The Carletons

Edward M. Carleton is associated with Britta somehow.

At the very least he was her neighbor in Shelby County in the 1866 Census. 

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=1576&iid=31075_174438-00048&fn=Britton&ln=McGuire&st=d&ssrc=&pid=432512

I believe that Edward M. Carleton was more to Britta than just a neighbor, but I haven't proved it yet. Trying to. So the purpose of this blog entry is to organize what I know about the Carletons. 

Actually, this family hasn't been studied very much. And during my May 2012 Bibb County trip I found new material that will revise some people's trees. 

For example:

In many Ancestry Public Family Trees Demarisa Carleton is listed as a daughter of Henry Carleton, who was born in NC and died in 1837 in Jackson, AL. It's a good guess, but incorrect. "A" Henry Carleton, but not "that" Henry Carleton. 

When I was at the Bibb County Courthouse last May, I found this:

From Bibb County Alabama Orphan's Court Meeting Minutes May 1818 - January 1834, Transcribed by Martin Everse for the Cahaba Trace Commission, Brierfield, Alabama in 2004:

"Orphans Court May Term 1828"

"On the motion of Robert W. Carleton. It is ordered by the Court that he be guardian of the persons and estates of Elizabeth C. A. Carleton, Adaline A. Carleton, and Demoris A. Carleton Infant orphans of Henry Carleton and thereupon came the said Robert W. Carleton together with Isaac S. Carleton and Lucy Carleton his securities and entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penal sum of four thousand dollars conditioned according to law whereupon It is ordered by the Court that letters of Guardianship issue to the said Robert W. Carelton in due form & c."

Clearly this Demarisa/Demoris was the "Infant orphan" daughter of a Henry Carleton who died by 1828, probably in Bibb County, AL. Her father was Henry; her sisters were Elizabeth and Adaline. So the Henry Carleton who died in 1837 couldn't possibly be her father. 

And more interesting stuff:

In the 1850 U.S. Census, the birthplace of all these women is listed as "Georgia." Elizabeth was born about 1815, Adeline about 1817, and Demarisa about 1823. Remembering the 1828 Orphans' Court session above, if you look in the 1830 U.S. Census for AL, Robert W. Corton (Carlton) is living in Bibb County. In the household are one male 15 - 20, one or two males 30 - 40 (Robert), one female 5 - 10 (Demarisa Mary Ann Carleton, born 1823, d. of Henry Carlton), one female 10 - 15 (Adaline Amanda, 13, d. of Henry Carleton), one female 15 - 20 (Elizabeth C. A. Carleton, age unknown, d. of Henry Carleton), and one or two females 30 - 40 (Louisa). Neighbors include Henry Carlton, Richard Fancher, Daniel/David Barrett, Joseph Johnson, Matthew Henson, Tha (Thomas Carlton), William Wood, Abraham Frier, Armistead Oakly, Coleman C. Davis, Matthew Wallace.

http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/View.aspx?dbid=8058&path=Alabama.Bibb.Not+Stated.23

Elizabeth C. A. eventually married David Ward and died in 1860. She is listed in the 1860 Mortality Schedules for Bibb County. Adaline A. married Edward M. Carleton (himself son of another Henry Carleton) and died in Shelby County in 1880. Demarisa married Eli Barger and died in Noxubee County, MS, by 1858, when Eli remarried.

Edward's father Henry Carleton lived just up the way from Robert W. Carleton in the 1830 U.S. Census for Bibb. Must be how they met. 

Edward M. and Adaline A. must have been cousins. I was really confused the first time I read that these children of "Henry Carleton" got married. Several of my own ancestors were first cousins, but I never heard of siblings being allowed to marry. Now it's sorted out, and I can move on to the next Carleton mystery.  

 :-)

Possible death date for Britta Ann's husband, Mike Flynn

All the facts presented here are true and verifiable. I have strung the facts together to make a theory, but so far I have no primary evidence that definitively proves that the theory is correct.

My theory is that Britta Ann Green McGuire's second husband was John Flynn/Flinn, nicknamed "Mike" for short, and that he died between 1888 and 1900. 

Here's the background:

1. Mike Flynn married Brettie McGuire on December 19, 1868, in Bibb County, AL. Mike Flinn and P(endleton) C. Bean were the bondsmen.

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-9819-57555-81?cc=1743384&wc=MMLN-K82:n1172654039

2. Mike was a pudler in the iron mills, as proved by the 1870 US. Census for AL.

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7163&iid=4257570_00851&fn=Mike&ln=Flynn&st=d&ssrc=&pid=13300726

3. A pudler or puddler is a wrought iron worker.

http://www.birminghamgenealogy.org/research/old_occupations.htm

One of my best and earliest correspondents (JR) said: 

"Mike Flynn would have been about fifty in 1870. He emmigrated from Ireland in 1836 aboard the vessel Harpeth (New York) He lived in Randolph (Bibb County) and worked at the Briarfield Iron works as a "Puddler"I later found him working as a Puddler at the Helena Iron Works in 1880. He had married Brittana Green Mcguire about 1872 and Maggie (Margaret Ann) resulted from the marriage. He was Step_Father to Brittanias other two children Douglas, and Ellen.I know absoultely nothing before or after the dates above. I feel sure thet he would have been married before Brittana." 

