Embedded Files
Simon Wooten strickes an impressive pose in this picture many people know of him. It was taken from the Our Westfield 1834-1984 book and enlarged and printed on a board and put on display in our museum. But beyond what is written in the book we haven't had much information in our collection. So we are trying to get more information about him and his family and honor their heritage and time in Westfield Washington Township.
Our Westfield photo description:
Simon Wooten, who lived in Denney's Livery Stable for many years. C. M. Denney sold the stable to Russell Barker who later sold it to the government as a site for the post office.
According to oral history Simon was a formerly enslaved person. Born in North Carolina circa 1847 one can wonder if he or his family knew some of the Quakers that moved from North Carolina to Central Indiana and made his way here to meet up with them.
According to the Census Simon Wooten lived for a long time in Westfield:
In the 1870 census we find a Robert Wooten (37) who has a Simon Wooten (25) living with his family in North Carolina - Lenoir Co - Moseley Hall Township. Dwelling 214. Dwelling 213 were also Wooten that were black and 215 was a James Wooten, white that owned real estate worth 3000 and personal estate valued 800.
That record indicates that Simon was born in 1845
The 1880 census shows Simon lived in Westfield, Indiana with his older brother Robert Wooten and his family. He was a Day Laborer and 33 years old. Which would indicate he was born in 1847. Robert was 50 years old and their mother Mornan lived there too, and she was 100 years old? (Maybe stepmother of Robert and Simon, or the math isn't quite working well)
In the 1910 census Simon still lives in Westfield, with Ruffus Gray. He is 65 years old and still a laborer. (back to 1845 birth year)
The 1920 census at last shows Simon still living in Westfield, in his own household, he was a Farmer. He is back to 73 years old. (birth year 1847) Marked as White on the Census, but it's highly unlikely a 2nd Simon Wooten of the same/similar age would be in Westfield, both born in North Carolina?)
On January 1st, 1925 Simon Wooten was mentioned visiting his niece in Indianapolis in the Noblesville Ledger.
Simon Wooten from Westfield was mentioned visiting Otto Clarks' home in Pleasant View on Sunday June 21st 1925 in The Noblesville Ledger.
On Wednesday, January 21st, 1931 the Noblesville Ledger reported that Misses Lotta and Mary Carey went to Indianapolis on Friday, January 16, for the funeral of Simon Wooten at the Harry Moore funeral parlor.
Lucy Wooten, the daughter of Robert (Bob) and Patsy Wooten was mentioned in an 1942 article in the Noblesville Ledger. A Mrs. Lena Howe Sanders was reminiscing of old times in Westfield.
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