George H. Croft and Polina Jane Riley

G.H.

Croft

Born

Feb. 25, 1846

Died

Jan. 19, 1913

A loving husband  A Father dear

A faithful friend Lies buried here

Jane

Wife of

G.H. Croft

Born Jan. 5, 1848

[blank]

A tender mother a Faithful friend

Buried Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Crittenden County. Tombstones photographed 8 May 2017.

According to his death certificate[1], George H. Croft was born 15 November 1847 to Hulet Croft and Polly Gibson, both born in Kentucky.  George H. Croft was married at the time of his death.

Jane Croft, wife of G.H. Croft died 31 December 1928 in Crittenden County.[2] Her father is listed as Ruben Riley, born Tennessee.  Written in a different hand, her mother's maiden name is given as Northcut, born Tennessee.  Jane Croft is listed as a widow at the time of her death. In various records, her given name is shown as Polina, Paulina or Perlina.

G.H. Croft and P.J. Croft are first listed together on the 1870 Crittenden County census. At that time they had two children, M.C., a three year old female, and N.A., a one year old male. If they had no children born to them before M.C. circa 1866,  the parents likely married about 1864/1865. A search was made in Crittenden, Livingston  County, Kentucky and Pope County, Illinois marriage records and no such record was found. It is possible they married in Hardin County, Illinois, but marriage records there prior to 1884 have been lost due to a fire. It is also possible they married in Crittenden County, but the record was not returned to the courthouse.

This is another case where I am related - although distantly - to both parties. Reubin Riley was  my great-great grandfather. My mother's maiden name was Croft, which makes us related to almost everyone in Crittenden County and half the people in  Livingston County. On the 1850 Crittenden County census, Hulett Croft, father of George H. Croft, and family were living three doors from my ancestor, Logan Croft. I will let you figure out their relationship as it makes me dizzy when I try.

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[1] Kentucky Death Certificate #3214 (Delayed) of George H. Croft, , Ancestry.com, accessed 28 June 2017.

[2] Kentucky Death Certificate #29872, Ancestry.com, accessed 28 June 2017.

Published 8 September 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Crittenden County Kentucky Records Online

By now you have probably heard that the microfilm loan services through FamilySearch.org  will cease on Friday, 8 September 2017.  Don't worry, though, as many of these films are now available - or soon will be - online through FamilySearch.  If you are not yet familiar with FamilySearch, take a few minutes to explore the site. You may have to register, but that is ok;  it's free.

To see what records are available, go to FamilySearch.org.  Click on Catalog.  I usually search by place. In the space for place, type in United States, Name of State, Name of County. For example, if I want to see what is available for Crittenden County, Kentucky, I type United States, Kentucky, Crittenden. Then click on Search. A list of Crittenden County records will appear on the screen. 

As of this date, 4 September 2017, not all Crittenden County records are online, but  more are being added almost daily.   These are the Crittenden County  records that are currently online:

Index to Deeds Vol 1 - 3  Grantor and Grantee

Guardian Bond Book 1842 - 1878

Guardian Bond Book 1878 - 1922

Marriage Register  (Marriage Records are listed under Vital Records)

Marriage Records (Loose papers: consent notes, licenses and bonds) 1842 - 1963

Declaration of Marriages of Mulattoes and Negroes 1866 - 1872

Estate  Inventory Books Vol.  A - G  1842 - 1925

Estate Settlements Vol. 1 - 5  1843 - 1919

Wills  Vol 1 -3  1842 - 1968

Court of Common Pleas 1867-1873 and 1877-1880

Circuit Court Order "Equity and Criminal Court" Book A 1856-1859

Census records are also online at FamilySearch.org.

As of this date, the tax lists are not yet online, nor are the Circuit Court case file index and Order Books.  The Circuit Court case files, which contain the details of each case, are at the Kentucky Dept for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) in Frankfort.

It is becoming easier to do research from home, but don't forget to check FamilySearch.org weekly to see if additional records have been placed online.

Published 5 September 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Smithland News 1867

At a time when there were few small-town newspapers in Kentucky, local news  was often reported in newspapers in nearby larger cities. For example, you will find news of Livingston County towns reported in the newspapers of Paducah and Louisville so it is wise to check beyond the county lines to find these jewels of information.

On Wednesday, the 14th of August 1867, the death of a Smithland resident was reported in the Louisville, Courier-Journal.  "We are pained to learn of the death of Dr. David Saunders, of Smithland, Ky., one of the oldest and most respectable citizens of Livingston county. He died on Sunday night, the 4th inst.

