52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 4 Free OFFline Genealogy Tools

This is Week 4 of Amy Coffin’s Abundant Genealogy series.  

Free OFFline genealogy tools:  For which free offline genealogy tool are you most grateful?  How did you find this tool and how has it benefitted your genealogy?  Describe to others how to access this tool and spread the genealogy love.

Since my friend Neva would NOT appreciate being referred to as a “tool,” I’ll have to write about a genealogy tool she swears by and finally persuaded me to try after many reminders and much gentle scolding.  It’s the personal property tax records.

What’s so great about personal property tax records?

·        In Virginia, the censuses for 1790 and 1800 are lost, but early tax records can act much like a census since all people who were taxed are listed. 

·       Tax records can be used to estimate year of birth.  Any male at least 16 years old was tithable, or taxable, so they appeared in the household.  If they appeared under their own name, they were at least 21.  Of course, this is not an infallible method since records are sometimes incomplete and tithables might not always have been reported. 

·        Women who owned their own property or were the widow of a property owner were also listed.  Yay – it’s possible to find a wife well ahead of the 1850 census.

·        Names of people who died were listed as long as their estate had not been settled (usually indicated by either “estate” or “deceased”). 

·        Where a person lived can be determined by the name of the collector, by the geographic region of the county, or by the militia that was drawn from that district.  By studying lists from year to year, a researcher can tell when an ancestor left a locality.

·        A person’s economic and social standing can be determined by comparing records within the county.  The laws for what was to be taxed changed from year to year, but in general the list included the number of slaves, various categories of animals (usually horse and cattle, but sometimes hogs, sheep and stud horses), and various luxury items like pianos, harps, billiard tables, carriages, kitchen furniture, watches and clocks, jewelry, portraits, icehouses, and stocks and bonds. 

How I’ve used the property tax records

I found my 5G grandfather Windle Eppard and his brother Andrew in the 1801 property tax records.  They both died before the 1810 census was taken, so neither appears in any available census record.  Each had one tithable (themselves) and 3 horses. 

I’ve been unable to find a father for my 4G grandfather James Jollett, but through the personal property tax records, I’ve found a likely candidate:  Thomas Jollett.  But I’ll need to do more research. 

I know from remnants of a burned deed that the father of my 3G grandmother Mary Ann Armentrout Jollett was named John Armentrout.  In Rockingham County in the 1700s, there were MANY John Armentrouts.  I have used the property and personal property tax records to narrow the field of candidates.  I have not proved her father yet, but the tax records have been helpful in identifying possible family members who might be easier to study and obtain records that might lead me to the solution.

How to access personal property tax records

The Library of Virginia in Richmond has copies of personal property tax records for each county and city from 1782 to 1927, and for each year ending in 0 or 5 from 1930 to 1975.  Tax records from 1782-1863 for the counties that are now part of West Virginia are also at the LVA.  There are no records for 1808 and 1864, the two times the General Assembly suspended collection of taxes and enumeration of tax payers.  The records are on microfilm and are available through interlibrary loan. 

Sunday's Obituary: Lester Leonard Eppard

Sunday’s Obituary is a daily prompt at Geneabloggers asking us to post obituaries along with other information about that person.

This obituary of my great grand-uncle Lester Leonard Eppard was torn from a newspaper and part is missing along the bottom.  I cropped the scan just to neaten it for presentation here.  I am guessing that the obituary appeared in an Athens, Georgia newspaper in 1944.

                                                                                  

          Death Takes L. L.

       Eppard Today;

       Was Ill One Week

L. L. Eppard, one of the city’s most popular businessmen, died in an Atlanta hospital this morning at 7 o’clock after an illness of one week.  Mr. Eppard was 56 years old.

Funeral services will be conducted from the First Christian Church, of which he had been a member and deacon for many years, by the pastor, the Rev. Paul Howle.  Date for the services will be announced later by McDorman-Bridges, in charge of arrangements.  Burial will be in Oconee Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Eppard is survived by his wife, Joanna Gibson Eppard, Athens; sister Mrs. Sudie Rucker, Shenandoah, Va.; and ---[probably says brother] Dr. G. I. Eppard --- [probably says Washington, DC]. ---

Death Takes L. L.

