In the News - Weston, Kentucky 1912

 News of friends and neighbors was always of interest to others. It defined their place in their community and often provided a connection to the rest of the world. The following items were gleaned from news of  the Weston neighborhood in the Crittenden Record-Press (Marion, Kentucky) of 25 April 1912, page 4.

Misses Vera, Beatryce and Lillian Bennett were the pleasant callers of Mrs. Rissie Cain Sunday.

Nearly all the farmers about our neighborhood have hauled off their tobacco and are breaking ground for a new crop.

Clarence Black, of Webster county, has decided to come back to Crittenden to live.

Mrs. Ruth Swansey and children visited her sister, Mrs. Mattie Robinson Saturday and Sunday.

Ed Taylor is all smiles; it’s a fine boy.

Rev. O.D. Spence failed to fill his appointment here Saturday and Sunday on account of the high water. We are glad to say this is the first time Bro. Spence ever failed to fill the pulpit for the past two years. He came through those deep snows we had during our winter. Hurrah for our little pastor.

Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Wilson, Micky Hughes and Clarence Black spent Sunday with  J.W. Bennett and family.

Mrs. Kate Barnes, of Bells Mines, was in our little town Saturday doing some trading.

Mrs. Ella Knott was called Wednesday to the bedside of her mother, who is seriously ill at her home in Macon, Mo.

W.F. Knotts left here Wednesday for Sullivan, Ind., where he will visit relatives and friends.

Mrs. J.W. Gahagan spent Friday with her sister, Mrs. E.L. King, of Sullivan.

Mrs. A.H. Walker spent Saturday and Sunday with Mrs. C.W. Grady.

Miss Mamye Hughes, of O'possum Ridge, spent last week with Mrs. G.A. Travis.

Published 29 June 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Webster County, Kentucky Guardian Appointments 1861 - 1862

 

A guardian was appointed when a person was unable to act for himself or was a minor (under the age of 21 years). At the age of 14, a minor could choose his own guardian. If under the age of 14, the county court appointed the guardian. To guarantee the faithful performance of his duties, another person was required to sign as security or surety on the guardians’ bond. In Webster County, guardian appointments are recorded in the county court order books and the guardian bond books.  The following records were abstracted from County Court Order Book 1 (1860 – 1866).  Differences in information in Guardian Bond Book 1 (1860 – 1870) are noted in footnotes.  

Sec:  Security

Nancy M. Curneal was appointed guardian for Mary Ann Curneal and Allen Curneal, minors and orphans of Allen Curneal dec’d. Sec: Allen Price.  2 Jan 1861.  [p. 64]

Rachel Jane Kelough and Mary Catherine Kelough., orphans and minors, made choice of John Gardner as their guardian. Sec: Ambrose Mooney.  John Gardner also appointed guardian for Maria R. Kelough, Martha A. Kelough and John M. Kelough, minors and orphans of James Kelough. Sec: Ambrose Mooney. 18 Feb 1861.  [p. 83]

Edward Skinner was appointed guardian for Jane and Emma Llewellyen, minors and orphans under age 14. Sec: D. Head, Noah N. Johnson.  8 Mar 1861.  [p. 90]

Mary Ann Dye, orphan, made choice of Jesse Vaughn as her guardian. Sec: F.A. Skinner. 27 Mar 1861.  [p. 98]

Jane Clayton, over age 14 years, made choice of Charles Williams as her guardian. Sec: B.W. Curry. 3 Jul 1861.  [p 113]

Julia A. Presley, minor and orphan over age 14 years, made choice of Amos Stone as her guardian. Sec: Jerry Stone. 10 Sep 1861.  [p. 131]

Mary E. Hancock, orphan, made choice of William T. Townsend as her guardian. Sec: Thomas Wright. 24 Oct 1861. [p. 135]

Margaret A. Gates and John H. Gates, orphans over age 14, chose P.J. Whitsell as their guardian. Sec: Thomas King.  8 Nov 1861.  [p. 137]

Emily Jenkins, orphan over age 14, made choice of and the court appointed John D. Cook [as her guardian] and entered into covenant. Sec: Wiley W. Jenkins. 21 Nov 1861.  [p. 148]

On motion of Axiom Skinner, he is appointed guardian for Thomas Randall Rice, orphan and minor of Francis Marion Rice dec’d. Sec: Edward Rice. 16 Dec 1861.  [p. 151]

James B. Tapp, orphan over 14 years, made choice of William Sammans as her guardian. Sec: Wesley J. Parker, Chesley Tapp. 27 Dec 1861.  [p. 153]

Rebecca Clayton, orphan under the age of 14 years, made choice of William Wilson as her guardian. Sec: J.E. Price.  13 Jan 1862.  [p. 154]

J.P. Buchanan was appointed by county court and has qualified as guardian to W.H. Buchanan, a minor. Sec: B.D. Winstead.  10 Apr 1862. [1]

