52 Ancestors 2025: Overlooked - A Hidden Branch of My Family Tree

This week’s theme is “Overlooked”—a family member I haven’t thoroughly researched yet. Choosing just one is a challenge because FamilySearch has provided so many ancestral lines to explore, each one a project in itself. However, one intriguing “overlooked” branch stems from my 2nd-great-grandmother, Mary Ann Cloud.

Her husband, Benjamin Cruiser McWilliams, is a well-documented figure in my maternal family history. A veteran of the Union Army during the Civil War, he’s a name that often comes up in our family’s stories. But what about Mary Ann?

I knew a little about her. Her parents were Samuel Cloud and Eliza Ann Case, and they had made their way to Iowa. Beyond that, her story was a mystery. While researching Benjamin’s pension record, I had an unexpected surprise. The librarian handed me not one but two folders—one for Benjamin and another for someone named Hiram Carter. That name gave me pause. What was the connection?

It turned out that after Mary Ann’s death, Benjamin remarried. His second wife was the widow of Hiram Carter. And here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Mary Ann Carter McWilliams’s maiden name was also Case. This discovery opened up a world of possibilities!

One of the first steps when faced with such a discovery is to verify the connections suggested by FamilySearch. Are these relationships accurate? This task requires careful digging and meticulous analysis.

Exploring Mary Ann’s lineage reveals an array of fascinating ancestors. Among the names are immigrants from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany, as well as Kentucky pioneers and soldiers who fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Questions naturally arise: Who were these people? How did their paths cross? What roles did they play in Colonial America and the early years of our nation?

Researching Mary Ann Cloud and her ancestors promises to be an exciting journey. These “overlooked” lives deserve attention, and their stories are waiting to be uncovered. They will be overlooked no more.

The Life of William Peter Cossairt

 

My great-great-grandfather, William, the son of Henry (Hendrick) Cossairt and Mary (Nailor), was born on October 18, 1815, in Warren County, Ohio, where his father was a prosperous farmer. He was the eldest of six children and took on the responsibilities expected of a first-born son. Henry Cossairt had migrated from Kentucky, where he was part of the Low Dutch Colony, a community that included other settlers from Kentucky's Bluegrass region.

The family farm in Turtle Creek Township was located near the property of John Tharp and his family. William became acquainted with young Nancy Tharp, who was about ten years his junior. They married on November 18, 1843, with John Tharp giving his consent since Nancy was not yet of legal age. Tragically, William's mother, Mary, had passed away earlier that year, on July 15, 1843.

Just two months after their wedding, their first child, David, was born on January 23, 1844. The young couple went on to have two more sons: John, born on February 2, 1848, and George, born on May 6, 1849. By 1850, they owned a farm in Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, Ohio. According to the 1850 census, William was listed as a farmer, and the value of his real estate was $2,500. The couple had four more children: Francis (born around 1852), Jacob (born around 1859), Ann M. (born around 1851), and Laura J. (born on April 12, 1857).

William’s father, Henry, passed away on March 31, 1851, and it is possible that William took over the family farm. His sister Nancy and her husband, Frederick Smear, were living on one corner of the estate. By the 1860 census, William and his family had returned to Turtle Creek Township in Warren County, Ohio, where their real estate was valued at $7,000. It appears that Frederick Smear passed away between 1844 and 1850, as Nancy had no more children after 1844 and was listed in the 1850 census as living with her parents and her four children.

William’s wife, Nancy, passed away on November 14, 1864. A little over two years later, in 1867, William remarried, this time to Mary Hight, daughter of Thomas and Polly Hight. The Hight family had been living in Polk County, Iowa. Likely before his second marriage, William moved to Carroll County, Missouri, where he established a farm. William and Mary had two sons: William Peter Jr., born on November 11, 1869, and Thomas Littleberry, born in 1872. Mary, about 30 years old at the time of their marriage, was considerably younger than William, who was in his early 50s. Mary had probably not been married before.

According to the 1870 census, William was farming in Grand River Township, Carroll County, Missouri. His real estate was valued at $3,000. The household was blended, with two children from William’s first marriage and one child from his second marriage living with them. Additionally, James H. (age 21) and Ednis (age 10) were listed in the household without separate last names. It is unclear what their relationship to each other or to the Cossairt or Hight families was.

William died on February 4, 1874, at the age of 64. He was a successful farmer in Ohio and one of the post-Civil War migrants to Missouri. Several of his children from Ohio, including his eldest son, David, also moved westward, settling in Missouri and Kansas. David, for instance, made his home in Barton County, Missouri.

52 Ancestors 2025: Nicknames

This is the third week of the “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” challenge. This is not exactly a nickname, but it is a name: Molunthe. Who was Molunthe? He was my 5th-great-grandfather, Christian Fast, born in 1762 in Frederick County, Maryland. His parents were Johann Nicklaus and Caderina Margaretha (Dörner) Fast, originally from Göcklingen in the Rheinpfalz. The family later moved to the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania (Greene County), where they were living when the American Revolution began. 

