What the Second Wife Said: Death of “Elcy” A. (Reynolds) Henry

 

What the Second Wife Said: Death of “Elcy” A. (Reynolds) Henry

Jean M. Hoffman, CG

 Alcey (or Elcy, see post about her name) was left in Gallia County, Ohio, with small children when her husband enlisted in the Union Army. James M. Henry enlisted across the river at Point Pleasant in Company H, 13th Virginia Infantry, later West Virginia, on 20 September 1862. At enlistment he was 35, a carpenter, 5’ 6” tall, with gray eyes, dark hair and a dark complexion. He reported his birth was in Columbiana [County], Ohio.[1]

 During his service Alcey gave birth to their last child, James A. Henry, on 5 June 1863.[2] Her husband mustered out on 25 May 1865 having remarried two months earlier on 19 March 1865.[3] His second wife was Mrs. Alvira S. Lyons who had received a divorce two days before from her husband, James H. Lyons.[4] Alcey apparently died between the birth of her son in 1863 and the remarriage of James M. Henry but no record of the death or gravestone was initially found.

 James M. Henry was hospitalized a few times during his service, but never applied for a pension before his death 27 December 1883 in Carroll County, Missouri.[5] He and his family moved to Missouri by September 1865 when he bought land there as a resident.[6] His widow, Alvira, applied for a widow’s pension in 1890 and needed to prove their earlier marriages had ended.[7] While Alvira obtained copies of her marriage record to James M. Henry and her divorce decree, there was no official record of Alcey’s death.

Alvira had no civil or church record of Alcey’s death, but she did have the James M. Henry family bible published by the American Bible Society in 1844. In 1891 a Notary Public transcribed from it the entries for the marriage of Elsy A. Reynolds and James M. Henry and the further entry “E. A. Henry wife of James M. Henry died October 5^th 1863.”[8] Alvira S. Henry also gave her own statement that “she was personally acquainted with said Elcy A. Henry during her life and has visited her grave since her death.”[9] And thus, the second wife revealed the death date of the first wife.

 Alvira said she had visited the grave of the first wife, so perhaps a gravestone was placed there. No record of it has been recorded by the Gallia County Genealogical Society in either Morgan Township where the Henry family lived in 1860 or Cheshire Township where their daughter Mary E. Henry was buried.[10] There are gaps between stones for Reynolds family members in Van Zant Cemetery, so perhaps Alcey was buried among them but with a stone no longer standing.[11]

 Also unknown is what the surviving Henry children did between their mother’s death and their father’s remarriage. They did move with their father to Missouri.[12] The two who survived their parents were Perry B. Henry (born ca. 1856) and James A. Henry (1863–1949).[13] Both inherited from their maternal grandfather, James Reynolds, and their father in the 1880s.

 In 1904, Alvira married another Union veteran, Henry McNelly, who died in 1909. Alvira’s information was recorded again.

 

Endnotes:

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[1] Volunteer Service, 15 September 1909, Alvira S. Henry, widow's pension application no. 463,317, W.C. no. 334,980, service of James M. Henry (Pvt., Co. H, 13th West Virginia Inf., Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications..., 1861–1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 [2] “Missouri Death Certificates, 1910 – 1973,” database with images, Missouri Digital Heritage (https://s1.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesmvc/deathcertificates : viewed 28 September 2024), 1949, certificate no. 29573, James Allen Henry, Carroll County; citing Missouri State Archives.

 [3] ”Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRMD-SK5G?i=51&cc=1614804 : viewed 30 September 2024), image group number 4016312, image 52 of 276, Gallia County Marriage Record No. 3 (1862-1874), p. 88, James M. Henry and Alvira S. Lyons, 1865.

 [4] Certified Copy of Journal Entry, Divorce Decree, Gallia County, Ohio, 18 May 1891, Alvira S. Henry, W.C. no. 334,980, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications..., 1861–1934; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 [5] “Missouri Birth & Death Records Database, Pre-1910,” database, Missouri Digital Heritage (https://s1.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/BirthDeath/ : viewed 29 September 2024), Jas. M. Henry, 1883; citing Carroll County, roll no. C 1368, page 15.  And, Find a Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71960118 : viewed 19 June 2024), “James Madison Henry” (1827–1883) memorial and tombstone image created by Patt Ricketts: citing Big Creek Cemetery, Bosworth, Carroll County, Missouri. Only middle initial engraved on stone, has death date and age.

