Happy New Year!

A Very Happy New Year to You and Your Family

Clip Art courtesy of  vintageholidaycrafts.com/


Published 31 December 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog

Tombstone Tuesday - Rev. J.A. and Margaret E. Crowell

Rev. J.A. Crowell

Jan. 19, 1839

Aug. 1, 1920

Crowell
Margaret E.
Wife of
J.A. Crowell
Dec. 25, 1843
May 19, 1922

Buried Crowell Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 23 September 2015. Note that the photograph on J.A. Crowell's tombstone has been removed.

J.A. Crowell and Margaret Crowell were married in Crittenden County 15 February 1866. Yes, her maiden name was Crowell.

The 1910 Crittenden County census shows John A. Crowell, age 71, and Margaret J. Crowell, age 65, living on the Iron Hill and Marion Road. He was born in Tennessee, as were his parents. Margaret and her parents were born in Kentucky.

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

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Card Sent from Vietnam 1968

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

Letters to Santa Claus 1908

Newspapers often published letters written to Santa Claus by boys and girls in the local community. They told what each child would like to receive and how good they had been throughout the year. The following letters appeared in the Twice-A-Week Gleaner of Henderson County, Kentucky on Tuesday, 22 December 1908.

Hebbardsville, Ky., Dec. 18, 1908.

Dear Santa Claus at North Pole:

I will write you a letter to tell you what I want for Xmas. I am a little boy seven years old. I want a suit of clothes, a cap, a rubber ball, a two bladed knife, some candy, raisins and nuts.  I believe that is all I want. So good bye. 

Your little friend, Jimmy Haynes

Dear Santa Claus:

I am a little boy 8 years old, my mother is dead and I live at Dr. H.D. Book's on Frog Island. I go to school. My teacher says I read and write very well for my age. It will soon be Xmas and I would like for you to come to see me. Please bring me some nice things to eat. Then bring me a new saddle and bridle as I have lots of riding to do. I also want a gun, harp, knife, drum and anything you wish to bring me. Please bring Sterling something as he is so nice to me. With best wishes to you and Mrs. Santa Claus for a merry Xmas and a happy New Year. I am, as ever, Your good little boy, Johnnie Thompson.

Dear Santa Claus:

I am a little girl 11 years of age and I go to school every day and learn my lessons well so you will bring me all I want.  I want you to bring me a story book and a little doll trunk, and candy, oranges, bananas and nuts of all kinds. Don't forget mamma, papa and my four sisters. I hope you will get down the chimney safe.  From your little friend, Zella Rideout.

Dear Santa Claus:

I am a little girl 6 years old, have been going to school every day and learned my lessons good so you will bring me everything I want. I want you to bring me some little dishes, a story book, apples, candy and bananas. I will go to bed early and shut my eyes tight and not watch at all. Don't forget my two little sisters, Cordelia and Daisy. I remain, your little friend, Lorene Howard.

Dear Santa Claus:

I am a little boy two years old. I have been just as good as I can be so you will bring me everything I want. I want you to bring me a little wagon, rubber ball, a soldier doll and candy, oranges, bananas, apples and nuts of all kinds. I remain, Your little boy, Marquis Elliott Gibson.

Henderson, Ky., Dec. 13, 1908

Dear Santa Claus:

Please don't forget me. I think I have been a very good little girl. I want a scrap book and a little toy watch, and firecrackers and nuts, candies and other good things, and a pair of overshoes, please. I am the only little girl at my house, but be sure to bring my little brothers a Teddy bear and a toy pistol. Goodbye, dear Santa. From your friend, Dixie Gregory.

Published 22 December 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com

Cholera Victim - G.P. Evertson

G.P. Evertson

Born Oct. 4th 1818

Died March 5th

1849

in New Orleans of Cholera

Tis Sweet to believe of the absent

we love if we miss them below

we shall meet them above

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

George P. Evertson married Lucinda Jane Walker 27 April 1843 Crittenden County. The couple had at least two children, Mary H. and Elizabeth G., who were living with their mother in the household of Robert and Ellen Walker on the 1850 Crittenden County census.

New Orleans, a city of much steamboat traffic, was hit hard by a cholera epidemic in 1848-1849. Steamboats arriving from other ports carried the disease to cities across the country. 

Aside from telling where and how G.P. Evertson died, there is additional information on his tombstone that is interesting. The name of the stone carver is given.

W. Smith   Smithland  KY

William Smith is the same person who created the H.F. Given Tomb and the William McCroskey tombstone, both in Livingston County. 

Published 17 December 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - Iley and Alice Orr

ORR

They've done their best

They're now at rest

Iley

1868 - 1946

Alice

1869 - 1942

Buried Tosh Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 23 September 2015.

The 1870 Crittenden County census shows Ida P. Orr, age 1 and a female listed in the household of K.P. and Laura Orr. This Ida P. was likely Iley P. Orr, the one year old son of this couple.

