Digging Up Your Family

Laura Jean Craft

The other day I had found an interesting bible entry that I felt my Craft cousins might be interested in, but when I went to our group Facebook page I saw that Cousin Ann had posted an obituary for one of our cousin group members, Laura Jean Craft. I have no clue how I missed this posting, but somehow I did and I feel so terrible.

From The News-Democrat (Humphreys County, Tennessee); October 17, 2014; page 3 (link to issue):

Laura J. Craft

Laura J. Craft, Age 61, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, September 17, 2014, at Trevecca Healthcare, after an extended illness.

Laura was a very bright and competent employee of Tennessee Division of Forestry for over 39 years. Some of the things that brought Joy to her over the years were ballroom dancing, photography, reading, genealogy, fishing with her brother Danny, an her love for lighthouses.

Preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Mildred Craft. Survived by brother, Daniel Craft; and several cousins and other family members.

The Life Celebration service was held on Saturday, September 20, at West Harpeth Funeral Home with interment following at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

West Harpeth Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangement.

With help from Ann, I have been able to use Laura’s notes for her Craft Line.

Laura Jean Craft (1953-2014)

Albert Lee Craft (1913-1989) m. Mildred Christine Vaden (1913-2008)

William Henry Craft (1866-1926) m. Mary Ann Donegan (1882-1967)

Levi McCollum Craft (1843-1929) m. Amanda Jane Dunnagan (abt. 1845-unk)

J. Franklin Craft (1816-1885) m. Sarah Arrington (1810-1894)

Prestly/Presley Craft (abt 1784-bef 1860 or 1879) m. Mary “Polly” Warf? (abt 1790-aft 1860) (more will be written about Presley and Polly in another post)

Rest in peace, Laura!

(link to Laura’s memorial on Find a Grave)

Quick Update

It has been a few months since I have posted anything, but I really am still here! I haven’t stopped researching. In fact, I have stacks of papers that I still need to transcribe and post.

If you are on Facebook and want to know when I post again, click here and “Like” my page!

Peggy Cathey, Free Person of Color

Several weeks ago I received an email from a DNA cousin who matches on my Cathey line. She was asking if I knew much about the Catheys in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina since her ancestor is on the census in 1830 in said county, wedged between Sarah Cathey and George Cathey.

1830 US Federal Census, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, p. 374

Peggy Cathey

Free colored males under 10: 1

Free colored females under 10: 2

Free colored females 10-23: 3

Free colored females 24-35: 2

Free colored females 36-54: 1

I know that the George Cathey who Peggy lives by is not my 5th great-grandfather George (son of Josiah Cathey and Rachel Clark), because by 1830 he was already living in Stewart County, Tennessee.

According to the 1850 census, Peggy was born about 1795. I have already gone through several Cathey wills, and I am going to check out several other surnames. I have also searched the Race & Slavery Project maintained by The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. My next step is to contact Mecklenburg County to see if they are able to find any information. Back in the 1830s in North Carolina there would have been a will granting freedom, or a court record of some sort.

I would love to find the connection, for myself as well as for my distant DNA cousin!

In the meantime

I am working on a few research projects right now, most that require waaaaiiiiiiiiting.

First, I am working on my genealogy certification. So updates will be far sparser than you readers are used to seeing (although I am certain you have probably noticed this already).

Second, I am waiting on some records I ordered. As soon as I get them in my hot little hands I will share them!

Third, I am awaiting information on ordering records I need for Beyond the Indian Rolls. I can’t really update that blog until I have them, so hopefully I can do that soon!

Fourth, I am awaiting confirmation concerning an application I sent to a lineage society, and will update as soon as I hear back from them.

Fifth, I FINALLY got the information in the mail to my cousin Carrie in order for her to enroll in Cherokee Nation. It only took FOREVER for me to get it all printed out. In all honesty, it didn’t take that long. However, I tend to be like the dogs from the movie Up. Whenever I start researching someth- OH LOOK! A SQUIRREL! It’s a vicious cycle that most genealogists understand. The humorous thing is that as I am typing this out, all I can think about it how even though I may be waiting on records so I can update a specific family on Beyond the Indian Rolls, I could just start writing about Carrie’s 4th and 5th great-grandparents (there is A LOT written about them, and not just family lore…actual documents held in actual repositories).

