Stilwell & Rachel Trueax as of 1860

Although Stilwell and Rachel Trueax began their family as early as 1827, the first confirmed census record that includes one of them was recorded on July 3, 1860.

By this time, Stilwell is a 58-year old farmer, and a widower. Rachel passed away on February 28, 1857, at the young age of 48, and was buried at the Bethel Church Cemetery, near Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania. It is likely that by the time Rachel passed away, the church was under the direction of the Mennonites, as her daughter Rachel (John Carson's wife) was a devout member of the Mennonite church.

The home in which the surviving family members lived was valued at $5500. Stilwell's estate was valued at $1300. In the home with Stilwell were eight of his children, and an eighteen year-old servant named Harriet. The children listed, along with their ages, were: Elizabeth 22, Martha A. 20, Job 18, Mary J. 16, Anderson 14, Lyddia 11, Rachael 8, Sarah 6.