Webster County, Kentucky Divorces 1869 - 1870

The following entries have been abstracted from Webster County, Kentucky Circuit Court - Civil Orders, vol. 1 (1867-1872), which is available on FamilySearch.org. To order copies of the case files, which contain details of the law suit, go Here

11 Feb 1869, p. 195:  Louisa Lamb, plaintiff,  vs B.F. Lamb, defendant.  Plaintiff is divorced from defendant and restored to all the rights and privileges of an unmarried woman. Each party is to have all property which they owned at the date of their marriage not disposed of during their covenant.  Plaintiff's maiden name of Louisa Shelton restored to her.

18 Aug 1869, p. 278:  Felix G. Doris, plaintiff,  vs Eliza Ann Doris, defendant.  Bonds of matrimony hereto existing between the parties is hereby dissolved and plaintiff is divorced and he is restored to the rights and privileges of an unmarried man. Plaintiff is to pay costs of this action.

18 Aug 1869, p. 278:  Elizabeth Price, plaintiff, vs Geo. W. Price.  Bonds of matrimony dissolved  and plaintiff is restored to rights of an unmarried woman and her maiden name of Elizabeth James. Plaintiff is to have exclusive custody and control of her three children, Sarah H., George W. and Daniel W. Price, to the total exclusion of their father. Each party restored to all property acquired through each other by reasons of their marriage not disposed of by them. Plaintiff to pay costs of this suit.

16 Feb 1870, p. 296:  Lafayett Johnson, plaintiff, vs N. Johnson, defendant. Bonds of matrimony dissolved and he is restored to the rights of an unmarried man.

11 Aug 1870, p. 366:  Jesse L. Benton, plaintiff, vs Mary E. Benton, defendant.  Defendant summoned and failed to appear. Plaintiff released from bonds of matrimony and restored to all rights of an unmarried man. Each party is restored to all property not disposed of at the commencement of this suit.

11 Aug 1870,  p. 367:  S.T. Satterfield, plaintiff, vs Mary A. Satterfield, defendant. Defendant is a non-resident summoned 60 days before filing of this suit and failed to appear. S.T. Satterfield divorced from defendant and restored to all rights of an unmarried man. All property not disposed of at commencement of this suit to be restored to parties.

11 Aug 1870, p. 378:  Susan Price, plaintiff, vs G.J. Price, defendant. Motion of  plaintiff for the care and custody of her children, it appearing defendant is in possession of Nancy, John, Sarah and Nancy and he is not the proper person to have custody of them. Sheriff to take possession of children and restore them to the custody of the plaintiff.

Published 29 Nov 2019, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!

Published 28 Nov 2019, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Illinois Marriages of Kentucky Couples 1923

Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Illinois has long been a popular destination for Kentucky couples wanting to get married. Illinois marriage laws were such that the couple could cross the river, get married and be home again before the parents were even aware the couple had tied the knot. These marriages were usually reported in the weekly Hardin County newspaper, the Independent. The following marriage notices are from 1923.

Clarence Nesly and Miss Verna Holloman, both of Marion, Ky, were married at E'town Monday January 8th. Esq. James Manhart officiating.  [11 Jan 1923, p. 3]

Mr. Vick [1] of Marion, Ky and Mrs. Rose Frayser were married recently in Shawneetown. We wish them much joy.  [18 Jan 1923, p. 2]

Married at the Birch Hotel, Sunday, February the 18th, Della Watson of Carrsville, Ky, and Miss Ethel Riley of Livingston [County], Ky. Rev. E.W. Scarber officiating.  [22 Feb 1923, p. 2]

On Sunday Goebel Pearson, age 21 and Miss Arley Singleton, age 18, both of Lola, Ky, came over to Elizabethtown and after securing the necessary permit from county clerk Hurford, called into service Police Magistrate J.A. Oxford, who pronounced them husband and wife.  [1 Mar 1923, p. 2]

Oscar Day, aged 22, and Miss Martha Yoles, age 18, both of Caseyville, Ky, were united in marriage at Elizabethtown, Ill., Friday March 23rd, J.A. Manhart, Esquire officiating.  [29 Mar 1923, p. 1]

James McDonald, age 55, and Lillie Lowless, aged 31, both of Carrsville, Ky, were married by Rev. Scarber Sunday, March 25th.  [29 Mar 1923, p. 1]

Marriage License since our last report:  Albert Lane, age 27, of Carrsville, Ky and Lemma Vick, age 19, of Carrsville, Ky.   [3 May 1923, p. 3]