Iley P. Orr and Miss Jo Allice Clark married 9 November 1887 Crittenden County. 

Kentucky death certificate #13127 shows that Alice Orr was born 5 July 1869 Kentucky and died 18 May 1942. Her parents were listed as Marion Clark and Emlie Crider. Her husband was Ila Orr.

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

Crittenden County Estate Administrators 1877

The following terms were commonly used in settling estates in Kentucky. Being familiar with these terms might provide clues for further research.

Administrators of estate were usually appointed in county court shortly after a person's death. 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. If a person left a valid will, he usually named an executor, whose duties were the same as those of an administrator - to see that debts owed were paid, debts due the decedent collected and the remainder dispersed to the heirs. The appointment of an executor will also be recorded in the county court minutes when the will was presented in court.

A curator was appointed as temporary guardian or conservator by the court to care for the property or person of an incompetent, spendthrift or a minor. A curator might also be appointed as conservator of an estate if a will had been contested. If a will was contested, be sure to check circuit court records.

The following records have been abstracted from Crittenden County, Kentucky Administrator's Bond Book 1876-1884, which is located in the county clerk's office of the courthouse. The number after the entry is the page number in the bond book.

John Gellatly was appointed administrator of R.H. Brown's estate 4 Jan 1877. Martha Brown, widow, having relinquished in writing all right to administer. [33]

Rufus Martin was appointed administrator of George D. Martin's estate 5 Jan 1877. [34]

Chapel Nunn was appointed administrator of Alonzo C. Nunn's estate 8 Jan 1877. C.A. Nunn, widow, waived right in writing to administer. [35]

L.H. Paris was appointed administrator of the estate of Samuel C. Young 8 Jan 1877. [36]

L.H. Paris was appointed administrator of the estate of Samuel C. Young 15 Jan 1877 with difference sureties. [37]

James H. Cameron was appointed  administrator of James C. Jones' estate 23 Jan 1877. [38]

Mariah Hoggard was appointed administratrix of the estate of Peter Hoggard 30 Jan 1877. [39]

E.S. Hubbard was appointed administrator of Martin Kemp's estate 1 Feb 1877. Caroline W. Kemp, widow, relinquished right to administer in favor of E.S. Hubbard. [40]

James H. Leech was appointed administrator of John W. Oliver's estate 20 Mar 1877. [41]

J.M. Baker was appointed administrator of A.J. Baker's estate 17 Apr 1877. Mahala M. Baker, widow, waived right to administer on her husband's estate.  [42]

Samuel C. Bennett was appointed administrator of Samuel R. Burks' estate 17 Apr 1877. Mrs. E.A. Burks, widow, relinquished her right to administer 16 Apr 1877.  [43]

S.S. Sullinger was appointed administrator of the estate of A.W. Sullinger 12 May 1877. [44]

H.C. Farmer and Robert S. Clark were appointed administrators of Stephen Farmer's estate 11 Jun 1877. [45]

John M. Farley was appointed administrator of Jeremiah M. Farley's estate 19 May 1877. Melissa F. Farley, widow, relinquished right to administer on her husband's estate. [46]

James C. Little was appointed administrator of John M. Little's estate 4 Jun 1877. Annie E. Little, widow, relinquished her right to administer. [47]

C.R. Hamilton was appointed administrator of Joshua Hamilton's estate 13 Jun 1877. [48]

Mrs. Sarah J. Murphey was appointed administrator of John I.[?] Murphey's estate 4 Jul 1877.  [49]

Thomas Hughes was appointed administrator of James H. Hughes' estate 9 Jul 1877. [50]

B.F. Loveless was appointed administrator of Mrs. Elizabeth Butler's estate 15 Sep 1877. [51]

J.G.W. Brooks was appointed administrator of the estate of J.C. Brooks 1 Oct 1877. [52]

Mrs. Elizabeth Douglas and M.G. Gilent[Gilbert?] were appointed administrators of N.B. Douglas' estate 8 Oct 1877. 53]

Samuel C. Bennett was appointed administrator of the estate of Rufus Martin, who was administrator of G.D. Martin's estate, 18 Oct 1877. [54]

Sarah Travis was appointed administrator of the estate of William H. Travis 23 Oct 1877. [55]

John E. Lemen was appointed curator of the estate of Arthur H. Belt (testate) 12 Nov 1877. Mary Belt, widow, waived her right to be appointed Executrix. [54]

Marrietta Burklow was appointed administrator of Elias Burklow's estate 12 Nov 1877. [55]

Enoch W. Jones was appointed administrator of Mrs. Mary Jones' estate 12 Nov 1877. [56]

W.H. McChesney was appointed administrator of the estate of H.A. Davis 11 Dec 1877. [57]

W.P. Maxwell was appointed administrator of Enoch Nelson's estate 12 Dec 1877. [58]

James P. Pearce was appointed administrator of Susan Ford's estate 17 Dec 1877. [59]

T.N. Lamb was appointed administrator of the estate of A. Avitts 21 Dec 1877.  [60]

Eli Cowan was appointed administrator of A.P. Moore's estate 31 Dec 1877. Elizabeth Moore, widow, waived her right to administer. [61]

Published 11 December 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Monument Monday - Texas A. Champion

Champion

Texas A.

