The Kessler Family History

Their grave markers located in Pleasant Grove Cemetery northeast of Jonesboro, Arkansas are the source of their dates of death.  His marker indicates that his age at death was 79. Her marker indicates that she died at the age of 81 which would suggest that she war born about 1855. Other available records suggest her birth year could be anywhere from  1844 to 1863.1   The 1910 Craighead County, Arkansas census indicates that the marriage was the fourth for both Nancy and Benjamin. Piecing together these multiple families is difficult.  The following is an summarized effort to put these families together. There are likely errors in the information.  The summary begins with Benjamin’s possible wives and children (shown with estimated dates of birth and dates of death, if known). Lists of Nancy’s possible husbands and children follow. These summaries are followed by a detailed account of their lives.

 

Our Benjamin Finch married three times in Independence County, Arkansas.  He married Louisa Hatter on August 15, 1869, Mary J. Castlow on April 25, 1875, and S.  Elizabeth Bullington on April 26, 1877.  Lastly, he married our Nancie Stewart on May 27, 1888 in Craighead County, Arkansas. A Benjamin C. Finch married  Julina C. Oaks in Fayette County, Alabama on July 13, 1866. Our Benjamin likely lived in Alabama, but it is not known whether this is the same individual.  Did Benjamin marry five times, not four times as he reported in the census?

 

Benjamin’s eight likely children include Francis (1870), Oscar (1879 - after 1930), and Laura (1883 - 1917) born prior to his marriage to Nancy, and  Lula M. (March 1889 - January 1939), Icy Mae (December 14, 1892 - June 6, 1964), James Edward (August 28, 1897 - 1983),  Claudie (1902 - May 7, 1940), and Harvey (March 23, 1903 - January 1984)  who are his and Nancy’s children. If Benjamin also married Julina Oaks, there may have been two additional daughters, Francis (1867) and Parell Finch (1870). Did Benjamin name a son and a daughter Francis?

 

Last names associated with Nancy include Copeland (Kinley), Phelps, Glascoe (Glasscock), Stewart (Stuart), and Finch. The name Copeland is not found in early records, but is taken from a document prepared by Nancy’s granddaughter Vergie Long Rodes, Copeland is the maiden name listed for daughter Icie Long’s mother in Icie’s 1964 death certificate, and Copeland is listed as son James Walter Phelps’s mother’s maiden name on his birth certificate. Arkansas marriage records indicate that Nancy Kinley married John H. Phelps on March 12, 1876 in St. Francis County. Kinley may well be is a variation of Copeland. John reportedly died in 1879.   Mrs N. M. Phelps married A. L. Glasscock on January 2, 1881 in St. Francis County.   He apparently died. Nancy Glasscock married William Stuart on June 6, 1886 in Craighead County, Arkansas.   Nancie Stewart married Benjamin Finch on May 27, 1888 also in Craighead County.

 

In 1900, Nancy reported she had had nine children of whom six were living.  She subsequently had two more children raising the total to eleven.2  The names of the eight children who lived to be adults along with approximate birth dates and dates of death include James Walter Phelps (February 7, 1877 - May 10, 1962), Virginia Lee Glascoe (October 26, 1881 - January 1968), Cora Lee Glascoe (March 1884 - after 1920), Lula M. Finch (March 1889 - January 1939),  Icy Mae Finch (December 14, 1892 - June 6, 1964), James Edward Finch (August 28, 1897 - 1983), Claudie Finch (1902 - May 7, 1940), and Harvey Finch (March 23, 1903 - January 1984). The names of the children who died young are unknown. Although it is somewhat unusual, Nancy did name two sons James.  I knew both, and they both went by their middle names. She also apparently gave two daughters the middle name Lee and two the middle name May.

 

The following narrative details available information.  The narrative starts with Benjamin’s life prior to his marrying Nancy.  Then Nancy’s early  life  is detailed. Finally, events relating to their marriage and children are reported.

