This is a transcript of a letter held by Charles Mottice of California. It is written by John Creighton Mottice, but not the same John Creighton Mottice who was the father of Grant Mottice. The author of this letter traces his lineage back to Peter Mottice and his second wife, Mary Sibert. Peter Mottice's first wife, Pheby, died sometime in the 1820s and it is through her that Grant Mottice and his father John Creighton Mottice trace their lineage.
Mary Sibert bore Peter Mottice only one child that I know of, and his name was James B. Mottice. James B. married Sarah Marks (as the letter states) and fathered 10 children: Angeline, Alexander Atwell, Cordelia, John Creighton, Horace Greely, Alice A., William C., Franklin E., Charles B., and Richard. His fourth son, 1860-1934, is the author of this letter.
I assume that the brother of "Uncle Creighton" in the letter, "A.A. Mottice", is Alexander Atwell and that the Ruth I. Mottice who transcribed the letter is his daughter.
"Your father’s and Uncle Creighton’s Great grandfather Mottice was born in Germany. He came to the U.S. and settled in New Jersey. He fought in the Revolutionary War under Gen. Washington’s command. He was killed in the battle of Trenton, NJ in 1776.
His son Peter Mottice (Uncle Creighton’s grandfather) was born in the U.S. He was somewhere around 6 years of age when his father was killed. He went to Ohio around 1800. He helped to “raise” the first log house where Canton now stands. He built the first hewn log house in that part of the country. The house still stands 2 miles from Waynesburg, Ohio. This Peter Mottice, called “Uncle Peter” all around the neighborhood, served in the War of 1812 and also in the war with Mexico. He was a drummer-boy in this latter war. Uncle Creighton has seen the old-fashioned drum. Finally it went to the G.A.R. in Waynesburg. Peter Mottice died in the hewn log house at the age of 84.
James Mottice (Uncle Creighton’s father) was born in this same house in 1832 the only child of a second wife. He had half brothers and sisters. He died in 1886. He served in the Civil War. He married a Sarah Marks about 1854. She was born in 1832 and died in 1896.
Uncle John Creighton was born in the same house as his father, as no doubt was his brother A.A. Mottice.
So you see the Mottice’s were pioneers of Ohio and loyal subjects.
Dictated by
John Creighton Mottice
Jan. 17, 1933This is an exact copy of the information sent to us by Aunt Muriel (Uncle J.C. Mottice’s wife).
Ruth I. Mottice"