Monday, March 28, 2011

David And Lula: 74 Yeas Ago March 28, 1937

 And the two became one.
Mr and Mrs. D.W. Blakley Sr.
In the home of Mrs. D. Blakley's mother.
Mrs. Leo (Mary) Lankford Sr.

On Sunday, March 28, 1937,
David (23 1/2) and Lula (16 almost 17) were married.
They eloped in Troy, Kansas.

Here's A Repost From Sunday, March 28, 2009.
I added some things.

From My Notes:
October 19, 1980
The [ braces] were added for clarification.

[My] mother, [Lula] and father, [David] married when others didn't want them to. They [ my parents] arranged to marry in Troy, KS in Reverend Bell's home.[ It was ] ( Just like a church) on [ Sunday] March 28, 1937.Others wanted [ my ] mother to marry O. Thomas, [ my] Uncle Vernon's brother.

Here is another story entry:
October 19, 1980


[There was ] a boy? who liked [my] mother, [Lula]. The boy was a friend of my father, [David]. He (the boy) paid [ my ] father to go out with [ my ] mother and put in some good words in for him. My father took the money and got a date for himself. They, [ my ] mother and father went together for about 2 years and got married in Troy, KS.

Another Entry:
March 1, 1986

[ My ] Father and mother [ were ] married in Troy Kansas, [ my] father made all the arrangements.Mr Lyle [ Old man Lyle was my father's step father ] couldn't read or write was a witness. They [ my mother and father ] were married on March 28, 1937.

My mother's parents didn't want them [ my parents ] to get married.
My mother's maiden name was spelled wrong on the wedding certificate.

Some Of My Thoughts:
On The 73rd Anniversary Day


I can assume on that day that my parents went to church on that Sunday.They eloped. Besides, my parents were married in the preacher's house. My father's step father, [Chilton Lyle] was a witness to this wedding.

As I recall my mother saying that she and my father were childhood sweet hearts. My mother's mother was friends with my father's mother before my parents were married. My parents lived in the same neighborhood at same time.

I recall my father speaking of what this guy who ask him, my father about my mother. This guy would ask my father.. are you reeling in my mother." I mean was my father speaking good words in for this boy. Those words that my father were speaking were for his own sake not that boy's.

I talked with my Aunt Josie. She remember this guy. She said this guy want to date my mother so bad that he ask my father to speak some good words in for him. Yeah, those words were for himself.
He got paid to do it to.

My parents had 19 children together.
I don't recall my parents ever having an argument.
They were married 52 1/2 years before my fathers passing. My mother passed away 4 days after what would have been their 63rd wedding anniversary. That was 10 years ago.

I thank God for blessing my with parents.
I am thankful that my parent had one more child born during their 26th anniversary year.
That child is me.


I am thankful that I had 25 1/2 years with my father.
And 36 years and 357 days with my mother.
I thank God I will reunite with them again.

Discoveries While On The Journey:
My Parents: 73 Years Ago

Blessings,
Susan

This was a reposted 2010.
March, 28, 2011
74 Years Ago

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Who Was Rachel Blakey?

What have I found on my Great Grandfather Isaac second wife, Rachel? In the beginning Rachel was just a name. But, there my research, that name was more than just a name.

I first saw a picture of Rachel and Great Grandpa Isaac on Saturday, Oct 31, 1981. I was visiting my Great Aunt Mary "Lovie" Kinney Blakey in Yankton, South Dakota. Great Aunt Mary was my Grandpa John's sister in law. Mary was married to Spencer Blakey.

Rachel was a former slave from MS. She was John's step mother. She raised John as her own child. He was about 3 when Rachel married his father. Rachel was said to have been half Spanish and Creo.
I've do some searching for information on family history,  I'm not for sure what Rachel's maiden name was. I think it could have been LEFRIDGE or LEPHRIDGE. That was the name on two of her children's death records in California.

I have found the name Lefew on a marriage record in MS. Then there was Lafayette on Rachel's death record. Rachel's parents were Andrew and Charity.. On Isaac Blakey's penison record, Rachel's maiden name was spelled, Lefure, Lefrige, Lefrial and Lephrige.

Rachael's surname could have been changed. Perhaps it was misspelled through the years. It could have been how the surname was pronounced. Maybe Rachel family name was changed.  Rachel wouldn't read or write.

