Theophilus Baird

     Theophilus was born circa 1802 in Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Baird and Elenor (?) He most likely is a brother of Thomas, husband of Sarah Cornelius & a brother of the husband of Ann Baird, also found in Wayne Township on the 1850 census. Ann has a son Theophilus. The inventory of William Ross dated 1 September 1826, notes that Theophilus was paid $14.28 for repairs on the farm and for filling in the graves. This would seem to indicate that William's wife died shortly before him. Theophilus married Catherine Ross, daughter of William Ross, between the 25th of June 1825 when Catherine's father wrote his will and the 1st of April 1827 when Theophilius & Catherine rented land from her father's estate. in Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. It was noted on the inventory of Catherine's father's estate that Catherine and her husband Theophilus had paid rent amounting to $21.50 for the 1st of April 1827 to the 1st of April 1828. On the 1830 census in Wayne Township, Theophilus & his wife are likely to be the other members in the household of Elenor Baird. Elenor Beard [0000100000:000100010].¹ Theophilus was a farmer. On 3 April 1832, Catharine & Theophilus Baird, of Wayne Township, Mifflin County, sold property in Mifflin County to Samuel Simons containing 10 acres. This property was situated adjacent to the property inherited by her sister, Jane, in their father's will. Theophilus's wife, Catherine, died before 1838 in Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, leaving him a widower. Theophilus married 2nd Elizabeth Cornelius circa 1838 in Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. It is possible that "Cornelius" is a married name for Elizabeth and not her maiden name as she nor her children were mentioned in Isaac Cornelius' will. The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, the family of Theaplous Beard [000001:110010].² Theophilus's wife, Elizabeth, died before 4 April 1845 in Newton Hamilton, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, leaving him a widower. Theophilus married 3rd Phebe Roberts before 4 April 1845 in Pennsylvania. On 4 April 1845, Theophilus & Phebe of Cromwell Township, Huntingdon County, sold land in Mifflin County to Wm Fields. 6 December 1850, Theophilus and his wife, Phebe, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Cromwell Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Enumerated in this household were Theopholus Baird [48 Pennsylvania][farmer], his wife: Phebe [44 Pennsylvania], Oliver Price [19 Pennsylvania], Susan Jane [10 Pennsylvania], Sarah [4 Pennsylvania], Melinda [2 Pennsylvania], Samuel [2 months Pennsylvania], & Martha Price [16 Pennsylvania].³ 30 July 1860, Theophilus and his wife, Phebe, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Cromwell Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Enumerated in this household were Theophilius Beard [55 Pennsylvania], his wife, Phebe [43 Pennsylvania], their children: Sarah [13 Ohio], Melinda [11 Pennsylvania], & Samuel [9 Pennsylvania].⁴ He serviced in the Union Army during the Civil War, serving in the 13th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Cavalry, the 117th Volenteers. He muster out on 27 July 1865 at Alexandria, Virginia.⁵ 19 August 1870, Theophilus and his wife, Phebe, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Cromwell Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Enumerated in this household were Theophilius Baird [66 Pennsylvania], his wife, Phebe [64 Pennsylvania], their children: Melinda [22 Pennsylvania], & Samuel [19 Pennsylvania].⁶ Theophilus died between 19 August 1870 and 1880 at Cromwell Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Theophilus was not found on the 1880 census & his wife Phebe was living at the time with her daughter Martha.