When Joseph Malin was born on November 30, 1793, in Frederick, Virginia, his father, William, was 25 and his mother, Esther, was 21. He was married five times and had three sons and two daughters. He died on May 1, 1877, in Madison, Indiana, having lived a long life of 83 years, and was buried in Vevay, Indiana.
Joseph Malin was the son of William Malin and Esther Berry, of Quaker background, and Welsh background on his father's side. William Malin was descendent from Randal Malin, one of the first emigrants to Chester PA.
Judge Malin, at the age of 15, was apprenticed to Samual Russell in Jefferson Co VA on 30 Nov 1808, Charlestown VA signed by his father, William Malin and Samuel Russell and witnessed by Jacob Crawell and Nathaniel Offut. . He was to learn the art, trade, and calling of a saddler. He was to receive six weeks of schooling per year and five dollars, or one week in harvest each year.
A clipping from the Madison Daily Free Press, February 20, 1872, reads:
"A Document of Ye Ancient Time. Our old friend Judge Malin has handed us the following indenture of his apprenticeship, which we publish as a relic of the ancient manners and customs of our fathers. Very few men in this State, if any, have, we presume, such a document as this in their possession. The Judge cherishes it, together with his discharge from the army in 1812, with great care. how well he profited by this ridged discipline his prosperity in life will testify, and Solomon's injunctions verified. The following is the document:
"This indenture made on the 30th day of November, 1808, in the year of our Lord 1808, witnesseth that William Malin, of Jefferson county, Virginia, hath put and placed, and by these presents doth put and bind out his son, Joseph Malin; who, on the 30th day of November, 1814, next, will be of the age of 21 years, as an apprentice to Samuel Russell, to learn the art, trade and mystery of a saddling. The said Joseph Malin, after the manner of an apprentice, to dwell with and live with the said Samuel Russell and serve the said Samuel Russell from (the date of this indenture) until the 30th day of November, 1814, in the year 1814, at which time the said apprentice, if he should be living will be 21 years of age; during all which time and term the said apprentice his said master shall well and faithfully serve, his secrets keep, and all his lawful commands everywhere, at all times, readily obey. He shall do no damage to his said master, nor wilfully suffer any, to his knowledge, be intended, he shall give his said master reasonable notice thereof. he shall not waste the goods of his said master, nor send them unlawfully to any one. At cards, dice, or any unlawful game, he shall not play. Fornication he shall not commit, nor matrimony contract during the said term. Taverns, and places of gaming, he shall not frequent. He shall not get drunk, or swear, on any account. From the service of his said master he shall not absent himself, but in all things, and at all times, he shall behave himself as a good and faithful apprentice ought to do, during the whole time or term aforesaid. And the said Samuel Russell, on his part, doth hereby promise, convenent and agree to teach and instruct said apprentice, or cause him to be taught and instructed in the art, trade and calling of a saddler, by the best way or means he can; and also teach and instruct said apprentice, or cause him to be taught and instructed, to read, write and cipher, as far as the rule of three, if said apprentice be capable to learn; and shall well and faithfully find and provide for the said apprentice meat, drink, clothing, and other necessities convenient for said ....... the term afore-....... piration thereof, ... d apprentice two .....pparel, one suita....d one for working ....ay whereof, the .....sell and William ..... to interchangeable .....d fixed their seals. ......IAM MALIN .......EL RUSSELL
The copy of the newspaper is very old and torn, with pieces missing. In the book, HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND COUNTY, under the Judge's profile, some of the above information is given, including the names of the two witnesses: Jacob Crawell and Nathaniel Offut.
Since Joseph enlisted for the War of 1812 on about the 20th of August, 1814, at Charlestown VA, it would appear the Samuel Russell released Joseph early from his apprenticeship, as he was to serve until November 30, 1814. Joseph served as a private, being discharged at Charlestown on or about the 30th day of September 1814. In the affidavit given by William ....... and Humphrey Keyes, they state he was released in the city of Washington. Joseph was a soldier in "the Volunteer Corps of Riflemen from Jefferson County Virginia under the command of Captain George W. Humphrey in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812, and that they are acquainted with Joseph Malin and that the said Joseph Malin was a private in said company, and that he served as a soldier in said company for a term of more than fourteen days, in actual service, that he volunteered in said company on or about the 20th August, 1814 ...."
The Treasury Department, third auditor's office showed that Joseph Malin, Private, served from 20th Aug. 1814 to the 24th of September 1814, and was listed on the rolls of Capt. Geo. Humphrey's Company of VA Militia.
After Joseph was released from service, he next shows up in Urbana, Champaign Co. Ohio. His father, William, also moved to Urbana - it is not known if they came together or not. Joseph married Nancy Elizabeth Mendenhall, daughter of Dr. John and Betsy (Jenning) Mendenhall on August 4, 1815. In 1816 Joseph and Elizabeth moved to Switzerland Co. Indiana, becoming one of the founders of Vevay. They probably were part of the group who arrived with Elizabeth's father, Dr. John Mendenhall (see John Mendenhall notes.)
The book EARLY OHIO SETTLERS, shows Joseph, as well as Dr. John Mendenhall, his father-in-law, and James Dalmazzo purchasing land:
Malin, Joseph (C)2 July 1818SwitzerlandR:12;T:05;S:31
Malin, Joseph (B:15 Oct 1833SwitzerlandR:03;T:03;S:29
Mendenhall, John
(A):15 May 1812PrebleR:02;T:06;S:08
(C):14 April 1813ChampaignR:13;T:05;S:31
Dalmazzo (sic), James
(B)1 June 1816SwitzerlandR:03;T:03;S:23
Dalmazzo, James
(B)13 Aug 1836SwitzerlandR:03;T:02;S:20
(A):Miami River Survey, Ranges I-VIII: Land lying east of a meridian drawn from the mouth of the Great Miami River. Hamilton, Butler, Shelby, Warren, Montgomery, Miami, Preble, Logan and Darke Counties (may be all or only a part of each county) - all in Ohio.