The following Smithland news items appeared in the Louisville Daily Courier in Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday, 22 August 1867.

Kentucky Items

Smithland Improvement - In spite of the depressing influence of the sand bar which so seriously impairs the navigation of the Ohio at Smithland, the people of that city are "game to the last," and continue to build and improve their pleasant little city.

Mr. A.A. Gratiot [Grayot], the postmaster of Smithland, is building a two story residence, which will be quite an ornament to the place. [1]

Thomas David [Davis], Esq. is making rapid progress with the erection of his new business house on Main street. It will be finished in a few weeks, and will reflect credit upon his taste and public spirit.

Mr. Blount Hodge has been making extensive repairs upon the old Smithland Hotel, and when finished it will be one of the best, most convenient, and most comfortable hotels in lower Kentucky. [Paducah Herald]

An old gentleman by the name of Jesse Thompson, a dealer in fruits, etc, living near Smithland, in Livingston county, had his leg broken on Wednesday last. His horse ran away with his wagon, and he was thrown out, breaking his leg between the ankle and knee. He is quite aged, and his hurt will probably endanger his life.

A little son of Mr. Shull, the Smithland ferryman, had four fingers of his hand cut off by a circular saw on Tuesday last.

Grayot (Dunn) House

1867 - 2009

Smithland, Kentucky

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[1] The Grayot home stood next to the old courthouse. Later known as the Dunn home, the house was demolished 1 July 2009  and the new County Office Building was built at that location.

Published 31 August 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - John A. Sullenger

John A.

Sullenger

May 10, 1864

Mar. 21, 1932

All is Dark Within Our Dwelling

Lonely Are Our Hearts Today

For the One We Loved So Dearly

Has Forever  Passed Away

Buried Watson Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 8 May 2017.

According to his death certificate, John A. Sullenger was born 2 May 1864 in Crittenden County. His parents are listed as Thomas E. Sullenger and Martha Porter, both of whom were born in Crittenden County.[1]

John A. Sullenger married Miss Flora A. Belt 3 December 1891.[2] In 1920, they were living in Williamson County, Illinois with their eight children. Sullenger was a butcher.[3]

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[1] Kentucky Death Certificate #8339 (1932), Ancestry.com, accessed 25 May 2017.

[2] Brenda Joyce Jerome, Crittenden County, Kentucky Marriages 1887-1899, Vol. III, (Evansville, IN: Evansville Bindery, 1993) 51.

[3] 1920 Williamson County, Illinois Census, Roll: T625_418; Page: 16B; Enumeration District: 158; Image: 409, accessed 25 May 2017.

Published 29 August 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Rev. Silas Woodbury - Presbyterian Minister and Teacher

In a letter written from Smithland, Kentucky on the 24th of November 1843, the Rev. A.W. Campbell stated:  "We are in the midst of a most interesting state of things. You remember I organized a Presbyterian Church in this place some time in last March. There were but 8 persons who united with it in the congregation. There was an Episcopal Church, few in number, but raised and sustained by the patience and untiring labors of its clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Ash, and a Methodist Church, revived and enlarged by the piety and zeal of the stationed minister, the Rev. Mr. Temple. From all the information I could obtain, I suppose there were not a hundred professors of religion in all the place. Since that period all the churches have increased. The Presbyterian now numbers 23 members."[1]

The Rev. Campbell went on to say that the Rev. Silas Woodbury of Michigan was willing to accept the charge of the Presbyterian Church in Smithland and had "arrived a day or two since."

Silas Woodbury was born 20 March 1798[2] in Massachusetts, educated at Middlebury College and after graduating about 1822, settled in New York City as a teacher. Later he entered Lane Seminary and was licensed to preach in 1833. He entered upon home missionary work in Michigan before moving to Smithland.[3]   A member of the Green River Presbytery reported, "The Rev. Silas Woodbury, from the State of Michigan, was received into the Presbytery."[4]

Woodbury's  stay in Smithland was of short duration, arriving in late 1843 and leaving after September 1849.  During that time, he officiated at nine weddings in Smithland after receiving a license to "perform the rites of matrimony" from the county court on 7 October 1844.[5]

In addition to his duties as a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Woodbury continued to teach. During his tenure in Smithland, he rented the "tavern house"  and conducted a "female school " there.[6]  Located in the old Bell Tavern, it was more commonly known as the Gower House. This may have been the earliest recorded established school in Smithland.

