David Van Cleave ¹

  General Notes:

Most of the notes that are here about David and his descendents are from the book compiled by ALLAN RAY WENZEL "THE GRAND ENDEAVOUR. THE VAN CLEAVE FAMILY. VOLUME III 1986
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Came to Decatur Co., Ind. abt 1822 then to Boone Co., Ind. in 1836
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David is listed in the Shelby Co., Kentucky Tax Lists for the years of 1808 through1811; as having from 2 to 5 horses, depending on the year.

He is listed in the 1810 Federal Census for Kentucky as living in Shelby Co. From 1812 to 1825 David migrated back and forth from his home in Shelby Co., Kentucky to Madison, Indiana, where his parents and brother Peter had moved to. David lived enough of the time in this area to be able to legally take part in the affairs of that community. He is listed in the 1820 Federal Census for Kentucky as living in Shelby Co., next to his Father- in- Law, and having two people engaged in manufacturing.

David is listed in the Indiana Register of Receipts, at the Land Records Office in Brookville, Franklin Co. , Indiana, as being a resident of Shelby Co., Kentucky, and purchasing 80 acres of land in section 10, township 11, range 10, on August 17, 1822. He settled his family in this section of Decatur Co., Near Greensburg, Indiana circa 1825. He is listed in the 1830 Federal Census for Indiana as living in Decatur Co., Fugit Twp.

David moved his family from Decatur Co., Indiana to Boone Co., Indiana, settling near Lebanon in 1832. From 1832 to1837 Rachael visited the Madison, Indiana area often while David built up the farm and the surrounding community began to grow. David purchased 80 acres of land in Boone Co., Indiana, section 8, township 19, range north 1 east, on August 23, 1836. Rachael purchased 80 acres of land at the same location, on November 16, 1836. David sold his land in Decatur Co., Indiana on December 5, 1836.

David made sure that his children were educated in the public school system and went to church regularly. He and Rachael were among the first members of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church. This church was located on the Thorntown and Strawtown road, 9 miles northeast of Lebanon, in Clinton Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. It was first organized as a church on June 17, 1837 by the Presbytery at Crawfordsville, Indiana. At first it was just a log house, then due to the ever growing congregation a 35 x 45 foot frame house was built in 1852. Adjoining the church on the east side is a cemetery.

David is listed in the 1840 Federal Census for Indiana as living in Boone Co., next door to his son John, eight doors away from his son Charles, and being a farmer. He is listed in the 1850 Federal Census for Indiana as living in Boone Co., Dist. 7 (Clinton Twp.), and being retired. His three youngest sons were managing the farm at the time. David Van Cleave and Rachael Swearingen- Van Cleave are buried in the Hopewell Cemetery, beside the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, in Clinton Twp., Boone Co., Indiana.
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Hopewell Cemetery is located on the north side of State Road 47, in Clinton Twp., 1.4 miles east of State Road 39 at 75 east (Elm Swamp Road). The church is no longer there. If you enter the cemetery at the east entrance, look to the left towards the high point of the cemetery, and you will see a flag pole. Go to the flag pole, walk back to the east 32 feet and you will be at David's marker, and to his left (north), Rachel's marker. Also buried there are Linnaeus Finley, Mary Elizabeth, grandchildren of David & Rachel, and Mary Louise King VanCleave, who is Linnaeus & Mary's mother.

David married Rachel Swearingen on 18 Feb 1809 in Shelby County, Kentucky, USA. (Rachel Swearingen was born on 22 Aug 1791 in Shelby County, Kentucky, USA, died on 24 Aug 1851 in Boone County, Indiana, USA and was buried in Hopewell Cemetery, Boone Co, Indiana.)