First Families of Warren County, Ohio
Member jure Jonathan Newman (1807, Wayne Twp.) and Joseph Cloud (1807, Wayne Twp.)
Member jure Jonathan Newman (1807, Wayne Twp.) and Joseph Cloud (1807, Wayne Twp.)
The First Families of Warren County, Ohio (FFWC) is a lineage society under the Warren County Genealogical Society (WCGS) that recognizes individuals who can prove descent from pioneers who settled in Warren County, Ohio, before January 1, 1821. This society documents the contributions of these settlers to the development of the county.
Jonathan Newman was born on December 8, 1768, in Guilford County, North Carolina. By 1809, he had settled in Wayne Township, Warren County, Ohio. He married Anne Cloud around April 1, 1797, in Alamance, North Carolina. Newman is documented as an early resident of the area, contributing to the establishment of the local community.
Joseph Cloud was born on March 1, 1742, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and migrated to Warren County, Ohio, by 1809. Cloud was a blacksmith, a trade essential for frontier settlements. He married Mary Earl Underwood in 1763 in Orange County, North Carolina. Upon settling in Warren County, his trade and family presence became part of the county’s early development.
Both Jonathan Newman and Joseph Cloud were members of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers. Their migration to Warren County was part of a broader movement of Quakers seeking religious freedom and opportunities in the early 19th century. Quakers played a significant role in the development of southwestern Ohio, including Warren County.
By 1807, approximately 2,000 Quakers resided in southwestern Ohio. They established communities that emphasized education, equality, and anti-slavery principles. In Warren County, Quaker settlements contributed to the region’s social and economic development. Their commitment to pacifism and community building influenced local customs and governance.
The town of Springboro, founded in 1815 by Quaker Jonathan Wright, is an example of Quaker influence in the area. Quaker meeting houses and schools served as centers for social and educational activities, fostering a sense of community among settlers.
The First Families of Warren County, Ohio, was established to honor the county’s earliest settlers. Applicants must demonstrate direct descent from an ancestor who resided in the county before January 1, 1821, and provide documentation proving their ancestor’s settlement and the line of descent.
Inductees are recognized annually and receive a certificate acknowledging their ancestor’s historical significance within the county.
My membership in the First Families of Warren County, Ohio, recognizes Jonathan Newman and Joseph Cloud as early settlers of Warren County. Their documented residency before 1821 places them among the individuals who contributed to the county’s early history.
Additional memberships will be added as they are approved.