My Trails into the Past

On 27 May 1821, Robert Bishop, the administrator of Frederick Bishop’s estate, put a notice in the Scioto Gazette that he was selling at a public auction the late dwelling house of Frederick Bishop, which was a “certain tract of land, containing 117 acres, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, on the waters of Paint Creek, near Robert Johnson’s mill, late the property of Frederick Bishop, deceased, subject to the widow’s dower.” [1] This land was located in Ross County, Ohio. Frederick Bishop was my husband’s third great-grandfather. His daughter, Mary Ann Bishop, married Daniel Shotts. [2] Their daughter, Catherine E. Shotts, married Amos Gorrell. [3] Their son, Joseph N. Gorrell, married Matilda Pearl Davey. [4] This notice gives me information about Frederick’s property. While I do not have the exact land description, I have the watershed (Paint Creek), the number of acres (117), and a neighbor (near Robert Johnson’s mill). These are clues that will help me pinpoint th...