Friday, May 30, 2014

Sepia Saturday: Hello Bob


Sepia Saturday challenges bloggers to share family history through old photographs.





This week’s Sepia Saturday photo prompt is a lovely girl with Rapunzelesque hair.  Old photos passed along to me are filled with images of women with long hair; unfortunately – at least for addressing this prompt – all that long hair was up in a bun. 

However, my grandaunt Helen Killeen Parker’s photo album provided this charming picture of Newlyweds with the bride’s hair blowing in the breeze at Ocean View in Virginia.

Friends of Helen Killeen Parker Ocean View, Virginia



Helen Killeen Parker and John Holland about 1919

As a child, Helen had long hair too, but it was no competition for that of the Bride.








Helen Killeen Parker











In keeping with the fashion of the times – the 1920s, Helen bobbed her hair.

The hairstyle was quite controversial, scandalous even.  Men divorced their wives over bobbed hair.  Businesses fired employees who had bobbed their hair.  College dress codes forbad bobbed hair.


So I wonder if Helen’s mother (my great-grandmother) approved.  Had local beauticians embraced the Bob by then or did Helen go to a barbershop?  Or did she ask her sister Mae to cut her hair with kitchen shears?  


Let your hair down at Sepia Saturday!




© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Woody at the Bush

Wordless Wednesday is a daily prompt at Geneabloggers that asks family historians to create a post in which the main focus is a photograph or image.

Woody Woodring 1928
Granduncle Woody Woodring 1928
not just standing with that bush -
but GAZING upon it too!
For goodness sake!

This is the 5th picture in a series of photos taken with that peculiar bush at my great-grandparents’ home in Shenandoah, Virginia. 

However, thanks to reader Carol, I can now identify the bush as a Weeping Mulberry.  One landscape website promotes the Weeping Mulberry as a perfect addition to the yard because it makes a great playhouse for the kids or even a very private outdoor shower stall.  Yeah, I can see that – the dense foliage would provide plenty of privacy for either purpose.




© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

52 Ancestors: #21 - Sarah DAVIS Lamb

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small has issued a challenge:  write one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor.  It can be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem – anything that focuses on one ancestor.



Sarah DAVIS Lamb is my third great grandaunt, daughter of my fourth great grandfather, Leonard Davis. Leonard is a proven patriot thanks to one of Sarah’s descendants who joined the DAR through her line.

Sarah was born about 1801 in Albemarle County, Virginia but lived her teen years in Rockingham County.  There she met and married Matthias Lamb on December 18, 1826.  At some point they moved to Rockbridge County where they raised their large family.  Sarah and Matthias were living with their son Abraham in Botetourt County in 1870. 

In 1880, there is a Sarah Lamb in Botetourt enumerated as the grandmother in the household of Jacob Lamb whose age makes him more likely a son than grandson.  However, there is no Jacob Lamb in the earlier records for Matthias and Sarah Lamb.  So I’m not certain this 1880 census reflects “MY” Sarah Lamb’s family.

Sarah’s death record is dated November 24, 1881 in Craig County where her son Moses lived. 

THREE GENERATIONS:

Sarah Ann DAVIS  ( 1801 Albemarle Co, VA - 24 Nov 1881 Craig Co, VA ) & Matthias LAMB (1804 – Abt 1880 Botetourt Co, VA ) 18 Dec 1826 Rockingham Co, VA


