Richards Family – Page 4 – Digging Up Your Family

Judge Jerome Edward Richards, Jr

Click HERE for more information about Judge Jerome Edward Richards, Jr!

My mom has been asking about this photo of Judge Jerome Edward Richards, Jr, a former criminal court judge for the City of Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, and I was unable to locate it until I came across a box of photos that was, for some reason, stored with Christmas decorations. It’s a very tiny photo, so I am quite surprised at the detail I was able to get when I scanned it. As you can see, it’s about the size of two postage stamps!

Minnie Virginia Richards

This photo of Minnie Virginia Richards (1896-1974), my great-grandmother (Me-my mom Virginia Marie Stalls-my granddaddy James Paul Stalls, Jr-my great-grandmother Minnie Virginia Richards), was taken about 1908 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. The mark at the bottom of the cabinet card is stamped with Bingham, Memphis. I think this may be the photographer Brown Bingham (1864-1920) who was originally from Hickman County, Tennessee.

Peter McQueen 1.0

Note: to see a post for Robert Haskins Crozier CLICK HERE

While I continue to track down the parents of Peter McQueen I suppose putting some information up about him would keep me from writing one very, very long post about him. †

My relationship to Peter McQueen:

Virginia Marie Stalls (mother)

James Paul Stalls, Jr (granddaddy)

Minnie Virginia Richards (g-grandmother)

Jerome E Richards (2nd g-grandfather)

Caroline McQueen (3rd g-grandmother)

Peter McQueen (4th g-grandfather)

According to census records Peter McQueen was born about 1795 in South Carolina. I do know (due to a court case involving one of his daughters and his niece) that he had at least one older sister named Ann McQueen who married Stephen Wood. Ann McQueen, also from South Carolina, died in Meriwether County, Georgia.

Peter McQueen is not on any census records until 1840 for some reason, so tracking his exact whereabouts is difficult.

Peter married Elizabeth Freeland in 1820 in West Feliciana, Louisiana. They had (according to the divorce papers) three daughters: Louisa in 1822, Melissa in 1824 and Caroline in 1826. By 1827 the family was living in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.

In 1827, when Caroline was about a year old, Peter deserted his family. He had previously sold many of their belongings. When he left he took two slaves that Elizabeth’s father had given her, telling Elizabeth he would sell the slaves and return with the money. He disappeared for 10 years. I have been unable to find him on the 1830 census (or 1820 census, for that matter).

Peter apparently returned sometime in 1837 and took the two oldest daughters, Louisa and Melissa, from their home against their will, though why he did not take Caroline is not known (unless, as might be suspected, Caroline is not actually his daughter…). According to records he took the girls up to Marshall County, Mississippi and enrolled them in school.

Elizabeth filed for divorce in May of 1838. She assumed that Peter had fled west of the Mississippi River and was possibly living in Arkansas. A notice went out in the paper in Jasper County, Mississippi asking him to come forward and face the accusations. Of course he didn’t and the divorce was finalized May 1839.

In 1840 Peter is found living in Northern Division, Marshall County, Mississippi. Listed in the household are:

1 white male between 15 and 19 years of age

1 white male between 40 and 49 years of age

3 male slaves under 10 years of age

1 female slave under 10 years of age

1 female slave between 10 and 23 years of age

1 female slave between 24 and 35 years of age

It is not clear who the white male between 15 and 19 years of age is, nor at this point do I know if the female slave between 10 and 23 years of age and the female slave between 24 and 35 years of age are the two that he took from Elizabeth.

It was about 1840 when Peter brought Louisa and Melissa to live with him. According to court records between 1840 and 1850 Peter became upset when his daughters attended a Methodist Church and kicked them both out of his house. It’s not clear whether he kicked them out for attending church, for attending a Methodist Church or attending the night meetings at the Methodist Church. However, Reverend Robert Haskins Crozier wrote a novel based on the incident titled Fiery Trials: Or, a story of an Infidel's Family, Rogers and Company, 1882. The book paints Peter as an atheist who forbid his family to even think about religion.

On April 24, 1843 Peter, who had been named the administrator of William M Bostwick’s estate, reported that the estate was insolvent. Peter may not have been forthcoming in filing a list of the assets of the estate until October 1846. (William Trezevant et al. vs. Peter McQueen, Administrator of William M. Bostwick, deceased)*

The January Term of 1849 found Peter in court again when Theodore Bostwick sued him for wages he felt Peter owed him. The judge found for the defendant (Peter) and awarded a new trial. Bostwick had failed to present evidence to prove his case and the judge declared that Peter had shown kindness in providing clothes, food and medical attention. (Peter McQueen vs. Theodore D. Bostwick)*

In 1850 Peter is found on the census still living in Northern Division, Marshall County, Mississippi. He is listed as Peter McQueen, 55 years of age, a farmer and born in South Carolina. This is the first time that it is shown where he claims to have been born. Also living in the household with him is a man named John Bogan, 23 years of age from North Carolina who was a carpenter. It’s not clear his relationship to Peter. The slave schedules also list Peter as having twenty-one slaves between the ages of 9 months and 33 years.**

The year 1850 found Louisa living with the Grey family in Marshall County, Mississippi. She would go on to marry Thomas Cottrell, then Jeremiah Elder. In 1850 Melissa was living with the Benjamin Cottrell family in Marshall County, Mississippi. Benjamin Cottrell owned the Sylvestria Girls School in Marshall County and Melissa taught there. Melissa died in 1851 and is buried in the Cottrell Family Cemetery in Marshall County, Mississippi. Her headstone reads “When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up”.

