Sunday Black Sheep: The Name Theif

Occupation:

Farmer

Cannot read/write:

Blind:

Deaf and Dumb:

Otherwise disabled:

Idiotic or insane:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Eli R. Herrin	43
Gemima Herrin	30
Tena Herrin	15
Elizabeth Herrin	11
Sarah Herrin	8
Joseph Herrin	6
Mary Herrin	4
Martha Herrin	1

Tena and Elizabeth were Eli's daughters by his first wife, Sarah, who was a sister of Jemima Motley Herrin. Sarah, Joseph, Mary and Martha, were all by Jemima.

After that, his next appearance in records would be his marriage to 15 year old Daisy Starnes, daughter of Frederick Fincher Starnes II and Mary Louise Byram Starnes.

His story is easier told in a time line from here.

February 23, 1893 - Marriage to Daisy Louise Starnes

Daisy Starnes Herrin Death Certificate

Daisy L. Starnes was only 15 when she married Joe Herrin. He was 23. Her father, my second Great-Grandfather, Frederick Fincher Starnes, had to sign his permission for the young girl to marry. I often wonder why he did. Joe, at this time, was wanted for theivery in Stanly County, and not a good character, quite the opposite of Finch Starnes, a sucessful and diligent businessman, farmer, miller, and member of Rocky River Presbyterian Church.

After that, both Daisy and Joe fell off the map for me. It was through newspaper clippings that I found out more about them. I did find mention of Joe Herrin in land records.

He appears in Stanly County in a few land records concerning an inheritance from the death of his grandfather, Ransom Motley. In one of these, where he is selling a plot of land to his sister, Christena Herrin Harwood, we know that he was alive at least until 1904.

But his adventures were more tangled than that. His tale can be told more with a timeline.

March 2, 1893 Marriage to Daisy L. Starnes

Concord, North Carolina

Thu, Mar 2, 1893 – Page 3

April 13, 1893 Joe is wanted in Stanly County for stealing and has hidden out at his father-in-laws house (Frederick Fincher Starnes), having been married only a few months. His wiley tricks are already making headlines..

Concord, North Carolina

Thu, Apr 13, 1893 – Page 1

December 12, 1893 Joe is in jail and has escaped.

Concord, North Carolina

Tue, Dec 12, 1893 – Page 1

July 7, 1894

The Evening Visitor

Raleigh, North Carolina

Thu, Jun 7, 1894 – Page 3

August 1, 1894 Joe gets hit in the head. Did it knock any sense into him?

December 1893

Daily Concord Standard
12 Dec 1893, Tue • Page 1

After his unfortunate injury, Joe had a sudden change of heart. He wrote to the manager of the county chain gang, and promised to be a good boy, and come back after recover to do his time.
September, 1894

Daily Concord Standard
18 Sep 1894, Tue • Page 1

Joe stood good to his word, and showed back up after his recovery to do his time. However, he missed Professor Zeno and his ballons. Oh my.

Oct 1, 1894 Back on the Chain Gang.

Daily Concord Standard, 1 Oct 1894, Mon, Page 1

June 6, 1894 Meanwhile, Daisy did not wait.

Daily Concord Standard

6 Jun 1894, Wed • Page 2

August 1894 An escaped Joe enjoys his social life.

Concord, North Carolina

Wed, Aug 1, 1894 – Page 1

May 28, 1896 Joe has married a second time, while Daisy is still alive and is denying his identity, now going by "Marshall Harwood."

28 May 1896, Thu • Page 2
The Standard

After Joe Herrin married the widow Pethel, otherwise known as Mary Catherine Rogers Pethel, her brother-in-law J. V. Pethel began a search for him, as he was wanted for bigamy. Daisy was still alive and living either in Mecklenburg County or with her parents on the west side of Cabarrus. This article also reveals that Joe had already changed his name to Marshall Harwood.

How he chose this name is still a mystery. Was it because of his brother-in-law, David Harwood? Did he want people to think he was the real Marshall Harwood, another young man in the area about the same age as Joe? Or did he believe he was really a Harwood?

May 28, 1896 J V Pethel searches for the bigamist, Joe.

The Charlotte Observer
28 May 1896, Thu • Page 2

January 27, 1897 Joe was up to his old tricks.

Concord, North Carolina

Wed, Jan 27, 1897 – Page 1

Soon after, Joe was found and the newspapers claimed his punishment for bigamy was lenient, and he was allowed to obtain a divorce from Daisy Starnes Herrin. This article suggests she was still alive at this juncture and a brief outline of the life of Joe Herrin is given. His divorce was said to be obtain in Stanly County. This, I am going to have to look for. I may have to contact Utah for a glimpse of this. After his divorce, he married Mary Catherine Rogers Pethel a second time. This one legally.

March 18, 1897

The Standard
Concord, North Carolina)18 Mar 1897, Thu • Page 2

The second marriage of Joe Herrin and Mary Catherine Rogers Pethel did not last long either. In 1898, he made his way to Union County, NC and married his third wife, Mary Ellen Thomas. This time using his new moniker, "Marshall Harwood."

May 12, 1898

Life then became a little more complicated for Joe Herrin, alias Marshall Harwood. His former bride was found dead, her marriage to him unrecognized, as she was referred to as the widow of Frank Pethel.

April 13, 1899 Mary Catherine Rogers Pethel Herrin found dead.

The Mount Airy News
13 Apr 1899, Thu • Page 1

In this reprint from The Salisbury Sun, Joe is mentioned, but his last name incorrectly given as Hearne instead of Herrin, and he was unflatteringly referred to as "a bigamist named Hearne".

Asheville Citizen, 4 Apr 1899, Tue, Page 2

Luckily for Joe/Marshall, the coroner determined his latest bride had died of a cerebral hemmorhage. He was not arrested for murder, although foul play was obviously suspected.

The Concord Times
6 Apr 1899, Thu • Page 3

Below is another article reporting her death, but it gives the general location in modern terms, of where she lived. "Glass" as a community, was a mystery. Glass was apparently "below China Grove".

The Salisbury Truth
Apr 1899, Wed • Page 5

At this point, I believe I should insert some information concerning the unfortunate Mrs. Pethel. As was mentioned, she was a widow with 8 children. She was the mother of 10 in all, possibly more, with two having died prior to their mother, one daughter the same year.

Mary Catherine Rogers was born on September 2, 1849 to John Rogers and Wilhemina Sloop Rogers. On Nov 26, 1868, at the age of 19, she married James Franklin Pethel, known as Frank. The couples 10 known children were:

1) Edward Long Pethel 1869-1950

2) Elizabeth "Lizzie" Pethel 1870 - 1943

3) Martha Jane "Jennie" Pethel 1873 - 1899

4) Esther Matilda Pethel 1876 - 1969

5) Reese Henderson "Henry" Pethel 1877 - 1945

6) Charles Brown Pethel 1880- 1962

7) Robert O. Pethel 1881- unknown. Died as a child.

8) Archie David Pethel 1882-1928

9) Richard C Pethel 1887 - 1907

10) John Wilson Pethel 1890 - 1962

Their father, Frank Pethel, died on April 26, 1894, of a train accident.

Mary Catherine died March 1, 1899, of an apparent brain aneurism.

She is buried at Centergrove Lutheran Church in Cabarrus County.

Under his new moniker of Marshall Elmer Harwood, Joseph Marshall Herrin began a new leaf.

He married Mary Ellen Thomas in Union County in 1898, before his second wife, the former Mrs. Pethel died. He divorced Daisy, and what became of her is unknown after her trial for fornication, where she was found "Not Guilty".

Name:	Marshall E. Harwood
Birth Date:	1873
Age:	25
Spouse's Name:	Mary E. Thomas
Spouse's Birth Date:	1875
Spouse's Age:	23
Event Date:	11 May 1898
Event Place:	New Salem, Union Co., North Carolina
Father's Name:	Frank Harwood
Mother's Name:	Laura Harwood
Spouse's Father's Name:	James Thomas
Spouse's Mother's Name:	Mary Thomas

Joe, alias Marshall, gave his parents names as "Frank and Laura" Harwood at his marriage to Mary Ellen.

A land record in 1904 between he and his sister Tena Herrin Harwood, lists his residence as "Anson County", but Marshall and Mary Ellen are not found in the 1900 census.

They are found in later census records, however, and had 4 children.

Name:

Mary E Howard

Age in 1910:

Birth Year:

abt 1873

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1910:

New Salem, Union, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Female

Relation to Head of House:

Wife

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Marshal E Howard

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Marshal E Howard	37
Mary E Howard	37
James F Howard	9
Lula M Howard	7
Mary A Howard	4
Lundy L Howard	1 [1 3/12]

During this time, they lived in New Salem, Union County, near her parents.

Name:

Marshall E Howard

Age:

49
[47]

Birth Year:

abt 1871
[abt 1873]

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1920:

New Salem, Union, North Carolina

Street:

Marshville and Olive Branch Road

House Number:

Farm

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Mary Howard

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Able to Speak English:

Yes

Occupation:

Farmer

Industry:

General Farm

Employment Field:

Own Account

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Marshall E Howard	49 [47]
Mary Howard	52
James Howard	19
Loula Howard	17
Mary Howard	15
Landay Howard	11

They did not make it to the next census and at sometime during the decade, they moved to the Kannapolis area.

Marshall had stayed in this area when he was said to have been working for a Mr. Sloop and nosing about the skirts of Mrs. Pethel.

March 14, 1928 The Death of Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen Thomas Harwood, passed away on March 14, 1928, in Kannapolis, Cabarrus County, North Carolina. She was buried, however, at Herrin's Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Stanly County, along with her inlaws and other members of the Herrin family.

Joseph Marshall Herrin aka Marshall Elmer Harwood, did not stay a single man long. On October 5, 1928 Marshall E. Harwood married Jennie Lenorah Harris Hall, a widow.

October 5, 1928 Marriage to Jennie Hall

Marshall E Harwood
Event Type:	Marriage
Event Date:	05 Oct 1928
Event Place:	Davidson, North Carolina, United States
Age:	51
Father's Name:	C M Harwood
Mother's Name:	Jemima Harwood
Spouse's Name:	Jennie Nora Hall
Spouse's Age:	46
Spouse's Father's Name:	Gabriel P Harris
Spouse's Mother's Name:	Nora T Harris
Digital Folder Number:	004138305

The above record is from familysearch.com. Joe aka Marshall, went all the way from Kannapolis to Davidson County to find his new bride. She was the widow of William Etheldred Hall and like Mary Catherine Rogers Pethel, a mother of 8 children. She was the daughter of Gabriel Postell Harris and wife Nora, of Montgomery County, NC. The couple may have known each other previously.
She had lost her husband in June of 1927. He was from Stanly County and had moved the family to Davidson. William E. Hall also appears in my family tree as the brother of one of my Second Great-Grandfathers.

Joe's last marriage was about as brief as his first two. He passed away on November 20, 1929.

November 20, 1929 Death of Joseph Marshall Herrin aka Marshall E. Harwood.

He was buried in Stanly County, next to the mother of his children and his longest lasting wife, Mary Ellen Thomas Harwood, and with the rest of the Herrin's at Herrin's Grove.

To corroborate this, I checked the files on the Herrin family in the library history room. This verified that the man named "Marshall Harwood" on the tombstone at Herrin's Grove was the same born Joseph Marshall Herrin, son of Eli Ransom Herrin.

Marshel E Harwood

Joe's death certificate can not be located. He traveled around between counties so much, it's unclear where he died. But he was buried with family.

But why the name Marshall E. Harwood? There was a 'real' Marshall Harwood in the area, about the same age as Joe, Joseph, Josephus, as his name was alternately seen. This was William Marshall Harwood, son of Ephraim Eudy and Celia Ann Harwood, who married Rosa Moose. This Marshall Harwood was born in 1873 and lived Albemarle. Was it this man's identity he was attempting to assume?

There was also a Marshall E. Herrin in the area, about the same age as Joe as well, born June 20, 1873. This Marshall was his first cousin, son of John Franklin Herrin, Eli Ransom's brother. The real Marshall Elmond Herrin was born in Stanly County, moved to Cabarrus County, and lastly to Charlotte, in Mecklenburg County.

Image result for Name thief

For whatever reason Joe chose his new name, it is what he passed down to his children and grandchildren. Never were they Herrins again.

Only son James Franklin Harwood was born September 26, 1900 in Union County and died at the age of 80 in 1981. After growing up in New Salem, he raised his family in China Grove and later moved to Kannapolis. James married a Miss Dezzie Holt, daughter of David I Holt of Cabarrus County and they had 4 children, David, Jewel, Ruby and Patricia.

Daughter Lula Mae was born in 1903.

Daughter Mary Alice was born in 1904 and married Robert Otto Gurley, they had 4 children, raised in China Grove and Kannapolis.

Youngest daughter, Lundy Harwood, was born in 1908 and married George Chewning. They had 5 children.

The above page is from an old store ledger. The store appears to be a General Merchandise store and was located in "Center", Stanly County, North Carolina. Center is now known as Norwood, NC, named for the Norwood Brothers Store that was located there. Could this have been the Norwood brothers store ledger? Maybe. It's difficult to tell.

This ledger is full of names I recall seeing in my research. At times, names become so familiar, they are almost like living people you know, or at least like celebrities you are familiar with.

This page, page 57, was from August of 1849. The entries are shown in alphabetical order by month.
On this page we see-

R M Lanier, John R Livingston, Armstead N. Mills, Thomas S. Marshall, Moriah Murry, Thomas Morton and Miner McSwain.

Moriah Murray was the sister of my second great grandmother, Priscilla Murray Aldridge. She was a unique character and this shows she was at least still alive in 1849. Her estate was settled in 1853 and she left 7 children behind.

Here, it shows she bought a plug of tobacco for 40 cents

This September 1849 entry is of a different sort. It completes the September listing of accounts with the "W's". Hardy S. Watkins, Arnold Watkins, Miss Leah Watkins, John White. After that, it has a list of payments on account.

Henry Johnston
Charles G. Armstead
William Simmons
E. F. Lilly
Job Davis
John Tyson, Sr.
Mrs. Mary Livingston
Wiley Thompson
Isiah "Colley" (should be Coley)
W B McCorkle

Of course, the person of interest for me in the above document is the name of my Fourth Great-Grandfather Job Davis, who was quite aged by then and lived about another 3 years after this.

This last entry is from January of 1850, page 227.

The name listing is in the "L's". A number of the Lilly family lived along the river and near the forks, just above which Norwood, or Center, This listing shows how sometimes, these ledgers can solve mysteries on how exactly these families are interlinked by naming relationships. In this listing, there are two.

-Benjamin Lilly
-Miss Martha A. Lilly (daughter of D G L)
-James M. Lilly
-Martha M McSwain
-William (or Wm) Mills, (son of Jesse)

In February of 1851, Jesse Mills will marry Keziah Murray, sister of Priscilla and Moriah mentioned above. In the 1840 census, it appears as if he was married with children, but by 1850, he was boarding with someone and obviously alone. And by 1860, Keziah Murray has gone back to her maiden name, and no sign of Jesse Mills anywhere. This record at least gives a link to his family. He was the father of William Mills, who does show up in later records.

Jesse in 1840

Name:	Jesse Mills
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):	East Pee Dee River, Montgomery, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:	2
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49:	1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49:	1
Persons Employed in Agriculture:	4
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write:	1
Free White Persons - Under 20:	5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	3
Total Free White Persons:	8
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:	8

Jesse in 1850

Name:

Jesse Mills

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1810

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1850:

Smiths, Stanly, North Carolina

Gender:

Male

Family Number:

685

Household Members:

Name	Age
Henry Baker	35
Letta Baker	33
Mary E Baker	15
Julius A Baker	12
Sarah L Baker	10
James C Baker	9
Joel N Baker	7
Aaron W Baker	5
Robert A Baker	0
Jesse Mills	40

William Mills in 1850

Name

Age

Name:

William Mills

Age:

Birth Date:

Sep 1815

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1900:

Peedee, Montgomery, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Martha Mills

Marriage Year:

1867

Years Married:

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

William Mills in 1900

Household Members:

Name	Age
William Mills	84
Martha Mills	60
Lilly Mills	30
Lucy Mills	21
Mary Mills	7
Jesse Mills	27
Emma Mills	18
John Mills	1

13

This makes sense as William later had a son named Jesse.

Center now indicates the Township, or area around Norwood and its voting district. It originally got its name, I have heard, because it was the Center of the road that went from Cottonville, a successful cotton-producing area at one time larger than Charlotte and Allenton, which was located east of the forks and on the lower Yadkin/PeeDee and was the earliest 'town' in that area. It was also a crossroads of that road and the old Salisbury to Cheraw road that went through Stanly County and down through Anson, the basic path of Hwy 52 today.

These scanned treasures are available online through digitalnc.org, one of North Carolina's true genealogical treasures.

Yep, this is kind of the look I give to people who claim to have a family tree full of the most honorable, angelic, perfectly lived ancestors, who never made mistakes, lived long saintly lives and died quietly of old age in their sleep, and multitudes would come to their funeral to mourn.

Smirk by ChristineAltese .

Not that I don't believe them...well, maybe I don't. But the above scenario is not what I have found in my digging around. While, there were a few 'saints' in my family tree, I also have my fair share of sinners. Flawed and feisty, imperfectly perfect forerunners who were very very human and very very intriguing and they did not all die old or quietly.

Quietly honestly, my family tree is a walnut, or hickory or pecan. It's full of nuts.

William Mathew Hill was one of my 8 Great-Great Grandfathers. I did a post on his wife, Sarah Jane Hooks Hill, and her lawsuit against the railroad, but until now, I never really looked for any newspaper accounts of what happened to Matt Hill, or "W. M." as he is sometimes seen.

Matt Hill was an imperfect individual. He had a son, William Thomas Hooks, with his wifes younger sister, Emmaline Hooks, who had another son out-of-wedlock already, at the same time his wife was expecting their first child together. My Great-Great Grandparents did not divorce over that failing, they stayed together, even having more children of their own.

According to newspaper accounts, he was no stranger to the jug, either. At some point, he supposedly owned a mill, as passed down the line, but in my own research, I believe that to be the wrong ancestor on my Dad's side, as it was 3rd Great-Grandfather, Frederick Fincher Starnes, who owned a mill on Coddle Creek, in that area Matt Hill's mill was said to be. And he did not live to be an old man.

Matt Hill was ran over and mangled by a train. And the only mill I can find that he was connected to were the Cotton Mills in which he was employed. Sometimes, the stories passed down the generations can become distorted and assigned to the wrong individuals. Research sometimes tends to disprove family stories, instead of corroborate them.

The Concord Daily Tribune

29 Nov 1905, Wed • Page 1

His death was not the only time he was injured or made the papers. He was also injured while working and mangled his hand. He was not a lucky man.

Joe or Joseph or Jocephus Marshall Herrin, son of Eli Ransom Herrin, was the subject of my post:

He had married into my family with his 1893 marriage to Daisy Herrin, which went immediately sour. Why had F. F. Starnes, planter, miller and businessman, allowed his 15 year old daughter to marry the troubled and trouble that was 23 year old Joe Herrin?

1893-1896 was a very busy time for Joe Herrin.
He got married.
He got thrown on the chaingang for theft in Stanly County.
His young bride ran off with her cousin's husband.
He escaped jail.
He eluded capture.
He was injured in a fight and swore to return to jail.
He returned and did his time.
He started dating a Miss Sloop to be turned down.
He then courted a widow with 8 children and married her.
He was arrested for bigamy as his first wife was still living.
His second marriage was anuled so he remarried her.
She died. It looked like Joe might be in serious trouble, but the medical examiner determined her death an aneurism.
He then married his third wife, and this would be his longest lasting relationship and she would be the mother of his 4 children.
And, most concerting of all, he changed his name to Marshall Elmer Harwood.

In looking through the Stanly County land records, I discovered that something else had happened in Joe's life the year he married Daisy. - His maternal grandfather, Ransom Motley passed away. And Joe sold his one fifth share of his mother's inheritance.

Eli Ransom Herrin had married 2 of the daughters of Ransom Motley.

On August 22, 1861, he married Sarah Motley.

They had 2 daughters, Christena "Teena" and Eva Elizabeth.

Sarah Motley Herrin passed away prior to 1870 and on April 9, 1871, he marrried Jemima Motley, by whom 5 children were born: Sarah, Joseph, Mary, Martha and Laura.

"Indenture dated April 12, 1894 between Joseph M. Herrin and Sarah E. Hathcock and her three sisters, Mary J Herrin, Martha A. Herrin and Laury G. Herrin..."

"$154.....being the land that I inherited from my mother's estate.....one fifth interest in said lands known as the Ransom Motley lands."

Running Creek Primitive Baptist Church

This property served Joe well. At this time, he may have needed fine money or bail money as he had acquired some legal problems.

The second deed dealing with this property gives to a bit a confusion.

Newspaper accounts show that the man formerly known as Joseph M. Herrin, was now using the name of Marshall E. Harwood. And even that last name could get a little skewed.

Below is shown record of his May 21, 1896 Rowan County marriage to Mary Catherine Rogers Pethel, a widow with 8 children. He gave his name as "Marshall E Howard", son of "E B and Elizabeth Howard" of Stanly County.

In his last marriage to Jenny Nora Harris Hall, in 1928, after his third wife, Mary Ellen Thomas (Harwood?/Herrin?) passed away, he gave his name as "Marshall E Harwood", son of C. M. and Jemima Harwood, with mother dead and father living, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, Cabarrus County, NC. At this time Joe/Marshall was truthfully a resident of Kannapolis, NC and his bride was from Thomasville in Davidson County, NC and her parents from "Chandlers", which is near the area we now know as "Tuckertown", near the Stanly/Montgomery/Davidson/Rowan county corner and very close to Randolph, along the north border of the Granville line. Its in the modern Badin Lake/Uwharrie Point area.

When Joe alias Marshall married his longest term wife, and mother of his 4 children, Mary Ellen Thomas, from the New Salem community of Union County, he proffered yet another set of parents "Frank and Laura Harwood", and was using the name "Marshall E. Harwood".

Name:	Marshall E. Harwood
Birth Date:	1873
Age:	25
Spouse's Name:	Mary E. Thomas
Spouse's Birth Date:	1875
Spouse's Age:	23
Event Date:	11 May 1898
Event Place:	New Salem, Union Co., North Carolina
Father's Name:	Frank Harwood
Mother's Name:	Laura Harwood
Spouse's Father's Name:	James Thomas
Spouse's Mother's Name:	Mary Thomas

The year was 1898, so in the following deed, when "Mary E. Herrin", was interviewed, it was this third wife, Mary Ellen Thomas "Harwood". This shows, that a decade after using the Harwood moniker, that he would switch back over to Herrin when the event called for it, or suited him, and his wife knew about it. Mary Ellen also had to know that they were living under an assumed name, and giving their descendants a false heritage. They were not biological Harwoods, they were Herrins.

