Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Tecumseh Ashmun 1848-1915

Tecumseh L. Ashmun/Ashman was said to be born on 20 Dec 1848 in Gratiot county, Michigan, the son of Henry Clay Ashmun and Marie Megonggawan Du Bois. 

Father Henry Clay Ashmun was said to be born c1825 in Minnesota City, Winona, Minnesota, the son of Samuel Ashmun Jr. and Keneesequa/Nancy Bruschette. Keneesequa was said to be the daughter of Chief Katawabida of Sandy Lake, Minnesota.

From the History of Gratiot county, page 734, mentions Henry marrying Me-gon-ge-wan, daughter of Chief Pay-mas-ega, and that two of Henry's sons lived in Isabella county.


From the History of Midland county,  page 380, also mentions Henry marring Me-gon-ge-wan.



1868 Gruett Roll

#186A - Ne-gaw-ne-ge-waw, has land, H.C. Ashman, dead

Tecumseh, 17

Henry, 15

Joseph, 13


On 2 Aug 1872, Tecumseh sold the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 11, township 16 North, range 3 west to F. Raymond and J. Caldwell for $300.



Tecumseh married Nancy Pay-me-saw on 6 Jul 1872 in Chippewa, Isabella, Michigan. His age was given as 22, birthplace as Gratiot county, occupation as farmer. Her age was given as 21, birthplace as Cass county. Ceremony was performed by Robert P. Shilden, Minister of the gospel. 



On 24 Sep 1872 Tecumseh sold the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 11, township 16 North, range 3 west to Peter and Alexander Andre for $250. This deed mentions that while recorded the land was never sold to F. Raymond and J. Caldwell




Son Henry was said to be born 18 Oct 1872 [Not nine months between this date and Martha's birth]

Daughter Martha was born 2 May 1873 in Isabella county. 



The Isabella county birth index shows only Martha's birth. The other children were not born in Isabella county or their births were not registered.



On 4 May 1874 Tecumseh and Nancy purchased three acres of land more or less from Cornelius Bennett for the sum of $60. 


On 23 Oct 1874, Tecumseh and brother Joseph, "only heirs at law of Henry C. Ashamn, deceased of Isabella County" sold all the Pine timber standing, lying and being one the South Half of South East Quarter of Section Twenty five (25) in Town Fifteen (15) North of Range five (5) West, and the right to remove the same at any time for $20



Son Henry was said to have died 12 Mar 1875

On 16 Nov 1875, Tecumseh sold 15 acres of land to Nancy and Martha Ashman for $1.




Son Wesley was said to be born 2 Sep 1876

On 8 Oct 1876, brother Joseph Ashman, 22, married Mary Chig-gown, 18, in Isabella, Isabella, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Rev. John R. Robinson, Pastor of Isabella Mission. Witnesses were Tecumseh Ashman and Lyman Bennett. 



In 1877 Tecumseh mortgaged the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 10, township 14, range 4, and the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of section 12, township 14, range 4, to John Lynch.



Isabella County Enterprise - 8 Aug 1877



On 29 Dec 1877, Tecumseh Ashman, brother and heir of Elizabeth Ashman (deceased) and Nancy Ashman, his wife, of Isabella county, state of Michigan, sold to Augusta Robinson for the sum of $50, the SE 1/4 or the SE 1/4 of section 28, township 14 north range 5 west. 





Isabella County Enterprise - 13 Mar 1878


On 25 May 1878, Tecumseh and Joseph Ashman bought the NE1/4 or the NE 1/4 of section 2, township 15 north, range 5 west from C. Bennett and his wife Anna for $25.




On 5 Jun 1878 Joseph Ashman sold to Tecumseh Ashamn for $100 the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 2 township 15 north, range 5 west in Isabella county. 



On 8 Jun 1878 Tecumseh and wife sold the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 2, township 15 north, range 5 west, containing 40 acres, to William N. Brown and E. V. Leaton for $250.



Daughter Nancy was said to be born 10 Sep 1878

Wife Nancy died on 13 Jan 1879 and was buried in the Mission Creek Cemetery.



Son Wesley was said to have died 15 Jan 1879.


On 17 Feb 1879, Tecumseh bought the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of section 24 township 14 north, range 4 west from George Naw-o-ge-sick for $50.


