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This blog is used to share information I find about the families I am researching. To see these family names click on the "My Families" tab. Please feel free to make comments, corrections, and ask questions here or on my Facebook page or go to the "About Me" tab to send an e-mail.

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Tuesday, November 27, 2018

#52ancestors Post Forty-Five: Is This Benjamin Franklin Thomas of Northwest Lousiana?

These men appear to have the same build, hairline, nose, and mustache and beard growth pattern.
Could they both be Uncle Frank Thomas? 

When I saw the writing prompt, bearded, for week forty-five of #52ancestors, I immediately thought of these photos from the collection of Marguerite Cook Clark. I actually think these are photos of the same man. 

The first photo is clearly labeled Uncle Frank Thomas and was taken by a studio found in New Orleans. Knowing the photos were passed down from Sarah Wimberly Bryan, I checked the Wimberly Family History and found Benjamin Franklin Thomas. In the book, he was once referred to as Frank. Could this be B. F. Thomas? 




This photo, taken by B. & G. Moses, was taken
sometime between the Civil War and the late 1800s. 

Benjamin Franklin Thomas was born in Mississippi in 1832. He was the son of Tristram Thomas and Mary Hill Brown.  In 1855, he married Fanny Louisa Wimberly, daughter of William Wimberly and Lucy Smith Lawson in Bienville Parish. After Fanny's death in 1903, Benjamin Franklin Thomas married Nancy Wimberly, half-sister to Fanny. 

B. F. Thomas, as he is frequently seen, and Fanny had three children. Sarah Franke Thomas, Elizabeth L. Thomas, and John T. Simmons Thomas.

Sarah Franke married Rueben S. Collier in 1879. Sarah died in 1881 and her sister, Elizabeth, married Ruben in 1882. Rueben was a Methodist minister in Louisiana and in 1899, transferred to the Texas conference where he was assigned to churches in Milam County. 


This second photo was taken by a studio found in Waco, Texas. On the back is written For Cousins Alice and Sarah Bryan. Sarah and Alice were Wimberly sisters who married Bryan brothers. They were two of  Frank's wife's older sisters actually making them Frank's sisters-in-law, not cousins. 

I did find a Frank Garrett Thomas, a distant cousin who lived in Georgia. If not B. F. Thomas, could this be Frank G. Thomas? 





Someone attempted to label his photo as ______ Hunter on the back. I was not able to find substantial information about any Hunters connected to the Bienville Parish Wimberlys. 

B. F. Thomas' only daughter lived in Texas, I could easily see him visiting his daughter - especially if there was a grandchild. Waco is in the vicinity some of Ruben Collier's churches.  However, at the time his daughter was in Texas (about 1899), he would have been about 67 years old. He doesn't look that old in this photo. 





Is Benjamin Franklin Thomas your ancestor? If so, do you have photos? Are you a Wimberly? Are you able to help with any information leading to the idenification of this photo? 


If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2018

Sources

"A history of the expansion of Methodism in Texas, 1867-1902 [microform]; being a continuation of the history of early Methodism in Texas : Phelan, Macum, b. 1874 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive." Web. 25 Nov. 2018. <https://archive.org/details/MN5075ucmf_1/page/n453>.

Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2006.

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Marguerite Cook Clark. Accessed April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016. Used with permission.

Langdon's List of 19th & Early 20th Century Photographers.  Web. 27 Nov. 2018. <https://www.langdonroad.com/>.

Wimberly, Vera. Wimberly Family History: Ancestors, Relatives, and Descendants of William Wimberly, Pioneer from Georgia to Louisiana, 1837. Houston, Tex.: D. Armstrong, 1979. Print. 

Saturday, November 24, 2018

#52ancestors Post Forty-Four: Poor Children of Edmonson County, Kentucky



The writing prompt for post Forty-Four of #52ancestors was Frightening 

I spent time looking at Edmonson County, Kentucky Order Books to find information about my 4th great-grandparents. I found very little about them but found many decisions regarding children from poor families. 

These decisions usually involved placing children in homes to learn a trade and may have been necessary.  In the early 1800s, there was no welfare, social services, foster care, or juvenile court system. Counties had to take care of their own. However, I felt especially sad for the very young and thought about how frightening this would be for both the parent and child. 