Book 32, Page 230 Deeds Stanly County, North Carolina

Joseph M. Herrin to Sarah E. Blackwelder et. al, .. Anson County....this deed, made this 19th day of May, 1904 by Joseph M. Herring and wife M. E. Herrin of the County of Anson and State of NC, of the first part, and the four daughters of Eli R. Herrin, to wit, Sarah E. Blackwelder, of Cabarrus County and Mary J Rowland, Martha A. Crayton, and Laura G. Plott, of Stanly County, for $500.....1/5 interest in a certain tract of land in Almond township.....both sides of Running Creek, adjoining Wiley Lambert, J. F. Herrin, Frank Dunn, Daniel Page, Whit Page, H. D. Crayton and others, known as the Ransom Motley lands willed to his daughter, Jemima and to her bodily heirs......H. M. Baucom, Anson County, Lanesboro Township.

M. E. Herrin, being interviewed separately.
18th of May, 1904
Thomas Robbins, Clerk of Superior Court, Union County

Filed for Registration, W. T. Hudson, Register of Deeds, May 24, 1904.

Running Creek, Almond Twnshp, Stanly County, NC

So, what was with the juxtaposition of names? Did Joseph M. Herrin actually think he was an actual Harwood? Did he think that Eli R. Herrin was not his biological father? Could there be any truth in that theory?

Several articles ran on the long-lived Eli R. Herrin in the Stanly and Cabarrus newspapers. In all of the articles, the grand and endearing old man claimed to be the father of 7 children. He and his last wife, Iva Eudy Biggers, a widow of Wiley Biggers, had an infant son who died a few months after birth, and is buried at Herrin's Grove, where much of this family is buried. The 7 children he was father of in his 1920's and 30's interviews were his two daughters by Sarah Motley and 5 children by Jemima Motley, including Joe.

Daniel F. Herrin Gravestone

The four sets of parents given on his four marriages were:

1) February 23, 1893 Eli R Herrin and Jemima Herrin
2) May 21, 1896 E. B. and Elizabeth Howard
3) May 11, 1898 Frank and Laura Harwood
4) Oct. 5, 1928 E. M. and Jemima Harwood

I looked to see if there was a Mr. Harwood living near Mt. Pleasant in 1928. who could have been the E. M. that Joe/Marshall was referring to.

There was one, Emsley Harwood, who spent most of his life in Stanly County in the Almond Township, and lived in later years with his son Jonas, near Concord. Emsley was the son of Reddin and Elizabeth Hatley Harwood and was married to Sarah Furr. But then there's that whole "Frank and Laura" thing he threw out during his marriage to Mary Ellen Thomas. Was there a Frank and Laura?

The answer was "NO"! There was not a Frank and Laura Harwood anywhere near Joe Marshall Herrin when he was born.

For any other theory other than Eli R. Herrin being the father of Joe Herrin, I believe Joe aka Marshall was full of:

Image result for bull poop

He fabricated his name, and apparently four times, he fabricated his parents. He did get his mother's given name correct, one time.

And passed on to his children, a false identity and incorrect family name. The children of Joe/Marshall and Mary Ellen Thomas Harwood (Herrin) were:

1) James Franklin Harwood. Born September 26, 1900 in Union County, North Carolina.
Died Sept. 23, 1981 in Concord, Cabarrus County, NC. Married Dezzie Lee Holt on June 24,
1922. Gave his parents names as M. E. and Mary Ann Harwood. Four children:

A.) David Marshall Harwood 1923-2001 married Katherine
B.) Jewel A. Harwood Williams 1926-1998
C.) Ruby C. Harwood Tyson 1929-2011
D.) Patricia A. Harwood Aycock 1934-2012

2) Lula Mae Harwood Born July 30. 1902 in Union County, North Carolina.
Died May 8, 1978 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Buried at Herrin's Grove in Stanly County. Married Vernie Talmadge Guinn on Feb 5, 1927, Gave her parents names as David M. Harwood
and Mary Harwood. Two children:

A.) Johnson Aaron Guinn 1929-1995 married Lennie Cornelia.
B.) Lula M. Guinn 1934-2013 married 1st, Billy Lee Poole 5 children. Married 2nd Charlie
McClure.

3) Mary Alice Harwood Born July 30 1904 in Union County, North Carolina
Died July 4, 1982 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Married Robert Otto Gurley 4 children:
A.) Alice Louise Gurley 1924-2010 Married John Adam "BlackJack" Ridenhour, Jr. 5 children
B.) Mary Agnes Gurley 1925
C.) Robert Aaron Gurley Mar. 1932-Dec 1932
D.) James Robert Gurley 1934-1987 Married Mildred Jackson Rhyne

4) Lundy Lee Harwood Born January 3, 1908 in Union County, North Carolina
Died August 10, 1978 Stanly County, North Carolina. Married George Tom Chewning.
Gave parents names as J. W. and Mary Harwood.
4 children
A) George Preston Chewning 1927-2013 Married Frances Becky Bell
B) James Edward Chewning 1934
C) Bobby Lee Chewning Strikeleather 1937
D) Betty Sue Chewning Wilson 1939

When you think of nurses during the Civil War, you probably imagine a scene like this:

But when it comes to my 3rd Great-Grandfather, Thomas Alexander Mauldin, I am fairly certain the scene did not look like that.

I haven't spent a great deal of time in my family tree, because it has been done, and a book written, by my diligent and entertaining distant cousin, Ervin Mauldin of Norwood, NC. I thought, there really isn't any research to do, because its all there already. All I have to do is look in the book.

But when it came to my post, Bits and Pieces of Men, I realized I didn't really know my Mauldin ancestors involvement in that important time in American History.

So I turned to the best source I've found for information of that kind, Fold3.

And there, I found the Civil War records of my double-ancestor, Thomas Mauldin. And what I found was intriguing.

First, let me explain the 'double ancestor' comment. My maternal grandmother was named Annie Maude Mauldin. She was the daughter of Jonah and Wincie Ann Mauldin. Wincie's maiden name was Mauldin. My grandmother often said her mother was born a Mauldin, she married a Mauldin and when he died she married another Mauldin. And this was true.

Walter Jonah Mauldin was the son of James Duncan Mauldin born 1842, died 1909.
Wincie Ann Mauldin was the daughter of Frank Washington Mauldin, born 1850, died 1925.

Jonah and Wincie were married December 29, 1900. Jonah died in 1930 and Wincie then married James Williams Mauldin, son of Franklin Mannasseh Mauldin.

Jonah and Wincie Mauldin and family. My grandmother was the girl in between her parents.

James Duncan Mauldin and Frank Washington Mauldin were both the sons of Thomas Alexander Mauldin and wife Mary "Polly" Blalock, meaning, they were brothers and Jonah and Wincie first cousins. First cousin marriages were not unusual in small towns and country communities during this time, whether in the North or the South, East or West. Many family trees reveal this common secret.

James Duncan Mauldin married Margaret W. Solomon, daughter of Rev. William S. Solomon and wife Tabitha Marks, and Frank Washington Mauldin married Martha Margaret Russell, daughter of Aaron Russell and wife Senith or "Sena" Elizabeth Swaim Russell.

The following information is in a folder on Fold3:

Thomas Mauldin, Private Co. K, 28th regiment, North Carolina Troops

April 8, 1864

During M fitness for field service is detailed for Hosp. or other light duty.

April 13, 1864

Refer'd to Surgeon Hancock in chg Jackson Hospital for assignment.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Muster Roll

Thomas Maulding
Pvt. Company K, 28th Reg't NC Calvary
Enlisted: Sept 10, 1863

Where: Albemarle
By Whom: Col. Simpson
Period: War

Absent
Detail Service Richmond, VA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thos Moulden
Private 28 NC

Appears on a report of Paroles given prisoners of War by DM Evans

May 1, 1865
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roll of Prisoners of War captured in Hospitals, Richmond, Va.

Where captured: Richmond, Virginia April 3, 1865

Paroled May 3, 1865

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jackson Hospital, Richmond, VA List of Employees

Thomas Mauldlin, Co K 28th Regt NC T

Attached to Hospital: April 13, 1864
When detailed: April 8, 1864

By Whom: GENERAL LEE

Now, wait a minute! General Lee? As in General Robert E Lee? THE GENERAL LEE?

No way...Yes way....G, G, G Grandpa Mauldin was assigned to duty by General Lee. Wow. Just Wow.

Jackson Hospital, Richmond, Virginia

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later installments would show that Thomas Mauldin was employed as a Nurse.

On Christmas Eve, 1864, Thomas Mauldin is issued a Passport from Jackson Hospital, Richmond, VA. Destination:Stanly County.

Then later, on a Return slip of "Medical Officers, Hospital Stewards, Detailed Men and Attendants on Duty, for August of 1864, Thomas Mauldin has returned to Jackson Hospital and assigned again as a Nurse.

Thomas Alexander Mauldin shows up in 4 census records:

1850, Harris Township, Stanly County, where he is listed as a miner, living near Howell Parker and David Biles, which places him in the present New London area.

NAME:

Thomas Mauldin

AGE:

BIRTH YEAR:

abt 1822

BIRTHPLACE:

North Carolina

HOME IN 1850:

Harris, Stanly, North Carolina

GENDER:

Male

FAMILY NUMBER:

292

HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS:

NAME	AGE
Thomas Mauldin	28
Mary Mauldin	27
James Mauldin	7
Martha Mauldin	2
Mary Mauldin	1

1860, now a farmer, living near Samuel Lilly, Almond Boysworth and some Kirks. This places him on the Yadkin/PeeDee, near the area of Swift Island or between there and Stony Hill Church.

NAME:

Thomas Maulden

AGE IN 1860:

BIRTH YEAR:

abt 1820

BIRTHPLACE:

North Carolina

HOME IN 1860:

Stanly, North Carolina

GENDER:

Male

POST OFFICE:

Albemarle

VALUE OF REAL ESTATE:

HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS:

NAME	AGE
Thomas Maulden	40
Mary Maulden	38
James D Maulden	18
Martha J Maulden	13
Mary A Maulden	11
Washington Maulden	10
Laura Maulden	8
Nancy Maulden	7
Leny Maulden	5
William Maulden	3
Henry Maulden	1

1870, still a farmer, living near Kirks, Forrests and David Melton. Probably the same spot as 1870. Definitely the Swift Island/ "Rest" (Now River Haven) area.

NAME:

Thos Maulden

AGE IN 1870:

BIRTH YEAR:

abt 1820

BIRTHPLACE:

North Carolina

HOME IN 1870:

Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina

RACE:

White

GENDER:

Male

POST OFFICE:

Albemarle

VALUE OF REAL ESTATE:

HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS:

NAME	AGE
Thos Maulden	50
Mary Maulden	47
Mintie Maulden	31
Mary Maulden	21
Laura Maulden	18
Nancy Maulden	15
William Maulden	13
Henry Maulden	12
Lancy Maulden	11
Thomas Maulden	7
Mary Maulden	41

1880, now a Carpenter, The family has crossed the river to the Montgomery side, but staying near it in the Pee Dee area. All the children have grown up and left the nest, but grandson James lives with them.

NAME:

Thomas Maldin

AGE:

BIRTH YEAR:

abt 1824

BIRTHPLACE:

North Carolina

HOME IN 1880:

Pee Dee, Montgomery, North Carolina

RACE:

White

GENDER:

Male

RELATION TO HEAD OF HOUSE:

Self (Head)

MARITAL STATUS:

Married

SPOUSE'S NAME:

Mary Maldin

FATHER'S BIRTHPLACE:

North Carolina

MOTHER'S BIRTHPLACE:

North Carolina

NEIGHBORS:

OCCUPATION:

Carpenter

CANNOT READ/WRITE:

BLIND:

DEAF AND DUMB:

OTHERWISE DISABLED:

IDIOTIC OR INSANE:

HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS:

NAME	AGE
Thomas Maldin	56
Mary Maldin	50
James Maldin	4

It is not known when Thomas died, but before the 1900 census. His place of burial is unknown as well, whether in Stanly or Montgomery. I may try to find some sort of information on this, but it may be impossible.

In "Ye Mauldins"by Ervin Mauldin, he has included this information on Thomas Alexander Mauldin. "Thomas Alexander Mauldin was the second son of James and Mary Smith Mauldin, born in 1822. He helped his father farm until he married Mary Polly Blalock, daughter of William David Blalock and Martha Dennis. Thomas continued to farm until he moved to North Albemarle township where he went to work in the gold mine. He worked there until just before 1880, then moved to Montgomery County, NC."

"There Mary Blalock Mauldin died before 1882, when he applied for a marriage license to wed Mary E. Blalock of Montgomery County. They were married in 1885.......The Montgomery County Blalock records state they are both buried in Sharon Cemetery, Mt. Gilead, NC. The second Mary E. was the daughter of Simeon and Harriett Williams Blalock. "

"Thomas was ordered by the court of Stanly County to go to service. At that time Thomas had a wife and eleven children. Shortly after he joined the regiment in Virginia, the 28th fought with Stonewall Jackson at the Battle of Chancelorville. It fought at Gettysburg, where it took part in Pickett's charge. It fought with Lee at Mine Run and at Spotsylvania Courthouse and made its final assault on Petersburg. Thomas Mauldin was in the same company as his brother James Mauldin, Jr. He was assigned to the hospital in Virginia as a nurse. He was judged unfit for fighting. Orders signed by General Robert E Lee.

Smirk by ChristineAltese .

Quietly honestly, my family tree is a walnut, or hickory or pecan. It's full of nuts.

William Mathew Hill was one of my 8 Great-Great Grandfathers. I did a post on his wife, Sarah Jane Hooks Hill, and her lawsuit against the railroad, but until now, I never really looked for any newspaper accounts of what happened to Matt Hill, or "W. M." as he is sometimes seen.

Matt Hill was an imperfect individual. He had a son, William Thomas Hooks, with his wifes younger sister, Emmaline Hooks, who had another son out-of-wedlock already, at the same time his wife was expecting their first child together. My Great-Great Grandparents did not divorce over that failing, they stayed together, even having more children of their own.

According to newspaper accounts, he was no stranger to the jug, either. At some point, he supposedly owned a mill, as passed down the line, Third Great-Grandfather, Frederick Fincher Starnes, who owned a mill on Coddle Creek, in that area Matt Hill's mill was said to be. Maybe it was on the same creek. And he did not live to be an old man.

Matt Hill was ran over and mangled by a train. And the only mill I can find that he was connected to were the Cotton Mills in which he was employed. However, the 1900 census labels Matt Hill as a "Grist Miller", though I am not sure where the Grist Mill was. Research sometimes tends to disprove family stories, instead of corroborate them.

The Standard

(Concord, North Carolina
23 Jan 1902, Thu • Page 3

William Mathew Hill was born March 1, 1854, in Stanly County, North Carolina. He was the son of William Hill and Obedience "Beadie" Ramsey Hill. He was the grandson of Julious and Mary Hudson Hill and Samuel and Rebecca Helms Ramsey.

He married Sarah Jane Hooks on August 29, 1875 in Stanly County. His children, born in Cabarrus, Union and Stanly Counties were:

1) William Thomas Hooks b 5 May 1874 - 5 August 1934. Morganton, Burke Co.
Mother: Emmaline Hooks Munson
Married 1st Inezzie C McSwain 2 daughters
Married 2nd Della Munson 10 children

Children by wife, Sarah Jane Hooks Hill

2) Mattie M. Hill b 14 Jun 1874 b Stanly County - 9 Jan. 1950 Roberta, Cab. Co.
Married Seaphus Adam Herrin 3 daughters

3) Lillie Lujenia Hill b 1 July, 1876 - 10 Mar 1937 Concord, Cabarrus County
Married Lindsey C. Coble 8 children

Lugenia Hill Coble

4) Julious Bennett Hill b 13 Dec 1881 - 18 Jul 1955 Concord, NC
Married 1st Esther Lola Dulin 6 children
Married 2nd Mary Bell Russell 4 children

5) Martha Elizabeth Hill b 30 Sept. 1883 - 11 Jan 1911 Cabarrus County, NC
Unmarried

6) Lottie Hill b 1887 - 25 Sept 1935 Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Married 1st Harvey Lafayette Lemmons 4 children
Married 2nd Duncan Burris 2 children that made it to adulthood

Lottie Hill Lemmonds Burris

7) Daisy Hill b 16 Jun 1891- 20 Jul 1927 Cabarrus County, NC
Married Henry Durant Foster 4 children

8) James William Hill Sr. b 15 Mar 1892 d 6 Mar 1976 Rowan County, NC
Married 1st Bessie Estelle Foster 6 children
Married 2nd Ethel G Yates 8 children, 5 who lived to adulthood.

9) Cora Peal Hill b 16 Dec 1897 - 28 Sept 1974
Married Grover Lee Foster 7 children.

By all accounts that I have come across, Eli Ransom Herrin, of north western Stanly County, in North Carolina, was a good man. He lived a long and fruitful life, making it nearly a millenium despite being wounded in the Civil War and losing part of a leg.

He was born on December 11, 1838 and died on March 23, 1933, this era of a great deal of change. When he was small, Revolutionary War veterans were still old men, yet some still about and the land was sparsely populated. By the time he died, there were movie theaters in town, and automobiles and telephones. What did this old fellow think of all the change? He was a frequent visitor to both Concord and Albemarle, well into his later years, and seemed eager to keep abreast of the news of the times.

Eli R Herrin Picture

This picture of Eli R. Herrin appears to have come from a book, but I found it on ancestry.com and there was no credit for the book it came from, but it is the only picture I have come across of him. He is shown with his cane and wooden leg, Bowie hat and glasses, sitting in an old handmade chair against a tree truck, an old level farmhouse in the background, with some ladies in long aprons and mule hats sitting around chatting, perhaps on a Sunday afternoon.

Eli was the son of Wiley Ephraim Herrin and Elizabeth "Betsy" Almond Herrin.

Memorial to Wiley and Betsy Herrin at Herrin's Grove

Wiley Herrin was the first person buried in the Herrin's Grove cemetery. Before there was a church, it was just a family cemetery and this is the area the Herrin family populated and grew around.

Eli Ransom Herrin was not the only Eli Herrin in the area. There was also Eli N Herrin ( ), known as "Little Eli" and they were cousins. Little Eli was the son of Julius Hezekiah Herrin, Wiley Ephraim Herrins brother. I have notice that "Eli", "Ransom", "Wiley" and "Ephraim" were very popular names in this area of the county in the 19th century. I believe they hale back to earlier ancestors.

Tombstone of Eli's cousin "Little Eli", not to be confused with Eli R. Herrin

Herrins Grove, the area, not just the church, is located in the Almond Township area of Stanly county, very near the Cabarrus County line. That is why many family members "overlapped" into Cabarrus county at times. Sometimes census takers would count families in the wrong county, when they were on the border, and the families had not relocated at all.

This map can give a closer idea to where the family nest was, citing the communities of Mission and Bloomington, which were nearby.

Eli Ransom Herrin, the subject of this post, was the oldest of 5 children, 3 sons and 2 daughter of Wiley and Betsy. His siblings were:

-Sarah (1842-1862) Died single
-John Franklin (1845-1911) Married Melinda Catherine Sides

Photo from ancestry.com, not cited by persons adding it to trees.

-Martha Jane (1849-1938) Married Hastings (or Hasten) Hatley

Martha Jane Herrin Hatley Photo

And youngest brother, Rufus "Bud" Herrin (1852-1830) Married Isabella Motley (1st) and Martha J "Mattie" Almond.

Eli R Herrin first appears in the 1850 census as a teenager. The age of 17 is a transcription error. It should have read "12", and as his birthday was in December, he was actually only 11 when the census taker came around.

Name:

Eli Herring
[Eli Herrin]

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1833

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1850:

Almonds, Stanly, North Carolina

Gender:

Male

Family Number:

474

Household Members:

Name	Age
Wiley Herring	31
Elizabeth Herring	29
Eli Herring	17
Sarah Herring	9
Jno F Herring	5
Martha J Herring	0

They were more correct in the 1860 census. His father had passed away, and Eli was a young man helping his mother take care of the farm and his younger siblings.

Name:

Eli Herren

Age in 1860:

Birth Year:

abt 1839

Home in 1860:

Stanly, North Carolina

Gender:

Male

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Elizabeth Herren	40
Eli Herren	21
Sallie Herren	18
John F Herren	16
Martha Herren	10
Rufus Herren	8

But spring would come and love would be in the air. Nearby, also near the Cabarrus/Stanly line live the family of Ransom Motley (see, there is that name Ransom again). Mr. Motley had several daughters and the Herrin boys noticed.

Ransom Motley is believed to have been born in this area around 1807 and he married Elizabeth "Betsy" Barbee in 1842. His father Thomas E. Motley came from Essex County, Virginia and his mother, Keziah Barbee, from Wake County. Eli R. Herrin would marry 2 of his daughters and Eli's younger brother Rufus, would marry Isabella.

Eli R. Herrin and Sarah "Sallie" Motley were married on August 22, 1861.

War came in the form of the Civil War between the States and Eli R. Herrin served.

Name:	Eli R Herrin
Residence:	Stanly County, North Carolina, North Carolina
Occupation:	Farmer
Age at Enlistment:	23
Enlistment Date:	7 Sep 1861
Rank at enlistment:	Sergeant
Enlistment Place:	Stanly County, North Carolina
State Served:	North Carolina
Survived the War?:	Yes
Service Record:	Enlisted in Company K, North Carolina 28th Infantry Regiment on 07 Sep 1861.Mustered out on 15 Aug 1862.
Birth Date:	abt 1838
Sources:	North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster

He enlisted on September 7, 1861 in Albemarle, Stanly County, NC by John A. Moody for the term of 1 year. At the time, he had a bride, but no children, and a widowed mother. He must have felt his family safe in the hands of his little brothers and his wife, perhaps, with her father.

In July of 1862, nearly a year after he joined the service, and within weeks of his release from duty, Sgt. Herrin suffered a wound to his thigh in the battle at Richmond, and lost most of his leg. He was admitted to the hospital in July, when his legs was amputated, and released to return home to Albemarle.

In 1864, the first child would be born to Eli and Sallie, her name was Christena, but she was called "Tena". A second daughter would arrive 3 years later in 1867 named Eva Elizabeth. Then tragedy would strike again. Sallie Motley Herrin passed away on November 4, 1869. She is buried at Herrin's Grove.

Eli is shown in the 1870 census with his two little girls.

