52 Ancestors: Week 6 "Surprise": Nellie Cox Finally Found!

For years, I have been searching for my 2nd-great-grandmother Sarah Claire "Sadie" (Dyer) Gatlin's half-sister Nellie Cox. Nellie and her husband Owen McDonough were charged as accessories to murder after Tom Cox, Nellie's brother and Sadie's half-brother, shot and killed Ben Dowell, a police officer in 1903. A mistrial was declared. The 1906 Nashville city directory stated that Owen McDonough had moved to Birmingham, Alabama. I hadn't been able to locate Owen or Nellie since then.

Sadie died in Chicago, Illinois on 20 January 1945. Her death notice mentioned a surviving sister, Mrs. E. Goolsby. All of Sadie's other siblings were dead, so Mrs. E. Goolsby had to be Nellie.

A few months ago, I finally located Nellie's first husband, Owen McDonough. I found him listed in Lorain, Ohio city directories in the 1920s. His wife was named Jennie. Apparently Nellie's first marriage ended in divorce. I don't know when Owen and Nellie split up, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were when Owen left Nashville. Being charged as accessories to the murder that Nellie's brother committed probably put a strain on their marriage.

Since I had finally located Owen, I decided to try searching for Nellie again, although I had searched before without success. And much to my surprise, I immediately found her!

Nevada. Department of Health. Death certificate 65-1741 (1965), Nellie Dale Goolsby. Ancestry.com. Nevada, Death Certificates, 1911-1965 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.

Nellie died in Las Vegas, Nevada on 13 July 1965. I never expected to find her there! Her death certificate confirmed that her mother's maiden name was Mary Reynolds. My conclusion was correct. Her date of birth was consistent with the ages found in earlier census  records. And I now had her second husband's name, Ezra A. Goolsby.

I still haven't located her in census records after 1900. Ezra Goolsby was enumerated in Memphis, Tennessee in 1940. He was a hotel proprietor. Nellie wasn't listed with him. It's possible that he just didn't mention her, though. Nellie and her first husband Owen McDonough both seem to have managed to avoid the census takers for decades. They may have been afraid that they would be tried as accessories to murder again.

Ezra Goolsby's mother, Salemma W. (Harris) Goolsby, died in Chicago, Illinois on 6 May 1926. His brother, Fleming Goolsby, lived in Chicago in 1930. Perhaps Nellie and Ezra met in Chicago. Sadie and her husband and children lived there; she was Nellie's only living sibling.

Nellie and Ezra (who died in 1979) are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Las Vegas.

52 Ancestors: Week 2 "Challenge": Mary Nevins

I have not been able to identify any relatives of my 3rd-great-grandmother Mary Nevins, other than her husband and children. I know that she was born in Ireland in the 1830s and was in the Davidson County, Tennessee by January 1855, when she married my 3rd-great-grandfather William Dow Gatlin.

I don't know whether she immigrated to the United States with other family members. I searched for others in the Nashville area with the surname Nevins, and found Robert F. Nevins, a grocer. He turned out to have been born in Tennessee about 1830. He couldn't have been Mary's brother.

I found a death certificate for Alexander Nevins, son of Joseph Nevins and Mary Haley born 21 December 1832 in Ireland. He died in Nashville on 8 April 1922 at the Little Sisters of the Poor home. However, he had previously been in the National Soldiers Home in Washington County, Tennessee. He had previously lived in North Carolina. He had initially enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1857 in Boston Massachusetts. I have not found any evidence that he and Mary were related.

The names of Mary's sons may provide clues. My 2nd-great-grandfather was named John William Morton Gatlin (but was usually known just as William Morton Gatlin or William M. Gatlin.) His paternal grandfather was John McNairy Gatlin. His father was William Dow Gatlin and his great-grandfather (his paternal grandmother's father) was William Gower. Perhaps the name Morton came from Mary's side of the family. Another son was named Clarence Bateman Gatlin. I do not know of anyone (family, friends, or famous people) that he could have been named after. These names also may have come from Mary's side of the family.

Mary died on 9 September 1888. Her death was recorded in the Davidson County, Tennessee death register, but parents' names were not recorded then. Researching Mary has definitely been a challenge. Hopefully I will eventually break down this brick wall.

Wednesday's Child: Walter D. Hughes

Walter D. Hughes, the son of Walter John Hughes and my 2nd-great-grandmother's sister Mary "Mollie" Dyer, was born about 1885 in Tennessee. He died at the age of 13, on 13 November 1898, in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. The cause of death was inanition. He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.