 

Benjamin’s Early Years

 

Benjamin reported his birthplace as Georgia in the 1870, 1880, and 1900 censuses. In 1910 and 1920, his birthplace is listed as Alabama. Evidence presented below suggests he was born in Georgia and moved to Alabama as a child with his family. Also, it is noted that he is listed with the middle initial S at least seven times. That middle initial likely stands for Simpson as he is listed as Simpson Finch in the 1850 Campbell County, Georgia census, and his grandson (Oscar’s son) was named Benjamin Simpson Finch.3 See below.

 

Multiple reports, mentioned below, list Benjamin Simpson Finch as the son of Willis Finch (1808 - 1868) and Elizabeth Harris (possibly Harrison) Finch (1815 - ? ).4 The details of this report mesh with known facts. According to the report Willis was the son of Thomas Finch (1776 - ? ) and Susanna Smith who were both born in South Carolina and were married in Spartanburg, South Carolina about 1834.  Noting Thomas’ age, one wonders whether this was a second marriage. Thomas Finch was reportedly the son of John Finch (1750 - ? ) and Jane Keene.

 

Willis (1808) and Elizabeth (1815) are listed in the 1850 Campbell County, Georgia census with six children John (1837), Jane (1839), Simpson (1840), Thomas (1843), Leney (1845), a female, and George W. (1848).  The parents are listed as having been born in South Carolina and the children Georgia.

 

Willis (1808) and  Elizabeth (1815) along with children John (1838), Jane (1840), Benjamin (1840), Thomas (1843),  Acernith (1845), George (1848), Alanred (1850), and Jefferson (1855) are listed in the 1860 Calhoun County, Alabama census. 5 According to the listing, the parents were born in South Carolina and the children were born in Georgia except for the youngest, Jefferson, who was born in Alabama.

 

Willis reportedly also married Matilda Marsh (1844 - 1918) in Fayette County, Alabama on November 6, 1866, and they had two children, a son Union Liberty (1867 - 1960) and a daughter Martha A. (1868). Matilda is listed in the 1870 Fayette County census with Union and Martha and John Finch (1862).  John’s age and Mississippi birthplace raise questions as to whether he is Matilda and Willis’ son.  John could have been a child abandoned or orphaned as a result of the war.  He could be the child of Willis and Elizabeth’s son John.  The older John likely died during the war.  A 19 year old John Finch is listed in the 1880 New Madrid County, Missouri census with a Mississippi birthplace.  It isn’t know whether he is the same individual.

 

 There are several reports listing Willis and Elizabeth’s children.6 Merging their accounts with census records, Willis and Elizabeth’s children are John H. (1837), Jane (1839), Benjamin Simpson (1840 - 1920), Thomas Harvey (January 18, 1842 - 1942), Acenrith Genith “Leney” (1845), George Washington (February 20, 1849 - January 8, 1923), and Jefferson Quillen (June 15, 1853 - April 24, 1945). Alanred who is listed in Willis and Elizabeth’s  1860 household is not included in this list of children as he is omitted from other sources.  Some sources list a son Francis Marion “Frank” (1835).  As he is not found in the family listing for 1850 or 1860, it is assumed that he is not their son.7

 

Willis Finch is listed on the April 9, 1865 Muster Roll of the 11th Alabama Infantry Regiment, Company C. Lee surrendered to Grant that same day, but it is unlikely that word of the surrender immediately reached Alabama. Possibly the roll was actually compiled a few days later in order have a list of those who were in the unit at war’s end. Although it is not certain that this is the same individual, it is quite possible that the 58 year old Willis was called into service at the end of the war.

 

Varying amounts of information is  available for Willis and Elizabeth’s children:

 

Son John H. Finch (1837) reportedly married a Jane, but further information is unavailable. Did he survive the Civil War? A John H. Finch died of pneumonia in Camp Chase Prisoner of War Camp in Ohio on November 15, 1864. He was listed as being a member of Stewart’s Cavalry. There was a Stuart’s Cavalry from Alabama.  It isn’t known whether this listing for the same individual.  Our John cannot be found elsewhere. As noted above it is possible that the 8 year old John Finch listed with Matilda Finch could be John’s orphaned son.

 

No information is available for Jane Finch (1839) other than the one census listing.