1.  Isaac LAMB ( 1827 Virginia - Before 1880 ) & Martha A. UNKNOWN
  • Sarah Jane LAMB ( 15 Apr 1853 Rockbridge Co, VA - )
  • Mary Ellen LAMB ( Dec 1854 Rockbridge Co, VA - )
  • John W. LAMB ( 1856 Virginia - )
  • Henry P. LAMB ( 1859 Virginia - )
  • Laura V. LAMB ( 1862 Virginia - )
  • Charles D. LAMB ( 1864 Virginia - )
  • George A. LAMB ( Nov 1870 Rockbridge Co, VA - )
2.  Margaret LAMB ( 1830 Rockbridge Co, VA  - 1875 Rockingham Co, VA ) & Elias Elijah NEFF ( 30 Mar 1817 Rockingham Co, VA - 30 Sep 1895 Rockingham Co, VA  ) 14 Nov 1855 Rockbridge Co, VA
  • Sarah Ann NEFF ( 1856 Rockingham Co, VA - )
  • Ellenora NEFF (21 Feb 1858 Rockingham Co, VA – 23 Apr 1935 Shenandoah Co, VA ) & John BRANNER ( 18 Nov 1856 Shenandoah Co, VA – 18 Sep 1928 Shenandoah Co, VA )  20 Dec 1877 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Areadner NEFF (5 May 1859 Rockingham Co, VA – 4 May 1941 Rockingham Co, VA ) & Michael LOHR ( 15 Dec 1854 Rockingham Co, VA - ) 21 Dec 1880 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Martin H. NEFF ( 24 May 1861 Rockingham Co, VA – 28 Jun 1875 Rockingham Co, VA  )
  • Rebecca NEFF ( 8 Sep 1862 Rockingham Co, VA – 1870 Rockingham Co, VA - )
  • Michael NEFF ( 1 Feb 1864 Rockingham Co, VA –  13 Jun 1941 Monroe, IN ) & Mary Zylpha CLEVENGER (1865 – 1900 ) 20 Jan 1890 Delaware Co, IN
  • Lewis Frank NEFF (11 Apr 1865 Rockingham Co, VA – 4 Aug 1924 Yorktown, IN ) & Amanda SHAFFER ( 1870 Virginia – 1951 Indiana ) 4 Oct 1893 Delaware Co, IN
  • Mathias L. NEFF (4 Nov 1866 Rockingham Co, VA – 31 Jul 1929 Dayton, OH ) & m1) Ada LEFFINGWELL ( 1859 – 1899 ) 25 Dec 1890 Dayton, Greene Co, OH ; & m2) Elizabeth FULTZ ( 1870 - ) 5 Oct 1901 Delaware Co, IN
  • Ida NEFF (1868 Rockingham Co, VA - )
  • Alice Lelia NEFF ( 10 Jul 1869 Rockingham Co, VA – 4 Nov 1948 Norfolk, VA ) & m1) Noah Earl HOLLER (24 Jul 1862 Rockingham Co, VA – 2 May 1899 Rockingham Co, VA ) 5 Sep 1893 Rockingham Co, VA ; & m2) Jacob KLINE ( 1868 Rockingham Co, VA – 1948 Fauquier Co, VA)
  • John Samuel  NEFF ( 5 Mar 1871 Rockingham Co, VA – May  1941 Harrisonburg, VA ) & Martha A. FITZWATER ( 17 Oct 1877 Rockingham Co, VA – 31 Aug 1968 Rockingham Co, VA )  4 Apr 1895 Rockingham Co, VA
3.  Joseph LAMB  ( 1832 Virginia - Before 1880 ) & Frances SWOPE (17 May 1832 Virginia - 30 Dec 1900 Rockbridge Co , VA )   02 Oct 1856 Lexington, Rockbridge, VA 
  • George P. LAMB ( 1859 Virginia - ) & Elizabeth R. UNKNOWN
  • Alicia LAMB ( 1861 Virginia - )
  • James E. LAMB ( 1865 Virginia - )
  • Edmonia C. LAMB ( 1867 Virginia - ) & John Henry BROWN 02 Jan 1896 Rockbridge Co, VA
  • Ella LAMB ( 02 Mar 1870 Rockbridge Co, VA - 16 Mar 1934 Lexington, Rockbridge, VA ) & Stuart Madison FIX 13 Jan 1898 Rockbridge Co, VA
  • Viola LAMB ( 1872 Virginia - ) & Porter HICKMAN ( 1869 Virginia - ) 04 Oct 1899 Lexington, Rockbridge, VA
  • Bruce LAMB ( 1874 Virginia - ) 
4.  Mary Ariadne LAMB ( 28 Oct 1833 Rockbridge Co, VA - 27 Jul 1902 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA ) & Addison McLaughlin DOTSON  ( 11 Aug 1836 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA – 7 Dec 1903 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA )  01 Jan 1863 Botetourt Co, VA
  • Ariadne LAM ( 1858 Botetourt Co, VA - )
  • Richard Matthias DOTSON ( 28 Nov 1863 Botetourt, VA - 12 May 1901 Nutterville, Greenbrier Co, West VA )
  • William Abraham DOTSON ( 20 Sep 1865 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA - 10 Apr 1918 Nicholas, West VA )
  • Alexander Jackson DOTSON ( 09 Apr 1867 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA - 14 Aug 1896 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA )
  • Samuel Charles DOTSON ( 25 Dec 1871 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA - 22 Aug 1955 Wheeling, Ohio, West VA )
  • Thomas Jacob DOTSON ( 08 Oct 1874 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA - 27 Jul 1895 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA )
  • Mary Ann DOTSON ( 16 Sep 1877 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA - 15 Oct 1895 Summersville, Nicholas, West VA )
5. Elijah LAMB  (1835 Virginia – 19 Jun 1862 Richmond, VA ) & Sarah DUNLAP ( 1841 Rockbridge Co, VA - ) 18 Jun 1856 Rockbridge Co, VA