SQUIRREL!

Sixth, and last, yesterday FamilySearch announced on the Facebook page that “in celebration of Family History Month, FamilySearch and GenealogyBank announced today an agreement to make over a billion records from historical obituaries searchable online.” If you want to be involved in this (I am! I have my indexing window open right now, I just decided to take a momentary break to update y’all) you can just go to this link HERE and get started. The obits are an intermediate project, so if you haven’t done it before you might want to start by indexing beginner records. While they may not be as fun (sometimes), they are definitely important. Plus you never know…you might index one of your ancestors!

May 13, 1938

When I walk into my art room, I am confronted with two stacks of old newspapers. Some are sorted (somewhat) by year, and others are stored safely in a storage container. I figure, however, that just hanging onto these newspapers is pointless unless I plan to read them, use them for research, etc. So, as I search for the perfect way to preserve them (many of them crumble when I just look that them from across the room, it seems), I will be abstracting information and posting. It’s something I have been meaning to do for sometime, and considering I have now had these newspapers in my possession for ten years, why not now?

I can’t say that information will be put up in chronological order. Many of the newspapers have had their sections separated and stuck in other places. Rather than take forever matching up this page to this section to this day to this month to this year, I will just put the abstracts up as I comb through.

I hope these abstracts help someone!

THE ATLANTA JOURNAL

Wednesday, May 18, 1938

Page 17

DEATHS IN GEORGIA

Mrs. Will Atchley, Rome. Other names mentioned: husband, Will Atchley; daughters, Misses Geneva, Eunice, and Ruby Atchley, and Mrs. Inez Watson; sons, Leroy, Garfield, and Burnell, of Rome; sisters, Mrs. Lizzie Jackson of Albertville, AL, and Mrs. Eunice Smith of McClain, TX; brothers, Ed and JB Fergerson of Guntersville, AL, and Jim T Fergerson of Flintville, TN.

WJ Baston, Appling. Other names mentioned: sons, Ernest and O’Neil of Appling, and WJ Baston of Harlem; daughters, Mrs. Brantley Reid and Mrs. Thomas Smith of Thomson, Mrs. Edward Tankersley and Mrs. Herman Morris of Appling.

Mrs. Annie E Bennett, Waycross. Other names mentioned: husband, Ben Bennett; sons, Harvey of Millwood and Willie Bennett of Gulfport, MS; daughters, Miss Annie Bennett of Lake City, SC, Mrs. Rena Herrin of Orlando, Mrs. Mamie Hurst and Mrs. Lettie Wesson of Winter Park, FL, and Mrs. Edna Kirkland of Lakeland, FL; brothers, DC and LH McLendon of Douglas, CH and EA of Pearson, and BE McLendon of Nicholls.

Robert Eugene Braddy, Midville. Other names mentioned: parents, Mr. & Mrs. FM Braddy of Blunn.

Patrick Otis Darden, Washington (GA). Other names mentioned: sister, Mrs. LT Lewis of Washington.

Mrs. Emma E Fields, McDonough

Mrs. MH Lyons, Griffin. Other names mentioned: husband, MH Lyons; parents, JA Spruce and Mary Akin Spruce; daughters, Mrs. Ernest Bramblett and Mrs. Paul Fosett, of Concord; sisters, Mrs. Lois Howard of Forsyth, and Mrs. JA Norris of Milner; brothers, John E Spruce of Jackson and Earnest T Spruce of Griffin.

Fred Elvis Massey, Cordele. Other names mentioned: parents, Mr .& Mrs. Charley Massey of Crisp County.

Mrs. Mary Gordon Patten, Richland. Other names mentioned: parents, William Gordon and Peggy Lowery; husband John Walter Patten; sons, Dempsey and Fred; daughters Mrs. Robert Lowery of Preston and Mrs. Walter Tomlin of Eufaula; son James of Richland; sister, Mrs. JH Highnote of Moultrie; brother, RD Gordon of Meggs.

