Deaths of H.F. Given and Annie Gregory Given

 The tomb of Henry F. Given is a landmark in Smithland Cemetery, which overlooks the town of Smithland in Livingston County, Kentucky.  His family was among the earliest settlers of the area but through business ventures, they spread out across the country and Europe. H.F. Given was living in New Orleans at the time of his death.

“After a long life of usefulness and virtue, H.F. Given died yesterday, at 3 o’clock, of heart disease. It was only on Sunday that he attended services at church apparently in good health, but an insidious disease of the heart last evening suddenly cut short his life.

Born at Smithland, Ky., he engaged himself in business there when quite young on the wharf boat of that place, and by his strict mode of dealing and unswerving honesty earned the highest respect from all with whom he came in contact.

He came to New Orleans in 1854 and entered the commission business, doing a very extensive trade, and so popular was he, few men enjoyed higher standing in our commercial community. The firms of Given, Watts & Co. for many years stood among the most prominent of our business houses, and both in this country and Europe their reputation was second to none. Mr. Given was a man of generous impulses and kindly instincts. Of a domestic disposition, in the bosom of his family he realized and appreciated those luxuries and comforts of the home circle which he so much desired. His loss is a public one, and to his family  his unlooked for demise will fall with a severe effect.

A large and extensive circle of friends will be startled at the sad news, and it will be difficult for friends to realize that H.P. Given is no  more.” [1]

H.F. Given married as his first wife, Adaline Haynes.  The tomb in Smithland Cemetery was built shortly after her death in 1860.  On the 2^nd of August 1862, H.F. married Miss Annie Gregory at her mother’s home in Henderson County, Kentucky. [2]

In 1868, the estates of Henry F. Given, Henry H. Bryan, Dickson A. Given and William C. Watts, individually and as members of the firm of Given, Watts & Co. filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Marshall’s office, District of Louisiana. [3]

“Paducah, Ky., April 17 – Mrs. Annie E. Given, aged 60 years, died this afternoon  … of heart failure. She was the widow of Henry Given, who, during the war, was a member of the mammoth banking establishment of Watts, Given Co., which concern had branch offices in New Orleans, New York, London and other places. After the war the establishment failed for something like $5,000,000. Mrs. Given left three children of this city, besides two sisters, Mrs. John B. Hart, of Henderson, and Mrs. E.S. Ferguson, of New Orleans. The body will be taken to Smithland for interment beside her husband.”[4]

 

H.F. Given Tomb   

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[1] “Death of H.F. Given,” The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana, Tues., 14 Oct 1873, p. 4, Newspapers.com, accessed 15 Mar 2017.

[2] Marriage of Wm. H.F. Given and Miss Ann E. Gregory, 2 September 1862, Kentucky County, Marriages 1797-1954, Henderson County, Ancestry.com.

[3] Bankruptcy Notice, New Orleans Republican, Tues., 7 April 1868, Newspapers.com, accessed 12 June 2021.

[4] “Mrs. Annie Given Dead.  Widow of a Man Once Famous in the Business World,” The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Wednesday, 18 April 1900, p. 7, Newspapers.com, accessed 12 June 2021.

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

A Sampling of Divorce Cases - Crittenden County

Divorces were handled in Circuit Court in Kentucky. Often there were many months or even years from the date of filing until the case was resolved. The Circuit Court Order Book in which the information appears is listed at the end of each entry, along with the page number and date of the entry. The details of the case are found in bundles housed in the Kentucky Dept for Libraries and Archives in Frankfort. Copies of the case files can be ordered from the Archives for a nominal charge. For detail on ordering copies, click here:   ARCHIVES

John Yeakey, complainant, vs Matilda E. Yeakey, defendant.  Defendant served and failed to appear and answer Complainant’s Bill. Ordered & adjudged and Decreed that same be taken for confessed against her …  the marriage contract is dissolved and John Yeakey restored to all privileges and rights of an unmarried man.  [Circuit Order Book A, p. 632,  29 Sep 1849]