4. The family lived in Brierfield P.O., Randolph, Bibb County in 1870 (see above) and in 1880 they lived in Beats 5, 6, & 7, Tylers, Elliotsville, & Helena, in Shelby County. 

http://content.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=6742&path=Alabama.Shelby.Tylers%2c+Helena+And+Elliottsville.124.1&fn=Bellie%20A.&ln=Flyn&st=d&pid=8231847&rc=&zp=75

5. There is no Mike Flynn or variation listed in Alabama in 1860. However, in 1866 there was a Jno Flin listed in Bibb County in the State Census. The male is either 20 - 30 or 30 - 40; Mike would have been about 40. Also in the household was a female 0 - 10 and a female 20 - 30. Obviously a wife and child. 

One page over lives P. Bean. 

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=1576&iid=31075_174426-00611&fn=Jno&ln=Flin&st=d&ssrc=&pid=706183

6. By the 1900 U.S. Census for AL, Brittana A. Flynn is widowed and living with daughter Ellen N. and William Hill in Precinct 8, District 92, in Jefferson County. So obviously Britta moved to Jefferson County before the Census, and Mike died or disappeared before 1900.

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7602&iid=004119988_00599&fn=Brittana+A&ln=Flynn&st=d&ssrc=&pid=36669134

7. I JUST found a listing in the 1889 Birmingham City Directory that lists "J. Flynn, (works at) Birmingham Rolling Mills," "Occupation: Puddler." If you study directories, you will learn that the material is collected quite a period, up to a year, before, in order to be listed in the year published. So the material for the 1889 Birmingham Directory would/could have been gathered in 1888. 

http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&MS_AdvCB=1&db=1890birmal&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=2&msT=1&gss=angs-d&gsfn_x=1&gsln=fl*nn&gsln_x=1&dbOnly=_F00027C5%7c_F00027C5_x%2c_F000279A%7c_F000279A_x%2c_F00027C9%7c_F00027C9_x%2c_F00027CA%7c_F00027CA_x&uidh=wy5&pcat=37&fh=5&h=17689&recoff=

8. FYI, Simon Eddins is listed in the 1890 Directory in the Avondale area, indicating that his family had moved to Jefferson County, too, around 1889. 

http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&MS_AdvCB=1&db=1890birmal&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=2&msT=1&gss=angs-d&gsfn_x=1&gsln=eddins&gsln_x=1&dbOnly=_F00027C5%7c_F00027C5_x%2c_F000279A%7c_F000279A_x%2c_F00027C9%7c_F00027C9_x%2c_F00027CA%7c_F00027CA_x&uidh=wy5&pcat=37&fh=0&h=30743&recoff=

Combining all the material from Items 1 - 7, we come up with a circumstantial case that 

• Mike was actually named John Michael, or Michael John—not surprising, as he came from Catholic Ireland 

• Mike's first wife and child died; or they got a divorce between 1866 and 1868

• Mike and Britta and family moved to Jefferson County so that Mike could work in the Birmingham Rolling Mill

• Mike died or disappeared between 1888 (data gathering for the directory) and 1900 (Britta listed as a widow in the U.S. Census.)

and thus my theory:

My theory is that Britta Ann Green McGuire's second husband was John Flynn/Flinn, nicknamed "Mike" for short, and that he died between 1888 and 1900. 

So, whaddya think????

Clues from Josephine D. McKinney Lyles Humphry's living sisters

In her 1908 Confederate widow's pension application Josephine D. McKinney Lyles/Liles Humphry's was asked:

"Is the person you are now living with a relative? If so, what relation?" Her answer: "Yes; a son."

When asked, "Have you any relations? If so, what relations," she responded, "Sisters in other states."

When asked "Have you any relations or connections whose legal or moral duty it is to provide for you?" she wrote,  "Yes." Then erased it and wrote, "None able."

Aha! A treasure trove of information!

First of all, this material gives us clues about Josephine's character. Josephine was probably basically honest but practical. Honest because she wrote "Yes" first. Practical because she then wrote "None able" afterwards.

Second of all because she wrote, "Sisters in other states."


The second noted entry suggests that her parents were dead. Therefore, probably both John and Mary Ann Green McKinney were dead. The entry also suggests that her brothers were dead. Thus Abraham Early/Early Abraham, Benjamin (?), and John were dead.

Status of sisters in 1908:

• Martha Isabellor McKinney Lawley in AL: alive

• Mary Julia McKinney Whatley in AL: alive

• Nancy Jane McKinney Pearson in MS: unknown, probably dead

ª Sarah Ellen McKinney Lemley: probably died 1885 - 1889

ª Susan McKinney Huckhannon/Buchanon, unknown

• Mahala H. Armetta McKinney Quillan, unknown, probably dead


I'm glad to write it all down. Sad to see what it may mean.

Josphine McKinney Humphrey's Confederate widow's pension applications

Whew! Long title.

Josephine D. McKinney married John Newton Lyles/Liles in 1865 in Shelby County, AL. They moved to Sunflower County, MS, by the 1870 US Census but divorced before 1880 when John was back in Shelby County, AL, with new wife Mary.

