June Kirk (Gilliland) Lambertson (1898-1951), Adoptive Surname, 52 Ancestors # 8

June Gilliland

The eighth ancestor in my 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks project is my maternal great-grandmother, June Kirk (Gilliland) Lambertson (1898-1951). Previously, I'd written about the details of her life in an Exploratory Data post.

June's origin story has been the subject of the first major mystery in my genealogy research.  Her daughter, my grandmother, told me that June was an orphan, but there was more to that story.  June's father's name remains unknown at this point, and this post will tell how she came to have the Gilliland surname. 

June's birth certificate

June was born in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana on June 11, 1898.   Her birth announcement lists the fact that she was born at the "Door of Hope", which was associated with the Wheeler Mission in Indianapolis.  Her birth certificate lists her as "Infant (female) Davis" and her parents are listed as Atkinson and Ida Davis.  The search for just exactly who June's father was continues, with previous posts on the subject here and here. 

Ida (Davis) Hancock Morris (1874-1900), June's mother, has an entire section devoted to the mysteries of her life on this blog.  She died when June was just two years old, leaving her an orphan.  June also had older sister, Pansy.

Both June and Pansy were taken in and raised by Ida's mother, Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis Gilliland (1854-1932).  Mary raised her two granddaughters, Pansy and June alongside the two children she had with her second husband, Robert Farrell Gilliland (1850-1916).

June Gilliland

I've not yet located any formal documentation that states that June was formally adopted by her grandmother and step-grandfather, or when exactly she started going by the Gilliland surname.  These records may either be located in Monroe or Owen Counties, Indiana.

June has not yet been located in the 1900 census, but her sister Pansy was found living with the Gilliland's and listed with the surname Davis in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.

At the time of the 1910 census in Richland Township, Monroe County, Indiana, June was listed as the step-granddaughter in the Robert Gilliland household as "June Gilliland".  According to newspaper accounts of her baptism at the Ellettsville Baptist Church in 1911, June was using the Gilliland surname.  When she married my great-grandfather in Monroe County, Indiana on June 28, 1917, she listed her surname as Gilliland.  Pansy was also using the Gilliland surname when she married Peter Decker in 1912.

Clemon and June Lambertson

It's pretty evident that June clearly went by the Gilliland surname from a young age, whether or not she was formally adopted by her grandmother and step-grandfather.  Whether she ever knew who her father was or his surname will never be known.

This explains why we have the Gilliland surname in our family tree though we do not have Gilliland ancestry.

The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge was created by Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small blog.  The premise is to write once a week about a specific ancestor - whether it be a story, a biography, a photograph or a research problem.

Samuel Green Hancock (b.1867) Social Security Application

Searching at Ancestry.com for hints on the Ida Davis mystery, I located some additional information about her husband, Samuel G. Hancock (b.1867).  Thanks to their database on the U.S. Social Security Applications, I found out that his middle name was Green, and that he applied for his Social Security in 1937.

Name:	Samuel Green Hancock
SSN:	315055918
Gender:	Male
Race:	White
Birth Date:	17 Oct 1867
Birth Place:	Owen CO, Indiana
Father Name:	Joseph Hancock
Mother Name:	Margaret M Vaughn
Type of Claim:	Original SSN.
Notes:	Jun 1937: Name listed as SAMUEL GREEN HANCOCK

Previously, the last record I had for Samuel was the 1930 census, when he was a resident of Perry Township, Marion County, Indiana.

Samuel was married to Ida Davis on August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana.  A suit for divorce was filed in Monroe County, and mentioned in the April 26, 1894 issue of the Bloomington World.  

I've located additional marriages for Samuel in Owen and Marion Counties, Indiana, and at least 3 children, but have yet to find much on them.  Many online trees have tried to connect Samuel as the father of either Ida's daughter Pansy or June, but no hard evidence has appeared.  However, daughter Pansy was born December of 1894, just 8 months after the divorce notice appeared in the newspaper.

If you are related to this family, I would definitely like to hear from you.

Marriage License Issued : Samuel Hancock and Ida Davis, 1892 Monroe County, Indiana

Ellettsville, Indiana Monroe Citizen
September 24, 1892, page 1

Marriage licenses have been issued to the following named persons since last publication: Samuel Hancock and Ida Davis, David Wright and Martha Jones, John T. Burks and Emma Crews, Morton Fullerton and Minnie Woodward, Thos. Owlings and Amanda Grubbs, Jas. C. Polley and Susan Kelley, Benj. Miles and Nancy Buchanan, John W. Bennett and Agga Simmons, Elsworth McGlothlin and Frank Sears.