Davidson County, Tennessee Death Registers. Entry no. 1396, Walter D. Hughes, 1898, p. 170. Ancestry.com. Tennessee, City Death Records, 1872-1923 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. 

Davidson County, Tennessee Death Registers. Entry no. 1396, Walter D. Hughes, 1898, p. 170. Ancestry.com. Tennessee, City Death Records, 1872-1923 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. 

 Nashville American, 14 Nov 1898, p. 3.

Nashville American, 15 Nov 1898, p. 5.

Conclusions about the Maiden Name and Family Relationships of Mary, Wife of Michael Dyer and John Cox

When I traveled to Nashville, Tennessee last September, I did some research on my 3rd-great-grandmother Mary, the wife of Michael Dyer and John Cox. After examining my findings and doing additional research, I have come to some conclusions about her maiden name and family relationships.

In a deed registered on 25 June 1868, Mary, wife of Michael Dyer, conveyed land to "my Sister Bridget Long wife of John Long". (1) In a deed registered on 19 August 1868, Bridget Long conveyed land to "my Sister Mary Dyer". (2) These deeds establish that Mary and Bridget were sisters.

Bridget Allen married John S. Long on 17 November 1861 in Davidson County, Tennessee. (3) He was not her first husband. In 1860, 22-year-old Bridget Allen and 4-year-old Martin Allen lived in the household of Thomas and Sarah Fagan. (4) Thomas Fagan and Sarah Reynolds had married in 1857. (5) Bridget's first husband was probably Michael Allen, who declared his intention to become a United States citizen on 23 March 1853 in Davidson County, Tennessee. (6) Mary's husband Michael Dyer declared his intention to become a United States citizen on the same date and in the same place. (7) Michael Dyer was from County Roscommon, Ireland. (8) Michael Allen was also from County Roscommon, Ireland. (9) A  Martin Allen also came from County, Roscommon, Ireland. (10) He was probably the brother of Michael Allen and the uncle of the younger Martin Allen. He was probably the father of Michael Allen, the nephew of Mrs. Bridget Long, who died at age 16 on 18 November 1874. (11)

In her will, Bridget left property to her nieces Elizabeth Slowey and Sarah Gatlin. (12) Mary Elizabeth Slowey was the daughter of Thomas Fagan and Sarah Reynolds. (13)  Sarah Gatlin's maiden name was Dyer (14), and she was the daughter of Bridget's sister Mary. (15) Bridget and Mary must have been the sisters of either Thomas Fagan or Sarah Reynolds. Additional sources support that conclusion. A newspaper article on the death of Tom Fagan, the son of Thomas and Sarah Fagan (16), states that Tom Cox was a cousin of Tom Fagan (17); Tom Cox was Mary's son (18) from her marriage to her second husband John Cox. (19) Another newspaper item provides additional evidence. A report of the death of Sarah Fagan stated that Mrs. McDonough was notified of the death of her aunt, Mrs. Sarah Fagan, and that the mother of Mrs. McDonough and Tom Cox had left the courtroom for this reason. (20) Mrs. McDonough was Mary's daughter Nellie Cox (21), who had married Owen McDonough. (22) Although this news item alone does not provide enough information to conclude that Sarah was Mary's sister rather than her sister-in-law, an additional source supports the theory that Sarah and Mary were sisters. Mary's daughter Sarah "Sadie" (Dyer) Gatlin had a son named John R. Gatlin (23); according to John's World War II draft registration card, his full name was John Reynold Gatlin. (24) It therefore seems more likely that Sadie's mother's maiden name was Reynolds. Additionally, John Grenham's Irish Surnames web site shows that the surnames Dyer, Allen, and Reynolds are all found in Boyle Parish, County Roscommon, Ireland; the surname Fagan was not found to be associated with the surnames Dyer and Allen in County Roscommon. (25)

I therefore believe it is likely that Mary's maiden name was Reynolds and that she was the sister of Bridget and Sarah Reynolds.

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1. Davidson County, Tennessee, Deed Book 39: 443-444. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

2. Davidson County, Tennessee, Deed Book 39: 554. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

3. Davidson County, Tennessee, Marriage register, 1861, p. 355, record no. 4254, Jno S. Long and Bridget Allen. Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

4. 1860 United States census, Nashville Ward 6, Davidson County, Tennessee, population schedule, p. 124, dwelling 824, family 956. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.

