Robert and Lucinda L. Kirkman

Robert Kirkman was born about 1804 in Randolph County, North Carolina. I believe I know who his parents are, but I am still working on getting more solid evidence.

He married Lucinda Lane on 12 May 1830 in Randolph County, North Carolina. Together, they had at least eight children:

• Mary Kirkman, born about 1836
• Rebecca Kirkman, born about 1836
• Tabitha Kirkman, born about 1838
• Nancy Kirkman, born about 1840
• Isabel C Kirkman, born 21 April 1844
• John W Kirkman, born about 1847
• William Alfred Kirkman, born 18 November 1850
• James Monroe Kirkman, born 17 August 1855

Robert was a farmer, as most of the people in Randolph County were. One thing I found interesting when looking at his census records was the value of his real estate. For most people, real estate values rise over the years even with the divisions amongst sons, except of course for the years immediately after the Civil War.

In Robert's case, however, he went from $1216 in real estate in 1850 to $1200 in 1860. Personal estate values were not recorded until 1860 though, and his personal estate was listed at $3700. In 1870, after the Civil War, Robert's real estate stands still at $1200. Only his personal estate was affected it seems having dropped from $3700 to $800 in 1870.

Clipping from 1870 census of Robert Kirkman's household

Robert's ability to maintain his real estate values post-War is not the only thing fairly unique about him. Randolph County, being comprised mostly of poor farmers with no standing or position, was not a place where slavery was common. Robert is listed in the 1840 census as having a male and a female slave both aged 10-23. His neighbor in 1840 (and his suspected father) Thomas Kirkman has the most in the area at 12. 

Clippings from 1840 census of Robert and Thomas Kirkman's slaves

As anyone who has researched slave ancestors knows, it is difficult to place names to the tick marks in census records or to the genders and ages listed in slave schedules, but it is something I strive to do whenever I find families that had slaves. More investigation will be required to find out who these men and women may be and how long the family kept slaves, but it is an investigation I think worth undertaking. Hopefully I can post my findings in a future post.

Robert and Lucinda are supposedly buried at Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery in Franklinville, Randolph County, North Carolina. I have not yet found proof of the date of Robert's death, but his Find-A-Grave page lists his date of death as 5 May 1882. There is no photo shown to corroborate this date, and I have taken photos myself at the cemetery a couple of times, but I have no photo of their tombstones in my personal collection either. Either their graves are unmarked or I somehow missed them the last time I was there. Until someone posts one or until I can make it back to the cemetery myself, the search for a tombstone continues.

Sources:

• 1840 Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1850 Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1860 Sandy Creek, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1870 Liberty, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1880 Liberty, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• Find-A-Grave memorial #149695684
• North Carolina Death Certificate, Isabel C Kivett (accessed on Ancestry)
• North Carolina Death Certificate, James Monroe Kirkman (accessed on Ancestry)
• North Carolina Death Certificate, William Alfred Kirkman (accessed on Ancestry)
• North Carolina County Marriage Registers, Randolph County (accessed on Ancestry)

Peter King

Today's family will feature one of my pseudo-roadblocks in my husband's family. I think I know each spouse and their parents' names, but I have no proof of them. To help sort this family out a little bit, I will try to only focus on the information I can back up with sources. Peter King was born about 1808 in North Carolina.

The 1840 census shows Peter living in West Pee Dee River, Montgomery County, North Carolina.

Clipping from 1840 census

In the household are:

• Male, under age 5
• Female, under age 5
• Female, age 5-10
• Male, age 20-30 (assume this to be Peter)
• Female, 20-30 (assume this to be Peter's wife)

The 1850 census shows Peter living in Montgomery County, North Carolina. A wife is not present in the household, but the following children are:

• Ann E. King, born about 1834 (assume this to be the female 5-10 in the 1840 census)
• Allen King, born about 1837 (assume this to be the male under 5 in the 1840 census)
• Dany King, born about 1840 (assume this to be the female under 5 in the 1840 census)
• Emely King, born about 1845
• Cummings King, born about 1847
• Peter King, born about 1849
• William King, born about 1849

I do not know if all of the children listed in this household are the natural children of Peter, but I assume they are. Some researchers suggest multiple spouses for Peter. I can only prove what I find in records, but more on that in a bit.