 [6] 1870 U.S. census, Carroll County, Missouri, population schedule, Hurricane Township, sheet 295A, dwelling 189 family 196, James M Henry household; imaged, “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7163/images/4273845_00129  : viewed 19 June 2024). And, Carroll County, Missouri, Deed Record V (1865), page 207; imaged, “Deed records (Carroll County, Missouri), 1819-1929,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39Y-6SHT-T?mode=g&cat=214042 : viewed 28 September 2024) image group no. 8487885,  image 111 of 685, quit claim Lewis B. Ely to James M. Henry, 6 September 1865; citing Recorder of Deeds.

 [7] Declaration for Widow's Pension, 1 September 1890, Alvira S. Henry, W.C. no. 334,980, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications..., 1861–1934; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 [8] General Affidavit of J. H. McCombs, 12 March 1891, Alvira S. Henry, W.C. no. 334,980, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications..., 1861–1934; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 [9] Inability Affidavit, 3 June 1891, Alvira S. Henry, W.C. no. 334,980, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications..., 1861–1934; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 [10] “Gallia County Cemetery Records,” database, Gallia County Genealogical Society OGS Chapter, Inc. (https://www.galliagenealogy.org/cem_records.htm : viewed 30 September 2024), search of all entries for surname Henry.

 [11] Van Zant Cemetery (Cheshire Township, Gallia County, Ohio, section 35), Reynolds and related gravestones viewed and photographed by the author, 24 October 2000. There were gaps in the row and the standing stones were not in the best condition.

 [12] 1870 U.S. census, Carroll Co., Mo., pop. sch., Hurricane Twp., sheet 295A, dwell. 189, fam. 196, Henry.

 [13] Gallia County, Ohio, Gallia Probate Case File 197, James Reynolds, Power of Attorney of Perry B. Henry and James A. Henry, 14 February 1882; imaged in “Ohio, Gallia County, probate case files, 1803–1943,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS2Q-GQSJ-Y?i=484&cat=2827731 : viewed 25 June 2024), image group no, 103741784 > images 485–87 of 2055. Also, “Missouri, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1766-1988,” database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/3527875:9071 : viewed 30 September 2024), image 205 of 606, Carroll County Will Record D, page 330, will of James M. Henry, 25 December 1883.

Kentuckian in New Mexico – William Loftus Lightburne Jr

 

Kentuckian in New Mexico – William Loftus Lightburne Jr

Jean M. Hoffman, CG

 

Researching the life of my second-great-grandmother, Eliza Jane (Tarlton) Lightburne (1828–1864), required looking for details from her children hoping they left traces of their parents. Eliza Jane’s last surviving child was William Loftus Lightburne Jr. who lived to 1932. He differed from others in the family as he lived his last 20 plus years far from Kentucky—in New Mexico.

 William Loftus Lightburne Jr was born on 25 Oct 1857 in Scott County, Kentucky, the ninth child and second surviving son of Eliza Jane and William Sr.[i] He appeared on the census of 7 August 1860 in the household of William Loftus Lightburne Sr. in Scott County, Kentucky, as Wm. L., age two.[ii] His mother and two older sisters died in 1864.[iii] Two years later his father married widow Martha Francis “Fannie” (Triplett) Smith.[iv] Will appeared on the census of 15 July 1870 in the household of Wm. Lightburn and his second wife in Stamping Ground, Scott County, Kentucky, as Will Lightburn, age twelve and attending school.[v] He appeared on the census of 15 June 1880 in Georgetown Precinct West, Scott County, Kentucky, as a farm laborer boarding in the household of Y. E. Duncan.[vi] Will’s father died 10 March 1890 and was buried in the Georgetown Cemetery.[vii] He apparently left no will.[viii]

1900 U.S. census, W. L. Lightburn household in Scott County, Kentucky

 William married Emma Nutter on 31 March 1892 at Newtown, Scott County, Kentucky. He appeared on the census of 7 June 1900 in the Powder House Precinct, Scott County, Kentucky.[ix] Will was listed as the head of household, a farmer, but the rest of the family was related to his wife: her mother, siblings Keene, Leah, Nannie, and James with his wife Hannah plus niece Edna Parker. Along with the two servants he was certainly outnumbered. Emma and William were still in Scott County on 5 September 1904 when they conveyed her interest in land of her late father in Fayette County to her sister Maggie Nutter Smith.[x]