Acenrith Genith “Leney “ Finch (1845) married George Walter (1841 - ? ).

 

Thomas Harvey Finch (January 18, 1842 - 1942) served in the same 43th Regiment of the Alabama Infantry as Benjamin (see below). He was captured in Fayette County and signed an oath of allegiance to the United States. Thomas H. Finch (1843) is listed in the 1870 Sanford (now called Lamar) County, Alabama census with wife Talitha (1848), son Alson (1869), and brother Jefferson Q. (1854).8  He married Elizabeth Lithia Thomas, and they had five children, Claude J., Ellie,  Mollie, Eliza, and William Franklin. Thomas and second wife Lithia are listed in the 1880 Lamar County census with his four children Alson F. (1869), Mary A. (1872), Emma J. (1875), and Thomas N. (1878).  Thomas and Lithia are listed in the 1900 Lamar County, Alabama census with five children, Claude J. (April 1881), Dorcas L. (March 1883 ), Nellie F. (September 1884), Tallie S. (December 1887), and Eliza H. (November 1890). In the same household are step-daughter Mary A. Finch (August 1872), and nephew Thomas W. Finch (January 1878) One report indicates he had eight children including Elizabeth, Elzie, Willie, Talitha “Tellie”, Allison, Mary  Adine,  Emma Jane, and Thomas Newton. There clearly is some confusion over Thomas’ children. He reportedly married Priscilla Harvey Hankins after the death of Elizabeth Lithia.  Thomas and Priscilla are listed in the 1910 Lamar County census with his sons Thomas N. (1878) and  Elzo H. (1891). Listed in the 1920 Lamar County census with Priscilla.

 

George Washington Finch (February 20, 1849 - January 8, 1923) is listed in the 1870 Sanford County (now Lamar County), Alabama census living with Ezekiel and Idella Mace.  He married their daughter Amanda A. (1854 - 1883) on October 21, 1869.  George and Amanda had five children Nancy Belle (1871 - 1940), Oscar (1873 -1955), Ethel Watson (1875 -1946), Luther William “Luke” (January 12, 1878 - March 1969) and Della (1879 -?).   George’s wife and children are listed in the 1880 Lamar County, Alabama census. George apparently is listed in the 1880 Craighead County, Arkansas census living with the Barnes family. This would place him near brother Benjamin. Another 1880 listing, this one  in Russell County, Alabama, includes Elizabeth Finch (1817) and son George (1848).   Her birthplace is listed as Georgia while the son’s  birthplace is listed as Alabama.  It seems likely that George is listed twice in the 1880 census. George married Annie Goss  in Craighead County in 1883.  She died in 1887.   G. W. Finch married Mrs. A. C. Powell on February 3, 1888 in Craighead County. Mrs. A. C. Skelton married J. W. Powell in 1884.  He is also reported to have married A. C. Stoddard. Are A. C. Stoddard,  A. C. Powell, and A. C. Skelton  the same person?  Son Ethel and his wife Mary are listed in the 1900 Craighead County census. George Finch, age 58,  is listed in the1910 Greene County, Arkansas census living with wife Maggie.   George’s birthplace is listed as Alabama. His son Oscar listed in the 1910 Craighead county census living with wife Myrl and three children.  Luther Finch born in Alabama lives next door.    George W. Finch, age 70, is listed in the 1920 Craighead County, Arkansas census, living with his 46 year old son  Orcher who is assumed to be Oscar. Orcher’s birthplace is listed as Alabama.  Son Luther and his wife Martha are listed in the 1900, 1910 and 1920 Craighead County Censuses with a total of ten children. G. W. Finch and Amanda A. Finch are buried in Macey Cemetery in Craighead County, Arkansas.  The 1883 date of death shown on their double headstone for Amanda suggests she is his George’s first wife.

