Lydia Hollingsworth Holaday, 1818-1895


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Lydia was the daughter of Ezekial and Jane Hollingsworth.  She was born November 23, 1819 in Union Co, Indiana and died July 8, 1911 in Madison Co, Winterset, IA.  She married George Meacham Holaday on November 29, 1838.  

Lydia was a Quaker until the time she married "contrary to discipline" (mcd) and her husband was, effectively, "kicked out,"  or, in Quaker terms, disowned.  Her husband did not repent, nor did she as it would seem, so the end of her Quaker life was the civil marriage between she and George Meacham Holaday in 1838.  Incidentally, George had also been reported for "attending places of diversion."  None the less, he did not attempt to repent for either.  

She came from strong Quaker lines, dating back to Valentine Hollingsworth, a founder of the Hollingsworth family in America circa 1682, in the time of William Penn.  He was a prominent Quaker. 


Lydia's Paternal Side:



Lydia's Maternal Side:



Lydia's father, Ezekial, was the son of Joseph Hollingsworth and Margaret Hammer Wright.  Their marriage was recorded at Bush River MM, SC - June 4, 1768.  This was Joseph's second marriage.  His first wife was Martha Hannah Frost, to which she and Joseph had two sons; Jonathon and David.  David was the latter born, in 1765, so wife Frost died between 1765 and 1768.



Joseph had (at least) five children with Margaret Hammer.  Levi, Isaac, Jacob, Richard and our Ezekial.  

Lydia's mother, Jane Hollingsworth, was the daughter of George Hollingsworth and Jane Henry.  Ezekiel and Jane's fathers were brothers - making them first half cousins.  

Friends were leaving in droves from the Bush River MM.  They had decided they didn't wish to be in a slavery state, and a great many went west.  This nearly depleted the membership in Bush River, so Bush River and Cane Creek meetings were joined to New Garden MM. Bush River MM was laid down in 1822.  

Ezekiel took his family to Indiana.  The document: Territorial Papers of the US; Volume Number: Vol 7; Page Number: 691; Family Number: 101 shows Ezekiel's name on a petition in Indiana Territory, dated 12 Dec 1809, to Congress by citizens of the territory asking for voting rights for all white males over 21 who paid taxes or fulfilled militia duty. They also ask to be allowed to ch XXXXXXXX .

A year later, In 1810, Ezekiel's name is on a list of electors of election held April 3, 1809 at the house of John Templeton Esqr in Dearborn Co, Indiana Territory, IN.

They lived in Union Co, IN for a number of years and have many children while living there.  They had 12 children in all.

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By 1826, Ezekial was a Quaker once again.  Apparently Jane had died by 1826, as we see his intent to marry Mary Dolly Meacham in 1837 and that marriage to follow.  


Vermilion, IL QM Minutes:


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Circa 1840, Ezekial and family left Illinois for Keokuk Co, IA.