Thanks to comments on an earlier post about Joel Pruitt, Jr. and wife Elizabeth Durham, more information has been located on five of the nine daughters of this couple.
Known daughters in this family were:
Phebe, born about 1838
Alice, born about 1839
Mary, born about 1843
Sarah, born between 1845-1849
Martha, born about 1852
Julia Ann, born about 1854
Charlotte, born about 1856
Almeda, born about 1862
Frances, born about 1866 [1], [2]
No additional information has been located about Phebe, Alice, Sarah or Julia Ann.
Mary (or Polly) Pruitt, born about 1843, married Peter Welch in 1885 and died in Ashe County, NC, in March 1922. According to her death certificate, her parents were Joel Pruitt and Betsy Durem. The handwriting of Mary's name on the death certificate appears to say Audrey, at first glance, but careful examination reveals that it does, or could, say "Mary".
Martha Pruitt - The 1880 census household of Joel and Elizabeth Pruitt included Martha Pruitt, single and born about 1852, and two grandsons, Freland Pruitt, age four, and Esquire Pruitt, age two.
Three Alleghany County, NC, marriage licenses for Freel. R. Pruitt, for "Squair" L. Pruitt, and for Rhoda Pruitt, all list their father as Unknown and their mother as Martha Pruitt.
In 1929, Roda Pruitt Mabe's Virginia death certificate listed her father as Joel Pruitt and her mother as Not Known. It seems likely that Rhoda grew up in her grandfather Joel's household, and her husband, who was the informant on her death certificate, provided the grandfather's name by mistake. Multiple online trees list Rhoda Pruitt as the child of Joel Pruitt and wife Elizabeth Durham - Elizabeth would have been about 63 years old when Rhoda was born, so could NOT have been the mother of Rhoda. Information provided by Rhoda herself, on her marriage license, identifies her mother as Martha and her father as unknown.
Martha Pruitt, single, died in November 1926 in Grayson County, Virginia. Her parents were listed as Joel Pruitt and Betsy Derom.
Charlotte Pruitt, born about 1856, married Allen Taylor around 1875 and died May 31, 1939. Lottie Taylor's death certificate listed her parents as Joe Pruitt and Elizabeth Durham. Charlotte Taylor is buried in the Taylor Cemetery on Longbottom Road in McGrady, NC.
Almeda A. or Median Pruitt, born about 1862, was enumerated in 1870 as Malinda Pruitt. Other records created throughout her lifetime suggest that she was called Meda or Median. [3] Median Pruitt married first to Troy Stamper, a widower with whom she had at least one child. She married second to C.F. Ashley in Ashe County; and a third time to Edward F. Roe. Meda A. Roe died in October 1949 in Damascus, Virginia. Her death certificate listed her father was listed as Joel B. Pruitt, her mother's maiden name was Durham.
Frances Pruitt, born about 1866, was the youngest known daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Pruitt. A comment on an earlier post provides the information that Frances Jane Pruitt was born June 7, 1866 and died October 11, 1950. She married Troy Osborne and had nine children. She is buried in the Taylor Cemetery on Longbottom Road in McGrady, Wilkes County, North Carolina.
Troy and Frances married around 1888, per the 1900 census. Five of their children have North Carolina death certificates that list Frances Pruitt as their mother. No death certificate has been located for Frances Pruitt Osborne; a short obituary in the Wilkes Journal Patriot reported her death but did not name her parents. Troy and Frances Osborne have Findagrave memorials but no tombstones in the Taylor Cemetery, which was completely photographed in 2012. The 1928 death certificate of Troy Osborne indicated his burial at "Rock Springs" but there is no tombstone for Troy at Rock Springs Baptist Church in McGrady, North Carolina, which is about two and-a-half miles from the Taylor Cemetery. Their daughter, Isabelle Osborne, is buried in the Taylor Cemetery.
Any corrections or additional information about any of these women would be very welcome! Please contact me at pruittdebbie@gmail.com.
____________________________________________________
[1] 1860 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lower Division, p. 1, Image 4, dwelling 12, family 12, Joel Prewett; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll M653_918.
[2] 1870 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Union Township, p. 408, Image 817, dwelling 80, family 80, Joel Pruet; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M593, roll M593-1165.
[3] I suspect that her middle initial A. indicated her middle name as Ann and her name was pronounced "Meedie Ann" - but that's just an opinion!
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Martin and Janie Caudill's Family Bible
We recently had the opportunity to borrow and photograph family pages from the Caudill family Bible, which was originally owned by my husband's great-grandparents, then his grandmother, then his aunt, and which now belongs to his cousin. Although the Bible is quite fragile, we are fortunate that it was cherished and still exists. (1)
Martin Caudill and Janie Blevins were married September 16, 1894.