 

Jefferson Quillen Finch (June 15, 1853 - April 24, 1945) married Althie Jane Breedlove (October 17, 1852 - February 22, 1897), and they had ten children, Mary Pricilla (1872 - 1904), Jefferson Sylvanus (1872 - 1943), James Milton (1878 - 1954), John Franklin (1879), Johnnie (1881 - 1941), Charles Nathan, (1882 - 1950) Cenith Elizabeth (1884 - 1973),  twins Edgar (1890 - 1915) and  Eddie Simpson (1890 -1987), and Grover Oscar (1893 - 1887). He married Sarah C. Thomas (March 16, 1872 - July 8, 1945), and they had four children including twins Covin Q. (1902 - 1986) and Daisy (1902 -1985), Minnie Bell (1904 - 1907), and Tracy (1904 - 1986). He is buried in Love Joy Cemetery, Lamar County, Alabama.

 

Private Benjamin S. Finch is found on the May 13, 1862 Muster Roll for the 43rd Alabama Regiment, Company  I. This is likely our Benjamin. The 43rd was in the Kentucky Campaign, Chickamauga, the Chickamauga Siege, Knoxville Station, Bean’s Station, Chester Station, Drewry’s Bluff, the Petersburg Siege, the Crater, Burkville and was at Appomattox at war’s end. Of 1123 men listed on Muster Rolls, about 100 were killed, 225 died of disease, and 161 were transferred or discharged. Some were  captured, others deserted, and for still others, there simply is no record of their fate. The remaining 15 officers and 113 men were at Appomattox when Lee surrendered to Grant. Benjamin is listed in the Point Lookout, Maryland prisoner of war camp record (book number 260) as a prisoner of war. He was captured at Burkville, Virginia, the last Civil War battle before Appomattox. He apparently was captured before the battle. Benjamin arrived at Point Lookout, Maryland on April 14, 1865 (Lee had surrendered on April 9th), and is listed as having been a prisoner for 35 days. He is reported as having no valuables. His name is shown as “Finch, Benj. S.” He is listed as having served in the  same regiment and company as the Benjamin S. Finch from Alabama. The service and prisoner of war  records both list his middle initial as S.  Estimates are that between 12,000 and 20,000 prisoners died in the camp during its two year existence.

 

If our Benjamin participated in the Civil War as described above, that experience might have been shared with children and step-children, and I wonder if those stories might have discouraged their service in the military.  Although it is nothing more than but speculation, one might wonder if his son Ed Finch and step-son Walter Phelps took drastic steps to stay out of the Great War. Both lost trigger fingers.  They claimed that it was by accident, but Icie said that she thought that they shot off their trigger fingers in order to avoid being drafted.  Ed, however, told me that he lost his finger after returning home from hunting.  He said that he propped his shotgun on the front porch while he was taking off his boots.  He noticed that the gun was sliding and reached to grab it just as it went off. 

 

A Benjamin C. Finch married Julina C. Oaks in Fayette County, Alabama on July 13, 1866.  Our Benjamin lived with his family in Calhoun County, Alabama in 1860.  He is not known to have lived in Fayette County,  but a number of other family members are found there after the Civil War. The time does seem consistent with our Benjamin’s return home after the Civil War.  The middle initial, however,  is not consistent. Julina is listed in the 1870 Sanford County (now Lamar), Alabama census with daughters Francis (1867) and Parell Finch (1870). Parell’s was born in February 1870. This would be Benjamin’s first marriage, and as noted could bring the total number of wives to five. Parolee is listed in the 1880 Lamar County, Alabama census living with uncle James M. Oaks. Her father’s birthplace is listed as Alabama which is inconsistent with our Benjamin, but we don’t know how much the family knew about Paralee’s father’s background. Daughter Francis is not found. Paralee Finch married E. T. E. Barnett on February 2, 1893 in Lee County, Alabama. Subsequent references suggest his name is John W. Barnett.