Marriage Licenses:  Herman Bigham, age 21, of Sturgis, Ky and Nannie L. Dean, 19, of Sturgis, Ky. Also Floyd King, age 28 of Marion, Ky and Mildred Kaylor, age 21 of Rosiclare, Ill.  [17 May 1923, p. 2]

George Nichols, age 24 of Rosiclare, Ill., and Bessie Monroe, age 18, of Lola, Ky, were married at the County Clerk's office, Tuesday evening, July 17th. Police Magistrate J.A. Oxford officiating.  [19 Jul 1923, p. 2]

Weddings of the Week:  Wm. Shadowens of Crittenden [County], Ky, and Miss Flora Scarbough of Tiline, Ky, were married by Police Magistrate J.A. Oxford Sunday, August 12th, also W.E. Woodsell of Marion, Ky and Miss Clyde Orren of Lexington, Ky, Squire Oxford officiating.  Ray Lynch of Crittenden [County], Ky and Miss Carrie Rogers of Tolu, Ky were married at the County Clerk's office, E'town, Saturday evening, August 11th, Judge E.N. Hall officiating.  [16 Aug 1923, p. 2]

---

[1] 1930 Hardin County, Illinois census, Cave-In-Rock, p. 1, E.D. 0002, Ancestry.com. Lee E. Vick, age 59, born Kentucky, wife Rosie J. Vick, age 56, born Illinois, son Carl C. Frayser, age 34 and daughter-in-law Georgia Frayser, age 21. Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths Index 1916-1947 shows his name as Leonidas Vick at the time of his death on 20 Dec 1937 at the age of 65.

Published 21 Nov 2019, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Childress Cemetery - Caldwell County, Kentucky

Childress Cemetery is located between Otter Pond and Cobb in Caldwell County, Kentucky. This cemetery was recorded by the late Glenn Martin of Princeton, Kentucky on 14 October 1975 and was given to me by Mr. Martin in the mid-1990s.

Sarah J. wife of C.H. Thompson

Born March 8, 1849

Died Dec. 7, 1893

Nancy I.  wife of B.F. Ethridge 

Born March 26, 1847

Died Dec. 25, 1875 

Age 27 years  8 mos.

William Childress

Born July 13, 1827

Died April 27, 1871

William Childress, Sr. 

Born Oct. 11, 1785

Died Nov. 8, 1865

Nancy Childress wife of

William Childress, Sr.

Born April 14, 1792

Died Dec. 8, 1864

Martha E. Daughter of

R.C. & M. Childress

Born Feb. 20, 1861

Died Feb. 17, 1864

Floyd, son of

B. & M.J. Davis

Born Feb. 17, 1889

Died Feb. 27, 1889

Necie Pearl, daughter

of B. & M.J. Davis

Born Aug. 12, 1897

Died Sept. 7, 1899 

[on same stone as Floyd Davis]

Mary Hattie Davis

Born July 13, 1895

Died Dec. 27, 1901

Clint Davis

Born Dec. 21, 1899

Died Nov. 1, 1902

Thomas E. Childress, Father

Born Sept. 15, 1857

Died Jan. 28, 1900

Published 14 Nov 2019, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Livingston County, Kentucky Guardian Appointments 1869

A guardian was appointed when a person was unable to act for himself or was a minor (under the age of 21 years). The parents may or may not have been living. At the age of 14, a minor could choose his own guardian with the court's approval. If under the age of 14, the county court appointed the guardian.  In 1869 the appointment of a guardian was recorded in the county court order books (minutes) as well as in a separate guardian bond book. The following information has been abstracted from Livingston County, Kentucky Guardian Bond Book C (1863-1878) and County Court Order Book M. The notation in brackets refers to the county court order book and the page number. For example, M:539 refers to county court order book M, page 539.