5. Davidson County, Tennessee, Marriage register, 1857, p. 225, record no. 2698, Thomas Fagan and Sarah Reynolds. Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

6. Davidson County, Tennessee, Declaration of intention no. 148, Michael Allen, 23 March 1853. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

7. Davidson County, Tennessee, Declaration of intention no. 149, Michael Dyer, 23 March 1853. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

8. Harris, Ruth-Ann M., Donald M. Jacobs, and B. Emer O’Keeffe, editors. Searching for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in “The Boston Pilot 1831–1920”. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1989, p. 114.

9. Harris, Ruth-Ann M., Donald M. Jacobs, and B. Emer O’Keeffe, editors. Searching for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in “The Boston Pilot 1831–1920”. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1989, pp. 373-374.

10. Harris, Ruth-Ann M., Donald M. Jacobs, and B. Emer O’Keeffe, editors. Searching for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in “The Boston Pilot 1831–1920”. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1989, pp. 373-374.

11. Death notice, Michael Allen and Michael Dougherty. Republican Banner (Nashville, TN), 19 Nov 1874, p. 4.

12. "Mrs. Long's Will: Leaves Houses and Lots to Nieces, Misses Slowey and Gatlin." Nashville American, 29 March 1907, p. 12.

13. Tennessee Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Statistics. Death certificate no. 1262, Mary Elizabeth Slowey, 1943. Ancestry.com. Tennessee, Death Records, 1908-1958 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

14. Davidson County, Tennessee. Marriage license and return, William M. Gatlin and Sarah C. Dyer, June 1881. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

15. 1870 United States Census, Nashville Ward 6, Davidson County, Tennessee, population schedule, p. 20, dwelling 170, family 196. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.

16. 1880 United States Census, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, population schedule, enumeration district 36, p. 1, dwelling 3, family 3. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

17. "For Killing Tom Fagan." Nashville American, 25 Feb 1896, p. 5.

18. 1880 United States Census, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, population schedule, enumeration district 43, p. 38, dwelling 288, family 428. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

19. Davidson County, Tennessee. Marriage license and return, John Cox and Mary Dyer, April 1871. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

20. "Mrs. Sarah Fagan Dead." Nashville American, 14 Feb 1904, p. 12.

21. 1880 United States Census, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, population schedule, enumeration district 43, p. 38, dwelling 288, family 428. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

22. Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X81Z-9ZY : 21 December 2016), Owen Mc Donough and Nellie Cox, 06 Mar 1899; citing , Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Marriage, p. , Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 200,300.

23. Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. City Health Department. Division of Vital Statistics. Affidavit for correcting a record, John R. Gatlin. Ancestry.com. Tennessee, Delayed Birth Records, 1869-1909 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

24. World War II draft registration for John Reynold Gatlin, serial no. 1326, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards for Fourth Registration for Illinois, 04/27/1942 - 04/27/1942; NAI Number: 623284; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

25. Irish Surnames. <https://www.johngrenham.com/surnames/>

Tuesday's Tip: Cemetery Web Sites

When searching for information on your ancestors, it is worthwhile to check the Web sites of the cemeteries that they are buried in. Sometimes they contain useful information.

The Web site of Calvary Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee has a burial lookup feature. The information provided included the date of burial, the location of the burial plot, and whether the person was a veteran. Until I searched this Web site, I did not know when my 3rd-great-grandmother's second husband John Cox had died, since his name is so common and I did not know much about him. There are two men named John Cox who were buried in Calvary Cemetery, within two years of each other, but I knew which was the right person because only one was buried in the same plot as my 3rd-great-grandmother.

The Web site of Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio has even more information. Members of my aunt's family are buried there. The Web site has a genealogy search section which can be searched by name or location. When you get a list of search results, you can click on a person's name and you will see a PDF of the burial card for that person. The cards include information such as age at death, place of birth, place of death (street address), last  residence, date of death, date and time of burial, location of grave, cause of death, parents' names, name of the burial plot owner, and relationship of the deceased to the burial plot owner. When I found the burial card for my aunt's great-grandmother Mary Jane (Lewis) Oliver, I learned that her mother's maiden name was Spooner.