Henry J. Nevel appointed guardian for Alexander L. Nevel. Sec:  P.J. Whitsell. 11 Apr 1862.  p. 171]

On motion of Evelin Cavanah, ordered that John Cottingham be appointed guardian for Susan A. Cavanah, Mary F. Cavanah, Eliza J. Cavanah and William S. Cavanah.  21 Apr 1862.  [p. 172] [2]

Mary Hawkins and James Hawkins, orphans and minors over age 14 years, made choice of John S. Hawkins as their guardian. Sec: Thomas Hawkins. John S. Hawkins also appointed guardian for Sarah Hawkins, under age 14. Sec: Thomas Hawkins.  16 May 1862.  [p. 183]

 

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[1] This entry appears only in Guardian Bond Book 1, p. 27. On page 170 of County Court Order Book 1 is the following: Administration granted J.P. Buchanan on the estate of William H. Buchanan. Sec: B.D. Winstead.

[2] The entry in Guardian Bond Book 1, p. 172 is somewhat different: “On motion of Evelin Cavanah,^{Isham Cottingham} ordered that Isham Cottingham be appointed guardian for Susan A. Cavanah, Mary F. Cavanah, Eliza J. Cavanah and William Smith Cavanah. Sec: James L. Melton, Isham Cottingham. 21 Apr 1862.

Published 24 June 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Expand Your Research Area

 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all counties had newspapers with obituaries for all of our ancestors?  It doesn’t always work that way, though, and we need to have an alternate plan. What would you do?  My suggestion is to expand your research beyond the county lines. Sometimes ancestors were known in adjoining counties because of their work or because their children lived in those counties.

The following obituary for a resident of Henderson County, Kentucky appeared first in his local newspaper[1] and then in a newspaper in Hopkins County.[2] The decedent was born in Livingston County, lived also in Crittenden County and had a daughter who formerly lived in the town where the obituary appeared. Oh – his wife was a resident of still another county. Confused yet?  Read the obituary and you will understand.

“Henderson, Ky.,  Sept. 1 – Dr. Joseph Anthony Hodge, one of the veteran physicians of Western Kentucky, is dead.

“Dr. Hodge was born in Livingston county February 2, 1829, and graduated at the Louisville University, class of 1850, and practiced at Marion, in Crittenden county, until 1863, when he moved to Henderson. He married Miss Susan Linthicum, of Muhlenberg county. He had been president of the State Medical Society and also medical examiner. He was the father of Edwin Hodge, Western Kentucky manager of the Imperial Tobacco Company. Mrs. C.H. Dishman, of Henderson, formerly of Madisonville, and another daughter survive. Wm. Hodge, a son, also survives.”

The lesson here is that if you don’t have access to a newspaper where your ancestor died, sometimes you have to expand your research area to find the information you need.

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[1] “Dr. J.A. Hodge Dies From Stoke of Apoplexy,” Henderson Gleaner, Henderson, Kentucky, 1 Sep 1908,

[2] “Well Known Physician Dies at Henderson,” The Hustler, Madisonville, Kentucky, Fri., 4 Sep 1908.

Published 22 Jun 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

 

Livingston County Executor's Bonds 1917 - 1918

An executor was named in the will of a recently deceased person. If there was no will and the decedent left property, the county court appointed an administrator to handle the estate business. The executor's duties were to collect and satisfy debts and credits of the estate, make a just and true accounting of his actions and deliver all legacies specified in the will.   The executor signed a bond to show that he would faithfully perform his duties. Securities were co-signers on the executor's bond unless it had been stated in the will that no security was required. The following information comes from Livingston County, Kentucky Executors Bonds 1916 - 1963, a bound volume in the county clerk's office in Smithland. The page number in the bond book is in parenthesis and the date is when the bond was signed.

Mrs. Isadore Brandstetter was appointed executor of the estate of Mrs. S.E. Rappolee. No securities required under the will.  [p. 7]  5 Mar 1917.

Mrs. Thomas Warren was appointed executor of the estate of Thomas Warren. Securities: Dave Warren, Will Warren, Mrs. Alice Rappolee. [p. 9]  4 Jun 1917.

Mrs. Sarah E. Champion was appointed executor of the estate of W.S. Champion. No securities required under the terms of the will. [p. 11]  1 Oct 1917.

Ike Robertson was appointed executor of the estate of J.F. Robertson. No securities required. [p. 13]  4 Oct 1917.

Harrison Long was appointed executor of W.M. Long's estate. No securities required. [p. 15]  5 Nov 1917.

J.D. Foley was appointed executor of the estate of T.H. Robertson. No securities required. [p. 17]  21 Nov 1918.

Published 17 Jun 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Three Crittenden County Naturalization Records

 The following Naturalization records are found in Crittenden County, Kentucky Circuit Court Order Books. The source for each record is given at the end of the entry. For example, CirCt  OB A, p. 399. 25 Nov 1847 refers to Circuit Court Order Book A, page 399, dated 25th of November 1847.