In 1847, The Ladies Association of Smithland provided the funds for the purchase of the eastern part of lot #83 at the corner of Court and Charlotte Streets for the purpose of erecting a house of worship for the Presbyterian Church.  The Rev. Woodbury was to hold the lot until trustees of the church were chosen and then he was to transfer the lot to them.[7] 

Two  years later, lot #83 was conveyed to Peter H. Conant, Robert T. Leeper, Woolington Robinson, Thomas Leeper and Wm. Yoncom, trustees of the Presbyterian Church. No record has been found to indicate how long the Presbyterian Church was in operation in Smithland, but today lot #83 does not have a structure on it.

The Rev. Woodbury left Smithland  by the 23rd of September 1850, when he was enumerated on the Bedford County, Tennessee census. His occupation was given as "principal F. Academy." [8]

Silas Woodbury died  11 February 1873 and was buried at Willow Mount Cemetery, Shelbyville, Tennessee. [9] His will was dated 1 October 1868 and probated in April 1873. Named in the will are his wife, Sarah K., son S. Henry Woodbury and daughter Mary E. Woodbury.  [10]   Sarah King Woodbury died 15 April 1886 and was also buried at Willow Mount Cemetery.[11]

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[1] "Revival in Smithland, Ky.," Christian Observer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Vol. XXII, No. 50, Friday, 15 December 1843, p. 1.

[2]  Silas Woodbury, Find A Grave Memorial #82319359,  accessed 28 July 2017.

[3] :Eminent Educators Deceased in 1873,"  The American Educational Monthly, Vol. XI, (New York: J.W. Schermerhorn & Co., 1874), 100, Google Books, accessed 2 August 2017.

[4] "The Green River Presbytery," Christian Observer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Vol. XXIII, No. 27, Friday, 5 July 1844

[5] Livingston County, Kentucky Court Order Book I:461.

[6] Letter  from Benjamin Barner of Smithland to Jehu Wells of Spartanburg Dist., South Carolina, who had inherited the Gower House from Henry Wells, dated 10 October 1844.

[7] Livingston County, Kentucky Deed Book HH:477.

[8] 1850 Bedford County, Tennessee census, Dist. 7, dwelling 42, household 42, Silas Woodbury and Mary [sic] Woodbury, Ancestry.com, accessed 2 August 2017. No ages are given for either of them.

[9] Find A Grave Memorial #82319359, Silas Woodbury.

[10] Helen C. and Timothy R. Marsh. Bedford County, Tennessee Wills & Vital Records from Newspapers, (Greenville, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1996) 21.

[11] Find A Grave Memorial #82319506, Sarah King Woodbury, accessed 28 July 2017.

Published 24 August 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - Georgie L. Ramage

Husband

Georgie L.

Apr. 6, 1913

Mar. 14, 1943

Wife

Zula L.

Oct. 14, 1910

[blank]

Gone But Not Forgotten

Buried Alsobrook Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 2016.

According to his death certificate,  Georgie Leon Ramage was the son of Aaron Elva Ramage and Minnie Hardin, both of whom were born in Kentucky. His wife was listed as Zula Love Ramage.[1]

Following Georgie Leon's death, Zula married Albert G. Hook on 7 October 1950.[2] Her parents are listed as Andrew Jackson Maxfield and Ora Love.

Zula Maxfield Ramage Hook died 21 January 2003 and is buried in McMurry Chapel Cemetery,  Bayou, Livingston County beside her husband, Albert G. Hook (1912 - 1989).[3]

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[1] Kentucky Death Certificate #7045 of Georgie Leon Ramage, Ancestry.com, accessed 21 June 2017.

[2]  Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993, Lake County, Ohio, FamilySearch.com, online database, accessed 21 June 2017.

[3] Find A Grave, Zula Hook, Memorial #125315259, accessed 21 June 2017.

Civilian Conservation Corps Program

Kay Rippelmeyer will present a program on the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky and Indiana, 1933-1942 in the Browning Gallery of Willard Library on Saturday, 26 August 2017,  from 9:30 to 11:30 am. 

The Great Depression left many families in need of assistance. One of several government-sponsored programs designed to provide a means of support was the CCC. Originally intended for unmarried, unemployed men between the ages of 18 and 25,  the men lived in camps and built roads, national and state parks.  Ms. Rippelmeyer will explain the organization, work projects, sports and educational missions. She has also prepared a list of camps in Kentucky and Indiana to share in addition to other research sources.

I am especially interested in this program as my father enrolled in the CCC shortly after finishing high school, as did many other young men of this area. 

Reservations, while not required are suggested, can be made  Here 

Published 16 August 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/