Week 5 2026 - A Breakthrough Moment - Porter

Over my years of researching, I have always been on the lookout for an article, a record, anything that shares the name of Aaron Porter. I knew he had children John, James, Hosea, Nicholas, Exa (Axey), Minerva and Sarah. I have followed them from New York to Iowa and all the places in-between.

Always looking at books, for different newspaper archives that may be released, or new collections. And based on the children's names, looking for a John or James as his father so I would know I had the 'correct' Aaron Porter. But only if they used traditional naming patterns.

Aaron died in 1845, under strange circumstances. He was living in Iowa, yet he died in December of 1845 in Indiana? Why would he have traveled during that time of the year? What would have taken him back to Indiana? There is a typed paper written by a Barrick relative that states he died in Indiana, but no proof. I have found his will and his probate and now this Petition for Partition. This means that one of the siblings wanted to get his share of the father's estate (after what their mother would receive) and since there were some who had moved on, they wanted the courts to decide how to split it up. So, they had to hire a lawyer and publish this missive for a certain amount of time depending on what the courts decreed. Usually, up to six months. 

Recently while doing some random searching through papers that 'needed to be filed' I came across this published article. I must have printed it and then forgotten about it and so I finally sat down and actually read through the article. It is five years after Aaron died and the son John J who was executor of the estate was looking for some of the far-flung family members to, I am assuming, sell the property as others wanted to move on and out of Iowa. 

Iowa Capitol Reporter 27Mar1850 pg3

There are two additional children Merrick and Eli H listed in the petition that now need to be researched. How did I miss it? This could be the connection that I have tried to find for years.

I know Aaron and Lovina were in New York, near Lake George ca 1803.

In Jefferson County, Indiana from 1810-1830.

In Edgar County, Illinois about 1830-1836

And in Cedar County, Iowa by 1836.

Aaron Porter died in 1845 and by 1860 all had left Iowa except for John J. (my 2x great grandfather) and his family.

Suddenly, there are new avenues to pursue. New records and books to search through. Hang on to your hats...I am off and running in a new direction! Hopefully, there will be new discoveries soon.

Barbie

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