Sometimes You Have to Look a Little Deeper

Some of the best finds in genealogy are those that are hidden in places we don't expect.  In looking at an old journal that recorded Partnerships, Licenses, and Land Contracts, with most dated 1852-1854, I found one will and one apprenticeship agreement.  Both of those are of interest to genealogists, but probably would not have been found in the usual quest for information at the Records Center of the county.

 Page 3 and 5 of the journal contained a document concerning an insurance matter, while page 4 - yes, nestled in the midst of the other document - held the will of Hannah Noffsinger, written December 26, 1851. 
Her will:

"In the name of the Benevolent .... Amen.  I, Hannah Noffsinger of Richland township, Defiance county and state of Ohio, being of Sound mind and memory do make and publish this, my last will and testament.
I give and bequeath until Jonathan Lengle all of my property, both real and personal, of which I may be possessed at my decease (save) exceptions hereafter made to his heirs forever.  And it my will that the said Jonathan Lengle  pay one hundred Dollars each to Eliza Heck, Joseph Heck and William Frances Heck so soon as they arrive at majority out of my estate and in case of the decease of either of the said Eliza, Joseph and William Frances Heck (Save) Hecks heirs of Lewis Heck) then and in the case it is my will that the said Jonathan Lengle retain for his own use the amount that would have been said deceised.

I do nomanate Jonathan Lengle my Lonin law and chief legatee to be the  executor of this my last will and testament, testimony where of I have to this my last will and testament subscribed my name and afixed my Seal this twenty sixth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one. 
Hannah (her mark x) Noffsinger
 ---
Signed, Sealed & Delivered, published by the Said Hannah Noffsinger as for her last will and testament...of us who at her request, and in the presence and in prisence of each other, Subscribed our names as witnesses.
Rec'd for Record Feb. 3d, 1852 at one o'clock P. M.
Recorded Feb. 4th, 1852
Signed B. B. Abell and Jacob Hines
J. B. Heatley, Recorder

In the 1850 census, Hannah was living in Richland Twp. with Jonathan Lingle, his wife, Mary, and their son, John, 7.
I would guess that Mary was Hannah's daughter.  Living in Highland Twp. in 1850 was the Heck family - Lewis and his wife, Barbara, and their children, Eliza and Joseph. Was Barbara also Hannah's daughter? Perhaps William Frances was born between the time the family was enumerated and the time the will was written. Hannah was reported as 44 years old in the 1850 census.
In Hire Cemetery, Defiance County, there is a tombstone for Hannah Noffsinger with a death date transcribed by someone as Jan. 26, 1832, but perhaps it was misread as a 32 rather than a 52.  It would make sense that the Hannah Noffsinger who wrote her will in December, perhaps because she was sick and expected death, might have died just a month later.  Then the will was presented to the court in February.

The indenture papers were found on pages 13 and 14 of that same journal and dated in 1853.

Indenture of Apprenticeship between Napoleon B. Y Schamp and Barnet Stotler and Manuel B. Schamp.  Witnesseth that the same Manuel B. Schamp, aged nine years on the third day of June A. D. 1854 by and with the consent of said Napoleon B. Schamp, his Father, hath and doth hereby bind himself as an apprentice unto the said Barnet Stotler until the third day of June A. D. 1866 from the date thereof to learn the trade and occupation of blacksmith. And the same Manuel B. Schamp by his said father, doth hereby covenant with said Barnet Stotler to faithfully serve him and correctly demean himself during the term of his apprenticeship.  

And the said Barnet Stotler doth hereby covenant with the said Napoleon B. Y Schamp and Manuel B. Schamp and each of them that he will teach the said Manuel B. Schamp the said trade and occupation and will provide him during said apprenticeship with meat, lodging, medics, inc. washing clothing and all other necessities suitable for an apprentice and will teach or cause him to be taught to read and write and so much arithmetic as will include the single rule of three and at the experation of said term of service, will furnish the said Manuel B. Schamp with a new Bible and at least two suits of common working apparel.

In testimony whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals this twenty fourth day of October in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty three.
Attest - Geo.H Wilson
Napoleon B. Schamp
Barnet Stotler (his mark)
Manuel B. Schamp (his mark)
Read & Rec'd on Nov. 12, 1853

By the mutual consent of Napoleon B. Y Schamp and Barnet Stotler, the parties to the then indenture of the apprenticeship of Manuel Schamp, is this day ends and this within Indenture is hereby canceled this 22nd day of July A. D. 1854."  

 It was heartbreaking to know this 9 year old boy was being indentured for 12 years, or until he reached 21.  How nice it was to read that, for whatever reason, the indenture was cancelled 8 months later.  Perhaps it just didn't work out or the parties moved on?  I could not find these folks in either the 1850 or 1860 census in Defiance County.