Elizabeth White, complainant, vs W.W. White, defendant.  Defendant failed to appear & answer complainant’s bill. [Circuit Court Order Book A, p. 632,  29 Sep 1849]  Court decreed that complainant, Elizabeth White, is divorced from her former husband, Wm. W. White, and marriage contract between them is dissolved & she is restored to all rights & privileges of an unmarried woman. [Circuit Court Order Book B, p . 59,  5 Dec 1850]

George W. Markham, complainant, vs Sarah Markham, defendant.  The bonds of matrimony existing between complainant & defendant hereby dissolved & the contract of marriage is  rescinded and rights of unmarried man restored to George W. Markham and rights of unmarried woman restored to Sarah Markham as well as her maiden name “Sarah Rhodes.” [Circuit Court Order Book B, p. 70, 5 Dec 1850]

Henry H. Cannon, complainant, vs Frances E. Cannon, defendant.  It appears defendant has abandoned the complainant, her husband, and did persist in abandonment without good & sufficient cause. The marriage contract between them is dissolved. [Circuit Court Order Book B, p. 123,  30 May 1851[ [1]

John Tolly, complainant, vs Elizabeth Tolly, defendant.  Marriage dissolved & all privileges & rights of an unmarried man restored to John Tolly, who was granted the divorce & released him from marriage contract with Elizabeth A. Tolly. John Tolly to pay costs of this suit. [Circuit Court Order Book B, p. 381, 6 Jan 1853]

Francis Taylor, complainant, vs John Taylor, defendant.  Cause dismissed.  [Circuit Court Order Book B, p. 546,  4 Jan 1854]

Benjamin Belt, complainant, vs Sarah T. Belt, defendant.  Defendant is non resident. She was warned to appear. Attorney appointed to defend for & on her behalf. [Circuit Court Order Book C, p. 292,  28 Jul 1855] Benjamin Belt divorced from defendant and restored to all rights & privileges of an unmarried man. [Circuit Court Order Book C, p. 348,  22 Jan 1856]

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[1] From my personal research. Frances E. Wilson, daughter of Claibourne Wilson and Martha Brown, married Henry Cannon 5 Apr 1849 in Crittenden County. In late 1850, Frances moved with family members to Missouri, leaving her husband behind, according to Henry H. Cannon's statement.

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

Flowery Language in Death Notices

Death records were not required in Kentucky prior to 1911. That is one reason newspaper obituaries and death records are so valuable in determining when our ancestors died. The flowery language shines through, allowing us to hear the news in the language of the day. The following obituaries appeared in the Crittenden Record-Press, Marion, Kentucky, on Tuesday 10 August 1909, page 1.

“Miss Rubenach Nimmo died Thursday July 20 after an illness of ten weeks. She was born April 15, 1894 and was consequently 15 years, 3 months and 14 days  old. She was a patient sufferer and a sweet Christian character, having joined the Christian church in 1906. The funeral service were conducted at the home of the parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Nimmo, on Friday, by Rev. Flynn of the Christian church, assisted by Rev. Oakley of the C.P.  church and Rev. R.C. Love of the Methodist church.  After the beautiful and impressive service at the home that loved her so devotedly, her body was consigned to mother-earth in the lovely Marion Cemetery in the presence of a host of sorrowing relatives and friends.

“Wilma Rose, the infant daughter of Mrs. Agnes Ashley, died very suddenly Wednesday evening after an illness of but a day. She was stricken Tuesday and Wednesday, her pure little spirit took its flight for the Beautiful City, where today she is basking in the sunlight of God’s love. The funeral service was held at Sugar Grove by Rev. Oakley in the presence of a vast number of sympathizing friends.”

 Published 20 Jul 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Livingston County High School Graduation 1924

 High school graduation was not a one-night celebration in 1924. It lasted more than a week, ending with the commencement address by the Hon. Alben W. Barkley, who was then serving as U.S. Representative and would become the 35^th Vice President of the United States  (1949-1953) in the administration of President Harry Truman.

