GRABLE ROAD HISTORY

Grable Road as we know it today, was not always where it meets Highland Ridge. Many years ago a person could not go beyond what is the last residence on the right before Highland Ridge. There was an old dirt road before the Scherer house, on the right going west. This old road ended about 1/2 mile down from where today's road ends at Highland Ridge.

Daniel Grabel, who lived on Grable road, was born in 1795 in Maryland. He died August 25th, 1851, in West Bethlehem Township. He is buried in a family plot on a hill on Grable road in West Bethlehem Township.

He is living as of the 1850 census, where he is listed as a farmer at age 52 (but this must be wrong because he was 56 when he died). He married Susanna Byler and they had 5 children. Susanna died December 27th, 1827. 

Daniel then married to Abigail Regal McGinnis a few years later, and they had 12 children in 19 years. His first wife Susanna Byler is buried in the same plot. The only graves legible are Daniel and Susanna's, and there are about 10 graves in total. 

Some of the occupations in the late 1800's for those living in rural areas in West Bethlehem Township were farmers (some who sold fruit from their orchards and grain from their mills if they had one), blacksmiths, day laborers, shoemakers, wheel makers. A few of these occupations were also seen in urban areas. 

1809–1880

 

Abagail Regal Grable Moore (McGinnis)

 on the left, with her youngest daughter, Abigail Grable Hedge, (born-Feb 6, 1850-West Bethlehem Township). Abagail Regal Grable Moore is listed as the "inferred spouse" of Abraham Moore (on right) in the 1860 census. Abagail died in 1880. Abraham married first to Susannah Garber who died in 1950. Abagail is buried as "Abagail Moore" at the Ten Mile Church of the Brethren Cemetery.

Daniel's father was Joseph H. Graybill/Grable of West Bethlehem Township (see Grable family also HERE)was born 1770 in Maryland. He married Barbara Garber and the two had 8 children. He died in 1843 in West Bethlehem Township. Joseph's father was John Peter "Old" Graybill, who came from Germany.

Joseph H. Grable's Will, Page 2, West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, June 17th, 1843, reads:

...probate of wills, and granting letters of Administration in and for said County, came Jacob Garret and Samuel Garrett the Subscribing Witness to the aforegoing last will and Testament of Joseph Grable, deceased, who being duly sworn according to laws, ? ? say that they were personally present and did see the Testators therein named sign this will by putting his mark thereto, did at the request of the Testator sign their names as witnesses to the aforegoing last will and Testament that at the time of his so doing he was of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge observation and beliefs and Sworn to And Subscribed Before Me-James Spriggs 

April 11th, 1844 Letter Testimony with copy of will & probate annexed, issued to Michael Bigler and Andrew Cox Esquire, within named who in the same day was duly affirmed. -James Spriggs (?) Regs.

Registered and Compared with original April 11, 1844. James Spriggs Regs.

More to come on the Grables!