600.20.004.2 Nancy Diven release 1840

The original deed dated 18 March 1840 names James Diven with wife Mary Jane, Sarah Williamson, Richard P. Diven with wife Jane Mary, and James A. Diven, all of Tyrone Township, as grantors to John Souder. The consideration is $400 for 150 acres and 144 perches in Carroll Township, Perry County. It explicitly identifies James Diven and Sarah Williamson as the two grandchildren who inherited James Diven Senior’s interest under his will. Combined with the 1818 will naming these two as children of deceased Alexander, this provides strong evidence connecting the grandson married to Mary Jane to Alexander. Identification with every compiled date and the middle name Alexander remains unconfirmed. The deed separately identifies the deceased James Diven Junior as father of four children: John P., Richard P., James A., and Sarah, wife of Wilson Tagg. Nancy Diven releases her dower rights as his widow on 18 March 1840. James A. Diven is a separate co-grantor from James Diven, husband of Mary Jane; the names must not be merged. Whether this Junior is the deceased son James named in the 1818 will is still unconfirmed. Nancy’s motherhood of the four children is not established by widowhood. The manuscript recites the earlier purchase on 20 December 1811, citing Cumberland Deed Book W, volume 1, page 498. The machine transcript incorrectly gives 1841. It also recites a 2 April 1838 transfer from Wilson Tagg and wife Sarah to James A. Diven, and an undated transfer from John P. to his brother Richard P. The deed and Nancy’s release were recorded 11 May 1841. Nancy was alive on the release date; no birth or death date is established. Perry Deeds 1840–1842, images 197–198 of 368, printed pages 380–382. Original handwriting inspected; evidence 600.20.004, 600.20.004.1 and 600.20.004.2.