Tombstone Tuesday: Ella (Lee) Gatlin

Ella Lee was born on 5 October 1868 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Thomas Lee and Annie Glacheen. She married Clarence Bateman Gatlin on 28 November 1889 in Davidson County, Tennessee. Their children were Thomas (born 17 October 1890, died 18 April 1891), Annie Lee (born 9 July 18930, Mary Nevins (born 30 May 1895, died 13 April 1900), Lillie Gertrude (born 18 July 1897, died 26 November 1898), Helen Barbara (born 4 December 1899), Clara Louise (born 2 September 1902), Clarence Joseph (born 15 May 1906, died 14 November 1910), Katherine Elizabeth (born 16 November 1909), and Ida Lucille (born 30 July 1913). She died on 14 August 1954 and was buried on 16 August 1954 in Calvary Cemetery, Nashville, section 16, lot 64, space 9.

Those Places Thursday: Gower Road, Nashville, Tennessee

Gower Road is located in Nashville, Tennessee, between River Road and Old Charlotte Pike.

My 5th-great-grandfather William Gower's property was on this road. He was a Methodist preacher, and his church, Gower's Chapel, was across from his home. In 1885, a new church, Centenary United Methodist Church, was constructed on the property.

Centenary United Methodist Church

Gower Cemetery is located on the hillside below the church. William and other members of his family are buried there. Unfortunately, the cemetery is very overgrown.

Gower Cemetery area

Sunday's Obituary: John G. Gatlin

Nashville American, 1 September 1897, page 3

John J. Gatlin, a well-known brickmason, died last night at the residence of his sister, Mrs. N. L. Page, 95 Wharf avenue. He was 56 years old and had lived the greater part of his life in this city. He leaves a wife.

John G. Gatlin was born on 15 August 1841 in Tennessee. He was the son of my 4th-great-grandparents John McNairy Gatlin and Margaret "Peggy" Gower. He served in the Confedederate Army as a private in the 10th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry, Company D, and was held at Rock Island Barracks as a prisoner of war. He married Martha Ann Gower on 20 December 1865 in Davidson County, Tennessee. In 1874, John and Martha adopted a two-year-old girl, Minnie (formerly Tennessee Reed). John died on 31 August 1897 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville.

Sibling Saturday: Tarkington Siblings in Chancery Court

In October 1907 in Davidson County, Tennessee, Maggie Tarkington took her younger siblings Gertrude (my great-grandmother) and Robert Tarkington to chancery court in order to sell land that they had inherited from their father James William Tarkington, and to determine the division of the proceeds.

Nashville American, 17 October 1907, p.10

Davidson County, Tennessee Chancery Court Minutes, October Term 1907, 30 October 1907, p. 505. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

A portion of the land had already been sold.

Davidson County, Tennessee Chancery Court Minutes, October Term 1907, November 1907, p. 14. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

One year later, Gertrude and Robert received $364.00  .

Davidson County, Tennessee Chancery Court Minutes, October Term 1908, 13 October 1908, p. 359. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

Those Places Thursday: Clover Bottom

Clover Bottom consists of 309 1/4 acres of land in Davidson County, Tennessee, including three acres on the north side of Stone's River.

Nashville Whig, 31 August 1813, page 3

Stone's River

The area was named "Clover Bottom" because of the amount of growth of white clover in the area. John Donelson was one of the settlers who came to the area in 1780.

"Col. John Donelson Was Leader Among Men." Nashville Tennesseean and Nashville American, 15 July 1917, page 25.

James Robertson and my Gower and Lucas ancestors were among the other settlers in the area. My 7th-great-grandfather Abel Gower, Sr., my 6th-great-grandfather Abel Gower, Jr., and James Robertson's brother John Robertson were killed at Clover Bottom in 1780, after they were attacked by Chickamaugas.

Haywood, John. The Civil and Political History of the State of Tennessee from its Earliest Settlement up to the Year 1796, Including the Boundaries of the State. Nashville,TN: Publishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1891. Originally published in 1823 by W. H. Haywood. Page 128. Available from Internet Archive.

In 1858, Dr. James Hoggatt built a mansion at Clover Bottom. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Wordless Wednesday: Cumberland River, Nashville, Tennessee

Tombstone Tuesday: Clara Louise Gatlin

My first cousin three times removed Clara Louise Gatlin was born in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee on 2 September 1902. She was the daughter of Clarence Bateman Gatlin and Ella Lee. She worked as a clerk for New York Life Insurance Co. in Nashville, Tennessee. She died on 31 January 1984 in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio and was buried on 4 February 1984 in Calvary Cemetery, Nashville, section 16, lot 64, space 3.

