Person Page - 56

     Robert Hickman was born circa December 1772 at Burlington Co., NJ.. He was the son of Samuel Hickman and Nannie (---). The earliest record of Robert Hickman is the 1790 census for Cumberland Township, Washington County, PA., which is present day Greene County, PA. In the 1798 Direct Tax, he was listed as living adjacent to Bailey Johnston, near the head of Frosty Creek in Greene County, near the intersection of Whiteley, Jefferson and Greene Townships.
According to his tombstone ("Oct. 29, A.D. 1842, aged 69 years 10 mo."), Robert would have been born in December 1772. However, three census records show him older: 1810 Census born prior to 1765 and 1830 & 1840 Census born prior to 1770. His birthplace is unknown, however two of his children reported in the 1880 Census that their father was born in New Jersey. No documents have been found to prove his ancestry. However, extensive research of documents point to the fact that he was the son of the Samuel Hickman.

He married Mary Magdalena Livengood, daughter of Johan Peter Livengood and Ann Eva Linderman, circa 1788. Church records show that Mary Magdalena was born on December 4, 1756 and baptized on March 20, 1757 at Hanover Lutheran Church, Falkner's Swamp, now Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Peter Livengood and Anna Eva Linderman. Peter was the son of Hans Jacob and Ann Margaretha Lowenguth. Mary Magdalena came with her parents to present day Greene County, Pa, about 1784. She died August 25, 1838 in Greene County.

The only Church record of Robert and Mary's family is the baptism of their second daughter, Elizabeth. It is recorded on May 7, 1793 at Jacob's "Old Dutch" Lutheran Church in German Township, Fayette County, Pa. Many of Mary Magdalena's relatives lived near this church and had their children baptized there.

As were most residents of early Greene County, Robert was a farmer, living off the land. In the tax records of 1817-1819, he is also listed as a "carpenter." His skill in carpentry must have been notable, as the occupation of carpentry was passed down through many of his descendants. Robert was successful in his life, as he expanded his homestead, by purchasing property of his adjacent neighbors. He owned a total of 97 acres in 1842.

Greene County Court records show that Robert was a frequent party in lawsuits over the years. In particular 1805-9, he was involved in seven different cases. The reasons for the lawsuits are unknown, except for two. In August 1805, Robert sued John Renner for assault and battery on his daughter, Nancy. In February 1807, James Corbett sued Robert and three other neighbors for "assaulting, beating, and false imprisoning."

He lived the rest of his life on the Hickman farm at the top of Frosty Run, Greene Co, PA. After his death, the land was owned by the Murdock family. Joseph Murdock (1843-1927) lived in the two story Hickman log cabin and his two sons, Harry and Arleigh were born. The cabin was eventually used as a barn, until it fell into disrepair. Click here for photos of Hickman homestead.³ He died on 29 October 1842 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA..
He wrote his last will on September 3, 1841. It states in part: "...I give and bequeath to my grandsons Jesse and Morgan Hickman, sons of my son Samuel Hickman, two tracts of land in Franklin Township...My will is that my said son Samuel shall have free access and support of the two tracts...by making use of the means of industry of the same...I direct my Executors...to sell...all the tracts of land where upon I now live...the proceeds to be equally divided amongst my heirs...I also direct that the...value thereof (two tracts of land in Franklin Twp.) to be deducted out of my son Samuel's share, the residue as my other heirs, viz: Abraham, Nancy, Elizabeth, & Casander...I also order...to deliver to my son Samuel free of cost or charge all my wearing apparel...I order... to have around my wife as well as my own grave, if not sooner done, a suitable & sufficient stone wall as well as headstones..." The receipts filed in Robert's estate papers are the following heirs: Hiram Nichols & wife, James Vandruff, Samuel Hickman, Elizabeth Renner, and Aba Hickman. He was buried at Hickman Cemetery, Frosty Run, Greene Co, PA; Click here to view photos of Hickman Cemetery.

     Nancy "Agnes" Hickman was born on 30 September 1789 at Greene Co, PA.. She was the daughter of Robert Hickman and Mary Magdalena Livengood. She married James Vandruff, son of Henry Vandruff. She died on 22 February 1851 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA., at age 61. She was buried at Quiet Valley, Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA..

     Hannah Vandruff was born in 1823 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA.. She was the daughter of James Vandruff and Nancy "Agnes" Hickman. She married Harvey Hamilton between 1850 and 1854. She died on 16 December 1873 at Springhill Twp, Greene Co, PA..

     Elizabeth Vandruff was born in March 1813 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA.. She was the daughter of James Vandruff and Nancy "Agnes" Hickman. She married Elmore Phillips. She died on 16 October 1874 at Jackson Twp, Greene Co, PA., at age 61.

     John W Phillips was born in 1847 at Greene Co, PA.. He was the son of Elmore Phillips and Elizabeth Vandruff. He married Mary Ellen Merriner. He left Jackson Twp, per tax records in 1884.