Eppard Today;

Was Ill One Week

(Continued from Page One)

sadness to the large number of friends in the city who held him in the highest respect and esteem.  He was one of quiet demeanor and always shunned the spotlight but who did a lot of good as a citizen of Athens in many ways.  He was a person of perfect fairness in his dealings and relationships with his fellow man and his loyalty to his friends was one of the qualities which was an inspiration to the many who knew him.

Lester Leonard Eppard  (16 Mar 1888 – 24 Jul 1944) was my maternal grandmother’s uncle, her mother’s youngest brother.  Based on census records, I conclude that he and his wife Joanna Gibson Eppard had no children.  In 1930, he was proprietor of an automobile company.

According to family lore, he once served as mayor of Athens, Georgia.  However, an Internet search into the history of Athens does not confirm this as he is not listed among the past mayors on a page that admits to being incomplete.  Nor does his obituary indicate having served in such a capacity. 



Image on Findagrave.com
Photo by Ed Saye

Will of Johann George Eppard (1780-1869)

The following is a transcription of my 4G grandfather's will. When I first read this will, I thought he was giving preferential treatment to his son Wesley allowing him to buy the land while leaving practically nothing for the other children. However, I found in the 1860 Rockingham County, Virginia Census that Wesley and his family were living in George's house and running the farm. Therefore, it makes sense to allow him and his family to remain. George specifically mentions bequeathing money to the children from two of his sons who preceded him in death.  Since he mentioned no one else, I at first assumed they were left out.  But after reading the will many times, I realized I had been MISreading all along and that the other children indeed would be getting a share from the sale of the other lands. In 1860, George's property was worth $7,000, which must have been a sizeable sum back then.


Transcribed from Will Book No. 4, page 8, Rockingham Co, VA (without corrections, changes, or additions)

I George Epard of the County of Rockingham and State of Virginia do make and publish this as my last will and testament hereby revoking and declaring void all the other wills by me heretofore made.  First, I direct and will that my land be divided as follows:  Beginning one pole above the “head gate” where the “race” comes out of the Creek and running down Naked Creek to Huffmans Corner thence S. 15°W 48 poles to a pine by a path, thence S 2°W 76 poles to a White Oak, Black Oak & Hickory, thence N 74 1/4° E 214 poles to “two pines” near a road, the said courses being the outside lines of my land as far as they go; and from said above last named corner a straight line to the “mill-race” at a point where the fence now makes an angle about twenty-five poles above the house in which Mary Epard, the widow of my son James now lives, thence up the south side of said race to the “head gate” at Naked Creek and thence up the Creek to the beginning.  The said boundary to include the exclusive privilege and use of the water from the dam in the creek.  The said boundary of land I will to my son Wesley Epard by his paying to my estate the sum of $20.00 per acre in four equal payments.  The first payment to be made in 60 days from the date of admitting this my will to record and the balance in three equal annual payments from said day.  Second:  The residue of my land should I not dispose of the same before my death I wish to be sold at public sale by my executor, hereinafter named, on such terms and time as they may think most advisable.  Third:  The proceeds of the above sales together with all the rest of my effects, after all of my just debts and funeral expenses are paid I wish to be equally divided among all my children.  The children of my two Sons, John and James, who are dead:  I wish to receive respectively the shares that would have come to their fathers had they been living that is, the children of John Epard to receive one moiety and the children of James Epard one moiety.  Fourthly:  I constitute and appoint my friend John C. Walker my executor.  In testimony whereof I the said George Epard have to this my last Will and Testament signed and subscribed my name this day of March in the year of our Lord 1866.

Signed, acknowledged and published by George Epard

George (x) Epard    X His Mark

County Court of Rockingham:  August Term 1869

The last will and testament of George Epard deceased was presented in Court and proven by the oath of John Ainip and John P. Huffman, the subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded.  And on motion of John C. Walker Executor therein named who made oath according to law and together with SPH Miller his Security who justified as to the sufficiency entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of one thousand dollars conditioned as the law requires.  A certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of said will in due form.