The census enumerated in 1860 finds Peter living in Town 2 Range 5, Byhalia, Marshall County, Mississippi. He is living by himself, age 65 years, a farmer, extremely wealthy and still from South Carolina. He is again on the slave schedules as having 30 slaves between the ages of 8 months and 40 years.

In 1860 Peter’s niece, Mary Ann Wood Mullins lost her husband Patrick Henry Mullins to a brain inflammation leaving her to raise four children on her own. Peter’s will, dated September 3, 1863 appoints Mary Ann as executrix. Peter’s entire estate was left to her and her children, but nothing to his last living child Louisa. According to a Mississippi Supreme Court case, October Term 1866 between Mary Ann and Louisa (Mary A. Mullins et al. v. Louisa Cottrell) concerning the validity of the will Peter lived in Choctaw County (it is not clear whether Choctaw County, Mississippi or Choctaw County, Alabama, though Mississippi seems to be the most obvious) two years prior to his death. The record of the case*** goes on to say that in Choctaw County he “killed a man in that county, and was killed in attempting to escape”. It goes on to state that Peter died in the “autumn of 1865”, but it doesn’t give an exact date of death. It also doesn’t tell us where he is buried.

Questions:

-Who are Peter McQueen’s parents?

-Where was Peter McQueen prior to 1820?

-Where was Peter McQueen between 1827 and 1837?

-Is Caroline actually Peter McQueen’s daughter?

-Who are these Mystery McQueens living with Robert Hoyle in 1860, Township 2 Range 4, Byhalia, Marshall County, Mississippi: Peter McQueen (age 2 years) and Infant Boy McQueen (age 4 months) who don’t appear to have any parents and there aren’t any other McQueens living in the area?

† information on court cases concerning him will be separate posts…he apparently was not at all unfamiliar with what the inside of a court room looked like…

* both William Trezevant et al. vs. Peter McQueen, Administrator of William M. Bostwick, deceased and Peter McQueen vs. Theodore D. Bostwick cases can be found in Cases argued and decided in the Supreme Court of Mississippi, Volume 20, Mississippi, EW Stephens Publishing Company, 1849

**I am going to go ahead and say that what I learned about this guy concerning slaves makes me really dislike…no, hate him…he truly disgusts me

***found in Mississippi Reports-edition, publisher and publishing year unknown-photocopied pages found in research files of Hubert H McAlexander, the McAlexander-Marshall County Collection, JD Williams Library, University of Mississippi-information can also be found in The Southwestern Reporter, Volume 149, West Publishing Company, 1912

Malcolm McMillen and Minerva Worsham

If I have tracked down this couple correctly then this is my relationship to Malcolm McMillen and Minerva Worsham:

Virginia Marie Stalls (mom)

James Paul Stalls, Jr (granddaddy)

Minnie Virginia Richards (g-grandmother)

Minnie DeMumbrie (2nd g-grandmother)

Cornelia Ann McMillen (3rd g-grandmother)

Malcolm McMillen/Minerva Worsham (4th g-grandparents)

I searched and searched and searched (and searched some more!) and I *think* I have found Cornelia A McMillen's parents. I haven’t been able to trace them back to any particular McMillen or Worsham families, so anyone out there in internetland, feel free to help! (and, of course, when I find information I will post it)

(note: after searching around on the internet I discovered that Cornelia A McMillan is probably actually McMillen. unless all of the records are wrong, in which case I apologize. the only place I have found it as McMillan is in my Granddaddy’s baby book and the 1860 census. that baby book also has Caroline McQueen as Carolyn, but all records I have found are Caroline.)

On January 19, 1831 Malcolm McMillen and Minerva Worsham married in Maury County, Tennessee.

Within about two years after their marriage their daughter Cornelia was born. However, it is not until 1850 that she shows up by name on a census with them. This is because up until 1850 only head of household was named on the US Federal Population Census, though there are some states that conducted their own census reports that listed other family members.

In 1840 the family is found in Tipton County, Tennessee. Head of household is Malcolm, listed as M.G. McMillon. Everyone in the household:

2 males between 20 and 29 years of age

1 male between 30 and 39 years of age

1 female between 5 and 9 years of age

1 female between 20 and 29 years of age

1 female between 60 and 69 years of age

1 male slave under 10 years of age

1 male slave between 10 and 23 years of age

1 female slave between 10 and 23 years of age

I’m guessing that one of the males between 20 and 29 years of age and the female between 20 and 29 years of age are Malcolm and Minerva. The female between 5 and 9 years of age would be Cornelia. I’m not sure who the others are, though.