     John Vandruff was born on 7 April 1820 at Greene Co, PA.. He was the son of James Vandruff and Nancy "Agnes" Hickman. He married Rachel Mapel in 1851. He married Clarinda Rose, daughter of Eden Rose and Casander (---), between 1855 and 1856. He died on 12 May 1895 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA., at age 75. He was buried at Kiger Graveyard, Greene Co, PA..

     Winfield Scott Vandruff was born on 18 May 1852 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA.. He was the son of John Vandruff and Rachel Mapel. He married Matilda Fox, daughter of John Fox and Dorothy Haines, on 22 June 1876.⁷ He was a geological surveyor, who located oil fields at PA. He moved to San Diego, CA. in 1912. He began designing and building a large estate overlooking Mission Valley. The buildings are now incorporated into Our Lady of Peace Academy in 1916 at San Diego, CA.. He died on 9 October 1922 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA., at age 70.

     Elizabeth Hickman was born circa 1790 at Greene Co, PA.. She was the daughter of Robert Hickman and Mary Magdalena Livengood. She was baptized on 7 May 1793 at Jacob's Church, German Twp, Fayette Co, PA..² She married Barnet Renner, son of George Renner and Barbary Pitcock, at Greene Co, PA.. She died from 1870 to 1880 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA..

     Abraham Renner was born on 21 November 1810 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA.. He was the son of Barnet Renner and Elizabeth Hickman. He married Harriet Davis. He was taxed for 1 horse and 2 cows in 1843 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA.. He died on 21 January 1890 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA., at age 79.

     Barnet "Barney" Renner was born on 27 May 1837 at Greene Co, PA.. He was the son of Abraham Renner and Harriet Davis. He married Nancy Pride on 23 October 1857.¹² He died on 31 January 1921 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA., at age 83.

     Jane Renner was born on 4 April 1839 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA.. She was the daughter of Abraham Renner and Harriet Davis. She married Leroy W. Rose. She died on 2 August 1865 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA., at age 26.

     Edith A. Renner was born in April 1816 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA.. She was the daughter of Barnet Renner and Elizabeth Hickman. She married Edward S. Stephens, son of John Stephens and Magdalena Livengood, in 1832 at Greene Co, PA.. She moved to Mercer Co, IL. circa 1856. She died on 1 October 1901 at Keithsburg, Mercer Co, IL., at age 85.⁷

     Barnet Renner Jr. was born in 1814 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA.. He was the son of Barnet Renner and Elizabeth Hickman. He married Elizabeth Ashby circa 1837. He was taxed for 1 horse and 1 cow in 1843 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA.. He died on 6 August 1873 at Gilmore Twp, Greene Co, PA..

     Jacob Renner was born on 20 November 1819 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA.. He was the son of Barnet Renner and Elizabeth Hickman. He was taxed as a single man in January 1843 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA.. He married Jane Fox in 1843. He died on 15 July 1885 at Gilmore Twp, Greene Co, PA., at age 65.

     Hannah Renner was born in 1819 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA.. She was the daughter of Barnet Renner and Elizabeth Hickman. She married John Smith.

     Elisha T. Renner was born in 1821 at Greene Co, PA.. He was the son of Barnet Renner and Elizabeth Hickman. He was taxed as a single man in 1843 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA.. He married Jane Gump, daughter of Phiilip Gump and Mary Fox, on 18 October 1843 at Newtown, Greene Co, PA; alternate marriage date is 25 Oct 1843.⁶ He obtained 56 acres from Jacob Guthrie in 1847 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA..⁸ He served with Co.G, 18 PA. Cavalry, during the Civil War. He received a gunshot wound to the hand. from 20 October 1862 to 20 October 1865. He moved to Champaign, IL. circa 1870. He moved to Dallas, TX. circa 1876. He died on 26 October 1888 at Tulip, Fannin Co, TX..

     Nancy Renner was born on 10 November 1824 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA.. She was the daughter of Barnet Renner and Elizabeth Hickman. She married William Smith. She died on 25 March 1906 at Rutan, Greene Co, PA., at age 81.

     Elizabeth Renner was born in May 1825 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA.. She was the daughter of Barnet Renner and Elizabeth Hickman. She married Josephus Fox, son of John Fox, in 1844. She died on 9 September 1910 at Perry Twp, Greene Co, PA., at age 85.

     Martha Ellen Fox was born on 24 July 1846 at Greene Co, PA.. She was the daughter of Josephus Fox and Elizabeth Renner. She married Charles Evan Phillips, son of Joshua Phillips and Susan (---), circa 1874. She and Charles Evan Phillips were divorced before 1900. She lived at Westmoreland Co, PA; with her son Samuel. She died on 13 July 1935 at Waynesburg, PA., at age 88.

     William Phillips Fox was born on 9 April 1869 at Greene Co, PA.. He was the son of Martha Ellen Fox. He was a retail merchant. He married Elizabeth Rachel Iseminger, daughter of Josephus S. Iseminger and Mariah Lemley, on 2 July 1896 at Greene Co, PA.. He died on 25 July 1948 at Whiteley Twp, Greene Co, PA., at age 79.