----

Located another mention of the marriage of my maternal 2nd-great grandmother, Ida Davis (1874-1900) to husband Samuel Hancock.  A previous mention was found here.  I still need to write off for the copy of this marriage license.

Divorce Notice : Ida B. Hancock v. Samuel J. Hancock, Monroe County, Indiana (1894)

Bloomington World
Bloomington, Indiana
April 26, 1894, page 3

Located this notice of the filing of the divorce of Ida B. (Davis) Hancock (1874-1900), my maternal 2nd great-grandmother.  This is the first time I've seen her name with a middle initial of "B".

New Suits Filed :  The following suits have been filed since the last term of court:.....Ida B. Hancock vs. Samuel J. Hancock, Divorce.  

I've not been able to locate a copy of the divorce record yet. Several years ago I wrote requesting a copy of it, but was unsuccessful.  I may need to pay a courthouse visit.  Now that I have a better date of the filing, I might have better luck in finding the record.

A letter in my files on Ida states they filed for divorce May 1894, were married August 27, 1892 and lived together until February 3, 1893, when he abandoned her. For past two years she was a resident of Bean Blossom Township.

Will continue my search for more on Ida's short life.

Marriage Record : Carvie A. Morris to Ida Hancock, 1900 Monroe County, Indiana

Monroe County, Indiana, Marriage Book 9, page 551

Received the copy of the marriage of my maternal 2nd-great grandmother, Ida (Davis) Hancock to Carvie A. Morris that took place July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana.

The groom's name is a bit hard to read - is it Carvie A. Morris or Carrie A. Morris, or even Cardie A. Morris?  Anyone with better eyes than mine that could help?

Ida died less than two weeks later in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana of tuberculosis.  

Mr. Morris is indeed a mystery as well. There are Morris families in the area, but I've been unable to connect him with anyone.  I've also been unable to locate any other records of him than this marriage.  Who was he?  What happened to him after Ida's death?

As always, if you have any connection to this family, I would love to hear from you.

Marriage License Issued : Samuel Hancock and Ida Davis, 1892

Ellettsville, Indiana Mornoe Citizen
September 3, 1892, page 1

Located the mention in the local newspaper of the marriage license of my maternal great-grandmother, Ida Davis (1874-1900) to Samuel Hancock.  Ida was the daughter of James Austin and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis.

Ida's marriage to Samuel took place August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana, according to my database.  I need to write off for a copy of their marriage license.

Apparently, the marriage was not a happy one, as my notes say a divorce suit was filed in the May 1894 term of the Monroe County court.  At that time, Ida had been a resident of Bean Blossom Township for two years.

Ida has been the subject of numerous posts on this blog, as I've yet to be able to determine the parentage of her two daughters, Pansy (b.1894) and June (b.1898).

Exploratory Data Analysis: Ida (Davis) Morris (1874-1900)

Ida (Davis) Morris (1874-1900) was my maternal 2nd-great grandmother.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I've discovered about her.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana.  I do not have a copy of her birth certificate.  

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               I have not searched contemporary newspapers at the time for a mention of Ida's birth.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible records of the Davis family.  Will continue to reach out to extended family hoping that one does exist.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of any baptismal record for Ida, though I do not know the church affiliation of the family.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Ida was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage license

          Ida was married August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana to Samuel G. Hancock.  I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license.
         
          Ida was married July 19, 1900 in Owen County, Indiana to Carvie A. Morris¹

          1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper

               Will need to search out mention of their marriage in local newspapers on my next research trip.

          1.2.2. Anniversary notice

               Neither of Ida's marriages lasted long enough to reach an anniversary milestone that would be mentioned in a local newspaper.

          1.2.3. Divorce decree

               I do not have a copy of Ida's divorce decree from Samuel Hancock. A letter from a correspondent states that she filed for divorce in Monroe County, Indiana during the May term of 1894, that they were married August 27, 1892 and lived together as man and wife until February 3, 1893, when Samuel abandoned her.  This needs to be verified on my next research trip.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana³.  The cause of death was listed as tuberculosis.

          1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper

               Have been unable to locate a mention of Ida's death in local newspapers.  Will continue to research hoping to find mention.

