Wordless Wednesday - Happy Halloween

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Amanuensis Monday - 1776 Will of Abijah Gandy

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?.

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.

Years ago I was given information about my Gandy ancestors by other researchers; part of that information included a statement that Abijah Gandy, one of my maternal 5th great-grandfathers, died at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777. I recently found Abijah's will posted on FamilySearch and have transcribed it below. Abijah wrote his will on 23 April 1776 and it was proved 12 March 1777. Abijah wrote that he was "very Weak and Sick in Body." Was his infirmity the result of service in the Revolutionary War or did he recover and then enlist in Revolutionary forces? Either way, he evidently did not die during Washington's legendary encampment at Valley Forge which happened during the winter of 1777-1778. To date I have not found any record of service during the Revolution nor have I found a burial location.

“In the Name of God Amen this Twenty third day of Apriel and year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Six I Abijah Gandy of the County of Cumberland and Province of West New jersey being Very weak and Sick in Body but of Perfect mind and Memory thanks be to God there for Calling to mind the mortality of my Body and knowing that it is apointed for all men once to Dye I do make and ordain this to be my Last will and Testament[.] Princaply and first of all I do Give my Soul to Almighty God that Give it and my Body I do Recomend to the Grave to be Buried in a Decent Christian Manner at the discresian of my Executors nothing Doubting but I Shall Receive the Same again in the General Resurection by the Power of God and as to worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this Life, I do Give and Dispose of in manner following[:] first my will is that all my Just deb[t]s and funeral Charges be fully paid. 2^d I do Give and Bequeath to Mary Gandy my Dearly Beloved Wife the use of the Plantation I live on During her Life for the Bringing up of my Children. 3^d I do Give to my oldest Son Henery Gandy the planation that I Live on at his mothers Decease or the Lower part. 4^th I do Give to my Son Abijah Gandy twenty five acres of Land across the upper part of this Plantation. further my will is that my Son Henery out of his part Shall pay to my Son Shepherd Gandy the Sum of Ten Pounds when Shepherd is of age and he Shall further pay to my Daughter Deborah Gandy the Sum of Five Pounds when She is of age and and if henery Should dye under age my will is that Abijah shall have his part ^{^and Shepherd shall have Abijahs} or if Abijah Should dye Shepherd Shall have his Part further my will is that my Two younger Sons Should when of Proper age be Bound out to as Good Trades as may be in that day, agreeable to an agreement that was made if my Son in Law Lives with his mother till he is of age my will is that he Shall have my Loom and Tackling and I do hereby apoint Mary Gandy my wife, and Nathan Shepherd Executors of this my Last Will and Testaman and do hereby disalow all others and do Establish and Confirm this to be my Last Will and Testament.

Signd Seald Publish,d and Pronous,d in the

Presence of us

Gideon Heaton                       Tabitha Shepherd                    Abijah Gandy

            her

Anna     X    Lore

            mark”

[Source: New Jersey, Probate Records, 1678-1980, Cumberland County, file 611F, will of Abijah Gandy; digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 Oct 2012).]

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - Uncle Bill and Mom

Digital image. Original held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR
PRIVACY], Lomita, California, 2012.

William Howard Yawman and

Beaulah Belle Yawman

circa 1918

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Surname Saturday - Ancestor #31 - Rhoda Cary

One of my goals for 2012 is to use the Surname Saturday blogging prompt as a way to assure that I spend some time researching each of my family lines and that I have appropriate source citations for the genealogical facts related to my ancestors. I’ve decided to use my ahnentafel report and work back through the generations starting with my grandparents, writing a summary of each ancestor. If you discovered this post through a search engine and find one of your ancestors listed here, please leave a comment to let me know.

My maternal 2^nd great-grandmother Rhoda Cary was born 9 January 1833[1] in Union County, Ohio, the seventh child of Ephraim and Matilda (Gandy) Cary.