A.L. Lindsey Clerk, Rockingham Court

Sepia Saturday: A Tale of Two Dollies

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

This week’s Sepia Saturday challenge features dolls.  The challenge has been narrowing down my options.  I have 3 stories about 2 dolls. 

#1 – Let’s start with this picture of my mother Mary Eleanor Davis Slade, probably late 1930s, cradling her Shirley Temple doll.  She seems very happy with this popular toy UNLIKE several years before at Christmas when she was 5 or 6 years old. She had asked for a doll WITH HAIR and the new-style doll carriage of steel and cloth.  Unfortunately, her aunts Violetta and Velma convinced her mother that those new dolls were ugly.  No, little Mary E. must have a bald doll and wicker carriage because they were beautiful and so much better than those new-fangled toys.  When little Mary E. awoke Christmas morning to this major disappointment, she opened the front door and shoved that wicker carriage and bald doll out onto the porch and slammed the door. 

We all loved Violetta and Velma, but honestly, they could be rather snobbish.  This story gives a little insight into what Grandma had to put up with from her sisters-in-law, who she suspected never thought she was good enough for their brother.  Isn't it funny how people who never had children always seem to know how to raise them? 

#2 – I have a Shirley Temple doll too.  

She arrived one Christmas along with a doll trunk full of clothes made by Santa-Momma. She’s wearing one of those dresses in the picture. The only other outfit that I still have is this blue corduroy coat. I see the other outfits in my mind’s eye but ….

#3 – And now for my sad story.  I cannot throw this doll away.  It’s Poor Pitiful Pearl, a doll from the late 50s-early 60s.  You can read about her HERE.   I remember seeing her in the Sears catalog.  My heart broke for her.  I knew no little girl would want this ugly doll for Christmas, so I HAD to ask Santa for her.  I could not bear the thought of this doll being left behind at the store while all the other toys went to loving homes. 

 

In this picture she’s wearing one of my sister’s Chatty Cathy outfits.  No telling what became of Pearl’s rag dress or her party dress.  If you looked at the link to read the history of Poor Pitiful Pearl, you saw that she originally had bangs and long hair.  Yeah, I cut it.  I loved that doll and always tried to make her beautiful.  I even told my friend Linda’s mother that Daddy said Linda and Pearl looked alike.  My parents nearly died on the spot!

 

Those Places Thursday: Naked Creek

Those Places is a daily prompt at Geneabloggers that invites family historians to post photos and stories about places their ancestors lived. 

I live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.  We’re 7 quite sizeable cities:  Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News.  We’re a very transient area thanks to a huge Navy and Coast Guard presence, 5 large universities and several hospitals with their ever-changing faculty and staff, industry coming and going uprooting families by the minute. 

It’s unusual to find someone who can actually trace their roots to here.

Maybe that’s why I’m so fascinated by my earliest Virginia ancestors.  The names that appear on the earliest deeds in the Shenandoah Valley are the names that appear on this 1885 map.  (Click on the image to enlarge it.)

They are the names that are still there today.  All those German and French names – names like Rucker, Eppard, Merica, Toliver, Harnsberger, Armentrout, Stoutemoyer, Dovel, Peterfish, Wyant, Hensley, Utz, Breeden, Frazier, Sellers, Meadows. 

I can’t name them all, but there’s a comforting familiarity about those names that when I meet someone today, I often know where they’re from just from their name.  Baugher? Davis? You’re likely from the foot of the Skyline Drive around Beldor.  Tusing? Strawderman? Andes?  You’re from the northern part of Rockingham County around Timberville and Broadway.  Merica?  Meadows?  Eppard?  You’re from Naked Creek. 

Naked Creek is where I can find my Jolletts, my Ruckers, and my Eppards all snug as a bug in a rug there together.  Here’s a deed where my great-great grandfather George Harvey Eppard and his wife Segourny F. Shiplett Eppard sold land to one Benjamin Henderson. 