In 1896 Josephine married John David or Dwight Humphrey in Yazoo County, MS. He died in September 1898. In 1900 Josephine is living in Yazoo County; I haven't found her in 1910 yet.

However, in 1908 Mrs. Joe Humphrey applied for a Confederate widow's pension in Yazoo County. You'll find that app here:

http://mdah.state.ms.us/arrec/digital_archives/pensions/show/32484

At the time she had two sons and "sisters living in other states."

She applied again in Yazoo County in 1916. Link is here:

http://mdah.state.ms.us/arrec/digital_archives/pensions/show/32486

My impression is that both apps were denied because there was no additional paperwork that seemed to accompany the apps that succeeded. 

She died after 1918, when her son Richard listed her as living on his WWI draft registration. 

http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=draft&h=854449&indiv=try&o_cvc=Image:OtherRecord

Whew! Productive week: finding new Native American roots AND Josephine's applications. 

Lucky me. 

Brittan Green

There's a Brittan Green listed in the 1867 Voter Registration at the AL Archives. B. is registered in Precinct 2 of Bibb County. He is colored.

http://www.archives.alabama.gov/voterreg/books/bibbcountyvol1.pdf

Wow....

Wonder if there's a connection?

The children of John P. & Mary Ann Green/e McKinney

I don't promise that this list is completely accurate, but it reflects my best guess about the children of John P. and Mary Ann Green/e. 


John P. McKinney and Mary Ann Green/Greene were married on Thursday, April 8, 1941, in Shelby County AL. (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alshelby/MarriageIndex1.html) John McKinney was listed in the tax poll list of Bibb County in 1848. By 1850 the McKinneys were back living in Shelby County. The likelihood is that most of their children were born in Bibb or Shelby County. 


In the most likely order of their births, the children are:

• Martha Isabelor McKinney, born November 5, 1842, probably in Shelby County; died November 7, 1911. married John Daily and Jasper Newton Lawley

• Mary Julia McKinney, born February 17, 1843, in Shelby County; died May 12, 1923 in Calera, Shelby County; married W. H. H. Whatley  (from her death and burial information at FamilySearch.org: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDLW-8WY

• Nancy Jain McKinney, born 1846/1847; died after 1880; married William Goodwin??? and Shadrack Pearson

• Josephine, born February 1846 (from the 1900 Census); died after 1918 in MS??; married John Newton Lyles/Liles and J. D. Humphry

• Early Abraham (or Abraham Early), born about 1848/1849; died after 1876; married Rachel Savannah (?) Davis 

• Benjamin ?, born about June 1848; died February 1849 of croup after a sickness of one day (Source: http://www.rootsweb.com/~alshelby/mortality1850.html)

• John McKinney, born about 1852; died after 1860

• Sarah Ellen McKinney, born about 1855; died 1885 - 1889 in MS; married James Pinckney Lemley

• Susan McKinney, born September 1856 (from the 1900 Census); died after 1900; married William Buchanan/Buckhannan

• Mahala J. Armetta/Antoinette, born about 1858; died after 1880; married John Quillan

There are a few surprises for some people. I hope to blog about each child soon. 

Ain't no Mary Jane in this McKinney family, with digressions

Several family trees on the web have listed Mary J. McKinney, the daughter of John P. and Mary Ann Green McKinney as Mary Jane McKinney who married Squire Clark Johnson.


Ain't no such person in this McKinney family.


First of all, the McKinney's second daughter is Mary JULIA McKinney who married W. H. H. Whatley as proved by her death and burial notice here:


https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDLW-8WY




Second:


The trees with M.J. married to Squire Clark Johnson have her moving to Mississippi to marry SCJ, then returning to AL to be enumerated as Mary J. McKinney in Bibb in 1860, then having children with SCJ starting in 1861 in Mississippi. Possible, but not logical.


(FYI—The J. P. McKinneys did eventually move to MS in the late 1870's, but without Mary Julia, who stayed with husband W. H. H. Whatley in AL until their deaths.)


More illogically, Iquire (Squire) Johnson is enumerated with wife Mary in 1860 in Fayette County, AL, while at the same time Mary McKinney is enumerated with her parents in Bibb County. Compare these two census listings:


For Squire Johnson and his Mary:


http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7667&iid=4211182_00520&fn=Iquine&ln=Johnson&st=r&ssrc=pt_t5408701_p796435088_kpidz0q3d796435088z0q26pgz0q3d32768z0q26pgPLz0q3dpid&pid=17543192


and for Mary McKinney:

http://content.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=7163&path=Alabama.Bibb.Randolph.6&fn=Jno&ln=McKinney&st=d&pid=13217689&rc=&zp=75


Clearly two different Marys. 


(Yes, I have seen the same person listed twice in a census, but it's always been clear who that person was from the other family members consistently surrounding him or her. Here MJM is surrounded by people who were in her household in 1850. There's no such context for Squire Johnson's Mary.)