Mrs. Anna M Pruitt, Brunswick. Other names mentioned: children, Mrs. WG Landrum, Mrs. Bessie Ellis of Clearwater, FL, Mrs. Odessa Barrus of Thomasville, Carl and Esburn Pruitt of Moultrie.

Mrs. Nannie Sherrill, Rossville

Mrs. Dave Smith, LaGrange. Other names mentioned: husband, Dave Smith, daughters, Mrs. Clifford Smith, Mrs. RC McClain, Mrs. GM Gadd, and Miss Lottie Smith, of LaGrange; sons, Guy, Nick, and Rudd Smith of LaGrange, and Corb Smith of Randolph County, AL.

Mrs. Edward Sudderth, Lawrenceville. Other names mentioned: husband, Edward A Sudderth; daughter, Mrs. Bessie Puckett; aunt, Mrs. Henry H Pattilo, of Buford, GA; sister-in-law, Mrs. Fannie Reese, of Lawrenceville, GA.

Payton P Tison, Cordele. Other names mentioned: sons, John A of Cleveland, OH, and Sam Lee Tison of Wauchula; daughter, Mrs. HJ Knox of Jasper, FL.

Faye Wilson, Thomaston. Other names mentioned: parents, Mr. & Mrs. EJ Wilson of [S]ilvertown; sister Frances; brothers, James Jr and Bobby of Silvertown; grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. JE Wilson of Molena; WT Ward of Columbus.

OTHER OBITUARIES

David Clinton Byles, Bainbridge. Other names mentioned: wife, Mrs. Bessie Byles; active pallbearers, Jack Bower Sr, Douglas Hawkins, Dr. WD McCord, WH Miller, Harry Johnson, and EF Vickers.

PHOTOS

Kansas City: Mrs. Saidie Orr Dunbar, Portland, OR; Mrs. Horace B Ritchie, Athens, GA.

Macon, GA: LC Alderman, Jr; Minnie Amelia Alderman; Nell Davis; Lindler Drew; Janelle Griffin; Miss Martha Griffin; Miss Evelyn Hatcher; Miss Jessema Riley; Mary Clyde Tanner.

Page 18

PHOTOS

Wesleyan College: Dorothy Du Pius, Warrenton; Joe Estes, Gay; Annette Gardner, Atlanta; Frances Hackett, Macon; Jacquelin Howard, Atlanta; Ruth Ingle, Macon; Ann Munck, Winter Haven FL; Lillian Touchstone, Tifton; Margaret Tuner, Tampa, FL; Dorothy Weick, Dalton.

Page 24

FUNERAL NOTICES

Mrs. Arvie Baldwin, Georgia. Other names mentioned: Mrs. Josie Humphreys, Mr. & Mrs. Claude Baldwin.

Mr. Elean Livingston Deep, Georgia; Birmingham, AL

Mrs. Emma E Fields, McDonough. Other names mentioned: daughters, Mrs. Dennis Echols, Mrs. Roy Ford, Mrs. Ike Selphridge, Mrs. George Brannon; son, Mr. CF Fields of Lenox, GA.

Mrs. Hubert (Maude) Jamerson Hames, Olive Springs Baptist Church. Other names mentioned: Mr. & Mrs. EH Hames, Miss Beatrice Hames, Miss Ozelle Hames, Mr. Clarence Hames, Mr. Cecil Hames, of Marietta; Mr. & Mrs. WB Burnett, of Ceillowhe, NC; Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Mallonce, of Murphy, NC; Mr. & Mrs. Harry Hames, of Woodstock, GA; Mr. & Mrs. Forrest Mabry, of Marietta, GA; Mr. & Mrs. CW Jamerson, of Orlando, FL; Mr. & Mrs. HF Jamerson, of Seneca, SC; Mr. Bronson Jamerson, of Marietta, GA.

Mr. PB Hodges, Georgia; Chattanooga, TN.