The 1860 census shows him living in Diffies, Montgomery County, North Carolina. Once again, his wife is not present, so I assume she probably died before the 1850 census. All of the same children are living in the house except for Ann, whom I assume has married by this point. Emely (listed as a female in 1850) is now Emsly (listed as male). So, since there are no new children in the household, it is possible that all of the children are, in fact, Peter's own.

Clipping from 1860 census

There is also a 41-year-old woman living with them in the 1860 census named Sally Manor. I do not know anything about her, but I hope to do some digging at some point to find out her relationship to the family. Perhaps she was there as a nanny (unlikely because they were farmers and didn't seem to be very wealthy), or perhaps she was a family member who was just visiting for a while.

The 1870 census shows another new person in the family. This time, it is 30-year-old woman listed in the place a spouse would appear. Her name is difficult to read, but I think it reads something like Ancis T. King. If this is right, then I believe this woman to be Ancez Coal.

Clipping from 1870 census

I have found a marriage certificate for Peter King and Ancez Coal dated 10 February 1866. This would fit with the lady in the 1870 census.

Marriage Licensus for Peter King and Ancez Coal

In addition to Peter's youngest boys, Peter and William (who are either twins or "Irish twins" since they always appear to be the same age or one year apart), there are also some new children in the house now. They are:

• Lucy King, born about 1858
• Martitia King, born about 1861
• George King, born about 1867
• Ella King, born about 1866
• (illegible girl's name - maybe Lebsa), born about 1869

If these (last few) are the children of Peter and Ancez, this means Peter would have been about 61 when the last child was born!

The first two children in the household appear to have been born before Peter and Ancez were married. Children out of wedlock was not unheard of in these days, but the 1880 census could shed some more light on the situation.

I believe Peter to have died between the 1870 and 1880 census. I have found what appears to be his widow living in Randleman Mills, Randolph County, North Carolina in 1880. Notice the name differences:

Clipping from 1880 census

Ancez is now listed as "Sarah," the illegible girl's name appears as "Liddia V." and is listed older than George, Ella is now "Mary E." and appears younger than mentioned in the previous census, and finally, Lucy J. and Nancy "Martitia" appear with the last name Cole.

This leads me to believe that Ancez/Sarah was married before she married Peter. (I was able to find a marriage record for Willis Cole and Ancetis Craven dated 23 January 1857 in Randolph County, North Carolina. The 1860 census shows the couple with daughter Jane living in Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, but Ancetis/Ancez/Sarah shows up as Margaret this time!)

So, all of this still does not show Peter's previous spouse(s) name(s) or the names of his parents. I have my speculations and my leads based on other family researchers' efforts, but I haven't found any proof to substantiate any of the claims made yet. Until then, this is what I know.

Sources:

• 1840 West Pee Dee River, Montgomery County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1850 Montgomery County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1860 Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1860 Diffies, Montgomery County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1870 Little River, Montgomery County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1880 Randleman Mills, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• Marriage License, Peter King and Ancez Coal (accessed on Ancestry)
• Marriage License, Willis Cole and Ancetis Craven (accessed on Ancestry)

Daniel and Sarah Elizabeth Tickle

I realized I never hit "publish" on this post! Rather than back post it, I have simply replaced this week's scheduled post with what was supposed to be last week's post. Sorry for the technical glitch!

The last few weeks' posts have featured families and topics in North Carolina. This week, I thought I would take us back to Virginia.

Sarah Elizabeth ("Betsey") Lineberry was born about 1802 in North Carolina. She was the third of 12 children born to Jacob Lineberry, IV and Mary Elizabeth Fanning. 

Betsey married Daniel Tickle on 22 November 1819 in Guilford County, North Carolina. Daniel was born about 1800 in North Carolina to John W. Tickle, Jr. and Elizabeth Cockelress.