Name:

E R Herrin

Age in 1870:

Birth Year:

abt 1839

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1870:

Almond, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
E R Herrin	31
Tena Herrin	6
Elizabeth Herrin	3

Then something odd happened.

On February 15, 1871, Eli Ransom Herrin married Pearlene M. Dry, daughter of Samuel Harrison Gray and Elizabeth Ingram Gray, in Cabarrus County.

Then just two months later, on April 9, 1871, in Stanly County, Eli married his sister-in-law, Jemima Motley, also a daughter of Ransom Motley, and she became the mother of most of his children.

But this has me buggered. What happened to Pearlene Gray Dry Herrin? Did she just pass away immediately after the wedding and Eli turn to his sister-in-law? Or was there a problem with the marriage and the couple separate, and the marriage annul? Pearlene's parents are easy to find, but Pearlene is a mystery woman.

There were lots of Dry's in the area, both in Cabarrus and Stanly, but which one did she marry?

Name:

Mary D Gray

Age in 1860:

Birth Year:

abt 1853

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1860:

Subdivision East of NC RR, Cabarrus, North Carolina

Gender:

Female

Post Office:

Mount Pleasant

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Saml H Gray	46
Elizabeth Gray	40
Elizabeth Gray	11
Mary D Gray	7
James Gray	5
John Gray	2

I believe she is the "Mary P" (transcribed as a 'D') in the 1860 census.The Elizabeth is her older sister Margaret Elizabeth Gray who married a Yankee in 1868 named Daniel Valentine, which is another mystery. In the 1870 census, she is not to be found, but would presumably be married and living with the mysterious Mr. Dry.

Eli and Jemima had five children:

1) Sarah Emma (1872-1944) Married 1) James T. Hathcock 2) Jacob Blackwelder

2) Joseph Marshall (alias Marshall E. Harwood) (1873-1929) Married 1) Daisy Starnes 2) Mary Catherine Rogers Pethel 3) Mary Ellen Thomas.

Note: Joseph or Josephus Herrin was the subject of my earlier posts:The Name Thief , It's Never Really Over.

3) Mary Josephine (1876- 1925) Married Thomas Franklin Rowland

4) Martha Ann "Bedia" (1878-1959) Married Henry D. Crayton

5) Laura J (1880-1941) Married Caleb Pinkney Plott. Divorced and returned to maiden name.

Jemima Motley Herrin died on January 1, 1889, at the age of 41. She was buried near her sister at Herrin's grove.

Eli remained unmarried for a number of years. After 7 years, at the age of 57, Eli married his 4th and last wife, a widow, Iva Lundy Eudy Biggers on November 5, 1896. Lundy was the daughter of Hiram Eudy and wife Caroline Catherine Barbee Eudy. She was the widow of Wiley E. Biggers Jr. (there's that name Wiley again). She came to the marriage with two young sons, Hiram Phylas and Wade Hampton Biggers.

Eli and Lundy would have only one child, a baby boy, Daniel F Herrin, who was born April 8, 1898 and died July 1st of the same year, not quite 3 months old.

Lundy's Tombstone

Eli Herrin made the papers quite often, always in an affectionate way. At one time, they even gave a glimpse into his life.

The Albemarle Press

8 Feb 1923, Thu • Page 3

Other mentions in the paper follow in sequence. He had several birthday parties that were large community events.

The Stanly News-Herald, 5 May 1922, Fri, Page 3

The Enterprise March 22, 1906

The Albemarle Press

17 Dec 1925, Thu • Page 2

14 Feb 1910, Mon • Page 5

David Harwood was the husband of Eli's oldest daughter Christena.

23 Jan 1913, Thu • Page 5

9 Aug 1921, Tue • Page 6

The Concord Daily Tribune

7 Dec 1914, Mon • Page 2

21 Dec 1911, Thu • Page 2

16 Dec 1921, Fri • Page 7

13 Jul 1893, Thu • Page 2

5 May 1922, Fri • Page 3

In this clipping from the May 3, 1923 edition of The Albemarle Press, Ethel Crayton was awarded a prize for a sketch on the life of her grandfather. This was mostly likely the sketch printed above.

19 Dec 1922, Tue • Page 5

21 Dec 1920, Tue • Page 6

The Concord Times 1910

I always find it amazing how odd traits skip generations. How an apple can fall from a tree, but land no where near it, landing near the progenitor of the tree it fell from or in another orchard entirely. While Eli Ransom Herrin was from all accounts a hard-working, well-loved and respected Christian man, salt-of-the-earth kind, his son Joseph Marshall Herrin, who became Marshall E. Harwood, was wild as a buck, sneaky and lawless, until his latter years. I've seen this happen in may families. Like the Murrays.

When Joseph Marshall Herrin damaged his reputation and then ditched his name and changed counties in order to rectify that situation, he took on a name that was similar and not his alone.

There were two young men, in the same community as Joe Herrin, around the same age, with similar names, upon whose reputations he seemed to attempt to be banking on.

The first was his first cousin, Marshall Elmond Herrrin.

Marshall E Herrin

This Marshall was born on June 20, 1873 in Stanly County and died on November 14, 1958 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Marshall Elmond Herrin was the son of John Franklin Herrin, younger brother of Eli Ransom Herrin, father of Joseph Marshall Herrin, making them first cousins. Both were grandsons of Wiley Eprhaim Herrin, and both were born in Almond Township in the Herrin's Grove area of Stanly County, near the Cabarrus County line.

Marshall E. Herrin was a very different man than his cousin Joe. He was a businessman and a smart one. He had a very large family, but had no trouble supporting and raising them.

Name:

Marshall Herrin

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1873

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1880:

Almonds, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Son

Marital Status:

Single

Father's name:

J. F. Herrin

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's name:

Catherine Herrin

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Neighbors:

Cannot read/write:

Blind:

Deaf and Dumb:

Otherwise disabled:

Idiotic or insane:

Household Members:

Name	Age
J. F. Herrin	35
Catherine Herrin	34
Jonas Herrin	14
Luther Herrin	9
Marshall Herrin	7
Priscella Herrin	7
Jane Herrin	3

Marshall first shows up in the 1880 census in Almond Township as a 7 year old. His cousin Joe, was also 7.

The Daily Concord Standard gave notice of his first marriage to Minnie Ella (Helen?) Teeter in their April 4, 1895 issue.

1895 was also the year that Marshall E. Herrin began his professional career, while his cousin was busy going back and forth to jail. He had relocated to area No. 9 in Cabarrus County, in which Townships were known by number and not named, and he was appointed postmaster of a community called "Leading" in No. 9.

Name:	Marshall E Herrin
Post Office Location:	Leading, Cabarrus, North Carolina
Appointment Date:	28 Oct 1895
Volume #:	69
Volume Year Range:	1889-1930

I can not determine where the Post Office of "Leading" was located, but No. 9 Township was the Georgeville area, and bordering the Almond Township of Stanly County, so I can't help but assume that Leading was probably just across the border from the area that the Herrins all lived in Stanly County.

Just one year later, in 1896, Marshall was elected magistrate in his district in Cabarrus County.

1896 would begin well for Marshall and his young wife, as their first child, a daughter named Mamie Estelle Herrin, was born on January 29, 1896.

However, 1896 would not remain a good year for the young family. The day after Christmas, on December 26, 1896, Marshall would lose his young wife, only 26, would pass away.

Marshall seems to have been close to the Widenhouse family of which several intermarried with the children of John Franklin Herrin. Marshall married a second time to Mary E Widenhouse on January 11, 1900.

First son, Marshall Dewey Herrin arrived on August 14, 1898. His mother is a mystery. Tombstone records show Minnie Ella Teeter as having passed away in 1896. However, birth indexes give Dewey's mother as Minnie Ella Teeter and his death certificate name Ella as his mother. My best guess is that the tombstone was incorrect and the Ella died in December of 1898, after the birth of Dewey, as Marshall did not remarry until 1900.

Name	Marshall Dewey Herrin
Father	Marshall Elmond Herrin
Mother	Minnie Ella Teeter
Birth	14 Aug 1898 - Cabarrus, North Carolina

Name	Marshall Dewey Herrin
Spouse	Cassie Freeze Herrin
Father	Marshall E Herrin
Mother	Ella F Herrin
Birth	14 Aug 1898 - North Carolina, United States
Death	29 Dec 1968 - Concord, Cabarrus - Age: 70
Residence	Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina

The 1900 census would show the two children in the home with the newlyweds.

Name:

Marshall Herrin
[Marshall E Herrin]

Age:

Birth Date:

Jun 1873

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1900:

Smith, Cabarrus, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Mary E Herrin

Marriage Year:

1900

Years Married:

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Occupation:

View on Image

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Marshall Herrin	26
Mary E Herrin	24
Mamie E Herrin	4
Marshall D Herrin	1

In 1906, the family was still living in "Leading", Cabarrus County, North Carolina, as Marshall was chosen for a federal juror.

By 1910, the family size had grown to 8 children, and M. E. Herrin was listed as a farmer. This status would not remain long, as he would seek other and more profitable ways to support his growing family and would go in business with his brother-in-law, Martin Luther Widenhouse.

Marshall E Henri
[Marshal E Henri]
[Marshell E Herrin]

Age in 1910:

Birth Year:

abt 1874

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1910:

Township 9, Cabarrus, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Mary E Herrin

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Marshall E Henri	36
Mary E Herrin	34
Mamie Herrin	14
Dewey Herrin	11
Ray Herrin	9
Franklin Herrin	7
Lee Herrin	6
May Herrin	5
Pearl Herrin	4
Not Named Herrin	1 [1 7/12]

By 1914, M. E. Herrin had began his career in the Lumber Business, in conjunction with partners M. L. Widenhouse and A. E. Furr. Their venture was deemed "The Rocky River Land, Lumber and Mining Company".

A Good Man:Eli Ransom Herrin

2 Feb 1914, Mon • Page 2

The Charlotte Observer

30 Jan 1914, Fri • Page 5

In 1911, Marshall lost his father, John F. Herrin. Like his brother Eli R. Herrin, John Franklin was well-loved in his community, and labeled "A Good Man".

Below is his complimentary obituary. He raised his children well.

16 Feb 1911, Thu • Page 5

In 1917-1918, Marshall E Herrin registered for the draft, like most other men, however, he had passed the age to serve. The draft card recorded him as being a farmer, tall and stout, with blue eyes and dark brown hair, and on an interesting note, his "right-hand off". How did he lose his hand?

In 1920, M. E. Herrin is still living in Cabarrus County and farming, as well as being involved in the new Rocky River Land, Lumber and Mining business. He now has 9 children and the area is called Smiths.

Marshal E Herron
[Marshal E Herrin]
[Marshal E Herries]
[Marshal E Heinen]

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1874

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1920:

Smiths, Cabarrus, North Carolina

House Number:

Farm

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Mary E Herron

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Able to Speak English:

Yes

Occupation:

Farmer

Industry:

General Farming

Employment Field:

Own Account

Home Free or Mortgaged:

Free

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Marshal E Herron	46
Mary E Herron	43
Mamie E Herron	23
Marshal D Herron	21
John R Herron	19
Albert F Herron	17
Luther L Herron	15
Maye E Herron	14
Martha R Herron	12
Carl W Herron	11
Lucile V Herron	5

By 1927, Marshall E. Herrin began showing up in the Charlotte, NC City Directories. I wonder what led to this move? He was listed as the proprietor of the North Charlotte Lumber Company, and lived on the Salisbury Road.

Name:

Marshall E Herrin

Gender:

Male

Residence Year:

1927

Residence Place:

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Spouse:

Mary Herrin

Publication Title:

Charlotte, North Carolina, City Directory, 1927

The 1930 census shows the family living in part of the 5th Ward, in Charlotte, NC and Marshall as the owner of a Lumber Company.

Name:

Marshall E Herrin

Birth Year:

abt 1875

Gender:

Male

Race:

White

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Marital Status:

Married

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Home in 1930:

Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina

Map of Home:

Street address:

Salisbury Rd.

Ward of City:

Part of 5th

House Number in Cities or Towns:

3300

Dwelling Number:

519

Family Number:

554

Home Owned or Rented:

Owned

Home Value:

7500

Radio Set:

Yes

Lives on Farm:

Age at First Marriage:

Attended School:

Able to Read and Write:

Yes

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Able to Speak English:

Yes

Occupation:

Owner

Industry:

Lumber Plant

Class of Worker:

Employer

Employment:

Yes

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Marshall E Herrin	55
Mary E Herrin	55
John R Herrin	28
Albert F Herrin	26
M Pearl Herrin	22
Carl W Herrin	21
Lucielle V Herrin	15

By 1935, the family had moved on up and relocated to a home at 3300 North Tryon Street in Charlotte, NC. Still the proprietor of a Lumber Yard. Three adult children were living at home and married daughter May Herrin Perry had returned home with her 11 year old son Lawrence.

Name:

Marshal E Herrin

Age:

Estimated Birth Year:

abt 1874

Gender:

Male

Race:

White

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Marital Status:

Married

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Home in 1940:

Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina

Map of Home in 1940:

Street:

N Tryon Street

House Number:

3300

Inferred Residence in 1935:

Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina

Residence in 1935:

Same House

Resident on farm in 1935:

Sheet Number:

Number of Household in Order of Visitation:

Occupation:

Proprietor

Industry:

Lumber Yard

House Owned or Rented:

Owned

Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented:

8000

Attended School or College:

Highest Grade Completed:

High School, 3rd year

Class of Worker:

Working on own account

Weeks Worked in 1939:

Income:

Income Other Sources:

Yes

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Marshal E Herrin	66
Mary Herrin	64
Jon R Herrin	39
Carl W Herrin	30
Lucille Herrin	25
May Herrin Perry	32
Lowell C Perry	11

Today 3300 N. Tyron is a corner lot near some old cottage style homes and diverse small businesses at the Intersection of Tryon and East 36th Street. It is just down the street from the historic Rosedale Plantation and not far off of Little Sugar Creek. Marshall is said to have had a farm there, which probably extended to the creek.

Property Address	3300 N Tryon St Charlotte, NC

Parcel ID	09111501

Neighborhood	Retail - Northeast Submarket

Fire District	City Of Charlotte

Municipality	Charlotte

He left a legacy for his children, however and the Lumber Company lived on.

The location of the Lumber Company spawned a road of its own called Herrin Avenue, located in the North Davdison area and today runs from its intersection with North Davidson, crosses The Plaza and ends on Shamrock Drive.

Hurricane Hugo hit Charlotte in 1989, just before Grace Herrin’s first birthday. Her parents worked around the clock giving bags of ice to the lines of people who stood outside their store. Now 25, Grace hopes to be the fourth generation in her family to run the company.

From Charlotte Magazine, September 2014 edition

This picture of Lee Herrin and daughter Grace, standing in front of Herrin Bros Coal and Ice Co. The article on this historic building can be found at this link: http://www.charlottemagazine.com/Charlotte-Magazine/September-2014/Herrin-Bros-Coal-Ice-A-Family-Legacy/

In the article it states, "Grace’s great-grandfather, Luther Lee Herrin, lived on a farm with his father on nearby Herrin Avenue, and together they ran the North Charlotte Lumber Company. In 1929, Luther Lee branched out on his own and launched a delivery service for the North Charlotte textile mills, trucking over blocks of ice in the summer and lumps of coal in the winter."

Luther Lee was the fifth of Marshall E. Herrin's 9 children. The list goes:

A) Mamie Estelle Herrin Morgan 1896-1900 Married Eben C Morgan and died in Charlotte, NC.

B) Marshall Dewey Herrin 1898-1968 Married Cassie Freeze and lived in Concord, NC.

These two were the children of first wife, Minnie Ella Teeter.

C) John Ray Herrin was born October 30, 1900, 10 months after his parents married and was a Police Officer in Charlotte. He recieved training in the military at Camp Croft, South Carolina, and an article appeared in the October 18, 1933 edition of "The Charlotte Observer", announcing his appointment as a Charlotte officer. He passed away in Charlotte in 1972.

D) Albert Franklin Herrin 1902-1972 in Concord, NC. Married Willie Miller. He worked at the Lumber Company with his father in Charlotte, but was later listed as a Retired Grocery Merchant and died in Cabarrus County.

E) Luther Lee Herrin 1904-1971 Married Willie Jamie Thomas. President Herrin Coal and Ice Co.

F) May Elizabeth Herrin Perry 1905-1991 Married and Divorced Lowell Covington Perry Sr. Operated a Charlotte Beauty Shop.

G) Martha Pearl Herrin 1906-1993 Never Married. Worked as an Insurance Agent. Relocated to Greensboro, Retired back to Charlotte.

H) Carl Wilson Herrin 1908-1984 Married Bertha Elizabeth Hough. Worked for the US Post Office in Charlotte.

I) Lucille Virginia Herrin Posey 1914- 1997. Worked as a Bookeeper/ Financial Records. Married Vester C Posey.

Marshall E. Herrin died on November 14, 1958. He left a much different legacy than his similarly named cousin.

Center Grove Baptist Church

Taking DNA tests to aid in genealogical research is a trip, literally. Learning the dozens of countries your ancestors come from is interesting and sometimes enlightening, but if you are hoping to solve some mysteries or knock down some brickwalls, its the cousin matches that can be the most enlightening.
Image result for dna tests for ethnicity

Image result for dna tests for ethnicity

Now, not every cousin match is going to be helpful. Some choose to keep their family tree private, taking the test for ethnicity only and no interest in discovering lineage. Some just have not done enough research for you to be able to find a connection. If they have only 8 people in their tree, you are probably not going to be able to see how you are related, unless you are siblings. On Ancestry.com, they will make the connections for you if you have the same people in your tree. Its these that are the most helpful.

The one fact that became oddly clear when I first garnered my test was that I was without any doubt, my father's child. Every cousin that had a tracked link, that formed a tree showing the connection on Ancestry.com, was from my fathers side of the family.

Ancestry has even formed DNA "groups" of people. With many others, I'm in the "Taylor Burris" Group, the "Job and Vashti Calloway" Group and the "James Ludwell Carpenter" Group. I've discovered that certain ancestors, like Revolutionary War Soldier, Solomon Burris, father of Taylor and Tillman Helms, have spawned a large number of descendants from far and wide.

I do not check the DNA site that often, but do occasionally, when Ancestry reminds me to, to see if any new cousins were about.

And as all my tracked connections were on my fathers' side, I was beginning to doubt that I was actually my mother's daughter. Well, not really, I look just like her, but the one brickwall I've been hoping to breakdown has not been made any easier with DNA. So, I have been wondering if somewhere there is a break in my mother's family tree. Not in recent generations, but further back. Not that the research is incorrect, but perhaps an ancestor, genetically, was not who they were supposed to be, or not who they were on paper. An unknown adoption, perhaps, or the result of a secret affair.

Michael Klein

6th Great-Grandfather

Anna Catherine Schuffert

6th Great-Grandmother

I checked out some new cousins today however, with some pleasant surprises. I found connections from my mother's side of the tree.

One cousin connects back to the Harris line. I did not know that Mary Harris Winfield, mother of Peter Winfield who was the one to arrive in this area from Virginia, was the sister of West Harris. I have seen the name West Harris in old records, not knowing he was a several great-uncle of mine. But they had the same father, Edward Harris, born and died in the same places in the same years and DNA says we are a match.
The Edward Harris Family by Marie Harris Key

Another new cousin with only 94 people in her tree, ends up being my third cousin once removed, on my mother's side of the family. Her ancestor, George Samuel Turner, was a brother to my second great-grandfather, William A. Turner, both sons of George Washington Turner and wife, Elizabeth Wincy Morton Turner. My mother's paternal grandmother was Penny Wayne Turner Davis, and this is my Turner line. So, I at least know I am without doubt a Turner.

William A. Turner

I found a new cousin through the Lemmonds line, and this was the first match I had through that line, which is my paternal grandmothers line, but again, on my Dads side, and another dna match through my Means and Work lines, which are in that Lemmonds line. This cousins Isabella Caroline Means was a sister to my Harriett C Means who married a Lemmonds, their father being John Works Means, son of William Melvin Means and Isabella Work.

William Thomas Lemmond

4th Great-Grandfather

Margaret C 'Peggy' McCoy

4th Great-Grandmother

Several of these cousins, whose roots are evidently primarily in Stanly County, or the surrounding counties, no matter their current location, share more than one line with me. A part of the Stanly County soup. Such was one new cousin who shared a Cagle line on my mothers side and a Hathcock line on my fathers side.

William Melvin Means

5th Great-Grandfather

Isabelle Work

5th Great-Grandmother

I have now come across 3 or 4 cousins who connect to me through the Aldridge line, so I am definately an Aldridge. This is also my mothers line as my Paternal Grandfathers paternal grandmother was an Aldridge.

I also connect to several people who have Whitley in their lines. Now, it could just be that Rebecca Cagle who married George Whitley and Rebecca Louise Cagle who married Caleb Aldridge were closely related. Maybe they were first cousins both named for an earlier common ancector named Rebecca. Or it could be this was the breaking point. My second great-grandmother was known to have two children whose father was a Whitley prior to her marriage to my Second Great-Grandfather. Maybe my Great-Grandfather, who was born two years after the marriage, was actually a Whitley. After all, I'm not finding any links in my dna to his surname. This is an assumption, but completely a possibility.

For the first time, I also found a match through the Searcy line, which is also on my mother's side and through the Aldridge/Murray line, which could verify the fact that I have Jesse Murray, a third Great-Grandfather's, ancestry correct as the son of Jane Pearce Murray, whose grandmother was Mary Searcy.

I've had two connections through the Starnes line now, which is my father's side, and several who also descend from the Rev. Samuel Parsons Morton aka "Crying Sammy", a very moving and reknowned circuit preacher who happens to be my 4th Great-Grandfather.

The History of Anson County by Mary Louise Medley, 'Crying Sammy P Morton

Going down through all the new cousins, I find several more in the German ancestors of my father, Specks, Klines, Starnes. I would really like to find a connection to someone who descends from a Byram or Fincher.

But again, wow were those Burris's prolific.

Image result for solomon burris, stanly county

Image result for solomon burris, stanly county

When Joseph Marshall Herrin made the decision to change his name around 1896 to escape justice and reputation, he did not choose an unheard of name, but a very familiar one. He chose the name "Marshall E. Harwood." Whether he was banking on the sterling reputation of his first cousin, Marshall Elmond Herrin, or whether he hoped to be mistaken for the other Marshall Harwood, his motives can not be fully known.

Image of 2007.44.236, Print, Photographic: Salem United Methodist Church

Image of 2007.44.236, Print, Photographic: Salem United Methodist Church

The three men lived very different lives, albeit coming from the same area and being born at the same time and place in history. But the newly assumed Marshall Harwood was not the only Marshall Harwood in town.