 

Benjamin S. Finch, age 28, married Louisa E. Hatter, age 18, on August 15, 1869 in Independence County, Arkansas. He is listed in the 1870 Jackson County, Arkansas census with wife Louisa and son Francis, who was born in April of that year. That is just two months after Julina gave birth to Parolee in Alabama. For both references to be for our Benjamin,  he would have to have abandoned a pregnant  Julina in Alabama during the summer of 1869 and fathered Louisa’s child  in Arkansas within weeks.   If he left Alabama earlier, then Parell would be someone else’s child. Julina and Louisa both named their first child Francis, one a daughter and the other a son. At this point, the identity of Benjamin C. Finch remains uncertain. No other age appropriate Benjamin Finch is known to have been in Alabama at this time. There were several Benjamin Finches in prior and subsequent census records for other states. One very well could have made his way to Alabama. At this point, I do not believe that this is our Benjamin, but remain open to the addition of confirming evidence.

 

Benjamin S. Finch, age 30, married Mary J. Castlow, age 16, on April 25, 1875, also in Independence County, Arkansas.  She possibly is the Mary Jane Costelow who had married Enoch Dehart on February 21, 1869 in Independence County.

 

Benjamin S. Finch, age 33,  married S. Elizabeth Bullington, age 23,  on April 26, 1877 in Independence County, Arkansas. Benjamin is listed in the 1880 Independence County, Arkansas census with wife Samantha Finch (1857 - ? ) and sons Francis and Osker (1879 - ? ).  Julia E. Bullington, age 5, is listed in the household and identified as Samantha’s daughter. This Samantha  likely is the Samantha E. Mitchell who married Samuel T. Bullington in Independence County, Arkansas on February 22, 1874, and Julia is likely their daughter.

 

Benjamin’s  likely children born prior to his marriage to Nancy include:

Francis Finch (1870 - ? ): Francis likely is Louisa’ son.  He is listed in the 1870 Jackson County, Arkansas census with parents. He is listed in the 1880 Independence County, Arkansas census with father Benjamin and likely step-mother Samantha Finch. F. M. Finch divorced Sally H. Finch on November8, 1899 in Lake City. It this the same individual? He is not found in later sources.

 

Oscar Finch (1879 - after 1920): Samantha likely is Oscar’s mother.  Oscar Finch married Rosie E. Hurt in Craighead County, Arkansas on November 13, 1898.  Oscar Finch (1879)  is listed in the 1910 Craighead County, Arkansas census with wife Rosy Finch (1882) and four children Benjamin S. (1901), Gladys (1903), Millie L. (1906), and Seavie F.  (1909), a female. Oscar Finch (1879) is listed in the 1920 Craighead County, Arkansas census with wife Rosa Finch (1882) and children Benjamin S. Finch (1901), Gladys Finch (1903 ), Millie L. Finch (1906), and Leanie Finch (1909). Seavie and Leanie are assumed to be the same child. Miss G. Finch, who reported her age as 23, and H.G. Sibly, age 25, married in Craighead County on April 27, 1917. It is likely that 14 year Gladys misstated her age.  Sim Finch (1901) and Gladys Sibly (1903) are listed in Henry G. Silby’s 1920 Black Oak, Craighead County household.  She is identified as Henry’s wife and Sim is identified as his brother-in-law. Sim and Gladys are also listed in their parents’ household. Benj. Finch married Ettie Watkins on July 6, 1920, and they divorced on August 14, 1922. Sim married Mrs. Mary Partin on January 23, 1923 and they divorced  October 10, 1930. Sim Finch married Lavada Gray in 1931. Sim married Alvis Lietka in 1950. Benjamin Simpson Finch (October 25, 1900 - October 27, 1977) is buried in Bishop Cemetery, Jonesboro, Arkansas.  Also buried there is Lavauda (Gray) Finch (1904 - 1950)The Miss Millie Finch, listed as age 18, married  Eura Quinn in Craighead County, Arkansas on March 22, 1922.  She too appears to have misstated her age.

