Beginning in 1866, African-American couples could register their marriages in the county clerk’s office by giving their names and the number of years they had lived together as man and wife. A small fee was required to record the marriage and it is likely that many people could not afford to pay and, thus, their marriages were not recorded. These marriages are found in separate books called "Declarations of Marriages of Negroes and Mulattos" and are located in the county clerks’ offices of each county.
Also, in 1866, African-American couples could have their marriages performed in Kentucky . These marriages are recorded in separate marriage books, which indicate on the cover that they are records for "colored" persons. It wasn’t until much, much later that white and African-American marriages were recorded in the same books. In most "colored" marriage bond books, there is less information on the bride and bridegroom. However, there should be a consent note if either one was a minor.
Prior to 1866, Free Persons of Color might choose to go to a free state to marry. This was what Levi Goins, a resident of Livingston County, Kentucky (later Crittenden County) and Rebecca Harris, did. They crossed the Ohio River and were married in Pope County, Illinois 4 Feb 1835. However, being free and being legally married did not stop Crittenden County authorities from issuing a summons on 20 Oct 1843 for Levi and Rebecca to appear in court to answer a charge of fornication. Crittenden County Circuit Court Order Book A, p. 92, 30 Apr 1844 states the following: "This day ... on motion of the defendants by their attorney and for reasons appearing to the court it is ordered that this suit be dismissed and that the defendants go hence without day [delay] and they be required not to further answer." Somehow I have a vision of the attorney whipping out that marriage certificate and waving it in front of the judge and jury.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
More On Kentucky Marriage Records
I'd like to add a couple of things about using marriage records - the bond and license usually carry the same date. However, the marriage date did not have to be the same. For example, the prospective bridegroom might sign the bond and obtain the license on one day, but the wedding might not have occurred until sometime later. When using published marriage records, be sure the compiler has indicated whether the license or marriage date has been listed.
Many Caldwell County researchers use the online county clerk's office site for an index of county records. The marriage dates used there were taken from the bond books and do not necessarily reflect the actual date of the marriage. The early bond books do not even show the marriage date. That information must come from the marriage register or the original certificates.
Many Caldwell County researchers use the online county clerk's office site for an index of county records. The marriage dates used there were taken from the bond books and do not necessarily reflect the actual date of the marriage. The early bond books do not even show the marriage date. That information must come from the marriage register or the original certificates.
Kentucky Marriage Records
Copyright by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
May not copy without written consent
Marriage records are a favorite source of information among genealogists. Most counties in western Kentucky have marriage records back to the formation of the counties. That isn’t to say the records are complete, because surely some records have disappeared or disintegrated through the years.
Becoming man and wife in early Kentucky occurred only after several requirements had been met. The first thing was to sign a bond at the county clerk’s office at the county courthouse. This bond was a formal binding agreement that all marriage laws would be obeyed and that there was no legal impediment to a marriage between the couple. The sum of money listed on the bond was not paid unless it was found that the couple was not free to marry. The bride did not have to go with the bridegroom to obtain the marriage bond, but a surety, or bondsman, did go along to sign the bond with the bridegroom. Sometimes the bondsman was a relative or friend of either member of the contracting party, but not always.
When the bond was signed, the county clerk issued a marriage license, which was to be taken to any person legally authorized to perform marriages within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The marriage license could be issued in one county and the wedding performed in another county, as long as it was all done within the boundaries of Kentucky. The license was not valid in another state. As a rule, though, the marriage usually occurred in the bride's home county.
In early Kentucky, if either the bride or bridegroom was under the legal marrying age of 21, a parent or guardian had to give consent for the license to be issued. If the bride was of age, it was not uncommon for her to write a little consent note and send it with the bridegroom when he signed the bond. If there is no consent note and you are sure one party was a minor, look at the name of the surety or bondsman. Could a parent of the bride or bridegroom have been present when the bond was signed and perhaps gave verbal consent for the license to be issued?