They were the parents of fourteen children.
Martin and Janie and their first nine children's birth dates seem to be recorded in the same handwriting and in the same ink. The next birth was in a different handwriting and different ink. This would suggest that Martin and Janie may have acquired their Bible between 1912 and 1913. Martin and Janie were both able to read and write, according to the census information recorded in 1910, 1920 and 1930. (2, 3, 4)
The marriages of several of their children were recorded.
Martin and Janie lived in Basin Cove in Wilkes County, North Carolina, until after the birth of their son, Mack, in 1908. (5) They moved to Washington County,Virginia, where Martin was a laborer in a logging camp, prior to the birth of their daughter, Edna, in early 1910. The family returned to Basin Cove in 1915, and they were living there when the flood of 1916 washed away many houses and took the life of their young son, Cornelius, and also their daughter-in-law and her mother.
Several deaths are recorded in the Bible, including their daughter-in-law, two sons, and then their own deaths.
My father-in-law recalls that each time one of his uncles or aunts needed to get a Delayed Birth Certificate, they would come borrow the Bible from his mother. And each time it was borrowed, it came back a little worse for the wear.
This Bible record is also most likely the source for Martin and Janie's birth, marriage and death dates as recorded on their joint tombstone at Walnut Grove Baptist Church. (6)
____________________________________________________
1) Caudill Family Bible Records, The Holy Bible, unknown publisher and unknown publication date, privately held by <name withheld for privacy> since 2002. Family pages were photographed March 2015.
2) 1910 U.S. census, Washington County, Virginia, population schedule, Holston Township, enumeration district (ED) 118, sheet Image 573, p. 12B, dwelling 227; digital images, \i Ancestry.com\i0 (www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T624, roll T624_1651.
3) 1920 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Walnut Grove, enumeration district (ED) 188, sheet Image 630, p. 10A, dwelling 178; digital images, \i Ancestry.com\i0 (www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T625, roll T625_1329.
4) 1930 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Walnut Grove Township, enumeration district (ED) 29, sheet 58, p. 1A, dwelling 8; digital images, \i Ancestry.com\i0 (www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T626, roll 1729.
5) 1900 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Walnut Grove Township, enumeration district (ED) 161, p. 8b, dwelling 162; digital images, \i Ancestry.com\i0 (www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll T623_1224.
6) Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Hays (Wilkes, NC; Cabin Creek Road), Martin and Jannie Caudill joint marker, photographed by Debbie Pruitt, Sept/Oct 2008.
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| Family Bible of Martin and Janie Caudill (Click to enlarge) |
Martin Caudill and Janie Blevins were married September 16, 1894.
 |
| (Click to enlarge) |
They were the parents of fourteen children.
 |
| (Click to enlarge) |
Martin and Janie and their first nine children's birth dates seem to be recorded in the same handwriting and in the same ink. The next birth was in a different handwriting and different ink. This would suggest that Martin and Janie may have acquired their Bible between 1912 and 1913. Martin and Janie were both able to read and write, according to the census information recorded in 1910, 1920 and 1930. (2, 3, 4)
The marriages of several of their children were recorded.
 |
| (Click to enlarge) |
Martin and Janie lived in Basin Cove in Wilkes County, North Carolina, until after the birth of their son, Mack, in 1908. (5) They moved to Washington County,Virginia, where Martin was a laborer in a logging camp, prior to the birth of their daughter, Edna, in early 1910. The family returned to Basin Cove in 1915, and they were living there when the flood of 1916 washed away many houses and took the life of their young son, Cornelius, and also their daughter-in-law and her mother.
Several deaths are recorded in the Bible, including their daughter-in-law, two sons, and then their own deaths.
 |
| (Click to enlarge) |
My father-in-law recalls that each time one of his uncles or aunts needed to get a Delayed Birth Certificate, they would come borrow the Bible from his mother. And each time it was borrowed, it came back a little worse for the wear.
This Bible record is also most likely the source for Martin and Janie's birth, marriage and death dates as recorded on their joint tombstone at Walnut Grove Baptist Church. (6)
____________________________________________________
1) Caudill Family Bible Records, The Holy Bible, unknown publisher and unknown publication date, privately held by <name withheld for privacy> since 2002. Family pages were photographed March 2015.
2) 1910 U.S. census, Washington County, Virginia, population schedule, Holston Township, enumeration district (ED) 118, sheet Image 573, p. 12B, dwelling 227; digital images, \i Ancestry.com\i0 (www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T624, roll T624_1651.