As pioneers, settlers in the region were vulnerable to attacks by British and Native American forces during the war. Christian volunteered for local militia duty in 1779 and 1780. In 1781, George Rogers Clark organized an expedition against the British stronghold at Fort Detroit, seeking volunteers from Virginia and Pennsylvania. These volunteers would travel down the Ohio River and head north. Despite being only 19 years old, Christian—already experienced as a militiaman—volunteered to join the effort; however, the expedition turned into a disaster. The group led by Col. Archibald Lochry, which included Christian, was ambushed, with all members either killed or captured.

Christian Fast, however, was fortunate. Although wounded, he amused his captors by demonstrating his ability to walk on his hands. This act not only saved his life but also endeared him to his captors, who adopted him into a family of the Delaware tribe. The family had lost a son in the wars and gave Christian a new name: Molunthe. He became part of the tribe, living among them, wearing the paint of a young warrior, and even participating in a battle against Fort Henry (in present-day Wheeling, West Virginia) on the side of the Native Americans.

Not long after that battle, Christian learned of a planned attack on his home settlement. Under cover of darkness, he escaped, leaving his belongings by a river to make it appear as though he had drowned. Knowing the route to the fort, he warned the settlers of the impending attack. When he tried to alert his parents, they did not recognize him due to his appearance and initially refused to believe his story. Only when he repeated his warning in their native German tongue were they convinced he was their son.

Christian was now reunited with his family. His bravery and dramatic return caught the attention of Anna Barbara Mason, then about 14 years old. They married a year later and went on to have 15 children. Initially, the couple farmed in Pennsylvania, but in 1816, they moved to Richland (now Ashland) County, Ohio, where they established a new farm. It is said that Christian’s tribal brothers occasionally visited him there, reminiscing about their shared past.

Christian Fast lived a remarkable life in a remarkable era of our nation’s history. He passed away in 1841 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that included his family, centered in Ashland County, Ohio, and later Barton County, Missouri, through a grandson.

This story comes from service and pension records at the National Archives and various other vital records. Christian’s story has been passed down through the family and is commemorated on his own Wikipedia page and even in a historical novel for young readers.

The Life of Nancy Tharp

 

This is the story of my great-great-grandmother, Nancy Tharp, and her short but eventful life. It offers a glimpse into life on a farm during pioneer days in southwest Ohio, in a county that had been settled for only a few decades.

Nancy was likely born in Warren County, Ohio, in late 1825 or early 1826. Warren County was settled by various groups, including the Low Dutch community from Kentucky. She was the first child of John and Julia Ann (Hormel) Tharp, who migrated from Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. Nancy grew up on a farm in Turtle Creek Township, Warren County, and had eight younger sisters, along with one sibling who likely died at birth. While no birth record has been located, her parents were married on August 2, 1825, so Nancy was likely born between November 1825 and May 1826 if Julia Ann was pregnant at the time of the wedding, or between May and November 1826 if not.

As the eldest child, Nancy likely helped with child-rearing from a young age, learning the many chores expected of a young woman, such as cooking, cleaning, and farming. Seven of her sisters were born before Nancy married, so her responsibilities would have been significant.

Another early settler family in Warren County was the Cossairt family, who had moved to Ohio from Kentucky after the death of their patriarch, Peter (Pieter) Cossart. The name “Banta” also appears in the county’s census records; the Banta family was part of the Low Dutch (Conewago) Colony that migrated to Kentucky from Pennsylvania in 1781 and were relatives of the Cossairts. Nancy became close to William Peter Cossairt, the son of Henry (Hendrick) Cossairt. William, about 10 years her senior, likely lived on his family’s farm in Turtle Creek Township. The two fell in love and married on November 18, 1843. Because Nancy was underage (likely 16 or 17), her father, John, had to give his permission for the marriage.

The reason for their haste became clear two months later, on January 23, 1844, when their first child, a son named David, was born. Nancy and William went on to have six more children: John (born February 2, 1848), George (born May 6, 1849), Ann M. (born around 1851), Francis (born around 1852), Laura J. (born April 12, 1857), and Jacob (born around 1859). By 1850, the family was farming in Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, but later returned to Turtle Creek Township in Warren County by the 1860 census. Their farm was likely close to the Tharp homestead, and William may have taken over the Henry Cossairt farm.

Nancy’s life was tragically short; she passed away on November 14, 1864, at around 38 years old. At the time of her death, her eldest son, David, was serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. In 1867, William remarried Mary Hight, and the couple eventually moved to Carroll County, Missouri.

Nancy’s life was marked by dedication to her family. From caring for her younger sisters as a child to raising seven children of her own, she played a vital role in sustaining her family’s legacy. Her father and husband managed to maintain their farms through the decades, ensuring stability for their loved ones despite the hardships of pioneer life.

