The Two David O. Turrells of Susquehanna County,
Pennsylvania in the 1820s

Nancy Tyrrel Theodore, March 2011

There were two distinct David O. Turrell families in Susquehanna county, PA in the 1820s. One was covered in DOR article and Bible record, "William C. Turrel Ancestry Search." This group was from New Milford, Litchfield, CT, and settled in Bridgewater, the descendants of Caleb^5-4, Daniel^3-2, Roger¹. This David went West c. 1843 and died in Lenawee county, Michigan in 1849.^{a & c}

The other David O. Turrell was born in Milford, New Haven, CT, the descendant of Isaac⁶, Samuel^5-4-3, John², Roger¹.^d This article will endeavor to trace this descent, starting with his grandson, Ellis⁸.

On the 1910, 1900 U.S. Census, and the 1892 Special Census for New York, we find Ellis Turrell and his wife, Dora, living in Windsor, Broome county, NY. Broome county abuts the northern border of Susquehanna county, PA.

The 1900 census tells us that Ellis was born in January of 1852 in PA, and that he and his wife, Dora, had by that time had three children, all living. The 1910 census tells us that he and Dora had been married 31 years, or were married c. 1879. But, the real find is on the 1892 Special Census. In the household of Ellis and Dora "Tyrrell" is John Tyrrell, age 69, born c. 1823. At this point, it can be assumed that this John is the father of Ellis.

The next available U.S. Census is for 1880, and with this and succeeding census records, we will start to piece together this Turrell line:

The final piece to this puzzle is the Revolutionary War record for Isaac Turril/Turrill.^e In his application for pension papers Isaac states that he was born in Milford, New Haven co, CT on 16 August 1763, and was living in Milford at the time of his service. He stayed there until 1802 at which time he moved to Washington, Litchfield, CT, and in 1818 moved to Susquehanna co., PA. On his application dated 10 Sept 1832, he was 69 years of age and living in Lawsville, Susquehanna co., PA

Isaac was married to Hannah, who died at Franklin township, Susquehanna co. on 24 August 1839, age 76^c (b.c.1763). Let's trace Isaac and Hannah's migration via the census from Connecticut to Pennsylvania. In 1800 they were living in Milford, and on that census Isaac and his brother David are listed adjacent to their father, Samuel. On the 1820 census we find Isaac in Lawsville with two males (David and ?), a daughter (Hannah), and wife, Hannah. On the 1830 census when David O. was listed on the census as living in Lawsville (Isaac on his RW application of 1832 said he was of Lawsville), we find in David O.'s household an elderly male and female. Isaac doesn't have a listing as head of a household on this census. By the 1840 census, Isaac's wife had died, and their daughter, Hannah, who had married David Watson in 1831, was living in Franklin. In the David Watson household on this census under "Pensioners for Revolutionary or military services, included in the foregoing," is "Isaac Turrell [age] 77"(1763).

From the census and marriage information, the children of David O. and Ann (Webster) Turrell, all born in Susquehanna co., PA, are: i. John D. b.c. 1823 (father of Ellis); ii. Mary b.c.1825; iii. Hannah b.c. 1828; iv. Samuel D. b. Aug 1830; v. Laura M. b.c. 1832; vi. Webster b.c. 1835; vii. Davis Dimock b. May 1838. There may be one other daughter b.c. 1825-30 per the 1830 census.

It is interesting to note that David O. named one son, Samuel, after his grandfather; and one son, Davis Dimock, after Davis Dimock, Jr. (1801-1842) a man of note in Susquehanna county who was elected a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 27^th Congress. David O. named one daughter Hannah after his mother and sister.

Ellis R. Turrell (1852-1915) and Dora E. (Beebe) Turrell, wife, (1858-1948) are buried at the New South Windsor Cemetery in Broome county, NY.

Based on all of the foregoing, it appears that Ellis⁹ Turrell is the son of John D.; John D⁸. is the son of David O.; David O.⁷ is the son of Isaac⁶, Samuel^5-4-3, John², Roger¹.

Note: Working with censuses is a tricky business. The information shown on the census record is only as good as the knowledge of the person furnishing the information, and the accuracy of the census taker. Thus, when working with censuses one must be creative. Take for example names. On the census listed above, the Turrell last name was spelled not only with the usual variations, i.e., "Terrel," and "Tyrrell," but the Ancestry index incorrectly shows the spelling as "Turner" (1820), "Surrell" (1840), "Tunell" (1800/1860), and even "Trembler" (1860). Likewise, errors can creep in on ages: especially for the 1800-1840 census where ages are bracketed.

So, if you think you know where someone lived and can't find them in the census index, it is a good idea to browse the actual township census pages, and surrounding townships, for the name. The actual census pages can be accessed on Ancestry.com or on films ordered from LDS: and, the 1900 census, and the names index for the 1880 census, are available free online from LDS. Looking at the actual census pages has an additional benefit, many times other family members, and in-laws, can be listed on that or adjacent pages. When accessing Ancestry hyperlinks, don't forget to log-in.

a History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania by Emily C. Blackman, Philadelphia 1873 pp. 278 and 363.(Google)

b From Susquehanna County newspapers, per research of Melveen Jensen.

c Marriage Records and Death Records 1816 - 1848 publication (for records found in the Susquehanna County Register & Northern Territory newspaper).

d The American Genealogist, Volume 25, page 47, "The Terrill Family of Connecticut," by Donald Lines Jacobus.

e. Revolutionary War Penson and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files 1800-1900 pp.631-657 at Ancestry.com. An abstract of this file can be found on this DOR site .