Third:


The McKinneys did have a daughter with the middle name "Jane," but it was Nancy Jane and not Mary Julia. Nancy's middle name is proved by a note signed by her father J. P. McKinney. You'll find that note here:


https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-9819-38900-56?cc=1743384


The middle name looks like "Lain," but if you notice compare the other letters, you'll see that it's plainly "Jain" and not "Lain."


(While I have seen families in which different children have the same middle name, I've not found it to be the case in this family.)




Lastly:


Nancy Jane for sure married Shadrack H. Pearson on November 14, 1872, in Bibb County, as proved by the citation above. The Pearsons followed John P. McKinney and family to LeFlore, MS, by 1880, after the death (?) of Mary Ann Green McKinney. They are listed in the 1880 US Census for Leflore County. After that I have lost track of them and their three children Mary, Thomas, and Jonathon.


(Oh, boy! More research needed! Yay!)

Mary Julia McKinney Whatley

The life of Mary Julia McKinney is pretty straightforward.


Mary Julia McKinney was born February 17, 1843, the second daughter of John P. and Mary Ann (Polly) McKinney. She was probably born in Shelby County, AL, as her parents married in Shelby County in 1841 and were still there in the 1850 U.S. Census. One assumes that her parents gave her the same first name as her mother, but the origin of her middle name is a mystery. Confirmation of her name and parentage comes from FamilySearch.org's AL Death and Burial Index:


https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDLW-8WY


In the 1850 US Census for AL Mary McKinnie, 8, born AL, is living in Shelby County with her parents John and Mary McKinnie.


In the 1860 U.S. Census for AL, Mary McKinney is living in Bibb County with her parents, J.P. and Mary McKinney. She attended school within the year.


On February 10, 1861, Mary J. McKinney married W(illiam) H(enry) H(arrison) Whatley in Shelby County. Minister of the Gospel William Rogers performed the ceremony. The groom was the son of Mavring (Maben or Marvin) A. and Mary Ann Dowis Whatley.


The Whatleys had at least three children who survived childhood, all born AL: Robert Lee Whatley, born about 1867; Daisy Bell Whatley, m. William Henry Pilgreen, born 1876; and Myrtle Bain Whatley m. W. A. Maynard, born about 1888.

In the 1870 US Census for AL, William H. Watley is living in Calera in Shelby County, AL. He is 27, a laborer, born AL, $150. Also in the household is Mary J, 25, born AL, Robt Lee, 3, and Henry Elliott, 19, laborer, born AL. Neighbors include Pilgreen, Harris, Thos Watley, Jasper Green a few pages over, Crim, etc.


http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7163&iid=4257737_00348&fn=Henry&ln=Elliott&st=d&ssrc=&pid=12419738

In the 1880 US Census for AL, Wm  H. H. Whatley is living in Calera in Shelby County. He is 36, born AL, a carpenter, father born GA, mother born SC. Also in the household are Mary J., 30, keeping house, mother born AL, father born AL, Robert E., 14,  at school, born AL, and Daisy V., 5, born AL. Next door seems to be his mother Mary A. Whatley, 54, widowed, keeping house, born SC, father born GA, mother born SC. In her household is a Green A., farmer, and daughter Susan Oldham, 20.

In the 1900 US Census for AL, William H. H. Whatley is living in Precinct 3 of Calera, Shelby County, AL. He is 57, born April 1843, married 37 years, born AL, parents born GA, a carpenter, owns, speaks, reads and writes English. Also in the household is wife Mary J., born Feb. 1845, 55 years, married 37 years, seven children, three now living, born AL, parents born SC, can read, write, speak English; daughter Myrtle (Daisy), 16, born AL in Aug. 1883, parents born AL, attending school; and B. Lee, grandson, born Jul. 1897, 2, born AL, parents born AL.

William Harrison died on 11 August 1909, leaving Mary a widow. 

In the 1910 US Census for AL, Mary Whatley is living in Precinct 3, District 105, Calera, Shelby County, AL. She is 67, widowed, born AL, rents, three children, two still living. She is living in the household of Arch Maynard and daughter Mirtle Manard. Also in household is Lee Bryon (Bryan Lee) Whatley, 12, nephew of Arch.

In the 1920 US Census for AL, Mary Watley is 77 and living in the household of her son-in-law W. A. Maynard and his wife Mirtle in Shelby County.


Mary Julia died on May 12, 1923, and is buried the Salem Cemetery, Calera, Shelby County, AL, with husband W. H. H. Whatley. 


We know her death date from the census of the New Salem Cemetery in Calera, AL; the URL is located here:


http://files.usgwarchives.org/al/shelby/cemeteries/salem.txt


And from Findagrave.com here:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDLW-8WY

Nice of her to leave so much easily found information. If only we could say the same about her aunt Britta Ann Green.   ;-)

Britta's obituary

Britta's obituary in the Birmingham News as found by a descendant of Maggie Flynn:

Date-November 5,1919

"IRONDALE WOMAN, AGE 85, SURVIVED

BY 104 LIVING RELATIVES

Mrs. B.A.Flynn, 85, who died at the residence of her daughter at

Irondale Tuesday afternoon, is survived by 104 living decendents,

exclusive of members of her immediate family, while 17 of her kin are

dead.

