Two Wives

Have you ever tried to re-create your steps to a genealogy conclusion? As I’m working thru my research of my third grandfather, William G. Harding, I’m trying to re-create the research steps that has led me to conclude that he had two wives.

My research of William G. Harding’s family would have started with his daughter Julia. Researching Julia Harding Hutchinson is where my genealogy quest began. Her granddaughter, my grandmother, wanted to know where Julia was buried. Since my grandmother lost her mother at the age of 10, she knew very little about her mother’s family. The one piece of information that was recorded in the CURREY family Bible was that Winnie May (my grandmother’s mother) was born in 1871. The added location of birth was likely written in by my grandmother.

Starting with that lone piece of information, I began to learn about Winnie’s family and was able to identify her mother as Julia Harding Hutchinson. The 1880 census record for Mitchell county, Iowa shows a 9 year old Winnie Huchardson living in the household of Albert and Julia Huchardson. Julia was listed as a 40 year old born in New Brunswick. Back tracing, Julia and Albert were found on the 1860 census living in Black Hawk County, Iowa where they were married in 1859.

Julia’s place of birth was a key fact that helped me begin to identify her siblings and parents. Also living in Black Hawk county, Iowa in 1860 was the Wm G Harding family. Wm G Harding’s birthplace was listed as New Brunswick. The household also included:

• Elizabeth Harding – age 38 and born in Scotland
• Thomas Harding – age 21 and born in New Brunswick
• Joseph Ponsford – age 19 and born in New Brunswick
• Rachel Ponsford – age 16 and born in New Brunswick
• Henry Harding – age 14 and born in New Brunswick
• Walter Ponsford – age 13 and born in New Brunswick
• Alexander H. Ponsford – age 10 and born in New Brunswick
• Hattie Harding – age 3 and born in Wisconsin

Hearing about a genealogy of the Harding family of New Brunswick, I purchased a copy. This two volume work by Mrs. Raymond Caron and Brenda Caron is a descendancy of George and William Harding of New York and New Brunswick. In addition, this work provides a lot of historical information about these two men and how they became Loyalists during the revolutionary war and their eventual removal from New York to New Brunswick. While I had grand hopes of finding Julia Harding in this work, I was somewhat disappointed.

Below is the information for the only Julia Harding that could fit with what I already knew about Julia Harding Hutchinson.

Following the numbering system, I located the information for William Gillies Harding in the book.

While the book identifies a mother for Julia, it only indicates 2 children for William Gillies Harding. It also implies that the family left New Brunswick for Wisconsin shortly after 1830. Based on this information, I should have been able to find a Julia Harding in the household of a William Harding living in Wisconsin in 1850. Instead, the only census record of the time that I’ve found placing a young Julia Harding born in New Brunswick in the household of a William Harding is the 1851 census for Kings County, New Brunswick. That census record has the following living in the household:

• William G. Harding – age 47
• Caroline Harding – age 20
• Abel Harding – age 18
• Thomas Harding – age 16
• Alijah Harding – age 14
• Julia Harding – age 11
• Isabella Harding – age 9
• Henry Harding – age 5

While the 1860 census for William G. Harding has a potential wife, Elizabeth, listed in the household, the 1851 census does not list an Elizabeth as a potential wife. In addition, the 1851 census record does not list any female old enough to be the mother of all of the other members of the household.

Thus, additional records are needed to prove or disprove that the 1860 census, the information from the book and the 1851 census all piece together one family. The obituary for Mrs. Eliza Harding helps to explain the household found in the 1860 census.

Deaths
Mr[s]. Eliza Harding, mother of Joseph and A. H. Ponsford, died at her residence, in Mt. Vernon twp., Monday morning at 6 o’clock, after a long sickness. Deceased was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1817, and came to this county with her husband, Wm. Harding, in 1858, and has resided on the same farm ever since. She leaves seven children, A. H. Ponsford, Mrs. W. H. Stickney, Minnie and Hattie Harding, all of this county, Jos. Ponsford and W. F. Ponsford of Kimball, and Mrs. Sarah Wilber, of Wisconsin.

“Deaths,” Iowa State Reporter (Waterloo, IA), 26 May 1887, page 7; digital image, NewspaperArchive (newspaperarchive.com : viewed online 5 August 2022).

Since several of the sons carry the PONSFORD surname, I believe that Eliza Harding’s marriage to Wm Harding was a second marriage. That would explain why there is an Elizabeth listed in the 1860 census but missing from the 1851 census.

During one of my trips to the Family History Library at Salt Lake, I discovered a deed that proves that the 1851 census and the 1860 census are the same family and that Eliza was the second wife!

Know all men by these presents; that Julia E. Flewwelling of
Nyack Rockland County New York have made constituted and
appointed and by these presents do make constitute and appoint
Abel Harding of Racine, State of Wisconsin my true and lawful
attorney for me and in my name, place and stead to sell my Farm
in Black hawk County, Iowa for the best price he can obtain for the
same either for all cash, or part cash and Bond and Mortgage
to secure the balance and to execute good and sufficient Deed to the
purchaser or purchasers thereof in my name and in my act an
Deed the proceeds of such sale to be divided into nine equal parts
and be distributed by my said Attorney as follows, one ninth to the wid
ow of William Harding of Waterloo Blackhawk County and one
ninth thereof to each of the eight children of said William Harding
viz: Caroline Spragg, Abel Harding, Thomas F Harding, Julia Hutch
ins, Isabella Palmer and Henry Harding (children by the first wife
of said William Harding) Hatty C Harding Minnie [T]Harding children
by his second wife should a mortgage be taken by my said attorney, I
authorize and empower him to arrange with the said children to take
the same on account of their share in such proceeds or to convert said
mortgage in cash by assigning the same, as he shall deem best, giving
and granting unto my said attorney full power and authority to do

page 456
and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes, as I might or could do if personally present, with full power
of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
my said attorney or his substitute shall lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
In Testimony, Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 22d
day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty six
Julia E Flewwelling

W. S. Rev Stanit
$1.00 J E F Oct 22
1866
Sealed and delivered in the presence of
W. Mackay
Rose S Maquire

State of New York
City and county of New York
I Charles Nettleson Commissioner for
Iowa in New York do hereby certify that on this twenty third day of October
A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty six it was satisfactorily
proved before me by the oath of W. Mackay personally known to me
to be a credible and disinterested witness and to be the person whose
name is subscribed to the within instrument as a witness thereto
that Julia E. Flewwelling now absent her residence being in Nyack,
Rockland County, New York is personally known to him to be the identical
person whose name is affixed to the within Instrument appointor
and that the same was executed by the said Julia E. Flewwelling
whose name is thereunto subscribed as appointer in the presence of said
W. Mackay who subscribed his name to such instrument as a witness
thereof at the date therein mentioned.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
my official seal this 23d day of October A.D. 1866
Charles Nettleson
SS
Commissioner for Iowa in New York
Filed for Record Nov. 3d 1866 at 2 1/2 o’clock P.M.

Iowa, Black Hawk County. Deed records, 1853-1908. Film #1034556 DGS 795355. Julia Flewelling, 22 Oct 1866 Vol. Q: pages 455-456; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 6 August 2022.

Thus, I believe the following:

• William G. Harding had two wives. The first is likely Elizabeth Fowler as identified in the Harding Genealogy and the second is Eliza, mother of the Ponsford children.
• The mother of Julia and her siblings Caroline, Abel, Thomas, Abigail, Isabella and William Henry, likely died before 1846 in New Brunswick and thus isn’t listed with the family on the 1851 census.
• Elizabeth Fowler Harding is not buried in Black Hawk County, Iowa but likely buried in New Brunswick.