In 1850 the family is found on the census living in District 14, Shelby County, Tennessee. They are listed as:

M.C. McMillen, age 41 years, born in Tennessee

Manerva McMillen, age 40 years, born in North Carolina

Cornelia McMillen, age 18 years, born in Tennessee Also living with the family is a man by the name of William P Day, age 24 years. Not a single person living in the household has an occupation listed. In fact, under occupation for Malcolm (M.C.) it actually says “none”. This is also the very first time we get to see in which state they told the enumerator they were born.

The 1860 census has the whole family moved to Mississippi. While Cornelia had married (John) Spencer DeMumbrie and was living in Tunica, Tunica County, Mississippi, her parents weren’t that far from her. Malcolm and Minerva are shown living in Austin, Tunica County, Mississippi. They are listed as:

M.G. McMillan, age 50 years, a farmer, born in North Carolina

M.H. McMillan, age 50 years, born in Virginia So the place of birth changed for both of them.

Sometime between 1860 and 1870 Malcolm died, most likely in Tunica County, Mississippi. Cornelia had also died within the same time frame. By 1870 Spencer DeMumbrie had moved with his daughter to Austin, Tunica County, Mississippi and Minerva is living with him, most likely to help raise his and Cornelia’s daughter Minnie. In the household are:

S. DeMumbrie, age 49 years, a planter, born in Tennessee (this is Spencer)

Clara DeMumbrie, age 13 years, born in Mississippi (this is Minnie)

Jane Gilcris, age 19 years, born in Tennessee (this is Spencer’s future 2nd wife listed as Effee Jane Gilchrist on the marriage record)

Mary McMillen, age 62 years, housekeeper, born in North Carolina (this is Minerva)

Ellen Johnson, age 60, born in South Carolina (I don’t have a clue who this is) Again, the place of birth changed.

By 1880 Minnie had married Jerome Richards. Spencer had married Effee Jane Gilchrist and disappeared off the face of the planet (at least until I find where they went). Minerva is found on that census living with Minnie and her family in District 1 and 2, Tunica County, Mississippi. Living in the household are:

J.E. Richards (Jerome), age 24 years, a farmer, born in Arkansas, both parents born in Tennessee (this last bit of information is, of course, wrong)

C.A. Richards (Minnie), age 21 years, wife, keeping house, born in Mississippi, father born in North Carolina (wrong), mother born in Tennessee (wrong)

J.E. Richards Jr (Jerome Jr), age 2 years, son, born in Mississippi, father born in Arkansas, mother born in Mississippi

M.H. McMillen (Minerva), age 70 years, grandmother (to Minnie), at home, born in Tennessee, both parents born in Virginia (not yet sure) The other people found living in the household are boarders: J.A. Matthews, Ellis Sholley and Barbary Shipp. Once again, the place of birth has changed for Minerva.

There is no census for 1890, of course. Jerome and Minnie are found living with their family in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee by 1900 and Minerva is not living with them. I feel it’s safe to assume that she died sometime between the 1880 census and the 1900 census, especially since I can’t find her on any 1900 census (unless she was nice and spry and remarried).

So, now I just need to find the families of Malcolm and Minerva. I also have a feeling that Effee Jane Gilchrist is somehow tied into either the McMillens, the Worshams or both.

Nathaniel A Perry

My relationship to Nathaniel Perry:

Virginia Marie Stalls (mom)

James Paul Stalls, Jr (granddaddy)

Minnie Virginia Richards (great-grandmother)

Jerome Edward Richards (2nd great-grandfather)

Caroline McQueen (3rd great-grandmother)

Nathaniel Perry (Caroline McQueen's half-brother, my 3rd great-grand-uncle)

(note: this is kind of a Part One for Nathaniel Perry. there are a lot of Civil War records that won’t be in this post, but are saved for future posts!)

Nathaniel A Perry was born about 1846 in Crittenden County, Arkansas to parents Claiborn Perry, Sr (about 1814-?) and Elizabeth Freeland (about 1804-?). He, like his brother, had a very short life.

The first record I have found of Nathaniel is the 1850 census. He is listed as 5 years of age and living in Jasper Township, Crittenden County, Arkansas with his family: Claiborn (listed as Charles, father, age 36 years), Elizabeth (mother, age listed incorrectly as 37 years) and Claiborn (brother, age 8 years). Also on this census is the mysterious Mary McQueen (age 37 years).

The next record of Nathaniel is the 1860 census. This is also the last census record of him. He is listed as Nathan, 13 years of age and living in Hot Spring County, Arkansas with his family: Claiborn (listed as Clayborn, father, age 46 years), Elizabeth (listed as Elisabeth, age 56 years), a mystery Sarah McQueen (possibly Elizabeth’s daughter due to placement of name on list, age 25 years) and Claiborn (listed as Claiborne, brother, age 18 years).