Once the marriage license was in hand, the bridegroom and bride were ready to stand before a minister, justice of the peace or even the county clerk and say their vows. Whoever officiated at the wedding was supposed to sign the license or write a note, giving the names of the couple and the date of the marriage, and return it to the county clerk’s office. There the information was to be recorded in the Marriage Register. Inclement weather, long distances to the courthouse and procrastination may have delayed or prevented the license from being returned. If you don’t find a returned license or an entry in the Marriage Register, check marriage records of neighboring counties.
Early Kentucky marriage bonds rarely contained personal information, but later on you will find the exact ages of the couple and their birthplaces and residences. Sometimes the birthplaces of their parents will also be listed. The time period when this additional information first appeared in the marriage bond books varies from county to county. It wasn’t until November 1898 that the additional information was listed in Crittenden County, while Caldwell County marriage bonds contain the additional information before 1860.
Tribute to John W. Conway
Newspapers are a wonderful source of information. Especially valuable are obituaries or tributes to people who died where there were no local newspapers. The following tribute for a Union County, Kentucky resident was printed in the 14 January 1904 issue of the Crittenden Press, which was published weekly at Marion, Kentucky. The tribute is very long and has been abstracted for use here.
Thursday evening, Dec. 17th, 1903, at 7:45 o’clock, at my old home, Father fell asleep in Jesus.
The Lord blessed Father with noble ancestors. He was of Welsh descent. For generations back our ancestor have been good and noble people. I have heard grandfather John Conway say that his ancestor fought under Oliver Cromwell. Grandfather had five brothers, I think, who fought through the revolutionary war. I heard him say he was the youngest son, and was 11 when the battle of Yorktown was fought, and saw Cornwallis’ army as Washington and Lafayette marched them through his father’ plantation. They lived in Fauquier county, Virginia.
Grandfather was a good man, used to preach sometimes. Nearly 110 years ago he with his wife, newly married, and an old family servant and her child crossed the Allegheny mountains on horseback and came to the wilds of Kentucky - finally settling in Trimble County, Kentucky, in the hills 3 miles south of Madison, Indiana. There on a small, rather unproductive farm he raised a large family, five sons and two daughters, named William, Polly, John, Peter, Thomas, James, Mary. In 1812 he buried his wife and two small children in the same grave. He was left in a howling wilderness with seven small children, the oldest 16. No stores, no factories, no steamboats then.
It was in 1812 my mother saw the first steamboat that came down the Ohio river (a sorry affair). Grandfather had to raise flax, spin and weave the flax for clothing. Deer were abundant and he used their skins for pants and shoes, and raccoon skins for hats.
One of these seven children came to Union County, Kentucky and settled near Morganfield, Thomas Conway, the father of John W. Conway, the subject of this tribute. His mother was Cornelia Connell. My father was born Oct. 14, 1844. He was the only son of a large family. Grandfather was well known by the former citizens of Union County, and they showed to him their high regard in many ways. He was elected sheriff of the county several times and represented the people for three terms in the State Legislature.
He was a firm Baptist and a man of noble mould.
In 1870 father was happily married to Miss Barbara Ann Davenport, a daughter of Abram Davenport. Twelve children blessed this delightful union. All of the children (but two infants) and the loving mother survive the death of father. Their names are as follows: T.A. Conway, a minister; Dr. Jno. W. Conway; Berry L. Conway; Mrs. Oth McMurry; children at home: Maggie, Bettie, Hugh, Barbara, Joe and Hal. All are christians but Hal, and he is young.
Papa loved the farm. Well do I remember reading him James Whitcomb Riley’s famous poem on the Clover. He loved his stock - cattle, hogs and horses. How lonesome Bettie, his horse, looks; the pigeons he fed each morning and that lighted on his shoulders, oh! how lonesome; his favorite dog seems to have given up as he lies and waits for his master. His life on earth is over. We miss him and our hearts are torn and bleeding, but the will of God be done.
Thursday evening, Dec. 17th, 1903, at 7:45 o’clock, at my old home, Father fell asleep in Jesus.