While the Flewwelling deed provides a wealth of information, more records are needed to support this family.

Sources:

1. Hiram Currey, Hiram Currey Family Bible (New York: American Bible Society, 1880); Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, KS, Family Record — Marriages “Hiram M. Currey and Angelina Jane Burke was married at Weston Missouri by the Rev. J. B. Write on the 3d day of August 1856”
2. Mrs. Raymond Caron, author, Life and Times of George and William Harding: Newburgh, New York 767-1783 and Saint John, New Brunswick, Brenda Beryl Caron, 2 volumes (Westmont, Quebec: B. B. H. Caron, maybe 1980), Vol. 2 page 89 #2262 Julia Melinda.
3. 1860 U.S. Census, Black Hawk County, Iowa, population schedule, Mt. Vernon Township, Black Hawk County, Iowa, page 118 Image 7 of 10, household 54, Wm G. Harding; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online September 2016); NARA microfilm publication M653
4. 1851 Canadian Census, Kings County, New Brunswick, Canada, Canadian census, Westfield, Kings County, New Brunswick, 1851 Image 9 of 90, William Harding; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Nova Scotia Archives and Record Management
5. “Deaths,” Iowa State Reporter (Waterloo, IA), 26 May 1887, page 7; digital image, NewspaperArchive (newspaperarchive.com : viewed online 5 August 2022).
6. Iowa, Black Hawk County. Deed records, 1853-1908. Film #1034556 DGS 795355. Julia Flewwelling, 22 Oct 1866 Vol. Q: pages 455-456; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 6 August 2022.

Alexander Briles

Alexander Briles was born on 14 Mar 1817 in North Carolina, United States.^1–3

He purchased  on 24 Apr 1838 in Randolph county, North Carolina.⁴ land being parcel of 240 acres John Briles purchased from Ezra Dorsett for $500 from John Briles

He lived in Randolph county, North Carolina on 1 Jun 1840.⁵ Alexander Briles was listed as a head of household on the 1840 census in Randolph County, North Carolina. Alexander’s household included 2 males under 5, 1 male 20-30, and 1 female 20-30.

Alexander lived in Randolph county, North Carolina on 1 Jun 1850.⁶ Alexr Briles was listed as the head of household on the 1850 census in Randolph County, NC. According to the census, Alexr was a 32 year old farmer born in North Carolina. Alexr owned $500 in real estate. Also listed in the household was Sarah, a 32 year old female;  Clark, a 12 year old male;  Washington, a 10 year old male; Sarah, an 8 year old female; John, a 6 year old male; Jane, a 4 year old female and Robt, an 1 year old male.

He sold land  on 1 Sep 1857 in Randolph county, North Carolina.⁷ land being 240 acres on waters of Little Caraway for $1000 to Robert Laughlin

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas Territory in Mar 1858.⁸ According to the 1859 Kansas Territorial census for Coffey County, Alex Briles settled there in March 1858.

Alexander lived in Coffey County, Kansas Territory before 1859.⁹

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas Territory in 1859.^8,10 Alex Briles was listed on the 1859 Kansas territory census in Coffey County. According to the census, Alexander settled in Kansas in March 1858 with 8 minors in the household and a total of 10 in the household.

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas Territory in 1860.¹¹ A. Briles was listed as a head of household on the 1860 census in Coffey County, Kansas Territory. According to the census, A. Briles, was 43 years old and born in North Carolina. He owned $800 in real estate. Also listed in the household were Sarah, D.C.,  N.W.,  S.R., J.F., Louisa, R.A., H.W., Z.R>, N.C. and B.R. Briles.

In 1860 Alexander was a farmer in Coffey, Kansas, United States.^2,11

He filed land entry papers on 1 Dec 1860 in Fort Scott, Bourbon, Kansas, United States.^12–13

He served in the military under Captain John Douglas in Company I of the Kansas State Militia in 1864 in Kansas, United States.¹⁴ under Captain John Douglas in Company I of the Kansas State Militia

Alexander lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas in 1865.¹⁵ Alexander Bryles was listed in the 1865 Kansas census living in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas as a 47 year old farmer born in North Carolina. According to the census, he owned $2800 in real estate and $1300 in personal estate. Also listed in the household was his wife, Sarah Briles, a 48 year old female born in North Carolina;  Louisa Bryles, a 19 year old female born in North Carolina; Robert Bryles, a 16 year old male born in North Carolina; Harrison Bryles, a 14 year old male born in North Carolina; Zebeder Bryles, a 12 year old male born in North Carolina; Nancy Bryles, a 10 year old female born in North Carolina and Benj Bryles, a 5 year old male born in Kansas.

He sold land W1/2 NE 1/4 Section 12 Township 23 of Range 15 East on 20 Sep 1869 in Coffey County, Kansas.¹⁶

He sold land being the NE1/4 NE 1/4 Section 12 Township 23 Range 15 East on 20 Sep 1869 in Coffey County, Kansas.^17–18

Alexander lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas on 26 Jun 1870.^19–20 Alexander Briles is listed as a 53 year old farmer on the 1870 census living in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas. According to the census, Alexander was born in North Carolina. Also listed in the household were Sarah, a 53 year old female;  Robbert, a 21 year old male; Harrison, an 18 year old male;  Zoebede, a 16 year old male; Nancy, a 14 year old female and Benjamin, a 10 year old male.

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas on 1 Mar 1875.²¹ Alexander Briles was listed as the head of household on the 1875 Kansas census in Coffey County, Kansas. According to the census, Alexander was a 57 year old male farmer born in North Carolina. Alexander owned $4,000 in real estate and $1,000 in personal property. Alexander’s household included 15 year old Benj Briles.

He sold land being the SE1/4NE1/4 Section 12 Township 23 Range 15 on 31 Jan 1877 in Coffey County, Kansas.²²

Alexander sold land land being the Northwest 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 Section 7 Township 23 Range 16 to Benj R. Briles on 25 Nov 1879 in Coffey County, Kansas.²³

He sold land land being 30 acres in section 7 township 23 of range 16 to Elizabeth M. Briles on 22 Dec 1879 in Coffey County, Kansas.²⁴

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas on 2 Jun 1880.²⁵ Alex Briles was listed as a head of household on the 1880 census in Coffey county, Kansas. According to the census, Alex was a 60 year old divorced male farmer who was born in North Carolina. Alex’s household included his granddaughter, Anna Ruggles, a 13 year old female and his son, Benjamin Briles, aged 26.

Alexander lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas on 1 Jul 1895.²⁶ Alex Briles is listed as a 70 year old male living in the household of H. W. Briles on the 1895 census in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas. According to the census, Alex was born in North Carolina.

He sold land  on 5 Oct 1898 in Coffey County, Kansas.²⁷ land being 2 1/2 acres in the norhteast corner of the Northeast 1/4 Section 7 Township 23 Range 16 to Mary Ann Briles

He died on 14 Jan 1900 at the age of 82 in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas.^3,28–32

Alexander was buried on 15 Jan 1900 at Big Creek Cemetery in Coffey County, Kansas.^3,32

ENDNOTES:

1. Broyles, John K., Keith’s Typescript with Additions, (Clinton, TN: John K. Broyles, Sr.), p. 87

2. Kansas Territorial Settlers of 1860: Part II: Born in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, Briles born NC, 1860; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 30 July 2022).

3. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online October 2016), memorial for Alexander Briles (1817-1900), Find a Grave Memorial no. E71311048, created by Wonderer, citing Big Creek Cemetery, Coffey County, Kansas;, Alexander Briles.

4. North Carolina, Randolph County. Record of Deeds, 1779-1963.  Film #19637 DGS 7517640. Alexander Briels, 24 April 1838 Vol. 21: page 316-317; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 31 July 2022.

5. 1840 U.S. Census, Randolph County North Carolina, population scheudle, , page 22, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication M704.

6. 1850 U.S. Census, Randolph County, North Carolina, population schedule, Northern Division, Randolph County, North Carolina, page 404 Image 80 of 179, household 562, Alexr Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication M432

7. North Carolina, Randolph County. Record of Deeds, 1779-1963.  Film #470234 DGS 7560693. Alexander Briles, 1 Sep 1857 Vol. 31: page 42-43; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 31 July 2022.

8. 1859 Kansas Census, Coffey County, Kansas Territory, population schedule, Neotho Township, Coffey County, Kansas Image 2 of 4, line 16, Alex. Briles; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 31 July 2022)

9. Throckmorton George, et al, First Hand Historical Episodes of Early Coffey County (KS) (N.p.: n.p., maybe 195),p. 51 Early Days in the Crandall Neighborhood.  digital images, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com viewed online 31 July 2022.

10. “Kansas, Compiled Census Index, 1850-1890,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (July 2017), Alexander Briles.

11. 1860 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 68 Image 4 of 9, household 513, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication M653

12. United States Bureau of Land Management, “General Land Office Records,” database with images, BLM.Gov (http://glorecords.blm.gov : viewed online April 2018), Briles, Alexander.

13. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510470 DGS 8561297. Alexander Briles, 2 Jan 1869 Book I: page 190; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 3 August 2022.

14. , Muster Rolls, Price’s Raid October 1864 14th thur 16th Regiments, Vol. 6 (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), page 480; digital image, Kansas Memory, kansasmemory.org viewed online 3 August 2022.

15. 1865 Kansas Census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, Kansas state census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 10 (image 10) Image 10 of 11, family 64, Alexander Bryles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2018)

16. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510472 GS 8561299. Alexander Briles, 20 September 1869 Vol. O: page 625 (image 321); digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 3 August 2022.

17. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510472 DGS 8561299. Alexander Briles to Noah Briles, 20 September 1869 Vol. O: page 603; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 3 August 2022.

18. Coffey County Kansas. Range Index Section 12, Township 23, Range 15 Coffey County Kansas (Briles, KS.016).

19. 1870 Agriculture Census, Coffey County, Kansas, Agriculture Schedule, , Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 4 Image 2 of 3, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017)

20. 1870 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Neosho Township, Coffey County, KS, page 9 Image 9 of 16, family 58, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 28 October 2021); NARA microfilm publication T132

21. 1875 Kansas State Census, Coffey County, Kansas, Kansas State Census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 12 Image 7 of 13, household 97, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); Kansas State Historical Society

22. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510473 DGS 8561300. Alexander Briles to Robert Briles, 31 January 1877 Vo. 17: page 542; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 3 August 2022.

23. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510476 DGS 8561303. Alexander Briles, 25 Nov 1879 Vol. 25: page 344; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 4 August 2022.

24. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510476 DGS 8561303. Alexander Briles, 2 Dec 1879 Vol. 25: page 330; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 5 August 2022.

25. 1880 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, ED 49, page 4 Image 2 of 13, household 20, Alex Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication T9

26. 1895 Kansas Census, Coffey County, State Census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 15, Alex Briles (in household of H. W. Briles); microfilm, Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka, KS : viewed online July 2017)

27. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510489 DGS 8561315. Alexander Briles, 5 Oct 1898 vol 57: page 486; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 4 August 2022.

28. “Kansas Deaths and Burials, Index, 1885-1930,” database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016), Alexander Briles.

29. “Grandpa Briles Dead,” The Daily Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 15 January 1900, page 3; digital iamge, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 3 September 2020).

30. “Alexander Briles,” Burlington Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 19 January 1900, page 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 3 September 2020).

31. “Alexander Briles,” LeRoy Reporter (LeRoy, Kansas), 19 January 1900, page 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 3 September 2020).

32. Gibbon Joseph, page 51, 14 January 1900; Alexander Briles, Funeral Records – Gibbons Mortuary (Coffey County, Kansas), Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas.

Divorced

Have you encountered a hint on a census record that you’ve yet to prove? That’s my situation with the 1880 census record for Alexander Briles.

Alex Briles was listed as a head of household on the 1880 census in Coffey county, Kansas. According to the census, Alex was a 60 year old divorced male farmer who was born in North Carolina. Alex’s household included his granddaughter, Anna Ruggles, a 13 year old female and his son, Benjamin Briles, aged 26.

1860 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 68 Image 4 of 9, household 513, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication M653

Since Alexander’s first wife, Sarah died in 1872, the census record hints at a second marriage and subsequent divorce. While I haven’t located an image of a marriage record for Alexander, I did find an index record. According to that index, Alexander Briles married Elizabeth Eltzworth (Ellsworth) on May 30, 1875 in Coffey County, Kansas.

Kansas Marriages, 1840-1935 index (http://familysearch.org: FamilySearch), Alexander Briles – Elizabeth Eltzworth

Unfortunately, these records have not been digitized. Thus, I have yet to obtain a copy of the license. However, a deed supports the marriage of Alexander and Elizabeth. On 1 Jan 1877, Alexander Briles and Elizabeth M. Briles, his wife, sold land to Alexander’s son, Robert A. Briles.

This indenture, made this thirty first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven between Alexander Briles and Elizabeth M Briles his wife of the county of Coffey and state of Kansas of the first part, and Robert A Briles of same place of the second part, witnesseth that the parties of the first part, in consideration of the sum of two hundred (200) dollars to them duly paid, have bargained and sole, and by these presents do grant and convey to the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns, all that land or parcel of land situated in Coffey County and State of Kansas and described as follows, to wit:
The South East quarter of the North East Quarter of section twelve (12) in Township twenty three (23) of range fifteen (15) containing 40 acres more or less.
With the appurtenances, and all the estate, title and interest, of the said parties of the first part therein. And the said Alexander Briles does hereby covenant and agree, that at the delivery hereof he is the lawful owner of the premises above granted, and seized of a good and indefensible estate of inheritance therein, in fee simple, and that the same are free and clear of all encumbrances, and that he will warrant defend the same in the quiet and peaceable possession of said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever.
In witness whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written.
Alexander Briles (seal)
Elizabet M Briles (seal)
State of Kansas
Coffey County
On this 31st day of January AD 1877 before me a notary public in and for said county, personally came Alexander Briles and Elizabeth M Briles his wife to me personally known to be the same person above named and affixed to the foregoing conveyance as grantors and they duly acknowledge the execution of the same.
In testimony, whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal on the day and year last above written.
Wm H Bear
Notary Public
The testament, of which the foregoing is a true copy, was filed for record on the 31st day of January 1877, at 3 o’clock and 0 minutes p M.
Wm H Bear

Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903. Film #1510473 DGS 8561300. Alexander Briles to Robert Briles, 31 January 1877 Vo. 17: page 542; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 3 August 2022.

