Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - George M. Dallam, Infant


George M.
Infant son of
W.J. & K.A. Dallam
Born April 26th
1847
Died August 3rd
[1849]

Buried Smithland Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 20 December 2010.

George M. Dallam was the child of William J. Dallam and Kate A. Miles. William J. Dallam was born 1821 Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky and died 1893 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. He married Catharine Miles in 1843 Crittenden County. The family appears on the 1850 Livingston County census, Smithland,  and then on the 1860 Henderson County census. By 1870, they had moved to Evansville. William J. Dallam served as Postmaster and Deputy County and Circuit Clerk in Livingston County. After moving to Evansville, he was in the shoe and boot business. Both William and Kate Dallam are buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Evansville.

Copyright on text and photographs
by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog
http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Short Life of Arabella Murphy 1826 - 1854

As a river town, Smithland, Kentucky was home to many river pilots and engineers - some living there only a short time before moving on to a new place. Unless there were unusual circumstances, records of these folks are few. After finding this lovely tombstone, although broken, I decided to see what could be found on the Murphy family.


From the tombstone, we know her name was Arabellar Murphy, wife of R. Murphy, and she was born 18 October 1826. The stone is broken so we can not see her death date. A tombstone beside that of Arabellar marks the grave of David Murphy, son of R. & A., who was born 14 November 1854. There is no death date.

The Murphy family is found only on the 1850 Livingston County census. Richard Murphy was age 25, born in Virginia and was a flatboat pilot. Arreller [sic] Murphy was 24, born Tennessee; William Murphy was age 1, born Tennessee and Joseph was age 4/12 born Kentucky.

Much more was found in Kentucky Vital Statistics (Deaths). It appears Arabella Murphy was born in Montgomery County, Tennessee and was the daughter of Sarah and Jackson Allbright. Arabella's death date was listed as 27 November 1854, age 30. Also listed was David P. Murphy, age 3 months when he died 28 February 1855. If David was 3 months old when he died in February, he was born right before his mother died so perhaps Arabella died from complications of childbirth.

A search on Ancestry.com showed two marriage records of interest. Richard Murphy and Arabella Albright are shown marrying 30 October 1849 in Dickson County, Tennessee and also 13 November 1849 Stewart County, Tennessee. It is possible the earlier date was for the  marriage bond and the latter date was the actual marriage date. Kentucky allowed marriage bonds and licenses to be used in any county within the state. To be sure, though, that these are the same people, copies of both records should be examined.

I have not found where Richard Murphy went when he left Smithland. As a flatboat pilot, the possibilities are many - perhaps Nashville; Cairo, Illinois; Evansville - but somewhere on a naviagable river most likely.

 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Division of Land - Jeremiah Wilson

In  Jeremiah Wilson's  will  in Crittenden County Will Book 1, page 32, (recorded 8 July 1850) he left land to his three sons, George P., Joseph E. and William J. Wilson.  The land was in three surveys and contained a total of 788 acres. It wasn't enough to leave the land to his children; a formal survey and then a conveyance of the land took place.

At the May 1854 term of Crittenden County Court,  it was ordered that A.W. Crawford, William J. Miller and James E. Taylor, all neighbors of Wilson in the Bells Mines area,  meet with  a surveyor  to divide the decedent's land.

A record of the division of Jeremiah Wilson's land can be found in Reports of Commissioners to Partition Lands, Book 1, page 1. It states that Crawford, Miller and Taylor, commissioners, met to partition the land. The survey contained 564 acres, which was divided into two equal parcels according to value. The first portion, allotted to George P. Wilson,  contained 310 acres and the second  portion, allotted to William Wilson, contained 254 acres. Another survey contained 224 acres and went to Joseph E. Wilson. The commissioners determined the first and second surveys were each worth $150 more than the third survey so the owners of the first two surveys were to each pay $50 to the owner of the third survey.

The transaction was not complete, however. The final piece of the transaction can be found in Crittenden County Deed Book D, pages 38-39. On the same day as the division of land, the commissioners conveyed each survey to its new owner. Now it was finished. Jeremiah Wilson's wishes had been carried out.

I wish I could say this same procedure was always followed when land was left to an heir in Kentucky. Many times it is followed, but often there is no record of a land division and sometimes no record of the transfer of land being recorded in the deed books. When researching land mentioned in a will, it is wise, though, to check every possible source - county court minutes, deed books, partition of land books.