Daniel and Betsey's Marriage Record

Betsey and Daniel had at least the following children:

• Salome Tickle, born about 1820
• Hezekiah C. Tickle, born about 1825
• Peter Conrad Tickle, born 25 August 1830
• Solomon Tickle, born about 1831
• Daniel Lineberry Tickle, born 13 October 1833
• Mary Tickle, born about 1835
• Harvey Bennett Tickle, born 26 November 1839
• Molly Adaline Tickle, born about 1840

All of the children were born in North Carolina, but it seems the entire set of children moved to Virginia when Daniel and Betsey did. (Salome is the only child that stayed in North Carolina since she was married by 1848.) Family legend says they moved to Bland County, Virginia in 1846. In reality, it looks as though they moved around a little bit before finally ending up in Bland County.

For the 1850 census, they were living in Giles County, Virginia.

Clipping from 1850 Census

In 1860, they are living in Wytheville, Wythe County, Virginia.

Clipping from 1850 Census

Then, in 1870, they finally end up in Seddon, Bland County, Virginia. By 1880, they have settled in Mechanicsburg, Bland County, Virginia.

Clipping from 1880 Census

Betsey is listed in the Virginia Deaths and Burials Index as having died 15 January 1880 in Bland County, Virginia. If that is the case, however, that would leave me to believe the Elizabeth, age 70, living with Daniel in the 1880 census is actually a second spouse of Daniel's. (It is possible that Elizabeth died in June instead of January if it was a mis-transcription. I have not been able to locate a copy of the actual record yet, so I can not say one way or the other what the situation is.)

I have not found a death record for Daniel yet. I assume he died some time between 1880 and 1900. Without a copy of the 1890 census, I think that may be as narrow as I can get that date range for now.

Sources:

• 1850 Giles County, Virginia U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1860 Wythe County, Virginia U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1860 Wytheville, Wythe County, Virginia U.S. Federal Agricultural Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1870 Seddon, Bland County, Virginia U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1880 Mechanicsburg, Bland County, Virginia U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• Guilford County North Carolina Marriage Records, Daniel Tickle and Betsey Linebury (accessed on Ancestry)
• Orange County North Carolina Marriage Records, John C. Low and Sally Tickle (accessed on Ancestry)
• Virginia, Deaths and Burials Index, Elizabeth Tickle (accessed on Ancestry)

Radios in 1930 in Level Cross, Back Creek, and Coleridge

A census record shows a wide range of information about a family and community. One of my favorite bits of information that can be gleaned from the 1930 census is whether or not a family possessed a radio.

One of the column-sets of information the census taker recorded.
Lists whether a home was owned (O) or rented (R), the value of the home or cost of rent, whether the family owned a radio (R), and if the family lived on a farm or not.

While invented in the late 1890's, the radio did not start to become popular until the 1920's. As more households began to own radios, more radio stations began popping up. So, a snapshot of who owned radios a decade or less from their first initial boom in popularity can really show a lot about what kinds of things interested a family or community.

For this post, I thought I would highlight the people who owned a radio in the Level Cross township. Out of 110 houses, however, only two owned a radio though: Talton Cox, who lived with John Robins' family, and Minnie Causey's family.

House of Joseph Sawyer and John Robins, located on Coltrane Mill Road. John Robins' household has a radio.

Household of Minnie Causey, located on Highway 70.

Both households, were on a farm. Talton Cox was 59 years old and a lodger in a home (a duplex) that was being rented. Minnie owned her home and was an 87-year-old widow. Talton Cox was an engineer. Minnie had no occupation (her grandson, Wade, was a brick layer and the only wage earner in the home).

Once I realized only two families in Level Cross possessed a radio, I decided to check a few other townships. Back Creek was the next area I decided to investigate. Of 208 families, seven families had a radio. The heads of households for those families are as follows:

Heads of Households (alphabetical) with a Radio in Back Creek:

• Archie C. Bulla, age 30, owned home on a farm, occupation: farmer
• Robert N. Davis, age 71, owned home on a farm, occupation: farmer
• Joseph R. Dougan, age 29, owned home on a farm, occupation: textile worker at hosiery mill
• Claud L. Hicks, age 41, owned home on a farm, occupation: foreman at a gold mine
• Grady L. Hughes, age 29, owned home on a farm, occupation: boarder at hosiery mill
• Claude Routh, age 37, owned home on a farm, occupation: farmer
• Charles W. Wall, age 51, owned home on a farm, occupation: farmer

Coleridge had a few more radios, so I've decided to highlight those families now too. There were 65 families in unincorporated Coleridge. Of those families, eight possessed a radio. Of the 265 families in Coleridge township, 15 families had a radio.