On November 20, 1863 Nathaniel, his father Claiborn and his brother-in-law Edmund Richards voluntarily enlisted in the Union Army at Benton, Saline County, Arkansas. Nathaniel’s muster-in and descriptive roll have him listed as Nathan A Perry, age 18 years, mustered in on April 6, 1864 at Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas as Private in Company F, 4th Regiment Arkansas Calvary. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, black hair, black eyes and fair complexion.

Less than a year later, on January 15, 1865 Nathaniel died in the post hospital at the Calvary Depot in Devall’s Bluff (De Valls Bluff), Prairie County, Arkansas. The cause of death was typhoid pneumonia.

Some records say that he died on January 16, but his belongings were handed over to his father on January 15, 1865. These belongings consisted of: one great coat, one pair of trousers, one pair of boots, one woolen blanket and one poncho.

NOTE:

I was just about to post this when I noticed that Ancestry had a “Historical Record” concerning his death and grave. According to the record U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca. 1775-2006 Nathaniel died on January 3, 1865 and was also interred that same day.

This is very different from what the actual Civil War records have. I called the Little Rock Memorial Cemetery where Nathaniel is buried and was told that they only have that date for him. They don’t actually have an interment date. Little Rock Memorial Cemetery, I was told, did not become a national cemetery until 1868, so the records prior to 1868 were given to them. Since Nathaniel died in Devall’s Bluff then he had originally been buried in Devall’s Bluff. When Little Rock Memorial Cemetery became a national cemetery the bodies of about 3000 soldiers’ bodies were moved from Devall’s Bluff and reinterred in Little Rock Memorial Cemetery. I can’t even guess as to why the death date is different from the actual Civil War records to the records the cemetery has, but at least it’s known that he died in January 1865.

Veteran’s Day 2011: James Paul Stalls, Jr

My Granddaddy James Paul Stalls, Jr (1917-1987) enlisted in the Seabees (US Navy) on November 4, 1943. When he told his mother Minnie Virginia Richards (1896-1974), she became very upset and worried. He told her that she had nothing to worry about because the Seabees went in after the fighting was over to rebuild. Shortly after telling her this an article appeared in the newspaper about the Seabees holding off an enemy until the troops arrived to defend.

Throughout his life Granddaddy went by his middle name Paul, but in the Seabees he was known as Jimmy.

Granddaddy was stationed in the Aleutian Islands during WWII. On the troop ship to the Aleutian Islands there were torpedo boats all around them. A lot of the men were crying, scared. Granddaddy decided to just go to sleep so that if they were hit by a torpedo he wouldn’t be awake for it.

Granddaddy fell in love with Alaska and years later wanted to return for a visit, but he never got the chance.

While he was stationed in the Aleutians he was assigned to the sign shop. Officers were impressed by his artistic talent and would ask him to do various artistic projects for them. As a result of these projects he and his friends were provided with special reserved seating for movies. There were frequent earthquakes in the Aleutians, and he said that it was difficult to watch a movie as the image would bounce from the ceiling to a wall and to another wall.

His best friend was William Yernipcut from Anadarko, Oklahoma. Once when Granddaddy and William were shooting craps, William refused to shoot. He told Granddaddy that friends don’t gamble against each other.

One day one of Granddaddy’s friends came into the sign shop to tell him that a Russian Navy ship had arrived at the harbor and there were women sailors aboard. Granddaddy had not seen a woman in so long that he ran right out to the dock. He said that there was only one woman on the deck waving to them. Even though it had been so long since he had seen a woman he still did not find this one attractive. He said, “She was the ugliest damn woman and had no teeth.”

Russian and American soldiers alike kept notebooks with them to exchange vocabulary. The pages of Granddaddy’s Seabee notebook are below.

James Paul Stalls, Jr WWII Russian Notebook

Elizabeth Freeland 2.0

Since I wrote the first post about Elizabeth Freeland (you can read it here), I have done more research and found out more about her. I am not done (I will never be done, I don’t think), but here is what I have found since the first post.

After Elizabeth was granted a divorce from Peter McQueen in 1839 she remarried. I am awaiting the arrival of the actual record, but on August 29, 1840 Elizabeth married Claburn (Clayborn, Claiborne, Claiborn, Claborn) Perry in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. And then things get crazy.

Ok, I need to backtrack for a second here. Remember how Elizabeth had claimed that Peter kidnapped her two oldest daughters Louisa and Melissa? And remember how she was left infirm, alone with her daughter Caroline to raise? Ok, I remember that, too. So by all accounts when Elizabeth married CP (that’s what we’ll call Claburn, since I’m not certain which spelling of his name is actually correct) she had one daughter with her. Now, I don’t know if CP was married before or had previous children. So I can only present to you what I have found. Ok, onward.