William Straker appeared in Open Court and … filed a Declaration showing his Intention to become a Citizen of the United States of America viz: Crittenden Circuit Court November term 1847 William Straker declared on oath that he was bourn [sic] in Lancastershire in the Government of Great Britain that he was born the 25^th of December 1820  that he came to the United States about 12 years of age; he has resided here ever since; has since been his intention to become a bona fide citizen thereof he had resided in this country for the last seven years.  On oath  he renounces forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty  whatever and particularly Queen Victoria of Great Britain; during which he has been in the United States;  during sd. period of five years he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States. Whereupon William Straker is declared to be and hereby admitted a citizen of the United States. [CitCt OB A, p. 399. 25 Nov 1847]  In an item under Weston in the 8 June 1881 issue of the Crittenden Press, the following appeared: "Dr. Wm. Straker's funeral at Zion was largely attended. The Masons performed the burial ceremonies."  For more information on the William Straker family, click here: William Straker Family.

Theodore Vosier appeared & declared he came to the United States from France on or about the 8th of September 1828 while a minor under age 21; he has resided in the U .S. for 3 years previous to his arrival at such age; it is bona fide his intention to become a citizen of the U.S. and renounces forever all allegiance & fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, particularly to Napoleon 3rd Emperor of France whereof he was a citizen & that for 3 years past such has been his intention. Vosier declared he will support the Constitution of the  U.S. ... having adduced satisfactory proof to the court that he hath resided in the U.S. for 5 years past ... and he is a man of good moral character. Vosier is declared and admitted as a citizen of the United States. [CirCt OB C, p. 225.  18 July 1855]

John Darby produced evidence that he hath resided in the United States for at least 5 years and during that time he hath conducted himself as a man well disposed to the good order and happiness of same & attached to the principles of the Constitution and renounces all allegiance & fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, particularly Queen Victoria of Great Britain. He is therefore declared a citizen of the United States. Also ordered that the Declaration made in court at a former term be amended to show it was in 1832 that he came to the United States instead of 1852. [CirCt OB C, p. 328. 17 Jan 1856]

Published 10 June 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Went West - Josiah B. Hodge Family

Missouri was a favored state for people to relocate after leaving western Kentucky.  One of the families who moved to Missouri was that of Josiah B. Hodge, who left Livingston County, and joined pioneers going west.  What were they seeking? Inexpensive land? A chance for a fresh start? Or something else?  Let’s follow this family who made the move west.

On the 4^th of July 1816, Josiah B. Hodge obtained a bond to marry Julia Williams in Livingston County, Kentucky. Bondsman was Allen Hodge. The bride and bridegroom were both residents of Livingston County. [1]  Josiah B. Hodge and family were enumerated on the 1830 census in Livingston County, [2]  but, in 1837, the family joined the pioneers moving to Missouri. The family located in Cole County, but in 1849 they went into the dry goods business in Brunswick, Chariton County. [3]

The Hodge family was enumerated in Yellow Creek, Chariton County in 1850. [4]  By 26 June 1860, the family had moved on to Robertson County, Texas when they were enumerated on the Agriculture Schedule. [5]  Josiah B. Hodge also appeared on a voter registration list that showed he had been in the state of Texas 15 years and in the county 5 years. [6] That places his move to Texas about 1852-1854 and his settlement in Robertson County 1862-1864.

Josiah B. Hodge continued to live in Robertson County, Texas and appears on the 1880 census in that county. He died 30 May 1882 and is buried in Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Robertson County.[7]  His journey took him far from his home in Livingston County and even farther from his birthplace in North Carolina.

 

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[1] Joyce M. Woodyard. Livingston County, Kentucky Marriage Records, Vol. 1, (Oct 1799 – July 1839), (n.p. 1992), 46.

[2] 1830 Livingston County, Kentucky census, Salem, Series M19, Roll 39, p. 12, Josiah Hodge, Ancestry.com.

[3] “Hodge,” Chariton Courier (Keytesville, Missouri) Fri., 9 Dec 1898, p. 1. Obituary of Robt. H . Hodge, son of Josiah B. Hodge, Newspapers.com.

[4] 1850 Chariton County, Missouri, Yellow Creek, Josiah B. Hodge, age 54, farmer born North Carolina, and family, Roll 395, p. 199b, Ancestry.com.

[5] 1860 Agriculture Schedule, Robertson County, Texas, Pct 5, U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1860, Ancestry.com.

[6] Robertson County, Texas  Voter Registration of J.B. Hodge on Texas, U.S. Registration Lists, 1862-1869, Pct. 1, Ancestry.com.

[7] Find A Grave, Memorial #331767956, Josiah Bryant Hodge, born 19 Aug 1794; died 30 May 1882; buried Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Robertson County, Texas.