Great Grandpa Isaac met Rachel in Wilkinson County, Mississippi. They were married on July 3, 1874 at Charles Marshall's house. The person that married them was Rev. Edward Kane (or King ). Rachel and Isaac had 18 children. ( I think that they had more than 18 children together.)

There is little that I have found on Rachel. I located her Missouri death record. Rachel was born about April 1855 in MS. She was a housewife. (However, there was another date February 16, 1857.) She passed away on March 17, 1916. According to her death record her parents were Andrew and Charity Lafayette.  Both were from Virginia.

I hope some of the BLAKEY descendants find more on Rachel. Perhaps there are some LEFTRIDGE or LEPHRIDGE descendants searching for information on Rachel. I hope they make the connections. Thanks for reading.

Staying On The Journey,
Susan

P.S.  I'm working on another blog on Great Grandpa Isaac Blakey. I re read his pension record. I found some things I've overlooked. I can so more about his life.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

William Allen And Miss Laura Washington

Names on marriage licence: December 24, 1888
Wm Allen and Miss Laura Washington

On March 6, 1889
the two became one
Mr and Mrs William Allen
Laura was also know as Anna Laura Allen
To this union a daughter was born on December 21, 1889.
Her name was Mary Allen.

Not much is know about William Allen.
He was listed in the St. Joseph, Missouri directory in 1890.
He could have passed away before his daughter, Mary was born.

Anna Laura remarried to a Thronton Walters about 1891 or so.
Not much is know about Thronton. He passed away about 1898.
To the reunion of Thronton and Anna;
They had daughter, Mary Walters born about 1892.
And a son, Joseph Waltersborn in 1894.
Mary and Joseph were born in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Anna Laura Walters, Mary Lankford and Joseph Walters
were buried in Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Family Dog Stories

Back on March the 9th 2009. I was talking out loud about a dog that ran out in 1986. My dog run away. I have a picture of my dog Bud. He was my dog.

I told him not to leave the yard when he gets untied. He wouldn't listen. One day we never saw him again. Well that was about 23+ years ago.

I don't know how I got on that subject. But one of my brother, John started talking about the first dog he remembered growing up. He said he was in the first grade when Brownie came to live with the family.

My brother said that the dog come from Grandma and Grandpa down the street. Their dog must to have had puppies. Brownie was one of them.

What my brother told me, Brownie live to be about 20. The dog died about 1964. Brownie some how lived with one of the neighbors in his latter dogs. Brownie was blind and had a hard time walking.

One day Mrs. Gibson call. She said that Brownie died. My brother didn't know what they did with Brownie's body.

Then my brother spoke of another dog that came around in the 1960's. This one was named Pete. But they later found out that Pete was having puppies.

Their was a neighbor who wanted to steal one of Pete's puppies. But Pete wouldn't let this neighbor take her puppies. Pete would always bark that this neighbor.

Then one day that neighbor throw a chair at one of the puppies. The puppy had a broken leg. My brother said that our father had to take the dogs to the dog pound.

Then we talk about dog houses. There was something that I didn't know. The house that one of our dogs lives in now is over 30 years old. Our dog Rink A Dink live in that house.

Rink A Dink died about 32 years.  That day was July 10, 1979.  One of my brothers remained me something. He said that my dog Bud wouldn't sleep in that dog house. I don't recall that.

Yeah, that dog house is still in use after 30 + years. Our dog "Sister" lives there now. The house is well lived in.

The first dog that I can remember was Fido. That dog was crazy.

Our pets are apart of our lives. Each animal that we have as pets are different. They mean things to us when we are with them. It's apart of the joy that God gives us as we go through life. I am thankful that God has given us animals to care for.

Psalm 39:4
"LORD remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.

Susan
On My Journey
Family Dog Stories

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

An Assumption Of The Life of Robert Louis Lankford



Who was Robert Louis Lankford?
He was also known as Lewis Lankford
According to Robert Louis Lankford's Missouri death record, he was born on February 22, 1851 in B**** town, Kentucky. I can't read the Kentucky town. His parents were unknown. According to the census records, Robert's parents were from Kentucky.

I can assume that Robert as born into slavery. He was listed as black. Some how he made his way to Missouri. I have located him in Lewis County on the 1870 census.