Wife of

W.I. Champion

June 3, 1858

July 6, 1922

A loving wife, a mother dear

Lies buried here

Buried Ferguson Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 4 December 2013.

The 1900 Livingston County census shows William Champion, wife Texas A. Champion, son Talmage D. Champion and sister-in-law, Lizzie Harvey, living on the Smithland-Grand Rivers Road. William and Texas A. had been married 15 years.

Kentucky death certificate #16273 shows that Texas Ann Champion was the daughter of Hugh Harvey and Sarah E. Crouch, both born in Tennessee.

Published 7 December 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Research Tips - FamilySearch

Are you using FamilySearch in your research? If not, you are missing out. They are constantly adding records to their site. I was delighted to find recently that digitized marriage records from Webster County, Kentucky are now available. They aren't complete, but I found a number I needed in the 1870s and 1880s. FamilySearch is a free site and has a nice variety of records. 

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

Distinguished Men of Kentucky

Periodically correspondents to Evansville newspapers reported on places and people on the far side of the Ohio River. The following article was signed by "Sojourner" and pertained to people living in Western Kentucky. This article comes from the 8 August 1888 issue of the Evansville Courier.

Crittenden Springs, Aug. 6, 1888 - Mingling with the old residents of this portion of Kentucky, I have gathered a number of "personals" concerning distinguished men which have been of interest to me and may be to your readers. Years ago the county of Livingston covered the territory of Crittenden, Caldwell and Lyon counties, in addition to that which it now occupies. It has been looked upon as a hilly section, not especially attractive, compared with the bluegrass region. The people here, however, are very proud of their locality and their history, and in many particulars they have good reason to be.

One of the oldest inhabitants grew enthusiastic as he told me of the men whom he once claimed as his neighbors, also those who were companions of his fathers. Among those he mentioned I remember the following:

Gov. James Alcorn, who grew up on a farm in this region, became deputy sheriff, and later sheriff of this county. He removed to Mississippi and in Ku Klux times attained national notoriety as Governor of the State.

Judge Wiley P. Fowler, celebrated for his broad intellectual culture, as well as his legal attainments. He was the father of Captains Dick, Gus and Joe Fowler, whose names have been familiar in Evansville for many years.

Gov. Charles Morehead, who was elected Governor of the State on the Know Nothing ticket in 1856.

Mr. John Bass, whose father was a long time county jailer at Old Salem. His older brother[1], ambitious for advancement, went to a commercial college at Cincinnati, and from there to Fort Wayne, Ind., and secured a position and afterwards an interest in a manufacturing establishment. Through the war excitement the business became demoralized and he entered the army and was killed at Shiloh.  His younger brother, John, went to Fort Wayne after the war to see what remained of his brother's affairs. His energy elevated him to proprietorship in the establishment and he ranks among the lending business men of the state. His father, now 80 years of age and very feeble, enjoys a comfortable home with his millionaire son. My informant thinks Mr. Bass was a delegate-at-large to the Democratic convention at St. Louis, and says he is a gentleman of high order of courage. [Mr. Bass was a delegate from the State at large, and is elector for his district on the Cleveland ticket. He employs 3,000 workmen, never had a strike and is an ardent tariff reformer. - Ed. Courier]

Roger Q. Mills was a farmer boy near Old Salem till he was grown, when he sought a home in Texas. He is now one of the most widely celebrated men in the country through his connection with the great tariff discussion. He is spoken of in very high terms by his old neighbors.

That portion of the Livingston territory now known as Lyon county derived its name from one of its old families, one of whom Gen. H.B. Lyon was a prominent figure in the Confederate army. His wife is now a guest at the Springs. A county adjacent to this original Livingston section was the birth place and boyhood home of Jefferson Davis, mention of this fact suggesting naturally its counterpart, viz, that Abraham Lincoln, his great antagonist, was also born on Kentucky soil.                Sojourner

---

[1] Sion S. Bass (1827 - 1862).


Published 3 December 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - Jennie Clark

Jennie

Dau. of

Dr. J.R. & N.M.

Clark

May 26 1869

Oct. 28, 1899

CLARK

Buried Marpleview Cemetery, Marion, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 21 October 2014.

A brief notice of Jennie Clark's death is given in the 2 November 1899 issue of the Crittenden Press: "Miss Jennie Clark, daughter of Dr. J.R. Clark, died at her home in this city Saturday after months of illness with consumption ... The burial was in the new cemetery Sunday afternoon."

The 1870 Crittenden County census shows the Clark family living in Piney Precinct. After Jennie's death, the 1900 Crittenden County census lists the family living at 95 Weldon Avenue in Marion.

Published 1 December 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/