The real Marshall Harwood was born in the Almond Township of Stanly County on February 27, 1872. His contemporaries, Marshall E. Herrin and Joseph Marshall Herrin/Marshall E. Harwood were also born in Almond Township on June 20, 1873 and April 11, 1873. Unlike the previous two, who both had supportive and loving fathers that lived well into their sons adult years, William Marshall Harwood was born into compromising circumstances. He was the son of Ephraim Eudy and Celia Ann Harwood, Almond Township, Stanly County, NC

Name:	W M Harwood
Gender:	Male
Race:	White
Age:	21
Birth Year:	abt 1873
Marriage Date:	19 Aug 1894
Marriage Place:	Stanly, North Carolina, USA
Father:	Ephraim Eudy
Mother:	Celia Harwood
Spouse:	Rosa Moose
Spouse Gender:	Female
Spouse Race:	White
Spouse Age:	24
Spouse Father:	Matthias Moose
Spouse Mother:	Fannie Moose
Event Type:	Marriage

His story begins with his mother Celia Ann Harwood. The daughter of Eben Harwood and Mary Ann Harkey Harwood, she was no doubt named for her grandmother, Celia Harwood, wife of Howell and mother of Eben Harwood.

Celia first appears in the 1860 census as a little girl.

Name:

Eben Harward

Age in 1860:

Birth Year:

abt 1820

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1860:

Stanly, North Carolina

Gender:

Male

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Eben Harward	40
Mary A Harward	33
Elizabeth Harward	15
Tilmon Harward	13
Cely A Harward	11
Emaline Harward	9

The family is intact. Celia is the third of 4 children. All is well. However, the tides have turned drastically by 1870. The family is still intact, both parents still alive and older siblings, Tillmon Alexander Harwood and Mary Elizabeth Harwood, have flown the nest and started families of their own. Younger sisters Celia and Emmaline have started families of their own, too. However, they have neither married nor flown the nest.

Name:

Celia Hawood
[Celia Harwood]

Age in 1870:

Birth Year:

abt 1851

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1870:

Almond, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Female

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

House
hold Members:

Name	Age
E Hawood	51
Mary Hawood	46
Celia Hawood	19
Emaline Hawood	18
Mattie Hawood	2
Thomas Hawood	8/12
John Harwood	5/12

Three young children are now in the family. Celia has had 2 children, Marth Josephine Harwood, known as Mattie and Thomas Alexander Harwood, 8 month old in this census. Their father was Moses Edward Wellington "ED" Lowder. Emmaline has had one son, 5 month old John Arbuckle "Archie" Harwood. His father was Julius Lowder.

Image of 2007.63.372, Print, Photographic: Students at the Old Herrin School

Students at old Herrin School near Millingport

Ed Lowder would marry Margaret Moose, daughter of Mathias Moose and his first wife, Elizabeth Lyerly Moose on February 27, 1872.

Having been left by the father of her children, Celia would turn to married neighbor, Ephraim Eudy.

William Marshall Harwood, Celia's youngest and last child, was born on February 27, 1872.

In the Almond Community, wedding bells were ringing as Ed Lowder and Margaret Moose were walking down the aisle to become man and wife, while in the same community, the first breathes of a newborn boy were being taken and the sounds of the wails of an newborn baby could be heard bouncing off the hills.

Thus was the entrance into the world of the real Marshall Harwood.

Celia Harwood appears in the 1880 census, but without her children. At this time, I do not know where they were living, but in all liklihood, they were "bound out" per the practice of the day, and may be in the census, but perhaps wrongfully under the surname of the head-of-household.

Marshall first appears in the records during his marriage.

Name:	W M Harwood
Gender:	Male
Race:	White
Age:	21
Birth Year:	abt 1873
Marriage Date:	19 Aug 1894
Marriage Place:	Stanly, North Carolina, USA
Father:	Ephraim Eudy
Mother:	Celia Harwood
Spouse:	Rosa Moose
Spouse Gender:	Female
Spouse Race:	White
Spouse Age:	24
Spouse Father:	Matthias Moose
Spouse Mother:	Fannie Moose
Event Type:	Marriage

He was 21 and his wife Rosa is 24. And this marriage takes us back to the name of Mathias Moose. Rosa D. Moose was the daughter of Mathias Moose by his second wife, Fanny Hatley. She was a half-sister to Margaret Moose who married ED Lowder. Ed Lowder being the father of Marshalls older half-siblings. The official relationships between any of the individuals involved could get a little confusing after that.

So the marriage certificate names the father of William Marshall Harwood as Ephraim Eudy.

Ephraim Eudy was born May 8, 1843 and died on October 7, 1907. He was the son of Jacob M and Catherine Adeline Harkey Eudy, both surnames popular in this area of Stanly County. This area being the Bridgeport/Millingport area.

Marshalls Harwood family were mostly buried at Salem Church in Millingport.

Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery

The Feb 5, 1897 edition of "The Daily Concord Standard", described Ephraim Eudy as 'a hustling merchant'. He was both merchant and farmer and an important man with a large family in the Millingport area.

Ephriam Eudy had married Martha Alabama Sides, known as Mattie, in 1867, just after the Civil War when men were scarce and healthy young men scarcer. He and Mattie had had 4 children by the time William Marshall Harwood was born, and several more children afterward. The first child Ephraim and Mattie Eudy had after Marshall was born was a daughter, Lucy Jerome Eudy who married William Riley Hartsell, Jr. She was known as "Jerome" and was born in November of 1874, just a year younger than Marshall. He must have had a close or admiring relationship to her, because he would name his only surviving daughter, Lillie Jerome Harwood.

Ephraim Eudy, businessman, farmer, miller, and proprietor of a Roller Mill and General Store, left quite the legacy in Millingport, as such that his obituary was printed in at least 3 local papers.

October 8, 1907, Stanly County's, "The Enterprise".

October 8, 1907 edition of Cabarrus County's "The Concord Times".

His wife acted as Executrix to the estate.

17 Oct 1907, Thu • Page 3

Mattie would follow Ephraim to the grave just 4 years later, neither of them yet 60 years old.

23 Feb 1911, Thu • Page 1

Ephraim had been preceded in death by several of his children, however. The papers reported the sad loss of one of his single daughters, Zula.

8 Feb 1906, Thu • Page 3

So the 6 children that were reported in the newspapers as being left behind by Mr. Eudy were:

Addie (Ada Lurinda) 1867-1937

Fannie Albertine 1870-1941

Martha Amie 1872-1949

Louvella Emma 1876-1930

Elmetta Adleine 1881-1938

Mamie Agnes 1886-1964

All daughters. Lucy Jerome Eudy Hartsell had passed away in 1905.

17 Aug 1905, Thu • Page 5

Tombstones record the birth and death of two sons who died as infants or toddlers,

Thomas A. Eudy 1869-1869

Pierce Legrand Eudy 1879-1881

So in his later years, Ephraim Eudy had no son but William Marshall Harwood, and no son to pass on the Eudy name.

Image of 2007.44.186, Print, Photographic: Eudy Home Place

Eudy Homeplace near Millingport, courtesy Stanly County Museum

Ephraim's life had not been perfect either. His parents divorce, during a time when this was uncommon, can be found within the Stanly County court records, and Ephraim was arrested during his earlier years for "Retailing", or selling illegal alchohol.

So, Marshall's childhood was much different from that of his contemporaries.

He found love in the form of Rosa Moose, of whom I spoke earlier. Their marriage was August 19, 1894 in Bridgeport, which was near the current community of Millingport. The first census Marshall actually shows up in is that of 1900.

Name:

Rosa Harwood

Age:

Birth Date:

Aug 1870

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1900:

Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Female

Relation to Head of House:

Wife

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Marshall Harwood

Marriage Year:

1894

Years Married:

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother: number of living children:

Mother: How many children:

Occupation:

View on Image

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Marshall Harwood	27
Rosa Harwood	29
Lille J Harwood	1

The census shows the couple as having been married 6 years and having had 2 children with one living. This is accurate, as Lillie Jerome Harwood is shown as one year old, and buried in Salem UMC cemetery is a small tombstone for Geneva Harwood, daughter of W. M. and Rosa Harwood.

Name:	Geneva Harwood
Birth Date:	21 Mar 1896
Death Date:	13 Mar 1898
Cemetery:	Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place:	Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, USA
Has Bio?:	N
URL:	http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-..

In 1900, Marshall was trying his hand at farming. He was not one to make the papers, but once he did, having to do with a hog.

The Enterprise
(Albemarle, North Carolina)18 Feb 1904, Thu • Page 3

By 1910, he had moved to Albemarle and the young couple with their two children were living on the "Mill Hill" and working in the cotton mills that were now operating in Albemarle.

Image of 2007.38.073, Print, Photographic: Efird-Wiscassett Mills

Wiscassett Mills circa 1920's

Name:

Marshall Harwood

Age in 1910:

Birth Year:

abt 1873

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1910:

Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Rosy Harwood

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Marshall Harwood	37
Rosy Harwood	39
Lilly J Harwood	12
William J Harwood	4

By 1920, Marshall and Rosa's daughter Lilly had gotten married and it was just Marshall, Rosa and son William living in the household.

Name:

Martial Harwood
[Matha L Hamon]

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1873

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1920:

Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina

Street:

Salsbury Rd

House Number:

744

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Rosa Harwood

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Able to Speak English:

Yes

Occupation:

On Yard

Industry:

Cotton Mill

Employment Field:

Wage or Salary

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Martial Harwood	47
Rosa Harwood	48 [98]
William J Harwood	14

Lillie married William Walter Tucker on January 16, 1916. In 1920, the young couple was living with son Alexander, living in the last house on Graham Street, where Walter was a farmer. Everyone else on the street worked in the Cotton Mill, including their 16 year old boarder, Ray. Knowing Graham Street, the last house is not like the others and most likely pre-dated the cottage style mill village houses. A city cemetery is on the property.

Name:

Walter Tucker

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1894

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1920:

Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina

Street:

Trahan St

House Number:

746

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Lilly Tucker

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Able to Speak English:

Yes

Occupation:

Farmer

Industry:

Common

Employment Field:

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Walter Tucker	26
Lilly Tucker	23
Alexander Tucker	2 [2 6/12]
Hard Ray Ray	16

By 1930, Marshall had moved from Salisbury Road (possibly the current Salisbury Avenue) to Graham Street. His wife Rosa died on May 5, 1928 and was buried at Salem United Methodist Church in Millingport.

Name:

Marshall Harwood

Birth Year:

abt 1873

Gender:

Male

Race:

White

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Marital Status:

Widowed

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Home in 1930:

North Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina

Map of Home:

Street address:

Graham Street

Dwelling Number:

497

Family Number:

499

Home Owned or Rented:

Rented

Home Value:

Radio Set:

Lives on Farm:

Age at First Marriage:

Attended School:

Able to Read and Write:

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Able to Speak English:

Yes

Occupation:

Yard Helper

Industry:

Cotton Mill

Class of Worker:

Wage or salary worker

Employment:

Yes

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Marshall Harwood	57
William Harwood	24
Bertha Harwood	16

In 1930, Marshall is working as a yard helper at the Cotton Mill, probably Wiscassett, due to the location of his home. His son William Julius Harwood is living with him along with his young bride Bertha, whom he will be divorced from by 1940. William and his sister and her family will move to the PeeDee community of Montgomery County by 1940, where they will remain and William will remarry to Juanita Mills.

William Marshall Harwood will pass away shortly after this last census on Dec 6, 1932. He was buried with his family at the Harwood home church, Salem United Methodist, with the rest of his family, including his mother.

Marshall Harwood, Marshall Herrin and Joseph Marshall Herrin aka Marshall E. Harwood were 3 men born at the same time, in the same place, with similar names, yet they lived very very different lives.

Joseph Marshall Herrin aka Marshall E. Harwood, would live a life of deceit and trouble with the law, before finally assuming a new identity, relocating to another county, and settling down in his later years.

Marshall E. Herrin would attend school, obtain an education and career, start a lucrative business with his friend and brother-in-law, move to Mecklenburg County and start his own businesses that would leave a legacy for his children and a small business empire that would maintain until present times.

William Marshall Harwood would recover from his unfortunate birth and live the quiet life of a farmboy turned millhand and raise his small family on the "Mill Hill" of Albemarle, NC in the confines of a typical Carolina textile village.

Image of 2007.38.349, Print, Photographic: J .L. West Grocery Store

J L West Store, Efird Mill Village, Albemarle, NC circa 1920 Coutesy Stanly County Museum.

Earnest Starnes was the son of George Pressley Starnes and his wife, Rosa Harvell Starnes. He was the oldest of their 10 children. He was the grandson of Allen McDaniel "Mack" Starnes and his first wife, Julia Catherine Furr Starnes. Mack Starnes was the controversial son of Nathan T. Starnes, "the Stanly County Starnes". Nathan T. stands out because Union County was the home of the Starnes hive, although quite a few of them centered in Cabarras and Mecklenburg Counties as well, Nathan T. was the one to settle in Stanly. Now, in the 20th century, several descendants of the Union and Cabarrus group, all related from many generations back, came to settle in Stanly County as well.

Nathan T. Starnes would list his parents as "Frederick and Sally" on his second marriage license. My second Great Grandfather, Frederick Fincher Starnes would also list his parents as "Frederick and Sally" on his second marriage license to Abigail, the widow of John C. Starnes, a son of Nathan T. Starnes. I believe Finch and Nathan might have been brothers. Finch stayed close to his father in the early years of his marriage, and at this time his father was married to an "Elizabeth", too young to have been Finch's mother. Many family trees have Nathan T. Starnes as being a brother to Finch's father Fred instead of Finch. This is a bug that I have not quite worked out.

So it was with great interest that I read this 1908 article about Ernest Houston Starnes nearly drowning. His father was often seen as "Press" Starnes and his whole name is seen recorded as either George Preston Starnes or George Pressley Starnes.

The Montgomerian
(Troy, North Carolina)9 Jan 1908, Thu • Page 3

But Ernest survived and is shown in the 1910 census living with his parents and sister Isabelle in the Bethel Church Section of Cabarrus County.

ame:

George P Starnes

Age in 1910:

Birth Year:

abt 1886

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1910:

Bethel Church, Cabarrus, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Marital Status:

Married

Spouse's Name:

Rosa Starnes

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
George P Starnes	24
Rosa Starnes	26
Ernest H Starnes	4
Isabel Starnes	2

By 1920, the family had grown and had moved to Ridge Road in the Almond Community of Stanly County.

Name:

Earnest H Starned
[Earnest H Starnes]

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1906

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1920:

Almond, Stanly, North Carolina

Street:

Ridge Road

Race:

White

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Son (Child)

Marital Status:

Single

Father's name:

George P Starned

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's name:

Rosa L Starned

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Native Tongue:

English

Able to Speak English:

Yes

Occupation:

None

Attended School:

Yes

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
George P Starned	36
Rosa L Starned	38
Earnest H Starned	14
Isabell Starned	11
Matthew Starned	8
William F Starned	7
Glenn F Starned	4 [4 11/12]
Printis Starned	2 [2 1/12]

Before the next census would arrive, Ernest would marry Mary Moore and have two sons.

A time later, Ernest would lose his own little boy.

The Albemarle Press
(Albemarle, North Carolina)17 Sep 1925, Thu • Page 5

Name:

Earnest Starnes

Birth Year:

abt 1906

Gender:

Male

Race:

White

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Marital Status:

Married

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Home in 1930:

North Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina

Map of Home:

Street address:

Austin Street

Dwelling Number:

218

Family Number:

219

Home Owned or Rented:

Rented

Home Value:

Radio Set:

Lives on Farm:

Age at First Marriage:

Attended School:

Able to Read and Write:

Yes

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Able to Speak English:

Yes

Occupation:

??Ters

Industry:

Cotton Mill

Class of Worker:

Wage or salary worker

Employment:

Yes

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Earnest Starnes	24
Mary Starnes	24
Ralph Starnes	1

Ralph, just a year old here, was Ernest Ralph Starnes.

Image result for efird mill, stanly county

Ernest would register for the draft and raise his family among many other families that left the farms and obtained their sustenance from the Cotton Mills that had sprang up all over the South. This one in Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina.

Name:

Ernest Houston Starnes

Gender:

Male

Race:

White

Relationship:

Self (Head)

Birth Date:

22 Jun 1905

Birth Place:

Stanly, North Carolina

Residence:

Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina, USA

Registration Year:

1940

Household Members:

Name
Ernest Houston Starnes
Mary Starnes

Image result for salem united methodist church, stanly county

Ernest Houston Starnes was born on June 22, 1905. He died on May 1, 1987 at the age of 81.
His wife Mary Moore Starnes was born on September 9, 1905 and died on November 23, 1998.

Both are buried at Salem United Methodist Church in Millingport, Stanly County, NC.

They were the parents of:

1925 - Jesse James Starnes
1928- Ernest Ralph Starnes
1932- Elbert Cleveland Starnes
1935- Collie Lentz "Bud" Starnes
1937- William Travis Starnes
1939- Mary Vernell Starnes Barringer

Two of the sons of Ernest Houston Starnes, Ernest Ralph and Collie Lentz, appeared in the 1961-62 Hills City Directory.

William Murray was one of the seven children of Mariah Murray and Henry Wilkenson. Mariah Murray was the daughter of Jesse Murray, who lived on the Murray Branch off of Long Creek in the Tyson community of southern Stanly County. The Murrays are believed to be of mixed Native American heritage, with Scottish, but were fully recognized as members of the Caucasian community. Mariah was the mother of 7 children, named in her estate papers, Ben, William, Wesley, Albert, Lydia Adeline, Mary and Eliza. Her estate was settled in 1852, with Green Wesley Simpson as the administrator. The 1860 and 1850 census records find Mariah's children living with various family members and neighbors throughout the community.

1850

Wesley and Eliza are living with Ben Murray, brother of Mariah, and their uncle.

Name:

Wesley Murray

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1845

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1850:

Ross, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Mulatto (Black)

Gender:

Male

Family Number:

779

Household Members:

Name	Age
Benjamin Murray	42
Martha Murray	30
Jesse Murray	13
Rebecca Murray	7
Eliza Murray	10
Wesley Murray	5

1850

Mary is living with the Watkins family in Center, which became Norwood. The other children lived in "Ross", which would become known as Tyson Township.

Name:

Mary Murray

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1836

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1850:

Centre, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Mulatto (Black)

Gender:

Female

Family Number:

101

Household Members:

Name	Age
Hardy Watkins	43
Larry Watkins	33
Judith Watkins	30
Mary Murray	14

1850 Lydia Adeline was living with the James F. Kendall family, also in Center.

Name:

Lydia Murray

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1842

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1850:

Centre, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Mulatto (Black)

Gender:

Female

Family Number:

Household Members:

Name	Age
James F Kendall	30
Ann Kendall	23
George Kendall	2
Mary Kendall	1
Sarah Kendall	0
Lydia Murray	8

1850 Brother Albert Murray is living with the John Norwood family, one of the proprietors of the Norwood Brothers Store.

Name:

Albert Murray

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1839

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1850:

Centre, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Mulatto (Black)

Gender:

Male

Family Number:

Household Members:

Name	Age
John Norwood	53
Lydia Norwood	52
Elizabeth Norwood	16
Albert Murray	11

William Murray, age 6, is living with Richard and Rebecca Poplin. Rebecca Poplin was Rebecca Murray Poplin, daughter of Jesse Murray and a sister to William's mother Mariah.

Name:

Wm Murray

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1844

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1850:

Ross, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Mulatto (Black)

Gender:

Male

Family Number:

800

Household Members:

Name	Age
Richard Poplin	43
Rebecca Poplin	45
Wm Murray	6

10 years later, he was still living with Richard and Becky, who had no children, as well as Richard's father and Elizabeth Randle, an older lady, whom at this point, I don't know if she bore any relation to the family at all.

Name:

William Murry

Age in 1860:

Birth Year:

abt 1845

Home in 1860:

Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Black

Gender:

Male

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Richd Poplin	52
Bicky Poplin	50
Elizabeth Randle	65
Harry Poplin	94
William Murry	15

William may have been one of the darker-skinned children of Mariah, as his brother Albert, at times, was able to be taken for white.

Image of 2007.38.024, Print, Photographic: Riverview Grist Mill

RiverView Grist Mill on the Rocky River below Norwood, NC circa 1900, Stanly County Museum

In 1860, the other siblings are found:

Albert living with the Martin McSwain family.

Name:

Albert Murrey

Age in 1860:

Birth Year:

abt 1839

Home in 1860:

Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Mulatto (Black)

Gender:

Male

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Martin M Mcswain	30
Sarah A Mcswain	27
John Mcswain	9
James E Mcswain	6
Williamette Mcswain	1
Albert Murrey	21

Mary Jane and sister Eliza were living with the James Ross family, whom I believe were related to the Murray family. The Rosses and Murrays were very tightly interwoven. Mary Jane has now married a Haliwa-Saponi named Simeon Manual who hailed from the eastern part of the state.

Mary Jane
[Mary Jane Murra]
[Mary Jane Murray]

Age in 1860:

Birth Year:

abt 1838

Home in 1860:

Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Mulatto (Black)

Gender:

Female

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
James S Ross	37
Mary Ross	35
Mary M Ross	12
Martha A Ross	10
Elizabeth Ross	7
Jessee M Ross	2
Sim Manuel	50
Mary Jane	22
Luza Murry	19

Wesley still living with his uncle Ben Murray.

Name:

Wesley Merry
[Wesley Murray]

Age in 1860:

Birth Year:

abt 1845

Home in 1860:

Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Black

Gender:

Male

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Benjamin Merry	53
Martha Merry	38
Wesley Merry	15

Lydia Adeline was still living with the James F. Kendall family and would end up having children by Pinkney Carpenter, a white teen about her age, before she moved to Cabarrus County and married later Adam Faggart and raise her family there.

Name:

Lydia A Murry

Age in 1860:

Birth Year:

abt 1843

Home in 1860:

Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Mulatto (Black)

Gender:

Female

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
James F Kendall	39
Ann Kendall	36
George Kendall	12
Mary F Kendall	11
Sarah A Kendall	9
Judy Kendall	7
Lydia A Murry	17
George Farmer	21
John Farmer	19
Margaret Farmer	17
Leon Farmer	15
Wesley Farmer	13

And William Murray was living with his Aunt Becky.

Image of 2007.38.064, Print, Photographic: Bennett’s Ferry

Bennett's Ferry near Norwood, NC circa 1915-1930, Stanly County Museum

Ben is not to be found, only being mentioned in the estate records. He may have passed away or he may have been the oldest son and migrated west. He may have been named for Mariah's brother Benjamin Murray, or for an older relative. I believe the patriarch, Jesse Murray, who was in Chatham County before migrating to the Anson/Stanly County area, was the son of a Benjamin Murray. His mother, who left a will, was Jane Murray. Jesse named his oldest daughter Jane. Jane also had 3 children, two sons and a daughter, without the benefit of marriage. The father of her children appears to be Joshua C. Burris. One of her sons was named Solomon, for Joshua's father, Burris patriarch, Solomon, and her daughter was named Judith, the name of Joshua C. Burris's mother.

