Ward - Thomas - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

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WARD, Thomas b. 6-23-1803 Leicestshire, England marr 5-2-1829 to [Mary] Eliz. PATRICK b. Staffordshire - 1 week afterwards set sail from Liverpool in the vessel New London arriving in NY in June 1829. The Wards lived in NY & NJ for sometime then made their way to Ft. Wayne where they shipped their goods by wagons, themselves coming by horseback to Lafayette then entered their land 160 acres in Coal Creek twp. By 1881, he owned 1,130 acres. In 1845 he erected a then large brick house 20 x 47. He applied for his naturalization papers 1841 (and again Oct 1843). Two children, Thomas b. NY 1830 Charles H b. 1832 Montgomery County - Charlotte (Mrs. Clinton Wilkins).

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Thomas Ward, Linden, is a son of Thomas and Mary ( Patrick ) Ward. His father was born in Leicestershire, and his mother in Staffordshire, England. They were English farmers. In the family were three children: Thomas, subject of this sketch, Walter P., who came to America, and Richard, who died in England, and whose son, Thomas, is in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Thomas Ward was born June 23, 1803, in Leicestershire, England, and was baptized in the Episcopalian Church. Prior to his majority he was in charge of his grandfather's farm. May 2, 1829, Thomas Ward was married to Elizabeth Patrick, who was born in Staffordshire in 1807. About one week after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ward, bidding adieu to old England, set sail at Liverpool, in the vessel New London, for a home in America. In June, 1829, they arrived at New York. Mr. Ward lived in New York and New Jersey for some time, gathering information concerning the country. In the following season they made way, by way of the lakes and Maumee river, to Fort Wayne, up the river in a canoe. At Fort Wayne they shipped their goods on wagons, and themselves rode horseback, to La Fayette, and the same year entered land in Coal Creek township and settled. Becoming dissatisfied, they started back, but were induced finally to make a home here. Mr. Ward returned to England to settle his business, and came back to New York. He came overland to Montgomery County, Indiana. In 1832 he bought 160 acres of land in Coal Creek township, and since that time has added till he owns 1,130 acres. In 1845 he erected a large brick house, 20x47. Mr. Ward has seen many changes in the country, and relates his experiences forcibly, even in his old age. Politically he has been whig and republican. He took out his naturalization papers in 1841, and again in 1843. In 1844 he cast his vote for Henry Clay. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have two children: Thomas, born in New York in 1830, and Charles H., born in Montgomery County, Indiana, in 1832, and now Mrs. Clinton Wilkins. Mr. and Mrs. Ward are further noticed in the general history of the township.