The Lord blessed Father with noble ancestors. He was of Welsh descent. For generations back our ancestor have been good and noble people. I have heard grandfather John Conway say that his ancestor fought under Oliver Cromwell. Grandfather had five brothers, I think, who fought through the revolutionary war. I heard him say he was the youngest son, and was 11 when the battle of Yorktown was fought, and saw Cornwallis’ army as Washington and Lafayette marched them through his father’ plantation. They lived in Fauquier county, Virginia.
Grandfather was a good man, used to preach sometimes. Nearly 110 years ago he with his wife, newly married, and an old family servant and her child crossed the Allegheny mountains on horseback and came to the wilds of Kentucky - finally settling in Trimble County, Kentucky, in the hills 3 miles south of Madison, Indiana. There on a small, rather unproductive farm he raised a large family, five sons and two daughters, named William, Polly, John, Peter, Thomas, James, Mary. In 1812 he buried his wife and two small children in the same grave. He was left in a howling wilderness with seven small children, the oldest 16. No stores, no factories, no steamboats then.
It was in 1812 my mother saw the first steamboat that came down the Ohio river (a sorry affair). Grandfather had to raise flax, spin and weave the flax for clothing. Deer were abundant and he used their skins for pants and shoes, and raccoon skins for hats.
One of these seven children came to Union County, Kentucky and settled near Morganfield, Thomas Conway, the father of John W. Conway, the subject of this tribute. His mother was Cornelia Connell. My father was born Oct. 14, 1844. He was the only son of a large family. Grandfather was well known by the former citizens of Union County, and they showed to him their high regard in many ways. He was elected sheriff of the county several times and represented the people for three terms in the State Legislature.
He was a firm Baptist and a man of noble mould.
In 1870 father was happily married to Miss Barbara Ann Davenport, a daughter of Abram Davenport. Twelve children blessed this delightful union. All of the children (but two infants) and the loving mother survive the death of father. Their names are as follows: T.A. Conway, a minister; Dr. Jno. W. Conway; Berry L. Conway; Mrs. Oth McMurry; children at home: Maggie, Bettie, Hugh, Barbara, Joe and Hal. All are christians but Hal, and he is young.
Papa loved the farm. Well do I remember reading him James Whitcomb Riley’s famous poem on the Clover. He loved his stock - cattle, hogs and horses. How lonesome Bettie, his horse, looks; the pigeons he fed each morning and that lighted on his shoulders, oh! how lonesome; his favorite dog seems to have given up as he lies and waits for his master. His life on earth is over. We miss him and our hearts are torn and bleeding, but the will of God be done.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Robert Fowler Family of Crittenden County, Kentucky
A few years after their marriage in Logan County, Kentucky on 1 Feb 1841, Robert Fowler and Cynthia Caroline Ragsdale Fowler moved to Crittenden County. Robert opened a tailor shop and the young couple settled into their lives in the new town of Marion. Three sons, Gustavus, Henry A. and Wiley P., were added to the family - Gustavus in 1842, Henry A. in 1843 and Wiley P. about 1848.
Robert Fowler was involved in the activities of Marion and was chosen as a patroller within the town limits in 1846, 1847, 1848 and 1849. Several men in each district within a county were appointed to patrol their specific district, usually at night, to make sure that slaves were not venturing away from their owners’ homes without permission or a pass. Slaves caught without a pass were often dealt with severely.
By 1845, Robert had acquired two town lots in Marion and acquired two more lots within the next four years. Robert did not live to see his children grow up as he died 22 Nov 1849 at the age of 35 years. He was buried in Old Marion Cemetery, which is located on the corner of Moore Street and US Highway 60 in Marion. Buried next to Robert is his son, Henry A., who had died 28 Dec 1846. Caroline Fowler waived her right by law as Robert’s widow to administer his estate. Francis Ford was appointed administrator and began the process of settling Robert’s tangled business affairs.