Since the 1880 census record indicates that Alexander Briles was divorced, that divorce had to have taken place sometime between the time Alexander and Elizabeth, his wife, sold land to Robert and June of 1880. A clue to that divorce may be in another deed. In this case, Alexander Briles sold 30 acres of land to Elizabeth M. Briles. Unlike the earlier deed, Elizabeth M. Briles is not referred to as Alexander’s wife.

Page 330 – image 271
This Indenture, made this 2nd day of December in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine, between Alexander Briles
of the County of Coffey
and state of Kansas of the first part, and Elizabeth M. Briles
of the same place
of the second part: Witnesseth, that the party of the first part, in consideration of the sum of
Two Hundred dollars
to him duly paid has bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant and convey to the said
party of the second part his heirs and assigns, all that tract or parcel of land, situated in Coffey
County, and State of Kansas and described as follows, to wit:
Commencing at the south east corner of the north
east quarter of the north east quarter of section
seven in township twenty three of range sixteen
thence west to 4 rods East of the center of said quarter
section (being the southwest corner of said NE quarter
of NE quarter section) thence north to the middle or
channel of Turkey Creek, thence down the channel
of said creek to the point where the same crosses the north
line of said section, thence East to the point where said
north line of section intersects the channel of said Tur-
key creek, thence down the channel of said creek to
point where the same crosses the East line of said section
thence south to place of beginning containing 30 acres
more or less
with the appurtenances, and all the estate, title and interest of said part of the first part therein And
the said Alexander Briles
do hereby covenant and agree, that at the delivery hereof, he is the lawful owner of the premises
above granted, and seized of a good and indefeasible estate of inheritance therein in fee simple, and that the
same are free and clear of all incumbrances,, and that he will warrant and defend the same in the
quiet and peaceable possession of said party of the second part, her heirs and assigns forever, against
the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever.
In witness whereof, the said party of the first part has hereunto set hand and seal
the day and year above written.
Alexander Briles

State of Kansas, Coffey County
On this 2nd day of December A.D. 1879, before me, a
Notary Public in and for said County, personally came
Alexander Briles
to me personally known to be the same person whose name is affixed
to the foregoing conveyance as grantor and he duly acknowledged the execution of the same.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my
seal, on the day and year last above written.
S. C. Junkins
Notary Public
The instrument of which the foregoing is a true copy, was filed for record on the 3rd
day of December 1879, at 5 ou8217’clock and 0 minutes P.M.
Wm H. Bear Register of Deeds
By M. L. B. Floyd Deputy
Entered in Transfer record in my office on this 3rd day of Dec. A.D. 1879
Wm. H. Throckmorton County Clerk

Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903. Film #1510476 DGS 8561303. Alexander Briles, 2 Dec 1879 Vol. 25: page 330; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 5 August 2022.

Based on this 1879 deed, I think Alexander and Elizabeth were likely divorced around the time the 30 acres of land was sold to Elizabeth. However, I will need to locate a record of the divorce to confirm that suspicion.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun

It’s Saturday Night

time for Genealogy Fun

Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible music here) is to:

1) What is next on your genealogy “To Do” list? [Thank you to Linda Stufflebean for suggesting topics!]

Since my ‘to-do’ list is driven by my 2022 goals, I’m turning to that list of goals to answer this question. While I have completed the descendancy research on my goal list, I am still working on the narrative reports for the following individuals in my tree:

• William Duggins (step-son of my ancestor, James Crawford)
• William G. Harding
• Henry Burke
• Hiram M. Currey of Peoria, Illinois
• James Barr Ralston
• Zebulon Foster

While it will be fairly easy to update my records for most of these individuals, some of them are still unfinished because I need to get copies of deeds and possibly do more deed research. Thus, my to-do list includes trips to my local library to do that deed research.

As I’ve recently been working on the DUGGINS step-sons of my ancestor, James Crawford, I’m finding information on members of my CRAWFORD FAN club in Preble County, Ohio. That information is helping me ‘fine-tune’ the timeline for their arrival in Ohio.

With this knowledge, I want to go back thru the Barren County, Kentucky deeds to redo the search for the 50 acres of land on the Marrowbone attributed to Crawford, James Jr on the 1805 tax list.

Saturday Tidbits

1940 Draft – Nemaha County, Kansas

Courier Tribune
December 12, 1940

Draft Order
(Official List Continued)

850 Harry August Scott
851 Robert Rickert Fellows
852 Henry John Huninghake
853 Richard Maurice Kerns
854 Leon Gerald Scheiber
855 Henry Bernard Wichman Jr
856 Lloyd B. Nightingale
857 Clyde Melvin Flott
858 Garwood David Barrett
859 Alfred John Tanking
860 James William Gafford
861 Floyd Leroy Coulter
862 Haley Skinner
863 Ronald Ernest Spickelmier
864 Glenn Lavern Allison
865 John Willis Amos
866 Robert John Guth
867 Bernard Charles O’Connor
868 August Uphaus
869 Bermin Emeral Cottrell
870 Lester Miles Bonjour
871 Clifford Jay Jameson
872 Walter Earl Lear
873 Roland Wendell McLaughlin
874 Albert Nicholas Wiltz
875 Clarence Peter Lierz
876 Lawrence Peter Woltkamp
877 Fred Anton Stuke
878 Henry Alvin Simmons
879 Albert John Schmelzle
880 John Ignatius Rottinghaus
881 Floyd Nels Hanson
882 Henry Harrison Weaver
883 Wilfred John sack
884 Henry I Germann
885 Harold Wilson Baskett
886 Herman Roland Schmidt
887 Willis C. A. Bredemeier
888 Clarence H Wiesedeppe
889 Jesse Clifford Clowe
890 Norbert Francis Boeding
891 Edward Andrew Moser
892 Joseph Olberding Jr.
893 Wilfred Joseph Lierz
894 Walter Mathias Lackey
895 Mirl Edwin Fund
896 Hiram Henry Hilbert
897 Richard Theodore Rilinger
898 Alton Milford Bell
899 Edward Joseph Becker
900 Raymond Earl Talley

Friday Finds

While working on research notes for my third great grandfather, William Harding, I started going thru some of my ‘old’ records and discovered a marriage bond for William Harding and Elizabeth Fowler.

I believe I obtained this document during a trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Since I don’t have enough information to craft a good citation, I decided to see whether FamilySearch had the record available as a digitized image.

And I found it!

While the contract with FamilySearch prevented me from downloading a copy of the bond, I was able to attach it to William Harding and Elizabeth Fowler.

Marriage bonds, 1810, 1815-1816, 1823, 1830-1831, 1832 (Jan.-Sept.)
Film 1412544 – DGS 008214358

Image 390

Know all Men by these presents, that we
William Harding William Waters Parish of West-
field and County of Kings and Elijah Spragg – Parish of
Springfield County of Kings

and Province of (something scribbled thru Province) New Brunswick, are held and firmly bound unto our Sovereign
Lord George (something scribbled thru George) the Fourth, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, KING, Defender of the Faith, $c., in the sum of
Five Hundred Pounds of lawful money of the said Province, to be paid to our said
Lord, the King, his Heirs or Successors; for which payment well, and truly to be
made, we bind ourselves and every one of us by himself, for and in the whole, our
Heirs, Executors and Administrators, and every of us, firmly by these Presents.
Sealed with our Seals, dated the Sixth day of September
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty
and in the first year of His Majesty’s Reign.

