The First Families of Hope
The Bartholomew County Genealogical Society created the First Families of Hope project to research, recognize, and honor 50 different surnames of the pioneers who were in Hawcreek or Flat Rock Township by 1840, as a gift to the Yellow Trail Museum in recognition of their 50th Anniversary – September 2025.
BCGS held 19 “First Families of Hope Talks” featuring a different surname each month, inviting the public to share photos, documents, and stories. These once-a-month Talks, live-streamed and sponsored by the Yellow Trail Museum and Visitors Center, were a significant part of the data collection process of the project.
The one page biographies of 50 First Families of Hope are posted below. These biographies were written by members of the Bartholomew County Genealogical Society and friends. Fun 4×6 flashcards of the First Families of Hope were also designed and sold as a fundraiser. The 52 deck of flashcards had symbols that would lead to more research on each of the 50 First Families of Hope. Two extra flashcards were added – one to explain the symbols, and one that had a short history of the project and the Yellow Trail Museum.
We would like to thank all participants, biography authors, and the community for their overwhelming support of this project !
The Families
Arbuckle, James Edward and Henrietta Louise (Spaugh)
Barmes, Johann Phillip and Mary Margaret (Damm)
Blume, Calvin Cornelius and Marie (Warner)
Bruner, John Martin and Anne Catherine (Rominger)
Burnes, George Washington and Sarah (Walker)
Chitty, William Henry and Delilah (Ziegler)
Clayton, Henry and Anna Maria (Chitty)
Clouse, John, Sr and Catherine (Lachenauer)
Critser, George Washington and Sarah (Casteel)
Drake, Henry Lloyd and Jullia Ann (Harper)
Essex, John Jr and Hannah (McConnell)
Hager, David and Keziah (Dunn)
Harker, Simon Truman and Lucinda (Lambert)
Hauser, Martin and Susannah (Chitty)
Herron, William John and Mary Jane (Howe)
Holder, Henry and Anna Elizabeth (Butner)
Holland, Thomas and Susannah Maria (Hauser)
Hopkins, Eldridge and Zillah (Morris)
Leinbach, John Henry and Rebecca (Spainhauer)
Lorts, George and Sarah (Horn)
McCalip, Hugh Kinman and Catharine E Goble (Ray)
McQueen, Thomas and Sarah Wilson (Vaughn)
Miller, Solomon and Matilda (Marshall)(Herron)
Pancake, Isaac and Rhoda (Patton)
Powell, Wilie and Sarah (Carter)
Quick, Tunis and Susanna (Records)
Ray, John and Sallie (McDaniel)
Reed, Jacob Jr and Anna Maria (Hummel)
Rhodes, Jacob and Ester (Jaques)
Rominger, Johann Phillip and Elizabeth (Greter)
Rothrock, Peter Jr, and Jacobina (Reich)
Seward, John and Phebe (Van Skyke)
Sidener, Joseph Dawson and Florina Louisa (Spaugh)
Snider, Cornelius and Mary (Reed)
Sowers, Alfred and Louisa Henrietta (Holder)
Spaugh, Joseph and Mary Elisabeth (Essex)
Stoughton, John Wesley and Nancy Elizabeth (McQueen)
Trotter, Andrew Brandstetter and Julia Ann (Mills)
Vogler, William Thomas and Johanna Louisa (Essex)
Wasson, William and Nancy (Wilson)
Waterbury, Henry and Louisa (Moore)
Wilson, Moses and Nancy (Dean)
Zeigler, Johann Daniel and Anna Maria (Rominger)
The Bartholomew County Genealogical Society would like to recognize the Yellow Trail Museum’s 50th Anniversary in 2025 with something involving the First Families in the Hawcreek / Flatrock area. We are inviting the public to participate in our gathering of information phase – The First Families of Hope Talks. Group 1, families who attended the first Moravian Church Service 17 Jun 1830, were held in previous First Families Talks from Feb – Aug 2024.
Feel free to bring photos, genealogy, documents, stories, or anything else you might want to share. With your permission, the Genealogical Society will scan copies during the sessions, so you can take home the originals you bring. These digital copies will be available for all attendees (bring your own jump drive), as well as the Yellow Trail Research Center.
For more information, contact Kim Ray 812.344.2920