By 1837, my 4th great-grandmother, Nancy Davis, did not appear to be with her husband, Edward Davis. It is not known if he died or left. My 3rd great-grandfather, Seth H. Davis, age 18, and three of his brothers were bound out to others to learn trades. Seth was bound to his brother, Robert M. Davis, to learn the art and business of farming until he reached the age of 21. His brother, William W. Davis was 15 years old when he was bound to Harmon Otter to learn the art, trade, and business of farmingEnoch Davis, described as a poor boy, was also 15 years of age when assigned to Eldridge Woolsey to learn the art of farming. And brother, Elijah Davis, was 12 years old when bound out to Thomas Richeson to learn the art and business of tailoring



In 1853, Allen B. Davis (brother to Seth H. and others above) was summoned to court to show just cause as to why his children should not be taken from him and bound out to learn a useful trade. His wife had passed away in 1852 and the children were Elizabeth (age 15), William (age 13), Naomi (age 8), Margaret (age 14), and Eliza (age 5). 

A few of the many children found in the Order Books are listed below. 

Polina McCombs, age 4, bound to John Chandler, until she turns 18, to learn the business of Housewifing. 

James and Margaret Blair were summoned to court, 1842, to show why their ten-year-old son, James, should not be bound out to learn a trade. 

In 1847, seven-year-old James Atkins was bound to Joshua Dunn to learn the business of farming

In 1839, Mahala Houchin was required to appear in court to show cause, if any, why her 3 younger children should not be taken from her and bound out to learn some useful trade or occupation. 

William Jasper Decker, a poor boy the age of three years, was bound to John Harrison to learn the business and trade of a farmer. 


If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds.


Diana

© 2018

Sources

Lloyd, J. T. (1863) Lloyd's official map of the state of Kentucky compiled from actual surveys and official documents, showing every rail road & rail road station with the distances between each station. Also the counties and county seats, cities, towns, villages, post offices, wagon roads, canals, forts fortifications &c. New York, 1863. [Map] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/98688486/.

Order books, 1824-1876 — FamilySearch.org. Edmonson County, KY. Web. 2 Nov. 2018. https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007646770?cat=261492.
Order books; ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PV-2WBF-C

Friday, November 23, 2018

#52ancestors Post Forty-Three: Deaths in Our Irish Family

In Spring of 2016, I visited Ireland. One of my quests was to locate death records of my husband's Irish family. They were easily obtained at the General Register Office (GRO) in Dublin. Now, these records can be found online (free) at the Irish Government website www.irishgenealogy.ie

For #52ancestors post forty-three, the writing prompt was cause of death and I know some of my husband's family would like to see these death records obtained in Dublin. 

The following death records are those of known Quinn and Murray family. 


William Quinn #1, my husband's great-grandfather. Husband of Bridget Brannelly.
Cause of Death - Asthma and 
phthisis (an old term for tuberculosis). 


Peter Quinn, son of William Quinn #1 and Bridget Brannelly. He was the brother of my husband's grandfather, William Quinn #2. Peter was dragged from the back of a wagon, by the Black and Tan, to Kinvara from Caherawoneen. He was beaten and suffered head injuries. This occurred on February 11, 1921. He died in a mental hospital in 1944.
Cause of Death - Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Catherine Fahy Quinn, wife of James Quinn and mother of William Quinn #1.
 Catherine and James Quinn are my husband's 2nd great-grandparents.
Cause of Death - Old Age


Andrew Quinn, son of James and Catherine Quinn. Brother of William Quinn #1
Descendants of Andrew Quinn are living in Galway and County Clare.
Cause of Death - Chronic Bronchial Asthma


Celia Linane Murray, wife of James and mother of my husband's grandmother, Susan.
Cause of Death - Old Age

James Murray, husband of Celia and father of my husband's grandmother, Susan.
Cause of Death - Old Age
   
Peter Murray, age three years. Brother of Susan Quinn, my husband's grandmother. Son of James and Celia Murray.
Cause of Death - Hydrocephaly since birth


The following are Quinn death records of individuals who may be related to my husband's Quinn family. Some descendants of Quinns living in Labane were identified in a photo as cousins; however, we don't know how this line of Quinns is related. 


John Quinn of Labane.
Cause of Death - cold

Martin Quinn of Kinvara.
Cause of Death - Typhoid Fever


Martin Quinn of Labane
Cause of Death - Asthma


If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2018

Sources

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn. 

Thursday, November 22, 2018

#52ancestors Post Forty-Seven: Thankful

Image may contain: 15 people

This week's writing prompt for #52ancestors is Thankful

I am thankful for my family who listens to my endless stories and answers my questions. 

I am thankful for my family of readers, many of whom are distant cousins I've never met. Some of you read my posts when even when it's not your family.

I am thankful for those who have shared family information, photos, and so much more. 

I am thankful to those who came before me. Through my research, I have come to know many of my ancestors and their struggles and successes. Without each one of my them, I would not be here today. 