The Condition of this Obligation is such, That if there be not, or
shall not at any time hereafter appear to have been at the date thereof, any lawful
Let or Impediment, by reason of any Pre-Contract, Consanguinity, Affinity, or any
other lawful means whatsoever, but that the above bounden

William Harding and Elizabeth Fowler
of the same place (Spinster)

may lawfully Solemnize Marriage together, and in the same afterwards lawfully re-
main and continue like Man and Wife according to the laws in that behalf provided ;
and if the said Marriage be not celebrated in case the said parties, or either of them,
be under the age of twenty-one years, without the consent of the Parents or Guar-
dians of the Party so being under the said age of twenty-one years, then this Obli
gation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.

William Harding

Sealed and delivered
in the presence of

[Sebation Henry]
William Waters
Elijah Spragg

New Brunswick, Marriage bonds, 1810, 1815-1816, 1823, 1830-1831, 1832 (Jan.-Sept.). Film #1412544 DGS 8214358. William Harding – Elizabeth Fowler, 6 Sept 1830 : image 390; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 7 August 2022.

Militia

When researching civil war records, have you used any militia records? If you had ancestors living in Kansas during the civil war, they just might be listed in Kansas militia records.

Since my BRILES family was living in Coffey county Kansas during the civil war, I found Alexander Briles, his son, John Briles, nephew, Branson Briles, son in law, Japhet Mentzer and son-in-law, Thomas Ruggles on the muster roll for Company I of the 16th Regiment of the Kansas Militia.

Muster Roll of Captain John Douglas,
Company I
of the Sixteenth Regiment,
Kansas State Militia,
Colonel F. W. Potter
Twelfth Day of October 1864,
when last mustered to the twenty-ninth day of October 1864

Briles, John 3 Corp – Joined Sept 12, 1863 Neosho Twp; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; relieved from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Briles, Branson Priv – joined Sept 12 1863 Neosho Twp ; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; releived from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Mentzer, Japhet – joined Sept 12 1863 Neosho Twp ; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; releived from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Rugles, Thomas – joined Sept 12 1863 Neosho Twp ; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; releived from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Briles, Alexander – joined Sept 12th Neosho Twp; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; relieved form duty Oct 29th by F W Potter

Muster Rolls, Price’s Raid October 1864 14th thur 16th Regiments, Vol. 6 (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), page 480; digital image, Kansas Memory, kansasmemory.org viewed online 3 August 2022.

At the time these men were mustered into service, General Sterling Price was causing havoc in Missouri in what is known as “Price’s Raid“. A search of newspapers for “Kansas Militia” in October 1864 finds a transcript of the telegrams to the governor about the threat General Price posed to Kansas, the governors response and the order calling up the militia.

Telegrams

United States Military Telegraph
Fort Leavenworth, Oct. 8, 1864
To Governor Carney — The line is now cut this side Sedalia. This indicates a rebel move by some body west or south. Hurry up the militia.
S. R. Curtis, Maj.Gen.

United States Military Telegraph
Fort Leavenworth, Oct. 8, 1864
To Governor Carney — I request that you issue the call. Let the militia turn out. If not needed, they will of course be discharged. Their call and collection would enable us, at lest to give an impetus to Price’s departure. In your prompt responses to my request heretofore. I am sure we have saved the State from desolation. Let us do it now. The enemy is near Sedalia, and a fight is expected there to-night. They have burned Syracuse, Lamine and Otterile depots to-day. You see, they seem moving steadily westward. Delay is ruinous.
S. R. Curtis, Maj. Gen.

The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) 11 Oct 1864, page 2

Governor’s Response

Kansans rally! You will do so as you have always promptly done,, when your soil has been invaded. The call, this time, will come to you louder and stronger, because you know the foe will seek to glut his vengeance upon you.
Meet him, then at the threshold and strike boldly, strike as one man against him.
Let all business be suspended. The work to be done now is to protect the State against marauder and murderer. Until that is accomplished, we must lead a soldier’s life, and do a soldier’s duty.
Men of Kansas, rally! One blow, one earnest, united blow, will foil the invader and save you. Who will falter? Who is not ready to meet the peril? Who will not defend his home and the State?
To arms, then ? To arms and the tentod field, until the rebel foe shall be baffled and beaten back.
Thomas Carney, Governor
N. B. – Major General Deitzler will lead the brave men of Kansas and issue the necessary orders. Commanding Officers of brigades and battalions will se that their respective commands are in readiness for immediate service.
Thomas Carney, Governor

The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) 11 Oct 1864, page 2

Orders Calling Up the Militia

Major-General Deitzler’s Order

In pursuance of this call of the Governor, the Militia of Kansas will turn out and rendezvous immediately, as follows:
Headquarters, Dep’t Kansas State Militia
Topeka, Kansas Oct. 9, 1864

General Order
No. 54
In pursuance of the proclamation of the Commander-in-Chief, of the 8th inst., the Militia of Kansas will turn out and rendezvous immediately, at the points indicated below:
Doniphan, Brown, Nemaha and Marshall counties, at Atchison under Brigadier General Byron Sherry.
Atchison, Leavenworth, Jefferson, Jackson, Pottawatomie, Riley, Davis, Waubaunsee, Shawnee, Douglas and Johnson counties. at Olathe, under Brigadier General M. S. Grant.
Wyanodott, at Wyandott, under Major E. S. Hubbard.
Miami, Franklin, Osage, Morriss and Lyon counties, at Paola, under Brigadier General W. H. M. Fishback.
Linn, Anderson and Coffee counties, at Mound City, under Brigadier General S. N. Wood.
Bourbon Allen and Woodson counties, at Fort Scott.
Commanders of Brigades and Regiments will promptly prepare their respective commands for active service for thirty days, unless sooner discharged, and see that each man is supplied with two blankets, a tin cup, knife and fork and a haversack; and also, a coffee pot and frying pan for every five men.
Let each Regiment and detachment bring its own transportation and all the rations possible, but there must be no delay on any account. The general Government will undoubtedly pay all proper charges for such transportation and supplies, and will furnish rations and forage as far and as soon as possible, at the points indicated in this order.
Let each man come with such arms as are at hand and a full supply of ammunition. As this campaign will be a short one no change of clothing will be necessary.
Until further orders the Headquarters of the Militia will be at Olathe, to which point all returns and communications will be sent. By order of
Geo W. Dietzler, Maj Gen. K. S. M.
John T. Morton, A.A.G.
All Federal officers in this Department will aid in giving circulation and success to this effort to concentrate troops for immediate service.
Quartermasters and Commissaries will aid to the utmost of their abilities to have requisite provisions accumulated as fast as possible.
An earnest and united movement should animate officers and men — Volunteer and Militia.
Let business and personal strife be suspended; partisan discussions and political animosities avoided: and instead of impatience, fault-finding and detraction, too common among raw recruits, let every man display the fortitude, patience and endurance which distinguish the patriotic soldier engaged in the defense of his home and his Country.
The sooner this call is met the more certain will be its success; and the General earnestly appeals to soldiers and citizens to unite all their moral and physical energies in this effort to stifle the fiendish hordes that again threaten the people of Kansas and the peace of our country.
By Command of Major General Curtis.
oct11 G. S. Charlot, A.A.G

The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) 11 Oct 1864, page 2

Many of these militia registers called up in response to General Price have been digitized and posted on the Kansas Memory site hosted by the Kansas State Historical Society.