Mariah's children are noted in the records as being mulatto, while everyone in their mothers family are labeled white. There are other Murray children living in other homes in these same census records. These were the children of Mariahs brother James Murray, who appears in 1840 with 3 children in his household, but in tax records appears to be suffering from some debilitating illness during the latter 1840's. The Wadesboro Argus reports his death in 1850 and his wife, Martha Laxton Murray, remarries widower Andrew Boone in 1851. James children are counted as white.

Henry Wilkenson is named in the marriage licenses and death certificates of the two Murray children I have been able to trace with a degree of certainty, Albert and Lydia Adeline. I have even been in contact with some of their descendants. There was one Wilkenson family in this area in the first half of the 1800's, that of Jonathan Wilkenson. Jonathan Wilkenson had one slave, a man. This man is named in a transfer of his ownership from Jonathan to his son James. The man's name was Henry. Jonathan Wilkenson lived near Jesse Murray, in the same area, along the same creek. I believe it was this Henry Wilkenson, slave of Jonathan and James Wilkenson, who was the father of Mariah Murrays children.

William Murray was one of Moriahs children that I was not able to find the fate of after 1860. That is, until I began digging through the Supreme Court records of early Stanly County.

William Murray was on trial in 1867 for the rape of Jemimia Motley.

Jemima Motley was the daughter of Ransom Motley and became the third wife of Eli Ransom Herrin after her sister Sarah, his first wife died. He had a very short and mysterious marriage to a Pearlene M. Gray Dry between the two sisters. Jemima married Eli R. Herrin in 1871.

She is featured in my post concerning her son, Josesph Marshall Herrin. The Name Thief: Joseph Marshall Herrin

The trial began this way.

Minutes of September 1867, p115 Stanly County, North Carolina

State vs William Murry - (charge) Rape

Jury- Martin McSwain, William Maners, WS Swaringen, Jonas Hartsell, John B Thompson, DM Ross, Jacob Eury, JT Smith, LT Biles, Wlm C Thompson, James Cagle, JC Burris,

Guilty

State of North Carolina, Stanly County Superior Court
Fall Term of 1866 The Jurors of the State upon their oaths present that William Murray (a person of color), late of the county of Stanly, not having the fear of God before his eyes but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil on the Sixth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, with force and arms at and in the county aforesaid in and upon one Jemima Motley in the Peace of God and the State then and there being violently and feloniously did make an assault on her, the said Jemima Motley, then and there brutally against her will feloniously did ravish and carnally know against the forms of the statute in such case made and provided against the peace and dignity of the State.

N McKay, Soliciter

Returned a True bill R M Lanier, Foreman Sept 1867

Cont. on page 117 Therefore let a jury of good and lawful men by whom the truth of the matter may be known, the prisoner William Murray is remanded to jail, and at the same term of court, the said William Murray is again brought to the bar of the said court, in the custody of the said Jonathan Mann, Sheriff of Stanly County and offers an affidavit for a continuance which was considered by the court to be sufficient cause for a continuance, where upon the prisoner was remanded to jail.

-Be it remembered 1st Monday of March, Court of Stanly county, Courthouse in Albemarle 1867
Hon. Daniel G Fowle (or Fowler), Judge. Prisoner William Murray continued.

Judge E J Warren - William Murray, Custodian: Jonathan Mann Jury under oath say that William Murray is guilty of the felony of rape in manner and form as charged in the Bill of Indictment.

William Murray "who nothing further saith than he has already said", Whereupon all and singular the premises being seen and by the Court here fully understood, the said William Murray to be taken to the jail of Stanly County to remain until he is taken by the Sheriff to the place of public execution of said County between the hours of 12 and 2 o'clock pm and there be hanged by the neck until he be Dead and it is further considered that the State do recover of the said William Murray the cost of his prosecution.

-Rule for a new trial. Rule made absolute and a new trial granted.

It was with great interest and eagerness that I scanned through the court records looking for the results of William Murray's appeal. He was sentenced to hang. I have heard over the years that Alec Whitley had been the only man to have been hung in Stanly County.

Find A Grave link to the Grave and Story of Alec Whitley

Much has been researched and recorded on Alec Whitley, the son of Joshua Christian Burris and Susannah Whitley, who was accused of the murder of Burton Tucker, a school teacher, all from Stanly County, North Carolina, but who had fled to Arkansas amidst controversy, but had been brought back from Arkansas and was broken out of the county jail and hanged.

The following is a newspaper account of this story from the June 16, 1892 Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, NC.

Alex Whitley hanging

So, knowing that the lynching of Alexander "Alec" Whitley was the only one to be known or recorded in Stanly County, the fate of William Murray, nephew of my third Great-Grandmother, Priscilla Murray Aldridge, lie before me as a grand mystery.

Certainly, the crime he was accused of would have been a sensational one for the times. Just a few years past the Civil War, in the hot July summer of 1866, he, a 21 one year old mixed race man, whose mother was considered white and whose father had been the slave of one of her neighbors, was accused of the violation and assault upon a white girl in his own county. Certainly a hanging under these circumstances would have made the papers of the surrounding metro-areas of Wadesboro, Salisbury or Concord, if not the state newspapers or the ones out of the state capital of Raleigh.

Jemima had married her sisters' widower in 1871. What had happened to the accused and convicted William Murray?

The next term of court appeared with this statement. This was the fourth time William Murray was brought to court, the first being the Fall Term of 1866 and the second being the Spring Term and 1867 and the third being the Fall Term of 1867.

Minutes of Spring Term 1868

State vs William Murray- Rape

The Prisoner William Murray is again brought to court in his proper person and the jurors by the sheriff returned to wit:
William E Davis, Michael Dry, William Hatley Sr., John S. Atkins, BF Snuggs, John A. Troutman, EM Brooks, Wm P. McLester, John R Ivey, William M. Kirk, Elisha Laton, BF Davis.

The prisoner William Murray being brought to the bar of the court in the custody of the sheriff, it is further demanded of him where of the said court here upon the premises and verdict aforesaid out not to proceed to judgement and execution against him who nothing further saith unless as he before had said whereupon all and singular the premises being seen and by the said court here fully understood, It is considered by the court here that the said William Murray be taken to the jail of Stanly County from where he came and be there safely confined until Friday, the 17th day of April, 1868 AD, and that on that day be taken to the place of common execution between the hours of 10 o'clock am and 3 o'clock pm and there be hanged by the neck until he be dead. It is ordered by the court that the Sheriff of Stanly County carry the foregoing Judgement and Sentence into Execution.

Rule for a new trial, rule discharged. An appeal craved and granted. To the satisfaction of the Supreme Court and it appearing to the court that the prisoner is not worth $200 and can not give security, he is permitted to appeal without security.

So, once again, William Murray had escaped final judgement with an appeal, so the search for his fate waged on. Certainly such a controversial crime in such a chaotic and pained era would have made the records and the news.

No mention is made of William Murray in the Fall Term of 1868 or the Spring Term of 1869. I did find this in the newspapers.

Wilmington Journal
3 Jul 1868, Fri • Page 1

I had to look online for the definition of "venire de novo". This is what I found. So, there was some error declared in the trial, to where a new trial was ordered.

Judicial order for a new trial after the first trial is declared a mistrial due to a fundamental or gross irregularity such as where the case was outside of the court's jurisdiction."

The trial of William Murray could not have came at a worse time in the history of Stanly County for a young man of his complexion. About 26 years old in 1868, an accused of the assault and rape of a completely Caucasian young farm girl. What the 'conservative' survivors of the Confederate army and haters of northern influence were warning everyone who would listen about. In 1868, the flames of the KKK were burning in all corners of North Carolina with a vengence. Articles like that below could be found in every paper and expresses the attitudes and atmosphere of Stanly County at the time of the trial.

The Daily Journal
15 Apr 1868, Wed • Page 2

And from the same edition of "The Daily Journal", from Wilmington, NC.

By 1869, some patriotism for the country as a unified entity, was beginning to blossom within the confines of Stanly County as shown in this article from Raleigh's "The Daily Standard'.

The political atmosphere of Stanly County in the late 1860's was turbulent at the least and hostile at the worst and William's trial could not have came at a more volatile time. But where was the story of his hanging and what caused the error in his trial?

Newbern Journal of Commerce
31 Aug 1867, Sat • Page 1

I skimmed through my treasured disks, from the State Archives, that told the tales of the Supreme Court cases of Antebellum and Reconstruction Era Stanly County, North Carolina, patiently and anxiously looking for the ending of William Murray's story. 1869 went by with no mention of him, then 1870 and then into 1871. Certainly he was not maintained in jail longer than that without trial, and if he died in jail, or if he was hung, would not his controversial case have been reported.

I decided to look into the newspapers again, and narrow down the time frame, focusing on the year 1868. And I found him.

The Tri-Weekly Old North State
(Salisbury, North Carolina)9 May 1868, Sat • Page 2

William (or Bill) had escaped. And he was not alone. The ploy of begging for continuances had worked and dragged out long enough to save his life. Did he have help? Perhaps one of the Murrays? Maybe his brother Albert, who was having legal problems of his own as his marriage to his first cousin, Mary Jane Whitaker, daughter of Nelson and Sophia Whitaker,was being challenged and the young married couple was being called into court on charges of fornication, as the law did not want to recognize their marriage as legal. Despite her Native American background, Mary Jane Whitaker was considered white, her father was white, and while their mothers were sisters, the father of Albert Murray was African-American and as he was called a mulatto, their marriage was challenged. Mary Jane's sister, Glennie Wilmartha Whitaker, had also married a first cousin, John Adam Aldridge, son of their aunt, Priscilla "Prussia" Murray Aldridge, but their was no challenge to the marriage between cousins, skin color was the issue, and John Adam's father, Henry Garner Aldridge, was white.

John Adam Aldridge and wife, Glennie W. Whitaker Aldridge

The Wilmington Morning Star
(Wilmington, North Carolina)28 Apr 1868, Tue • Page 2

So who was Nick Williams and would he help to find William Murray?

Wilmington Journal
(Wilmington, North Carolina)27 Mar 1868, Fri • Page 1

The Wilmington Morning Star
(Wilmington, North Carolina)26 Jan 1868, Sun • Page 2

So Nick Williams was from the North, and had been tried and sentenced already. Why he was in the jail in Albemarle, instead of in Wadesboro was unknown.

I've made no other discoveries on the case of William Murray. There may be something left to find, but from all appearances, he made good his escape, and was never found, not that any newspapers had reported. Where he and Nick Williams went was unknown. Maybe they changed their names. In 1868, the Civil War had passed and persons of color, for once, could and were traveling about at will. Seeing two men of African ancestory, one "bright" and one dark, would not have been an unusual thing to see, especially if they were heading north.

Did they change their names and identities? Maybe. Or maybe not. There were no less than 4 William Murrays of his approximate age and hue enumerated around the country in years to come, one in Tennessee, one in Ohio, one in St. Louis, Missouri and one in Michigan. Could any of those have been this Bill Murray? Possibly, but that might prove impossible to acertain.

As the case rests, I still can't help but wonder if he was really guilty. Were William and Jemima a young couple with a mutual attraction, and when caught together, Jemima had to claim "rape" in order to appease her father and save face and reputation? Or was he actually guilty of the horrid crime? Multiple judges seemed to have doubt in his guilt as both Warren and Fowler ordered a retrial and approved an appeal. The community seemed to have no issue with the relationship between Pinkney Carpenter, son of Williamson and Sallie McIntyre Carpenter and William's sister, Lydia Adeline. They had 2, possibly 3 children, before she moved to Cabarrus County.

All we can be sure of is the facts of the case. Bill Murray, aged 23, was arrested, tried, found guilty, sentenced to hang, appealed, appeal granted and mistrial declared, and new trial granted, and then he escaped in the company of another man.

If somewhere, the spirit of William Murray is wanting his fate to be found, then I am sure one day, I will.

Sometimes stories of the heart make the most endearing news. The following article from the July 18, 1912 edition of "The Montgmerian", out of Troy, North Carolina, was one of those warm and fuzzy stories, with a dash of melancholy.

Image result for marriage proposal

It struck a chord with me first, because the surname of the individual in the clip was one I have been researching, Ramsey, due to my ancestors Samuel Ramsey and his father Starky or "Stark" Ramsey.

The gentleman's name was Patrick Ramsey, and was from Anson County, North Carolina.

Patrick was born in the Gulledges section of Anson County in 1863 or 1864 to Holcomb Ramsey and his wife Harriett Bennett Ramsey. The Ramsey's had a large family that spanned several generations, as Mr. Ramsey had children born while he was in his 60's. The object of Patrick Ramsey's unrequited attention was Miss Eliza Tillman, who was also born in Gulledge, nearly two decades later, to Mr. Henry Sidney Tillman and his wife, Sophia Bennett Tillman.

Having been struck by the heartfelt endurance and hope in Patrick persistent love for his "crush" Eliza, I decided on a whim, to see if I could find out anything about the couple through records.
Image result for marriage proposal

Patrick, born around 1863 or 1864, first shows up in the 1870 census as a 6 year old son, in the home of "H" and Harriett Ramsey. Having first found Patrick later in life and working backwards, I knew that the H stood for Halcomb, as his parents were listed on other records as "Haltomb", "Malcolm" or "Hartman" Ramsey and wife Harriett. They always managed to get the Harriett right, but had problems with his father's name. His Mother's maiden name was Bennett.

Name	Age
H Ramsay	70
Harriet Ramsay	55
Jane Ramsay	18
Ralph Ramsay	17
Alis Ramsay	16
Delie Ramsay	12
Nancy Ramsay	10
Lee Ramsay	8
Patrick Ramsay	6
Cross Ramsay	9

Patrick loved not only Eliza Tillman in life. As a young man, he had married Miss Mary A. Horne. He was 22 and she was 21, the daughter of Cindy Horne.

Name:	Patrick Ramsey
Gender:	Male
Race:	Colored (Black)
Age:	22
Birth Year:	abt 1864
Marriage Date:	30 Dec 1886
Marriage Place:	Anson, North Carolina, USA
Father:	Malcom Ramsey
Mother:	Ramsey
Spouse:	Mary A Horne
Spouse Gender:	Female
Spouse Race:	Colored (Black)
Spouse Age:	21
Spouse Mother:	Sindy Horne
Event Type:	Marriage

Patrick Ramsey had been fortunate enough to find a good job. He worked on the railroad. It allowed him to travel and support his wife. In 1900, he was boarding in Chester, South Carolina. As Anson County is on the SC/NC line, people crossing the border was no more unusual than being found in the next town.

Name:Pat Ramsey
[Patt Pansey] Age:37

Birth Date:Oct 1862

Birthplace:North Carolina

Home in 1900:Chester, Chester, South Carolina

Race:Black

Gender:Male

Relation to Head of House:Boarder

Marital Status:Married

Marriage Year:1897

Years Married:3

Father's Birthplace:North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:North Carolina

Occupation:View on Image

Neighbors:View others on page

Household Members:

Name	Age
Andrew Darby	54
Mary E Darby	48
Camelia Darby	32
Roxie Darby	21
Arthur Darby	17
Leander Darby	13
Macey Darby	10
Pat Ramsey	37

1910 found him in all liklihood in Roanoke, Virginia. He must have worked for a North to South line.

Name:

Patrick Ramsey

Age in 1910:

Birth Year:

abt 1857

Birthplace:

Virginia

Home in 1910:

Roanoke Kimball Ward, Roanoke (Independent City), Virginia

Race:

Black

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Head

Marital Status:

Widowed

Father's Birthplace:

Virginia

Mother's Birthplace:

Virginia

Neighbors:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Patrick Ramsey	53

Eliza Tillman also grew up in the Gulledges area of Anson County. In the 1880 census, she is shown as a child, surround by a number of families named "Little", which was the same situation for Patrick in 1870.

Name:

Eliza J. Tillman

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1873

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1880:

Gulledges, Anson, North Carolina

Race:

Mulatto

Gender:

Female

Relation to Head of House:

Daughter

Marital Status:

Single

Father's name:

Henry Tillman

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's name:

Sophy Tillman

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Neighbors:

Occupation:

On Farm

Cannot read/write:

Blind:

Deaf and Dumb:

Otherwise disabled:

Idiotic or insane:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Henry Tillman	44
Sophy Tillman	34
George Tillman	10
Eliza J. Tillman	7
William S. Tillman	3
Henry Tillman	4m

This census gives her a birth year of 1873, about 10 years younger than her marriage license. But the parents are correct. Maybe Miss Tillman was shaving a bit off of her age as women had a tendancy to do in these records.

Eliza had been on her own in 1900, working as a servant to a Hardware dealer, Mr. Plunkett.

Name:Eliza Tillman

Birthplace:North Carolina

Home in 1900:Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina

Race:Black

Gender:Female

Relation to Head of House:Head

Marital Status:Single

Father's Birthplace:North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:North Carolina

Occupation:View on Image

Neighbors:View others on page

Household Members:

Name	Age
Eliza Tillman

After the newspaper article in July of 1912, maybe Miss Tillman, 20 years younger than poor Patrick, was moved by his persistence. They were married on July 9, 1912. Eliza was the daughter of Sidney and Sophia Tillman.

Name:	Patrick Ramsey
Gender:	Male
Race:	Colored (Black)
Age:	50
Birth Year:	abt 1862
Marriage Date:	9 Jul 1912
Marriage Place:	Anson, North Carolina, USA
Father:	Hartman Ramsey
Mother:	Harriet Ramsey
Spouse:	Eliza Tillman
Spouse Gender:	Female
Spouse Race:	Colored (Black)
Spouse Age:	30
Spouse Father:	Sidney Tillman
Spouse Mother:	Sophia Tillman
Event Type:	Marriage

Sadly, Patrick and Eliza's marriage did not last long. In 1915, at the age of 52, Patrick died of Bright's Disease. His death certificate records his as being a railroad worker and being married.

Name:	Patrick Ramsey
Gender:	Male
Race:	Black
Age:	52
Birth Date:	1863
Birth Place:	Anson, North Carolina, United States
Death Date:	23 Jul 1915
Death Location:	Wadesboro, Anson
Father's name:	Hal Kum Ramsey
Mother's name:	Harriet Bernnett

So what happened to Eliza after Patrick's death? She remarried to a Mr. John Allen, about a year later.

Name:	John Allen
Birth Date:	1876
Age:	40
Spouse's Name:	Eliza Ramsey
Spouse's Birth Date:	1881
Spouse's Age:	35
Event Date:	05 Sep 1916
Event Place:	Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina
Race:	Black
Spouse's Race:	Black

Name:	John Allen
Gender:	Male
Race:	Col
Age:	40
Birth Year:	abt 1876
Marriage Date:	5 Sep 1916
Marriage Place:	Anson, North Carolina, USA
Father:	Bob Allen
Mother:	Emma Turner
Spouse:	Eliza Ramsey
Spouse Gender:	Female
Spouse Race:	Col
Spouse Age:	35
Spouse Father:	Sidney Tillman
Spouse Mother:	Tillman
Event Type:	Marriage

The name of Eliza's father, Sidney Tillman, assures that this was the right Eliza Ramsey. She was not Mr. Allen's first wife, nor was she his last.

Eliza's marriage to John Allen ended on November 20, 1918, when at the age of 45, she died of uterine cancer. Both of her marriages lasted about 2 years each. There is no indication that either she nor Patrick Ramsey, had any children. John Allen did, however, amongst his several marriages.

Name:	Eliza Allen [Eliza Tillman]
Gender:	Male
Race:	Black
Age:	45
Birth Date:	abt 1873
Birth Place:	Anson, North Carolina, United States
Death Date:	20 Nov 1918
Death Location:	Wadesboro Township, Anson
Father's name:	Sidney Tillman
Mother's name:	Sophia Tillman

Note: On the actual death certificate, the "fe" in front of female is smeared, so the transcriber was not paying a great deal of attention to what they were doing. The parents of Eliza are correct and a male would not have uterine cancer.

So with that, in just a few short years, ended the love story of Patrick and Eliza. he spent the last few years of his life, from July 1912 until his death in 1915, married to the love of his life. To the lady he had proposed to 10 times with an answer of "No" the first 9, and finally a "Yes".

Laura Davis was a granddaughter of Job Davis. Unlike the successful tales of some of her cousins who migrated west, Laura's life and fate was a direct result of her fathers alcoholism and the resulting debts and loss of property it had caused.

Laura was not yet born during the 1850 census, but was probably born shortly after it was taken. In it, the last two Davis daughters, Laura and her youngest sister Margaret Victoria, do not show up. The only census these two show up in with their parents are the 1860 census, where all of the brothers are living/working with someone else and the two older sisters, Sallie and Nancy, are married, while the two middle sisters, Mollie and Mattie, and the two youngest, Laura and Victoria, are living at home still.

Name:

Laua Davis

Age in 1860:

Birth Year:

abt 1850

Home in 1860:

Stanly, North Carolina

Gender:

Female

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Henry Davis	54
Martha Davis	44
Mary Davis	18
Martha J Davis	16
Laua Davis	10
Victoria Davis	7

Their father, Henry, dies sometime between 1862 and 1865, when his estate is settled. The death of their mother, Martha Palmer Davis, is reported in The Southern Christian Advocate, in 1879. However, she does not show up in the 1870 census that I can find.

Laura shows up (her name misspelled by transcriptionists) in the 1870 census, living with her oldest sister, Sarah "Sallie" Davis Crump, in Ansonville. You have to be very familiar with the family grouping to figure this census record out, as the handwriting was haphazardly interpreted. Sallie is transcribed as "Lallie" and Laura is incorrectly given the surname of her brother-in-law, "Crump", when she was a Davis. The uniqueness of the name "Woodson" is what brings it all to clarity.

Name:

Lorah Cramp
[Lorah Crump]
[Laura Davis]

Age in 1870:

Birth Year:

abt 1852

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1870:

Ansonville, Anson, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Female

Post Office:

Wadesboro

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Woodson Cramp	48
Lallie Cramp	32
Joseph A Cramp	18
Benjamin Cramp	18
Jermiah Cramp	17
Dodson Cramp	10
Theodor Cramp	9
Martha Cramp	6
Francis Cramp	5
Claudy Cramp	2
Lorah Cramp	18

Laura disappears during the 1880 census and 1900 census. She is probably living with a relative and her surname, again, incorrrectly given. Further tracing of all of Henry's descendants may bring her to light.