 By 1907 the couple lived in Kansas City, Missouri. Emma went back to Kentucky before her mother died from pneumonia on 12 March 1907. Emma, suffering from tuberculosis, died three days later on 15 March 1907 at the home of her sister, Mrs. William (Leah) Harp, on Newtown Pike in Scott County.[xi] Emma was buried in Georgetown Cemetery with a gravestone that left room for her husband’s inscription.[xii]

 Venturing west from Missouri, Will lived in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, for over 20 years before his death.[xiii] Will married Ida Augusta (Fuller) Clark circa 1909.[xiv] Ida was born in Missouri and married in 1889 in Potter County, Texas.[xv] In 1900 she was a widow with two Texas-born children in Baird, Callahan County, Texas.[xvi] How did Will and Ida meet? Santa Rosa is between Tucumcari and Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is on I-40 and in 1926 was on the newly named U.S. Route 66. Earlier it was the junction of two railroad lines.[xvii] Potter County, Texas, includes Amarillo which is on the route to Tucumcari, but Callahan County is far to the southeast of there. A possible connection is Will’s first wife’s brother, Keene Nutter, who moved to Hereford, Deaf Smith County, Texas, southwest of Amarillo in May 1909.[xviii] Will and Ida were together on the census of 29 April 1910 in Santa Rosa, Guadalupe County, New Mexico. He was a house carpenter living with his wife and two children from her first marriage. She was a dressmaker and they had been married one year.[xix] They appeared on the census of 21 January 1920 running a boarding house in Santa Rosa, Guadalupe County, New Mexico.[xx] His wife Ida died 19 March 1928.[xxi] William appeared on the census of 14 April 1930 in Santa Rosa widowed with one lodger but no occupation listed.[xxii] He died on 10 November 1932 in Santa Rosa, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, at age 75.[xxiii] He was probably buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Santa Rosa, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, where his wife Ida has a gravestone.[xxiv] Sadly, his death certificate has no information on his parents, the information provided by the attending physician.

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[i] “New Mexico Deaths, 1889-1945,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9T2-Z3KV-F?i=609 : viewed 21 July 2024), image group number (IGN) 4229717, image 610 of 2496, William L. Lightburn Certificate of Death no. 4913 (1932), informant R. J. Thompson (the doctor).

 [ii] 1860 U.S. census, Scott County, Kentucky, population schedule, District No. 1, sheet 992, dwelling 825, family 828, W L Light Burn household; imaged, "1860 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7667/images/4231205_00404 : viewed 25 July 2024).

 [iii] “Died . . . The Mother,” undated clipping, soon after 20 August 1864 from unidentified newspaper; McClintock Family Papers, privately held by descendant, Georgetown, Kentucky, 2011. Inherited in 1991 from his grandmother, Elizabeth (McClintock) Nickell.

 [iv] “Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BY-VQBR-V : viewed 14 April 2024), digital film 007731872, image 33, Scott County Marriage Register (1863-83), unpaginated, W. L. Lightburne and M. Fannie Smith, 1866.

 [v] 1870 U.S. census, Scott County, Kentucky, population schedule, Stamping Ground Post Office, sheet 331A, dwelling 241, family 250, Thos [Wm] Lightburn household; imaged, "1870 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7163/images/4269357_00667 : viewed 25 July 2024).

 [vi] 1880 U.S. census, Scott County, Kentucky, population schedule, Georgetown Precinct West, ED 168, sheet 49C, dwelling/family 225, W. L. Lightburn household; imaged, "1880 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4241278-00404 : viewed 22 July 2024).

 [vii] Find a Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132646045 : viewed 30 July 2024), “William Loftus Lightburne” (1820–1890), memorial with tombstone image by “Sue P.”; citing Georgetown Cemetery, Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky.

 [viii] "Kentucky, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1774-1989," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9066/ : viewed 30 July 2024) > Scott > Administrator Bonds, 1856-1891 > image 688 of 726, Scott County Administrator's Bond no. 166, estate of Wm. L. Lightburne, 1890. A. L. Coleman was appointed administrator with S. B. Triplett as surety to the bond.