E.S. Sills and J.B. Sills, over the age of 14 and infant heirs of J.J. Sills dec'd, chose A.J. Donakey as their guardian. Sureties: J.W. Donakey, W.P. Peek, W.T. Champion. 4 Jan 1869. [M:539]

A.J. Donakey was appointed guardian to Martha Sills, infant heir of J.J. Sills. Sureties: W.T. Champion, W.P. Peek, J.W. Donakey.  4 Jan 1869.[M:539]

W.P. Smullen was appointed guardian to Joanna Martin, Lewis Martin and Mary Martin, infant heirs of Wm. Martin dec'd. Sureties: G.G. Rappolee, K.B. Johnson.   4 Jan 1869. [M:541]

John C. Harris, Andrew J. Harris, Louisa J. Harris and Mary E. Harris, each over age 14 and the infant heirs of R.B. Harris dec'd, chose W.T. Champion as their guardian. Surety: J.W. Cade.   6 Jan 1869.  [M:544]

W.T. Champion was appointed guardian to Martha E. Cobb, under the age of 14. Surety: J.W. Cade.  6 Jan 1869. [M:544]

Kate Davis, infant orphan of T.M. Davis dec'd, selected Chas. B. Davis as her guardian, she being over age 14. Surety: Emily Davis.  16 Jan 1869.  [M:545]

Chas. B. Davis was appointed guardian to Frank Davis, under age 14 and the infant orphan of T.M. Davis. Surety: Emily Davis.  16 Jan 1869.  [M:545]

Martha W. Johnson, infant orphan of Levi Johnson dec'd, being over age 14, selected H.C. Byard as her guardian. Surety: S. Littlefield. 1 Mar 1869.  [M:555]

John W. Bell, infant heir of Levi Bell dec'd, chose David L. Bryant as his guardian. Surety: W.M. Threlkeld. 5 Apr 1869.  [M:558]

Geo. G. Rappolee was chosen guardian by Eliza, Emaline and Ben Egan Dunlap, all over age 14 and infant heirs of R.A. Dunlap. Rappolee was appointed guardian to Susan E., Andrew J. and Mary Dunlap, infant heirs of R.A. Dunlap, dec'd.  Surety: J.L. Hibbs.  5 Apr 1869.  [M:560]

Geo. C. Rappolee was appointed guardian to Leonara Hammons, infant heir of Geo. Hammons dec'd.  5 Apr 1869.  [M:561]

James W. Kayse was appointed guardian to his son, William J. Kayse, who is under the age of 14. Surety: Phillip Grassham. 5 Apr 1869.  [M:561] 

Aleander[sic] Hodge was selected by Mary C. Weller & Sarah P. Weller as their guardian. Surety: Octavius Hodge. 6 Sep 1869.  [M:597]

With the written consent of the mother of the children, O.G. Evertson was appointed guardian to Thurston W. Evertson, John R. Evertson and Lizzie Evertson, infant children of H.W. Evertson dec'd. Surety: Jos. Bridges.  6 Dec 1869.  [M:617]

 Published 7 Nov 2019, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Bastardy Case and Name Change

On the 18th day of September 1827 Eliza Bruff made oath before a Justice of the Peace in Livingston County, Kentucky, that she had been delivered of a female bastard child on September 14th,  1826 at the home of Hazle Leorns. [1]  She charged that Allen Hodge, labourer of the same county, had gotten her with child.[2]

In discharge of the warrant and, with William Pippin as his security, Hodge made arrangements for the support and maintenance of the child. Hodge agreed to pay notes of $25 yearly in 1829, 1830 and 1831 and also paid in hand to Eliza $29 and a note for $25 in 1828. The money was to be paid upon the condition that Eliza would agreed that the prosecution for bastardy would be dropped and would do everything within her power to have same dismissed. If she did so and the child lived, Hodge would pay the sums of money. If this did not happen, the notes would be void.  Each party agreed to keep the agreement.

The details of this agreement are not mentioned when it was recorded in the county court minutes. It stated only "by written agreement of the parties filed here in Open Court, same is ordered to be dismissed." [3]

Allen Hodge died before 8 November 1836 when Joseph Watts was appointed guardian to Julia Allen  Hodge, "heir of Allen Hodge, dec'd."[4]  

Eliza Bruff, who had charged  Hodge with fathering her child, was deceased by 6 Dec 1841 when "Cassander Bruff, heir and infant  of Eliza Bruff dec'd, being over 14 years of age appeared in Open Court and made choice of Jeremiah Crammer as for [sic] her guardian. " [5]  If Cassander was over age 14, she was born before 1827. Remember Eliza's child by Allen Hodge was born in September 1826.

Cassander/Cassandra  took the Hodge name as when she married Jeremiah Crammer just three days after Jeremiah was appointed her guardian, she gave her name as Cassandra Hodge.[6] No further record of Jeremiah and Cassander/Cassandra Crammer has been found, but the Hodge name continues in Livingston County today.

