An American Family History

Barbara Kibler Pence was born about 1762 in Frederick County, (now Page County), Virginia. Her parents were Henry and Mary Kibler.

She married Lewis Pence on April 15, 1782 in Shenandoah (now Page) County, Virginia. Lewis was born in 1754 in Frederick (now Page) County, Virginia. He was the son of Jacob and Barbara Pence. Some researchers believe that this Lewis was the son of Lewis Pence, however Barbara (widow of Jacob)  lists Lewis as her child. In her will, Frederick, who was named as her oldest son and Jacob’s heir, divided Jacob's land grant and deeded half of its 262 acres to this Lewis in 1795.

Lewis' sister Eve Pence married Barbara’s brother John Kibler. Her brother Adam Kibler married his sister, Barbara Pence.

Lewis and his father, Jacob, both served in Captain Michael Reader's company in the Revolutionary War.

Barbara and Lewis' children were Susannah Pence Myers (1782), Jacob Pence (1783), Elizabeth Pence Buroker Hower (1783), Barbara Pence Phillips (1787), Martin Pence (1791), Mary Pence (1793), Henry Pence (1794), Mary Pence Nunn Long (1793), Henry Pence (1794), Ann Amelia Pence Blouse (1795), Catherine Pence Bailer (1799), Adam Pence (1802), and Lewis Pence (1804). 

Lewis and Barbara, conveyed all but about two acres of their to Jacob’s son, Emanuel Pence, in 1800 and on September 14, 1819 they sold 350 acres of land in Shenandoah County to John Garber for $6,553 and another 168 acres to Charles Beazley for $3,780.

The family moved to Champaign County by October 19, 1820. They had enough money to purchase 702 acres of land from his cousin, John Pence, son of Henry for $12,680. They built a log house when they arrived.

Barbara died in September, 1825 in Champaign County, Ohio. Lewis died in 1832 in Champaign County, Ohio. He is buried in Nettle Creek Cemetery in Champaign County, Ohio.

from A History Champaign County
Adam Pence, retired farmer; P. O. Westville. Among the many pioneers of this county we find Adam Pence living in an old-time cottage under the beautiful hills that overlook the Mad River Valley. He is one of our comfortable men, retired from active business, and with his wife, three sons and two daughters, lives a happy, contented life, surrounded by domestic comforts, and free from care.

Adam was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., probably in 1802; his parents, Lewis and Barbara Pence, emigrated to Ohio in 1820; they are both of German descent, and Mrs. Pence came from Germany. Their children (eleven in number) were born in Virginia, the youngest being 21 years of age; four of them were married. Lewis had considerable money when he came here, and purchased a section of land, afterward buying 300 acres more; this he divided among his children at once, and they set to work and soon those who were married had a comfortable log house erected.

Adam, our subject, is now living in the house first built, in 1821, and which has been occupied by his family for fifty-nine years. He was married to his present wife, Mary Prince, a native of Kentucky, in 1824; they were both hard workers, saved their money, and soon had gained enough to purchase 240 acres of land; this was in turn divided among their children, of whom they had nine, seven sons and two daughters.

Three sons are married; Wesley married Emily Strickler; Adam, Jr., wedded Nancy McCarty, and William married Mary Miller. The two daughters are named Sarah and Elizabeth. There are also three sons living at home Henry, John and David. Adam Pence has also raised another man, who might properly be reckoned a son, named Charley M. Overhulse. The sons living at home have lately added to their possessions 200 acres more land, purchased in partnership, lying west of the home farm.

Their father still owns his original tract of 100 acres given him by his father, with an income sufficient to furnish every comfort while they live. We have been to many farmhouses, but the culinary skill of the mother and her daughters cannot be excelled by any housewives in the county. Their habits are of the quiet sort, for which the pioneers are noted, and the family are members of the Lutheran Church, to which Mr. and Mrs. Pence have belonged for nearly three-quarters of a century. They are noted for their honesty, and as neighbors, enjoy the confidence of all with whom they are acquainted. This sketch will ever be a source of pride to their descendants as indicating the character of their ancestry, and the high esteem in which they are held in the community.