She was a native Alabamian and was the widow of the late (B.A.?) Flynn,

of Gate City.  Mrs. Flynn had spent practically all of her life in the

state in the vicinity of Irondale and Gate City, and was very well

known in that region.  Immediate survivors are Dr. D. M. McGuire  of

Pelham, two daughters, Mrs. H.J.Reinier, and Mrs. S.A. Edins of

Irondale.

Funeral services will be conducted at Pleasant Valley Thursday morning

at 11 O'clock with burial there.  (?)Wendin is in charge of the service."

His additional comments:

"It was a separate article and not in the regular obits.  There were

several words that I could not read well.  The B.A.Flynn as the late

husband is also an error.  Should have been Mike....Note:  The B.A. does confirm the name as Britta Ann and not Brittania."

Thanks, J. 

Marriage date for Mary Drucilla McGuire and Simmin Aaron Edins

During my recent trip to AL, my fragrant cousin (who makes wonderful soap) and I made a genealogical beeline for the Bibb County Courthouse. The object of our desire was the marriage license of Mary Drucilla McGuire and Simmin/Simeon/Simon Aaron Edins/Eddins.


The results of our trip are here:


http://alroots2.blogspot.com/2012/06/found-marriage-license-for-simmin-mary.html

The back of the picture postcard

Lizzie Eddins/Edins Pinson to her sister Carrie Eddins/Edins Barkesdale in Bessermer, AL, about 1913 - 1918. 

Lizzie Eddins/Edins Pinson and Mary Ann Jones

Here is an amazing picture postcard that turned up in my aunt's genealogy collection. It was taken in Bessermer, AL, by a traveling photographer. The subject is the family of Thomas James Pinson. It was probably taken in front of the one-room house/shack where they lived because of Thomas's job as a railroad switchman. The younger woman is Lizzie Eddins Pinson, and the older woman is Mary Ann Jones Pinson. 

My aunt thinks that the baby is Gladys Mae Pinson. If so, that would place the photo's date from 1913 to 1914 between the time of Gladys's birth and Mary Ann's death. The baby certainly looks like a girl, but could be a boy. If so, the baby would be Harvey, who was born in 1910; and the picture would be dated 1910 - 1914. 

In this picture Lizzie is between 33 and 37. Mary Ann Jones, Lizzie's mother-in-law, is between 75 and 78. 

Family lore says that Moses D. Pinson returned from Mississippi around 1855 after the death of his first wife in order to marry "that pretty little Mary Ann Jones." You can see why. Despite her advanced age and lack of smile, her cheekbones are gorgeous and her face has great symmetry. 

I'll post the other side of the card in the next blog entry. 

This is the only photo I have ever seen of Mary Ann Jones. Beauty just runs in the family, I guess.  ;-)

Where Britta lived in 1866

In the 1866 State Census for AL, Mrs. Britton McGuire lives in Township 24, Range 12 East in Shelby County. My fragrant cousin and I drove through the area on our recent genealogical forays in AL. State Road 25 goes through that section, which is just outside the town of Wilton before you get to Bibb County. It's pretty country, verdant and teeming with life. 


Along the way is the Brierfield Ironworks. Sadly we decided not to stop this trip. Way too hot—95 degrees—and too much to see at the Brent Centerville Library and Judge of Probate office. The people at these offices are WONDERFUL! Kind and helpful. 


I looked up original ownership of this area in Family Maps of Shelby County at the BPL. Surprise! (Not really). Pleasant Fancher and Jonathan Newton Smith owned most of it. Manus Lemley owned some. 


Britta often lived near Pleasant Fancher and JNS, especially in 1870. Jonathan Smith's third wife was Frances Jane (or Jane Frances) Green, daughter of Joscelin B. Green and granddaughter of Squire John and Jane Kerr Green.  Manus Lemley was grandfather of James Pinkney Lemley, who married Sarah Ellen McKinney (Britta's niece). James and Sarah Ellen are in Leflore County, MS, in 1880 with John P. McKinney and other family. 


More pieces of the puzzle. I haven't figured out how they fit together yet. But I will. 


I look forward to both going back for research at the Courthouse and for visiting the Ironworks. Next year for sure!

Britta in the 1866 Census, Part 1

What hints can the 1866 AL State Census give us about Britta's relatives?
In the 1866 State Census for AL, Mrs. Brittan McGuire is living in Shelby County at Township 24, Range 12 East. This location may be in Shelby County, but it’s right next to Bibb County. It’s just below Montevallo and just above Brierfield. In the household are one female over 20 (Britta, 32), one female 10 - 20 (Ellen), two females under 10 (Mary Drucilla and Unknown), and one male under 10 years (Douglas).

Neighbors in the same township and on the same page are E. M. Carlton, R.D. Campbell, Henry Backus, J.M. Whitfield, T. Hatcher, and Jacob Howser (Hauser). Neighbors on the page before include Robert Dennis, T. P. Merony, James Adams, Willis Woods, L.V. Fancher, A. Woods, James Coshatt, George R. Allen, Mrs. Mary Large, J. B. Broadhead, Mrs. Adaline Holsombeck, Mrs. Ellen Garrett.

