Born of unknown parentage, George is thought to have been born around 1779 based on his tombstone. His place of birth is uncertain, although some family historians believe he and his parents came from Fishing Creek Township in Columbia County, Pennsylvania (which was part of Northumberland County back then) because there is a George Appleman in that township with seven individuals in 1810; there is also a Rhoda Appleman in the 1820 Census more than 45 years of age. Furthermore, there is an 1811 taxation record for a George Appleman of 196 acres with a log house as well as one horse and four cattle in Hemlock Township on the east branch of Fishing Creek. 

Based on an 1815 land transaction when he was thirty-six years old, he owned thirty-six acres in Harrison or Clayton Township, Perry County, which is now in York Township, Morgan County, Ohio. His family appears in that township in the 1820 Census and then in the 1830 and 1840 Census in Deerfield Township. His June 1833 personal property assessment suggests that he has two horses and three cattle while his 1840 assessment shows three horses/mules and four cattle. Unfortunately, his will and administration documents haven't been located yet.

Sometime before 1804 when his first child was born, George married Margaret Cox (calculated 1784-1855) probably in Pennsylvania; together they had these children: 1) (1804-abt 1840); Evangelist William "Billy" (1806-1897); John (1809-Bef 1847); Peter ((1809-1876); Levi (1814-1893); Jesse (1815-1893) James (1818-1868); Katherine Ann (1820-1906); Margaret Jane (1821/1825-Aft 1870); and Phillip Isaac (calculated 1827-1892). She remarried to James McAdoo in October 1843 with two minor children of her own.

When he died in February 1842, George was buried in the Church of Christ (i.e., Campbellite) Cemetery in Deavertown, Morgan County, Ohio where he would have heard the New Lights Preacher Seacrets. In 1985, a new tombstone was placed in front of the old, deteriorating one. --John V. Richardson Jr.

Per Rob Weller: "George Appleman, the earliest known Applemen to which descent can be determined, was was born in 1779, in either New Jersey or Pennsylvania, and died in February 1842, at the age of 63 and is buried in Cambelite Cemetery (now Church of Christ) located in York Township, Section 14 near Deavertown, Morgan County, Ohio. He was also known to have lived in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.

It may be that George was the son, grandson or related in some manner to the Revolutionary War soldier, David Appleman, born March 14, 1758, in Somerset County, New Jersey. David was a member of the New Jersey Militia and served two or three tours of duty a year during the war for a total of 19 month of service. His pension record on file at the National Archives in Washington, DC, reveals that he was awarded his pension on July 19, 1836 at the rate of $63.30 per year effective from March 4, 1831. He was therefore paid a sum of $348.31 cents at the start of his pension. His pension file did not mention any wife or children.

In about 1802, George married Margaret Cox, born in 1787, in New Jersey, the daughter of Catherine Cox, born 1761, in New Jersey. Catherine was known to have lived in Danville, Pennsylvania in 1835. Margaret died on June 8, 1857, in Morgan County, Ohio, and is buried next to her second husband under the name of Margaret McAdoo. Their known children were:

I 1 Jacob, born May 11, 1804, (Family Bible), married Catherine

George, September 8, 1825.

I 2 William S., born 1806, m. Catherine Tatman, Dec. 18, 1825, by

James Porter, JP.

I 3 John, born April 6, 1809, died ca, 1847, m. Lovina Pettit on

July 4, 1828, in Perry County, by Geo. Gardner, MG.

I 4 Peter, born 1810, (1850 Vinton Co. Census), m. Susan Stout May

5, 1831.

I 5 a Daughter, who may of died young.

I 6 Levi, born ca. 1814, in Pennsylvania. m. Civilla Zartman August

18, 1831. Listed in 1860 Vinton County U.S. Census.

I 7 Jesse, born February 8, 1815, in Northumberland County, Pa.

I 8 James, born 1818 in Ohio.

I 9 Catherine Ann, born May 27, 1820.

I 10 Margaret Jane, born 1825, m. Henry Blakstone (Blacksten) April

11, 1839, (Marriage Record pg, 66.

I 11 Phillip, born 1827, m. Maza Catherine Johnson May 13, 1844, in

Perry County, Ohio.

Margaret's second marriage was to James Mcadoo (McAdee) October 31, 1843. The 1850 U.S. Census shows a Margaret McAdoo, age 63, born in 1787, in New Jersey.

References: Cemeteries of Bloom-York Townships, Morgan County, Ohio, page 24, Roy Appleman, pg. and photos from Thomas Hart, pg. 82. A new stone was erected by Roy Appleman in 1985. 1850 U.S. Census, Marriage License, Margaret Appleman & James McAdoo, Volume B, 1840-1864, Morgan County, Ohio."