Twenty students were in the graduating class of Livingston County High School in 1924. This was the largest class in the eight years’ history of the school. Graduating were John Haynes Adams, Anna Dean Boughter, Millicent Downen, Raymond Bishop Dycus, Viva Grace Foster, Thomas V. Frazier, Dorothy Adams Hibbs, James Lacy Hibbs, L. Leroy May, James Mantz Nelson, Camille Parsons, Mary Elizabeth Peal, Ann Louise Presnell, J. Glenn Radcliffe, James Abell Rutter, Eldon Thompson, Verna Frances Threlkeld, Mary Musa Webb, Emma Aylee Wilson and J. Ned Worten.[1]

The commencement exercises began Thursday evening, May 15^th with a varied program. The graduating class presented the senior play, “Much Ado About Betty,” on two evenings, Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16.

The baccalaureate sermon was delivered Sunday, May 18, at the Baptist church by Rev. W.L. Baker, pastor of the Smithland Methodist church. The class night exercises were on May 22 in the high school auditorium.

Barkley delivered the commencement address on Friday evening, May 23, at the school building.

 

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[1] “Barkley Will Be Smithland Orator at Commencement,” The Paducah Sun-Democrat, Thu., 8 May 1924, p. 4.

Published 15 July 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Marriage Contract Noe - Wheeler

 

A marriage contract was often signed by parties planning to marry in order to protect assets from a previous marriage. These marriage contracts are usually recorded in the deed books in Kentucky. The following marriage contract between Randolph Noe and Mrs. Caroline Wheeler can be found in Crittenden County Deed Book M, pages 135-136.

“Whereas Randolph Noe of the County of Livingston and State of Kentucky and Caroline Wheeler of the County of Crittenden and State aforesaid contemplate an alliance in Matrimony and both parties being now Widowed and having children – Now, we make and ordain this as a Marriage Contract Should the same be consummated (viz) Caroline Wheeler shall have to keep, control, convey, and alienate, all and Several the property that she may hereafter acquire – It shall also be understood the Caroline Wheeler shall have the right to sue and be sued – to plead and be imploaded, in her own name the Same as tho no such alliance had taken place.  Signed, Sealed and delivered … this 28 day December 1874. [signed] Randolph Noe, Caroline Wheeler. Witness: J.A. Wheeler.

Acknowledged by Randolph Roe [sic] to be his act and deed and on same day the signature of Caroline Wheeler and her acknowledgment to same to be her act and deed … was proven by oath of J.A. Wheeler acknowledged and recorded 28 Dec 1874. [signed] James C. Jones, Clerk by H.M. Witherspoon, D.C.”

According to the 1880 Mortality Schedule for Crittenden County, Randolph Noe, age 75, died in January 1880. He was born in Kentucky, was a school teacher by occupation and had resided in the county for 5 years.[1]

Caroline Ragsdale was first married to Robert Fowler and a sketch of her life can be found in an earlier post here:  Robert Fowler Family

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[1] U.S., Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850 – 1880, Ancestry.com, Randolph Noe.

Published 8 July 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Breaking the Sabbath

 Performing work and labor on the Sabbath was frowned upon and usually resulted in being brought before the court and fined. The following cases are found in Crittenden County Circuit Court case files, Accession #A1994-267, Box 4, Bundle 21, Dept for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, Kentucky.

 Presentments against William Walker and Jeremiah Dunning are listed in Crittenden County Circuit Court Order Book A, page 307, 26 May 1847, but the details of the case are found only in the case file. Rarely did anyone get away with laboring on Sunday as there was always a nearby neighbor willing to report the offenders.

 The Grand Jurors … at the May term of the Crittenden Circuit Court in 1847 present that William Walker, yeoman, on the 9^th day of March 1847 did … violate and break the Sabbath by performing work and labour on the Sabbath, in his usual avocation: taking coal from the pit and transporting it to a place of deposit for sale; labour not being the ordinary household business or labour of necessity, or charity.

Information given by T.S. Phillips and John W. Phillips.

The Grand Jurors … at the May term of the Crittenden Circuit Court in 1847 present that Jeremiah Dunning, yeoman, on the 9^th day of May 1847 … did violate and break the Sabbath day by … labouring at his usual business: packing timber for making staves, the work or labour not being the usual or ordinary household and domestic business nor work of necessity or charity.

Information given by Bennett Crouch, yeoman.

Published 1 July 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/