His name was Lewis Langford. Lewis was a boarder. He lived with Samuel and Serilda Green. Lewis' occupation was a boatman.  

Three years later, on Jan 23, 1873 Lewis Lankford married a Miss Charlotta Dade in Lewis County Missouri. Charlotta's parents, Isaac and Francis Dade were witnesses to the marriage.

Also, I noticed on the 1870, Lewis was living next door to Mary Ann (Dade) Madison. Mary Ann was Charlotta's sister. Perhaps that was how Lewis and Charlotta met.

In this union of Lewis and Charlotta, they had 11 children. Here's the list of their children. James Andrew Lankford, Jennie Lankford, Lula May Lankford Madison, Frederick Lankford, Louis Add Lankford, Leo Lankford, Anna Alice Lankford Smith, Charles Edward Lankford, Stillborn (daughter) Lankford, Numadula Lankford and Isabelle V. Lankford Nickerson. There is a mystery of a Lankford child. Isaac Lankford Jr.

Some time before or around 1890, Lewis and Charlotta moved to St. Joseph, Missouri. By 1898, Lewis was going by the name of Robert Louis Lankford. He was listed in the 1890 St. Joseph, Missouri city directory as R. Louis Lankferd.

Robert was listed as a boatman, a laborer, stone mason, a builder,a contractor. I can assume that he did work on houses and did chimney work. Something late in October of 1919, Robert had an accident. He injured his leg.

On November 14, 1919 Robert passed away. Cause of death accidental fell. His doctor was Dr. Crossland. His was laid to rest in Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Robert L. Lankford was buried on November 1919 at Ashland Cemetery.
Oral History States: Robert was said to have owned about 40 acres of land. Don't know what happened to the land. This building still stands today.

Robert and Charlotta with their 7 children.
They lived on 2411 Messanie Street in St. Joseph, Missouri
Photo taken in 1892
There is a family story of Robert Lankford having a half sister named Maime Morton. Robert and Maime had to same mother. It was said that Maime was the slave owner's daughter. I've not found information on Miamie Morton. Perhaps she married. She was said to have remind in Kentucky.

I don't know if Robert had any other siblings. I did come across a black, Anna "Annie" Lankford who married Westley Johnson in Lewis County in 1871. Anna was from Kentucky born about 1848.

Also, I've heard that some of the MORTONS from Kentucky moved to St. Joseph, Missouri. Hannah Wilson B. Morton widow of Rev. David Morton. Son's Joseph, and Daniel Morton. The Mortons were from Russleville, Logan Kentucky area.

Robert L. Lankford's son, Leo knew the Mortons. Perhaps worked for them. The Mortons hired some of Leo's children to do some of their domestic house work for them.

I see that there was a connection with the Mortons and Lankfords. When Leo Lankford passed away one of the Mortons attended his funeral in September of 1954 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Some Of My After Thoughts:
A picture can say a thousand words. I see that Robert Louis Lankford wore eye glasses...He was a well dressed man. On the census records it stated that Robert couldn't read or write. I don't know. He had some know on or experience in building and construction work. He knew some kind of skill.

Great Grandpa's appearance speaks well of him. He may have had another ethic origin in him. He didn't appear to have been all African descent. He will a well keep man.

Robert Louis Lankford live to be 58 years old. An accident ended his life. He memories lived on with his family.

Staying On The Journey,
Susan

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Frances Ovington Dade Connection: # 3.) Louis Newton DADE


3.) Louis Newton DADE

Louis was born on October 16, 1847 in Lewis County Missouri.
He passed away on February 18, 1937 in Canton, Missouri.
He married Mary Ann Venoy.
Louis and Mary had 11 children.

1.) Japlin G. Dade
(1870 - 1910)
Japlin was married a Mrs. Nancy Moore

2.) Mary Bell Dade
(1872 - 1949)
She was listed as single on her death record.

3.) Margaret / Maggie Elizabeth Dade(1873 - 1954.)
Margaret had a daughter named Julia.