Jeremiah Crammer chosen guardian of Cassander Bruff

6 December 1841

Return of Marriage of Jeremiah Crammer and Cassandra Hodge

9 December 1841

Click on above documents for an enlarged view

---

[1] This surname is all but illegible. It could be Corn.

[2] Livingston County Clerk's Loose Papers (1827), Livingston County Clerk's Office, Smithland, Kentucky. Warrant served on Allen Hodge 19 Sep 1827.

[3] Livingston County Order Book G, p. 276,  1 Oct 1827.

[4] Livingston County Order Book I, p. 35, 8 Nov 1836.

[5] Livingston County Order Book I, p. 360,  6 Dec 1841.

[6] Kentucky, County Marriage Records, 1783-1965, Ancestry.com. Jeremiah Crammer married Cassandra Hodge 9 Dec 1841 Livingston County, Kentucky.

Published 31 Oct 2019, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

J.E. and Nancy Wilson of Smithland, Kentucky

J.E. Wilson

Born Octr 22

1805

Died March 18th

1850

Unveil thy bosom faithful lamp

Take this new treasure to thy trust

And Give these sacred relics room

To slumber in the silent dust

Nancy

Consort of

J.E. Wilson

Born Jany 1st

1812

Died April 16th

1850

We laid beneath the grave's cold sod

Thy frame so lately ached with pain

But soon the joyful trump of God

Shall call it back to life again

Buried Smithland Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstones photographed 30 August 2018.

The above J.E. [John E.] Wilson has often been confused with my ancestor, also named John E. Wilson, who lived on Crooked Creek in what is now Crittenden County. Until 1842, when Crittenden County was created from Livingston County, both men lived in Livingston County and both were married to women named Nancy. However, there are many differences between them. My ancestor lived in the part of Livingston County that is now Crittenden County and died 1853 in Crittenden County. The other John E. Wilson lived in Smithland and is buried in Smithland Cemetery.

J.E. Wilson, who is buried in Smithland Cemetery, shows up in Livingston County by 18 March 1830 when he married Nancy Hagey, daughter of John and Catherine Hagey.[1]

John E. Wilson obtained a license to keep a tavern at his house in Smithland for one year in July 1831[2] and, in 1836, he was granted a license for a tavern on Lot #7 at the corner of Mill and Front Streets, along the river front in Smithland.[3] There is no indication that Wilson's taverns were in the same location.

Wilson was also active in the community and was a Smithland town trustee in 1841 when a parcel of land was conveyed by Benjamin and Sterling M. Barner to the Smithland town trustees.[4]

John E. Wilson wrote his last will and testament 23 March 1850.[5] In  his will, he left one-third of his estate to his wife, Nancy, and, at Nancy's death, it was to go to his daughter, Ann Elizabeth Wilson. John E.'s brother, Henley, was appointed executor of the estate.

Note the date of death and compare it with the death date on his tombstone. Obviously, one of these dates is incorrect, but which one?  A check of the yearly tax lists shows that Wilson appears on the 1848 and 1849 tax lists, but, in 1850, Henley Wilson, Executor of J.E. Wilson dec'd, is listed with one town lot worth $5000.[6]  So, it is obvious John E. Wilson died 1849-1850 and that is as close as we may get to his actual death date.  It is of interest, too, that Nancy Wilson's death date is given as just one month after her husband's. Did they die of the same disease?

There are some unanswered questions about this couple. More research is definitely needed.

---

[1] Joyce M. Woodyard. Livingston County, Kentucky Marriage Records, Vol. 1 (Oct 1799-July 1839), (n.p., 1992), 105. John and Catherine Hagey signed a consent note permitting their daughter, Nancy, to marry John E. Wilson.

[2] Livingston County, Kentucky Court Order Book H, p. 41, 4 July 1831.

[3] Ibid, p. 325, 4 April 1836.

[4] Livingston County, Kentucky Deed Book GG, p. 61, 19 May 1841, recorded 20 May 1841.  Benjamin and Sterling M. Barner  to William Gordon, Gideon A. Haydock, John E. Wilson, John C. McGraw and William Smith, town trustees..

[5] Livingston County, Kentucky Will Book B, p. 127, dated 23 March 1850 and recorded 1 April 1850.

[6] 1848, 1849, 1850 Livingston County, Kentucky Tax Lists. On the 1850 list Henley Wilson, Exec. of J.E. Wilson dec'd, was shown with 1 town lot worth $5000, the same as was listed for John E. Wilson in 1848 and 1849.

Published 24 Oct 2019, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/