This blog entry could run really loooooooonnnnnnnnnnnngggg if I put all my notes here. So let's look at just the six people on the same page as Britta for the moment. Here's how each of these people relate to Britta:

I. E. M. CARLETON

A. Edward Moore Carleton was a bigwig in Bibb and Shelby Counties. He performed  the marriage ceremony of Susan Green Stringfellow to Joseph D. Neely in Bibb County in 1853. He was witness and executor of the will of Richard Fancher in 1849.

II. R. D. CAMPBELL

A. In 1850 R. Davis Campbell lived in the same Shelby County neighborhood as Elijah Green, McKeithen, Jesse Coshatt, Joseph Neeley, Phillip Meroney, Broadhead, George Allen, Fredrick Smith, Robert Dennis, Moses Johnson, William Deshayso. Possible connections to Britta:

• Joseph Neeley was married to Susan M. Green, daughter of Joscelin B. Green.

• Frederick Smith lived a few doors from Britta and John McGuire in Jefferson County in 1860.

• Moses Johnson and son Alphonzo were taken to court in Shelby County in 1851 for assault and battery on John L. McGuire.

B. In 1860 R. D. Campbell is living in the same neighborhood as:


• Noah Haggard & his daughter Lucy, who married Willis Wood;


• J. D. Neeley, who married Susan M. Green, daughter of Joscelin B. Green,


C. In 1870 Dennis is living in the same Shelby neighborhood as Alamoth Woods, James M. Whitfield, both in the same township and range as Britta in 1866.

III. DR. HENRY BACKUS

A. Henry Backus was a physician.

B. Henry Backus's daughter Kate married the son of Nancy Ellen Elizabeth Green Garrett.

 

IV. JAMES M. WHITFIELD

 

A. James Whitfield is living in Monevallo in 1860.

B. In 1870 Whitfield is living in the same neighborhood as Alamoth Woods (married to Noah Haggood's daughter) and J. Hatcher.

 

V. T. HATCHER  = J. HATCHER

A. Andrew Jackson Hatcher married Sarah Bisheat May 24, 1866. The marriage certificate is here:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-9821-37462-15?cc=1743384

Judge Gardner approved the ceremony; F. M. Fancher performed it. The marriage bond shows that Jackson Hatcher married Sarah Reinheart, not Bisheat. James Barnes is the bondsman on May 24, 1866.

V. JACOB HOWSER/HAUSER

A. Was born in Rowan County, NC. The birthplace of Britta's parents is consistently listed as either NC or SC.

 

B. In Shelby County in 1850. In Mapleville, Bibb, East Side Cahaba River in 1860.

The children of Britta Ann Green McGuire Flynn

How many children did Britta Ann have?


That depends on which source you believe. 


We know that Britta had four children who grew up and themselves had offspring. She had three with John L. McGuire:

• Ellen Nora McGuire, born 1857
• 
  
• Mary Drucilla McGuire, born 1858
• 
  
• Stephen Arnold Douglas McGuire, born 1860

After the death of John L., she married Mike Flynn and had:

• Margaret Ann Flynn, born about 1874

These children are well documented and have living descendants. 


However, several censuses suggest that Britta had several other children. The 1900 Federal Census for AL says that she had seven pregnancies, of whom four are still living. The 1910 US Census for AL says that she had six pregnancies, of whom three are still living (Ellen Nora died in 1904).


When were the other children born?


It's possible to identify only one other child, a girl. In the 1866 State Census for AL, Mrs. Brittan McGuire lives in Twp 24, Range 12 East in Shelby County. In the household are one male under 10 (Douglas), two females under 10 (Mary Drucilla and Unknown), one female 10 - 20 (Ellen), and one female over 20 (Britta).


This child was most probably the daughter of John L. McGuire, as he was home in Jefferson County until February 1, 1863, when he joined the Alabama Infantry mustering at Cedar Grove. She was probably born between September 1860, when Douglas was born, and October 1863, nine months after John L. left for war. She had most certainly died by 1870, as she is not listed in the household for Mike and Britta Flynn in the Shelby County Census. 


Britta's sixth/seventh child could have been with either John McGuire or Mike Flynn. Britta married John L. on January 24, 1854, but Ellen wasn't born until May 4, 1857. In those three years Britta and John could easily have had a child—even two—who died. Mike Flynn married Britta on December 19, 1868, but Margaret (Maggie) wasn't born until May 24, 1873. In the intervening three years Mike & Britta could have had a child who died, too. 


When you look at the Mortality Schedules for that time, you see dozens of children who died of diphtheria, typhoid fever, teething, and other causes. Makes you happy that anyone at all survived. And it REALLY makes you happy for the modern medicine that keeps our children alive and spares us the sorrow Britta must have felt at the deaths of at least two and maybe three children. 

Drucilla/Drusilla/Druscilla/Drusillar

Britta Ann Green McGuire Flynn's second daughter was named Mary Drusilla. Often she went only by the name Drucilla, Drucillar, or Drusillar. The spellings are not consistent from record to record, so forgive me if I'm not too careful about spelling the name with an "s," a "c," or an "sc."


The name has come down in the family. Which family members carried the name through the generations, and where did it come from? 

The first question is much easier to answer than the second question. 