Mr. Conrad Hudspeth, Georgia. Other names mentioned: brothers: BB Hudspeth, of El Paso, TX; AD Hudspeth, of Oklahoma City, OK; Dr. G Hudspeth, of Tampa, FL. (see also below DEATHS AND FUNERALS)

Mrs. Gladys Veal Prescott, Conyers. Other names mentioned: Master Billie Prescott, Mrs. WS Veal, Mr. & Mrs. WL Conner, Mr. & Mrs. AM Whitaker, Mr. & Mrs. HT Veal, Mr. & Mrs. LB Veal, Mr. & Mrs. JT Chambers, of Conyers, GA; Mr. & Mrs. WA Gatlin, of Atlanta, GA.

Mr. Marcus D Wicker, Georgia. Other names mentioned: Mr. & Mrs. RW Cage; Barbara Ann Cage; Mr. HW Flindt; Mr. Amos Madison; Mr. CP Downing; Mr. D Lee Wicker; Mr. George P Waller, Jr; Mr. J Wats.

Mr. George Rivers Yarbrough, Sr, Vinings. Survived by wife, three sons, one brother, and one sister.

COLORED

Mrs. Mary Lue Brazil, Atlanta

Mr. John Carson, Jackson

Mr. Bob Couch, Marietta

Mr. Paul Redding, Kennesaw

DEATH AND FUNERALS

Walter M Archer, Atlanta

S Irby Bagwell, Atlanta

Mrs. Viva Baldwin, Buckhead. Other names mentioned: grandson, Claude Baldwin; sister, Mrs. Josie Humphreys.

Conrad Hudspeth, Georgia. (see above FUNERAL NOTICES, Mr. Conrad Hudspeth)

Augustus Judson King, Atlanta

Mrs. Mary J King, Atlanta. Other names mentioned: daughter, Mrs. Albert Thompson.

JA Loyd, Chamblee. Other names mentioned: daughters, Mrs. TH Reynolds, Mrs. RE Jolley, Mrs. DM Wright, Mrs. DG Honea; son, JC Loyd.

Mrs. Thomas Allen Scott, Atlanta

LP Sewell, Riverdale. Other names mentioned: brothers, JP Sewell and MP Sewell, of Ben Hill.

Francis Carroll Wheat, Charleston, SC

Homes Found!

This was originally posted over at The Georgia Anna Project

The past two weeks have been pretty exciting, because I was able to send two photographs home to their families! The two photographs were originally posted nearly three years ago on my personal genealogy blog Digging Up Your Family.

The first photo found its way home thanks to Facebook. Vicky had decided to do a spur of the moment Google search for her husband’s great-aunt, and that led her straight to me.

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Anna Eliza Topping was born on January 16, 1874 in Jackson, Pike County, Ohio to parents John Rufus Topping (1844-1914) and Emily M Hamm (1854-1907). She married Arthur Harrison Hosley on April 20, 1891 in Gallia County, Ohio. Together they had ten children. Anna Eliza Topping died on November 30, 1957 in Bowling Green, Wood County, Ohio, and she is buried in the Willow Cemetery, Oregon, Lucas County, Ohio.

I am so pleased that Vicky decided to search “one more time” (we all know how that goes, right?). After mailing off the photograph of of Anna Eliza Topping, I started thinking about Cleo Mericle Leatherman. Back in 2011, I had written (on Digging Up Your Family):

I actually had a few of people respond with information about the first one, Cleo Leatherman, and they appear to be related to her, however they don’t seem to want the photo, nor do they seem interested in seeing the other two photos.

Since then I have contacted a few other people, but never received a response. I had figured I would end up keeping the photograph of Cleo, framing her and adding her to my family portraits. I didn’t want to her to not be wanted. However, last week I did a quick search and found Cleo’s descendants!

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(This contains corrections from the original post)

Cleo Fayette Mericle was born on September 22, 1887 in Paulding County, Ohio to parents Isaiah Mericle (1858-1929) and Mary C Gusler (1860-1949). She married Franklin Hiram “Frank” Leatherman (1887-1955) on June 21, 1908 in Van Wert County, Ohio. Together they had three children. Cleo Fayette Mericle died on September 12, 1969 in Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio, and she is buried in the Fort Meigs Cemetery, Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio.

