Dunn - Boyd Marriage Contract

 

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 Mr. M.F. Dunn and Mrs. Susan E. Boyd is recorded in Livingston County, Kentucky Deed Book 7, page 93.  The contracting couple did marry on the 27^th day of September 1868.[1]

Article of Agreement made and entered into this 23^rd day  of September 1868 between M.F. Dunn and Susan E. Boyd, both of Livingston County, Kentucky as a marriage contract …  Witnesseth, that whereas sd. parties have entered into an agreement to become joined in the bans of matrimony, Now for the purpose of Securing to the sd. Mrs. Susan E. Boyd her property both Real and personal, It is hereby agreed and understood between the properties, that when sd. Marriage is consummated, that all  her property both real and Personal Shall be  hers, as though she was a feme-sole [sic] and the Marriage shall not invest the sd. M.F. Dunn in any manner, or give any interest in any of her property that she may now own or may hereafter acquire whatever.   Given under our hands … [signed] M.F. (X his mark) Dunn, Susan E. Boyd.  Attest: Randolph Noe, M.P. Dunn.

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[1] Livingston County, Kentucky Marriage Register 1839-1877, p. 263.

Published 28 Feb 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

News Around Town 1920

 The fastest way to get a peek into the lives of our ancestors, take a look at community news in the local newspaper.  You may learn who was visiting and where, who had a new baby plus find many other clues in identifying the family of your ancestors. The following items can be found in the 9 July 1920 issue of the Crittenden Press.

 Mr. and Mrs. Kerby Butler of Salem passed through town Monday enroute to Denver, Colo., where they have gone to spend the summer, having gone on account of his health.

 Mr. and Mrs. Fred Crayne, of Ridgeway, Illinois are the proud  parents of a 10 pound boy. Mrs. Crayne was formerly Miss Lillian Gass, of this city.

 Mr. and Mrs. I. Gass have just returned from a visit to Ridgeway, Illinois.

 William and John Akin Wilson of Boonesville, Ark. Have been the guests of their cousin, Mrs. Gus Taylor.

 Mrs. W.L. Hunter and children left Friday for Akron, Ohio where they will join Mr. Hunter who is at work there.

 Mrs. J.T. Birchfield and daughter, Miss Ruby, left Friday for Akron, Ohio, where they will visit Mrs. Joe Hunter.

 Mr. L.M. Sisco, who has been on a prospecting trip in West Virginia for some weeks, is expected home in the next few days.

Mrs. Ettie Moore and daughter, Anna, and son, William, spent last week in Carterville, Illinois, guests of Clarence Moore and family.

Published 14 Feb 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Fact or Fiction?

 In my family, my great-grandfather, James Pinkney Joyce (born 1835 Lawrence County, Tennessee – died 1881 Hardin County, Illinois) served in the Union Army during the Civil War. He left Tennessee with his family, traveled to New Madrid, Missouri, where he enlisted in the 2^nd Illinois Cavalry. 

Here is where there is a crimp in the data.  Every relative who knows of James P. Joyce, “knows” he traveled at night and when he stopped, he turned his wagon around, facing south as if indicating the family was going in that direction. He was facing conscription and should not, by military rules, have been going North toward the federal army. I first heard this account from my father, who seemed to be the “keeper of stories” in my Joyce family.  The same story was repeated to me by other family members through the years.

My question to you is do traditions ever truly go from just traditions to fact and, at what point does that happen?  Is it when the majority of people decide it must be fact or is it not until you find documentation indicating it truly happened?

Just to mix things up, how do you reconcile that it may be only partially true?  For example, I found an account of another family that states James P. Joyce’s family apparently traveled to New Madrid County with him, but from there they were under the protection of another family as they traveled on to Hardin County, Illinois.    Does this throw us back to square one?   Remember the goal is to find the truth.

Originally published here 12 March 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/