Red Maple by Stephan Duncan

However, she clearly shows up in the 1910 census, her name and identity given (again, Laura is destroyed by a transcriber, but looking at the actual document, it is clearly Laura. ) She is living in Albemarle, Stanly County, NC, with my Great-Great Grandmother, Julina Davis, widow of Horton H. Davis "Hawk", who passed away in 1906.

Name:

Laura Davis
[Dura Davis]

Age in 1910:

Birth Year:

abt 1850

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1910:

Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

White

Gender:

Female

Relation to Head of House:

Sister-in-law (Sister)

Marital Status:

Single

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Neighbors:

Richard Billings and the Palmer Family: He Firmly Believed in Cats as an Article of Diet.

Household Members:

Name	Age
Julina Davis	54
Titus Davis	22
Carrie Davis	17
Tom Davis	14
Cora Davis	12
Laura Davis	60

Laura never married, and her singularity came at a time in history where when had few options outside of marriage, and hers seemed to be to live in poverty and bounce around between relatives and living off the county. All of her sisters married, as is known, although the fate of her sister Mary aka "Mollie" remains unknown. It has been reported that she married and some of it reported incorrectly. I've found no true trail of her past the 1860 census and she very well may have passed away at a young age and never married at all. But something tells me she did marry, and is just waiting and wanting to be discovered.

The fate of Laura is clear however, and although I've not discovered where she is buried, I believe I may be on the trail. The newspapers report not through an obituary, but through a cost to the county, of her passing.

The Enterprise
(Albemarle, North Carolina)8 Jun 1911, Thu • Page 1

Laura is listed as a Pauper and her nephew H. A. Davis, is paid $8 to bury her. She may have been buried without a marker and therefore, her grave can not be found today.

But the paper can give a trail of her existence as well as her passing, and may give a few clues into her life.

One of the most telling is this clip from 1905, explaining her escape from the state hospital in Morganton. People ended up in the State Hospital for multiple reasons. For some, it was a mental breakdown, for others, a debilitating disease, like TB, could send them there. However, I've also read that many women were sent there for 'female problems', like menstral problems, pain, possibly cysts, difficulty carrying children, miscarriages, etc. For Laura, it could have even been the fate of her father, a case of severe alcoholism. But clearly, she did not want to be there.

The Enterprise
(Albemarle, North Carolina)5 Oct 1905, Thu • Page 4

Just one month prior, it had been ordered that she recieve a small amount of support, or welfare.

The Enterprise
(Albemarle, North Carolina)7 Sep 1905, Thu • Page 9

In fact, from 1901 until the year of her death, it was reported that she was given support, "on the county dole", as a pauper, numerous times.

From 1901

Image result for Turn of the century poor

And from 1911

Sadly, so far, there is no more to be found on Laura Davis. Perhaps, more records can reveal why she was sent to Broughton, and perhaps where she might be buried. She may have been buried in the Davis family plot with her grandparents, Job and Sarah Davis. As she was last living with her sister-in-law, Julina Aldridge Davis, perhaps she is buried in an unmarked or poorly marked grave at Rehobeth, where they were members. Several of the Davis's from Henry's line are buried at either Palestine or Prospect Church, near Cloverfork Creek, which was Henry's last area of residence.

But from all indications, Laura lived a poor, sad, hand-to-mouth existence. Did she experience any joy, or just mournfulness? Why was she placed in the state hospital? Was it because no one wanted to deal with her? Did she have mental problems, or was it the fact that she was just unmarried, unemployed and unwanted?

The fate of Great, Great, Great Aunt Laura haunts me. I yearn to know more about her.

This beautiful little boy is my first grandchild. But what does he have to do with Sir Richard Head and what does Sir Richard Head have to do with Job Davis?

To answer the first question, this little boy is a descendant of Sir Richard. To answer the second, not really anything, except that this little boys daddy, a descendant of Sir Richard, married my daughter, a descendant of Sir Richard.

When asked to find out where my son-in-laws maternal grandfather came from, as his mothers surname was "Head", I believe they thought the migration from "somewhere" else was much more recent, and from an area entirely different, than it actually was.

The real mystery is where the imagined heritage really came from.

Sir Richard Head Memorial

And the migrant was, Sir Richard, 1st Baronett Rector of Trottiscliff Head.

Wikipedia has this to say about Sir Richard:

Sir Richard Head, 1st Baronet (ca. 1609-18 September 1689) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1667 to 1679.

Head was the son of Richard Head, of Rochester, and his wife Anne Hartridge, daughter of William Hartridge, of Cranbrook.^[1]

In 1667 Head was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochester in the Cavalier Parliament and held the seat until 1679.^[2] He was created a baronet, of The Hermitage in the County of Kent on 19 June 1676. In 1689 Head entertained King James II and his small court as the King was about to leave the country.The king was so pleased and surprised by this hospitality that he presented Head with an emerald ring.^[1]

Head died in 1689 and by his will left several houses and lands in Higham to the mayor and citizens of Rochester for charitable purposes.^[1]

Head married firstly Elizabeth Merrick, daughter of Francis Merrick, alderman of Rochester and had three sons (including Francis Head, who died while his father was alive and Sir John Head(2nd son))^[3] and a daughter. He married secondly, Elizabeth Willy, of Wrotham, Kent and had two sons, and three daughters.^[1]

Richard was succeeded by his son Francis,

The following is the list of the Baronetcies of the Head family.

Head baronets, of The Hermitage (1676)[edit]

Sir Richard Head, 1st Baronet (c. 1609–1689)
Sir Francis Head, 2nd Baronet (c. 1670–1716)
Sir Richard Head, 3rd Baronet (c. 1692–1721)
Sir Francis Head, 4th Baronet (c. 1693–1768)
Sir John Head, 5th Baronet (c. 1702–1769)
Sir Edmund Head, 6th Baronet (1733–1796)
Sir John Head, 7th Baronet (1773–1838)
Sir Edmund Walker Head, 8th Baronet (1805–1868)

A Second Barontage of the Head family was begun in 1838 as the Baronetcy of the United Kingdom. This one is still in existence and began with Sir Francis Bond Head (1793-1875).

Sir Francis Bond Head

The Current Baron is Sir Richard Douglas Somerville Head, who was born in 1951.

So how does this barony relate to my beautiful blue-eyed boy?

Sir Richard had a son by wife Elizabeth Merrick named Henry.

Head Coat of Arms

Henry Head the First was born September 23, 1847. As his older brother Francis, was heir to the barony, Henry sought his fate and legacy in America. Many younger sons of the British Gentry sought property and prosperity in the New World as the lands of England were taken. There was land and property to be had in the New World. A Gentleman could make his mark there.

After arriving to the new land, probably to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Henry Head found a wife.

He married in 1670, to Elizabeth Lovett. She was the mother of Benjamin Head, at least. In 1677 Henry married Elizabeth Ketchum in Little Compton, Rhode Island (1654-1878).

Henry had 6 children: Jonathan, Henry II, Elizabeth, Mary, Innocent and Benjamin. They settled and made their estate in Compshire, Rhode Island.

Elizabeth left a will. The following is excerpts.

Will Dated 9 Jun 1739

Will-proved 11 Jul 1748.

Widow Elizabeth.

Executor was son Henry.

In the will she refers to herself as very aged.

To sons Jonathan and Henry 43 acres.

To son Jonathan 5 shillings.

To grandson William Head, son of Benjamin, 5 shillings.

To daughters Elizabeth Wilbur, Mary Cudburth, and Innocent Church, 5shillings each.

To grandson Lovet Head and Amey his wife, all my household stuff, and to said granddaughter Amey, a side saddle.

To grandson Lovet, also confirmation of a deed already made of ten cows and a bull.

To grandson Benjamin Cuthbert £30.

To son Henry, rest of real and personal.

It appears that son Benjamin predeceased his mother.

Henry the 1st died in 1716 in Little Compton, Newport, Rhode Island.
Irish by Burleigh co Jack Nelson (2)

Here I want to look a little bit at New Compton, where the Head family settled for several generations. Little Compton is said to have been settled first by Englishmen men from the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts who wanted to expand their land holdings. This goes perfectly hand in hand with Henry Head marrying in Massachusetts and then living in Rhode Island.

Henry made his will in March of 1708 and it was proved on August 20, 1716. Henry was not always agreeable with the law. He made his stand. It appears he settled amongst the Pilgrims, but was not always agreeable with them. Perhaps that is why he and others had removed to Little Compton.

View of Sakonnett River, Little Compton, Rhode Island, from City Data.

There have been several books written pertaining to the history of the Little Compton area that mention Henry Head. Among these are "Little Compton Families" by Benjamin Franklin Wilbour and"Franklin D Roosevelt's Colonial Ancestors" by Alvin Page Johnson, Boston: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co, 1933. Yes, my Grandson is related to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

From these sources and others certain facts can be established about Henry Head the first.

He was born in England in 1647
He had emigrated to America before 1683
After marrying in Massachusetts, he settled with others in Little Compton, Rhode Island. There the Head family made their home for several generations.
He appears in a list of families who settled in Rhode Island before 1690 published by J.O. Austin in 1881. In this list he is presented as "Henry Head, born 1647, died 1716, married Elizabeth, who died 1748.

Although it is recorded that most of the early citizens of Little Compton were Pilgrims or 'of Pilgrim stock' who had migrated from Duxbury or Marshfield, I am pretty sure Henry was not, he just lived among them, but was a bit of a rebel.

From 1673 to 1689 he served as a Deputy.
In February of 1686, he was chosen as an Agent, along with David Lake, to appear in court representing the town, which was ordered to raise a sum for the "encouragement of preaching the gospel", ordered by the court, but the town had either refused to or neglected to raise the fund. The Court ordered the town to pay a larger sum for contempt and neglect, stating that they "write rather as equals of neighbors than as delinquents or offenders. "

-On Christmas Day, in 1689, he was fined 20 shillings, along with three other gentlemen, for disorderly departure from the General Court. I don't believe the Pilgrims, who ran the court, celebrated Christmas, and Henry was obviously unhappy with the verdict of the Court.

Little Compton Cemetery, Rhode Island

-On June 3, 1690, he was chosen as a "Selectman".

But in 1692, Henry became not just a Little Compton resident unhappy with fees and penalties, he, with his neighbors, had had a bit of fun placing bets, and then took arms up against the law enforcement sent to charge them for this prohibited action.

Rhode Island Rebellion Against Massachusetts.
1692 Proclamation by Governor William Phips, Massachusetts Bay by His Excellency.

"Whereas, divers persons of ye, Town of Little Compton & parts adjacent in ye, County of Bristol within this, their Magisties province, have been inveigled & drawn into a bett & take part with Christopher Almy Senr., Dan.Wilcox, Henry Head, & W"' Briggs of y Said Town of Little Compton, in opposition to yc. majisties Government, & with force & arms to protect them against their officers having lawful warrant to take them into custody to be brought to answer for several High misdemeanours wherewith they Stand charged. �His Excel'& Council being rather desirous to reduce them by clemency than to use great severity, doe hereby declare & make known to all such persons, that if upon publication hereof they shall desist & come in to one or more of their majesties Justices within the Said County, submitting themselves to their majesties Authority and Govern'., they shall be Indemnified for what is past behaving themselves peaceably & orderly for time to come, but in default of making such submissions they may expect to be proceeded against as High Criminals. And the said Christopher Almy, Dan Wilcox, HENRY HEAD & Wm Briggs are hereby required in yr Majesties names within the space of ffourty eight hours next after publication hereof to render themselves unto some of yr Majesties Justices of the peace within the said County of Bristol, that they may he brought to answer what shall be objected against them on yr Majesties behalfe as they will answer their (refusal) at uttmost peril. Given under ye Seale of the sd Province at Boston, ye eighth day of Dec. 1692, in the fourth year of yr Majesties Reign. WILLIAM PHIPS By order in Council"

"Little Compton Families", Wilbore

Henry Head's will is recorded in the Taunton Probate Book Number 3 on page 286 and was written on March 24, 1708, which he recorded as "the eighth year of our sovereign Lady Ann, Queen of England". It was proved Auguse 20, 1716. In it, he leaves 20 pounds each to his daughters Elizabeth, Innocent and Mary. He left a slave named Jeffrey to his wife Elizabeth and a woman named Rose to his children. He also left a little boy named Scipio to his daughter Elizabeth. The total inventory of his estate was 609 pounds cash, Four slaves and 32 head of cattle. The Inventory was taken on August 20, 1716. The name of the fourth servant is not mentioned.

Warren Point, Little Compton, Rhode Island

His will, recorded in Taunton Probate Book 3, Page 286, made March 24, 1708 "in the eighth year of our sovereign Lady Ann, Queen of England" and proved August 20, 1716. "

To son Jonathan, the land and house where he dwells in Coakset, and certain other lands in Little Compton. To son Henry, 60 acres, etc. To daughters Elizabeth, Innocent and Mary 20 pounds each; Negro man called Jeffrey to wife; Negro woman called Rose to my children; little Negro boy called Scipeo to daughter Elizabeth." Total inventory 609 pounds-09-08. Four negroes 40 pounds; 32 head of cattle, L30 worth of Apparel, L78 worth of silver, several bills of credit and bonds worth L186, 12shillings and 3 "d's". Feather beds, a bible and other books, a book called "Doltan's Country Justice", spinning wheels and looms, Silver spoons, 5 horses, cider, corn, hogs, sheep, lambs, pigs" . Inventory taken August 20, 1716.

It appears that Henry was fairly well-settled and had a sustaining and sustainable farm upon his death. He left a decent legacy to his widow and children.

Wilbor House in Little Compton, built in 1692

Henry and Elizabeth had 6 children;

1) Jonathan Head 1678-1748 Little Compton, RI. Married Susannah Wilcox.

2) Henry Head 1680-1755 Little Compton RI. Married Elizabeth Palmer.

3) Elizabeth Hannah Head 1682-1734 Died in Portsmouth, RI. Married Benjamin Wilbor.

4) Mary Head b 1684 d abt 1729. Married William Cuthbert

5) Innocent Head b 1686 - 1717 Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Married Nathaniel Church.

6) Benjamin Head b 1687 - 1717 Little Compton, R I. Married Deborah Briggs.

Image result for Historical map, little compton, ri

Next post will be concerning Henry Head II.

I've found conflicting information on whether or not Sir Richard Head, First Baronet, of Trottingscliff Head, in Kent, England, ever visited America or not. Some have him in Massachusetts, and his son Henry being born there, others have him never leaving England and Henry being born in England and passing away in Little Compton, Rhode Island. I tend to go with the second theory, especially with Henry's older brother Francis taking over the Barony. Like many younger sons for whom an older brother became a member of the landed gentry and whom there was a limited supply of property in Olde England at the time, their choices were to choose a professional career in a village, or seek their fame and fortune elsewhere. And I believe that is what Henry did.

Tombstone of Henry Head the First

Henry Head the Elder came to America as a second son of a Baron to make his way, and become a land owner in the New World. He first settled among the Pilgrims of Massachusetts Bay Colony, but later struck out across the Bay to Rhode Island, along with a few other families, who were not exactly what we would call "down with the Pilgrims".

The Head Lot, or otherwise known as "Rhode Island Historic Cemetery, Little Compton "19" is located on Maple Avenue in Little Compton, Rhode Island. This is the final resting place of Henry Head the First.

Henry raised his 6 children, Jonathan, Henry, Elizabeth, Mary, Innocent and Benjamin, all in Little Compton.

In this book, "Little Compton Families", the Will of Elizabeth Ketchum Head is quoted, and suggests that the Head family land was surrounded by that of the Wilbor family, which one daughter married into, and which was considered one of the premier families of Little Compton.

Elizabeth mentions her second son Henry as such, "To Two beloved sons Jonathan and Henry, one certain tract of land, 43 acres bounded, south and west on land of Joseph Wilbur, north on William Wilbor, east on the Highway, land that was given me by my honored husband, Henry Head, of Little Compton, deceased. " And at the end of the will, "To son Henry, all rest and residue".

So, Henry Head the second, born and raised in Little Compton, Rhode Island, was set up in life by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth, Henry being the immigrant.

The first marriage conducted by Richard Billings, in Little Compton, was that of Henry's older brother Jonathan and Susanna Wilcox, in 1704. The only recorded child of Jonathan and Susanna was a son, Joseph, who was born the year after their marriage in 1705. There may have been others who died as infants.

Younger brother, Benjamin, the baby of the family, was born in 1687, he was also married by Richard Billings to Deborah Briggs, in 1714. Benjamin must have become ill or injured, because he made his will in August of 1717 and his will was proven in September of 1717. Benjamin was only 30 years old. I believe there must have been a plague, virus, or disaster of some kind, as several other Head family members, and other Little Compton residents, passed away in 1717.

Benjamin and Deborah only had one son, William, born in 1715, the same as his cousin Joseph. The widow Deborah Briggs Head, would remarry to Ezekial Carr, and she would live to be 80 years old, being born in September of 1693 and passing away in November of 1773.

The three daughters of Henry the 1st were Elizabeth, Mary and Innocent.

Elizabeth married Benjamin Wilbor in 1710, of the neighboring Wilbor family.

Mary married William Cuthbert in 1707.

Innocent, the youngest daughter, married Nathaniel Church in 1717.

So Henry Head II became the progenitor of most of Henry's descendants with the surname "Head".

Henry married at age 29 to Elizabeth Palmer, daughter of William Palmer and Mary Richmond Palmer on June 29, 1709, also by Richard Billings.

Now, I feel this to be the time and place to insert this odd little piece of trivia concerning the Richard Billings, who seems to have had a strong connection to the Heads, as having performed the marriage ceremonies of all of the Head children. Or, it could have been that he was the only guy around and available. But I doubt it. .

While researching the family of Elizabeth Palmer Head, ancestress of my beautiful little grandson, I discovered a wonderful blog, and an interesting tale concerning Richard Billings. Apparently, he ate cats, or, as it is recorderd, "He firmly believed in cats as an article of diet."The story can be found in this post:

In this Quarterly, a mention of Richard Billings and Little Compton is given as follows.

The American Quarterly Register, Volumes 11-12

"This town was settled soon after the conclusion of King Phillip's War (King Phillip was a Wampanoag Indian Chief) in 1676, by emigrants from the Island, from which the state takes it's name, and from Plymouth Colony. It's Indian name was Seaconnett. It was originally owned by 32 proprietors, who early manifested their love to the Gospel by setting apart one thirty-third part of the township for its maintenance. It was originally owned by Massachusetts, but was set off to Rhode Island in 1746.

The Congregational Church in this town was gathered Nov. 30, 1704 and Rev. Richard Billings ordained its first pastor. Mr. Billings was a native of England, and a graduate of Harvard College. His ministry in this place continued 43 years, 11 months and 20 days. The number of persons recieved unto this church during this period was 197..... 598 children baptized... He died Nov. 20, 1748, aged 74."

Little Compton, Rhode Island.

The Palmer Family, from whom Elizabeth Palmer Head descends traces to William Palmer Sr. and son, William Palmer, Jr. who sailed from England to Plymouth Colony on The Fortune in 1621. His wife, Frances Blossom Palmer, daughter of Thomas Blossom, arrived two years later on The Anne. Two of his children remained in England. William Sr. is counted as freeman in Plymouth in 1633, but later moved to Duxbury. He is said to have been a nailer by trade and an inventory of his estate included many tools, including an anvil and bellows.

William Palmer, Sr. was born Feb. 7, 1583 in Stepney, London, England and died in Duxbury in November of 1637. He is said to have been married 3 times. First to Margaret White, Second to Frances Blossom and lastly to Mary Trine. Frances died before 1634. Mary, his third wife, survived him and remarried to Richard Paddock in 1644 and to Thomas Roberts in 1651.

I am particularly interested in the Palmer family, as I am a Palmer descendant, and have not traced my Palmers out of this county, YET. But I will. I wonder if this is also my Palmer line, as it goes back so far.

William Palmer, “the elder,” departed London, England, with his son William Palmer, “the younger,” in early July 1621 aboard the ship FORTUNE of 55 tons, Thomas Barton Master. There were 35 passengers aboard. Following a stormy passage, they arrived Plymouth 11 November. William’s wife Frances arrived Plymouth July/Aug. 1623 aboard the ANNE, William Peirce master.

-from George F. Willison, "Saints and Strangers".

Other interesting facts about William Palmer Sr., the 'Naylor' of Stepney are as follows.

He had a servant named William Carvanyell who made the voyage with him.
He was one of 27 men in Plymouth who signed an agreement to allow privileges to 8 Undertakers who assumed the debt that Plymouth owed to the "Advernturers". The Adventures are said to have been basically stockholders, businessmen who invested in the Colony. The privileges include a monopoly on the fur trade.
In 1623, as member of the Fortune group of settlers, William Palmer and William Battiste, recieved 2 acres, located 'beyond the first brook to the wood westward". A translation has this same passage as "From First Brook to Woolen Mill Brook on the Westerly side of Court Street". His receiving 2 acres was for the arrival of two persons in his family on The Fortune, that of himself and son William. His wife Frances would also be allotted an acre in the same division, "frances wife to Wit Palmer" as a member of the group to arrive upon the Anne, recieved one acre, said to be on the other side of town on the Eel River adjoining the parcel of a lady named Marie Buckett.

The 1621 voyage of the Fortune was the second English ship sent out to Plymouth Colony by the Merchant Adventurers investment group, which had also financed the 1620 voyage of the Pilgrim ship Mayflower. The Fortune was 1/3 the size of the Mayflower, displacing 55 tons.

The Fortune

It is pretty clear from the evidence that William Palmer was a straightup Pilgrim. His granddaughter Elizabeth would marry Henry Head II. The following link is concerning the arrival of the ship, The Fortune, which was not necessarily fortunate.

http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=357

Next post: William Palmer II and his daughter Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Palmer, of Pilgrim origin, was also an ancestor of my son-in-law and grandson. She was the granddaughter of William Palmer, a Nailer, from Sedbury, England,who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1622, on the ship "The Fortune", which carried 35 passengers.

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Elizabeth Palmer would have grown up as a Pilgrim in Plymouth Colony.

William Palmer the first is mention several times in the early records of the Colony. In my early post, I mentioned that William Senior received two acres of land for arriving with young son, William Jr. and later, his wife, who arrived on the Ann, two years later, received one acre on Eel River. These allotments seem minuscule compared to the amounts of land granted to my Virginian ancestors who would migrate to North Carolina.

Glimpse into The Fortune

The Fortune was the second ship to arrive, after the Mayflower. The following link contains a listing of the ships passengers.

Blog on The Fortune

The following photograph of the restored village, shows much what Plymouth would have looked like as the Williams resided there.