          1.3.2. Funeral home records

               I will need to research the local funeral homes at the time to see if they might have a record of her funeral. The funeral director listed was C.H. McNeely on her death certificate.

          1.3.3. Tombstone photograph

               Ida's death certificate states that she is buried in the "M.E. cemetery", but I have not located the exact cemetery.  I believe it may be the cemetery located in Elletsville, which would be in Monroe County.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1900 Federal Census

               On June 13, 1900, Ida was enumerated at the "Door of Hope" mission in Center Township, Marion County, Indiana², as Ida D. Hancock, inmate, age 26, widowed, born in Indiana.  She was the mother of 2 children, both of whom were living and had been married 7 years.  Both of her parents were born in Indiana.  Her occupation was listed as doing house work.  She could read and write and spoke English.

          2.1.2. 1880 Federal Census

               I have been unable to locate Ida in the 1880 census.  She should be approximately 6 years old.  Her father, James Austin Davis, was enumerated in 1880 as a resident of the Owen County home in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.  Her mother, Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis, was enumerated as Ellen Swafford, single, living in the household of her father, Peter Swafford in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana.  Neither Ida or her sister, Delia have been located in the 1880 census.


     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, and 1919 and 1931.  These however, were merely for the purposes of determining legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet examined these types of census records to see what information might come to light.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Ida was female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          Not applicable.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Owen and Monroe Counties, Indiana to see if any mention of Ida or her husband.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          County plat maps and/or townships maps will help me to understand where the household was living.  The Indiana State Library has plat maps of Owen County, though they are from 1876 and 1905, slightly beyond the years of my search.

5. Supplemental Records

     Supplemental records available to search for Ida include court records, will and probate records and city directories and newspapers.
     A search of city directories in Indianapolis (where daughter June was born) did find a listing for an Ida Davis in 1898 that might be her:
     Davis, Ida r 606 1/2 E. Wabash

     Ida has been the subject of previous post, wherein I spelled out some of the difficulties and lack of information I have obtained about her rather short life.

Sources:

1. Monroe County Marriage Book 9, page 551, Monroe County Clerk's Office, Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
2. "Door of Hope" household, 1900 U.S. census, Marion County, Indiana, population schedule, Center Township, 7th Ward, ED 104, SD 7, sheet 9, dwelling 167; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 389.
3. Ida D. Morris, death certificate no. Book H-14, page 11 (1900), Owen County Health Department, Spencer, Indiana, USA


This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.

On This Day : August 1

1695 - Eva PIERCE died.  Eva was the daughter of William PIERCE and Abigail WARRIN.


1705 - Hannah PRITCHARD died in Andover, Massachusetts.  Hannah was my 9x-great grandmother.


1716 - Elizabeth HAINES born.  Elizabeth was the daughter of William HAINES and Sarah PAINE.


1737 - Elizabeth CHAMNESS born in Baltimore County, Maryland.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Anthony CHAMNESS and Sarah COLE.


1762 - George PETRY born in Strausburg, Germany.  George was the son of Steffan PETRY.  George was my 4x-great grandfather.


1774 - Taylor HANCOCK died.  Taylor was the son of Zachary TAYLOR and Elizabeth LEE.


1801 - Maria CAMPBELL born.  Maria was the daughter of William CAMPBELL and Elizabeth McPHEETERS.


1808 - Jane GAMBLE died.  Jane was the daughter of John GAMBLE and Rebecca McPHEETERS.


1815 - George BROWN born in London, Middlesex, England.  George was the son of George BROWN and Isabelle NEALE.


1829 - Burrell Russell LEE born in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  Burrell was the son of Burrell Russell LEE and Louhaney SWAFFORD.


1830 - William C. DAVIS married Mary STEARNS.  William was the son of Ananias DAVIS and Rebecca CLAYTON.


1830 - John Daniel SWAFFORD born in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  John was the son of James A. SWAFFORD and Elizabeth HALL.


1843 - Laury Edelia ANDERSON born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania.  Laury was the daughter of William Earl ANDERSON and Frances AUSTIN.


1856 - Cheney ERVIN born.  Cheney was the son of Moses ERVIN and Martha SMITH.


1861 - John Marlin SWAFFORD born in Cole County, Missouri.  John was the son of James SWAFFORD and Rebecca Ann BALLARD.


1882 - Susannah THORNBURGH died.  Susannah was the daughter of Daniel BEALS and Susanna JACKSON.