Picture: Map of Turtle Creek Top., around 1860. The Tharp farm is near the top center, with the Cossairt farm east of the Tharp farm.

52 Ancestors 2025: Favorite Photo

This is the second week of the “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” challenge. When those of us in the Cassatt family think of a favorite photo, this one probably comes to mind first. It’s a picture of my great-grandfather, David Cassatt, with his wife, Susan Corilla Houseworth, and their children: Orville, Virgil, and Bascom. Virgil, the middle child, is my grandfather.

David was born on January 23, 1844, in Warren County, Ohio. He was the son of William Peter Cossairt and Nancy Tharp, who married just two months before his birth. During the Civil War, David served as a private in the Union Army, initially with the 146th Ohio National Guard, which was later reorganized as the 183rd Ohio Infantry Regiment. After the war, he moved to Missouri, where he became a successful farmer. David is also Mary Cassatt’s 3rd cousin.

But—back to that picture. When I first received a copy, I was thrilled to see this family portrait. However, the more I looked at it, the more questions I had. Do I see rabbits on leashes? Is that a dog? And what’s with all those brooms and that machinery? After some research, I discovered that David made brooms as a side business. The collection of unfinished brooms surrounding the device in the photo suggests it’s a broom-making machine, with a broom actively being assembled.

Then came the biggest question: When was this picture taken? Everyone is dressed nicely, so perhaps it was Easter. But what year? The boys were born in 1875, 1878, and 1883. They all appear shorter than their father, who stood about 5’9”, according to his Civil War records. This suggests the photo might have been taken in the late 1880s or around 1890.

An intriguing possibility is that this photo might be linked to the Cassatts’ daughter, Laura, who lived from 1885 to 1888. Could this have been taken at her funeral? The boys would have been about 13, 10, and 5 at the time. Or perhaps the picture was taken in the fall, after the broom corn harvest.

There’s so much to ponder, but one thing is certain: this photo is a true family treasure.

52 Ancestors 2025: In the Beginning

Genealogist Amy Johnson Crow offers a free program called “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks,” which provides writing prompts for family researchers. This post is the first in the series and describes how I became serious about uncovering more of my family’s history. Other posts in this series will include “52 Ancestors 2025” in their titles.  

In the Beginning: “Who was the first person you wanted to find when you started your genealogy journey?”  

For me, it wasn’t so much about finding a specific person but uncovering a relationship. With my last name, I often get asked, “Are you related to the artist?” I knew the “Cassatt” name originated from the French surname “Cossart” and that the family had come to New Amsterdam, but I wasn’t sure how far back our common ancestor lived. I had a lineage tracing back to my great-great-grandfather, which I thought would help.  

Because the Cassatts were prominent in Philadelphia, I hoped for better luck when we moved from Kentucky to Philadelphia in 1988. I began researching in a local history library. In one book about a group of families, I found some information going back a few generations, but none of the names matched my known ancestors.  

My big break came after we moved to Maryland. While attending an Oktoberfest event in 1994, I noticed a booth labeled “Family History Center.” I picked up a flyer with a blank pedigree chart and learned that the local LDS Church had a center near my workplace. I decided to stop by.  

A volunteer there showed me how to search their computer system, and I discovered several Ancestral File pedigrees. Not only did I find the common ancestor, Francis Cossart, but I also uncovered a whole network of Dutch and Huguenot families.  

Armed with this information and guidance from genealogy books, I accessed a wealth of records at the National Archives and published genealogies from the Library of Congress. With the vast amount of genealogical data now available online, it sometimes feels like there’s almost too much information to sift through!  

Picture: Portrait of Alexander J. Cassatt and His Son Robert Kelso Cassatt by Mary Cassatt, 1884

Introduction: Before the Beginning

My mother’s side of the family has long nurtured an interest in family history, with various family historians contributing to the effort over the years. My parents were from Barton County, Missouri, and every few years, we made the long (and hot) car trip from Buffalo to Iantha. Along the way, we read Burma Shave signs and sampled exotic drinks like Dr. Pepper. During these visits, we learned about a few family lines and listened to stories—mostly about farmers, but occasionally about notable ancestors who had served in the American Revolution (on the American side) and the Civil War (on the Union side). We also had a letter from a family historian on my father’s side, which featured more than a dozen variations of the “Cassatt” name, hinting at the wealth of information waiting to be uncovered.

My own journey into serious family history research began about 30 years ago and will be the subject of an upcoming post. Over the decades, I’ve utilized resources ranging from microfilm at the National Archives to modern tools like ChatGPT, which I’ve used to transcribe handwritten pension narratives. I’ve built a family tree on my home computer, gathered countless photocopied or digital documents, and amassed a collection of handwritten notes. With this blog, I hope to organize and share the information I’ve gathered, making it accessible to anyone interested. I also hope to fill in the gaps and enrich the stories through collaboration with others.