William Palmer is found in the Plymouth records a few times. In 1627, there was held a "Division of Cattle on May 22. William "the elder", his wife Frances and son William "the younger", are all mentioned in this document, in the seventh lot, along with Stephen Hopkins.

" “To this lott fell A Black weining Calfe to wch was aded the Calfe of this yeare to come of the Black Cow, wch pueing a bull they were to keepe it ungelt 5 yeares for common vse & after to make there best of it. Nothing belongeth of thes too, for ye companye of ye first stock: but only half ye Increase. To this lott ther fell two shee goats: which goats they posses on the like terms which others doetheir cattell.”"

Also in 1627, he received a grant of 6 acres near Reed Pond, an extention of Cold Spring Brook. Researchers have placed this location one half mile north of Plymouth Rock.

Modern Map of Plymouth

He sold this property in Oct of 1632 to John Holmes for 35 sterlings and was described as a house and 6 acres "adjoining to ye Reede Pond".

Prior to that in 1628, William Palmer signed a covenant with William Bassett and Samuel Fuller as Members of the Plymouth Colony of New England, and William Bradford, Capt. Miles Standish and Isaac Allerton and such others as they shall take as partners and undertakers with them on the other party.
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In the first tax listing of Plymouth Colony, William Palmer was taxed 7 shilliings. His worth must have grown between 1632 and 1634, because in that year he was taxed 18 shillings and his son 9. At any rate, he was wealthy enough to have servants, at least four of them. In addition to the prior mentioned William Carvanyell, there were two other men and one female maid, at least.

In the following book:

Plymouth Colony, Its History & People, 1620-1691

By Eugene Aubrey Stratton

It states that on July 23, 1633, William Mendlove was whipped for attempting "uncleaness" with Palmers maid and from running away from his master. Mendlove was also a servant of Palmer and was returned for a reward by Penwatechet, and Indian. This report is again found in this manner:

"being forcibly brought againe by Penwatechet, a Manomet Indian.” Suggesting that Mendlove had escaped previously.

On August 15th of that same year, Robert Barker transferred his apprenticeship from John Thorpe, who had died, to William Palmer.

Will Palmer is listed as a debtor to Peter Brown deceased in the inventory of his propety taken in 1633 by Miles Standish and Will Brewster.

He is also listed as owing for a servant to John Thorp Carpenter in November of the same year in Carpenters estate records.

1633 was a busy year for Will Palmer. He finally got rid of the troublesome servant, William Mendlove.

23 July 1633: “Will Palmer sold the time of service he had in Will Mendloue to Richard Church, for & in consideracon of three pounds starling, to be paid in money or corne, in November next ensuing.”

William Palmer, among others, would moved to Duxbury. Some of the others were Miles Standish, Jonathan Brewster, Love Brewster, William Bassett, Steven Tracy and William Sprague.

After the move to Duxbury, William Palmer, the elder, was appointed along with Miles Standish, William Collier, Jonathan Brewster, and Steven Tracy, to lay out a highway to Duxbury in October of 1634. The highway may have failed to appear on time, as he was again called to court, on May 2, 1837 to be one of 12 jurors to set forth the highways around Plymouth, "Ducksborrow" and the "Eele River". In July, of 1837, they delivered their decision, that the highway from Plymouth to Duxbury would begin at the Jones River and pass through the property of Steven Tracy and Francis Sprague. From there, it would "cutt" between Spragues and William Bassett's orchard, to John Washburn's property to Will Palmer's gate. From there through Peter Brown's to Henry Howland's house, through a marsh to John Alden's, and then through a valley to the edge of Phillip DeNoy's farm and then onward to Edward Bumpass's then pass Roland Leyhornes' house and ending at Green's harbor.

Image result for Green's harbour, Plymouth

Image result for Green's harbour, Plymouth

These were not unheard of names. In 1634, William Palmer had sold a portion of his land on Eagles Next Creek to Edward Bumpass. A year later, John Washborne bought the lot, which is called "the lot that he had by William Palmer". The remainder of the lot was sold in September, 1838, when Williams estate was being settled.

In May of 1837, William Palmer was a juror.

William signed his will on November 7, 1837. A week later, an inventory was taken of his estate.

He maintained a close association with Stephen Hopkins. In 1837, the two friends would be arrested for drinking and partying, but William Palmer, who was fairly aged by this time, 54, which was considered far older in those days than it would be now, would not survive until trial.

Stratton's book reports, "Stephen Hopkins was presented by the Grand Jury for excessive drinking in his house by several men, including Old Palmer.....Widow Palmer and 'Palmer's man', were among the testifying witnesses." It occurred during the cold of January and William Palmer may have died of alcohol poisoning, or an accident arising from the event.

The following is William Palmer's Will.

William Palmer

PLYMOUTH COLONY WILLS AND INVENTORIES

On 2/12 Janry 1637/8, Francis Cooke was a member of the jury which tried the case of John and Elizabeth (Hodgkins) (Palmer) Willis against the executors of the estate of William Palmer, Sr. John Willis was quite visible in the early records. Not a great deal is known about William but he is with some frequency mentioned in early records.

[Vol. 1, fol. 28] A true Coppy of the last Will & testament Willm Palmer th elder proved before the Govnr and Assistants at a Court held the fourth of December in the thirteenth yeare of the Raigne of our Sovraigne Lord Charles by the grace of God of England Scotland ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the fayth &c 1637

I William Palmer of Ducksborrow Nayler being ill in body but of pfect memorie not knowing how nere I am to my death think good briefely to settle my estate, yet hope if God spare life to set downe thinges more perticulerly hereafter. In the meane tyme for the disposeing of my outward estate this is my will & Testament ffirst of all I ordaine my loveing frends mr Willm Bradford mr Edward Winslowe and mr Thomas Prince my Executrs.

Next of all whereas I have marryed a yeong weoman who is deare unto me I desire them to deale well wth her: but my desire is that my estate consisting of lands houseing goods chattells &c may be sould and turned into money, all but such of my mooveables as my Executrs aforesaid shall thinke meete to give her for her present comfort:

next my estate being wholly sould as afore my desire is that my wife may not have lesse then one third thereof. And if in case shee be wth child Then that one other third of my estate be prserved and improved by my Executrs for that child as myne heire.

And that if in case shee be not wth child Then I would have myne Executrs as in conscience they are pswaded out of the remaynder ofmy estate deale wth Rebecca my Grandchild and Moyses Rowly whom I love, but not so as to put it into their father or mothers hands but prserve it for them till they come to yeares of Discretion.

Next my Debts being payd I would have myne Executers to give somewhat to Stephen Tracy and somewhat towards the meeting house at Plymouth, also I would have yeong Rowly to be placed wth mr Partridge that hee might be brought up in the feare of God, and to that end if his father suffer it I give mr Partridg five pounds.

And if in case my sonne Henry or daughter Bridgitt be liveing if they Demaund it I give them fourty shillings a peece if they be liveing

That this is my Deede witnes my hand & Seale the seaventh of Novembr 1637
Witnesses hereunto The marke of
Thomas Burnes Wm Palmer
William Basset
It was the will of the Testator that his wyfe should bee ruled by her auncient mr Edward Winslow in her marriage if she looke to ptake in any pt of this estate otherwise not Also that John Willis have fourty shillings
Witnes
Thomas Burnes
William Basset
Thom Burnes sworne to this will the 4th Decembr 1637 at a Court of Assistants.
Wm Basset deposed to this will the 5th march 1637
Vid. Crt orders

p. 144
An exact Inventory of all the mooveablegoods of Willm Palmr thelder taken the XIIIth of Novembr 1637 by Jonathan Brewster Edmond Chaundler Willia Basset & John Willis

The children of William Palmer have been determined as follows:

William Palmer and Margaret White Palmer, all born in England:
1) Henry, mentioned in his father's will. Stayed in England.
2) Bridget, mentioned in her father's will. Stayed in England.
3) Sarah, not mentioned in her father's will, but her son Moses was.
Sarah marriend Henry Rowley. She probably died late in 1636. On March 7, 1653, Moses Rowley, grandson of William Palmer, recieved a cow that had been left to him in William's will. Thomas Prence, who was one of the overseers of William Palmer's will was involved in the transaction.

It is thought that Sarah was the daughter of first wife Margaret because she did not come to Plymouth with William or with Francis.

William Palmer and Francis Blossom Palmer:

4) William Palmer "the Younger". Came to America with his father on The Fortune.

William Palmer and Mary Trine Palmer:

5) William Palmer, born June 27, 1634. It was not uncommon for children at this time to bear the same name as an older sibling, especially if they were half-siblings or the older sibling was deceased.

The grandchild Rebecca, that is mentioned in the will is said to be daughter of the elder William the Younger.

In researching, or actually, with the depth that the early residents of Plymouth have been studied, researched and written about, what was left for me to do was just to read about, and not research, Henry Palmer, The Pilgrim, who arrived from England on the second ship to Plymouth, The Fortune, I've found that several people get these two men very confused, thinking, he could not possibly have two sons named William. But he in fact did. One son was born in England and came with him, his wife arriving 2 years later.
Image result for the fortune plymouth colony

Image result for the fortune plymouth colony

After Henry the Elder's wife Francis Blossom Palmer died, he married a young woman named Mary, and she would also have a son and name him William. Some claim William, son of Mary was born posthumously, but I do not believe so. She was simply expectant with him during the writing of the Will. William the Elder lived for awhile after writing his will and had made arrangements with a neighbor for the care and raising of his child. He seemed to know his time was near, maybe falling into bad health, and after that, his cares and concerns for the stiff rules and regulations of the Pilgrims did not worry him any more, as he was listed among those who had a drunken party at the house of Steven Hopkins in Duxbury, but he did not live to make it to trial.
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Mary Trine Palmer was obviously much younger than William the Elder. She married twice after his death. Knowing her other children would bear a different name, it probably seemed very important to her that her son bear his father's name, so that he could remember who he was and honor that memory with his own name.

There was without doubt, two sons of William Palmer, named William Palmer. Some family trees have the elder brother William being the father of Elizabeth Palmer Head, the direct ancestor of my grandson, but that was not the case.

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William Palmer the Younger, the eldest son William:

William arrived at Plymouth along with father when he was about 15 years old.
He appears in several records during the lifespan of his father, clearly as himself, referred to as William the Younger. He had siblings, recorded as half-siblings, who remained in England, Henry and Bridget. Being older, they may have started families of their own already, or intended to, and did not want to leave to make the dangerous journey.

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Younger, as I will call him, was listed with his parents on the May 22, 1627 document, "Division of Cattle".

He was listed on the freeman's list in 1633 and taxed at 9 shillings in 1634. It seems at this point, he was considered to have been of age.

Younger married Elizabeth Hodgkins on March 27, 1634 in Plymouth. They had one daughter, Rebecca.

Younger died prior to the August 25, 1636 settlement of his estate. He would have been about 30 years old. Property was mentioned and debts were owed.

His widow Elizabeth would remarry to Deacon John Willis.

At a session of court on January 2, 1638, John Willis and his wife Elizabeth sued the executors of the estate of William Palmer, Sr. for damages for a lot of land which they claimed they had a right to, due to the marriage of Elizabeth to William Palmer, the younger, son of William Palmer, the elder, but the jury did not find in their favor.
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The Willis's were living in Duxbury in 1640. John Willis owned land "northwest of North Hill" and also 50 acres at Namasakeeset. He sold his property in 1657 and they moved to Bridgewater.

Rebecca Palmer was born about 1635 to William the Younger and wife Elizabeth Hodgkins Palmer. Her grandfather, William the Elder, left her a legacy in his will, that was not to be put into her father or mother's hands, but preserved for her until she came of age. It sounded like he did not trust either parent to hold her property to her, although he loved his little granddaughter.
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In 1651, Rebecca would have been around 16 years old. Her step-father, John Willis, filed a complaint against Trustum Hull and his wife on behalf of his step-daughter Rebecca (this relationship was referred to as a daughter-in-law in those days). He charged the Hulls with assault and battery on Rebecca and claimed that she was "molested and hindered in performing faithful services unto her master, Samuel Mayo, of Barnstable by the wife of Trustum Hull, of Barnstable". The charge also claimed, "The Court have sent downe order by Roger Goodspeed, grandjuryman, of Barnstable, aforesaid to warn the wife of ye said Trustum Hull to desist from such practices any further, as shee or any other that shall do will answare it at theire perill, and allsoe that the said wife of Trustum Hull doe gie answare not appeering at this Court nor her attornie to answare the suite comenced against her by the said John Willis."
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The defendants were found to have defaulted. I can not find who Rebecca married or if she survived. It is apparent that her stepfather hired her out. His intervention on her behalf does not necessarily mean that he cared for her safety. If she was beaten so badly as to have been hindered from her work for the Rev. Mayo, he may not have gotten the wages she earned, that would have gone to him, and therefore, could have been all about money.

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Image result for Duxbury, plymouth colony

William Palmer, son of Mary. The Youngest William.

I've seen two different birthdates for this William: June 26/27 1634 and 1638. I've even seen him being listed as two different Williams. There seems to be no evidence of that, that one died and another was born and renamed with the same name. There are facts that definitely separate him from his half-brother, William the Younger.

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Image result for dartmouth, massachusetts, history

William may have been adopted by Robert Paddock and his first wife, prior to Paddock marrying Mary, the widow of William Palmer. In the book, "Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England: Miscellaneous Records, 1633-1689" Nathaniel B Shurtleff, in 1857, is this passage:

"Register of the Age of some of the Children of Robert Paddock, William Palmer, the son in law of the said Robert Paddocke, was borne the 27th of June 1634."

In the November 13, 1637 inventory of the estate of William the Elder, an amount of money was set aside to "goodwife padock for ye child".

On October 20, 1646 Robert Paddock asked the Court for "an account of which is due unto him by the last will and testament of William Palmer, deceased."As the amount was the same as the amount designated to his wife for the care of the child, it can rightfully assumed that the first wife passed away and the money set aside by William the Elder to care for the small child was due to Robert Paddock.

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Around 1663, William Palmer, the youngest and the only one still living, married Sussannah Briggs. Sussanah was the daughter of John and Sarah Cornell Briggs.
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He appears in the records as follows:

May 22, 1657-Listed as a creditor to the estate of William Bradford.
April 28, 1659- William Palmer of Plymouth, a Cooper, son of William of Duxbury, a Nailer, deceased, acknowledged that he had recieved the full portion of his share of the legacy of his father's Will and released the Executors of the Will from any future claims. He recieved money and a horse.
He also recieved from his father's property, a lot in Acconquesse that had been distributed to William Palmer, Nailer and 57 other of the first settlers of Plymouth, by an act of Court on March 3, 1639. Young William selected his spot on the east side of the Acushnet River in Duxbury.
On March 24, 1661 William Palmer of "Accushenah" (present day Dartmouth), a Cooper, sold to John Barnes, Yeoman of Plymouth, "all that my home 'lott', lying and being at Accushenah (25 acres) with all the house, housing, and fences thereon with 3 acres of meadow as yet unlayed out.....except my right of commonage." It can be understood that the names Acconquesse, Achushnet and Accushenah, were all one and the same place.
June 5, 1666, William Palmer was named as a Constable of Dartmouth.
June 5, 1667 William Palmer and Thomas Roberts of Dartmouth, bought from Edward Gray of Plymouth, his half share of upland which he had purchased of John Russell in Dartmouth. Thomas Roberts was William Palmer (of Dartmouth's) stepfather at this time.
May 29, 1670 William Palmer is listed as a Freeman of Dartmouth.
June 6, 1671, William Palmer was appointed as a Surveyor of Highways.
1672, he was again appointed as a Surveyor of Highways.
June 3, 1674 William Palmer was one of 3 representatives from Dartmouth to the General Court at Plymouth.

Acushnet River

By the time William Palmer, the Youngest or "Of Dartmouth", was a grown man, the Native Americans in the area had grown more than annoyed with the Englishmen's growing encroachment.
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Image result for king philip's war and its impact

The region was under constant attack during the summer of 1675, during King Phillips War. King Phillip was otherwise known as "Metacomet". When relations between the Pilgrims and the Natives were good, he had adopted the name "King Phillip", in order to gain a closer relationship and understanding of the Pilgrims. I will not go into the details of the War, but to state that the English and other immigrants built garrisons for protection against Indian attack.
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One was built by John Russell on the west side of the river and John Cooke had built one on the east. William Palmer built one on Palmer Island in the Acushnet River. A settlement east of the river was burned by attacking Natives in June of 1675. Most of the survivors took refuge at Cooke's garrison. William Palmer, the youngest "of Dartmouth" was on his way to this garrison when he was ambushed and killed.

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Being a younger man, probably around 40 in age, he had not yet made a will. An inventory of his estate was made on June 30, 1675 and was presented in court by his widow, Susannah Palmer on June 3, 1679. Letters of Administration were granted to widow, Sussanah Palmer of Dartmouth and the court appointed neighbor John Russell and her brother, William Briggs, as overseers to assist her in settling her deceased husbands estate.
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After the estate was settled, Sussanah and her children moved back to her hometown of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where she could be close to her family, her brothers and parents. Once there, she married John Northway, who was a close family friend. Her sons by Wiliam Palmer were not satisfied in Portsmouth and set out to the new settlement of Little Compton, Rhode Island.
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Widowed once more, Sussanah herself moved to Little Compton after John Northway's death, presumably to be near her sons and grandchildren. She was there in 1697. On March 2, 1702 Sussanah Northway, widow, purchased property in Tiverton, Rhode Island, from Edward Gray. This property was located right next to her son, Joseph Palmer.

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The threes sons of William Palmer of Dartmouth, Cooper and Sussanah Briggs were;

1) William Palmer III born in 1664 in Dartmouth. He married Mary Richmond in 1685. William had died by 1745. He and Mary settled in Little Compton and were the parents of 12 children. I will post more on this family as this is the direct line that my grandson descends from.

Image result for little compton rhode island

Image result for little compton rhode island

2) John Palmer, born May 18, 1665. John Palmer married Elizabeth Richmond, the sister of Mary who married his brother. When Elizabeth died, he married Mary Blood, daughter of Gideon Blood. John was a soldier in the Colonial Wars and attained the rank of Captain. In early deeds, he is called a "Carpenter" and in later documents, he is referred to as a "Gentleman", so he appears to have risen in status in later years. John died October 13, 1752 and is buried with his two wives in the Little Compton Olde Commons Cemetery.

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3) Jospeh Palmer, born in 1667, married a woman named Sarah. Joseph made his home in Tiverton, and took care of his mother Sussanah in her later days. After the death of their mother, William and John, who lived in Little Compton, signed their portion of their mother's land in Tiverton, that she had purchased from Edward Gray, to Joseph. Joseph would move back to Little Compton in his later days and was referred to in later documents as a "Yeoman" and "Husbandman". He died in Little Compton in 1728.

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Knowing that those who don't stick their noses into history are probably unfamiliar with some of the careers of the Palmer men, I've decided to define these occupations or titles.

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Image result for nailer, historic occupation

Nailer- Simply put, he made nails for building. Nailers at this time, would have been first and foremost farmers and pursuing their occupation of nail-making during the winter and times of bad weather, when they did not have to attend to their crops. It was in other terms, a part-time occupation. William Palmer, the nailer, would have learned his trade in Sudbury, England, where nails were made in a "Slitting Mill", and undoubtedly brought his tools with him to America. Because of his skillset, he may have been selected and sought out to contribute to the building of a new Colony. His son, William the Younger, was most likely an apprentice to his father, and was sought out as well.

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Image result for cooper, historic occupation

Cooper- William Palmer, the Youngest, or "of Dartmouth", was a Cooper. He did not grow up with his father, the Nailer, but with a stepfather. In this sense, he was probably apprenticed out to a Cooper in the village at a young age to learn the trade. Cooper's were barrel-makers. The name probably started with a term for working with copper. Barrels were used for many things in the early Colonies, especially in ports. They were used for the storage and shipping of everything from gin to flour to gunpowder. Coopers did not make just barrels, either. They made a variety of items from buckets to churns to pipes. William would not have lacked for work.

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Yeoman-Yeoman, originally in Old England,was a knight's retainer, coming from "young man". In later days, it pretty much referred to a farmer who tended to his own property, as opposed to a Gentleman, who had servants to tend the property for him. Joseph Palmer, son of William the Cooper, was called a Yeoman. He was also referred to later, as a Husbandman, which was considered below the status of a Yeoman, and either referred to a tenant farmer, or either one who tended to animals. This change may have taken place in his older years, when he sold his property in Tiverton and moved to Little Compton. He may have went from tending his own property, which may have gotten to be too much for him, to just tending animals on someone's else's property, or tending a small spot on someone else's land, maybe that of a member of his own family.
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Image result for yeoman, historic occupation

Gentleman- Captain John Palmer, son of William the Cooper, seems to have advanced in life further than his two brothers. It stood for a Member of the Landed Gentry and stood below the title of "Esquire" and above that of "Yeoman". John, perhaps because of his military service, would have owned a substantial portion of land and would have had at minimum, a few servants to work it.

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Image result for gentleman, historic occupation

From here, we will move on to William Palmer of Little Compton, son of William the Cooper of Dartmouth, son of William the Nailer of Plymouth, who married Mary Richmond and was the father of Elizabeth Palmer who married Henry Head.

In researching the 4 William Palmers in my Grandson's line, I came across his very interesting Ancestress, Mary Trine Palmer Paddock Roberts.
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Mary was the last wife of William of Plymouth, the senior immigrant. She was obviously many years his junior and her life was an interesting one. I would bet that she was a beautiful woman, although no image of her exists, as she was very much a man-magnet.

Settling in to one path of Mary's, not much is to be found about her. Yet, branching out into researching many of those who crossed her path in life, or whose path she crossed, a fuller, more colorful picture appears of this woman who lived in a very austere environment, and may have been a beguiling and free-spirited person.

Many of the logistics concerning Mary are mostly conjecture and the assumptions of 2 plus 2 being 4. But taken together, they paint a very probable picture, like a puzzle of which all the pieces will never be found, but enough of the pieces found to be able to surmise what the picture is of.

Hence, when I speak of Mary, remember that some, if not most of the information for Mary, beyond the dates of her marriages, which are documented, and court records, wills and ship logs, and other surviving paper documentation, was taken from sources that "put two and two together". They are likely and probably true, but not supported by hard, proven fact.
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Mary came over as a maid, or Nanny with the family of Henry Rowley and his first wife, Sarah Palmer, about 1630, and their children, to Plymouth Colony. Sarah was joining her father, William Palmer the First, Nailor. Sarah was likely pregnant with her third, maybe second, child at this time.