 [ix] 1900 U.S. census, Scott County, Kentucky, population schedule, Powder House Precinct, ED 58, sheet 7A, dwelling/family 124, W L Lightburne household, enumerator was Moses E. Nichols, his brother-in-law; imaged, "1900 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/21789565:7602 : viewed 22 July 2024).

 [x] Fayette County, Kentucky, Deed Book 136: 180, Emma Lightburn and husband to Maggie Nutter, now Smith, 5 September 1904; imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/008337036?i=474&cat=436712 : viewed 27 July 2024), IGN 8337036, image 475 of 706; citing clerk of county court.

 [xi] Death and Funerals, The Lexington Herald, Lexington, Kentucky, 16 March 1907, p. 6, col. 2.

 [xii] Find a Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101670409 : viewed 22 July 2024), “Emma W. Lightburn” (1862–1907), memorial with tombstone image by “laribel”; citing Georgetown Cemetery, Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky, dates are years only.

 [xiii] Deaths-Funerals, Mrs. Mattie L. Nichols, Lexington Herald-Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, 14 March 1911, p. 10, col. 3, survived by her brother Will Lightburn in New Mexico. ^“New Mexico Deaths, 1889-1945,” FamilySearch, IGN 4229717, image 610 of 2496.

 [xiv] 1910 U.S. census, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, population schedule, Santa Rosa, ED 97, sheet 7B, dwelling 121, family 123, W L Lightburn household; imaged, "1910 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/16867204:7884 : viewed 22 July 2024).

 [xv] “Texas, U.S., Marriage Index, 1824-2019,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/293874:8795 : viewed 29 July 2024), Potter County, J. S. Clark and Ida Fuller, 1889.

 [xvi] 1900 U.S. census, Callahan County, Texas, population schedule, Baird, ED 15, sheet 11, dwelling 209, family 218, Mrs. J S Clark household; imaged, “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/70304120:7602 : viewed 29 July 2024).

 [xvii] Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Rosa,_New_Mexico), “Santa Rosa, New Mexico,” revised 12:46, 26 July 2024.

 [xviii] “More Kentuckians,” The Hereford Brand, Hereford, Texas, 14 May 1909, p. 1, col.3, B. K. Nutter family arrived from Kentucky to live.

 [xix] 1910 U.S. census, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, pop. sch., Santa Rosa, ED 97, sheet 7B, dwelling 121, family 123, W L Lightburn household.

 [xx] 1920 U.S. census, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, population schedule, Santa Rosa, ED 77, sheet 7B, dwelling 132, family 149, William L Lightburn household; imaged, "1920 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/78797530:6061 : viewed 22 July 2024).

[xxi] Find a Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132091396 : viewed 22 July 2024), “Ida A Lightburn” (1876–1928), memorial with tombstone image by “Ladybug”; citing Evergreen Cemetery, Santa Rosa, Guadalupe County, New Mexico.

 [xxii] 1930 U.S. census, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, population schedule, Santa Rosa, ED 10-8, sheet 8A, dwelling 171, family 184, William L Lightburn household; imaged, "1930 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/108098333:6224 : viewed 22 July 2024).

 [xxiii] ^“New Mexico Deaths, 1889-1945,” FamilySearch, digital film 004229717, image 610 of 2496, no parent info.

[xxiv] Find a Grave, imaged gravestone for “Ida A Lightburn” (1876–1928). Will’s entry may be (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104481833 : viewed 21 July 2024), “Will L. “Chad” Lightburn” (no dates), memorial created by “henry osborne,” with no tombstone image; citing Evergreen Cemetery, Santa Rosa, Guadalupe County, New Mexico.

Alcey Annet Reynolds Henry: A Name Puzzle

Alcey Annet Reynolds Henry: A Name Puzzle

Jean M. Hoffman, CG

Alcey Annet Reynolds was born 12 Feb 1833, seventh of the nine children of James Reynolds and Elizabeth Guy of the Kyger area in Cheshire Township, Gallia County, Ohio. [1] She left few records with her name and those few vary. The names of children in the family in birth order were: Sarah, Mary, John, Nancy, Robert Franklin, Margaret, Alcey Annet, Elizabeth Jane, and David Lasley. All the other names are common given names for the area. John was the first son and that was the name of both his grandfathers. Mary was the second daughter and that common name was shared by her maternal grandmother. The unusual Alcey could be the name of her paternal grandmother. [2]

1850 U.S. census for James Reynolds family

The main difference in the records is whether the first name begins with an A or an E. Annet is likely her second name. Six records provide examples, four of them created in her lifetime. Her death apparently came between the birth of a son in 1863 and her husband’s remarriage in 1865 but no death record or burial is currently known.