Research Notes Using Narrative Reports

Do you ever feel like you are playing ‘catch up’ with your genealogy research? I know that when I first started, I would come home from a genealogy research trip with a pile of paper notes. That pile of paper would sit for weeks (months and even years) before I would get caught up working thru it.

As I’m reviewing my 3rd great grandparents, I feel like I’m in ‘catch up’ mode again. That’s because I’m finding poor citations and holes in my research. In the process, I’m finding that I need a set of research notes for each of these individuals so I know what I have and what I’m missing.

Since I use Scrivener to keep my research for a county/area along with transcriptions of records, I thought I could use Scrivener to keep these notes. However, after completing a few sets, I found that I either had to spend some time learning more about Scrivener or switch to a different tool. Thus, I re-watched several of Constance Knox’s Genealogy TV videos about research notes.

• Learn Genealogy: Research Notes
• How to Create a Research Notes Template
• Add a Table of Contents to Your Research Notes using MS Word
• Your Question Answered Part 2: About How and Why You Should Keep Good Research Notes …

Following the tips from these videos, I started using her template (available $ here). I’m finding that I like using the ideas from the videos and this template better that what I was doing in Scrivener. Basically, this is due to the fact that my Word skills are better than my Scrivener skills.

In working thru the template, I was copying notes, transcriptions of records and citations from my RootsMagic program. Thus, I began wondering whether I could use a RM report to generate a set of notes. And I thought about using a Narrative Report. I attempted this process using the following settings for the narrative report.

• One Generation
• Include Notes
• New paragraph after every fact
• Include Private Facts
• Include Private Notes
• No Index
• Endnotes: Print Research Notes
• Endnotes: Print Comments
• Reuse Endnote Numbers

When it comes to the Endnotes, this creates a very MESSY report. That’s because I wanted EVERYTHING that I have in RM to be included in the report, including the transcriptions of records that I put in the RESEARCH NOTE field for a citation.

By including those research notes, I discovered that I would also have to use ENDNOTES to create the report and not footnotes. This issue was discussed on the RootsMagic Community where a power user provided a very logical explanation. (See question: Unable to generate any sort of Narrative reports on my win10 laptop)

The problem arises when the footnotes take up so much space on a page that RM’s report writer gets flummoxed with pagination. That’s not an issue with endnotes which can be of any length.

I also found that editing the document containing endnotes did not allow me to remove an endnote and thus renumber the remaining endnotes. Nor, was I able to convert the Endnotes to Footnotes.

Because of these issues with ENDNOTES, I retried creating the report using FOOTNOTES and not asking the report to include the ‘research notes’ attached to the citation. While this report would provide a starting point, working with the footnotes was still problematic.

Not willing to give up, I tried creating the report without sourcing. This pulls the sentences and notes for the person that can be easily copied into the template.

Working with this document, I can add the bold headings.

As I work my way thru the document, I can see spelling and formatting errors in the RootsMagic sentences and notes. I can also add the sourcing for each event.

While creating these research notes will be time consuming, I believe that I will not only end up with better sourcing but also with a better understanding of what I’m missing.

Dower Rights

As you research in different locations, do you ever make assumptions about the records in the new area based on your previous research experiences? That would be me when it comes to working with land records!

Over the years, I’ve used a lot of deeds for the sale of land to help separate men of the same name due to the wife’s signature on the deed. As I was reviewing the records for my 3rd great grandfather, Alexander Briles, I came across a deed where he purchased land in Randolph County, North Carolina from a John Briles. I’m sure that when I first encountered this deed, I assumed that the grantor, John Briles, was the father of Alexander Briles.

However, as I transcribed this deed, I realized that a second John Briles was a witness to the deed. And, I realized that the deed did not contain a signature or dower release for the wife of John Briles. Trying to figure out who these two men are, I first looked in my file to see how many potential ‘John Briles’ I had in my file. I found that I only have two John Briles who would have been old enough to own land in 1838. One was the father of Alexander and the other was his brother. Records indicate that both were married at the time Alexander Briles purchased land from John Briles.

A check of the 1840 census for Randolph County, North Carolina only shows two men named John Briles living in Randolph County, NC.

A study of the census image shows both households containing females old enough to be a wife. The image also shows the Alexander Briles listed on the same page as the two John Briles.

Thus, I’m fairly certain Alexander Briles bought land from either his father or his brother. Since the deed referenced the person who sold the land to John Briles, I looked up that deed – and again noticed the lack of a wife’s signature on the deed or the release of dower. Glancing at a few other deeds, I couldn’t find any with a wife’s signature.

That’s when I remembered how Judy Russell encourages us to know the laws in the areas we are researching. A quick Google search came up with the answer spelled out on a North Carolina GenWeb site. On the site, Kathy Gunter Sullivan, CG answers the question, “What are DOWER rights and what rights did a widow have in regard to inheritance?”

http://www.ncgenweb.us/catawba/ncq_a.htm#:~:text=This%20was%20called%20dower%20by,was%20called%20his%20%22curtesy.%22

A wife’s right to one-third of her husband’s land became effective only at his death,

he could sell any and all of the property

Thus, at the time of these land transactions, the wife had no say as to whether the land was sold and thus was not included as a signatory on the deed. This will make it difficult to figure out which John sold the land and which John witnessed the deed!

Alexander Briles Land Purchase

Randolph County, North Carolina
Deeds, v. 19-21 1831-1939
Film 19637 DGS 7517640

Image 728 of 847
page 316

This indenture made this twenty fourth of April
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and thirty eight between John Briles of this
County of Randolph and State of North Carolina
of the one part and Alexander Briles of the
county and state aforesaid of the other part
Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the
sum of five hundred dollars to him in hand
paid by the said Alexander Briles the receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted
bargained and by these presents doth grant bargain
and sell allien and confirm unto the said
Alexander Briles a certain piece of parcel
of land lying and being in the County
and State aforesaid on the waters of Little
Carraway – Beginning at a black oak and
running East 146 poles to a post oak thence south
twenty six degrees East 160 poles to a pine thence south
53 poles to a black oak at the main road thence
south 40 degrees west along the main road
Crossing the creek ninety two poles to a Spanish
oak thence west 65 poles to a hickory thence
south 10 poles Spanish oak thence west 20
poles to a hickory thence south 8 poles to a white
oak thence west 60 poles to a gum thence north
260 poles to the beginning the whole 240 acres
be the same more or less it being a tract of land
purchased form Izra Dorsett by the said John
Briles together with all the appurtenances

page 317 – image 729
here unto belonging or in anywise
appurtaining to have and to hold unto
the said Alexander Briles his heirs and assigns
forever and the aforesaid John Briles doth
hereby bind myself my heirs extrs & adminis
trtors to warrant and defend the above bounded
premises unto the said Alexander Briles his
heirs and assigns shall and will warrant
and defend by these presents In witness
whereof the said John Briles doth hereunto
set his hand and affixed his seal the day &
year above written
John Briles (seal)
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of
John Briles
Solomon Briles

State of North Carolina
Randolph County
Court of Pleas & quarter sessions
May Term 1838
The execution of this deed was duly acknowledged
in open court & ordered to be registered
Hugh McCain Clck