On 11 July 1849, Rhoda married Joseph Franklin in Union County, Ohio.[2] The couple had five children who lived to adulthood:

• Ruth Franklin (1851-1914)[3] – my great-grandmother
• Nancy Franklin (1853[4]-1875[5])
• Richard Franklin (1856[6]-after 1880[7])
• Fannie Franklin (1859[8]-1904[9])
• David Franklin (1865-1932)[10] 

On 21 May 1870, John B. Coats, Judge for the Probate Court of Union County, Ohio, signed an “Application for Admission” of Rhoda into the Central Lunatic Asylum in Columbus, Ohio.[11] On the same day, a “Medical Certificate” was signed by one Dr. Skidmore stating that Rhoda had been judged insane; he stated that she had been “insane for three weeks and ‘melancholic’ for five months.” The cause was specified as “probable affection [affliction?] of the lungs producing debility and loss of child producing melancholy.”[12] On 30 May 1870 Rhoda was admitted to the asylum located in Dayton, Ohio, having been taken there by Lory Ford.[13] She remained there for over two years, until she was returned to Taylor Township in Union County on 21 August 1872.[14]

Looking at the number of years between the births of Rhoda’s two youngest children, it appears that there could have been another child born between them and then one or more  children born after David. Certainly, recurrent stillbirths or children who died shortly after birth would have impacted Rhoda’s mental health. Was the lung condition possibly tuberculosis? Daughter Nancy died in 1875 from scrofula, which is defined as a tuberculosis infection the lymph nodes in the neck.[15]

Rhoda has not been found in any records after August 1872. Her husband Joseph remarried on 1 November 1877 in Marion County, Ohio.[16] It is unknown whether she died or whether they divorced. No burial location has been found. None of Rhoda’s children were living with Joseph at the time of the 1880 census.[17]

There are several opportunities for additional research:

1. Continued research in records of Union County and Marion County, both areas in which Rhoda may have lived after her release from the asylum, to see if there is any record of death or divorce.
2. Newspaper research in Union and Marion counties, to see if there are any references to Rhoda.
3. Research on descendants and collateral lines to see if a living relative can be found who has more information on Rhoda’s life and death.

---

[1] Ephraim Cary Personal Bible, ( n.p., n.d.), Family Record page and front inside cover pages; privately held by Rev. Darrell Joiner, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Lincoln, Maine, 04457. Copies provided to Denise Spurlock in 2001. It is unknown whether Mr. Joiner held the actual Bible or only copies thereof.

[2] Union, Ohio, Marriage Records, 2: 207, Franklin-Cary; FHL microfilm 573,776.

[3] Labette County, Kansas, death certificate no. illegible (1914), Ruth Snider; Kansas Board of Health.

[4] 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, p. 28, dwelling 421, family 397, Joseph Franklin; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 Feb 2012); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll 1044.

[5][5] Marion County, Ohio, "Death records, 1867-1908," (Marion County Courthouse, Marion), Volume 1, p. 74, Fannie Franklin; FHL microfilm 384,350.

[6] 1860 U.S. census, pop. sch., Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, p. 28, dwell. 421, fam. 397, Joseph Franklin.

[7] 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, enumeration district (ED) 81, p. 187A (stamped), dwelling 255, family 255, Arad Franklin; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 Oct 2012); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 1073. In 1880, Richard was living with his uncle Arad Franklin, Jr. He has not been found in any record after that date.

[8] 1860 U.S. census, pop. sch., Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, p. 28, dwell. 421, fam. 397, Joseph Franklin.

[9] Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, "Ohio Obituary Index," database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Apr 2012), entry for Fanny Burkepile.

[10] Ohio Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, death certificate 70649 (1932), David Franklin; digital image, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 23 May 2012).

[11] Union County, Ohio, Probate Court, Application for Admission, 21 May 1870, Rhoda Cary; scanned image received from Judy Price (jmbp_99@yahoo.com), 1 May 2011.

[12] Union County, Ohio, Probate Court, Medical Certificate, 21 May 1870, Rhoda Cary; scanned image received from Judy Price (jmbp_99@yahoo.com), 1 May 2011.

[13] Union County, Ohio, Probate Court, Warrant to Convey, 27 May 1870, Rhoda Franklin; scanned image received from Judy Price (jmbp_99@yahoo.com), 1 May 2011.

[14] Union County, Ohio, Probate Court, Warrant to Convey, 19 August 1872, Rhoda Franklin; scanned image received from Judy Price (jmbp_99@yahoo.com), 1 May 2011.