Here is a list of women who carried "Drucilla" or a variation (Drusilla, Druscilla, Drusillar, etc).

• Mary Drucilla McGuire Eddins/Edins, Britta's second daughter

• Minnie Drusilla Hill, daughter of Britta's first daughter Ellen Nora McGuire Hill

• Mary Drusilla Edins/Eddins, daughter of Jessie Douglas, Mary's son. 

• Carrie Drusilla Edins Barksdale, daughter of Mary Drucilla McGuire Edins. 

• My sister Druscilla

There are probably more. I just discovered that Carrie Edins's middle name was Drusilla. 

----

The first question is much, much harder to answer. But I have two theories. 

Theory #1:

One of Britta's direct or close ancestors or relatives was named Drucilla. Names in our family get passed down a lot, so it's a viable theory. The theory leads one to consider: 

• Drucilla Jensy Crump (wife of Burwell Green)

• Elizabeth Drucilla Williamson and 

• Drucille Howard (who both lived in Shelby around the same time as Britta)

• Drucille Dearman (related to Roadlander, Jourdan, Dill, and Green families in St. Clair County)

• Mary Drucilla Sawyer from Talledega County who married Nunley and Rushing

And so on. 

Theory #2:

What I consider the more plausible of the two.

• In the 1860 US Census for AL, Britta and John McGuire lived in Jefferson County next to Dr. James M. Ragsdale and his wife Drucilla. Britta named her second daughter for sister Mary (Ann Green McKinney) and great friend Drusilla (maiden name unknown) Ragsdale. 

Conclusion: 

While I may never know why Britta and John named their second daughter Mary Drusilla, it could be an important clue in breaking down the brick wall of Britta Ann Green McGuire Flynn.

Martha Isabelor McKinney Dailey Lawley

I first started investigating Isabella McKinney as listed in the 1850 Census. Slim pickins! Next I noticed that a Martha I. McKinney got married in Bibb County about the right age and time for this woman. Better. Then I found Martha living with John in Shelby in 1860. Great! And then -- she disappeared...until by chance or luck misspelled her name as "Isabelor." WHAM!!! A whole new line of inquiry! Yippee!!

Here's the scoop:

Martha Isabelor (or Isabella) McKinney was the first daughter of John P. McKinney and Mary Ann Green/e. Her parents were married Thursday, April 8, 1841, in Shelby County, AL. A source on Shelby County burials that I have not seen yet lists her birth as November 5, 1842; November 1842 is confirmed by the 1900 Census. She was most likely born in Shelby County, as her parents were married in there, and the family was still living there in 1850.

In the 1850 US Census for AL, Isabella McKinnie, nine, born AL, is living in the household of John and Mary Ann McKinnie in Shelby County.

On June 6, 1860 in Martha I. McKinney marries John Dailey in Bibb County. Indeed, we know that this is the right Martha because her father's name is on the marriage license. John W. Dailey was the son of Jane Caroline Smith and Owen A. Dailey. In 1850 John was living with his father and mother in Bibb County.

In the 1860 Census she is living with John Dailey in Bibb County, Centerville P.O. She is 18, born AL; he is 22, born AL and has money: $1000 in real estate and $400 in his personal estate. Neighbors include Pratt, Champion, Cleveland, Loveless, Langston, Nolen, Rogers.

Between 1860 and 1865 they have two children: Marion J. Dailey, born about 1862, and Mary Jane Dailey, born 26 May 1865.

Several public trees list John as dying at Vickburg during the Civil War in October 1864. There's a discrepancy here, because Vicksburg was fought in 1863. In addition, the Civil War Soldiers List at the Alabama Archives lists John as being a private when mustered out of the AL 20th Infantry. So my guess is that John died of wounds received at Vicksburg, but not actually at the battle. Either way, he likely died before 1866 because it looks like Martha, Marion, and Mary Jane are living with in-laws Owen and Jane Caroline in the 1866 AL State Census; only one male over 20 in the household (Owen). In 1870 Martha, Marion, and Mary Jane are still living with in-laws Owen and Jane at Beat 2 of Shelby County. But maybe not too happily...

Down the street from them in 1870 just happens to be the household of Newton J. Lawley, 24, his mother Mary, 60, Mary 16, and Doctor, 14.

Even more interesting:

Samuel Lawley, listed as Newton's son in later years, is a bun in Martha's oven at that time, because the census date is July, and Samuel was born in November 1870 (1900 Census). Proof: the AL Deaths 1908 - 1974 database at FamilySearch.org lists his parents as Newt Lawley and Martha Dailey. 

With John dead, Martha marries Newton Jasper Lawley/Lolly on November 23, 1873, in Shelby County (Shelby County Historical Society webpage. Bless 'em!).

In the 1880 US Census for AL, Jasper N. Lawley is living on Beat 4, Montevallo, Shelby County. He is 37, a farmer, born AL, father born AL, mother born SC. Also in the household are wife Martha, 39, born AL, father born SC, mother born NC. This jives completely with what we know about John P. and Mary Ann. In addition we find daughter Mary Jane, 16, who is actually the daughter of John Dailey, at home, born AL, parents born AL. Then there is a big gap in the ages of the children: from Mary Jane, 16, to Samuel, 10 (November 1870), then again to Susan, 5, John J or T, 3, and Lucy, 10 months, born August. Mary Jane is misidentified as Newton's daughter and not his step-daughter.