John Briles Land Purchase

Randolph County, North Carolina
Deeds, v. 19-21 1831-1939
Film 19637 DGS 7517640

page 96 – image 340
This Indenture made the twenty fourth of February
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and thirty four between Ezra Dorset of the County of
Randolph and State of North Caroline of the one part
and John Briles of the County and state aforesaid
of the other part witnesseth that for and in consideration

page 97
of the sum of four hundred dollars to him
in hand paid by the said John Briles the receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged by the said Ezra
Dorset and hath this day bargained and sold and
delivered unto the said John Briles a certain tract
or parcel of land lying and being on the waters of
Little Carraway – Beginning at a black oak &
runs east 146 poles to a post oak thence south
26 east 160 poles to a pine thence south
53 poles to a black oak at the main road then
south 40 degrees west along the main road x
the creek to a spanish oak 92 poles thence
west 65 poles to a hickory then south 10 poles
to a spanish oak then west 20 poles to a
hickory then south 8 poles to a white oak
then west 60 poles to a gum then north 260
to the place of Beginning in all 240 acres be
the same more or less together with all woods
wasy waters [mines] minerals and appurtenances
to the said land belonging or appurtating to the
said John Briles his heirs and assigns forever &
and the said Ezra Dorsett doth hereby warrant
and defend the title to the said land and tenement
with the appurtenances to the said John Briles
his heirs and assigns forever against any other
person or persons whatsoever – In witness whereof
the said Ezra Dorset hath hereunto set his hand
and affixed his seal the day and year first above
written – Ezra (his mark) Dorsett seal)
Signed Sealed & Delivered in presence of
Azial Rusuh
Julias Gregson

State of North Carolina
Randolph County
Court of Pleas 7 quarter sessions
May term 1835
The execution of this deed was dully proven in
open court by Azial Rush & order to be registered
Hugh McCain CCC

Using Deed Mapper, I created a plot of these two pieces of land on the waters of the Little Caraway. The plot on the left is from the Alexander’s purchase and the plot on the right is from John’s purchase.

William Thompson

William Taylor Thompson¹ was born on 29 Dec 1820 in Ohio, Kentucky, United States.^2–4

He  purchased land being the north half of the North East quarter of section twenty nine in township five south of range nine west containing eight acres on 16 Nov 1841 in Warrick, Indiana, United States.⁵

He sold land being the North half of the North East quarter of section number twenty nine (29) in township number five (5) south of range number nine (9) west in the district of lands subject to sale at Vincenes Indiana estimated to contain Eighty (80) acres on 24 Nov 1846 in Warrick, Indiana, United States.⁶

William lived in Wapello, Iowa, United States in 1847.^2,7

He lived in District No. 13, Wapello County, Iowa on 31 Oct 1850.⁸ William T. Thompson was listed as a 31 year old farmer born in Kentucky on the 1850 census living in District 13 in Wapello county, Iowa. According to the census, he owned $600 in real estate. Also listed in the household was Mary, a 27 year old female born in Indiana; Sarah, a 6 year old female born in Indiana; John, a 4 year old male born in Indiana; William, a 2 year old male born in Iowa and Martha E., a 1/12 year old female born in Iowa.

He lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in 1852.⁹ Wm Thompson was listed on the census in Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa. He was listed with 3 males and 3 females in the household. The household contained 1 voter and 1 militia member.

William lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in 1854.¹⁰ William T. Thompson is listed on the 1854 Iowa State census living in Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa. The household contained 3 males and 4 females for a total of 7 individuals. There was 1 voter and 1 militia member in the household.

He sold land  on 14 Mar 1854 in Wapello, Iowa, United States.¹¹ sold land to Jacob B. Smith being the NW corner of NW 1/4 of NE 1/4 Sect 36 Twp 7S Range 14W thence east 80 rows more or less to NE corner of said 40 acre lot thence south 40 rods to Carpenter’s line thence NW to place of beginning

He lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in 1856.¹² William T. Thompson was listed as a 35 year old male farmer born in Ky.

William lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in Jul 1860.^13–14 William T Thompson was listed as a 39 year old farmer who was born in Kentucky on the 1860 census living in Richland township, Wapello County, Iowa. According to the census, William owned $1500 in real estate and had $300 in his personal estate.  Also living in the household was Polly A., a 39 year old female born in Indiana; Sarah J. a 16 year old female born in Indiana; John E., a 15 year old male born in Indiana; William F, a 12 year old male born in Iowa; Martha, a 10 year old female born in Iowa; Julia A, a 7 year old female born in Iowa; Amanda E, a 5 year old female born in Iowa and Arcenia a 2 year old female born in Iowa.

William T Thompson was listed on the 1860 Agriculture census for Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa. William had 80 acres of improved land and 40 acres of unimproved land for a value of $1500. The value of his farm equipment was $25. He owned 2 horses, 2 asses or mules, 2 milch cows, 2 other cows, 6 sheep, and 16 swine. His livestock was valued at $275. Williamu8217’s land produced 25 bushels of wheat and 500 bushels of Indian corn. His sheep produced 16 pounds of wool.

He registered for the military draft  in Jun 1863 in Iowa, United States.¹⁵

He lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in Jul 1870.¹⁶ William Thompson was listed on the 1870 census as a 49 year old male farmer with $4200 in real estate who was born in Kentucky and was listed as W. T. Thompson

William lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in Jul 1880.^17–18 William Thompson was listed as a 59 year old farmer who was born in Kentucky on the 1880 census living in Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa. Also listed in his household was his 58 year old wife, Polyann who was born in Indiana; his 25 year old daughter, Ellen who was born in Iowa; his 21 year old daughter, Araina, who was born in Iowa; his 19 year old daughter, Ann, who was born in Iowa and his 16 year old daughter, Clara B., who was born in Iowa.

William Thompson was listed on the agriculture census for Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa in 1880. In 1880, he owned 70 acres of tilled land and 50 acres of pasture. The value of his farm and buildings was listed as $2800. His implements were valued at $200 and his livestock was valued at $600. In 1879, William hired labor for 16 weeks of the year paying $100. His farm produced about $900 in income during 1879. In 1879, William had 20 acres of mown pasture, 20 acres of unmowed pasture and 30 acres of hay. William had 5 milch cows, 5 other cows and 3 calves. His cows produced 500 pounds of butter made on the farm. He also owned 30 swine and 50 barnyard poultry and 19 other poultry.

He lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in 1885.¹⁹ William T Thompson is listed on the 1885 Iowa State Census living in Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa. According to the census, he lived in the SE SE of Township 73, Range 14 and Section [2]4. William was listed as a 64 year old farmer born in Kentucky. Also listed in the household was Polly A Thompson, a 63 year female born in Indiana and Arana Thompson, a 25 year old female whose birthplace is not listed.

He lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in 1895.²⁰ William T Thompson is listed as a 74 year old living in Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa in 1895. According to the census, William was born in Kentucky.

William died on 12 Sep 1898 at the age of 77.^4,21

He was buried at Ottumwa Cemetery in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, United States.^4,22

He had administrators assigned to his estate on 24 Oct 1898 in Wapello, Iowa, United States.²³

William had the final report of his estate submitted on 24 Jan 1900 in Wapello, Iowa, United States.²⁴

He had the final report of his estate approved on 25 Jan 1900 in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, United States.²⁵

William Taylor Thompson and Polly Ann Evans were married on 30 Oct 1842 in Warrick, Indiana, United States.^2,26–31

Polly Ann Evans, daughter of James Evans and Sarah (Sally) Garret, was born on 25 Jul 1821 in Indiana, United States.^2,32–34

She lived in District No. 13, Wapello County, Iowa on 31 Oct 1850.³⁵ Mary Thompson was lised as a 27 year old female born in Indiana in the household of William T. Thompson living in Wapello County, Iowa.

She lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in 1856.¹² Polly A, Thompson was listed as a 34 year old female born in Indiana in the 1856 Iowa state census living in Wapello County.

Polly lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in Jul 1860.¹³ Polly A Thompson was listed in the household of William T Thompson on the 1860 Wapello County Iowa census. According to the census, Polly was a 39 year old female who was born in Indiana.

She lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in Jul 1870.¹⁶ P. A. Thompson was listed as a 48 year old female in the household of W. T. Thompson on the 1870 census living in Wapello County, Iowa. According to the census, she was born in Indiana.

She lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in Jul 1880.¹⁷ Polyann Thompson was listed as the wife of William Thompson on the 1880 census living in Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa. According to the census, she was 58 years old and born in Indiana.

Polly lived in Richland Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States in 1885.¹⁹ Polly A. Thompson was listed as a 63 year old married female born in Indiana living in the household of William T. Thompson.

She lived in Iowa, United States in 1895.³⁶

She died on 14 Apr 1896 at the age of 74 in Wapello, Iowa, United States.^{32–34,37–38}

Polly was buried on 16 Apr 1896 at Ottumwa Cemetery in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, United States.^33–34,39

William and Sarah were the parents of the following children:

• Sarah Jane Thompson (1843-1930)
• John Evans Thompson (1845-1918)
• William F. Thompson (1848-1922)
• Martha E. Thompson (1850-1929)
• Julia A. Thompson (1853-1887)
• Amanda Ellen Thompson (1854-1907)
• Arcena M. Thompson (1858-1928)
• Polly Ann Thompson (1860-1942)
• Clara Belle Thompson (1863-1943)

ENDNOTES:

1. “The Family Tree,” The Ohio County Times (Hartford, Kentucky), 6 April 1972, page 15; digital images, Ohio County Times News Newspaper Archive (tnh.stparchive.com : viewed online 8 June 2021).

2. Portrait and Biographical Album of Wapello County, Iowa: Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887), page 479 – W. T. Thompson; Digital copy, Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/cu31924050414295/page/n5/mode/2up viewed online 27 July 2022.

3. Adams County History Book Committee, History of Adams County, Iowa 1984 (Corning, Iowa: Corning Departmental Club and Civic Department, 1984), p. 554-555 John and Sarah Thompson; .

4. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online June 2017), memorial for William T Thompson (1820-1898), Find a Grave Memorial no. #88989671, created by Donna Wells, citing Ottumwa Cemetery, Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa; accompanying photograph by llanggin, William T Thompson.

5. Warrick County, Indiana, Book 6: page 535, Lidsley to Thompson; FHL microfilm Film #1443661 DGS #8219117.

6. Warrick County, Indiana, Book 6: page 549.

7. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, William Thompson, 1847; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 28 July 2022). Original Source: State Historical Society of Iowa.

8. 1850 U.S. Census, Wapello County, Iowa, Agriculture Schedule, District 13, Wapello County, Iowa, page 821 Image 103 of 204, John Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2018)

9. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, John Thompson, 1852; .

10. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, William T Thompson, 1854; .

11. Wapello County Iowa. Book I, page 536 (Thompson.IA.011).

12. 1856 Iowa Census, Wapello County, Iowa, Iowa state census, Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa, page 391 Image 24 of 24, household 166, William T Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (image very faint) June 2017); State Historical Society of Iowa

13. 1860 U.S. Census, Wapello County Iowa, population schedule, Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa, page 54, household 773, William T Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online June 2017); NARA microfilm publication M653.

14. 1860 U.S. Nonpopulation Census, Wapello County, Iowa, Agriculture Census, Richland, Wapello County, Iowa, page 11, William T. Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online June 2017)

15. “U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865,”Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com:  accessed July 2017), card for Wm Thompson, Congressional District 4, Richland,Wapello County, Iowa; citing Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registrations, 1863-1865, NM-65.

16. 1870 U.S. Census, Wapello County, Iowa, population schedule, Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa, page 11 (image 11 of 31), household 75 (continued on next page), W. T. Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online June 2017); NARA microfilm publication T132.

17. 1880 U.S. Census, Wapello County, Iowa, population schedule, Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa, enumeration district (ED) ED 56, page 14B (image 14 of 22), household 127 (continued on next page), William Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online June 2017); NARA microfilm publication T9.

18. 1880 U.S. Census, Bremer County Iowa, Agricultural Schedule, Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa, ED 56, Page 12 Image 7 of 10, line 2, William Thompson; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2018)

19. 1885 Iowa Census, Wapello County, Iowa, Iowa State Census, Richland Township, Wapello County, Iowa, page 4 Image 4 of 42, household 21, William T Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online June 2017); State Historical Society of Iowa

20. “Iowa, State Census, 1895,” State Historical Society of Iowa, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : Iowa, State Census, 1895 [database online], State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa, viewed online (June 2017), William T. Thompson.

21. Iowa, Wills and Probate Records, 1758-1997, W TT Thompson, 7 October 1898; database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed online September 2018). Original Source: Iowa, County, District and Probate Courts.

22. “Iowa, Cemetery Records, 1662-1999,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2017), W T Thompson.

23. Iowa, Wapella County. Probate Record.  Film #7599307. William T Thompson, October 1898 Vol. 22: p 433; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.com : viewed online September 2018.

24. Iowa, Wapella County. Probate Record.  Film #7599307. Wm T Thompson, 24 Jan 1900 vol. 23: p. 112; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.com : viewed online September 2018.

25. “Court Decides the Marsh Case,” Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Courier (Ottumwa, Iowa), 25 January 1900, William T Thompson estate; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online September 2018).

26. “Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online June 2017), Wilson Taylor Thompson – Polly Ann Evans; Indiana, Marriages.

27. “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019,” database with images, FamilySearch (familysearch.org : viewed online June 2017), William Taylor Thompson – Polly Ann Evans.

28. “Indiana, Marriages, 1810-2001,” database, Ancestry,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017), William Taylor Thompson / Polly Ann Evans.

29. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7836/). Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 : viewed online 29 July 2022.

30. Indiana Marriages thru 1850 (Indianapolis, IN: Indiana State Library)

31. Lant Kay and Kathryn E Freels, Warrick County Marriages 1813-1859 (Evansville, IN: Tri-State Genealogical Society, 1986), p. 80.

32. Wapello County, Iowa Death Record (Ottumwa, Iowa: Wapello Genealogical Society, 197?)

33. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online July 2017), memorial for Polly Ann Evans Thompson (1821-1896), Find a Grave Memorial no. #88989657, created by Donna Wells, citing Ottumwa Cemetery, Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa; accompanying photograph by llanggin, Polly Ann Evans Thompson.

34. “Local News Items,” Ottumwa Weekly Courier (Ottumwa, Iowa), 16 April 1896, page 15; digital image, Ottumwa Public Library Advantage Preservation (https://ottumwa.advantage-preservation.com/ : viewed online 29 July 2022).

35. 1850 U.S. Census, Wapello County, Iowa, population schedule, District 13, Wapello County, IOwa, page 89 (image 103 of 204), household 695, William T Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online June 2017).

36. “Iowa, State Census, 1895,” State Historical Society of Iowa, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (July 2017), Polly Ann Thompson.

37. “Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990,” Family Search, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (July 2017), Polly Ann Thompson.

38. “Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990,” FamilySearch,  (www.familysearch.org : viewed online (October 2017), Polly Ann Thompson.

39. Works Project Administration, “Iowa, Cemetery Records, 1662-1999,” database online, Graves Registration Project, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017), Poly Thompson.