 

Laura M. Finch Isam Percifull (1884 - 1917): A family record prepared by Vergie Long Rodes lists Benjamin’s daughter Laura. A 16 year old Laura Finch is identified as a boarder  in the 1900 Mississippi County, Arkansas census living with the Davis family.   A 17 year old Laura Finch married Mack Isam in Craighead County in 1901.   Her brother Oscar Finch signed the marriage bond. Laura’s  age suggests that she is Samantha’s daughter. Laura Isam, age 21, married A. B. Percifull in Craighead County in 1906.  Laura, age 26,  and Albert Percifull are listed in the 1910 Craighead County census with one year old son Albert. Albert, Sr. and Laura are buried in Black Oak cemetery. The marker indicates that they both died in 1917. It is possible that they died of the flu pandemic that killed millions that year.  In the 1920 Craighead County census, 11 year old Albert Percifull and 8 year old Eddie Percifull lived with my grandparents A. D. and Icie Long. Albert and Eddie are listed as orphans. A. D. and Icie’s children Vergie and Curtis are found in the same listing.  It was Vergie who reported that Benjamin had a daughter Laura.  Her account can be considered “first hand.”

 

 

Nancy’s Early Years

 

Nancy was a Native  American.  This is evidenced both by the photograph shown above and by my mother’s report. Others report that she is of Dutch ancestry.  Copeland and Kinley are both Scottish/English. Variations such as Copland and Coplan are Dutch. It is possible that she had a Dutch father and a Native American mother. At various times, Nancy reported her birthplace as Arkansas, Alabama, and North Carolina. She cannot definitely be found in any of these states as a child.  Searching is difficult as her  maiden name is uncertain.    Native Americans living with their tribes were not counted in early censuses.  Therefore it is likely there are few, if any,  records of her childhood. She was born several years after the “Trail of Tears”.  Many Native Americans who had lived in North Carolina were transported on the Indian Territory.   Some Native Americans remained behind and other relocated in other states. Those found in other locations were often of mixed ancestry or were married to individuals of other ancestry. Records are more likely to exist for these individuals. It is noted that in the 1870 census only 70 individuals identified themselves as Indians in the state of Arkansas, none named Copeland or any variation of the name.  Efforts to locate her as a child have not been successful.

 

As noted, Arkansas marriage records indicate that Miss Nancy Kinley, age 17,  married John H. Phelps , age 27, on March 12, 1876 in St. Francis County.  Leigh Ann McHenry  reports that John died in 1879.  A John Phelps is buried in Hughes  Cemetery in St. Francis County, Arkansas.  No date of birth or date of death. Nannie Phelps (1860) is listed in the 1880 St. Francis County, Arkansas census with son Walter Phelps (1877).  She is listed as a servant to the Pope family and identified as being widowed.  Mrs.  N. M. Phelps, age 20, married A. L. Glasscock, age, 28 in St. Francis County on January 2, 1881.  They had two children listed below. 9 Arkansas marriage records indicate that Nancy Glasscock, age 30, married William Stuart on June 6, 1886 in Craighead County, Arkansas.  Nannie Stewart divorced William Stewart in Craighead County on May 3, 1888. Subsequent information is available for William Stewart.10 As she outlived Benjamin, she likely was widowed by three of her four husbands.

 

Nancy’s likely children born prior to her marriage to Benjamin include:

 

