Category: Breedlove Family

Martin Riley Vincent

Martin Riley Vincent, born November 17, 1881, was the son of Isaac Vincent (1854-1921) and Emmie Stewart (1860-1928).  He was born in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, one of (if records are absolutely correct!) eleven children.

He married Lucy Johnson Breedlove on November 10, 1902 in Kentucky.  Martin and Lucy had 8 children, one being my grandfather, Elbert Tracey “Shorty” Vincent.

Vincents

According to Martin’s WWI draft registration card he was employed in the mining business working for the WG Duncan Coal Company.  Census records also list his employment as a farmer at various times.  His draft registration card says that he had black hair and blue eyes (he also had all of his arms and legs!).

Martin Riley Vincent WW1 Draft Card

Thelma Dixon, Martin’s granddaughter, told me a story about how he saved her from getting a spanking when she was three years old.  Thelma’s mother was at work and and Martin was supposed to be watching her.  Well, he wasn’t watching her too closely because Thelma found a tube of red lipstick and wrote all over her mother’s white bedspread.  When her mother returned home and saw the bedspread she said “What in the world happened here?!?” and went to spank her.  Martin said “No no no!  Do not spank that child!”.  As Thelma said, her grandpa saved her hide!

Martin and Lucy moved to Stewart County, Tennessee in 1948.  It was Stewart County where he passed away February 6, 1953 at his son Garland’s home.

Martin Riley Vincent Obituary

Martin Riley Vincent is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Dover, Tennessee with his wife, Lucy Johnson Breedlove.

Martin Riley Vincent and Lucy Johnson Breedlove Headstone

I’m sure I will hear more stories to share about him!

Stories of Lucy Johnson Breedlove

I was able to get a couple of stories about Lucy Johnson Breedlove to share!

These stories came from Thelma Dixon, Lucy’s granddaughter.  The photos are courtesy of Brenda Hollis, also Lucy’s granddaughter.

Lucy Johnson Breedlove and Martin Riley Vincent

Lucy love Cockscomb and had many planted outside of her window.  She loved to sit and admire them.  One day when she was doing just that she saw one suddenly go down.  And then another went down, just fell down dead.  It turned out her son Garland, who was about 7 years old at the time, was shooting at them with a sling-shot he had made and was using those Cockscomb as targets!  Garland ended up murdering three of them.  Needless to say, he was in trouble.  He ended up having to stay inside without play and do housework for week.  And the sling-shot ended up as kindling for the cook stove.  Of course, he made more in the future.  I bet he never used the Cockscomb as targets again!

Another story was when Lucy gave a deer a heart attack.  The dogs had been out having fun chasing a deer around.  The deer came to a stop in the yard, just exhausted.  Lucy was out on the porch sweeping up and when the deer stopped she pointed the broom at it and said “bang!”.  The deer dropped to the ground dead!

I can’t wait to share more stories about Lucy and her family!

Garland Vincent, Francis McCord, Elbert "Shorty" Tracey Vincent, Lucy Johnson Breedlove, Martin Riley Vincent and Baby Thelma

Lucy Johnson Breedlove

I am still researching Lucy Johnson Breedlove, but I will post what I know about her.

Lucy Johnson Breedlove is my Great-Grandmother from my father’s family. 

Lucy was born October 13, 1881 in McLean County, Kentucky to John Breedlove and Margaret Stringer.  I believe she was one of six children, Drusy (Drusie, Druse) Breedlove being the youngest. 

Due to the destruction of the 1890 census Lucy does not show up until the 1900 census, which proves to be interesting.  She is not on just one census, but on two.  I can’t imagine there was another Lucy J Breedlove born the same time in the same town, but it is possible. 

The first census was done on June 4, 1900 in Sacramento Town, District 2, McLean County, Kentucky and was enumerated by Garland Quisenberry.  In this census Lucy is living with the Bates Family, of which Alfred M, head of household, is a grocer.  Lucy is said to be 18 years of age, born October 1881, single and she is a servant in the Bates household.

The second census was done on June 12, 1900, eight days after the first, in Sacramento Town, District 2, McLean County, Kentucky and was also enumerated by Garland Quisenberry.  In this census Lucy is living with her parents and sister, along with two children listed as John Breedlove’s grandchildren.  Lucy is said to be 18 years of age, born October 1881, single and her occupation is left blank.

I can only assume that both 6/4 Lucy and 6/12 Lucy are the same person, however if anyone has anymore insight into this I would like to hear from you!

Lucy married Martin Riley Vincent (1881-1953) on November 10, 1902.  I have yet to find the marriage record, so I’m not sure where they married.  Lucy and Martin had, as much as I have gathered so far, eight children, one being Elbert Tracey “Shorty” Vincent, my grandfather.

Lucy died on February 14, 1971 in Stewart County, Tennessee.

Lucy Johnson Breedlove Obituary

She is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Dover, Tennessee along side Martin Riley Vincent.

Martin Riley Vincent and Lucy Johnson Breedlove Headstone

From the small amount I have been told about Lucy, it is common family lore that she is either Full Blood or 1/2 Native American.  I haven’t yet found any proof as to this story, nor do I know which Tribe she might have been a member of, though I would love to find out more.  I seem to remember someone saying that somewhere is a picture of her in her full regalia.  If anyone has this picture (or any pictures of her, for that matter), or if anyone knows more about this, contact me and let me know!  I’m curious to learn more about Lucy and her family!

I have just, in the past 2-3 months, found this part of my family.  My father had been adopted when he was very young.  Lucky for me, my mom knew his birth name and that assisted me in finding aunts, uncles and cousins, with whom I am thrilled to be in contact with and they seem just as thrilled to be in contact with me!