Submitted by Marsha Ann Neubauer
This Picture is of a Woman known simply as Granny Dennison. She lived all her life in Symmes Valley.
She was born there in 1795 and died there in 1908.
I talked with one of her many relatives, John Ellis, who was born in Bent Creek and lived there for 94 years. He told me that he read the will of her and her husband.
The Deed read, “The Land From Hilltop to Hilltop in the Symmes Valley, from Getaway to Linnville and the Sum of 100 Slaves”.
Did You Know? – The creek that enters Symmes from the east side near the campgrounds was called Dennison’s Branch, for Capt. Jonathan Dennison settled on it in an early day.
On the day she died, she walked from the head of Paddy Creek to Proctorville, then to Bradrick. From there, she walked to Bent Creek up to where it goes to Greasy Ridge, then over the hill to the west to my Grandfather’s home, a total of 10 miles.
My Grandfather And Grandmother were both relatives of hers. Grandmother asked if she had the evening meal, but she had not, so Grandmother fixed her something to eat.
After the meal, she went to the living room and talked to my Uncle Thomas Wilks. He told me after a while, she just took a long breath, laid her head over a little on one side, and was gone.
These facts and the photo of Granny Dennison were found by Sherrill Ward of Chesapeake, Ohio, who passed away in 2003. I do not know how my Aunt Elaine Thomas of Bradford, Illinois received them for sure or when, but I am sure it was at least 20 to 30 years ago. I know that she received them along with the photo of her and passed them on to me and others.
Trying to locate father of Roswell Dennison born Ohio 1870 mother may be Mary Thomas. Kidd Surname is connected. Roswell was found in Johnson County Kentucky 1880. Roswell Dennison married to Margaret Austin.in Johnson county ky.