Page County Deed Book 1 : 116

Deed between George H. Epard and Benjamin Henderson March 1881

This Deed made this the 17^th day of March 1881, Between George H. Epard and Segourna his wife of the County of Rockingham and State of Virginia of the first part and Benjamin Henderson colored of the County of Page and State aforesaid of the second part.  Witnesseth that the said George H. Epard and Segerna his wife for and in consideration of twenty four dollars to them in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained and sold unto the said Benjamin Henderson a certain lot of land situated and being in the County of Page adjoining the lands of the said George H. Epard and others and being a part of the land which the said George H. Epard inherited from his father Wm. Epard dec’d and is bounded as follows.  Beginning at a stake in a line of the original Epard tract and corner to Thomas Epard and running thence S. 62 ½° ? 34 poles to a stake corner to Thomas Epard thence S. 35 ½ ° W 13 9/10 poles to a stake by a fence thence 62 ½ ° W. 35 poles to a stake (a line of) in the original tract thence N. 41 E. 13 9/10 Poles to the Beginning containing three acres be it the same more or less, a road fifteen feet wide is reserved along this line of the Northern boundary of this said lot and the said George H. Epard and Segerna his wife covenant that they will warrant generally the land hereby conveyed.  Witness the following signatures and seals.

George H. Epard  {seal}

Sigournia Epard  {seal}

Page County to wit:

I, Daniel F. Brown a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid in the State of Virginia do certify that George H. Epard whose name is signed to the writing within bearing date on the 17^th day of March 1881 has acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid.  Given under my hand this the 17^th day of March 1881.

Daniel F. Brown J.P.

What is interesting about this deed is all the genealogical information contained in a few lines:  it references the original Eppard tract, which was near Fox Mountain; the inheritance from his FATHER William confirms the family line; and the description of the metes and bounds mentions Thomas Eppard’s corner.  That’s the same Thomas Eppard whose name is on this map.  It’s not a street address, but it’s enough to get me there if I want to stand where they stood and look toward the mountains that they looked at every day.

Wednesday's Child: Annie P. Eppard

Wednesday’s Child is one of the daily blogging prompts at Geneabloggers that features gravestones of children. 

Image on Findagrave.com
by Jan Hensley

8 May 1885 – 18 Jan 1886

Annie P. Eppard is my 3^rd cousin, 3 times removed.  She was the daughter of Daniel Wesley Eppard and Amanda Ardenia Hensley Eppard, granddaughter of Daniel and Delilah Hensley Eppard, and great-granddaughter of Philip and Margaret Utz Eppard (twin brother to my 4G grandfather Johann George Eppard).  She died 126 years ago today and is buried among family in Hensley Community Cemetery, Elkton, Virginia.

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 3 Free Online Genealogy Tools

This is Week 3 of Amy Coffin’s Abundant Genealogy series.   Only 49 more to go!  HA 

Week 3 – Free online genealogy tools are like gifts from above. Which one are you most thankful for? How has it helped your family history experience?

It took me a bit to recall what free tools there are:  Family Search, Rootsweb, Genforum, US Genweb, Interment, Ellis Island, Digital Library of Virginia, and plenty more.  At one time or another, I’ve used them all with varying degrees of success, depending on what I was researching. 

Right now, Find A Grave is at the top of my frequent-visit list.  I’ve added several names to many of my lines thanks to volunteers who have posted photos of tombstones and linked them to tombstones of other family members.  Some have even included obituaries.  Cha-ching!  This is a handy place to get some more current information that won’t be available in census records for years to come. 

Even very old information is sometimes available at Find a Grave.  I’ve found resting places of ancestors from the early 1800s.  Most often there are no photos because graves are unmarked, but names of those interred have been preserved. 

Every time I get a freebie, I am sure to check for local cemeteries on Find a Grave to see if there are any photo requests.  If I can pay it forward by taking a picture of somebody’s loved one’s tombstone, I will be glad to do it.