In the 1900 US Census for AL, Newton J. and Martha are in Montevallo with children Charles, Emma, Barney, Horace D. and Willie. She's had eight live births and eight are still living. Samuel lives down the street. The census taker got the number of live births wrong (Marion, Mary Jane, Samuel, Susan, John, Lucy, Charles, Emma, Barney, Horace, Willie.)  Or, if you consider that they've been married 28 years, and you count ONLY the children from within this marriage and not Martha's first marriage to John Dailey and subsequent pregnancy with Samuel, then the number fits. (Susan, John, Lucy, Charles, Emma, Barney, Horace D., and Willie.)

In the 1910 US Census for AL, Newton J. and Martha L. are still in Montevallo. Only now she's had seven live births, of who six are living. Crazy census takers. 

Several Member Public Trees on Ancestry.com show Martha's death date as 7 November 1911 and her burial place as Macedonia Cemetery, Pearidge, AL. While this may be true, as yet I have been unable to prove it from online resources. Hopefully Findagrave.com or another cemetery census site will soon publish a listing so we can tick off proof for that fact. Or I can check it when I get to AL this year.

It's really amazing how one small piece of serendipity -- the spelling of "Isabella" as "Isabelor" can open a whole new avenue of investigation and facts. Thanks, RELS!

Britta in the 1870 US Census for AL

In the 1870 US Census for AL, Mike and Britannia Flynn are living in Randolph, Bibb County, on the first of June. Brierfield Post Office. Mike is 50, a pudler, born Ireland, parents of foreign birth, cannot read or write, male citizen of the US. Britannia is 36, born in AL, keeping house, can read and write. Also in the household are Ellen McGuire, 15, and Douglas McGuire, 9, both born AL. This family is listed on Page 4 of 53.

Britta and Mike have been married about 18 months at this point.

Starting on Page 1, here is a list of people associated with Britta and her family.

• Household #7: William Hayden, Adeline, Sarah; Drucilla McGuire. Drucilla is Britta's middle girl. She's a domestic servant, probably a mother's helper in the household.

Page 2:

• Household # 9: Wesley Stamps and family. He often lives near Britta. In 1860 he lives in Montevallo near R. C. Ryan, Holsombeck, Epha McInis.

Page 4:

• Household # 28: Mike, Britta, Ellen, and Douglas are on this page.

• Household # 31: Jesse Mahon/Mahan and family. Father of Mary Eveline who married Wiley Large. He is a muck-a-muck who appears on as bondsman on many marriage licenses. Represented Bibb County in the legislature.

Page 6:

• Household # 43: John McKinney, Mary Ann, & family. Mary Ann is Britta's sister/mother/cousin/relative. Britta lived in this household in 1850 in Shelby County.

Household # 45: Charles Rea, brother to James Ray/Rea, whose third wife was Jane McClung; James and Jane lived a few doors from Britta and John McGuire in 1860 in Jefferson County.

Page 7:

• Household # 48: Tempa Wheelis Blankenship and family. Her brothers-in-law/cousins-in-law James and Washington were cited for violence in Shelby County. Also, Washington committed adultery with Nancy Dennis Greene, wife of William Greene. William Greene may be a son of Elijah Greene or a brother of Britta.

• Household # 50: John Oakley with wife Lucinda Espy and mother-in-law Teressa Espy and family. Teressa is the daughter of Mary Calhoun Green and granddaughter of Jane and John Green, Esq.

Page 9:

• Household # 72: Charles Green from Virginia in the household of William Bailey. Probably no relation.

Page 10:

• Household # 73: Alex and Cinthia Hill, parents of Britta's son-in-law, William Randall Hill.

• Household # 75: Joseph Espie, son of Teresa Espy, and great-grandson of Jane and John Green, Esq. He's also in Randolph in 1880.

Page 11:

• Household # 86: Sam and Martha Green and family, including probable brother John and mother Joan (Joanne).

Page 12:

• Household # 92: Jonathan Newton Smith and wife Fanny Green Smith and family. Fannie (Frances) is the daughter of Joscelin B. Green, granddaughter of Jane and John Green, Esq.

• Household # 93: John Mathis and family. Probably J. N. Smith's brother-in-law from a former marriage.

Page 13:

• Household # 94: Charles Carleton and family in the household of Dan Lyon. The Carletons often live near Britta and family.

Page 15:

• Household # 116: Thomas Ferington and Angeline McGuire. Angeline is the daughter of Neeley McGuire, who may be a cousin of Britta's first husband John L. McGuire.

Why, oh why, have I listed all these people???????

It's an attempt to put the evidence all in one place and to find connections. Britta is my brick wall. Argh!!!!! I keep trying to figure out who her parents were. One day the evidence will point out these people. The next day the evidence points to another family. Some day, some day — if I keep finding facts and learning about her — one special day, one piece of evidence will leap out at me and say, "Here I am! I am your missing link!!!!"

And I will rejoice!!!!!!!!

Then publish.