Happy Thanksgiving!


If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 


Diana

© 2018

Sources

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn

Saturday, November 17, 2018

#52ancestors Post Forty-Two: Conflicting Information About Edward Davis of Edmonson, Kentucky

The writing prompt for week 42 of #52ancestors was conflict. I chose to write about Edward Davis, one of my 4th great-grandfathers, as there is very little found about him and information found on Ancestry Public Member Trees conflict. 

Edward's wife was Nancy. She is said to be Nancy Holland, I would like to find some definite documentation. A Nancy Holland married an Edward Davis on March 19, 1807, in Garrard County, Kentucky. If this Edward and Nancy are my 4th great-grandparents, the record below indicates that Robert Davis might be my 5th great-grandfather.


Marriage record for an Edward Davis and Nancy Holland. Are this Edward and Nancy my 4th great-grandparents? 

In 1810 there were 26 heads of households named Edward Davis on the United States Census; three were in Kentucky. My 4th great-grandfather may not have been one of the heads of households. He may have been living with family and not named on the census. 

On the 1820 United States census, 41 men named Edward Davis were heads of households; three in Kentucky with one each in Madison, Garrard, and Union. I don't know enough about Edward to assume that any of these Kentucky men would be my 4th great-grandfather. 

In 1830, there were 73 heads of households named Edward Davis; five were in Kentucky with one each in Trigg, Pike, Edmonson, Madison, and Garrard Counties. I am assuming the Edward Davis in Edmonson is my 4th great-grandfather as there are records showing his family in Edmonson County. 


Some researchers, with my 4th great-grandfather in their tree at Ancestry.com, have added John D. Davis and Sarah Litsey as my Edward Davis' parents. I seriously doubt this is true. Edward L. Davis, the son of John and Sarah, did not marry, lived in Harrison County, Indiana and ran a store in nearby Leavenworth, Indiana. Edward L. Davis died in 1834. 


This Edward L. Davis who died in Indiana is often found in Ancestry's Public Member Trees as my 4th great-grandfather,  Edward Davis whose family lived in Edmonson County. Deed records indicate Edward L. Davis was a
resident of Harrison County, Indiana at the same time my 4th great-grandfather was thought to be living in Edmonson. 

In 1825, Edmonson County was formed from Warren, Hart, and Grayson Counties. An 1825 court record names Edward Davis in a matter of maintaining a road in Edmonson County and an Edward Davis of Edmonson County sold land to Daniel Smith in 1827. Without more detail, I can only assume this is my Edward Davis. 

As Edward Davis is found in early Edmonson County records, a search of the Warren, Hart, and Grayson county records is warranted. 

My 4th great-grandfather can't be found in Edmonson County after 1830. Did he die or did he leave the family? Between 1837 and 1840, four sons of Nancy Davis, all of Edmonson County, were apprenticed to others to learn a trade. 

Known children of Edward and Nancy Davis are Robert M., Allen B., Seth H. (my 3rd great-grandfather), Enoch, and Elijah T. Davis. 

If you are connected to this Davis family and can tell me more, please leave a comment below or contact me on my Facebook page. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2018

Sources

Ancestry.com. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. 

Ancestry.com. Select trees with relevant information for Edward Davis. Web. 2 Nov. 2018. <https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/pt/PersonMatch.aspx?indiv=try&h&db>.

Edmonson County, Kentucky Genealogy Genealogy - FamilySearch Wiki.  Web. 12 Nov. 2018. <https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Edmonson_County,_Kentucky_Genealogy>

"Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89SQ-1VH3?cc=1804888&wc=QD3Q-443%3A1300207201 : 17 May 2018), 004260348 > image 20 of 688; Madison County Courthouse, Richmond.

Deeds, 1825-1916; indexes, 1825-1944 — FamilySearch.org. Edmonson County, KY. Web. 3 Nov. 2018. https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/008272162?cat=262138
Deeds, 1825-1916; indexes, 1825-1944; ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS56-Z3GV-5

Deed records, 1809-1886, and index to grantors and grantees, 1809-1888 — FamilySearch.org. Harrison County, Indiana. Web. 3 Nov. 2018.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007862545?cat=470691

Order books, 1824-1876 — FamilySearch.org. Edmonson County, KY. Web. 2 Nov. 2018. https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007646770?cat=261492.
Order books; ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PV-2WBF-C

TracyLHeadley-Cook Family Tree. Edward Davis - Facts. Web. 2 Nov. 2018. <https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/34214810/person/19628045645/facts?indiv=try&h&db>.