6.  Moses LAMB ( 06 Dec 1837 Virginia - 06 May 1905 New Castle, Craig Co, VA ) & m1) Elizabeth J. MANKEY  (1840 Rockingham Co, VA -  28 Oct 1881 Craig Co, VA )15 Nov 1860 Virginia ; m2)  Frances Creg BRIZENDINE  ( 1856 – 1947 ) 23 Oct 1890 New Castle, Craig Co, VA
  • Eliza Ann LAMB ( 30 Mar 1868 - 26 Jul 1942 Botetourt, VA ) & Miles William BIGGS Jr. ( Oct 1844 - ) 1888.
  • William A. LAMB ( 1861 Virginia - )
  • Charles L. LAMB (1864 Virginia - )
  • Virginia LAMB ( Aug 1865 Virginia - 29 Dec 1925 Hopewell, VA ) & Robert Watt HANCOCK ( 03 Nov 1863 New Castle, Craig Co, VA - 20 Feb 1922 Hopewell, VA ) 13 Nov 1888 New Castle, Craig Co, VA
  • Arminta Belle LAMB ( Feb 1870 Fincastle, Botetourt, VA - Before 1910 ) & Alexander Jackson CALDWELL (10 Jun 1862 Craig Co, VA - 03 May 1960 ) 16 Oct 1889 Craig Co, VA
  • Mary M. LAMB ( 1873 Virginia - )
  • James W. LAMB ( 1875 Virginia - ) & Lizzie UNKNOWN (1870 Ohio - )
  • Clarra E. LAMB ( 1877 Virginia - )
  • Edward W. LAMB ( Feb 1880 Craig Co, Virginia -  )
7.  David LAMB ( 1839 Virginia - ) & Frances LINKNOKER/LINKENHOFER ( 1843 - ) 12 Dec 1861 Botetourt Co, VA
  • Jackson L. LAMB ( 1864 Rockbridge Co, VA - )
  • Eliza V. LAMB ( 1865 Rockbridge Co, VA - )
  • Sarah Catherine “Sallie” LAMB ( 7 Jul 1866 Rockbridge Co, VA – 4 Mar 1942 Stark Co, OH ) & Ottway PEMBERTON ( 01 Aug 1866 Clifton, OH – 6 Dec 1926 Clark Co, OH ) 7 Nov 1886
  • Robert A. LAMB ( 18 Feb 1867 Rockbridge Co, VA – 21 Mar 1939 Dayton, OH ) & Ella Rebecca TIMMONS (16 Mar 1872 Madison, OH – 28 Apr 1948 Yellow Springs, OH ) 20 Dec 1917 Clark Co, OH
  • Seymour W. LAMB (14 Sep 1870 Rockbridge Co, VA – 10 Aug 1913 Madison, OH ) & m1) Mary BOOTH ( 1868 - ) ; & m2) Jennie FORD ( 1879 - ) 8 Mar 1912 Madison, OH
8.  Abraham LAMB ( Mar 1841 Lexington, Rockbridge, VA - After 1900 Botetourt Co, VA ) &  Martha UNKNOWN
  • Nannie Sadahlia LAMB ( 22 Jun 1866 Bedford, Bedford, VA - 26 Apr 1934 San Mateo, Putnam, FL )  & Samuel Huff FERRELL (on 30 Nov 1856 Bedford, VA - 08 Jan 1943 San Mateo, Putnam, FL )  29 Aug 1888 Bedford, VA
  • Philip LAMB ( 1867 Virginia – 23 Dec 1885 Botetourt Co, VA )
  • Emory Ernest LAMB ( Dec 1869 Botetourt, VA - After 1940 ) & Armenia O. UNKNOWN ( About 1879 - )About 1904
  • John LAMB ( 6 Mar 1878 Botetourt Co, VA - )
  • Florence LAMB ( May 1880 Botetourt, VA - )
  • Lula LAMB ( 1881 Botetourt Co, VA - )
9.  Matthew LAMB ( 1842 Rockbridge Co, VA - )




© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Sepia Saturday: Life and Times of Wellington Hall

Sepia Saturday challenges bloggers to share family history through old photographs.





This week’s Sepia Saturday prompt is the college dorm complete with pennants.  Here is a “new and improved” version of a post I did in June 2012 featuring dorm life at Harrisonburg Teacher’s College in 1924 (now James Madison University – Go DUKES!).


Most college students will agree that the first year dorm experience generates the strongest memories about leaving home and living on campus.  My grandaunt Velma Davis (later Woodring) was going to college in an exciting time.  The young president Samuel P. Duke had been on the job for just a few years, and he was building new classrooms and dorms as fast as he could find the money.  When faced with a housing crisis, he sought additional funds for more dorms but was denied.  However, Mr. Duke was a clever man.  He convinced a doctor in town to build an apartment building so that HTC could rent the entire place to house over 60 students.  And so Wellington Hall came to be home for Velma in 1924-25.