Heads of Households (alphabetical) with a Radio in Unincorporated Coleridge:

• Garland W. Allen, age 28, home owned and on a farm, occupation: (illegible, possibly calier at baul.)
• Obed C Brody, age 34, home owned and NOT on a farm, occupation: spinning room foreman at the cotton mill
• Floyd C. Caviness, age 36, home owned and on a farm, occupation: manufacturer at cotton mill
• Robert L. Caviness, age 63, home owned and on a farm, occupation: merchant of general merchandise
• Aaron R. Crausee, age 62, home owned and worth $800, NOT on a farm, occupation: manager of a garage
• Daniel N. Crausee, age 19, home owned and on a farm, occupation: farmer
• Oren W. Ward, age 60, home owned and worth $2000, NOT on a farm, occupation: overseer at cotton mill
• Robert D. Webb, age 29, home rented for $5 a month, NOT on a farm, occupation: reconstructant(?) foreman for the state highway

Clipping from 1930 Coleridge Census

Heads of Households (alphabetical) with a Radio in Coleridge Township:

• Stanley S. Allen, age 46, home owned on a farm, occupation: farmer
• Dean O. Brower, age 44, home owned on a farm, occupation: farmer
• William A Brower, Jr., age 29, home owned on a farm, occupation: farmer
• E. Willard Brown, age 70, home owned on a farm, occupation: farmer
• Ray E. Caviness, age 46, home owned on a farm, occupation: farmer
• Everett Cox, age 48, home owned on a farm, occupation: farmer
• John C. Cox, age 33, home owned and on a farm, occupation: farmer
• Vergil M. Cox, age 72, home owned on a farm, occupation: farmer
• Benjamin F. Craven, age 65, home owned on a farm, occupation: farmer
• E. Clevenland Craven, age 42, home owned on a farm, occupation: farmer
• H. Frank Maness, age 38, home rented on a farm, occupation: farmer
• William B. Maness, age 47, home owned on a farm, occupation: farmer
• M. Jeanette Pell, age 58, home owned on a farm, occupation: merchant of general merchandise
• J. Edd. Spruce, age 64, home owned on a farm, occupation: merchant of general merchandise
• Clifford S. Stout, age 39, home rented for $10 a month, on a farm, occupation: farmer

Clipping from 1930 Coleridge Census

So, less than 2% of the families in Level Cross, 3% of the families in Back Creek, 12% of the families in unincorporated Coleridge, and less than 6% of the families in Coleridge township had a radio in 1930. I hope to keep working my way through the townships in 1930 and seeing how these numbers stack up to the other areas of the county.

Sources:

• 1930 Back Creek, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1930 Coleridge, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1930 Level Cross, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)

1910 Randolph County Census clip from "The Heritage of Randolph County, North Carolina"

The following is an excerpt from "The Heritage of Randolph County, North Carolina" book located in the Randolph Room in the Asheboro, Randolph County, Library. It is an uncredited article entitled "1910 Federal Census, Randolph County" located on Page 124 of Volume II of the series.

Photo of the spine and call number of the book at the Randolph Room

At a future date, I hope to go through this list of names and provide more information on any of the men I can and resolve some of the "?" the author has inserted in some of their names and ages. Misspellings and "?" are inserted as the author of the article inserted them, however, I have recreated the list in a bulleted fashion and added the word "age" for clarification for each person.