Ok, so Elizabeth married CP in 1840 in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.

In 1840 two CPs are found on the US Census in Mississippi. One is in Lauderdale County, one is in Kemper County, which is just north of Lauderdale County.

1840 Lauderdale County CP is listed as Claibord Perry. There are only two people living in the household: one male 30-39 and one female 30-39. This doesn’t match up with later records that say CP was born between 1814 and 1818, nor does it match up with Elizabeth having Caroline with her.

1840 Kemper County CP is listed as Claiborne Perry. There are six people living in the household: one male 10-14, one male 20-29, two females 5-9, one female 10-14 and one female 30-39. This fits better with ages for both CP and Elizabeth and the female 10-14 would be Caroline. But what about the other three children, you ask? Well, I am getting to that!

So by the process of elimination we can pretty much mark the CP from Lauderdale County off the list of possibilities.

In 1841 and 1845 CP is listed on the Mississippi State Census in Kemper County. On both state census indexes he is listed as Claiborne Perry.

About 1842 Elizabeth gave birth to a son she named Claiborn (as it is spelled most often on Civil War records), more than likely in Mississippi, though the first census he appears on says he was born in Alabama.

In 1845 the family moved to Crittenden County, Arkansas. Elizabeth gave birth to another son she named Nathaniel in the same year. In March of 1846 Caroline married Edmund Richards in Crittenden County, Arkansas.

The 1850 census enumerated October 11, 1850 in Crittenden County, Arkansas lists the Perry family with an interesting addition. The members of the household were:

Charles Perry (this is CP), age 36 years (est. birth 1814), farmer, born in Arkansas

Elizabeth Perry, age 37 years (her age is actually off by about 10 years), born in Alabama

Claiborne Perry, age 8 years, born in Alabama (like I already mentioned, I think he was born in Mississippi, unless Elizabeth was visiting family/friends in Alabama at his birth)

Nathaniel Perry, age 5 years, born in Arkansas

Mary McQueen, age 37 years (not sure who this is!), born in Louisiana

Who is this mysterious Mary McQueen? And if you will remember from the post about Caroline there is another mystery Mary McQueen. I will refresh your memory. From the 1850 census enumerated October 26, 1850 in Crittenden County, Arkansas for the Richards family:

Edward Richards (Edmund), age 25 years, farmer, born in North Carolina

Catherina Richards (Caroline), age 22 years, born in Mississippi

George Richards, age 3 years, born in Mississippi (odd, but ok…I figured he would have been born in Arkansas)

Lucy Richards, age 2 years, born in Arkansas

Mary Edwards (still not a clue who this person is), age 14 years, born in Tennessee

Mary McQueen, age 18 years, born in Mississippi

So who are these Mary McQueens? Is at least one of them one of the girls from the 1840 Kemper County, Mississippi census in the 5-9 category? I bet she is! But who is the other one?

The family is found once again in the 1860 census enumerated in Union Township, Hot Spring County, Arkansas. With some considerable changes and a brand new person!

Clayborn Perry (CP), age 46 years, farmer, born in Alabama

Elisabeth Perry (Elizabeth, of course), age 56 years years (she got all of those years back!), housekeeper, born in Louisiana (no longer Alabama)

Sarah McQueen (who is this? a daughter judging by her placement by age), age 25 years, born in Alabama

Claborn Perry (Claiborn), age 18, farmer, born in Mississippi (now not born in Alabama)

Nathan Perry (Nathaniel), age 14, born in Arkansas

So, this Sarah McQueen? Could she be the other duaghter on the 1840 census in the 5-9 age range? I BET SO!

There is still a question of the 37-year-old Mary McQueen on the 1850 census, though.

So anyway, by 1860 Elizabeth had already lost quite a bit. She had her two oldest daughters kidnapped from her. The youngest of those two, Melissa, died in 1851 in Mississippi. I wonder if Elizabeth ever had the chance to see her again before she died? Caroline died sometime between 1856, the year her youngest son Jerome was born, and 1860 when the census was enumerated. Elizabeth’s oldest (known) son Claiborn joined the Confederate Army September 12 or 17, 1861. He died in Fredericksburg, Virginia at the hospital on February 9, 1862. I can’t find the cause of death. On November 20, 1863 Elizabeth’s husband CP along with her youngest son Nathan (Nathaniel) joined the Union Army. Also with them at enlistment for the Union was Caroline’s husband Edmund, who apparently returned from Eastland, Texas (where he had been living with the children on the 1860 census) and enrolled in Benton, Arkansas. Though Elizabeth’s husband and son-in-law made it out of the war alive, her son Nathan did not. Nathan died in the hospital January 15 or 16, 1865. His cause of death was typhoid pneumonia.

I have not yet found any other records for Elizabeth and/or CP. There are two cards dated July 8, 1885 listing her husband as dead. I’m not sure what the cards are for, but it has application numbers for “invalid” and “widow”. Maybe it’s an application for a widow’s pension?