That Sarah was the daughter of William Palmer is certain beyond mere assumption. Her son Moses Rowley is mentioned in the Will of William Palmer as his grandchild. During the research on the Palmer family, I found a Historical Journal entry, "In the Summer of 1632, a fever epidemic hit Plymouth and over 20 colonists died, including Sarah Palmer Rowley".

Mary's maiden name is given in every report I've seen as "Trine". This could be fact, or this could be a contrived surname, due to the fact that she was the third wife of at least 2 of her 3 husbands. Three seemed to be her lucky number. As this is the surname she has gone down through history with, be it real or contrived, this is the surname we will stick with to identify her by.
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On October 10, 1833, Henry Rowley remarried to Anne Elsdon or Helsdon Blossom, the widow of Thomas Blossom. She was in her early 40's and had 3 children. Her husband Thomas had died in the same summer of fever as Henry's wife Sarah. It is acknowledged that Henry was considerably younger than Anne, but it may have been with the advice of the council of the Church that this Union take place, as dual parentage for the 6 children involved.

It may have been due to the direction of Ann Blossom Rawley that the young maid Mary, be sent to work for Henry Rowley's aging father-in-law, William Palmer. Perhaps this decision or business deal was made during an assigned period of mourning followed by courtship, when the marriage was in the plans.
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Sarah Palmer had been very young when she married Henry Rawley. The stats on Henry Rowley are that he was born about 1598 in Bennington, Hertfordshire, England. He immigrated to Plymouth Colony around 1630. He moved to Barnstable in 1638. He died in Barnstable in July of 1673.

He and Sarah Palmer were married in London, England about 1620. A mysterious son Joseph is said to have been born in 1623, who was found in Barnstable in 1655, but who removed at adulthood to Barbados. Daughter Sarah, who married Jonathan Hatch, was born in 1825 and son Moses, who was left property by his grandfather, William Palmer, was born between 1630 and 1632.
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I have found it said that William Palmer's first wife and presumed mother of his elder children, died about 1620, the same summer that Sarah eloped with Henry Rowley. Sarah was 14 years old an "incurred the wrath of her father". Mary Trine may have been just a hired girl, or perhaps a friend of Sarah's. There's no doubt Mary was very young when she was employed as the Rowley maid and perhaps around 16 when she entered the home of William Palmer, Senior, as a maid servant.

What is fact is that on July 23, 1633, William Mendlove, servant of William Palmer, was sentenced to be whipped and discharged for "misconduct" with the maid servant of William Palmer. The fact that the man alone was punished and not the maid, conclusively Mary, probably meant that she was an unwilling recipient of his attentions.

Undoubtedly pretty, Mary looks had her removed from the home of Henry Rowley, possibly by the aging future Mrs. Anne Rowley, and her looks had probably attracted the unwanted and aggressive attention of her co-worker, William Mendlove.
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Now it's time to look at the relationship between William Palmer, the nailer and Robert Padduck the blacksmith.

These two were Mary's first and second husbands. But before she married either of them, they were neighbors. On June 4, 1638, William Carvanell, a servant of William Palmer, had broken into Robert Paddocks shop and was brought to court. Carvanell had arrived on The Fortune with William Palmer and his son William Jr.

Robert Paddock was a married man at this time. Previously, he had been married to a Mary Ball, before arriving in America, and at this particular time, he was married to a Mary Holmes.

In 1634, William Palmer placed an infant boy named William Palmer in the care of Mr and Mrs Holmes, his neighbors. He paid them for the upkeep. Then this is where the story gets entangled.
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The facts seem to be that William Palmer, Sr. married the young maid, Mary Trine. Mary had a baby boy, named William Palmer. In fact, it is reported that she had two sons named William Palmer, that the first, born in 1634, died in 1636 and that the second, born in 1638, posthumously of his fathers death, was the one mentioned in William Palmer's will as the child she was pregnant with at the time of the will. .
It is a fact that a William Palmer, son of William Palmer the nailer, grew up to claim his portion of his father's estate. He was a Cooper, and released the executors of his share.

It is also a fact that William Palmer, the Younger, who had arrived in America with his father on The Fortune, passed away in 1636, without leaving a will. He was a young man, and had obviously died suddenly. He had married, to Elizabeth Hodgkins, and left a daughter, Rebecca, mentioned in William Sr.'s will. Elizabeth, his widow, would remarry to Jonathan Willis.
Image result for map of plymouth massachusetts

Image result for map of plymouth massachusetts

Now, this is where it gets hairy and turns into rumour, or pure speculation.

The story goes that Mary, the tempting maid, was living in his father's home at the time the Younger William Palmer was engaged to Elizabeth Hodgkins, and that perhaps, Mary, may have had her sights set on marrying the young man. He would have been upwards of 20 at this time.

Mary became pregnant. The rumour that survived generations was that the child was that of William, Jr's. William Sr., to protect his son's place in society, and preserve his engagement, quickly married the maid, Mary, as his wife Francis had passed.

He was obviously very fond of her, and loved her dearly. She seems to have been easy to fall in love with. He mentions this fact in his will.

William Palmer, infant, was born in June 27, 1834, three months after the marriage of William the Younger to Elizabeth Hodgkins.

It is claimed that it is recorded that Mary Trine Palmer fell ill, or perhaps pretending to fall ill, and that William Senior turned the boy over to his neighbors, the Paddocks, with promises of land and cash settlement for his care. The care may or may not have been rightly provided as the child did not thrive, and died at age 2.

Another confusing fact about Mary was her relationship with Edward Winslow. He was at some point, appointed her guardian or "ancient". Edward Winslow is very well recorded in history.

Edward Winslow.

Winslow was the Govenor of Plymouth Colony, having arrived in 1620 on the Mayflower.

In William Palmer's will, he commands "that she be ruled by her aucient, if she remarries", named as Edward Winslow.

In November 1637 at the age of about 62, William Palmer Sr. died. A Section
of his will reads: "Whereas I have married a 'young woman' who is dear unto
me, I desire that she have not less than one-third of my estate, and, if in
case she be with child then that one other third be preserved and improved
---for that child as mine heir." Quoting from the Palmer Families in
America, Vol. Ill: "Looking again at the will we do not find any mention of
any ---- William but to the inventory we find an item among the debts as
follows; 'to goodwife Paddock, for the child, one pound, 5 shillings, 2
pence.'" This must have been the last periodic amount under the agreement
that was unpaid at the time of death.

The agreement was designed to continue until such a future time when it would be discreet for Mary to regain her child. As events soon proved, this happened after the death of William Palmer Sr. and a little later, the death of Mary Holmes Paddock.

The above unpaid debt was not claimed by Mary (HOLMES) Paddock at the time
because it was settled by Job Cole in 1638. (Curfman, Robert J., The Paddock
Genealogy) However, the satisfaction of the debt apparently was never
cleared through the court as it was claimed nine years later by Robert
Paddock who, as constable, found out about the amount still due him.

So William the Nailer, passed away before the youngest William Palmer was born and the Paddocks became his guardians. But Mary was to regain custody of her child. Remember that William had left her a third of his estate, so she was not without capitol.

Another version of this same is below:

Also during 1638, William Palmer filed that he owed Robert Paddock 9d. for a pair of shoes, and “Goodwife Paddock” received from the estate of Job Cole some money “for the child.” On 31 December 1641, the Paddock’s were granted four acres of upland and on 1 November 1642, Robert Paddock served as a juryman in a trespass case involving Robert Morris and John Hassell. Paddock served in the Plymouth Colony Militia, probably as a private. He is listed as one who was able to bear arms on the August 1643 roster. The Plymouth Militia was commanded by Captain Myles Standish. Governor William Bradford appointed a Constable for Plymouth during the General Court of 2 June 1646. Robert Paddock was the man chosen to fill the position.

Then, sometime about 1844 or 1845, Robert Paddock marries the widow, Mary Trine. His second wife, Mary Holmes, whom he married in October of 1630, had passed away. The rugged and hardscrabble life of the colonists was rough on the weak and particularly on women and children. Mary must have been of a sturdy constitution to have survived as long as she did.

In the Plymouth records, an account of the children of Robert Paddock is given, including his stepson, William Palmer. Remember, that at this time, the relationship was referred to as "son-in-law". This change in terminology has confused several people.

"Register of some of the children of Robert Paddock, deceased:

William Palmer, the son-in-law of the said Robert Paddock, born 27 June 1634

Zacharias, son of Robert Paddock, born 20 March 1636;
Mary born 10 March 1638
Alis (Alice) born 7 March 1640
John, born 1 April 1643.
TWO OTHERS REGISTERED BEFORE IN THIS BOOK." (Shurtleff, Nathaniel B, Records of the
Colony of Plymouth)

The two others registered before were Robert Paddock, Jr, born in 1634 and Elizabeth
Paddock, born ca. 1632.

Mary Trine Palmer Paddock, would have one child with the aging blacksmith, Paddock, a daughter, Rebecca, born in 1649, the year before Robert Paddock died.

"Old Palmer left a Will, and he died in November 1637, about age 62. In the Will there is mention of his second marriage: “. . . I have marryed a ‘yeong woman’ who is deare unto me, I desire that she have not less than one-third of my estate, and, if in case she be with child then that one other third be preserved and improved ---for that child as mine heir.” He also stipulated “wife should be ruled by her ‘auncent” (guardian), Edward Winslow.” In the inventory of his estate there is mention of “. . . goodwife Paddock, for the child, one pound, 5 shillings, 2 pence.” The amount being what was currently due to the Paddock’s. This amount wasn’t collected by Robert Paddock until nine years later when he was constable. Mary (Holmes) Paddock died shortly after the birth of her sixth child, John. Sometime between 1644 and 1646, Mary (Trine) Palmer married Robert Paddock, as his third wife, and now able to raise her son William Palmer. She had one child, Susanna, born in 1649, a year before Robert’s death in 1650."from The History of Robert Paddock (1584- 1650).
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Robert, being a skilled craftsman, and having held several trusted positions within the community, likely left his third wife Mary, in a good situation upon his passing. She would remain a widow for a number of years, and had probably been in her mid-to-late 30's when Sussanna was born, and in her 40's on her last marriage to Thomas Roberts in 1651.

"A third marriage for Mary took place on 25 March 1651, to Thomas Roberts. Four months later, she signed consent for Capt. Willett to become the guardian of young John. Willett later became the first mayor of New York City"

So, Robert Paddock had a good career and ranged in professions from Blacksmith to Constable. He seems to have been from a group of skilled craftsmen sought out for their skills to help grow and build the new colony.

I want to take a brief scuttle back into his early life because it seems in building the life of Mary Trine, that she was of a different class than that of those she married, while it's not a stretch of the imagination to conclude that, it is also very possible, in my reckoning, that that was not the case.
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Historians have suggest that Robert Paddock was an Irishman, born in County Dublin in 1584. He married a woman named Mary Ball, the daughter of a Zachary and Margaret Ball by 1603. Mary was born in 1582 and died in 1627 in Ireland. It is not completely certain which of his two first "Mary's" were the mothers of which of his children. It has been suggested, however, that Mary Ball Paddock was the mother of his oldest two children, Robert, Jr. and Elizabeth.

In 1630, Robert Paddock married Mary Holmes, daugther of Peter and Elizabeth Ireland Holmes. She had a brother who had already migrated to Connecticutt.

Mary is the wife who came to America with him. He was left a blacksmith's shop in his mother's will and arrived at Plymouth Colony during the early 1630's. He is described as a "Smyth" in the bill of indictment against William Carvanell, a servant of William Palmer, the First, Nailer.
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Now, servants in these colonies did not always remain as such. Often, they were paying off a debt, primarily the debt of their passage to America, after which, they were given provisions of a good start, a plot of land and were able to create their own business or farm. Many of them moved further out, into new villages or towns, where they could make their mark without the stigma of having been a servant.

And that could have been the case with Mary.

Robert Paddock was given the job of Constable in 1646, and this is about the time he married the widow Mary Palmer. Recall, her son William Palmer the youngest, had been growing up in Paddock's home, under the care of he and his second wife, Mary Holmes Paddock. So what was Mary up to between 1638 and 1646? Did she reside with Edward Winslow, her ancient/agent/guardian, or perhaps she worked as a maid for the Paddock family.

Mary Trine Palmer Paddock must have had a liberating effect on the old 'Smithy', several decades her elder.
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On June 4, 1648, he was brought to court along with William Clark of Duxbury, on a charge of drunkenness and fined.

Mary was the mother of one child by Robert Paddock, a daughter named Sussanna, born in 1849.

Sussanah Paddock, half-sister of William Palmer, the youngest, lived to marry and have descendants, although she died young. She married John Eddy, who was born in Plymouth Colony in 1637, on November 12, 1665.

John Eddy was also a skilled craftsman, having served as an apprentice in Plymouth, during his youth. Sussanah was his first wife, and after she died on March 14, 1670, he married Deliverance Owen.

On a side note, and this very well may be true, Eddy family researches have the maiden name of Mary Trine Palmer Paddock Roberts as, Trine/Faunce, the daughter of a Zachariah Faunce and his wife, a Bradford. As Trine could have been a convoluted surname, or she may have married an unknown husband prior to her marriage to Palmer, this is feasible, with her a relative of William Bradford of Plymouth. I've not looked into this, and have no opinion.

Upon her marriage to Thomas Roberts in 1671, Mary was the mother of two living children: William Palmer III (the youngest) and Sussanah Paddock (Eddy).

She and Thomas Roberts left Duxbury and relocated with William to Dartmouth. There are deeds that involve both William Palmer, Cooper, and Thomas Roberts.

He is not the Thomas Roberts that became Governor of Delaware. In fact, he began in the colony as a servant, and had a checkered past. Records claim him a servant of Mr. Atwood. He was one of a few Plymouth residents noted for an alternative (but illegal) lifestyle.
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Thomas Roberts was probably just a boy in 1637, when the event occurred, and was given a light sentence, to a crime which was sometimes given the death penalty.

Mayflowerhistory.com gives the account this way:

http://mayflowerhistory.com/crime/

"In 1637, John Alexander and Thomas Roberts were changed with and convicted of "lude behavior and unclean carriage one with another, by often spending their seed one upon another, which was proved both by witness and their own confession; the said Alexander found to have been formerly notoriously guilty that way, and seeking to allure others thereunto." John Alexander was sentenced to a severe whipping, then to be burned in the shoulder with a hot iron, and then to be permanently banished from the Colony. Roberts was sentenced to a severe whipping, but was not banished. He was prohibited from ever owning any land within the Plymouth Colony "except he manifest better desert.""

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Image result for puritan punishments and laws

The actual text from the Plymouth records reads:

John Allexander [and] Thomas Roberts were both examined and found guilty of lude behavior and uncleane carriage one w[ith] another, by often spendinge their seede one vpon another, w[hich] was proued both by witnesse & their owne confession; the said Allexander found to haue beene formerly notoriously guilty that way, and seeking to allure others therevnto. The said John Allexander was therefore censured by the Court to be seuerely whipped, and burnt in the shoulder w[ith] a hot iron, and to be perpetually banished the gouernment of New Plymouth, and if he be at any tyme found w[ith]in the same, to bee whipped out againe by the appoyntment of the next justice, et cetera, and so as oft as he shall be found w[ith]in this gouernment. W[hich] penalty was accordingly inflicted.

Thomas Roberts was censured to be severely whipt, and to returne to his m[aster], Mr. Atwood, and to serue out his tyme w[ith] him, but to be disabled hereby to enjoy any lands w[ith]in this gouernment, except hee manefest better desert. (PCR 1:64)

I interpret this as saying that John Alexander had a prior reputation of such behavior and of seducing others into the practice. Thomas Roberts comes across as being a young apprentice, perhaps as much victim as defendant. He was whipped and returned to Atwood. John Alexander's punishment was much more severe. Image result for puritan punishments and laws

Thomas Roberts redeemed himself later and life, and did own land, but not in the Puritanical land of Plymouth. Dartmouth was the new frontier.

So quietly Mary fades from history, buried somewhere in the lavendar hills around Dartmouth.

Whether she had two sons named William, or one, and whether or not he was the son of William the Elder or William the Younger, matters little in the scheme of things. She was the mother of William the Cooper, whom I believe was born in 1834 per the Robert Paddock listing of children, and no other and he was, whether son or grandson, still a descendant of William the Nailer, and an ancestor of my beautiful boy.
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While looking for any information on the eldest daughter of Henry Davis, Sarah "Sallie" Davis Crump, I came across this story of a doomed and troubled young girl. The tale of her evil deeds was reported far and wide, as far away as Illinois, from the tiny town of Norwood in southern Stanly County, formerly known as Center.
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The Decatur Herald
(Decatur, Illinois)23 Mar 1884, Sun • Page 1

The Times
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)22 Mar 1884, Sat • Page 1

Nanny and Infant Victorian Era

The Alamance Gleaner
(Graham, North Carolina)27 Mar 1884, Thu • Page 2
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But who was this Sallie Davis, the teenager who poisoned the baby she was hired to sit for?

In 1870, when she was just a baby, she was living in the household of 76 year old John Crump. 1870 was the first census that the majority of African-Americans show up in, if they were held in slavery. Sallie Crump was among the first generation of children born after the Civil War, and born into freedom. The few who showed up in census records prior to 1870 as "Free People of Color" were often Native Americans or persons of mixed heritage. If born to Native American mothers or White Mothers, they were free, even if they bore African-American heritage. It is surprising, actually, how many persons there were, and they are hard to document, as they tended to move often.

Name:

Sarah Crump

Age in 1870:

Birth Year:

abt 1869

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1870:

Tyson, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Black

Gender:

Female

Post Office:

Albemarle

Value of real estate:

Household Members:

Name	Age
John Crump	76
Jemima Crump	62
Rowland Crump	29
Letha Crump	25
James Crump	10
Sarah Crump	1

John and Jemima Crump may have been the grandparents of Sarah Crump. African-American families were very fluid. Families were not always nuclear, and extended families would board together. This fact made them harder to trace in records as well. While it appears that Rowland and Letha Crump may have been the parents of James and Sarah, Rowland shows up as single a decade later, living alone with his mother, Jemima or "Mima". No wife and no children. John probably passed away by then, and Letha, too, as Rowland is counted as a widower in his mother's home in 1880.

ame:

Rowlin Crump
[Rowland Crump]

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1840

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1880:

Tysons, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Black

Gender:

Male

Relation to Head of House:

Son

Marital Status:

Widower

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's name:

Mima Crump

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Neighbors:

Occupation:

Working On Farm

Cannot read/write:

Blind:

Deaf and Dumb:

Otherwise disabled:

Idiotic or insane:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Mima Crump	68
Rowlin Crump	40

But what of his children? And were they his children? The large space between them was not typical. Perhaps James was a child of one or the other of them by a previous marriage. Perhaps Sallie was placed in the home by an overwhelmed young mother to Letha, who maybe had just lost a baby and could take care of Sallie better and emotionally needed her. That remains and will remain unknown. However, in 1880, Sallie shows up in the home of Thomas and Mandy Crump, not with Jemima or Rowland, and is called a daughter. Was she their daughter, or was she a niece? This was 4 years before the poisoning incident.

ame:

Sarah Crumps
[Sarah Crump]

Age:

Birth Year:

abt 1864

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1880:

Center, Stanly, North Carolina

Race:

Black

Gender:

Female

Relation to Head of House:

Daughter

Marital Status:

Single

Father's name:

Thomous Crump

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's name:

Mandy Crump

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Neighbors:

Occupation:

At Home

Cannot read/write:

Blind:

Deaf and Dumb:

Otherwise disabled:

Idiotic or insane:

Household Members:

Name	Age
Thomous Crump	60
Mandy Crump	36
Sarah Crumps	16
William Crumps	13
Thomous Crumps	12
Mary Crumps	11
John Crumps	10
Frank Crumps	9
Bettie Crumps	8
M. Crumps	6

The child which Sallie Crump poisoned was that of David Neville Bennett. D. N. Bennett was a respected Civil War Veteran. He served as a Captain.

The following is his service record from Fold3.com information:

Biography:

Captain David N. Bennett, of Norwood, a survivor of the gallant Fourteenth regiment, was born in Chesterfield county, son of Archie E. and Mary Crawford Bennett. His mother's father, David Crawford, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and her grandfather, Jackson, held the rank of general in the revolutionary army. With such a patriotic strain in his blood it is not a matter of surprise that young Bennett was among the early volunteers for the war of the Confederacy, though but sixteen years of age. His enlistment was in the Anson Guards, Capt. C. E. Smith, a volunteer organization which became Company C of the Fourteenth regiment, State troops, of which Junius Daniel was the first colonel. When the latter was succeeded by W. P. Roberts, R. Tyler Bennett became lieutenant-colonel. He enlisted as a private and in 1862 was elected sergeant, and in 1863 appointed ordnance-sergeant, but after serving in that capacity five months, he voluntarily resigned, feeling that it was his duty to stay with the men in the ranks as a private soldier. He was distinguished for bravery on many fields. During the service in southeastern Virginia, when the regiment was in line of battle under heavy fire, and the men were ordered to lie down and two volunteers were called for to go forward and draw the enemy's fire, he and William A. Maner were the daring men who stepped forward. His courage was mentioned in orders end he was recommended for promotion. At Seven Pines, through the Seven Days' campaign, the Maryland campaign, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Kelly's ford, and the campaigns of 1864, he shared the glorious record of his regiment. In 1864, near Charleston, he was shot through the hip and left on the battlefield to die, but fortunately recovered. After the close of the war he was elected to the captaincy of his old company. Since the close of hostilities he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits and in farming. As a magistrate he was one of the first Democrats elected to office in his county after the war, and in 1883, 1885 and 1887 he was elected to the legislature of the State. In 1894 he was appointed a director of the State penitentiary, an office which he held for three years. Captain Bennett was married in 1866 to Agnes C., daughter of Benjamin I. Dunlap, and has six children, John T., Crawford D., Burt E., Mary E., Irene L., and David N. Bennett. Source: Confederate Military History Vol. V

In the end, Sallie Davis was neither hanged nor poisoned.

The Semi-Weekly Citizen
(Asheville, North Carolina)9 Oct 1884, Thu • Page 1

The Farmer and Mechanic
(Raleigh, North Carolina)15 Oct 1884, Wed • Page 1

But what of Sallie after her release from prison?

She took residence in Salisbury, NC and may have tried living the straight life for awhile, but she probably recieved a good education in crime and illegal gain while in prison.

Name:

Sallie Crump

Age:

Birth Date:

Apr 1865

Birthplace:

North Carolina

Home in 1900:

Salisbury, Rowan, North Carolina

Race:

Black

Gender:

Female

Relation to Head of House:

Boarder

Marital Status:

Single

Father's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Mother's Birthplace:

North Carolina

Occupation:

View on Image

Neighbors: