Tombstone Tuesday - P.M. Sisco

P.M.

Sisco

Born

Nov. 15, 1832

Died

Dec. 12, 1912

Buried Sisco Chapel Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 20 May 2015.

According to Kentucky death certificate #30098, Press M. Sisco was born in Jackson County, Tennessee to Isac F. Sisco and Nancy Riley, both of whom were born in Tennessee. P.M. Sisco's death date is given as Dec. 11, 1912 on his death certificate. 

P.M. Sisco Sr. left a will in Crittenden County dated 26 April 1905 and produced in court 13 January 1913. His will is recorded in Will Book 1, page 418. Legatees named in the will were his wife, Marinda A. Sisco; son George M. Sisco; Allie Sisco; Dolsie Farmer; Jim Sisco; Carrie Sisco, Mina Sisco and Lemuel Sisco.

Published 30 June 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

A Double Seat for the Cavalry

You learn the darnedest things in genealogical research!  I knew that Henry F. Wolstenholme, son of Hugh Wolstenholme Sr. and brother to my ancestor, Hugh Wolstenholme Jr., was a tailor in Asheville, North Carolina during the Civil War, but a recent check on Fold3 revealed he made uniforms for Confederate soldiers of Capt. G.W. Hays' Cherokee Rangers in July 1861. The names of the soldiers are listed as well as the amounts charged for each item:  50 cents for "striping" pants and $2.55 or $3.05 for a shirt and pants. The cavalry soldiers' pants were fashioned with a double seat. I assume this was for the extra wear.

Now, I am off to see what other treasures I can find!

Published 29 June 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Articles of Separation - 1847

After 11 years of marriage and several children, Nathan Gray and his wife, Lydia G. Gray, decided to separate.  Lydia agreed to leave "the bed and board of the said Nathan and he in full discharge and payment to her for all alimony, dower or other interest which she may have in and to his estate"[1] and Nathan promised to give her a gray mare with "Laydies" Saddle and bridle, blanket, a feather bed and furniture, spinning machine, a cow and a set of plates.  

Not only did Nathan and Lydia divide the household items, they also divided the children. Lydia was permitted to take Caroline, Elizabeth and Lucretia, the three daughters born of this marital union, and Nathan would take the [unnamed] sons born to him and Lydia. One has to wonder how one feather bed would be sufficient for Lydia and three young daughters.

 It was also agreed that Nathan and Lydia would have a divorce as soon as they wish or the law would permit.  Nathan signed his name to the separation agreement and Lydia signed by making her mark. The document was recorded the same day it was written - 2 September 1847.

And then ... something happened to change their minds. Less than two months later, the couple announced that a  "new order of things has taken place between them and Gray and wife having now thought better of it, they do mutually agree  ... to annul and make void the  ... articles of separation ..."[2]

"They do hereby pledge themselves to each other that they will henceforth faithfully and affectionately discharge their several duties as husband and wife and endeavor to live for the sake of themselves and their children in the affectionate and tender relation of husband and wife the remainder of their days."[3]

No clue is given in public records as to why the couple separated or reconciled, but they appear together with their children, including two born after the separation, on the 1850 Caldwell County census[4]. This isn't my family and I don't know many details, but Lydia was listed as married at her death on  28 November 1858.

---

[1] Caldwell County, Kentucky Deed Book N:251, 2 September 1847.

[2] Caldwell County, Kentucky Deed Book N:279, 16 October 1847.

[3] Ibid.

[4] 1850 Census, Caldwell County, Kentucky, 2nd District, p. 368A, image 314, Ancestry.com, accessed 11 May 2015.

Published 25 June 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - George S. Lefler

George S. Lefler

Born March 19th 1824

Died March 19th 1846

Buried Smithland Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 15 April 2013.

George S. Lefler/Leffler is not listed in any Livingston County, Kentucky record, but a tombstone bears silent witness to his burial in Smithland Cemetery. The only other person of that surname in Smithland in the early 1840s was John S. Leffler, who appears on the 1840 census and is on the Livingston County tax lists[1] beginning in 1842. In addition, George S. Lefler is buried in the Doyle family plot in Smithland Cemetery. John S. Leffler's wife was Martha Ann Doyle, who was buried there in 1874.

I have no proof, but I suspect George S. Lefler was closely related to John S. Leffler.

---

[1] John S. Leffler is shown on the 1842-1847 Livingston County tax lists with town lots in Smithland. His household contains one white male over the age of 21.

Published 23 June 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/
Руки прочь, Россия

Livingston County, KY Estate Administrators 1900

Administrators of estates were usually appointed in county court shortly after a person's death. Therefore, you get an approximate death date by the date of the administrator appointment. The appointment will be recorded in the county court minutes and sometimes in a separate administrator's bond book. The administrator was required to post bond with at least one person as surety for the faithful performance of his duties as administrator. A female administrator is called an administratrix. The following information comes from Livingston County, Kentucky Administrator's Bond Book C (1886-1905).The page number in the Bond Book is at the end of the entry.

W.H. Adams was appointed administrator of the estate of Cathrin McDaniel 1 Jan 1900. [p. 237]

G.W. Duly was appointed administrator of the estate of Thos. W. Sevills 6 Jan 1900. [p. 239]

George C. Martin was appointed administrator of J.L. Martin's estate 20 Mar 1900. [p. 241]

L.T. Worten was appointed administrator with will annexed of Mrs. Frances Worten's estate 2 Apr 1900. [p. 243]

L.T. Worten was appointed administrator of Sid M. Worten's estate 2 Apr 1900. [p. 245]

H.J. Ringstaff was appointed administrator of the estate of Calvin Driskill 24 Apr 1900. [p. 247]

Mrs. Elsie E. Haley was appointed adminisratrix of John R. Haley's estate 26 Apr 1900. [p. 249]

William B. Foster was appointed administrator of John Z. Beck's estate 2 May 1900. [p. 251]

A.J. Dunlap was appointed administrator of A.J. Ramage's estate 14 Jul 1900 in place of W.C. Ramage, Adm., dec'd. [p. 253]

Aaron L. Charles was appointed administrator of Reuben C. Decker's estate 3 May 1900. [p. 255]

Mrs. Sallie Jennings was appointed administratrix of Mrs. Emma Brandt's estate 9 May 1900. [p. 257]

Robt. M. Threlkeld was appointed administrator of W.C. Ramage's estate 4 Jun 1900. [p. 259]

Isaac A. Butler was appointed administrator of Mrs. E.F. Butler's estate 24 Jul 1900. [p. 261]

K.C. Adams was appointed administrator of Mrs. Sophronia Adams' estate 6 Sep 1900. [p. 263]

C.C. Kindall was appointed administrator of Joel F. Binkley's estate 3 Mar 1900. [sic] [p. 273]

James A. Trimble was appointed administrator of James R. Trimble's estate 19 Dec 1900. [p. 275]

 Administrator's Bond for Trimble Estate

Published 18 June 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Midnight Madness 2015

Willard Library's annual Midnight Madness promises to be the biggest and best yet. Beginning June 22 and running through June 27, there are programs scheduled to please every genealogist and historian. They include the following: Beginning Genealogy; Courthouse Research and Vital Records, Finding Your Civil War Ancestor; Finding Your Revolutionary War Ancestor; I have the Document, Where Do I Go From Here; Organizing Your Research on the Computer; Finding Your German Ancestor ... and much, much more.

Wednesday, June 24 will be J. Mark Lowe day with Lowe presenting the Keynote Address and three additional programs. A popular speaker, he is always informative and entertaining. Thursday's speakers will be Ron Darrah, Eddie Price, Sue Berry and Nell Jordan. Local favorite historian and speaker, Harold Morgan, will discuss "The Good Old Days - Were They Really?"

Something new this year is a local former race car driver sharing his research on the History of Auto and Motorcycle Racing in Evansville and the Tri-State Area 1900 -  1950. His program will feature many old photos of cars and drivers. In addition, a reproduction vintage race car will be on display on the grounds of Willard Library. This is a program that will appeal to old and young.

Willard Library is located at 21 First Avenue, Evansville, Indiana. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, go here:  Midnight Madness    Click on More Information under each program to make reservations.

Published 15 June 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy/blogspot.com/

High School Graduates 1896-1897

By the turn of the 19th century, more students were receiving diplomas of graduation from high schools. The following Crittenden County, Kentucky students graduated between 1 January 1896 and 30 June 1897, as recorded in Biennial Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction of Kentucky, 1897.

Chas. O. Simpson, Maggie Phipps, J.A. Stephens, J.A. Davidson, Anna L. Blackburn, Sallie Woods, Kate C. Browning, Hiram A. Davis, Adelia G. Clemont, Anna L. Finley, J.H. Reed, Ida May Drenan, Francis M. Gray, L.P. Sunderland, J.H. Stephens, Anna Frasier, C.C. Taylor, Dennie Hubbard, J.C. Chipps, Jesse Farris, F.A. Casner, Lillie M. Wilson, C.W. Haynes, Rosa Schwab, Leaffa Wilborn, Bettye D. Bingham, Mamie N. Franks, Mary I. Maxwell, Flavel E. Davis, Maggie Jordan, G.W. Thomas, Lucy B. Walker, Dean Woods, Melville J. Glenn, F.J. Follis, Addie Boyd, R.L. Threlkeld, Harry Ford, Edward Davenport, Daniel J. Travis and B.F. Jacobs.

Published 12 June 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - Sybil I. Belt

Sybil I. Dau. of

Geo. T. & R.A.

Belt

Oct. 24, 1891

Mar. 2, 1922

Gone But Not Forgotten

Buried Deer Creek Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 7 November 2014.

According to Kentucky death certificate #5912 (1922), Sybil I. Belt was the daughter of George T. and Ritta Weldon, both of whom were born in Kentucky. George Thomas Belt died 1925 and Ritta Weldon Belt died 1941. Both are buried in Deer Creek Cemetery.

Published 9 June 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Company E, 48th Illinois Infantry Roster - Civil War

A number of men from Crittenden and Livingston Counties,  Kentucky pledged their allegiance to the Union cause by enlisting in Company E, 48th Illinois Infantry during the early days of the Civil War.

If you think your ancestor might have been one of these men, check the Illinois Adjutant General's Report

Published 5 June 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - J.L. Burgess

[J.L. Burgess]

Born

Nov. 23, 1811

Died

Sept. 9, 1871

A Native of Richmond Ind.

Buried Smithland Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 23 September 2013. Buried beside J.L. Burgess is his wife, Icypheania Burgess  

Joseph Logan Burgess left a will[1] in which he named his wife's mother as Peachea Doyle. He also directed that an iron fence enclose the family burial lot. There is no fence there today.

[1] Will of Joseph Logan Burgess, Livingston County Will Book B:290, dated 28 August 1871 and proven 20 September 1871, Livingston County Clerk's Office, Smithland, Kentucky. 

Published 2 June 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/