Mysteries:

when, where and how did Elizabeth die?

who is the boy 10-14 years of age listed on the 1840 census?

who is the 37 year old Mary McQueen listed on the 1850 census with the Perry family?

when, where and how did Caroline die?

if Sarah McQueen on the 1860 census was Elizabeth’s daughter, then where was she on the 1850 census?

did Elizabeth ever get the chance to see her two oldest daughters after Peter took them?

More McQueen Goodness!

I received in the mail yesterday the court transcripts for the trial that erupted over Peter McQueen’s will, the will in which he left everything to his niece, rather than his own daughter (the only living daughter of the two he kidnapped in the first place, but also the only living daughter since as Caroline passed previous to his death).

Today, however, we will not be going over these transcripts. Today we are going to piece together what I have found concerning the McQueen family.

Peter McQueen was born about 1795 in South Carolina. We know that he married Elizabeth Freeland in Louisiana in 1820. Peter and Elizabeth had at least three daughters, as named in the divorce papers: Louisa, Melissa and Caroline. The divorce was granted for Elizabeth from Peter in 1839 in Mississippi. I have not been able to locate Elizabeth after this, though she may either be the Elizabeth McQueen in Lauderdale County, Mississippi who married Claburn Perry in 1840 or she may have died, since the divorce papers described her as “infirm” (whether that meant she was on her deathbed, had the sniffles or somewhere in between is not clear). I’m betting on the marriage, but so far I can’t find any other record of Elizabeth or Claburn to match up year of birth or place of birth.

In 1837 Peter McQueen returned to his home ten years after abandoning his family and pretty much kidnapped his two oldest daughters, Louisa and Melissa (by the way, I am sure I will go over all of this again in another post, say the post concerning the trial, but there is a point to all of this now, I promise). Why he did not take Caroline with him also is not known, though speculation is that she either was not his child or may not have been at the home at the time he returned.

Peter enrolled Louisa and Melissa in a girl’s school where they later taught or lived for respite (more on that another day). Melissa died young, having never married. Louisa married first Thomas Cottrell, second Jeremiah Elder, both much older than herself-26 years and 22 years respectively). Louisa did not have any children by 1865, and I am not yet certain if she had any after.

Caroline married Edmund Richards in 1846 in Arkansas. She is on the 1850 census with Edmund and three of their children living in Arkansas. There is also an 18 year old woman named Mary McQueen living with them that I had assumed was her sister, but I am no longer sure (if so, then Mary would have been born while Peter was gone from his family when Caroline was 4 years old-therefore possibly a different father or she could be a cousin of Caroline). Caroline is not on the 1860 census with her family, which leads me to believe she passed between February of 1856 after her youngest son Jerome was born and August 1860 when the census was enumerated. Though I am pretty tempted to keep looking for her since I was unable to find any record of her death (which is not unusual).

So, back to Peter. By his death in 1865 the only daughter left living was Louisa. Due to a…uh, we’ll call it a “disagreement”, between the two, Peter left everything to his niece Mary Ann Mullins (and I checked to see if this Mary Ann Mullins might have been the same person as the Mary McQueen living with Caroline in 1850, but it isn’t). Mary Ann Mullins actually was a big clue to help me along with finding some of Peter’s family, though I still haven’t located his parents yet. BUT, here’s what I found:

Mary Ann Mullins was born Mary Ann Wood in 1832 in the state of Georgia to parents Stephen Wood (of Virginia, 1792-1862) and Ann McQueen (of South Carolina, 1793-1834). She married Patrick Henry Mullins (1824-1860), though I am not sure in what state they were married. Together Mary Ann and Patrick, a tobacconist, had four children: Stephen, Matilda, Mary and Pauline. Patrick died March 8, 1860 in Alabama of a brain inflammation. After his death Mary Ann moved in with her Uncle Peter in Holly Springs, Marshall County, Mississippi. After his death she and her children lived in Holly Springs for quite a while. Mary Ann passed in 1917 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee of old age and is buried in Byhalia, Marshall County, Mississippi. Her headstone, which can be found on Find-a-Grave, reads: Mary A. Wood, Wife of P.H. Mullins, 1832 1917.

SO, now to research the McQueens. Both Peter and Ann McQueen were born in South Carolina, Ann in 1793 and Peter about 1795. The McQueens listed on the census records in 1790 in South Carolina are:

James McQueen-Edgefield, South Carolina, two males, one female, three slaves

Daniel McQueen-Prince Georges, Georgetown, South Carolina, two males, two females, two slaves

Rachel McQueen-Prince Georges, Georgetown, South Carolina, five males, two females, one slave (note: all five males are under the age of 16 years)

Ruth McQueen-Prince Georges, Georgetown, South Carolina, one male, two females, four slaves

Robert McQueen-St Phillips and St Michaels, Charleston, South Carolina, one male, one female

John McQueen-St Phillips and St Michaels, Charleston, South Carolina, two males, one slave

The McQueens listed on the 1800 census in South Carolina are:

Nell, or Neil, McQueen-Liberty, Marion District, South Carolina, two males, five females

William McQueen-Kingston, Georgetown District, South Carolina, two males, four females

Rachel McQueen-Kingston, Georgetown District, South Carolina, five males, four females

No McQueens have been found at all in the state of Georgia in 1800 or 1810.