"Most, but not all, of the following persons were too young to have served in the Confederate States Armed Forces, but the 1910 Randolph County Census stated that they had given service to the Confederacy.  All but two of these men were from the East Franklinville Township, with the remaining two being from Tabernacle Township.  Following each person's name is his age as given in the 1910 Census.  This was 45 years after the War ended.  The names are as follows:

East Franklinville Township:

• James N. Allred, age 60
• Murphy Allred, age 50
• William A. ? Allred, age 53
• William E. Allred, age 51
• Cicero H. Bean, age 53
• George H. Black, age 60
• John F. Brewer, age 55
• Mathew G. Brice ?, age 58
• Alfred J. Brower, age 49
• John H. Burrow, age 53
• Brison H. Cheek, age 57
• George C. Cox, age 60
• James Davis, age 50
• Duncan Dove ?, age 57
• James W. Ellison, age 57
• Joseph M. Ellison, age 58
• Thomas M. Ellison, age 59
• Harris Foust, age 55-56 ?
• Milton W. Free, age 57
• Solomon E. Free, age 51
• Solomon H. Free, age 59
• Alfred Graves, age 50
• Jebes ? T. Hardin, age 51
• John R. Hayes, age 58
• William J. Hobson, age 56
• Emons Holder, age 55
• Franklin C. Holliday, age 55
• Charles R. Hurley, age 50
• Jacob Ivy, age 55
• Thomas M. Jennings, age 54
• William H. Jennings, age 50
• James F. Johnson, age 53
• Charles F. Jones, age 50
• George M. Jones, age 60
• George H. Kinney, age 50
• George A. Laughlin, age 52
• Scott Lineberry, age 52
• John A. McKinnon, age 50
• John C. Maner, age 51
• John P. Marable, age 54
• Avry ? V.? Marley, age 51
• Elias Moon, age 52
• William J. Moore, age 60
• Enoch Pugh, age 59
• Felix Pugh, age 57
• Isaac H. Pugh, age 58
• Willard F. Pugh, age 59
• Alexander H. Redding, Sr., age 53
• John W. Reeves, age 52
• George Richardson, age 50
• Alfred W. Riddle 57
• William Z. ROuth, age 57
• Giles Smith, age 53
• Lanson ? A. Snider, age 59
• John M. Tippett, age 51
• William H. Tippett, age 52
• Cicero L. Trogden, age 52
• Cicero S. Trogden, age 50
• George M. ? Trogden, age 52
• Abram Ward, age 60
• David M. Weatherly, age 57
• Daniel H. West, age 54
• John Williamson, age 52
• Jessie York, age 51

Tabernacle Township:

• Franklin T. Gordon, age 60
• John C. Hoover, age 60

Sources:

• "The Heritage of Randolph County, North Carolina; Volume II" (accessed at the Randolph Room, Asheboro Branch, Randolph County Library)

Reuben B. Fanning

My husband's Virginia and Missouri family connections are extensive. Most of his family that ended up in each of those states originated mostly in North Carolina, and even more specifically, mostly in Randolph County. The families I've decided to highlight today are a few generations removed from their North Carolina origins though.

Reuben B. Fanning was born in Virginia around 1804. First cousin, once removed of the David Fanning that ransacked both Randolph and Guilford County, North Carolina during the American Revolutionary War just a generation before.

Reuben married his first cousin, Martha Lineberry, on 4 May 1828 in Giles County, Virginia. She was born in Grayson County, Virginia around 1812. Reuben's father was Martha's mother's sibling. Together, Reuben and Martha had at least the following children:

• Jacob Fanning, born 1829
• Mary Ellen Fanning, born 1831
• Martha Jane Fanning, born 1838

In 1830, Reuben and Martha are living in Wythe County, Virginia.

Clipping from 1830 Census showing Reuben, his wife, their son, and another male adolescent

There seems to be an extra male child, between age 10 and 14, living with them. I am unsure who this could be. It is possibly a younger sibling or nephew, but I can't be sure. The child is too old to be their natural child, so I can safely rule that possibility out.

In 1840, the family is seen living in Lee County, Virginia.

Clipping from 1840 Census showing Reuben, his wife, and their three children.

Martha died sometime after this census, presumably around 1844. If that's the case, her widower didn't seem to wait long after her death to find another woman to help him raise his children. Reuben married Mary S. Owens on 7 April 1844 in Linn County, Missouri.

Excerpt from Linn County, Missouri Marriage Records

Whether they were living in Missouri when they got married or they moved there after they got married is unclear, but by 1850, the family is shown living in Sullivan County, Missouri. 