4.) Noah Den / ie Dade
(1877 -1975)
Den was married to Louetta / Etta Robinson.
They had 8 children
Elizabeth J. Nickerson, Hazel Catherin King, Louis P. "Louie" Dade, Mary Alice Dade,
Unnamed Dade, Gladys S. Richard, Raymond Dade and Robert Lee Dade

5.) Diana Dade ( born about 1877)

6.) Isaac Dade ( born about 1879)

7.) Pearl Dade( born about 1881).
Pearl was married to Belle Cotton.
They had 3 children.
Roy Dade
(1894- 1960)
 Clarence N. Dade
(1905 - 2003)
and
Catherin B. / Cathery
( born about 1908)

Continuing with the children of Louis and Mary Ann Dade
8.) George Dade
(born about 1883)

9.) Goldie / Golden Adom Dade
(1884 - 1920)

10.) Money / Mone Dade
(1888 - 1940)
Mone was married to
Madge B. Clark
(1879 - 1973)

11.) John Wesley Dade
(born about 1891)
John was married to Helen Holder.
They had a son,
Lloyd Milton Dade
(1916-1918)

I  have searched the census, marriage and death record for Louis Newton Dade's family.
That was were I found the above information.
Here's a few things I came up with.

On The 1870 census
Louis was listed with the name spelled Lewis Dade, age 23 MO born 1847.
Appeared living with parents, Isaac and Franky Dade.
His wife, Mary and their son Gilman born 1870.
Gilman could have been Japlin G? year of birth 1866.
I couldn't find Japin on the 1870 census.

On The 1880 Census
Louis was listed as Lewis Dade, age 33, MO born 1847,
Married to Mary R. Dade, Listed with 6 children;
Japlin, Mary, Margaret, Diane, Dennie and Isaac.

On The 1990 Census
Louis was listed as Louis BATES age 52, MO Born Oct 1847.
Wife, Mary A. BATE, married age 30; 1870
Louis was listed with 7 children
Mary, Margaret, Pearl, George, Golden, Money, Wesley
and one grandson, Roy who was Pearl's son.
Wife, Mary A. was the mother of 11
with 10 living when the 1900 census was taken.
Don't know if that could have been Gilman?

On The 1910 Census
Louis was listed as Lewis Dade, age 62, MO, Born about 1848,
Married to Mary A. Dade with 4 sons, Pearl, Golden, Mane (Mone), and Weslie.
They lived on 11th Street.

On The 1920 Census
This was the first time Louis was listed as Louis N. Dade, age 72 MO, Born about 1848,
Widowed. Lived with daughter, Maggie (Margaret) and Maggie's daughter, Julia born about 1903.
They lived at 1013 Grand Street. Louis owned the home.

On The 1930 Census
Louis was listed as Louis Dade age 83, MO born about 1847. Widowed,
Listed with daughter, Margaret born about 1879 and her daughter, Julia born about 1913 
and it; wrong year. Lived on Grant Street Louis owned his home.
His job was curvier: bones and shell work .

Piecing The Story Together:
Frances OVINGTON DADE was listed as 101 on the 1900 MO census.
According to the 1900 census, she was listed having 14 children.
7 were living at the time when the census was taken.

So far, I've come across 4 of the 14 children of Frances Ovington Dade.

1.) Louisa Jane / Janie Dade Washington
Mrs. David Washington
(
1826 - 1910)

2.) Mary Ann Dade Madison
Mrs. William Madison(1836 - 1921)


3.) Louis Newton Dade
A.K.A. Louis "Lew" Dade

(1847 - 1937)

4.) Charlotta / Charlottie Dade Lankford
Mrs. Robert Lewis Lankford(1852 - 1924)

The Journey Continues...
Hoping to find Another Frances OVINGTON DADE Connection

But who was Frances DADE OVINGTON to me?
Frances was the mother of Charlotta DADE LANKFORD.
Charlotta was the mother of Leo LANFORD Sr.
Leo Sr. was the father of Lula my mother.
me, Susan

Thanks for reading.
I hope some of the descendants of Louis Newton Dade find this blog.
Below is Louis Newton's death record.
Staying On The Ovington Dade Connection.
Susan

Friday, February 11, 2011

In Memory of Anna Laura Walters

What have I discovered about my mother's mother's mother, Anna / Laura Washington Allen Walters? She was born on June 13, 1867 to a Susan LEACH ( 1845 - ca1888) and William J. WASHINGTON (1840 - 1920? ) in St. Joseph, MO. Her siblings were Nannie, Amelia, Virigina, Lillie, James. A. and William / John Washington Jr.