My search for Cleo’s descendants led me to her son’s obituary. With Facebook, I hunted down, first, one of his daughters. Since Facebook sends all messages from unknown people to the “Other” folder (remember to check that folder, readers! You never know who might be trying to contact you!), I searched for a phone number. When I was unable to find her phone number, I conducted a search on another daughter and sent her a message (again, to the “Other” folder). Then I looked up her phone number, took a deep breath, and made a cold call. Carol was pleased to receive the photograph and immediately helped me figure out some information I had wrong (such as death dates for both Cleo and Frank, as well as Frank’s name). Carol also told me that her grandmother Cleo “made the best chicken and noodles EVER!”

I still have one photograph of the three that needs to find its way home.

I had written in 2011:

The last photo is another that the handwriting is kind of hard to read, but I believe it says Augusta and Mary Roake. Though I was unable to find a Mary Roake, I was able to find an Augusta Roake. A marriage record for a Ruth Edna Beale lists Augusta Roake and James M Beale as parents. If this is the correct Augusta Roake then she was born about 1870. She had at least three children with James M Beale: Marion A (or Marian or Marion), Ruth Edna and Coleridge L. I wish I could find Mary.

The photo was addressed to Mrs. JF Leatherman in Fort Jennings, Putnam County, Ohio. I believe this may have been Catherine “Kate” Huston (1870-1912) who was married to Joseph Frank Leatherman (1865-?)

Are Augusta and Mary in your family?

Malcolm G McMillan and the Answer to a Mystery. Almost.

So, the other day my mother reposted photos from the Scottish Genealogy Facebook page of Kilmory Chapel near Ardnamurchan, in Argyll.

scotgen (Source)

She was pondering if “our” McMillans may have been part of this particular MacMillan family.

So, just like last time when she mentioned the McMillans, I decided to just do a quick little search. And I was able to somewhat solve a mystery!

(just remember, kids: never give up! You WILL eventually find something of interest!)

Let’s step back a handful of years ago.

I wrote a post about Malcolm G McMillan and Minerva Worsham back in 2011. At the time I had their marriage date and location (January 19, 1831 in Maury County, Tennessee). However, I couldn’t figure out their parents. I had narrowed Minerva’s possible folks down to Daniel Worsham and wife Liddy Hardeman. And I had also narrowed Malcolm’s possible father down to Alexander McMillan. At least one of those is correct!

In 1850, Alexander McMillan and his wife Sarah are found living in Maury County, Tennessee with son Archibald and daughter-in-law (?) Lovely Jane Agnes McMillan. But who is Sarah? What was her maiden name? It didn’t take long for me to come across a transcription of the will of Malcolm Gilchrist (1744-1821) in Maury County, Tennessee. Unfortunately, the name of the person who posted it is “Private”, but the information concerning the will came from Mrs. Nelda Stephenson (I had contact with her through email, lovely woman!). The will reads, in part (the full transcription can be read here):

WILL OF MALCOLM GILCHRIST, SR (1744-1822) Maury County, Tennessee:

Recorded Sept 24 1824

In the name of God, Amen.

I, MALCOLM GILCHRIST, SR, of Maury County in the State of Tennessee, being of sound mind and disposing memory, also of usual good health; but being aware of the uncertainty of human life and being desirous of disposing of all my worldly substances with which it has pleased God to help me, do, make and ordain, publish and declare. This is my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other heretofore made, published, or declared by me at anytime or place whatsoever…

…ITEM 5th I will and bequeath to my daughter, SARAH MCMILLAN, one hundred acres of land beginning at the beginning corner of the original survey on which I live for another thousand acres to run West and South to Duncan Gilchrist’s North boundary lines so as to include one hundred acres and the improvement where she now lives, also one Negro girl slave named Phillis which I gave her when she was married, to her and her heirs forever…

…ITEM 12th: I give and bequeath to my nephew, MALCOLM GILCHRIST MCMILLAN, son of Sarah McMillan, one Negro boy slave named Dock to him and his heirs forever…

Now, I am not sure if the designation of “nephew” for Malcolm Gilchrist McMillan was a transcription error, or if it was error in the writing of the will (there are several Malcolm Gilchrists, one or two are actually nephews). However, I now know that Sarah Martha Gilchrist married Alexander McMillan (still on the lookout for the marriage date). And that their son is Malcolm Gilchrist McMillan who married Minerva Worsham.