I know very little about Reuben's second wife. I do know that Mary was born in North Carolina according to the 1850 census. Reuben and Mary had at least the following children together:

• Rebecca Fanning, born 1846
• Reuben Fanning, born 1849
• David Fanning, born 1850
• John Fanning, born 1852

Mary is still living with her children in Missouri in 1860 after Reuben dies around the birth of their youngest child, John. I am unsure when or where Mary died.

Sources:

• 1830 Wythe County, Virginia U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1840 Lee County, Virginia U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1850 Sullivan County, Missouri U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1860 Owasco, Sullivan County, Missouri U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• Linn County, Missouri Marriage Records (accessed on Ancestry)

John B. and Christina W. Smith

John Benjamine Smith was born 25 November 1815 in North Carolina. His parents were Frederick and Elizabeth Lineberry Smith.

John married Christina Charlotte Walk, daughter of Johann Joseph Alexander and Elizabeth Goss Walk. Together, they had at least 11 children. They are:

• Martha Elizabeth Smith, born 1843
• Webster Smith, born 1845
• Lawrance Smith, born 1845
• Caroline Lucetta Smith, born 1846
• John Reuben Smith, born 1850
• Joseph Coke Smith, born 1851
• William J. Smith, born 1854
• Constantine A. Smith, born 1856
• Benjamin Alford Smith, born 1859
• Louisa V. Smith, born 1862
• Frederick F. Smith, born 1863

I couldn't help but notice that the children stopped before the end of the Civil War. I decided to look for military service for John. I thought I found him in the 35th North Carolina Infantry, but that man died in the War, and I know from John's tombstone that John lived until 1895.

Clipping from 1860 Census

John still could have enlisted in the War, but I haven't found him in the service rolls yet in North Carolina, but maybe I've been looking in the wrong state. I do know, sometime between 1860 and 1870, the family moved from Davidson County, North Carolina to Carroll County, Virginia. I've been trying to pinpoint the exact timeframe of their move, and I think I have a pretty good idea of when that happened.

As far as I can tell from census records, all of John and Christina's children were born in North Carolina, so that means the family would have moved sometime after 1863. So, I thought, maybe John enlisted in the War after moving to Virginia. This would have put their move between 1863 and 1865. In my mind though, I imagine moving to another state during the Civil War, even within the South, would have been incredibly dangerous. 

Or maybe the family moved to Virginia after the War since it would have been too risky to move with so many young children during such a turbulent time. This would have put their move between 1865 and 1870. This would mean John probably did not serve during the Civil War. He would have been rather old compared to the 20-something year olds that often enlisted, but I won't be convinced until I check the Virginia records a little more.

The last thing I will say about this family is how I love the work ethic that they seemed to have according to the census records.  In the census clipping above, you see how John had $800 of Real Estate and $400 of Personal Estate in North Carolina as a farmer. Just 10 years and an entire Civil War later, he's moved to another state and he's not much worse off for it.

Clipping from 1870 Census

Most farmers that didn't move lost most of the value of their property after the War. John went from $800 down to just $600 during this time. That's pretty impressive on its own. When you consider he was starting over from scratch with a new farm in a new state in a country still trying to rebuild, it is truly an incredible story. I think I would have liked to have known this man very much.

Sources:

• 1850 Davidson County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1860 Salem, Davidson County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1870 Fancy Gap, Carroll County, Virginia U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• Tombstone, John B. Smith (as posted by Dan Stevenson on Find A Grave)

Mothers in Worthville in 1900

This shall be my second post in the breakdown of the 1900 census in Randolph County, North Carolina. (You can read my post on "Farmers in Cedar Falls in 1900" here.) In this post, I will jump from Cedar Falls (in East Franklinville) to West Franklinville.

There are 37 families living in Worthville, located in West Franklinville, in the 1900 census as enumerated by John F. Routh. Rather than discuss farmers this time, which mostly tend to be males or widowed heads of household, I thought I would focus on the mothers of Randolph County.

Taken from 1900 Census

The 1900 census is one of the few census years that enumerates the number of children a woman has born and the number of children still living. I will now attempt to database the women of the area.