1884 - Albert Eli THOMAS born.  Albert was the son of Eli Bird THOMAS and Elizabeth Angeline KING.


1899 - Delmar Glenn PATTERSON born in LaCygne, Linn County, Kansas.  Delmar was the son of Norman Delmar PATTERSON and Nellie O. WILCOX.

Garland Hancock at Moonsville School

A recent eBay listing was a real photo postcard (RPPC) of a Moonsville, Indiana school.  Handwritten on the back it stated that Garland Hancock was the teacher.  Circumstantial evidence leads me to believe that this Garland is the same as the one in my database.


Moonsville is an  unincorporated part of Richland Township in Madison County, Indiana.


Garland HANCOCK (1887-1922) married into my extended family when he married Cora E. GROENENDYKE on April 10, 1909 in Madison County, Indiana.  Cora (1890-1967) was the daughter of Thomas and Emily (SMITH) GROENENDYKE.


Garland was born July 1, 1887 in Richland Township, Madison County, Indiana and died June 1, 1922 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  He and Cora were the parents of three children: Donald T., Virgil G., and Maxine.


In my notes, I have that Garland attended Indiana University.  I need to research census records to see if his occupation was listed as a teacher.


The auction ended without a winning bid.

Surname Saturday : DAVIS

The DAVIS surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are unknown at this time.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 15: June Kirk Davis a.k.a. Gilliland (1898-1951).  June was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  She married June 28, 1917 in Monroe County, Indiana to Clemon Beals Lambertson (1898-1994).  Clemon was born October 27, 1898 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.  They raised 4 children in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Clemon died March 18, 1994 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  June died March 20, 1951 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 31: Ida Davis (1874-1900).  Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana.  She married August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana to Samuel G. Hancock (1867-     ).  They divorced and she married July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana to Carvie A. Morris (1853-    ).  The parentage of her two daughters remain unknown, though a Frank Fletcher has been speculated.  Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 62: James Austin Davis (c1850-1909).  James was born circa 1850 in Indiana.  He married July 2, 1873 in Monroe County, Indiana to Mary Ellen Swafford (1854-1932).  Mary Ellen was born August 30, 1854 in Monroe County, Indiana.  They raised two daughters in Monroe and Owen Counties, Indiana.  Mary Ellen died January 28, 1932 in Monroe County, Indiana.  James died June 12, 1909 in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 124: Austin Davis (c1824-c1851).  Austin was born circa 1824 in Indiana.  He married February 9, 1850 in Monroe County, Indiana to Fanny Reynolds (c1830-1883).  Fanny was born circa 1830 in Indiana.  They had two children.  Fanny died February 2, 1883 in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana.  Austin died between November 1850 and August 1851 in Owen County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 248: John Davis (unk-befNov1845).  John was born in Virginia.  He married before 1824 to Susannah ________ (c1801-aft1860).  Susannah was born circa 1801 in Virginia.  They raised 12 children in Monroe County, Indiana.  Susannah died after the 1860 census in Monroe County, Indiana.  John died before November 1845 in Monroe County, Indiana.


Related blog posts:

• Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: Who is your MRUA?

• June Kirk Davis (Gilliland) Lambertson (1898-1951)

• June Kirk Davis / Gilliland

• Mystery Man : Frank Fletcher or Carrie Morris?

• Fearless Females: Favorite Female Ancestor

• Ida (Davis) (Hancock) Morris (1874-1900)

• James Austin Davis was insane

• Ida D. Hancock - "Door of Hope" - Indianapolis, IN

• Ida Davis (1874-1900)

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Fearless Females: Favorite Female Ancestor

Ida Davis

March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.


While I've written about her before, my favorite female ancestor that I would like to know more about is my maternal 2nd-great grandmother, Ida DAVIS.


Ida lived a rather short, hard life - dying at age 26.  Yet before she passed, she was married twice and gave birth to two daughters, neither of whose parentage has truly been established.  One of those daughters, June, was my great-grandmother.

Ida Davis and daughter, June

So many facts about Ida are not clearly documented.  Her parents were James Austin and Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS, residents of Owen County, Indiana. I have Ida's birth date as July 2, 1874 Owen County, Indiana, but do not have a documented source.  If the census record in 1900 at the door of hope I found for Ida D. HANCOCK is her - it gives her birth date as May 1874 in Indiana.