Faced with rearing two young sons, Caroline did not remain a widow very long. She married Henry C. Wheeler 15 Sep 1850 in Crittenden County.
The estate of Robert Fowler was insufficient to pay his debts. On 13 Apr 1852, H.C. Wheeler was appointed guardian ad litem for Gustavus and Wiley P. Fowler, heirs of Robert Fowler, in a law suit in which Francis Ford sued Caroline and her sons to sell the lot on which Robert’s tailor shop was located and also the lot north of the "mansion."
Little is known of Caroline and her sons until 26 Oct 1863, when Wiley P., Caroline’s younger son, was mustered into Co. B, 48th Kentucky Volunteer Mounted Infantry (Union). The 48th was composed mainly of men from the counties of western Kentucky and whose purpose was to prevent raids and roust guerillas out of the state.
On the 7th of Aug 1864, Captain Hiett, with 35 men from Companies B and C, 48th Kentucky Volunteer Mounted Infantry, was attacked at Salem, Livingston County, Kentucky by 300 Confederates and guerillas. Two soldiers were killed, one of them being Wiley P. Fowler.
Wiley P.’s body was removed to Crittenden County, where it was laid to rest in the John Wheeler Cemetery, just off Highway 506. He was 18 years old.
Caroline and Henry C. Wheeler and Caroline’s son, Gus Fowler, continued to live in Crittenden County. On 13 Apr 1871, Henry C. Wheeler died and was buried in the John Wheeler Cemetery.
Caroline Ragsdale Fowler Wheeler married as her third husband, Randolph Noe, on 31 Dec 1874. She was only 49 years old, but had already lost two husbands and two sons.
By this time, Crittenden County was changing. The population was slightly less than 9400 in 1870 and more and more people were leaving - going West, some to Indian Territory, some to Missouri or Texas and still others toward California.
After working as a dry goods salesman in Marion, Gus became a salesman in a grocery store belonging to a relative in Union County, Kentucky. After the Civil War began, the relative sold the business and Gus returned to Crittenden County, where he married Miss Jennie/Jane McKane in March of 1867. One daughter, Ida L. Fowler, was born to them.
Gus was involved in rebuilding the Crittenden County courthouse, which had been damaged during the Civil War. After completing this project, he was involved in cutting away timber to clear a route for a contemplated railroad.
In 1870, Gus and Jane Fowler, along with their daughter, Ida, were living with her mother, Elizabeth, in Caldwell County, Kentucky. Because of ill health, Gus left Kentucky and headed toward Colorado, leaving his wife and daughter in Caldwell County. By 1877, he had moved on to California and, in 1880, appeared on the El Dorado County, California census. He was listed as a miner, single and a boarder in the village of Shingle Springs.
It is not known if Gus and Jane divorced or if they simply lived separately, but Jane married Gabriel L. Spinks on 9 Feb 1888 in Henderson County, Kentucky. The marriage record does not indicate if Jane was divorced or widowed.
Gabby and Jane Spinks, along with Ida, who had married William R. Short, and Wm. and Leonard Short were all living together in Princeton, Caldwell County, Kentucky.
William R. and Ida L. Short and their family continued to live in Caldwell County until sometime before 1920, when they moved to St. Louis.
Sources:
Logan County Genealogical Society, Inc. Logan County, Kentucky Marriages 1790-1865, (Russellville, KY: privately printed, 1985), 32.
Crittenden County Genealogical Society. Crittenden County Kentucky Cemeteries, Vol V., (Evansville, IN: Evansville Bindery, 2006), 6.
Ibid., Vol. 1, 274.
Crittenden County, Kentucky County Court Order Book 1:319, 14 Jan 1850.
Brenda Joyce Jerome. Crittenden County, KY Marriage Records Vol. 1 and Abstracts of Wills Book 1, (Evansville, IN: Evansville Bindery, 1990), 30.
Kentucky Adjutant General's Report
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado, California With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men & Pioneers. (Oakland, Calif: P. Sioli, 1883), 318.