Black Sheep Sunday: Keeping a Disorderly House

In August 1869, my 3rd-great-grandmother Mary Dyer was charged with keeping a disorderly house.

Davidson County, Tennessee. Criminal Court minutes, 1869, p. 501. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

A "disorderly house" typically meant a brothel. On the same page of the Davidson County, Tennessee criminal court minutes, others will charged with "keeping house of ill fame." I am not sure what the difference was. Maybe a "house of ill fame" had a larger number of prostitutes. Or perhaps in this case, "disorderly house" meant something else. According to Duhaime's Law Dictionary, a disorderly house could also mean a gambling house. However, no one was charged with gaming at the same time that Mary was charged.

"Dyer," who was also charged, must have been her husband Michael Dyer. Since his first name is not given, perhaps he was not present when Mary was charged, but was also charged because the house was his residence.

On 26 January 1870, the Attorney General for the State of Tennessee entered a Nolle prosequi ("be unwilling to pursue"/"do not prosecute"). Davidson County, Tennessee paid the costs of the prosecution.

Davidson County, Tennessee. Criminal Court minutes, 1870, p. 45.  Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

Wordless Wednesday: Statue of James Robertson and John Donelson, Nashville, Tennessee

Tombstone Tuesday: George Washington Tarkington

Although I have featured George Washington Tarkington's gravestone before, this is a much better photo of it. The tombstone was erected by the Woodmen of the World, West End Camp, and is located in section 13, lot 75, Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee.

Amanuensis Monday: Deed, James Robertson to Elisha Garland, 100 Acres on Big Harpeth

Davidson County, Tennessee Deed Book G, page 156

Elisha Garland                                            June 10th 1807
This indenture made upon the Eighth day of April one Thousand Seven hundred and ninety nine Between James Robertson of the State of Tennessee and County of Davidson of the one part & Elisha Garland of the State & County Aforesaid of the Other part Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of  Pounds Virginia Currency the Receipt thereof he doth hereby Acknowledge hath Granted Bargained Sold Alliened Enfeeof Convey and Confirm unto the said Elisha Garland his heirs and Assigns forever a Certain Tract or Parcel of Land lying and being in the State and County Aforesaid Containing one hundred Acres on the South side of Cumberland River Begining at a Birch on the North Bank of Harpeth Running Down the River North forty five Degrees to the West fifty four poles then North fifty five Degrees to the West one hundred and forty poles to a Sugartree and Red Oak under the foot of a Bluff then North fifty two poles to a Small Sugartree  and two Elms thence East one hundred and Twenty poles to a Hickory on the East boundery line of the Original Survey thence South with the same two hundred poles to the River Bank About two poles Above the Begining being part of six acres of land granted unto Ebennezer Alexander Assignee Originally of the heirs of William Mathews April 17th day 1793, To have and to hold the  Aforesaid Land and Premises to him the said Elisha Garland his heirs and Assigns forever with all and Singular the Rights Privilages or Emoluments belonging or in anywise Appertaining thereto And I the said James Robertson my heirs & do hereby Release and Relinquish all my Right in the said Tract & do Vest the Same to said Elisha Garland and for him to have hold Enjoy Possess and Occupy the Aforesaid Tract of Land And the said James Robertson do Covenant and Agree for myself my heirs Executors and Administrators with the said Garland to warrant and forever Defend the Aforesaid Land from all manner of Persons Claiming the Same through by or under me my heirs etc –– In testimony thereof the said James Robertson hath hereunto set his hand and Seal the year and Day first Above Written
Witness __ __ _ _____                           Jas Robertson         LS
State of Tennessee [ ] Best Remembered that on the 14th day of August one Thousand Seven hundred and ninety nine Personally Came James Robertson who has Subscribed the within Indenture before me Andrew Jackson one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of Law & Equity for the State Aforesaid and Acknowledged the Signing Sealing and Delivery of the written for Deed for the uses and Purposes therein Contained and mentioned and Requested that the same might be Registered
                                                                                         Andrew Jackson
Let the same be Registered upon the Legal fees being paid

Sympathy Saturday: Non-Resident Heirs of Hannah (Hardgrave) Russell

Nashville Union and American, 22 December 1853, page 2

My 5th-great-grandmother Hannah (Hardgrave) Russell died in 1853. Skelton Demoss was the administrator of her estate. Some of her heirs were not residents of Tennessee, so they could not be served by the County Court of Davidson County, Tennessee. Her daughter Helen (Russell) Dawson was living in Missouri. Her son Mills Russell (incorrectly listed as Miles in the notice) had died in 1852, but he had three sons in Livingston County, Kentucky: Andrew Russell, John D. Russell, and Wesley Russell.