On 11 Feb 1879, Tecumseh bought the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of section 24, township 14 north, range 5 west, containing 40 acres, from Nancy Strong, sister of New-dway-gzhe-go-quay, deceased for $15. 



On 14 Feb 1879, Tecumseh sold the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of section 24, township 14 north, range 5 west to Willam Brown and John Leaton for $100.


On 6 Sep 1879 Tecumseh, as guardian, sold the land of Nancy Pay-me-go-gink to Frank and William Dusenbury, highest bidders, for $150, the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of section 2, township fourteen north, range four west. 


Tecumseh married Jane Campeau on 7 Sep 1879 in Isabella, Isabella, Michigan. His age was given as 28, birthplace as St. Louis, Michigan, occupation as farmer. Her age was given as 25, birthplace as Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Jonas Henry, Minister of the Gospel.


1880 Federal Census not yet found. 

On 1 Sep 1880 Tecumseh bought from the Auditor General of Michigan the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 28, township 15 north, range 4 west, containing 40 acres for the sum of $43.12. 



Have not found a death certificate for wife Jane, nor a divorce record.

Tecumseh, 29, of Isabella county,  married Mary Greensky, 22, of Pinconning, on 30 Aug 1881 in Pinconning, Bay, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Louis A. Pelky, Justice of the Peace. 


Mary was the daughter of Thomas Peters and Elizabeth Chibnes. Mary had been married to Peter Greensky in 1878. They had a daughter, Susan, born 21 May 1876.


On 27 Feb 1882 Tecumseh sold the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 28 townshp 15 north range 4 west to Cornelius Bennett for $250.


 Also on 27 Feb 1882 Tecumseh bought the W 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4, section 32, township 15 north, range 4 west from Cornelius Bennett for $350.


Isabella County Enterprise - 3 May 1882


On 23 May 1883, Tecumseh and wife Mary sold the West 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 32, township 15 north, range 4 west, containing 20 acres to Mary McDonald for $350.


Daughter Jessie was born 11 Feb 1884 [Called Susan on her death record]

Son William was born 17 Mar 1886 in Pinconning, Bay, Michigan

Daughter Elizabeth was born Apr 1888

Son Joseph was born Jan 1890


Daughter Martha, 18, married Daniel Moses, 25, son of Jacob Moses and Pearle on 27 Nov 1890 in Isabell Township. Ceremony was performed by Lyman Bennett, clergyman. 


The Bay City Times - 4 Mar 1891


Daughter Lizzie was said to be born 6 Sep 1893 [from her death record]

Arthur Ashman died 11 Apr 1894 in Arneac county, age 9 months. His parents were Decumah and Mary. Could this be a child of Tecumseh?


Step-daughter Susan Greensky married John Sowmick on 14 May 1894 in Buena Vista, Saginaw, Michigan.



Daughter Lizzie died 15 May 1896 at the age of 2 years, 8 months, 9 days. Cause of death was diptheria, parents were Tehmseh and Lizzie of Pinconning.





Children Jessie, age 13, Eliza, age 9, and William, age 11, arrived at the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School on 18 Sep 1897. They were listed as full blood, their parents were living. The children left school on 24 Nov 1897.

Daughter Nellie was born 1 May 1900 in Pinconning to Tecumseh and Mary.



1900 Federal Census - Pinconning township, Bay, Michigan

Ashman, Tecumseh, head, born Dec 1844, 55, married 18 years, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, hoop maker

Mary, wife, born 1863, 36, married 18 years, 4 children born, 4 children living, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Elizabeth, daughter, born Apr 1888, 11, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, at school

Jessie, daughter, born Feb 1883, 16, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, at school

William, son, born March 1886, 13, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, at school

Joseph, son, born Jan 1890, 10, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, at school

Edward, son, born Nov 1896, 3, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Nellie, daughter, born May 1900, 0/12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan


Daughter Eliza, 13, was admitted to the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School on 26 Aug 1901


Sons William, 14 and Joseph, 11, were admitted to the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School on 29 Aug 1901


Detroit Free Press - 30 Dec 1901



1902 Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School records listed sons William, 16, and Joseph, 12.


1903 Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School records listed daughter Eliza, 14, son William, 17, and son Joseph, 13. The record now says the children are 1/2 blood. 