James Walter Phelps (February 7, 1877 - March 10, 1962): As a child  I met several times the man my mother called Uncle Walt Phelps. She said that he was my Grandmother Icie’s half-brother.   As noted, he is listed in the 1880 St. Francis County, Arkansas census with his mother Nannie. Walter Phelps (1877) is listed separately in the 1900 Craighead County, Arkansas census where he is identified as a boarder.  Included in the same home are Lou, Acy, and Erastus Stuart who are listed as  nephews to head-of-household Maliciah Tillman. Although the record does not identify him as being related to Tillman, it is noted that Nancy married William Stuart and her last name is shown as Stewart in the record of her marriage to Benjamin. Craighead County marriage records indicate that J. W. Phelps married Izilla L. Stewart on October 13,  1900. A family account identifies her as Lucretia Stuart (October 14, 1878 - October 23, 1918). Her relationship, if any, to the Stewarts is unknown. Walter Phelps (1876) is listed in the 1910 Craighead County, Arkansas census with wife  Lou Credy Phelps (1879) and children James H. (1902),  Pearly (1907), and Earl (1909).  Lucretia died one day after the birth of son Elmer, and he died the next day. James W. Phelps (1878 ) is listed on the same page of the 1920 Craighead County, Arkansas census as his mother Nancy. He is listed with children  James H. (1902), Pearl M. (1907), Earl (1909 ), Jennie M.  (1911), Burl P.  (1914), and Velma (1916).   In the 1930 Poinsett County, Arkansas census, James Walter Phelps (1877) is listed with daughters Irene Phelps (1907 ) and Velma Phelps (1917). Are Pearl listed in 1920 and Irene listed in 1930 the same person? James W. Phelps (February 7, 1877 - March 10, 1962) is buried beside Lucretia Phelps (October 14, 1878 - October 22, 1918) in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Jonesboro Arkansas.   Walt and Lucretia’s  children Bearl ( 1913 - 1921) Dovie (1904 - 1906) and Elmer (1918 - 1918) are also buried there. Walter and Lucretia’s eight children include: James H. (August 17, 1901 - January 1956)  who married Ollie Lindsey and lived in Michigan, Dovie (1904 - 1906); Pearl Mae (August 24, 1906 - July 16, 2002) who married Lee Allen Baker and William Clay Hickman, and lived in Truman, Arkansas; Earl Floyd (March 21, 1908 - January 24, 1983) who lived in Clearwater, Florida; Jennie Maybell (January 30, 1911 - December 30, 1950) who married John Robert Jones and lived in Jonesboro;   Bearl (1913 - 1921); Velma P. (July 7, 1916 - 2006) who married Raymond Harrison and Carmael Lindsey and lived in Michigan, Alabama, and Arkansas, and Elmer (1918 - 1918).

 

I recall the visits of Uncle Walt’s daughter Pearl and husband Clay when I was a child.  I have the faded memory from when I was only five of a visit by Uncle Walt’s daughter Jennie Jones and her family.  If my memory serves me, they left heading home when the brakes failed on their car and they slammed into the side of freight train killing Jennie.  As this is the memory from when I was five years old, the accident may not have been the same evening. She left six children. This was a front page story in the January 1, 1951 Jonesboro Sun.  I read a copy of the story provided by granddaughter Leighann McHenry. The story listed my father as a pall bearer.

 

Walt lost his father when he was a child, his wife when she gave birth to their eighth child, and saw five of his eight children die. I remember him as a man who was content with the challenging life he lived.

 

Virginia Lee Glascoe Fox Cowand Darnell (October 26, 1881 - January 1968): I recall my mother speaking of Aunt Jenny Darnell. Virginia Glascoe married Frank J. Fox in 1899 in Nettleton, now Jonesboro, Arkansas. Virginia Fox (1882) is listed in the 1910 Craighead County, Arkansas census with her husband Frank Fox (1855) and their two children Beatrice Fox (1902) and Walter Albert Fox (July 29, 1906 - February 15, 1970). Frank is listed as having been born in England.  Virginia reported that she had had five children, two of whom were living.  Jennie Fox married W. S. Cowand in Craighead County in 1915. Virginia Cowand (1881) is listed in the 1920 St. Francis County, Arkansas census with  husband William S. Cowand (1872) and Virginia’s son Walter Albert Fox (1906 - 1970).  Virginia’s married daughter Beatrice Jones (1902) and her family lived in the same household (see below). Virginia Darnell is listed in the 1930 Craighead County Arkansas census living with her mother Nancy and niece Ruby Runello.  William “Wordy” Cowans died in Jonesboro on August 4, 1940.  It is unclear whether this is Virginia’s former husband. Virginia Darnell is listed in the 1945 Florida State census living in St. Petersburg with daughter Beatrice Jones.   In that census, she is listed as age 65, with an Arkansas birthplace and is listed as working as a waitress. Virginia Darnell died in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1968. There is a family report of her son Walter Albert Fox marrying Ruby Cornstubble (February 7, 1907 - September 9, 1991). They reportedly had one daughter Barbara Alyce Fox in 1927 and lived in Lakeland, Florida. Virginia’s daughter Beatrice Fox, married Randall Jones (1890 - 1963) in 1918 in Craighead County. As noted, Beatrice Jones,  her husband Randell Jones (1892), and their son Walter F. Jones (1919) are listed as living with Virginia and her husband William in the 1920 census. A child Ellen Jones whose age is illegible, but who was attending school, lived in the same household. Beatrice’s age suggests she is too young to have a school age child. Possibly Ellen is Randell’s daughter from a previous marriage.  Possible descendant Diedre Cherry reports that Beatrice and Randall two children, Walter F. Jones (1919) and Marguerite Jones (1921). Beatrice, Randell, Walter, and Nellie M. Jones are listed in the 1930 Pinellas County, Florida census. The ages for the family members are appropriate, and the parents in that family are listed as having been born in Georgia while the children are listed as having been born in Florida. That raises the question of whether they are indeed the same family. Beatrice, Randell, Walter Franklin, and Margaret Jones are listed in the 1935 Florida State census living in Brooksville. All family members are the appropriate ages, and are  listed with Arkansas birth places.  Beatrice is listed in the 1945 Florida State census living with her mother.  She is identified as having attended college and being an accountant. Diedre Cherry believes that the Walter F. Jones who married Lillian Juanita Matthew (1924 - 1985) in Citrus County, Florida in 1941 is Virginia’s grandson. The Walter F. Jones who enlisted in 1942 in Pinellas County is believed to be the same individual.