Ida was first married to Samuel G. HANCOCK,  son of Joseph and Margaret (VAUGHN) HANCOCK on August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana.  A unverified letter from a correspondent states that Ida and Samuel filed for divorce in the May of 1894 in Monroe County, Indiana. They must have divorced before 1897 when Samuel remarried in Monroe County, Indiana.  Ida's second marriage was Carvie A. MORRIS on July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana.  By August 2nd of that year, Ida died of tuberculosis in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.

Death Record of Ida D. Morris, Owen County, Indiana

The two daughters of Ida were Pansy and June.  Pansy, the oldest, was born December 11, 1894.  Her obituary states that her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fletcher.  June, my great-grandmother, was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana and her birth certificate lists her parents as Atkinson and Ida DAVIS.

Birth certificate of June Davis, my great grandmother

One of my research goals is to search the court records in Monroe County and Owen County, Indiana to see if there are any records that can shed light on the parentage of her daughters.


I have not been able to locate Ida in the 1880 census, when she would be around 6 years old.  Her father, James Austin DAVIS, was enumerated in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana as a resident of the county home, listed as "insane".  Her mother, Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS, was enumerated in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana, under her maiden name, living in her father's household.  No listing of Ida or her younger sister Delia have been found in the 1880 census.


I believe that I have found Ida in the 1900 census, living in the 7th Ward of Center Township, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, listed as Ida D. HANCOCK, age 26, born May 1874 Indiana, widowed, with 2 children living.  According to the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis (p. 458), the "Door of Hope" had a purpose to provide 'wayward girls' with shelter and assistance.  There was also an earlier reference to an Ida DAVIS in the 1898 city directory of Indianapolis, living at 606 1/2 E. Wabash.


A cousin provided the pictures I have of Ida and June above, and the following photo as well.  I'm not sure if this may be from an earlier time period and might be Ida's mother instead:

Ida Davis (1874-1900) ?

Would love to solve some of these mysteries regarding my 2nd-great grandmother.


Once again, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.

Ida (Davis) (Hancock) Morris (1874-1900)

Ida (DAVIS) (HANCOCK) MORRIS was my maternal 2nd-great grandmother, the wife of both Samuel HANCOCK and Carrie/Carvie MORRIS.


The following facts about Ida's life are known:

• Birth: She was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana, the daughter of James Austin and Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS.
• Marriage: She married Samuel G. HANCOCK on August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana.
• Census: 1900 - believe she is the Ida D. HANCOCK, inmate, at the "Door of Hope", Center Township, Marion County, Indiana.
• Marriage: She married Carvie A. MORRIS on July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana.
• Death: She died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana. Cause of death was tuberculosis.
• Burial: She was buried August 2, 1900 in the M.E. Cemetery, Owen County, Indiana.

The following facts need additional research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Census: 1880 - I have been unable to locate her in the 1880 census.  Her father, Austin, was enumerated in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana - as insane.  Her mother, Mary, was enumerated in her father's household in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana as a single woman.  
• Marriage: A copy of her marriage record transcript may provide additional clues.  Would also like to clear up information on Carrie/Carvie MORRIS, as I have been unable to locate records of him after the marriage.
• Obituary: Have been unsuccessful in locating a copy of her obituary in any of the local newspapers of the time.

Ancestry of Ida (Davis) (Hancock) Morris, Ahnentafel # 30 in my ancestry:

Ahnentafel # 60 : James Austin DAVIS (c1850-1909); Monroe Co., IN>Cass Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 120 : Austin DAVIS (c1824-1851); Monroe Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 240: John DAVIS (unk-1845); Virginia>Monroe Co., IN

Related blog posts:

• Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: Who is your MRUA?

• James Austin Davis was Insane

• Ida D. Hancock - "Door of Hope" - Indianapolis, Indiana

• Ida Davis (1874-1900)

• Mystery Man : Frank Fletcher or Carrie Morris?

Family Milestones: July 2nd

My maternal 3rd great-grandparents, James Austin DAVIS and Mary Ellen SWAFFORD, were married on this date in 1873 in Monroe County, Indiana.  Austin was born circa 1850 in Indiana, the son of Austin and Fanny (REYNOLDS) DAVIS.  Mary was born August 30, 1854 near Stinesville, Monroe County, Indiana, the daughter of Peter Kirkpatrick and Mary Ann (CROCKETT) SWAFFORD.  They had 2 daughters.  They may have divorced circa 1880, as they are separated on the 1880 census, and Mary remarried by 1884.  Austin died June 12, 1909 in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana.  Mary died January 28, 1932 near Dolan, Monroe County, Indiana.