1. Mary E. Julian, wife of Jesse G. Julian for 15 years, born August 1865 in North Carolina, was the mother of seven children. Six of those children were still living in 1900.
2. Rebecca J. Underwood, wife of W. D. Underwood for 15 years, born January 1860 in North Carolina, was the mother of seven children. Four of those children were still living in 1900.
3. Sarah Underwood, wife of Henry Underwood for 40 years, born July 1830 in North Carolina, was the mother of two children. One of those children was still living in 1900.
4. Lucina Redding, wife of Solomon Redding for 48 years, born July 1832 in North Carolina, was the mother of four children. Three of those children were still living in 1900.
5. Joanna Nixon, wife of John Nixon for seven years, born November 1869 in North Carolina, was the mother of three children. All three of her children were still living in 1900.
6. Sallie E. Nelson, wife of James M. Nelson for 10 years, born January 1869 in North Carolina, was the mother of three children. Two of those children were still living in 1900.
7. Alda Nelson, wife of David Nelson for five years, born August 1875 in North Carolina, was the mother of one child. That child was not living by 1900.
8. Mary Julian, mother of Lorenzo W. Julian, widow (*of William Gaston Julian), born January 1822 in North Carolina, was the mother of nine children. Four of those children were still living in 1900.
9. Henry E. (*Henrietta) Julian, wife of Isaac A. Julian for eight years, born April 1869 in North Carolina, was the mother of four children. All of her children were still living in 1900.
10. Phebe Julian, wife of Tobias C. Julian for 46 years, born February 1836 in North Carolina, was the mother of seven children. Five of those children were still living in 1900.
11. Ella Wood, wife of W. J. Wood for five years, born July 1874 in North Carolina, was the mother of one child. That child was still living in 1900.
12. Mary Wood, wife of John C. Wood for 27 years, born August 1855 in North Carolina, was the mother of nine children. Seven of those children were still living in 1900.
13. Vinna A. Patterson, wife of M. H. Patterson for 26 years, born November 1848 in North Carolina, was the mother of five children. All five children were still living in 1900.
14. Martha M. Murphy, wife of Wm. J. Murphy for 13 years, born May 1869 in North Carolina, was the mother of four children. Two of those children were still living in 1900.
15. Anna C. Gaster, wife of Thomas D. Gaster for 14 years, born December 1864 in North Carolina, was the mother of three children. Two of those children were still living in 1900.
16. Mary E. Saunders, wife of Wm. A. Saunders for three years, born April 1880 in North Carolina, was the mother of three children. Only one of those children was still living in 1900.
17. Mary E. Smith, wife of Henry Smith for 32 years, born October 1851 in North Carolina, was the mother of 14 children. Nine of those children were still living in 1900.
18. Sallie Johnson, wife of James E. Johnson for 17 years, born February 1862 in North Carolina, was the mother of 10 children. Three of those children were still living in 1900.
19. Sofrona J. Trogdon, wife of Esron (*Esriam) R. Trogdon for 31 years, born June 1843 in North Carolina, was the mother of three children. All three children were still living in 1900.
20. Sarah Underwood, wife of Joseph Underwood for 20 years, born September 1857 in North Carolina, was the mother of seven children. Six of those children were still living in 1900.
21. Martha L. Un., wife of John P. J. for 24 years, born May 1853 in North Carolina, was the mother of three children. Only two of those children was still living in 1900.
22. Armeta R. Brown, wife of Oliver P. Brown for 10 years, born April 1864 in North Carolina, was the mother of four children. All four children were still living in 1900.
23. Emma R. Winning., wife of M. F. Winning. for 20 years, born January 1860 in North Carolina, was the mother of six children. All six children were still living in 1900.
24. Bu. Hill, mother of Rufus M. Hill, widow, born December 1837 in North Carolina, was the mother of two children. Only one child was still living in 1900.
25. Easter R. York, wife of Edgar L. York for 27 years, born July 1854 in North Carolina, was the mother of 11 children. Nine of those children was still living in 1900.
26. Anna M. Hinshaw, wife of Zeno Hinshaw for 26 years, born April 1857 in North Carolina, was the mother of eight children. Seven of those children were still living in 1900.
27. Becca E. Morris, wife of Chas. H. Morris for 13 years, born March 1867 in North Carolina, was the mother seven children. Four of those children were still living in 1900.
28. Edna J. Glasgow, wife of (?) C. Glasgow for seven years, born April 1871 in North Carolina, was the mother of three children. Two of those children were still living in 1900.
29. Martha J. Glasgow, wife of Wm. M. Glasgow for 34 years, born June 1846 in North Carolina, was the mother of six children. Five of those children were still living in 1900.
30. May J. Unncanon, wife of Jones C. Unncanon for 14 years, born April 1856 in North Carolina, was the mother of four children. All four of those children were still living in 1900.
31. Priscilla I. Shaw, wife of Richard H. Shaw for 17 years, born January 1850 in North Carolina, was the mother of seven children. Six of those children were still living in 1900.
32. Cora H. Fentriss, wife of Ptolemy P. Fentriss for four years, born April 1868 in North Carolina, was the mother of one child. That child was still living in 1900.
33. Aseneth Fentriss, mother of Ptolemy P. Fentriss, widow, born February 1828 in North Carolina, was the mother of one child. That one child was still living in 1900.