Henderson County, Kentucky Marriage Book 20:607.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Fall Seminar
The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have their annual fall seminar on Saturday, 20 October 2007 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center, Hwy 41 North at Lynch Road, Evansville, Indiana. Registration and browsing of vendors' tables will be from 8 to 9 am. and will be followed by Opening Remarks . The speaker is Lloyd Hosman, who will talk on Newspaper Research, Making the Most Out of Census Research (1880-1910), Indiana Research and Using the IGI and Other Mormon Resources.
Why attend a seminar in Indiana if you live or research in western Kentucky? There is something to be learned at every seminar, workshop or lecture - no matter if it is in Indiana, Kentucky or any other state. The bonus is seeing what the vendors have for sale. This seminar always has vendors representing Indiana societies plus Willard Library has a table chock full of duplicate books covering almost all areas of the country and at a low price. Ye Olde Genealogy Shoppe of Indianapolis brings loads of books and charts and forms for every possible need. I'll be there with my books and often McDowell Publications of Utica, KY is represented. It's fun to see people, learn what's new in genealogical research, hear interesting speakers, and see if you win a door prize.
The cost is $25 if paid by 16 Oct 2007 or $30 after that or at the door. Checks should be payable to Tri-State Genealogical Society and mailed to Connie Conrad, 1014 E. Blackford Ave., Evansville, IN 47711. If you go, stop by my table and say "Hi."
Why attend a seminar in Indiana if you live or research in western Kentucky? There is something to be learned at every seminar, workshop or lecture - no matter if it is in Indiana, Kentucky or any other state. The bonus is seeing what the vendors have for sale. This seminar always has vendors representing Indiana societies plus Willard Library has a table chock full of duplicate books covering almost all areas of the country and at a low price. Ye Olde Genealogy Shoppe of Indianapolis brings loads of books and charts and forms for every possible need. I'll be there with my books and often McDowell Publications of Utica, KY is represented. It's fun to see people, learn what's new in genealogical research, hear interesting speakers, and see if you win a door prize.
The cost is $25 if paid by 16 Oct 2007 or $30 after that or at the door. Checks should be payable to Tri-State Genealogical Society and mailed to Connie Conrad, 1014 E. Blackford Ave., Evansville, IN 47711. If you go, stop by my table and say "Hi."
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Pleasant Grove School Students 1920
Pleasant Grove School District. 2 - Crittenden County, Kentucky.
Vernie R. Summers, Teacher
I.L.F. Paris, Supt. J.R. Croft, Trustee
Dolcie Watson
May Croft
Eickle Curnel
Julian Love
Louis Croft
Lockett Love
Opal Bebout
Loy Sweat
Lenah Bebout
Agnes Millikan
Olcie Croft
Velda Little
Cyble Millikan
Edith Bebout
Crawford Bebout
Vernon Croft
Orlin Lone
Loyd Croft
Givens Bebout
Ford Bebout
Eskel Dainels
H. Ruddel Barnes
Emma Belt
Mary Davidson
Birtie Millikan
Ernest Davidson
Duglas Croft
Alley Croft
Lenora Belt
Venard Ingrem
Annie Cook
Okha Little
Dee Croft
Rhea Croft
Prentis Croft
Roy Curnel
Lucile Love
Willie Little
Macie Corn
Ica Croft
Lois Little
Ruby Bebout
Ona Croft
Ethel Croft
Ercie Croft
Ivan Garnett
Orvin Croft
Louise Love
Viva Bebout
Josie Cook
William Barnes
Zula Little
Vera Madry
Georgie Croft
Beulah Millikan
Edgar Croft
Ralph Barnes
Beulah Belt
Ollie Lynn
This little booklet was found among my mother's things after her death. Since she was only one year old in 1920, I suspect one of her many Croft or Bebout cousins shared it with her. Listed here is Lena(h) Bebout, my mother's friend, cousin and sister-in-law. Aunt Lena died at the age of 97 in Crittenden County just a year ago.
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