Colonel John Mann served and
trained under two of the nation's most famous "Indian fighters", Simon
Kenton, and Benjamin Whiteman. He and his brother, Major Jacob Mann, were
active in the Ohio Militia. They both served with distinction during the War
of 1812. The Major led groups of sharpshooters on the frontier and remained
in government service after the state had dismissed most men from duty. The
Colonel led the Miami County Militia until he was appointed to higher
command within the Ohio Militia.
The following is a
timeline for the Mann brothers.........
1767-
John Mann Jr. is born to John and Susannah Mann.
1791- John
Mann Sr. gives his consent for John Jr. to marry Fanny Williams.
1791- Isaac is born to
John Jr. and Fanny.
1793- John marries Barbara
Williams, Fanny's cousin. We assume Fanny died, possibly in childbirth.
1794- A son, George, is
born to John and Barbara.
1797- John and Barbara's
daughter Fanny is born in Virginia. John comes to Ohio with George Williams
to locate a claim and plant corn for John's father-in-law, Michael Williams.
They locate a claim on Mad River near Dayton. After this is achieved they
return to bring their families back.
1798- They return in
Autumn. They live near Dayton for a year, then move to Honey Creek in
Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio.
1799- Sergeant John Mann
is listed in Virginia Militia records as "having removed to the Miami's."
John and Jacob have now established themselves as early settlers in
Elizabeth Township, in Miami County, Ohio.
1801- Their sister-in-law,
Betsy Moyer Mann Harman, settles near by in Staunton Township.
1801- For much of his life
Jacob is noted in Miami county as one of the highest class of hunters.
According to Asa Coleman's reminisces, Jacob often made hunting his
principal business.
1801/09- Jacob Mann
surveys and maps out early roads in Miami County, Ohio.
1803- By April, their
parents, John Sr. and Susannah, are living here with them, and have put their 500
acre farm in Virginia up for sale. John's sister, Elizabeth Battrell and her
husband John, also come to live with them.
1804- John and
Barbara return to Virginia to manage the sales of their families'
lands. While they are in Virginia, their son Charles is born.
1805- In December, John
Mann Sr. enters land in Cincinnati. The plot was Range 10, Township 2,
Section 25, Part section 307.20 acres. His residence at time of entry is
listed as Montgomery County, Ohio (now Miami County, Elizabeth Township).
1805- The land entry for
John Mann Jr. was Range 9, Township 1. Section 6, Part section: North 1/2
and the South 1/2 fraction 216.16 acres. His residence at time of entry is
listed as Montgomery County, Ohio (now Miami County, Bethel Township).
1806- John Mann becomes an Ensign in the Ohio Militia
under General James Findlay. Later that year, he is promoted to the rank of
Captain.
1807- Jacob is serving as
a Lieutenant in the Ohio Militia, in Miami County, Ohio.
1808- John Mann and his
brother-in-law, John Battrell, are appointed guardians of John and Molly
Mann, children of George and Betsy Moyer Mann Harman. (Probate Court Case
#15.) The children stay originally with the Battrells, but when they move
west, the children stay with John and Barbara Mann.
1809- John Mann is serving
as a Major in the Montgomery County, Ohio Militia.
1811- John Mann is
serving as a Major for the 2nd Regiment, 5th Brigade, 1st Division of the Ohio
Militia.
1811- John Mann is
promoted to the rank of Colonel for acts of valor.
1812- John Mann is Colonel
over the Miami County Militia at the commencement of the War of 1812.
1812/13- Several companies
of volunteers are organized, of which Jacob Mann was a Captain in the Miami
County, Ohio Militia. Records show him as an Ensign, Captain, then Major,
serving under his brother. It is recorded that during the war he
participated in Harrison's campaign to free Fort Wayne. While spying out the
land with Captain Logan, another scout, they came upon an ambush planned for
Harrison, and when
exchanging fire Jacob shoots the noted Pottawatomie chief, Metea, in the arm
as he was attempting to hide behind a tree, rendering the arm useless for life.
1813- Later during the
war, John becomes Colonel over the 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 5th Division.
His designation is now Field Colonel, which means he will lead troops in
battle. The counties in this regiment are Montgomery, Preble, Miami, and Darke. Jacob becomes a Major and also serves in the 5th division.
1814- Jacob Mann marries
Elizabeth Shell.
1815- Jacob becomes a Mason and
charter member of Franklin Lodge in Miami County, Ohio.
1815- A son, James, is
born to Jacob and Elizabeth.
1816- Major Jacob Mann is
the Battalion Commander for Miami County. At this time, Miami County belongs
to the 2nd Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 5th Division of the Ohio Militia.
1817- A daughter,
Priscilla, is born to Jacob and Elizabeth.
1818- John and Elizabeth Battrell move to Delaware County, Indiana.
1826- George Mann, John and
Barbara's son, dies leaving his widow, Margaret Pearson Mann, to raise their
children Abel and Ruth.
1826- A daughter,
Mary, is born to Jacob and Elizabeth.
1827- A son, Isaac,
is born to Jacob and Elizabeth.
1828- Jacob Jr. is born to
Jacob and Elizabeth.
1828- John Mann Jr. and
Barbara Mann sell their farm in Miami County, Ohio and move to Loramie
Township, in Shelby County, Ohio.
1829- John Mann Jr. is
listed as Director of School District #2 in Loramie Township, Shelby County,
Ohio.
1829- Jacob Mann erects
the first distillery of any magnitude in Miami County.
1830- A son, John, is born
to Jacob and Elizabeth.
1831- Barbara, John's
second wife dies.
1832- John Mann Jr.
marries Rachael Berry.
1833- Henry, Jacob
and Elizabeth's 5th
son is born.
1833- John Mann Jr. dies
in the latter part of May.
1833- The Executors notice
of Col. John Mann's death was placed in the Piqua Gazette, dated 13 July.
1833- After his death, his
youngest daughter, Cynthiana, is born to his widow Rachael.
1833- Probate Court,
Shelby County, Ohio. Estate package A78 is filed for John Mann. These
records show no mention of his deceased son George. All other children are
mentioned.
1834- The Estate Executor
of Col. John Mann's estate files suit against John's widow, Rachael Berry
Mann, seeking land to be sold to satisfy debts.
1835- Ruth and Abel Mann
file suit against John and Barbara's youngest son, Charles. Charles had been
entrusted by John Mann with provision for their father's share of
inheritance.
1836- A daughter,
Caroline, is born to Jacob and Elizabeth.
1857- On March 14, Jacob
Mann dies.
1858- On March 15,
Elizabeth, Jacob's wife dies.
The Mann brothers
had an older brother named George who was killed by Indians in Virginia. Click
here to read about
George Mann.
Copyright 1999, 2004. Timothy A. Mann