Wellington Hall Harrisonburg Teachers College 1924
Wellington Hall
South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 1924
Wellington was located on South Main Street across from campus. 

Velma Davis March 1925
Velma appears to be reading
someone's scrapbook.
Dorm life in the 1920s
Quiet hours were from 7:00-10:00 on weekday nights and 2:00-4:00 on Sunday afternoons.

It was "Lights out" at 10:30 each night.  As a result many girls studied by flashlight under their covers or in the bathroom.

Visiting during study hours required permission from the House chairman.

Leta LeVow 1924-25
Leta LeVow
dressed in her "unmentionables"
doing the unmentionable -- smoking!














No smoking PERIOD – not on campus, not when away for the weekend, not when traveling to and from campus.  (I wonder how they monitored that!)

Students had to be ON campus by 6:00 p.m. every day.

Students had to wear hats if they went into the business section of town.

Leta LeVow March 1925
Leta got the top bunk.
Three girls shared a room.





If walking a mile from campus, students had to be in groups of 3 or more.

There was no riding in an automobile except with parents, a faculty member, or a woman.

Students could not leave campus on Sunday except to go to church.



Velma Davis March 1925
Velma captioned this photo:
In old room 17
Wellington Hall









Dates were received in the reception room of Alumnae Hall.

Men had to be on an approved list to date HTC girls.






In 1947, the college finally purchased Wellington Hall.  Over the years it served as a dorm, as faculty housing, and finally as administrative offices.  In the 1970s, “house mothers” were no longer required in dormitories, so Wellington Hall became the retirement home of the last of those elderly mother-figures who scrutinized the gentlemen callers and offered a sympathetic ear to homesick freshmen.  Then in 2006, after 82 years of service, Wellington was razed to make room for the new performing arts building.


Wave your pennant!  Ray Rah Sepia Saturday!



© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Velma and Woody at the Bush

Wordless Wednesday is a daily prompt at Geneabloggers that asks family historians to create a post in which the main focus is a photograph or image.

Velma and Woody Woodring September 1928


This is the 4th picture in a series of photos taken with that peculiar bush at my great-grandparents’ home in Shenandoah, Virginia.



© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

52 Ancestors: #20 - Leonard DAVIS Jr. and Frances Wyant

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small has issued a challenge:  write one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor.  It can be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem – anything that focuses on one ancestor.



I know very little about the childhood of my third great-grandfather, Leonard Davis Jr.  But once he married Frances Wyant, daughter of Peter and Mary Burras Wyant, he is easy to study.  

Leonard Jr. was born about 1795, most likely in Albemarle County, Virginia, but he lived most of his life in Rockingham County.  Specifically he lived in the Beldor community located just off what is today the Skyline Drive.
 
Beldor in Rockingham County, Virginia
He was enumerated under his own name for the first time in 1820, the same year he married Frances Wyant.  It was just the two of them, both between ages 16-25.  Leonard was a farmer.

In 1830, the household consisted of 13 people, but I can account for only half of them.  It appears that another family was there too, perhaps a sister or brother of Leonard or of Frances. 

1830 Rockingham County, VA
MALES

Best Guess
5-9
2
Elijah, William
10-14
2
Mitchell, Unknown
15-19
1
Unknown
30-39
1
Leonard Jr.
70-79
1
Leonard Sr.
FEMALES


Under 5
2
Mary Ann, Unknown
5-9
2
2 Unknowns
20-29
2
Frances, Unknown

By 1840, Leonard Jr. must have died as Frances is listed as head of household.

1840 Rockingham County, VA
MALES

Best Guess
10-14
1
Elijah
15-19
2
William, Mitchell
FEMALES


5-9
3
Mary Ann, Rebecca, Sarah
40-49
1
Frances

In every census after that until 1880, Frances was enumerated as head of household, usually with her daughters still living with her.  Here are some highlights of the census records:
1850 – Frances and her oldest daughter Mary Ann could not read or write; daughters Rebecca and Sarah had attended school during the year.
1860 – Frances’s personal property was valued at $45.
1870 – Frances’s personal property was valued at $100; could not read or write; daughter Sarah could read but not write
1880 – Frances, age 80, was living with her unmarried daughter Sarah and granddaughter Julia.

Frances had no visible means of support; however, she always lived close to a brother, some cousins, and her son Mitchell.  I wonder if family helped financially. 