[15] U.S. National Library of Medicine, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002330/, accessed 14 October 2012

[16] "Ohio County Marriages, 1790-1950", Marion County Ohio, Marriages, 8: 237, Franklin-Benton, 1877; index and images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 Feb 2012).

[17] 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, York Township, Union County, Ohio, enumeration district (ED) 72, p. 20A, dwelling (blank), family 47, Joseph Franklin; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 Feb 2012); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 1073.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Gram's Scrapbook - Poll Tax Exemptions

Prior to 1966, the State of Texas required payment of a poll tax in order for a citizen to be eligible to vote. Exemption from the tax was permitted under certain circumstances. 

Here are two Poll Tax Exemption Certificates that were issued to my grandmother, Mamie Olive (Martindale) Spurlock, one in 1960 and one in 1964. The first one shows that she was exempted because of her age; the second one does not give a reason for exemption but I would imagine it was the same. 

According to the article on Texas election laws on the Texas State Historical Association website, a state constitutional amendment removed the poll tax from the state constitution in 1966 and replaced it with an annual voter registration provision.

[Source: Spurlock, Mamie Olive (Martindale), Scrapbook, ca 1950-1970; privately held by Cheryl Anne (Chaney) Beaver, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Lone Grove, Oklahoma. 2010. Photocopy in possession of Denise Spurlock.]

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - Aunt Dot and Uncle Bill

Digital image. Photocopy of original held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS
WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Lomita, California, 2012. Original was in held by
Bettye Lou (Conville) Gleason, in 2000. Mrs. Gleason is now deceased.

Dorothy Belle Spurlock and

William Taft Spurlock

circa 1910

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Sunday's Obituary - Mrs. Nancy E. Yawman

Nancy E. Yawman, one of my maternal great-grandmothers, died on July 14, 1919. Her obituary provided information about her religious affiliation, something I did not know. I found it interesting that they printed information on when her body was shipped from the place of death (Miami, Oklahoma) to the burial location (Parsons, Kansas) and that her son accompanied the body.

“MRS. NANCY YAWMAN BURIED IN PARSONS

Mrs. Nancy E. Yawman, who died at the home of her son John Yawman Tuesday, was buried in Parsons, Wednesday afternoon. The body was shipped Tuesday. John Yawman accompanied the body to Parsons.

Mrs. Yawman has been a member of the Baptist church here and is well known. Her 73d birthday was celebrated at the home about four weeks ago.”

[Source: "Mrs. Nancy Yawman Buried in Parsons," Miami District Daily News, 16 Jul 1919, p. 1, col. 5; digital images, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 14 Oct 2012).]

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Surname Saturday - Ancestor #30 - Joseph Franklin

One of my goals for 2012 is to use the Surname Saturday blogging prompt as a way to assure that I spend some time researching each of my family lines and that I have appropriate source citations for the genealogical facts related to my ancestors. I’ve decided to use my ahnentafel report and work back through the generations starting with my grandparents, writing a summary of each ancestor. If you discovered this post through a search engine and find one of your ancestors listed here, please leave a comment to let me know.

My maternal 2^nd great-grandfather Joseph Franklin was born 25 December 1826 in Clark County, Ohio, the oldest child of Arad and Nancy (White Franklin).[1]

On 11 July 1849, Joseph married Rhoda Cary in Union County, Ohio.[2] Joseph and Rhoda had five children who lived to adulthood:

• Ruth Franklin (1851-1914)[3] – my great-grandmother
• Nancy Franklin (1853[4]-1875[5])
• Richard Franklin (1856[6]-after 1880[7])
• Fannie Franklin (1859[8]-1904[9])
• David Franklin (1865-1932)[10]

He married second Emily Tyler on 1 November 1877 in Marion County, Ohio.[11] Two children were born of this union:

• William Arad Franklin (1878[12]-1959[13])
• Abi Della Franklin (1879-1935)[14]

Joseph was a laborer, sometimes making brick or tile (an industry in which several collateral families were engaged), sometimes working on a farm. There is no indication on any census record that he owned property, and he has not been found in any of the deed indexes for Union County, Ohio.

Joseph died on 12 October 1895 in Jackson Township, Paulding County, Ohio.[15] The location of his burial is unknown.