McQueens listed on the 1820 census in Georgia (are you ready for this? it’s a loooong list!):

John McQueen-Washington, Georgia, one male, three females

Lydia McQueen-Savannah, Chatham, Georgia, one female, seven slaves

Now, I’m not even sure if any of my McQueens, except for Ann McQueen, ever moved to Georgia. Ann died and was buried in Meriwether County, Georgia. Chatham and Washington Counties are not what I would call “nearby” Meriwether County back in those days (prior to cars being able to zip up and down the freeways, I mean). I can’t be certain if she married in South Carolina or Georgia (why, oh why, can I not find the marriage record?). If I could find that record it might give me a clue as to who Peter and Ann’s parents are.

Mary J “Annie” Bondurant

My 2nd great-grandmother Mary J “Annie” Bondurant was born in Marshall County, Kentucky on February 24, 1867 to parents Joseph M Bondurant (1842-1886) and Elizabeth Francis “Bettie” “Fannie” Brewer (1845-1922). Annie’s father, a well known merchant, was of the Snow Creek Bondurants.

The first census Annie appears on is the 1870 census in District 5, Marshall County, Kentucky. She is listed as Mary J, age 4 years. She is living with her parents, listed as Joseph (merchant) and Elizabeth. Her siblings in the household are Thomas M (age 6 years) and John W (age 2 years). Other people living in the household are Sarah Cross (listed as “at home”, age 50 years), George W Bondurant (farmer, age 20 years), Daniel (Thurt?) (farmer, age 87) and Ann J (Thurt?) (farmer, age 19 years).

In 1880 the family was living in Smiths, Marshall County, Kentucky. Annie, listed as such, was 14 years old. Her father Joseph is listed as a “trader, buying stocks” and her mother is listed as Francis. Her siblings in the household were Thomas (age 15 years), John W (age 13 years) and Clifton M (age 4 years). The family also had a boarder named Rosa Kline (age 21 years).

On April 30, 1888 Annie married James Franklin Stalls.

The following year on June 12, 1889 Annie gave birth to her only child, James Paul Stalls, Sr. Sadly, when James Paul Stalls, Sr was 6 months old his father passed away from pneumonia.

No census record for 1890.

About 1892 Annie moved to Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee with her young son and her mother (who had been widowed in 1886). We can track Annie throughout the 1890s through the Memphis City directories:

1894 Polk Directory:

Stalls Annie (wid James F), bds 45 Mosby.

1895 Polk Directory:

Stalls Annie (wid James), res 45 Mosby.

1896 Polk Directory:

Stalls Annie (wid James), res 83 Market.

1897 Degaris Directory:

Stalls Annie (wid James), boardinghouse 59 Poplar.

1898 Degaris Directory:

Stalls Annie (wid J F), res 59 Poplar.

1898 Polk Directory:

Stalls Annie (wid James F), boarding 59 Poplar, res same.

1899 Polk Directory:

Stalls Annie (wid James F), boarding 59 Poplar, res same.

And actually, you can track her throughout the directories in Memphis for quite a while after that. Also to be noted, her mother is listed separately in the directories at the same addresses as Annie.

In 1900 Annie appears on the census in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee as running a boarding house. She is named as Annie. The only other person in the household is her son listed as James P Stalls (age 10 years). Annie gave her birthdate as February 23, 1868, shaving an entire year off of her age. Also, though not represented on the census, Annie’s mother is living with them. The 1900 Polk Directory has both of them living in the same household.

Annie married Frank A Curtius January 18, 1906.

In 1910 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee Annie’s mother is listed as head of household. Her occupation is running a rooming house. Annie’s son, James P Stalls (age 21 years) is listed next. Frank is shown as “Frank A Curtiss” (bookkeeper for the railroad, age 50 years) and Annie is shown as “Mary J Curtiss” (age 44 years). The roomers in the household were: Warren M and Hazel Taylor (ages 27 and 22 years, respectively); Frank L and Sallie J Mitchell (ages 56 and 47 years respectively); Henry Z, Laura S, Charles D and Phil H Lewis (ages 56, 56, 34 and 29 years respectively); and Phil and Ella Thatch (ages 69 and 58 years respectively).