*information provided is from additional personal research completed previously

Sources:

• 1900 Worthville, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)

B. L. Saunders

B. L. Saunders (sometimes seen as Sanders) was born 19 April 1809 in Montgomery County, North Carolina. His parentage is largely unknown. His name is also debated. (Some say his first name is Britton, but no solid proof of that has been found.)

The first time I find B. L. in records is in the 1850 census. He is living with his wife, Lydia Yow, some of their children, and some laborers.

Clipping from 1850 Census

B. L. is listed as a constable.

In 1860, B. L. has picked up farming in addition to his job as a constable. Apparently, the occupation shift has been beneficial for B. L. In 1850, his real estate was valued at $150, but, by 1860, his real estate is up to $1,500.

Clipping from 1860 Census

Rumor has it that B. L. Saunders was also a gunsmith. A gunsmith is a person who repairs, modifies, designs, or builds guns. I haven't found any records of B. L. as a gunsmith, but some of his guns are supposedly on display some place in North Carolina. I hope to find out where they are located before our next trip to North Carolina.

B. L. and Lydia had at least the following children:

• Sarah Saunders
• Aaron T. Saunders
• Martha Saunders
• Nancy Saunders
• Andrew Edward Saunders
• Alexander A. Saunders
• Benjamin Franklin Saunders
• David S. Reid Saunders

B. L. remarried between 1860 and 1864 to Mary Loftin. They had at least the following children:

• Daniel Wesley Saunders
• Mary Amarentha Saunders
• Lyda Saunders

B. L. died 23 June 1890. He is buried in the Bruton-Saunders Cemetery in Montgomery County, North Carolina.

Copyright Brittany Jenkins, 2011

Sources:

• 1850 Montgomery, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1860 Brutons, Montgomery, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1870 Troy, Montgomery, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1880 Troy, Montgomery, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• Tombstone, B. L. Saunders (photo taken 24 December 2011)

Farmers in Cedar Falls in 1900

In the 1900 Census for Cedar Falls township located in East Franklinville, there are 54 families listed. Only nine of those families live on a farm. Most of the families living in the area had household members working at the cotton mill. These are the names of the heads of households for families living on a farm in Cedar Falls in 1900.

1.) 31-year-old John Campbell lived on a farm with his family, but he was a loom fixer at the cotton mill.

2.) Dennis Allred, who has already lost two children in his first seven years of marriage, lives just down the road from John Campbell.

3.) James Pounds lives with his wife and two of his grown children.

4.) Widower James Dorsett raises five children on his farm.

5.) Manly Julian lives with his wife, only surviving child, and his new son-in-law.

6.) Arlindo Cox lives on a farm, but he works at the cotton mill as a manufacturer. Here, he is shown with his second wife, four of his children, and his sister-in-law.

7.) Arrington Laughlin appears living with his wife and two of his children.

8.) James Jennings was a carpenter. He is living with his second wife and four of his children.

9.) James Allred shares his home with a boarder who also happens to be an Allred.

I hope to continue working my way through the entire East Franklinville Census from 1900. This is just the first of many posts to come! I'll spread them out over the next several months though instead of doing them all at once, so keep an eye out for them!

Sources:

• 1900 East Franklinville, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)