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)

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)

Rebecca C Kirkman

I was originally going to post this week about David Harris Foust, my husband's second great-grandfather. Then, after looking into him, I found his wife, Rebecca C. Kirkman, to be a much more fascinating individual.

Rebecca Kirkman was born 10 February 1845 to William Kirkman and Mary (last name unknown). At about 15 years old, on 10 November 1861, she had her first child, Martitia Lee Ward. Martitia's father is assumed to be Zeno Ward. Zeno may not have known Rebecca was even pregnant when he enlisted with his brother, Minus, in the 22nd North Carolina Infantry, a part of the Confederate States Army, on 18 June 1861.

Taken from Service Records

He originally enlisted for 12 months, but he ended up staying until October 1864.

Zeno had an eventful experience in the War. Less than six months after enlisting, he catches pneumonia and is hospitalized. He was shot in May 1863 to the point of needing surgery at the hospital in Richmond, Virginia. He was later wounded again and captured at Gettysburg. After Gettysburg and his time as a POW, it seems he was furloughed. But then, in May 1864, he was listed as being absent without leave.

Taken from Service Records

I almost got mad at Zeno at this point. His brother, Minus, seemed to be absent a lot from the War, but Zeno stuck around even with everything he had been through. As a soldier who had experienced so much, it seemed like now he was simply running away from the War. But, instead, I found he was doing something much more honorable.

On 8 May 1864, he married Rebecca back home in Randolph County, North Carolina.

Maybe Minus had found out about his child while he was absent from the War, and maybe somehow he got the word to Zeno. In any case, I find Zeno's actions very honorable. I like him very much!

In 1870, he is seen living down the road from his parents in Sandy Creek in Liberty, Randolph County, North Carolina with Rebecca, Martitia, and another child, Alfred T. (Alfred was born in 1865. I have a feeling he was a honeymoon baby.)

Clipping from 1870 census

Then, in 1872, Zeno died. I haven't found any information yet on the cause of death, but I find it sad that this man lived through so much and still died at 32 years old.

Rebecca seems to have not wasted any time though in finding another man to support her and her children. While I don't know who she married (if she married) after Zeno, she had two more children in the mid-1870's. They appear in the 1880 census carrying the last name Ward.

Clipping from 1880 census

Also listed in the household in 1880 is a man named D H Foust. This is the same David Harris Foust I initially wanted to feature. David and Rebecca married in 1880 apparently after the census was enumerated.

Clipping from 1880 census

According to the 1930 census, David may have been married once before Rebecca, but I have not found the name of that potential spouse.

Clipping from 1930 census showing David's age at first marriage being 16

In the 1900 and 1910 censuses, it has a column that lists the number of children each woman has had and how many of them are still living. Each of those censuses states she has had eight children. In 1900, six of them are still living, but only five of them are living in 1910.

Clipping from 1900 census

I know of seven children born to Rebecca before 1900, so I seem to be missing one. I also don't know when most of her children died. Here's what I know:

Children of Zeno and Rebecca:

• Martitia Lee Ward, b. 1861, d. 1931
• Alfred T Ward, b. 1865
• Ella C Ward, b. 1869

Children of Unknown and Rebecca:

• Mary J Ward, b. 1874
• Martha C Ward, b. 1876

Children of David and Rebecca:

• John W Foust, b. 1883
• Maud Elsie Foust, b. 1886, d. 1973

Rebecca, David, and Zeno are all buried at Grays Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.

David H. and Rebecca C. Foust
Copyright Brittany Jenkins, 2011

Sources:

• 1870 Sandy Creek, Liberty, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1880 New Salem, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1900 East Franklinville, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1910 East Franklinville, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• 1930 Franklinville, Randolph County, North Carolina U.S. Federal Census (accessed on Ancestry)
• Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of North Carolina (accessed on Fold3)
• Tombstone, David H. and Rebecca C. Foust (photo taken Christmas 2011)
• Tombstone, Zeno Ward (photo taken Christmas 2011)