Copyright on text and photographs
by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog
http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - Emily Vaughan


[Emily]
Wife of
P. Vaughan
Born
Sep. 21, 1829
Died
Nov. 4, 1870
This tablet to a wifes love
Is reared by kindred left.
Her soul in bless is now above
Her friends on earth bereft.

Buried Crooked Creek Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 28 September 2009. "Emily" is engraved on the top portion of the tombstone and is on the ground to the left of the tombstone. 

Emily Lynn, daughter of William and Frances Lynn, married Pleasant Vaughn, son of John and Ferby/Phebe Vaughan, 25 March 1847 in Crittenden County, Kentucky. Emily and Pleasant Vaughan lived not far from Crooked Creek Church.

Published 24 May 2011 Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog   http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com




Sunday, May 22, 2011

Willard Library Seminar to Feature J. Mark Lowe

Circle August 20, 2011 on your calendar now!  That is the date Willard Library, 21 First Avenue, Evansville, Indiana  is planning their all-day TreeRoots seminar with J. Mark Lowe, C.G., FUGA as the featured speaker. 

Lowe's lectures are informative and entertaining, making him a favorite seminar speaker. You may have seen him on the Lionel Richey segment of Who Do You Think Your Are on television in March of this year. He is a full-time professional genealogist, author, and teacher. He has published articles in the the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, North Carolina Genealogical Society Quarterly, Genealogical Speakers Guild Speak!, The Longhunter, and other society publications. Lowe's weekly local history articles appear in the Robertson County (Tennessee) Times. He is also a director of the Regional In-depth Genealogical Alliance and is an instructor at the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy.

Topics to be discussed at this seminar are as follows:
My Ancestor, the Farmer: Shaping a Profile for Your Rural Ancestor
Finding Your Landless Ancestors
Here Comes the Bride, and There She Goes
Using that Brick Wall as a Foundation

This free seminar will be on the second floor in Special Collections at Willard Library. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the first session beginning at 9:00 a.m. and the last session ends at 3 p.m. Vendors will be on the lawn selling books and supplies. Lunch will be available for $7.00  and must be ordered in advance of the seminar.

For reservations, call 812-425-4309 or email lmartin@willard.lib.in.us or register On Line


Copyright on text and photographs
by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog
http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Affidavit Regarding Heirs of Wylie Jones 1848

Little jewels of information can be found in many Caldwell County, Kentucky records.  The following gem can be found in  Caldwell County Order Book G, pages 276 and is dated  Monday, 15 May 1848. Wouldn't you love to find an item like this on your family?

"The affidavit of Mary J. Blick affiant being of lawful age and first duly sworn says that she has been for 40 years passed acquainted with Wylie Jones now here in open Court, that she Knew him when he lived in Brunswick County Virginia, that he married Sarah C. Ogburn daughter of Benjamin Ogburn of said County Now deceased, that he has been residing in Caldwell and Crittenden Counties in this State for about 14 years past, that he has two daughters who are now residing in this County one of whom Agness Sarah Harris is the wife of Mr. Frederick N. Harris, the other Mary J. Jones, is 18 years of age and that they are the children of Wylie Jones by his wife Sarah C. Ogburn formerly and the only children living which sd. Sarah had. She further states that she is the sister of Wylie Jones, was raised in Virginia and has been in this state for about 14 years past. Also the affidavit of Pleasant Conway, who being duly sworn says that he has Known Wylie Jones since Wylie was a boy, Knew him in Virginia in Dunwoodie[?] County, Knew that he married in Brunswick County and always understood hs wifes maiden name was Sarah C. Ogburn, [knew] her well after she was married, Knew that they removed to the County about 14 or 10 years past  his wife Sarah C. died in this County about 12 years since leaving two daughters Sarah Agness now married to Frederick N. Harris and Mary J. Jones yet Single and about 18 years of age which are the only children sd. Sarah had which are now living  Affiant has been well acquainted with Jones and wife up to her death since his boyhood and can make the above statement with certainty."

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - Martha Ann Doyle Leffler


Martha Ann Doyle Leffler
Born at Lynchburg, VA.
Oct. 14, 1820
Died at Smithland, KY.
Jan. 20, 1874
Wife of John Stephen Leffler

Buried at Smithland Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 4 December 2009.

Martha Ann Doyle, daughter of William and Peachea Doyle, married John S. Leffler 8 December 1840 Livingston County. On the 1850 Livingston County census, John S. Leffler was a coffeehouse keeper and on the 1860 census, he listed his occupation as a hotel keeper.

