Elizabeth “Betsy” Troxell
birth: 6 November 1820 in Montgomery, Ohio to Jacob and Mary Catherine Rauk Troxell
death: 16 December 1901 in Center Township, Delaware, Indiana
burial: Porter Rea Cemetery, St. Joseph, Indiana

marriage: 3 January 1839 in Connersville, Fayette, Indiana
John Anderson Long
birth: 14 November 1813 in Morristown, Jefferson, Tennessee to George Mitchell and Sarah Ford Long
death: 28 June 1874 in St. Joseph, Indiana
burial: Porter Rea Cemetery, St. Joseph County, Indiana

Children of Elizabeth “Betsy” Troxell and John Anderson Long:

• Jacob John Long 1839-1914 Catharine Mangus
• Sarah Catherine Long 1842-1925 Jacob Jamison
• Lucinda Long 1843-1921 Adam Longaker
• Jonathan Long 1845-1871 Sara Kane
• George Mitchell Long 1849-1921 1st m. Mary Nancy Chappel 2nd m. Lucinda Waner
• Thomas G. Long 1851-1852
• William Long 1853-1916 Margaret Jane Nichols
• Francis Marion Long 1856-1934 Priscilla Ann Livengood
• Mary A. Long 1858-1950 1st m. Milton Elisha White 2nd m. Daniel O. Cramer
• Margaret E. “Maggie” Long 1860-1944 George Frederick Harbaugh
• Bemjamin A. Long 1868-1954 Effie Allen

Ancestor here lived in:

• Waterloo, Fayette, Indiana
• Connersville, Fayette, Indiana
• Barrens, St. Joseph County, Indiana
• Liberty Township, St. Joseph, Indiana

Other Information:

Elizabeth “Betsy” Troxell was the oldest of eight children born to Jacob and Mary Catherine Rauk Troxell. Her mother died when she was 14 years old; her father remarried and she gained one step sister when she was 23 years old. Betsy spent her early childhood in Montgomery, Ohio. It is likely she arrived in Indiana with her family about 1829. The family relocated as her father was building a mill race on the west fork of the White River near Waterloo, Fayette, Indiana. It was there she met her husband, George Anderson Long. The couple was married by Elisha Vance on 3 January 1839 in Connersville, Fayette, Indiana. By 1842 the couple and their youngest child had relocated to land that was west and north west of the Barrens, St. Joseph County, Indiana. The family’s deed for the densely forested land was purportedly written on sheepskin. The family became affiliated with the German Baptist Church in Liberty Township, St. Joseph, Indiana in 1859. On 20 February 1862, Betsy found herself as a single mother when her husband, an abolitionist, joined the Union Army at age 48. At the time, nine of her children were still in the household; the youngest was age 2 and the eldest was age 20. Oldest son, Jacob, had married and was residing in his own household. Youngest child, Benjamin, was not born until after the Civil War ended. It is likely that her strong faith helped her through this difficult period. Family members recalled her favorite song was I’m Going Home, a hymn, that she sang as she worked. Betsy’s husband returned from the war but died when their youngest child was only 5 years old. Betsy was very close to her youngest daughter, Margaret “Maggie” Long Harbaugh and resided nearby, though she did travel often to visit her other adult children who were scattered across the state. On 16 March 1885, with her father ailing, Betsy relocated to assist him in Fayette County, Indiana. After his death on 6 April 1885 she returned to reside in Liberty Township, St. Joseph, Indiana with her son William and his family. Sometime after 14 July 1901, Betsy went to visit her son, Francis, in Center Township, Delaware, Indiana. On 16 November 1901, Francis sent his siblings a telegram that Betsy was “at the point of death.” The family gathered around her but returned to their homes by 21 November as Betsy seemed to be recovering. On 23 November, Betsy took a turn for the worse and could only answer yes or no. She died on 15 December 1901 at 4 o’clock in the evening at her son, Francis’ home near Muncie. She had been paralyzed for 4 weeks less a day. Her body was returned to her old home in North Liberty Township, St. Joseph, Indiana on 17 December 1901 at 4 PM. Her daughter, Maggie, brought Maggie’s Aunt-in-law, Mary Ann Orndorf Johnson, to a private viewing as Mary Ann and Betsy had been close friends. A funeral service was held at the Meeting House, preaching by Br. J. Hildebrand and A. M Rupel. Betsy was buried next to her husband; she was 81 years, 1 month and 8 days old.

There is much information about Betsy in a diary written by her friend, Mary Ann Orndorf Johnson. The volumes are held by the Pine Creek Church of the Brethren. Contact the submitter for a transcription.

Submitted by:
Lori Samuelson
Email: genealogyatheart@gmail.com