To further cement that Sarah Martha Gilchrist married Alexander McMillan are two news article transcriptions. According to the 1850 US Mortality Schedule, Alexander McMillan died in January 1850 of old age. Appearing in The Maury Express, Vol. I, No. 27, Wednesday, July 4, 1860:

ORDER OF PUBLICATION—CIRCUIT COURT RULES. E. SKAW and wife and others vs A.J. McMillan and other. In this cause it appears that INCHABOD CARTER and wife, MARTHA J., ALEXANDER J. McMILLAN, DAVID B. McMILLAN, ELIZA P. McMILLAN, AUGUS A. McMILLAN and MALCOLM McMILLAN, defendants in said petition to sell Land are non-residents of the State of Tennessee. SAMUEL P. McGAW. CLERK CIRCUIT COURT, M.C.

The in The Maury Press, Vol. I, No. 37, Wednesday, September 12, 1860:

PUBLIC SALE ON THE PREMISES—EBENEZER SHAW and wife and others vs A.J. McMillan and others. AUGUST TERM RULING, MAURY COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT. Will sell, on premises, on Friday, 12th October, 1860, being the late residence of ALEXANDER and SARAH McMillen, near the town of Columbia, a parcel of land, One Hundred Acres, adjoining the lands of SAMUEL GRIFFITH, BOWN, LINDSEY, MORSE, DR. JORDAN, SETLE R. KETELL and others. Also at the same time, I will sell to the highest bidder, and old Negro woman named PHILLIS. SAM’L P. McGAW, clerk.

PHILLIS!

There is a lot written about the Gilchrist family, but those are posts for other days (I will say, though, that “my” Gilchrist family appear to have come over from the Kintyre Peninsula at Argyll, Scotland). Right now, I want to get to something exciting!

(please note, information below is simply a working theory right now, so don’t hold me to it! Yet!)

In 1871, Spencer DeMumbrie married his third (known) wife Effee Jane Gilchrist. The question has always been “Who is Effee Jane Gilchrist and where did she come from?” (that’s two questions, but anyway…).

The above Sarah Martha Gilchrist McMillan had a brother by the name of Duncan Gilchrist. If this name sounds familiar, it should. Back in 2012, I wrote about Duncan briefly:

Oh, and I am still on the lookout for Effee Jane Gilchrist’s family. I think I may have narrowed it down to a 3-year-old Effa Gilchrist living in the Duncan and Effa Gilchrist household (they would have been her grandparents, I think) in 1850 in District 1, Decatur County, Tennessee. The birth year is off by 5 years compared to the 1870 census, but the state of birth is the same and it’s the closest I have been able to find. I would love some insight into this from someone who has researched the Duncan Gilchrist family.

Although the birth years may be off, I am at least 99.5% certain that three-year old Effa Gilchrist is Effee Jane Gilchrist. If we ASSUME that the Caroline Gilchrist listed three lines above little Effa is her mother, and if we ASSUME that Caroline is a widow of a Duncan Gilchrist son (only assumptions can be made at this point, really…) then:

Effee Jane Gilchrist is the second cousin of Cornelia Ann McMillan, Spencer DeMumbrie’s second (known) wife!

Now, to find the documentation to support my theory!

UPDATE–The Richards Epic

While I do my best to make sure that all information on Digging Up Your Family is correct, there are times that I make mistakes. I am always happy, however, when readers and family are able to tell me when mistakes occur.

In September of 2012, I posted The Richards Epic in three parts. It is not a complete lineage for all descendants of John Richards and Rhoda Metz (there is still an attempt to authenticate her name – Metts, maybe?), but I did attempt to put as much information for descendants as possible. Updates are necessary, though.