In 1920 the family is still living in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, though apparently no longer running a boarding house. Frank is listed as head of household and the family name is spelled “Curtis” Frank is now a manager at an auto company. Annie is listed as Mary (age 52 years). Also living with them, oddly, are Annie’s son and his family: Paul (age 30 years), Minnie (listed as “Mamie”, age 22 years) and Paul Jr (age 2 years 2 months). Annie’s mother is still living with them, listed as Frances Bonderant (age 74 years). What’s odd about Annie’s son living with them is that in the same year he and his wife are listed as living with her parents, but Paul Jr is only on this census record in 1920.

Annie’s mother passed away in 1922. In 1926 Annie’s son divorced his wife and remarried to Evelyn Fitzgerald in 1928.

In 1930 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee Annie, now age 61 years (as seen on the census) is living with her husband Frank, now a machinery salesman (age 73 years), her son Paul J Stalls (age 39 years) and his wife Evelyn (age 24 years). Just a side note: this census asked how long a person has been married and at what age was their first marriage. Paul, interestingly enough, must have forgotten about his first marriage that included a son because he has that he had been married for 2 years and he was 37 years old at the time of his first marriage.

There are no other census records (currently) for Annie.

Mary J “Annie” Bondurant passed away on May 16, 1950 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. The cause of death was hypostatic pneumonia due to left hemiplegia-involving speech and mentation, bladder and bowel function, along with senility. Her body was returned to Paducah, Kentucky where she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Her obituary reads:

MRS. CURTIUS DIES:

SERVICES TODAY

Memphis Resident

For Many Years

Mrs. Annie Bondurant Curtius, Memphis resident most of the time since 1892 and mother of J. Paul S
talls, widely known and talented Memphis musician, died yesterday at St. Joseph’s Hospital after about a year’s illness. She was 83.

Mrs. Curtius was born and educated near Paducah, Ky., and also lived in Obion, Tn., before moving to Memphis. Her husband, Frank Curtius, retired railroad man, died last November.

For a few years, shortly after the turn of the century, Mrs. Curtius lived in Chaffee, Mo., where she helped organize the Chaffee Christian Church but, except for her stay there, she had maintained her residence in Memphis since first coming here in 1892. She was active in Linden Avenue Christian Church until about 20 (23?) years ago. She lived at 202 N. McNeill.

She leaves her son: her grandson J. Paul Stalls Jr, and two great-grandchildren.

Services at 4 p.m. today at National Funeral Home, Dr. Howard T. Wood officiating. Services and burial in Oak Grove Cemetery at Paducah, Ky., at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Annie’s will named her daughter-in-law Evelyn as executor. She requested that first all funeral expenses and debts be paid. Then $500 was to go to Linden Avenue Christian church. The rest of her estate was to go to her son and her daughter-in-law.

Jerome Edward Richards, Jr

(note: I have posted every day since August 13. That’s 7 weeks of posting! I am going to take a brief week long break, with the exception of Sunday’s ad of the week and Wednesday’s Wordless Wednesday photo. I will continue to check my email and comments daily, so feel free to send stories you’d like to see on the website, along with comments and questions! And don’t forget to come back Saturday, October 8-next Saturday-for more digging!)

Onward, to Jerome Edward Richards, Jr as told by my mom!

Judge Jerome Edward Richards, Jr. (Ed) was born January 18, 1879, probably in Arkansas (as is stated on the 1900 census). His death certificate, however, states he was born in Mississippi. He moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in June of 1882 where he attended public school and later Memphis Military Institute.

He served in the Spanish-American War as a Sergeant in Company J of the 2nd Tennessee Regiment. He became Deputy Clerk of the Criminal Court of Shelby County Tennessee upon return to Memphis after the wars, serving under his father Jerome E. Richards, Sr. who was at that time Clerk of the Court. He studied law at night and was admitted to the bar in 1910. He was elected First Division Criminal Court Judge on September 1, 1918, (an eight-year term) after having served as Shelby County Assistant Attorney General for a year.

He was well-respected for his knowledge of the law and his fairness as a judge.

On February 6, 1902, Ed Richards married Laura W. Borner of Memphis, and they had two daughters: Laura and Dorothy Louise.

He was a 32nd Degree Mason in the Scottish Rite and was a member of the Mystic Shrine. He was an avid duck hunter and golfer.

He also had a sense of humor. His nephew, James Paul Stalls, Jr, told of being taken to the court when he was very young while it was in session under his Uncle Ed. His Uncle (Inspector) Clegg Richards wanted him to see the work his Uncle Ed did and encouraged him to stand up on the bench and thumb his nose for his Uncle Ed. He reported that Uncle Ed tried his best not to react, but the act created giggles in the courtroom that day.

Jerome E. Richards, Jr. died May 18, 1929, and is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis.

Category: Richards Family

Judge Jerome Edward Richards, Jr

Minnie Virginia Richards

Peter McQueen 1.0

Malcolm McMillen and Minerva Worsham

Nathaniel A Perry

Veteran’s Day 2011: James Paul Stalls, Jr

Elizabeth Freeland 2.0

More McQueen Goodness!

Mary J “Annie” Bondurant

Jerome Edward Richards, Jr

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