Following are opportunities for additional research:

1. Continued research in records of Union County, Marion County, and Paulding County, all areas in which Joseph lived during his life time.
2. Newspaper research in Marion County and Pauling County.
3. Research on descendants and collateral lines to see if a living relative can be found who has more information on Joseph’s life.

---

[1] Mrs. Willis Holloway, "Arad Franklin and Nancy White" (Franklin Family Researchers United, Vol. 5, page 37, Jan. 1993 ; accessed online, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ffru/Docs/FFRU_back/index.html, 2010.)

[2] Union, Ohio, Marriage Records, 2: 207, Franklin-Cary; FHL microfilm 573,776.

[3] Labette County, Kansas, death certificate no. illegible (1914), Ruth Snider; Kansas Board of Health.

[4] 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, p. 28, dwelling 421, family 397, Joseph Franklin; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 Feb 2012); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll 1044.

[5][5] Marion County, Ohio, "Death records, 1867-1908," (Marion County Courthouse, Marion), Volume 1, p. 74, Fannie Franklin; FHL microfilm 384,350.

[6] 1860 U.S. census, pop. sch., Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, p. 28, dwell. 421, fam. 397, Joseph Franklin.

[7] 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, enumeration district (ED) 81, p. 187A (stamped), dwelling 255, family 255, Arad Franklin; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 Oct 2012); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 1073. In 1880, Richard was living with his uncle Arad Franklin, Jr. He has not been found in any record after that date.

[8] 1860 U.S. census, pop. sch., Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, p. 28, dwell. 421, fam. 397, Joseph Franklin.

[9] Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, "Ohio Obituary Index," database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Apr 2012), entry for Fanny Burkepile.

[10] Ohio Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, death certificate 70649 (1932), David Franklin; digital image, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 23 May 2012).

[11] "Ohio County Marriages, 1790-1950", Marion County Ohio, Marriages, 8: 237, Franklin-Benton, 1877; index and images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 Feb 2012).

[12] "Ohio, Births and Christenings Index, 1800-1962," database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 Feb 2012), entry for William Arad Franklin; citing Family History Library film number 384336.

[13] "Ohio Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007," database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 Oct 2012), entry for William A. Franklin, died 31 January 1959.

[14] Ohio Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, death certificate 63606 (1935), Della Abia Raney; digital image, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 28 Feb 2012).

[15] Paulding County, Ohio, "Records of Deaths, Volumes 1-4, 1867-1908," (Paulding County Courthouse, Paulding), Joseph Franklin, died 12 October 1895; FHL microfilm 925,299.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - Three of My Grandfather's Siblings

Digital image. Photocopy of original photo held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS WITHHELD
FOR PRIVACY], Lomita, California, 2012.

From left to right:

John Thomas Spurlock (1887-1969)

Sarah Elizabeth "Sis" (Spurlock) Conville (1890-1970)

William Thomas Spurlock (1878-1973)

Photograph taken on 9 February 1964, Sarah's 74th birthday

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Surname Saturday – Ancestor #29 – Nancy Caldwell

One of my goals for 2012 is to use the Surname Saturday blogging prompt as a way to assure that I spend some time researching each of my family lines and that I have appropriate source citations for the genealogical facts related to my ancestors. I’ve decided to use my ahnentafel report and work back through the generations starting with my grandparents, writing a summary of each ancestor. If you discovered this post through a search engine and find one of your ancestors listed here, please leave a comment to let me know.

My maternal 2^nd great-grandmother Nancy Caldwell was born 11 June 1814[1] probably in that area of Virginia that became West Virginia. Her parents are unknown.

About 1835, Nancy married David Snider. The couple had seven known children:

• Joseph Snider (1837[2]-bef 1910[3])
• William Snider (Abt 1840[4]-bef 1900[5])
• Delila J. Snider (1842-1917)[6]
• Ezekiel Snider (Abt 1846[7]-aft 1910[8])
• David A. Snider (1848-1929)[9] – my great grandfather
• Jasper Snider (Abt 1851[10]-aft 1897[11])
• Francis M. Snider (1855-1917)[12]

On the 1870 federal census, Nancy is recorded as “insane.” An 1877 obituary printed by  the Marysville Tribune is transcribed on her Find A Grave Memorial; it reports she had “been afflicted for several years.”[13] I wonder what her symptoms were; it is possible that she had what would now be diagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease or perhaps was depressed.