A notice was published in the Nashville Union and American, beginning on 22 December 1853 (the beginning date given at the bottom of the notice is December 23, but the newspaper issue that the notice appears in is dated December 22). The last notice was published on 9 February 1854. Mills Russell's sons and Helen Dawson were asked to appear at the courthouse in Nashville on the first Monday in February 1854 (6 February 1854).

Friend of Friends Friday: Jacob and Billy, Runaway Slaves of John Nichols

Nashville Whig, 31 October 1825, page 1

$100 REWARD.

RANAWAY from the subscriber, living five miles south of Nashville, on the 11th September, a negro man named JACOB, about forty-five years old ; had on when he left home, a white wool hat, mixed coat and mixedcasinet pantaloons ; he also took with him a white roundabout and white pantaloons; he is a carpenter by trade, answers quick when spoken to, has a scar on his forehead produced by a cut, is about five feet eight or ten inches high, is a fellow of great assurance.
   Also. on the second April last, run off from the above place, a yellow negro man named BILLY ; he is about forty years old, five feet six inches high, stout made, bow legged, has strait black hair, his countenance resembling that of an Indian ; by close inspection one or both of his ears will be discovered to have been scarified ; he is fond of smoking his pipe, and fond of spirits. From his complexion he may attempt to pass himself for an Indian, Spaniard or free man.
  I will give the above reward of one hundred dollars if they both are confined in any jail out of the state and information given me, or fifty dollars for either ; or twenty-five dollars for each of them, if taken and confined in any jail in this state so that I get them.
  Sept. 17.––tf                                                      JOHN NICHOLS.

Tombstone Tuesday: Clifford Irwin Clark

Photo by Jo Nelson (Family Hunter) - Find A Grave Contributor

Clifford Irwin Clark was born on 22 November 1896 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the son of Charles W. and Grace Clark. He was a staff sergeant in World War I and World War II. He was a member of the 1507th Engineer Company. He married my first cousin twice removed Nina Lorraine Leech on 1 September 1917 in Davidson County, Tennessee. Their daughter Peggy was born in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee on 19 September 1918. By 1920, the family had moved to Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. Their daughter Helen was born about 1921. Clifford worked as an auto mechanic. His wife Nina died on 3 August 1966. He died on 27 October 1970 and was buried in Memphis National Cemetery on 30 October 1970.

Mary Florence (Gatlin) Pate

My great-grandfather's older sister Mary Florence Gatlin was born 134 years ago today, on 1 September 1882, in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. She was the first child of my 2nd-great-grandparents John William Morton Gatlin and Sarah Claire "Sadie" Dyer. She was probably named after her aunt Mary Florence Gatlin, who died in May 1881.

Florence married Downie Campbell Pate on 2 April 1902 at St. Columba's Church in Nashville. The couple originally planned to marry on 9 April 1902, but changed their wedding date at the last minute.

Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZWS-695 : 20 July 2016), D C Pate and Florence M Gatlin, 05 Apr 1902; citing Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Marriage, p. , Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 2,073,659. 

Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZWS-69G : 20 July 2016), D C Pate and Florence M Gatlin, 05 Apr 1902; citing Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Marriage, p. , Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 2,073,659.

Florence and Downie's first child, Bruce Clarence Pate, was born in Nashville on 16 March 1903. Their second child, Downie Campbell Pate, was born in Nashville on 1 November 1905. Sometime between 1905 and 1908, the family moved to Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana. Florence and Downie's other children were born in Bloomington: William Melville Pate (born 8 October 1908), Kenneth Stansell Pate (born 15 September 1909), Mary Florence Pate (born 21 November 1911), James George Pate (born 21 December 1913), and Sarah Caroline (or Sara Carolyn) Pate, born 10 April 1920.

By 1930, the family had moved to Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, where Florence's parents and most of her siblings were living.

Florence died on 22 November 1944 in Chicago. The cause of death was heart disease. She was buried in St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove, Cook County, Illinois on 25 November 1944.

Illinois Department of Public Health. Division of Vital Statistics. Death certificate no. 32377, Mary Florence Pate, 1944.