Daughter Jessie married 30 May 1903 in Leaton, Isabella, Michigan to Fred Jackson


1904 Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School records listed daughter Eliza, 14, and sons William, 17 and Joseph, 13.



Daughter Susan Jackson died 10 Oct 1905 in Pinconning, Bay, Michigan. She was married at age 18, age at death 20, cause of death consumption. Parents were given as Tesumseh Ashman and Mary Peters. Informant was T. Ashman. Burial was in Pinconning. [She was called Jessie on other records.]




The Ashman family were members of the Pinconning Indian Mission - Methodist Episcopal Church as shown in the index 1905-1933

Name                                            Record                                        page
Ashman, Amelia                Baptisms - Parents Of       142
Ashman, Bessie Marina         Baptisms                    142
Ashman, Chas Levi             Baptisms                    144
Ashman, Earnest               Baptisms                    142
Ashman, Ed m/m                Baptisms - Parents Of       146
Ashman, Edward                Members                     010
Ashman, Edward                Probationers                090
Ashman, Eliza                 Marriages                   130
Ashman, Irene                 Baptisms                    146
Ashman, Joseph                Members                     010
Ashman, Joseph                Probationers                090
Ashman, Joseph W  "Joe"       Baptisms                    144
Ashman, Lawrence William      Baptisms                    142
Ashman, Mary                  Members                     010
Ashman, Mary Jane             Baptisms                    146
Ashman, N m/m                 Baptisms - Parents Of       146
Ashman, Nellie                Members                     010
Ashman, Nellie                Probationers                090
Ashman, T                     Financial                   009
Ashman, Tecumseh              Official Members            002
Ashman, Tecumseh              Financial                   009
Ashman, Tecumseh              Members                     010
Ashman, W m/m                 Baptisms - Parents Of       144
Ashman, W Mrs                 Baptisms - Parents Of       144
Ashman, William               Official Members            002
Ashman, William               Marriages                   130
Ashman, William               Baptisms - Parents Of       142
Ashman, William "Will"        Financial                   009
Ashman, William "Will"        Baptisms - Parents Of       144
Ashman, William "Wm"          Members                     010
Ashman, William "Wm"          Baptisms - Parents Of       142
Ashman, William "Wm"  m/m     Baptisms - Parents Of       142
Ashman, William "Wm" Mrs      Members                     010

Daughter Eliza, 18, married Silas Isaac, 21, son of John Isaac and Elizabeth Murry on 26 Nov 1906 in Pinconning. Ceremony was performed by G.W. Howe, clergyman.



Step-daughter Susan Greensky Sowmick, died 3 May 1907. Her birth was given as 21 May 1876, parents as Peter Greensky and Mary Peters. Cause of death was puerperal convulsions, burial was in Pinconning. [Puerperal convulsions are generalized seizures occurring after childbirth. Son Chester Sowmick was born 3 May 1907.]



The Bay City Tribune - 24 Dec 1907


Son William, 22,  was married 25 Feb 1909 in Pinconning, Bay, Michigan, to Amelia Silas, 21, daughter of Benjamin Silas and Mary Thomas. Ceremony was performed by Arthur E. Gay, Minister.

 


Daughter Elizabeth Isaac died 16 Feb 1910 in Pinconning, Bay, Michigan. Her birth was given as 28 Apr 1888. Cause of death was tuberculosis, burial was in Pinconning. Informant was Tecumseh.



Eliza was buried in Pinconning township cemetery.




The Bay City Tribune - 29 Sep 1910




1910 Federal Census - Pinconning, Bay, Michigan

Ashman, Tecumseh, head, 56, married twice, married 30 years, speaks English, farmer, full Chippewa, married 2 times, Mt. Pleasant Indian School, taxed, civilized dwelling [Mt. Pleasant Indian School did not open until 1893 - Tecumseh did not attend].

Mary, wife, 47, married once, married 30 years, 9 children born, 5 children living, speaks English, full Chippewa, married 1 time, did not graduate

Joseph, son, 19, speaks English, laborer at odd jobs, full Chippewa, attended Mt. Plesants School 4 years

Edward, son, 13, speaks English, full Chippewa

Nellie, daughter, 9, speaks English, full Chippewa

Isaac, Walter, grandson, 3, full Chippewa


Grandson Wesley Moses died 2 Oct 1912 in Nottawa township, Isabella, Michigan. His age was given as 16 years, 1 month, 20 days, parents as David Moses and Martha Ashman.


Tecumseh died 8 Apr 1915 in Pinconning, Bay, Michigan. His birth was given as 20 Dec 1841, age 74 years, 4 months, 18 days, parents as Henry Ashman and Ester Greenbird. Cause of death was tuberculosis of lungs, burial in Pinconning. Informant was William Ashman of Pinconning.


Son Joseph died 25 Jul 1916 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. His age was given as about 26, parents as Tecumseh Ashman and Mary Peters. Cause of death was tuberculosis, burial in Pinconning. Information was Mrs. T. Ashman.


Son Edward registered for the draft on 5 Jun 1918. He gave his birth as 15 Apr 1897 in Pinconning, father's birthplace as Mt. Pleasant. Name of employer was U. S. Gypsum Co. of Alabaster, Michigan. Nearest relative was Mary Ashmun. Edward was descriped as tall, medium build, with dark brown eyes and black hear. He lost the middle finger of his left hand.








Son William Otis Ashman registered for the draft on 12 Sep 1918. He says he was white, born on 17 Mar 1884, laborer. William was described as medium height and build, with brown eyes and hair.







Daughter Nellie, 18,  was married 18 Nov 1916 to Arthur Jackson, 26, son of Peter Jackson and Mary Chatfield. Ceremony was performed by Rev. E. L. Carless, Clergyman.


Daughter Nellie Jackson died 17 Mar 1920 in Saginaw, Saginaw, Michigan. Her birth was given as 18 Apr 1900, age as 19 years, 11 months, 1 day, parents as Tecumseh Ashman and Mary Peters. Cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis, burial was at Forest Lawn. Informant was Arthur Jackson.

The Bay City Times - 20 Mar 1920


Daughter Martha, 49, was married to Norman E. Smith, 54, son of Fred Smith and Christina Rayer, on 26 Sep 1921 in Mt. Pleasant. Both had been married onced before. Ceremony was performed by James E. Ryan, Justice of the Peace.




Son Edward, 26,  took out a license to married Louise Shawbush nee Chibness. 36, on 9 Feb 1924 in Isabella, Michigan. The marriage did not take place. 



The Bay City Times - 21 Oct 1925





Daughter Martha may have died on 5 Oct 1928. Her married name was given as Moses not Smith; father's name Ashman, mother's name unknown. She was widowed, age about 55. Cause of death was myocardial insufficiency, burial in Isabella county. There was no informant. 


Son Edward met Bessie Bennett. Their daughter Mary Jane Ashmun was born 2 Nov 1931

Son William died 26 Feb 1932 in Pinconning, Bay, Michigan. His birth was given as 17 Mar 1886, age as 45 years, 11 months, 9 days, parents as Tecumseh Ashman and Mary Peters, wife as Amelia. Cause of death was influenzal pneumonia, burial was in Pinconning. Informant was Amelia Ashmun.


William was buried at the Pinconning township cemetery.





1934 Saginaw city directory

Ashman, Edw. A. (Bessie E.) mason, house 221 S. 11th
Ashman, Mary (wid Tecumseh) rents 221 S 11th



Widow Mary died 10 Apr 1939 in Bay City, Bay, Michigan. Her birth was given as 25 Oct 1857 in Pinconning, daughter of Thomas Peters and unknown. Cause of death was pneumonia, burial in Pinconning. Informant was Edward Aushmun. 



Mary was buried at the Pinconning township cemetery with her son William and his wife, Amelia.





Bay City Times, 11 Apr 1939


Son Edward, 39,  married Geraldine Graverette, 20, daughter of Amos Graverette and Sarah Hart on 19 Nov 1937 in Bay City, Bay, Michigan. Edward says he has not been married before. Ceremony was performed by Raphael G. Phillips, Judge of Probate.


Son Edward registered for the draft on 16 Feb 1942. He gave his birth as 15 Apr 1897 in Pinconning. He was described as 6' 2", 175 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair and dark complexion. Edward was missing the second finger from his left hand. 



Son Edward died 17 Sep 1963

Midland Daily News - 17 Sep 1963


The Saginaw News - 18 Sep 1963




The Saginaw News - 19 Sep 1963



Copyright (c) 2026 Vicki Wilson

Link to Michigan Native American Ancestors facebook group. 

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