Copyright on text and photographs
by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog
http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sebree High School Graduates 1910

Graduation from high school was an event to celebrate. Elaborate ceremonies were held and whole families attended to witness the event.


When Sebree High School in Webster County, Kentucky held their graduation in 1910, the following article appeared in the Henderson Daily Gleaner on Wednesday, 27 April 1910.

The Sebree high school closed one of the most successful years of its history Monday night. There were ten graduates and each one rendered their part of the commencement program with credit to themselves and to the school.

Gibney Oscar Letcher, of Henderson, delivered the class address. There was a good crowd out to witness the closing exercises, many of whom were out of town people.

Invocation was given by the Rev. D.S. Edwards and the benediction was delivered by Rev. S.E. Ragland.

The following are the names of the graduates: John A. Powell, Jr., Dexter W. Ramsey, Kenneth S. Agnew, H. Townes Hardin, Philip D. Powell, Fabian Biggs, Lockie Brown, Frances Smith, Flora Osborn and Paul E. Ashby.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

A Look at Union County 1878

It is exciting to locate material that gives a description of a place as it looked at the time. The following information comes from Kentucky: Its Resources and Present Condition - The First Annual Report 1878.

Towns and Villages
Morganfield, the county seat, is handsomely located north and west of the centre of the county. It contains a population of between 600 and 800 persons, one of the best court houses in the State (cost, $60,000), an academy, grist and saw-mill, tannery, wool-carding factor, a dozen mechanic shops, and several elegant private residences.

Uniontown, on the Ohio River, seven miles north of the county seat, has about 1,200 inhabitants, and is a place of decided commercial advantages. Large quantities are stemmed and shipped from this point, mostly to England.

Caseyville, on the Ohio river, near the mouth of Tradewater, has a population of about 700, who are mostly connected to coal mining.

Clayville, Francisburg, Locust Port, Raleigh, DeHaven, Gum Grove, Huntsville, Boxville, Seven Gems and Bordley are all neat, thriving villages, each doing a considerable local trade.

Agriculture - Nine-tenths of the people of Union County (leaving out those engaged in coal mining( are employed in tilling the soil, and live upon their farms. The principal staples are tobacco, corn, wheat, oats and hay.

Other Industries -  There are numerous grist and saw-mills, where flour is manufactured for export, and where millions of feet of lumber are sawed for shipment to New Orleans and other places, much of which goes even to Europe.

Schools and Churches - Prof. J.S. Austin has a well-managed academy at Morganfield. The St. Vincent Female Academy, under the charge of the Sisters, is located some 4 miles east of Uniontown, and 7 miles north of Morganfield. There is a first class female institution, well patronized by the citizens of Union county and the southwestern part of Kentucky. There are several other Catholic schools of merit in different parts of the county. The free common schools, under the State system, are taught in nearly all districts of the county. The Catholic is the leading Christian denomination in this county.

The People -  Nowhere in Kentucky will be found a more noble, hospitable, intelligent and moral community that in Union county. There are no very poor persons in the county. The court dockets are sparse of cases, and the jails are generally empty. Everybody works, and no one is so rich as to make him purse-proud or aristocratic.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - D.A. Butler


D.A. Butler
Born
Aug. 4, 1819
Departed This Life
Sept. 1, 1873
A friend to his country
and believer in Christ

Buried Piney Fork Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 11 March 2011.

Daniel Allen Butler married Matilda W. Green, daughter of George Green, 10 October 1838 Livingston County, Kentucky. Daniel Allen Butler is named a son and one of the executors in the will of his father, Armstead Butler, in Livingston County Will Book B, page 56, dated 20 February 1837 and proven 1 May 1837. 

According to a biographical sketch on his son, T.M. Butler, in Kentucky Genealogy and Biography, Vol. IV, pages 4-5 (reprinted 1972 by Thomas W. Westerfield), D.A. Butler was born in Culpeper County, Virginia and came to Kentucky in 1825 with his parents. D.A. and Matilda (Green) Butler had nine children, six of whom were living in 1872. They were Thomas M. of Caldwell County;  William F. of Livingston County; Polly Ann, wife of Smith Lowry of Livingston County; Albert of Livingston County and Gideon D. of St. Louis. Deceased children were Berry George, Jasper N. and Matilda A. Butler.

