THE BIOGRAPHY OF EZEKIEL BOSWELL/BOZELL
By Deborah Bozell Donahue
January 10, 2004
This highly esteemed citizen and appreciated farmer residing in German Township, is a native of The Old Dominion. He was born in 1785, and was the sibling of Henry, George, Frances, Sarah, and Susannah Boswell.
Ezekiel was united in marriage to Lucy Robertson September 11, 1806, in Shenandoah County, Virginia, present day Page County, Virginia.
In 1810, Ezekiel, along with a multitude of family and friends, migrated to Mad River Township in Champaign County, Ohio. In Ohio, Ezekiel continued his work as a husband, father, citizen, and farmer before migrating in 1824 to Bartholomew County, Indiana.
Ezekiel's brother, George Boswell, died suddenly prior to the migration to Indiana. His wife, Amelia, and children accompanied Ezekiel and Lucy along with his brother Henry and his wife, Lucy, to Indiana. Amelia did not stay long in Indiana before she returned to Ohio, and later settled with children in Illinois.
The Boswell family migrated from Virginia to Ohio and Indiana along with members of the Pence families and Steenbarger families. These families also intermarried while living in all the locations.
The family name Boswell was returned to the original spelling and pronunciation of Bozell after Ezekiel relocated to Bartholomew County, Indiana. Those family members who remained as Boswells settled in northern Indiana and Illinois.
The Early Land Owners Manuel of Bartholomew County Indiana shows Ezekiel Boswell purchased land from Joseph Van Meter on November 20, 1824, BK-A-584. He was also a proud member of the Old Union Christian Church in Taylorsville, Indiana, where his son George was one of the early ministers of the church.
Ezekiel died February 9, 1839, at the age of 60. He rests alongside his wife, Lucy, and daughter Susan Bozell, at the Old Union Cemetery.
At the Indiana State Library there is a listing for bounty land records showing Ezekiel Boswell, Sergeant in Drew's 21st Regiment, for the War of 1812. Ezekiel's father, George Boswell I., was said to have participated in the Revolutionary War. Records indicate his mother was Mildred Boswell, however, no proof to date has been found of Mildred's maiden name.
Ezekiel and Lucy Robertson Bozell were the parents of the following ten children: Stroder, Stephen, Isaac, Zachariah, George, Rhoda, Susan, Levi, Anna, and Ezekiel Bozell II.