1. Nearly a year after I first posted The Richards Epic: Part One, Jeanie Hale Martz left the comment, “My grandmother, Kate Richards(Hale) was the daughter of Wm. Alexander Richards and Sarah Rose. Kate b. 1874 . Mother of James C. Hale of Marion, Ar. You left her off… Tks.” I am grateful that she pointed this out for me. Originally I had written:

William Alexander Richards was born in 1825 in Jones County, North Carolina. He married Saphroney (or Safroney) Gilmore in 1855. He held the office of Justice of the Peace. William and Saphroney had two children: James Emery born 1857 (died. February of 1900) and William Alexander born 1862 (died in January of 1900). In 1860 Edward Page was living with William and family, along with Williams nephew John M Richards, and two men: Green McDaniel and John Blocker. Saphroney died in 1864. William then married Sarah H Rose in 1866. Together William and Sarah had two children: Robert E Lee Richards in 1867 (died about 1869) and Clarence Addice “Addie” Richards born in 1869 (died in 1950). The 1870 census really confuses me. William and Sarah are listed, along with; JE Richards (James Emery), WL Richards (age 18, born about 1852, a male…who is this!?!?!?!?), CA Richards (Clarence Addice), RE Rose (a 17 year old female that I can only assume is a sister of Sarah) and Nick Wooley or Worley (a farmhand). Who is WL Richards? It’s driving me crazy not knowing! Anyway, William Alexander Richards died January 10, 1875.

I dug a bit deeper and discovered that prior to William Alexander Richards’ death, he and Sarah had two more children: Almeda Richards and Kate Cora Richards. From The Earle Epic (1981):

Almeda “Mead” Richards, born June 1, 1872 in Crittenden County was killed in 1902 when a tree fell on him; buried in Blytheville.

Kate Cora Richards, born Nov. 25, 1874 in Crittenden Co., died Feb. 6, 1968 in Washington, D.C.

The majority of the information concerning the early generations of the Richards family was found in The Earle Epic, so I have no clue how I missed that.

Also, I mentioned a mysterious “W.L. Richards” in the 1870 census with William Alexander and Sarah A. Richards. He is still a mystery. I compared the handwriting on the census to see if it actually had him listed as “W.L.”, and it does:1870 US Federal Census, PO Black Fish, Tyronza Township, Crittenden County, Arkansas, page 2

As you can see, the “W” matches the “W” marked under “Color” (race) for “white” and the “L” matches the “L” in Laura Hood’s name.

So, who is WL Richards (born about 1852 in Arkansas)? I’m sure when I find out it will be a head slapping moment!

2. Pat Isabel Brown, who has researched the Richards family extensively (as well as wrote the Richards article in The Earle Epic!), recently contacted me with information. I was also able to help her, so it has been a great week for research!

Here are a couple of tidbits that have helped me (there are certain to be future posts, and I don’t want to wear my readers out all in one post!):

-In The Richards Epic: Part One, I had questioned the name “Nelia Richards, born 1847…”. Apparently, this was a misprint in the book. Nelia is actually Julia Richards, born May 5, 1846. In that same family, I have her mother listed as Lucinda Parker. On my Ancestry tree I have an asterisk (*) next to her last name, denoting that it has not yet been proven. I should have made mention of that in the post, so as not to confuse readers.

-Pat Brown also sent me a Richards family group sheet (as well as a Lyles family group sheet) that contains some interesting information. A lot of it was told to Jim Hale, Jr by Kate Cora Richards Hale, as recollections of what she had been told by her aunt, Rhoda Richards Hood. As promised, however, that will be saved for another post or two.

As I update my tree and correct information, I will update and correct information on Digging Up Your Family.

Roger Dale Ray, aka Robert Jewell Vincent, Undercover 1970

I have been searching for this picture of my birth father, Roger Dale Ray (Robert Jewell Vincent) for the past 4 years and I finally found it!

Beneath the photo is printed:

EXHIBIT A

Roger D. Ray as he appeared on June 11 and 12, 1970.

The story behind the photo is pretty interesting. He was working at Memphis Catholic High School at the time, and he was on Summer break. He had been hired by Kelly Girl to go undercover and visit various banks to ensure that protocol to open accounts was being followed correctly. He had been told to not bathe or shave and to wear dirty, smelly clothes. He carried around the lunch bag, and he was supposed to try to open an account without I.D. and with only $25 (which, apparently, an account couldn’t be opened with only $25). My mother thinks that just one person felt bad for him and opened the account.