Copyright on text and photographs
by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Midnight Madness!

It's that time of year again!  Willard Library, 21 First Avenue, Evansville, Indiana  is hosting its annual Midnight Madness 20 - 24 June 2011. Special Collections (2nd floor) will be open from 9 am until midnight for personal research and a variety of classes. Each day that week has a theme - In The Beginning (Monday), Moving Forward (Tuesday), A Call to Arms (Wednesday), Day of the Dead (Thursday) and In Reference to (Friday) Among the classes offered this year are the following:

Beginning Genealogy
Courthouse Research
Saving and Storing Your Research
Source Books for Genealogy
Church Records
Victorian Mourning Customs
World War I Genealogy
Brother Against Brother (Civil War Research)
Civil War: Evansville
Written In Stone: Tombstone Inscriptions
Finding Cemetery & Death Records
Becoming a Certified Genealogist
Memories (Journaling Your Memories)
Photographs & Collections: Evansville Museum

In addition, representatives of DAR, SAR, Civil War Roundtable, United Daughters of the Union and Confederacy will be present. A highlight of the week will be the Grey Lady Ghost Tour on Thursday, 23 June. I have seen the program on Victorian Mourning Customs and can tell you that it is very informative and entertaining.

Midnight Madness is one of the most popular events at Willard Library and attendance is high. All classes are free. For more information, check Willard Library's Website or call 812-425-4309. You will want to reserve a seat in the classes that interest you.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Military Draft - Civil War

Copyright by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG


Both the Confederate and Federal  governments relied  on a military draft to obtain men to serve during the Civil War. The Confederate Conscription Act was the first to enact an American military draft on 16 April 1862. It called for healthy white men between the ages of 18 and 35 to serve for a term of three years. The upper age limit was raised to age 45 in February 1864. A bit later the age limits were expanded to men between the ages of 17 and 50.

The Federal government had a similar draft law, but it didn't take effect until 3 March 1863. The Federal draft covered men between the ages of 18 and 45.

Exemptions occurred on both sides for men in certain occupations. These included river and railroad workers, miners, teachers, telegraph operators and civil officials. In addition, men of draft age for the Union army were exempt if they had physical or mental disabilities. They were also excused from service if they were the only son of a widow, the son of infirm parents or a widower with dependent children. Men of draft age living in the South were excused from service if they owned 20 or more slaves.

The Enrollment Act of 1863 allowed Union soldiers to obtain an exemption from service by paying $300 or by finding a substitute. 

The military draft was not popular and the law was often abused  in the North as well as in the South. 


 

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - Maria Haydock


Maria Haydock
Born
June 27, 1806
Died
Jan. 26, 1834

Buried Smithland Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 4 April 2009.

Maria Ferguson, daughter of Richard Ferguson, married Joseph Haydock 10 September 1823 in Livingston County. Issue of Maria and Joseph Haydock were Theodore, Mary Augusta, Richard, John and Nancy Haydock.

Following the death of Maria, Joseph Haydock married Mrs. Catherine F. Ferguson, widow of James B. Ferguson,  in June 1834.



Published 3 May 2011,  Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,   http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Flood of 1945

This is not the first year Kentucky has dealt with flooding from the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers. The most devastating floods occurred in 1884, 1913 and 1937, but floods in other years  caused problems. One such flood was that of 1945.

The Livingston Leader (published in Smithland, Kentucky) on 15 March 1945 stated that the Ohio River had risen during the past week  from the river to U.S. Highway 60 (Adair Street).  The overflow had covered the town's main business and residential areas. In two places, the flood waters had even crossed the highway. Goods and belongings had been removed  from businesses and homes in advance of the water so that loss in that respect would be light. However,  40 families were out of their homes with 35 of those homes being underwater. Also underwater were over 20 places of business. The water had passed the old Methodist church on Mill Street and covered the entire lower floor of the Bush (Bush-Dallam) house.   Fortunately, the flood did not reach the wells supplying water to the town.  School was closed for two weeks until all danger of flooding had disappeared.

There have been floods  in Smithland since 1945 - in particular, 1997 and 2005. Each time  flooding is predicted, the community gathers itself together and tries to stop the flood waters.  Residents living along the rivers today, again, face possible flooding. The National Guard plus local residents and jail inmates have worked hard to construct a flood wall to stop the flow of water into the town.  Let's hope they are successful.

Copyright on text and photographs
by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog
http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com