Three Generations:

Leonard DAVIS JR. ( About 1795 - Before 1840 ) & Frances Fannie WYANT  ( 1799 – After 1880 ) 21 Mar 1820 Orange, Virginia


1. Mitchell DAVIS ( 4 Sep 1820 Rockingham Co, VA - 22 Apr 1892 Rockingham Co, VA ) & Martha Ann WILLSON (10 Jun 1832 Rockbridge Co, VA - 1 Dec 1905 Rockingham Co, VA ) 24 Aug 1846 Rockbridge, Virginia 
  • Zedekiah DAVIS ( 14 Sep 1847 Rockingham Co, VA - 11 Jul 1863 Rockingham Co, VA )
  • Ann C. DAVIS ( 02 Sep 1849 Rockingham Co, VA  - 15 Jul 1863 Rockingham Co, VA )
  • Zephaniah Leonard DAVIS ( 28 Mar 1851 Rockingham Co, VA -  10 Jan 1929 in Louisa Co, VA ) & m1) Anne E. BELLOMY (April 1850 – 1903) 1874 ; & m2) Mary Frances CRAWFORD 1905
  • Jerusha L. DAVIS (05 Mar 1853 Rockingham Co, VA - 28 Jun 1863 Rockingham Co, VA )
  • Malvina O. DAVIS ( 25 Sep 1854 Rockingham Co, VA - 31 Dec 1925 ) & Grattan MCDANIEL (1857 –  Before 1910 )  08 Oct 1876
  • Josiah P. DAVIS ( 29 Jun 1856 Rockingham Co, VA - 28 Aug 1924 Martinsburg, Berkeley, West VA ) & Elizabeth Frances POWELL ( 25 Aug 1860 – 8 May 1944 Martinsburg, Berkeley, West VA )  30 Nov 1879 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Amaziah Nathaniel DAVIS  ( 20 Feb 1858 Rockingham Co, VA - 22 Feb 1934 ) & Ann C. UNKNOWN  (1844 - ) 20 Nov 1879
  • Helena Hester DAVIS  ( 22 May 1860 Rockingham Co, VA - )  
  • Martha E. DAVIS ( 13 Oct 1861 Rockingham Co, VA  - 16 Mar 1928 ) & William H. WYANT (1856 - ) 1881
  • Zibiah Saloma DAVIS ( 19 Aug 1864 Rockingham Co, VA  - 07 Oct 1936 ) & John Lewis MARSHALL  (17 Sep 1863 – 28 Feb 1943 ) 17 May 1891
  • Walter Beriah Sylvester DAVIS  ( 12 Sep 1867 Rockingham Co, VA - 31 Oct 1934 Page Co, VA ) & Mary Frances JOLLETT ( 10 Jan 1870 Greene Co, VA – 22 Feb 1950 Harrisonburg, VA ) 11 Feb 1890 Greene Co, VA
  • Ida Mary DAVIS ( 25 Jun 1869 Rockingham Co, VA - ) & William Layton MORRIS ( 1874 Greene Co, VA – 3 Feb 1895 ) 12 Dec 1890
  • Lorenza Ridell DAVIS ( 02 Sep 1871 Rockingham Co, VA - 11 Aug 1947 ) & Chillis Ann SHIFLETT  (29 Dec 1872 Greene Co, VA - ) 22 Aug 1892 Greene Co, VA
  • Justina Ruthella Frances DAVIS ( 08 Jun 1875 Rockingham Co, VA - 02 Oct 1936 ) & m1) William H. BRUCE (3 Nov 1883 – 13 Aug 1962 ) 12 Jan 1906 ; & m2) Unknown WITTIG
  • Minnie B. DAVIS ( 1877 Rockingham Co, VA - ) & Unknown LAYMON 
2. William Franklin DAVIS ( 1822 Rockingham Co, VA - 1905 Rockingham Co, VA ) & Ardena J. WYANT ( 1828 Virginia – 1890 Virginia) 23 Dec 1844 Albemarle, VA 
  • Alexander Hezekiah DAVIS  ( 01 Sep 1845 Rockingham Co, VA - 15 Dec 1914 Earlysville, Albemarle County, VA ) & Mary Jane LONG ( 10 Feb 1852 Greene Co, VA – 11 Apr 1917 Albemarle Co, VA  ) 12 Mar 1868
  • John DAVIS ( 1849 Rockingham Co, VA - )
  • Elizabeth DAVIS ( 1853 Rockingham Co, VA - 10 Feb 1918 Greene Co, VA ) & Zebedee MARSHALL (01 Sep 1851 - 05 Jun 1933 Greene Co, VA )
  • Aaron P. DAVIS ( 28 Oct 1854 Rockingham Co, VA - 08 May 1927 Rockingham Co, VA ) & Mary Ann POWELL (Sep 1853 - 08 Nov 1925 Rockingham Co, VA )
  • Robert Edgar DAVIS ( Nov 1855 Rockingham Co, VA – 1938 ) & Catherine HITT  ( Apr 1857 - )
  • David Conrad DAVIS ( 1859 Rockingham Co, VA – 1939 ) & Julia Ann WYANT ( May 1861 - ) 25 Mar 1877
3. Elijah DAVIS ( Dec 1825 Rockingham Co, VA - After 1900 ) & Barbara Ann SHIFLETT ( June 1827 - )
  •  Mary Jane DAVIS  (1847 Rockingham Co, VA - ) & Abner Ebb LAWSON (22 Apr 1849 – 19 Mar 1910) 27 Jun 1869 in Rockingham Co, VA
  • Samuel Sampson DAVIS (1849 - ) & Martha EATON ( 1857 - )
4. Mary Ann DAVIS ( 1828 Rockingham Co, VA - After 1900 ) & Joseph WOOD ( 1836 Rockingham Co, VA – 1870 Rockingham Co, VA)  27 Sep 1858 Rockingham Co, VA ; common law wife to George HERRING
  • Charles Henry DAVIS ( 04 Nov 1851 Rockingham Co, VA - 24 Dec 1939 ) & Columbia Jane SHIFLETT (13 Aug 1855 - 14 Jan 1906 )  19 Oct 1874 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Joseph Franklin WOOD ( Dec 1858 Rockingham Co, VA - )  & m1) Louisa C. SHIFLETT (1868 - ) ; & m2) Flora Belle SHIFFLETT 02 Sep 1906
  • Andrew Jackson DAVIS ( 1859 Rockingham Co, VA - ) & Julia Ann LAWSON
  • Virginia Ann Ginnie WOOD ( 04 Mar 1865 Rockingham Co, VA - 18 Feb 1920 Rockingham Co, VA ) & George Minor SHIFLETT ( 17 Jun 1861 – 17 Feb 1935 ) 04 Mar 1881 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Mary Jane Skrimp WOOD ( 03 May 1867 Rockingham Co, VA - 01 Oct 1948 Rockingham Co, VA)  & Charles Henry MARSHALL 21 Feb 1886 Rockingham Co, VA 
5. Rebecca Ann DAVIS  (1833 Greene Co, VA -  15 Aug 1922 in Yancy, VA) & James K. CRAWFORD (22 Jan 1845 – 7 Sep 1921 Yancy, VA) 7 Feb 1878 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Sallie CRAWFORD ( Jun 1857 Rockingham Co, VA - )
  • Alexander Thomas Buzz CRAWFORD ( 1867 Rockingham Co, VA  - 1944 ) Clarinda Clay LAWSON ( 1873 – 16 Feb 1933 ) 25 Jan 1891 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Virginia Fanny CRAWFORD  (1867 Rockingham Co, VA – 1935 ) Charles MOWBRAY ( 1869 – 1935 ) 03 Aug 1893 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Mary Columbia Mollie CRAWFORD  (1871 Rockingham Co, VA  - 1947 ) & Thomas Tommy CRAWFORD ( 1873 - ) 1896
  • Annie Rebecca CRAWFORD ( May 1873 Rockingham Co, VA - ) & George Franklin SHIFLETT ( Jan 1873 - ) 12 Oct 1892 Rockingham Co, VA
  • James  H. CRAWFORD ( 16 Mar 1874 Rockingham Co, VA - ) & Annie L. MORRIS ( 20 Sep 1876 – 3 Apr 1964 ) 30 Mar 1894 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Minnie CRAWFORD ( 1878 Rockingham Co, VA - 25 Oct 1947 ) & George W. LAM ( 1870 – 1941 )
6. Sarah F. DAVIS ( Feb 1834 Rockingham Co, VA -  2 Feb 1913 Rockingham Co, VA)
  • Julia Ann DAVIS ( 02 Aug 1865 Rockingham Co, VA -  16 Dec 1941 Rockingham Co, VA )  Samuel Gabriel EATON ( 19 Sep 1859 – May 1942 ) 21 Sep 1880 in Rockingham Co, VA ; maybe common-law wife of George Shields LAWSON



© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Sepia Saturday: Women and Children First

Sepia Saturday challenges bloggers to share family history through old photographs.



This week’s Sepia Saturday prompt is a woman and child at the beach, possibly collecting shells.  Thanks to my grandaunt Helen Killeen Parker’s photo album, I have a number of pictures of women and children at the beach.  However, if they combed the beach for tiny treasures to fill a bag, there’s no evidence of it. 
















As was typical for Helen, she left me no solid clues as to the identities of these women or children.  I suspect the older women in white are at Ocean View in Virginia, probably around 1918-21.

















If you’re looking for little treasures, I invite you to follow the women and children to Sepia Saturday.



© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Davis Sisters at the Bush

Wordless Wednesday is a daily prompt at Geneabloggers that asks family historians to create a post in which the main focus is a photograph or image.

Violetta and Velma Davis Sep 1928 Shenandoah, Virginia
Velma and Violetta Davis September 1928
at their home on Sixth Street, Shenandoah, Virginia

This is the 3rd picture in a series of photos taken in front of that peculiar bush at my great-grandparents’ home in Shenandoah, Virginia.




© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

52 Ancestors: #19 - Leonard DAVIS and Mary Marshall

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small has issued a challenge:  write one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor.  It can be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem – anything that focuses on one ancestor.


For 18 weeks I’ve looked at the oldest generations of the Jolletts, my maternal grandfather’s mother’s side of the family.  Now his father’s side of the family has my full attention.  The Davis line. 

I’ve been collecting documents for membership in the DAR through Leonard Davis.  But it’s not easy.  The good news is that Leonard has been proven as a patriot, but since someone joined through a different descendant, my work is still cut out for me.

For whatever reason, “Leonard” was a popular name among Davis boys.  Letters to the Department of Pensions dated as far back as the 1920s reveal the mystery of my Davis line and the misinformation that has been perpetuated on public family trees on websites like Ancestry.com.  Everyone’s story begins the same, but then in some sort of genealogical schizophrenia, the life of Leonard Davis becomes two (or more) entirely different versions. 

No matter which Leonard someone descends from, the stories begin with the facts that were spelled out in Leonard’s application for a pension based on his service during the Revolutionary War:  (1) he THINKS he was 19 in 1781 (making his birth year approximately 1761 or 1762), (2) his father moved to North Carolina, (3) Leonard was born in Albemarle County but moved to Rockingham County around 1813.

from pension application of Leonard Davis 1833

After that, it’s hit or miss with Leonard.  The father who moved to North Carolina COULD be Lewis Cave Davis.  There was a Lewis Davis in Albemarle County in 1780 and 1790; then in 1800 there was both a Lewis Sr. and Jr.  As would be expected, there has been somebody named Lewis Davis in Albemarle forever thereafter.  Just to compound the confusion there was a Lewis Davis in numerous counties throughout North Carolina who might have been the father of MY Leonard.  Or not. 

Most people who refer to Lewis Cave Davis as their first Davis in America tell the story of how he was one of seven brothers who emigrated from England.  Five were killed during either the Revolutionary War or War of 1812.  But when they rattle off the list of Lewis’s children, everyone parts ways.

Page 517 of "The Boone Family, A Genealogical History of the Descendants of George Boone" says Lewis Cave Davis was father to Leonard born in Pennsylvania and that Leonard was father to three children: Matthew, Augustus Cave and Doris who married John Watts.  A website has a Leonard Davis born 1762 and died 1817 who married Mary Ballard of York, Virginia. It lists their FOUR children: Matthew, Augustus Cave, Louis, and their sister who married a Watts.  But this husband of Mary Ballard has also been recorded as born in 1742 and a veteran of the French & Indian War, making it impossible to be the same Leonard Davis who applied for a pension in 1833.  Some versions have Leonard moving to Kentucky, but I know there was a Leonard Davis in Rockingham County, Virginia until his death before 1840.  Another version claims Leonard was BROTHER to Augustus Cave, not father.  Birthdates suggest that such a scenario is at least possible.

Two entries in the Albemarle County Deed Book 9 in 1784 echo some familiar names:  Ballard, Watts, Augustine which is rather close to Augustus. 

  • Aug 10 1784. Charles Bush and Elizabeth, his wife, of Albemarle Co. , to Philip Ballard, of same county. £25 curr: 49 a [acres]. in Albemarle Co. part of a tract purched. by Wm. Sumter ; adj. Leonard Davis; Wit. Wm. Betts; Wm. Watts , Leonard Davis . Aug. 1784. D. B. 9, p. 10.
  • Dec. 22 1784. Frederick Wills & Frances, his wife; Leonard Davis and Mary, his wife, of Albemarle County to Thomas Ballard, of Orange County.  £45 curr. 100 a [acres] at foot of Piney Mountains, Albemarle County.  Witt. Robert Sanford, Leonard Davis, Augustine Davis, John Wills, Elizabeth Ballard; March 1785. D. B. 9, p. 69.

So there must be some element of truth to the various versions of the life and times of Leonard Davis.  Maybe the players are just not aligned correctly.  Maybe there’s another generation of Leonards.  Maybe ….

Anyway, my contribution to the confusion is this:  “MY” Leonard Davis was married to Mary Marshall – MRS. Mary Marshall according to their 1788 Albemarle County marriage record, so she evidently was a widow.  Whether she was his first wife or second is not clear since there is also a marriage record for a Leonard Davis and a Susannah Burrows dated 1776 in Orange County, Virginia.  There is a small handful of known children, but maybe there were more.  Maybe they were children of Susannah or maybe of Mary Marshall, who knows. 