Spelling her name depends on the record used. Elsie wasn’t used in this family at this time but could be what was meant. Elsie could be a nickname for Alice, so another possibility.[3] This is an example of the challenges in knowing what name and what spelling is right to use to remember our family members.

1. Elsy Garnet Reynolds        Family history (note 1)

           2. Alcy Reynolds               1850 census with father[4]
3. Alrey Anet Reynolds (indexed as Abey) probably incorrect copy of Alcey                                                                       1852 marriage to James M. Henry[5]
4. E. A. Henry                   gravestone of daughter, Mary E. Henry, 1854 (photo Oct. 2000)                                                engraved: “Baby of J.M. & E.A. Henry”[6]
5. Elzy A. Henry              1860 census with husband[7]
6. Annet Henry late Annet Reynolds                                                                                                                                      probate of her father's estate, PoA of sons Perry and James regarding her share, 1882[8]

*          Alcey Reese Reynolds—name of her grandmother as told by granddaughters of James Reynolds (this Alcey's nieces) according to their nephew, Oliver G. Lyle. The name is included in a Reynolds family history from 1948, possibly based on this information.[9]

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[1] James Reynolds Family History Manuscripts, data probably collected by H. Bion Bradbury (1897–1944) husband of Luella Rupe, a great granddaughter of James and Elizabeth (Guy) Reynolds, was inherited. The information was shared with the author on 29 April 2009, Collection of Jinx Ann Farley (Gallipolis, Ohio).

 [2] Mrs. H. H. Horner (Mildred) (Chicago, Illinois) to Major Oliver G. Lyle, letter, 1 September 1933; Hoffman Family Papers, privately held by Jean M. Hoffman, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] (Cleveland Heights, Ohio), 2024. This letter in its envelope was passed by Oliver Guy Lyle (1882–1957) to his daughter Virginia B. Lyle McClintock (1910–1992) from whom the current owner inherited it

 [3] Christine Rose, Nicknames, Past and Present, 5th Edition Expanded (San Jose, California: CR Publications, 2007).

 [4] 1850 U.S. census, Gallia County, Ohio, population schedule, Cheshire Township, Gallia, Ohio, sheet 454A, dwelling 949, family 959, James Rennolds household; imaged, “1850 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8054/images/4204439_00371: viewed 25 June 2024).

 [5] ”Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRMD-S2R8?i=363&cc=1614804&cat=265736 : viewed 19 June 2024), digital film 004016313, image 364 of 493, Gallia County Marriage Record 2: 212, James Maddison Henry and Alrey Anet Reynolds, 1852.

 [6] Find a Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48980895  : viewed 24 June 2024), memorial 48980895, Mary E Henry (1853–1854), Van Zant Cemetery, Cheshire Township, Gallia County, Ohio; gravestone photo by Jean Hoffman.

 [7] 1860 U.S. census, Gallia County, Ohio, population schedule, Morgan Township, Kyger post office, sheet 166, dwelling 1207, family 1138, James M. Henry household; imaged, “1860 United States Federal Census,”, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7667/images/4282511_00170 : viewed 19 June 2024).

 [8] Gallia County, Ohio, Gallia Probate Case File 197, James Reynolds, Power of Attorney of Perry B. Henry and James A. Henry of Carroll County, Missouri, 14 February 1882; imaged ”Ohio, Gallia County, probate case files, 1803-1943,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS2Q-GQSJ-Y?i=484&cat=2827731 : viewed 25 June 2024), digital film 103741784 > images 485–87 of 2055.

 [9] Stephen Frederick Tillman, The Rennolds, Reynolds Family of England and Virginia, 1530–1948 (Washington, DC: Stephen Frederick Tillman, 1948), 165, para. 1537; imaged, “The Rennolds, Reynolds Family of England and Virginia, 1530–1948,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/12542/?name=alcey_reese&name_x=1 : viewed 30 June 2024).