burial ground. None of these burials were identified and all were placed in a single common grave, which itself did not, initially have a marker. There was no record of the estimated numbers; it could be few or many, only that all were buried in a single grave. Our Massey Clymer could have been amongst those numbers, but we will never know.
In 2002, during the construction of an aquatic facility within the park, more remains were found. To date, none have been identified, only that it is certain the remains were European pioneers, and not native Americans, and they were approximately 11 individuals in number.
It is my belief that Massey Clymer was buried in Bailey's Field and that his remains are either in present-day Longview Park or were re-interred in Chippiannock Cemetery.
Lisa J. Stalnaker
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