The Nelings family appeared to have a history of unmarried siblings who lived together on farms. My dad would tell of fond memories he had on his great aunts and uncles farm in South Dakota. James, Henry Claude, David Dickie, Sarah Maud, and Bessie Nelings lived on the family farm and homestead in Foster Township. My dad would spend most of the summer there working on the farm and many Sunday meals would be at the new farmhouse. The farm was owned by the bachelor brothers, and the sisters took care of the house.

Back in Chester County, Pennsylvania, the unmarried great aunts and uncles of the South Dakota Nelings also lived on a farm passed down to the brothers. The farm, with smaller acreage, was originally owned by their father, John Walker Nelings (1806-1881, married to Mary Brady). John Walker Nelings, Jr. (1854-1902), Alexander Nelings (1852-1922), Maria Nelings (1850-1902), and Martha W. Nelings (1856-1924) all remained single and lived together at the family farm throughout their lives.

The history and size of the farm can be found in legal notices in local papers, as well as county tax records.

10/30/1870: The Jeffersonian (West Chester) reports that the farms of William Worth were sold. One farm, of 129 acres and 74 perches, was sold to John Neelings.

1871-Chester Co. Tax Records (all from Chesco.org) list John W. Nelings in Lower Oxford. John Neelings & Sons. 70 acres at $55, 2 horses $150. 1 carriage $75. No watch listed on tax record.

1872-Chester Co Tax Records lists in Lower Oxford. John Nelings & Sons. 70 acres at $3850. 3 horses $250. 2 cattle yoke oxen $170. Carriage. $75

1881-Chester Co Tax Records. John Nelings & Son in Lower Oxford. 70 acres at $40. 8 acres at $35. 4 horses at $50. 5 cattle at $20. 1 carriage at $50.

1882-Chester Co Tax Records. Estate of John Neelings joint owner. Alexander is named. Lower Oxford. Same property with exception of 3 cattle. John W. Nelings, the father, passed away in 1881.

1885-Chester Co Tax Records. John Nelings, Jr., with brother Alex in Lower Oxford. 70 acres at $40/acre. 8 acres at $35/acre. 4 horses. 2 cattle. 1 carriage.

1888-Chester Co Tax Records. Listed with brother in Lower Oxford, Mount Vernon PO. One farm. 21 acres, 66 acres, 12 acres timber, 4 horses, 8 cattle.

12/5/1888-(West Chester) Daily Village Record reports that a farm of 54 acres belonging to estate of late William Brady was sold to John Neilings for $20/acre. Brady is likely related to John’s mother.

1889-Chester Co Tax Records. Listed with brother as co-owners of 2 separate farms. Lower Oxford/Mount Vernon PO. 45 acres, 5 acres of timber. 75 acres, 12 acres of timber, 5 horses, 7 cattle.

1890-Chester Co Tax Records. Listed with brother as co-owners of 2 separate farms. Lower Oxford/Mount Vernon PO. 45 acres, 5 acres of timber. 75 acres, 12 acres of timber, 5 horses, 5 cattle.

1895-Chester Co Tax Records. Listed with brother as co-owners of 2 separate farms. 75 acres. 12 acres, 4 horses, 11 cattle and 50 acres. Mount Vernon PO. NW of modern Oxford.

1899-Chester Co Tax Records. Listed as co-owner with brother of 2 separate farms. 1. 75 acres, 12 acres, 4 horses, and 5 cattle. 2. 50 acres, 30 acres.

1900-Chester Co Tax Records. Listed as co-owner with brother of 2 separate farms. 1. 75 acres, 12 acres, 4 horses, and 8 cattle. 2. 50 acres, 30 acres.

John Walker Nelings, Jr. died suddenly on September 6, 1903 from heart trouble. He was found on the floor in the stable of the barn by Alexander. One sister, Maria, predeceased him on January 10, 1902, from pneumonia. Alexander and Martha remained on the farm until the 1920s. Alexander died on August 27, 1922 and Martha died on May 5, 1924.