Leonard does not appear as head of household until 1820, which matches information given in the pension application.  Besides Leonard and his wife Mary, there were 4 young females between 10 and 44.  Three are possibly known daughters Sarah, Mary Polly, and Elizabeth.  Leonard Jr. had already married and was head of his own household.




In 1830 Rockingham County, the head of household was likely Leonard Jr. with his wife Frances.  The older male was probably Leonard Senior.  The rest appear to be children of Leonard Jr. and Frances.  Leonard Sr.’s wife Mary was likely dead by then.

In 1840, Leonard Sr’s name appears as a Pensioner of the Revolutionary War, age 79.  However, he was not a head of household, and he was not enumerated in Frances Davis’s household either (Leonard Jr’s widow).  It is likely that is where he was, but since the pensioner information is on a second screen, it is difficult to determine how the images align.  


Three Generations:

Leonard DAVIS (1761 - 9 Dec 1840 Rockingham Co, VA) & Mrs. Mary MARSHALL ( - About 1830 Rockingham Co, VA) 23 Dec 1788 Albemarle, Virginia

1. Leonard DAVIS JR.  (Abt 1795 – Before 1840 Rockingham Co, VA) & Frances “Fanny” WYANT (1799 – After 1880) 21 Mar 1820 Orange, Virginia,

  • Mitchell DAVIS (4 Sep 1820 Rockingham Co, VA – 22 Apr 1892 Rockingham Co, VA) & Martha Ann WILLSON (10 Jun 1832 Rockbridge Co, VA – 1 Dec 1905 Rockingham Co, VA)  24 Aug 1846 Rockbridge Co, VA
  • William Franklin DAVIS  (1822 – 1905 Rockingham Co, VA ) & Ardena J. WYANT (1828 – 1890)  23 Dec 1842 Albemarle Co, VA
  • Elijah DAVIS  (Dec 1825 – ) & Barbara Ann SHIFLETT (Jun 1827 - )
  • Mary Ann DAVIS (1828 – ) & m1) George HERRING; m2) Joseph WOOD (1836 Rockingham co, VA – 1870 Rockingham Co, VA) 27 Sep 1858 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Rebecca Ann DAVIS (Dec 1833 Rockingham Co, VA – 15 Aug 1922 Elkton, VA)  & James K. CRAWFORD (22 Jan 1845 Greene Co, VA  – 7 Sep 1921 Elkton, VA) 7 Feb 1878 Rockingham Co, VA,
  • Sarah F. DAVIS (Feb 1834 – 2 Feb 1913 Rockingham Co, VA)
2. Sarah Ann DAVIS (Abt 1801 – 24 Nov 1881 Craig Co, VA) & Matthias LAMB (1804 Virginia – 1880 Botetourt Co, VA)  18 Dec 1826 Rockingham Co, VA

  • Isaac LAMB (1827 – Before 1880) & Martha A. UNKNOWN
  • Margaret LAMB (1830 Virginia – )
  • Joseph LAMB (1832 Virginia – Before 1880) & Frances UNKNOWN
  • Ariadne LAMB  (1833 Virginia – )
  • Elijah LAMB (1835 Virginia – )
  • Moses LAMB (1837 Virginia – Craig Co, VA) & m1) Elizabeth J. MANKEY (1840 Rockingham Co, VA – 1880 Craig Co, VA) 15 Nov 1860 Virginia ; & m2) Fannie UNKNOWN (1856 - )
  • David LAMB (1839 Virginia – )
  • Abraham LAMB (1840 Virginia – ) & Martha UNKNOWN
  • Matthew LAMB (1842 Virginia – )
3. Mary “Polly” DAVIS  (Abt 1805 – ) & John Jacob BAUGHER (2 May 1799 Rockingham Co, VA – 1864 Rockingham Co, VA)  2 Jan 1823 Rockingham Co, VA

  • Lucinda BAUGHER  (1823 – 1903)
  • Sarah BAUGHER (1827 Rockingham Co, VA – 19 Jul 1899) & Gideon LAYMON
  • Jemima BAUGHER (1832 – 1912) & Alfred MORRIS
  • Mary BAUGHER (1834 – 1916)
  • Marietta BAUGHER (1836 – 1916)
  • Jacob BAUGHER (1838 – 1913 in Nodaway, MO) & Catherine UNKNOWN
  • David BAUGHER (1840 – 1920) & Carlitha UNKNOWN (1846 Missouri – )
  • John BAUGHER (1844 – 1924)
  • Phineas Abraham BAUGHER (1846 – 1926) & Jessie A. HERMAN (1855 Kentucky – )
4. Elizabeth DAVIS & Jonathan CRAWFORD 24 Oct 1820 Rockingham Co, VA




© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.