Samuel Meldrum and Ann Mariah Zell

This is a picture of West Hempfied.

Here in West Hempfield, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvvania is where we first find Samuel Meldrum on the 1830 census. From a family bible, his birth date is listed as 5 Jun 1802. We do not know place of birth or parents. Samuel is found in several history books of Pennsylvania as starting the Methodist Episcopal Church in a small town close to West Hempfield called Mount Joy.

Samuel married Ann Mariah Zell by Rev. Neeleat of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on the 22 Feb 1927.

Ann Mariah Zell was born 20 Jan 1809 in Chester Co. Pennsylvania. Her father was Jacob Zell and mother Sarah. She died 22 Feb 1883 in Rigdon, Grant County, Indiana at her sons home. She was buried Feb 1883 in East Germantown, Pershing, Wayne County, Indiana. The following is her obituary as it appeared in the newspaper.

Maria Zell was born in Chester county, Penn., Jan 20 1809. In the 16th years of her age she joined the M.E. Church at a camp meeting at Columbia, Penn, and remained a member to her death, Feb 22 1883, aged 74 years, 1 month and 2 days. She was married to Samuel Meldrum on the 22th of Feb. 1827. In 1836, they moved to Ohio, where Mr. Meldrum died in 1839, leaving one son, Henry, who survives her. In 1840 she moved to Milton with her parents and in 1942 she was married to George Rairsheid, who died Nov. 19, 1873.  She again married Andrew Bragg who has gone before her to the other world. She had been making her home with her son Henry, in Grant County, for some time past, who brought her remains here Friday Evening, Feb 23th, to the residence of her sister, Mrs. Wm. Booth.  Funeral services were conducted the following Sunday at the M.E. Church at 10 1/2 o'clock A.M., Rev. Marlatt officiating. Interment at East Germantown. Life's chequered scenes are o'er.

The headstone to the left is for George Rareshied or Rairsheid. He and Ann Mariah never had any children together. He seemed to be a good stepfather for Henry. At one point, he gives land to Henry. George sponsored other members of his family from Germany. When we were at the cemetery, his headstone was one of the largest, the top spike being broken off.

Ann Mariah was also buried at this site. The bottom picuture shows that Ann M. wife of George Rareshied is buried here.

I have heard from members of the family that Ann Mariah was a cute German grandmother who was very loved.