 

Cora Lee Glascoe Adams Reynolds Craig (1884 - after 1920): Nancy’s  daughter Cora Lee Glascoe is listed with Nancy and Benjamin in the 1900 Craighead County, Arkansas census. Cora L. Glasco married R. E. Adams in 1902 in Craighead County, Arkansas. Cora Adams married A. A. Runoyls in1907 in Craighead County, Arkansas. Cora Ruyoyles is listed in the 1910 Craighead County, Arkansas census with her husband Andra Ruyoyles and two children, Vera Ruyoyles  (1908) and Maggie Ruyoyles (1909). Cora indicates that she has been previously married.  The 1920 census listing  confirms her first marriage to R. E. Adams as daughter Vera is listed with the last names Adams.  Cora Rundles married G. C. Craig in Craighead County, Arkansas in 1919.Cora L. Craig (1884) is listed in the 1920 Craighead County, Arkansas census with  husband John C. Craig (1880), his sons Thomas F (1908). and John W. (1912), and her children Vera C. Adams (1907), Mary M. Runolys (1909), Aaron A. Runolys  (1911), and Ruby Runolys (1915).  Cora Reynolds Craig is buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  Her marker has no dates. The marker bears her name and the word “Momma”. A.A. “Bud” Reynolds is also buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Jonesboro. His marker has no dates.  The marker bears his name and the word “Papa.”  Aron Augustus “Bud” Reynolds’ obituary appears in the November 1990 Jonesboro Sun suggesting that the marker could be for the son.  Is it possible the father and the son were known by the same name?  Also buried in the same cemetery  are Addie L., Mary M. and Ruby Reynolds. Their markers bear no dates, and each has the word “Sister”. Mary may have been killed when she burned to death in a cornfield fire.

 

 

Benjamin and Nancy’s Marriage and Children

 

Nancie Stewart, age 30,  married B. S. Finch, age 44,  on May 27, 1888 in Craighead County, Arkansas.  In the 1900 Craighead County, Arkansas census B. S. Finch is listed with wife Nancy, daughter Lou M. Finch (March 1889), daughter Icy Finch (December 1892), son Edgar Finch (August 1897), and step-daughter Cora Lee Glascoe (March 1884). Benjamin and Nancy (1854) are listed in the 1910 Craighead County, Arkansas census with children Icy  (1892 - ? ), Edgar (1897), Claudie (1902), and Harvey (1903). In the 1920 Craighead County, Arkansas census, Benjamin is listed  living with daughter Lula and her husband Mike Luke (1855) and their three children Elmer Luke (1908 - 1973) , Velma Luke (1910 ), and Alma Luke (1913).   Nancy (1852) is listed in the 1920 Craighead County, Arkansas census living with daughter Claudd (1903) and son Harvey (1905).