Nancy died on 5 February 1877 and is buried at Ford Cemetery in Taylor Township, Union County, Ohio.[14]

There are several opportunities for additional research:

1.      Research in Marshall County, West Virginia (previously Virginia) records to see if her parents’ identities can be determined;

2.      Research in Union County, Ohio, probate records to determine whether Nancy was ever committed to an asylum;

3.      Research in Union County death records for an official record of death; and

4.      Newspapers for other mentions.

---

[1] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 Sep 2012), Nancy Snider, Memorial #53025431, created by Robert72, 30 May 2010 (includes photograph of grave marker). Date of birth is calculated from information regarding Nancy’s age recorded on her grave marker.

[2] 1850 U.S. census, population schedule, District 33, Marshall County, Virginia, p. 263 (stamped), dwelling 319, family 321, David Snyder; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Mar 2012); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432, roll 959.

[3] 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Marysville, Union, Ohio, enumeration district (ED) 165, p. 6B, dwelling 173, family 153, household of Malusa Snider; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Feb 2010); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T624, roll 1238. Joseph’s wife, Melissa Snider, is recorded as being a widow on the 1910 census.

[4] 1850 U.S. census, pop. sch., District 33, Marshall County, Virginia, p. 263 (stamped), dwell. 319, fam. 321, David Snyder.

[5] 1900 U.S. census, population schedule, York, Van Wert, Ohio, enumeration district (ED) 99, p. 10A, dwelling 181, family 183, household of Mary Snyder; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Feb 2010); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll 1329. William’s wife, Mary, is enumerated as being a widow in the 1900 census.

[6] Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Deaths 1908-1953, 4021566 02872, Deliah Ford; digital image, Family Search Internet (www.familysearch.org: 1 Mar 2010).

[7] 1850 U.S. census, pop. sch., District 33, Marshall County, Virginia, p. 263 (stamped), dwell. 319, fam. 321, David Snyder.

[8] 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Taylor Township, Union County, Ohio, enumeration district (ED) 167, sheet 2B, dwelling 40, family 42, Ezekiel Snider; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 Sep 2012); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T624, roll 1238. Ezekiel has not been location on a census after 1910; no death certificate has been located.

[9] Neosho County, Kansas, death certificate no. 67 2969 (1929), David A. Snider; Office of Vital Statistics, Topeka.

[10] 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Taylor Township, Union County, Ohio, p. 127 (penned), dwelling 970, family 955, David Snider; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Mar 2012); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll 1044.

[11] Union County, Ohio, Deed Books, 78: 151, David Snider to Joseph Snider, statement of Francis M. Snider, 12 Nov 1897; FHL microfilm 573,763. I have not located Jasper in any documents after this date.

[12] Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Deaths 1908-1953, Frances Marion Snider; digital image, Family Search Internet (www.familysearch.org: 28 Apr 2011).

[13] Find A Grave, Nancy Snider, Memorial #53025431, created by Robert72, 30 May 2010 (includes photograph of grave marker).

[14] P. Cranston, "Broadway," Richwood Gazette, 10 Feb 1887, p. 2, col. 2; digital images, NewspaperARCHIVE (http://access.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 17 May 2012).

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Gram's Scrapbook - Western Union Delivers Breaking News

Back in the day, people sent Western Union telegrams when they had urgent news to deliver. My paternal grandmother, Mamie Olive (Martindale) Spurlock, had saved three of those important messages in her scrapbook.

Announcing the arrival of a granddaughter in 1944:

Reporting the death of her sister, Maude Alberti (Martindale) Thompson in Missouri in 1958:

And the birth of a great-granddaughter in California in 1963:

[Source: Spurlock, Mamie Olive (Martindale), Scrapbook, ca 1950-1970; privately held by Cheryl Anne (Chaney) Beaver, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Lone Grove, Oklahoma. 2010. Photocopy in possession of Denise Spurlock. ]

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - Jasper J. "Jack" Spurlock, Sr., circa 1905

Digital image. Copy of original photograph held by Denise Spurlock,
[ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Lomita, California, 2012.

Jasper J. "Jack" Spurlock, Sr., circa 1905

Photograph by Warrens Studio, Clayton, Texas.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock