Abel Wakefield in Franklin County, IN

Based on Abel Wakefield’s Revolutionary War pension application we know that Abel was in Franklin County, IN after South Carolina and before Lawrence County, Tennessee. It was in Lawrence County that he filed his pension application, was present in the 1830 census, and passed away in 1835.

This past weekend I spent hours scouring Franklin County, IN historical documents trying to find proof beyond the 1820 federal census that Abel was in Franklin County. Hour after hour passed and I could not find ANYTHING. He did not buy any land. He did not sell any land. He was not mentioned in any church records. He was nowhere to be found. I was finally down to my last straw: scouring for a match in the miscellaneous records of the county. Then it happened. Abel Wakefield. Proof. I found it. In the miscellaneous records microfiche among documents soiled at some point in their history but beautiful in my eyes. In all, there were four references made of Abel Wakefield in the years of 1817 to 1823. Perhaps the most significant find was a plat map of the town of Brookville, IN from the late 1810s. In that map we find the “Waikfield” family sharing a home with the Davis family at 26 Market Street. Amazingly cool.

1817 – Tax Assessment List

Wakefield, Abel – Owned 2 horses and was assessed a tax of 75 cents.

Davises present in the tax assessment list:

Davis, Nathaniel – Owned two town lots, 4 and 5 on plat, with a valuation of $60. Assessed a tax of .30.
Davis, George - Owned 2 horses and was assessed a tax of 75 cents.
Davis, James - Owned 2 horses and was assessed a tax of 75 cents.
Davis, William - Owned 1 horse and was assessed a tax of 37 1/2 cents.
Davis, Lewis – Owned 3 horses, 2 town lots with a valuation of $600, and was assessed a tax of $4.125.
Davis, Eli - Owned 1 horse and was assessed a tax of 37 1/2 cents.
Davis, William - Owned 1 horse and was assessed a tax of 37 1/2 cents.
Davis, Traverse (?)- Owned 1 horse and was assessed a tax of 37 1/2 cents.
Davis, John F. - Owned 1 horse and was assessed a tax of 37 1/2 cents.
Davis, William - Owned 1 horse and was assessed a tax of 37 1/2 cents.
Davis, Israel - Owned 1 horse and was assessed a tax of 37 1/2 cents.
Davis, Robert William - Owned 2 horses and was assessed a tax of 75 cents.
Davis, Paul - Owned 2 horses and was assessed a tax of 75 cents.


1819 Tax Assessment List



Wakefield, Abel – Owned 2 horses.

Davises present in the tax assessment list:

Davis, John F. - 1 Horse
Davis, William – 1 Horse
Davis, John – 1 Horse
Davis, William (MI not legible) – 1 Horse
Davis, James – 2 Horses
Davis, Bartholany – 2 Horses
Davis, Zarcah (?) – 1 Horse
Davis, Israel – 2 Horses
Davis, Zacriah – 1 Horse Davis, William – 1 Horse, Owned 2 town lots at plat number 11, valuation was three dollars and it appears the land was in Greensburg.


Brookville Township, [Franklin County,] IN - 1823 – Poll Tax

Although not specifically stated or labeled as such, the list appears to be a poll tax list for the township based on the content.

Wakefield, Able

Also included in this list are the following Davises:

Davis, John – Owned land in Township 9, Range 2. Appears that the land was deeded and had a value of $108.
Davis, David H
Davis, John F.
Davis, Eliaz (?)
Davis, Nathan
Davis, John

None of the other Davis had any land included on the assessment but each was awarded a poll. Abel Wakefield was not awarded a poll. I am inclined to believe that he and his wife, who were nearly 60 years at this point in time, were living with Davises in the town of Brookville.