My maternal 4th-great grandparents, James R. HEATON and Elizabeth JACOBS, were married on this date in 1829 in Brown County, Ohio.  James was born 1805 in Loudon County, Virginia, the son of Thomas and Susan (TAYLOR) HEATON.  Elizabeth was born June 30, 1811 in Adams County, Ohio, the daughter of James Thomas and Isabella (FEILY) JACOBS.  They raised 11 children in Brown County, Ohio and Schuyler County, Missouri.  James died April 9, 1885 in Schuyler County, Missouri. Elizabeth died January 29, 1889 in Schuyler County, Missouri.  Both are buried in the Darby Cemetery, Schuyler County, Missouri.

My paternal granduncle, John Leland LeMASTER, married on this date in 1920 in Jay County, Indiana to Dortha LeEtta DeLAUTER, daughter of W. Otto and Pearl (EARHART) DeLAUTER.  John was the son of Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (WEHRLY) LeMASTERS, and the older brother of my Ord Wehrly LeMASTER.  They raised 6 children in Jay County, Indiana, where John was a school teacher.  John died January 13, 1980.  Dortha died May 24, 1976.  Both are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

My paternal 2nd-great granduncle, Louis Napoleon METZNER, married on this date in 1871 in Jay County, Indiana to Henrietta WEAVER, daughter of Jeremiah WEAVER.  Louis was the son of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, and the younger brother of my John Adam METZNER.  Louis was born November 3, 1848 in St. Louisville, Licking County, Ohio.  Henrietta was born January 1854 in Indiana.  They had at least 4 children.  Louis died July 3, 1900 in Bearcreek Township, Jay County, Indiana.

My maternal 2nd-great grandmother, Ida DAVIS, was born on this date in 1874 in Owen County, Indiana.  Ida was the daughter of James Austin and Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS.  Ida married August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana to Samuel G. HANCOCK, son of Joseph and Margaret (VAUGHN) HANCOCK.  Samuel was born October 17, 1867 in Owen County, Indiana.  They divorced.  Ida married secondly on July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana to Carrie A. MORRIS.  Carrie was born in 1853.  Ida had 2 daughters.  Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.

 

Jasper J. Miller household - Madison Co., IN

The Jasper J. MILLER household appears in the 1930 census of Lafayette Twp., Madison Co., IN. Jasper was the second husband of my 1st cousin 4times removed, Cora E. GROENENDYKE. Cora was the daughter of Thomas and Emily (SMITH) GROENENDYKE.

Jasper was a 48 year old farmer, born in Indiana, who owned his own farm and a radio. Both of his parents were born in Indiana, and his age at his first marriage was 21 years old. Wife Cora was aged 39 years old, born in Indiana, and her age at her first marriage was 18 years old.

Cora's three children from her first marriage to Garland HANCOCK (d. 1922) were living with them : Donald, aged 19; Virgil, aged 12; and Maxine, aged 8.

Jasper J. MILLER b. ca. 1882 Indiana, d. 1967 Madison Co., IN., m. bet. 1922-1930 to Cora E. GROENENDYKE, daughter of Thomas and Emily (SMITH) GROENENDYKE. Cora b. December 30, 1890 Madison Co., IN., d. 1967 Madison Co., IN.

Ida D. Hancock - "Door of Hope" - Indianapolis, IN

Today I sourced a census record for Ida D. Hancock in the 1900 census of Marion Co., IN that fits with the profile of my great grandmother. Ida was living at the "Door of Hope" mission on Alabama Street in Indianapolis. Further research on the web indicates that the "Door of Hope" was a mission and home for unwed mothers on 132 N. Alabama St.

The listing shows Ida D. Hancock, born May 1874, aged 26, widowed with 2 children living. This matches the information I have for my great-grandmother Ida. Ida was born in 1874, probably in Owen Co., IN. She married Samuel Hancock on August 27, 1892 in Monroe Co., IN and they had filed for divorce in May 1894 because she claimed he had abandoned her. In the 1898 city directory of Indianapolis, I did find Ida Davis living at 606 1/2 E. Wabash St. Ida's daughter, June, was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis.

So far the information fits for what I do know about Ida. I have found no other record for her in the 1900 census under any other names where she may have been living.

Ida Davis (1874-1900)

These photos came from cousin Lloyd Adams in Florida, and were part of his mother Marie's collection of family photographs.