I can assume that Anna went by her middle name at times during her life. On her death record her first and middle names were Anna Laura. On other records she was listed as Laura.  

Laura / Anna married her first husband William Robert Allen on 6 March 1889. On their marriage record Anna went by Miss Laura Washington. William was Wm ALLEN.

Little is known about William Allen. He was born in Georgetown, MO about 1861. He couldn't read or write. He was a farm hand. Laura and William had a daughter together.

Laura / Anna and William daughter's name Mary Allen LANKFORD (1889 - 1975) who was my grandmother. The year of William's death is unknown. It may have been in 1889 and the early 1890.

Anna Laura Washington remarried to a Thornton Walters born in Lexington, Missouri. Anna and Thornton had a daughter Mary WALTERS born about 1890. And a son Joseph WALTERS (1893-1926).

According to a city director, Anna was the widow of Thornton about 1898. There was another Thornton Walters listed. I can't determine who he was. Perhaps they were related. Then there was a Thornton Walters who downed in 1903.

The year when Laura / Anna married Thornton WALTERS is not known. There is little information known about Thornton. I can't locate him on any census in Missouri.
It was within ten years that Anna / Laura became a widowed two times. She had to raise three children. I have searched the census records. On the 1910 census Anna was listed as having 3 children.

These pieces of papers were found in Mary Allen Lankford's home. It was a note on Anna Laura Walters' life...
Here's more
I've been trying to find Anna on the 1900 census. I'm having no luck. I want to see if her daughter Mary Allen went by the Walters name. Wondering if there were two Mary Walters.


Staying On The Journey Of Discoveries
On Laura  / Anna Walters

My Grandmother Mary ALLENs mother
My mother, Lula LANKFORD's Grandma Anna.
My Great Grandmother Laura / Anna Washington Allen Walters died on 11 Feb 1947.
She was a domestic worker. Note: Anna was listed as Laura in most of the records I have come across.

Blessings,
Susan

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Delilah "Lillie" Lewis

What can I say about Delilah "Lillie" Lewis? 
She was on my mother's mother's mother's side of the family.

I first came about Lillie Lewis during the 1980s. She was listed on the 1880 Missouri census as the mother in law to my 2nd Great Grandfather, William J. WASHINGTON. William's wife, Susan LEACH's mother. Lillie Lewis who was 93 years old from South Carolina. But, Susan was 36.

I can assume that Lillie was Susan's grandmother. Susan's mother could have been named Lillie Lewis or Lillie Leach. That could have made the mix up with what was recorded on the census.

But, being a mother at 93 to someone who's 36. Lillie would have been 57 when she gave birth to Susan. That would have been a miracle.

I have searched the St. Joseph, Missouri City Directors. I found that Lillie Lewis who lived with the Washington Family. I can traced a Lillie Lewis to 1888 in the city director. I'm not for sure if she was the Lillie Lewis I'm looking for. She may have died between 1880 to 1888.

(Update: I have located a Delilah Lewis buried some where in Mount Mora Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri. She passed in April 1887. I believe that this Deliliah was "Lillie".)

There was another Lillie Lewis in St. Joseph, Missouri. I can assume that the Lillie Lewis I'm searching for had passed away around 1888.. I think that there were two Lillies with the Lewis surname.

There isn't much known about Lillie Lewis. She was born around 1787 in Kentucky. Her parents were from South Carolina. I can't trace when Lillie came to Missouri. Some how she made her way to Missouri.

I searched the city directories in St. Joseph, Missouri. I believe that Lillie's name could have been Delilah. I came across a Delilah Lewis once. I can recall which city directory. Also there was a black, Lila Lewis. I don't know if she was related.

In all, I'm glad that I know something about Lillie Lewis. She lived to be counted on the 1880 Missouri Census. That's a very good thing.

There was a photo that I found in my Grandmother Mary Allen Lankford's home in the middle 1970's. I believe that the older lady in this photo could be Lillie Lewis or if not the mother of William John Washington. I don't know. It could be on the Lankford side. Here's the mystery photo!

Unknown Relatives

While On The The Family History Journey,
Delilah "Lillie" Lewis

She was my 4th Great Grandmother
Susan means Lillie.
Perhaps that how Susan Leach got her name, Susan.

Blessings,Susan