Wedding of Minnie Virginia Richards and James Paul Stalls, Sr

I honestly thought I had already transcribed this article describing (in great detail) the wedding of my great-grandparents Minnie Virginia Richards and James Paul Stalls, Sr. Apparently I had not, so here it is!

(I actually wish that a photo of the wedding party were included with the article. If anyone is researching any members of the bridal party, and happens to have photos of a stranger’s wedding, please contact me! PLEASE!)

Published in the Commercial Appeal, Tuesday July 28, 1914:

WEDDINGS

RICHARDS-STALLS

The McLemore Avenue Christian Church was the scene of a very pretty wedding last evening at 8:30 o’clock when Miss Minnie Virginia Richards became the bride of J. Paul Stalls, the Rev. Milo Atkinson officiating in the presence of a large gathering of friends and relatives.

For the occasion the church was prettily decorated with a profusion of plams (sic),ferns and garlands of southern smilax, caught with graceful bows of pink tulle. Electric lights shone through the ferns and palms and lighted tapers glowed through the white shades of the candelabra.

A beautiful programme of wedding music was rendered by Enoch Walton, who presided at the organ, assisted by Mrs. C. W. Parke, soprano, and Mrs. S. H. Lambert, violinist. The Bridal Chorus from “Lohengrin” was used as the processional, with Mendelssohn’s wedding march as the recessional, and during the ceremony Mr. Walton softly played “To a Wild Rose.

The specially selected programme included the following numbers:

Organ-Pilgrim’s Chorus from “Tannhauser”………………..Wagner

Voice-“The Rosary”………………………………………………………..Nevin

Organ-Andante in G………………………………………………………Batiste

Voice-“All For You”…………………………………………….…D’Hardelot

Organ-“Evensong”……………………………………………………….Batiste

Voice-“Because”…….…………………………………………..…D’Hardelot

Organ-“Spring Song”……………………………………….….Mendelssohn

Violin-“Evening Star”………………………………………..……..…Wagner

Organ-Humoresque……………………………………………..….……Dvorak

Voice-“O, Promise Me”…………………………………………….De Koven

Organ-(a) Bridal Chorus from “Lohengrin”……………….…Wagner

(b) “To a Wild Rose”…………………………………..MacDowell

Voice-“At Dawning”

Organ-(a) Wedding March…………………………………..Mendelssohn

(b) March from “Tannhauser”……………………………Wagner

The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, Jerome Richards, was gowned in a robe of white duchess satin with draperies of Chantilly lace, with she wore a filmy veil of tulle, falling from a Juliet cap and caught with orange blossoms. She carried a shower bouquet of Bride roses and valley lilies and wore as her only ornament a diamond and pearl pendant: the gift of the groom.

Miss Zella Smith of Meridian, Miss., acted as maid of honor, gowned in pink crepe de chine with a draped cape and carrying a French basket filled with Bride roses.

Misses Annie Sites, Katherine Lawless and Dorothy and Laura Richards served as bridesmaids, gowned in pink crepe de chine and lace and carrying French baskets filled with pink Killarney roses.

Little Misses Alice Rogers and Ruth Frances Parke acted as flower girls, wearing dainty frocks of lace over pink satin and carrying small baskets filled with pink rose petals, while Master Clifton Drane Bondurant served as ringbearer, wearing an Oliver Twist suit of white and pink and carrying the ring in the heart of a lily.

The groom was attended by W. Franklin Robinson as best man, Robert Love and Clarence Banning as groomsmen and Earle F. French and Lin Sheffer as ushers.

Following the ceremony an informal reception for the immediate relatives and members of the bridal party was held at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Richards, on Lucy Avenue, where the decorations were of pink and white, carried out in garden flowers, ferns, and palms.

A cordial welcome was extended to the guests by Mr. and Mrs. Richards, the latter gowned in black crepe de chine and lace, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Curtius, the latter gowned in hand-embroidered voile.

Many handsome presents attested the popularity of the young couple, who left last evening for New Orleans, en route to New York and points along the Great Lakes. For traveling the bride was gowned in a tailored suit of blue serge, with a hat of white straw.

After the middle of September Mr. and Mrs. Stalls will be at home to their friends with the parents of the bride, Mr. and Mrs. Richards, on Lucy Avenue.

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