Both of these purport to be photographs of Ida Davis, daughter of James Austin and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis.

Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen Co., IN and died August 2, 1900 in Owen Co., IN. She was married to Samuel G. Hancock on August 28, 1892 in Monroe Co., IN and later divorced. She married secondly to Carrie A. Morris on July 19, 1900 in Clay Twp., Owen Co., IN. Ida had two daughters, Pansy and June. June was my great-grandmother, and her parentage has been a subject of much mystery and debate in the family.

It is quite possible that these photographs are not of Ida, but actually her mother, Mary Ellen.

Mystery Man : Frank Fletcher or Carrie Morris?

This photograph was given to me by my cousin, Lloyd Adams, of Florida. It was part of a collection that his mother, Marie (Gilliland) Adams possessed. The identity of the man is not known for sure, but the photograph was labeled "Fletcher or Morris" suppossedly June Gilliland's father.

June Gilliland (aka Davis) was my great-grandmother. She was the daughter of Ida Davis born July 2, 1874 Owen Co., IN; died August 2, 1900 Clay Twp., Owen Co., IN. Ida Davis was married at least twice : first to Samuel G. Hancock on August 28, 1892 in Monroe Co., IN, and secondly to Carrie A. Morris on July 19, 1900 in Monroe Co., IN.

My great-grandmother, June, was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN. Her birth certificate lists her parents as Atkinson & Ida Davis. At the time of June's birth, her mother, Ida was divorced from Samuel Hancock and had not yet married Carrie Morris.

June had an older sister, Pansy Davis, born December 11, 1894. In her obituary in the January 27, 1968 Monticello, IN Herald-Journal, it states that Pansy was born in Elletsville, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Frank Fletcher. Who was this mystery Frank Fletcher? How does he fit into the family?

I have found a Frank Fletcher, living in nearby Greene Co., IN in the 1900, 1910 & 1920 with occupation listed as salesman. He was born in Ohio circa 1852-1857, listed as single and living as a boarder in each of these records.

Today in my database : Mary Ellen Swafford (b. August 30, 1854)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 3rd-great grandmother, Mary Ellen Swafford.

Mary Ellen was born August 30, 1854 near Stinesville, Monroe Co., IN., the daughter of Peter Kirkpatrick and Mary Ann (Crockett) Swafford. Mary Ellen married July 2, 1873 in Monroe Co., IN to James Austin Davis, son of Austin and Fanny (Reynolds) Davis. James was born 1850 in Monroe Co., IN and died June 12, 1909 in Logansport, Cass Co., IN. They divorced before 1884. Mary Ellen married secondly on November 15, 1884 in Monroe Co., IN to Robert Farrell Gilliland, son of William John and Margaret Ann (Wilson) Gilliland. Robert was born November 27, 1849 in Pulaski Co., KY, and died August 4, 1916 in Whitehall, Monroe Co., IN. Mary Ellen died January 28, 1932 near Dolan, Monroe Co., IN.

Children of James Austin and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis are as follows :
i. Ida Davis b. July 2, 1874 d. August 2, 1900 m. Samuel Hancock m(2) Carrie Morris
ii. Dealie Davis b. July 1877 d. 1961 m. Daniel Stivers

Children of Robert Farrell and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Gilliland are as follows :
iii. William Everett Gilliland b. August 24, 1885 d. July 7, 1963 m. Maude Arthur
iv. Mary Florence Gilliland b. July 8, 1887 d. May 6, 1924 m. Thomas Franklin Crane

I descend from James Austin and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis through their daughter, Ida, as follows :
Mary Ellen Swafford and James Austin Davis
Ida Davis and _________
June Kirk Davis and Clemon Beals Lambertson (my great-grandparents)

Happy Anniversary : Elias Groenendyke & Nancy Jenkins

Happy Anniversary to my maternal 4th great-grandparents, Elias Groenendyke & Nancy Jenkins, married July 28, 1839 in Fayette Co., IN.

Known children of Elias Groenendyke & Nancy Jenkins:

Amanda Groenendyke
Andrew Groenendyke
Catherine Groenendyke m. Edmund G. Pierce
Charity Groenendyke m. Thomas Stapleton
John Thomas Groenendyke
Amos Groenendyke
James Groenendyke
Thomas Groenendyke m. Emily Smith m(2) Hattie Ballard
Cora E. Groenendyke m. Garland Hancock m(2) Jasper Miller