3) 1920 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Walnut Grove, enumeration district (ED) 188, sheet Image 630, p. 10A, dwelling 178; digital images, \i Ancestry.com\i0 (www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T625, roll T625_1329.
4) 1930 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Walnut Grove Township, enumeration district (ED) 29, sheet 58, p. 1A, dwelling 8; digital images, \i Ancestry.com\i0 (www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T626, roll 1729.
5) 1900 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Walnut Grove Township, enumeration district (ED) 161, p. 8b, dwelling 162; digital images, \i Ancestry.com\i0 (www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll T623_1224.
6) Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Hays (Wilkes, NC; Cabin Creek Road), Martin and Jannie Caudill joint marker, photographed by Debbie Pruitt, Sept/Oct 2008.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
The Letters of Robert Sparks
Robert Sparks was married to Susan Durham, making him a brother-in-law of Elizabeth Durham Pruitt. While not directly related to my father-in-law's ancestors, the events in Robert's life undoubtedly affected all who knew him.
Robert, at age 38, was conscripted into the Confederate Army. He entered service on 28 April, 1863, as a private with Company E, 4th North Carolina Infantry. He deserted in May of the same year. [1]
By April 1864, one year later, Robert was under arrest for having deserting again. [2]
In a letter to his wife, Robert Sparks explained that he had been court martialed and sentenced to be shot to death on April 28th as "an example to scare others".
In a letter to his brother, he said that two other men were sentenced to be executed with him, J.F. Owens, son of Rev. John Owens, and Wm. W. Wyatt. Robert requested that his brother come and bring his body home and gave his brother directions for his burial.
Another letter written by Gideon Spicer informed Susan A. Sparks that he had witnessed the death of her husband that day.
Transcriptions of these letters are online here (along with the information that the letters were printed in the Tazewell (Virginia) Republican newspaper in 1893). [3] Biographical information about Robert and another copy of the letter transcriptions can be viewed here. [4]
Rev. A.D. Betts was a Confederate Chaplain who kept a diary about his experiences during the Civil War. An entry on page 58 of his diary simply states:
____________________________________________
[1] Compiled service Record, Robert Sparks, Pvt., Co. E, 4th North Carolina Infantry; Carded Records of Confederate Soldiers, Civil War, Record Group 109; digital images, subscription site, "NARA Roll 141," (Fold3.com, accessed 26 Feb 2015).
[2] Compiled service Record, Robert Sparks, Pvt., Co. E, 4th North Carolina Infantry; Carded Records of Confederate Soldiers, Civil War, Record Group 109; digital images, subscription site, "NARA Roll 141," (Fold3.com, accessed 26 Feb 2015).
[3] The Sad Letters of Robert Sparks (ca. 1824-1864) Written Shortly Before His Death; Russell E. Bidlack, Sparks Family Association; 30 October 2011.
[4] Tragic Letter Written by Robert Sparks (ca. 1824-1864) Three Days Before His Death; Sparks Family Association, 2 March 2012.
[5] 1860 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lower Division, p. 52, Image 104, dwelling 749, family 749, Robert Sparks household; digital images, www.ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653_918.
[6] 1870 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Trap Hill Township, p. 398B, Image 800, dwelling 146, family 145, Susanah Sparks household, digital images, www.ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration M593_1165.
Robert, at age 38, was conscripted into the Confederate Army. He entered service on 28 April, 1863, as a private with Company E, 4th North Carolina Infantry. He deserted in May of the same year. [1]
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| Robert Sparks, 4th NC Confederate Roll |
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| Robert Sparks, CSA, arrested for desertion |
In a letter to his wife, Robert Sparks explained that he had been court martialed and sentenced to be shot to death on April 28th as "an example to scare others".
In a letter to his brother, he said that two other men were sentenced to be executed with him, J.F. Owens, son of Rev. John Owens, and Wm. W. Wyatt. Robert requested that his brother come and bring his body home and gave his brother directions for his burial.
Another letter written by Gideon Spicer informed Susan A. Sparks that he had witnessed the death of her husband that day.
Transcriptions of these letters are online here (along with the information that the letters were printed in the Tazewell (Virginia) Republican newspaper in 1893). [3] Biographical information about Robert and another copy of the letter transcriptions can be viewed here. [4]
Rev. A.D. Betts was a Confederate Chaplain who kept a diary about his experiences during the Civil War. An entry on page 58 of his diary simply states:
Apr. 28 - See three men, from Wilkes County, shot for desertion
Robert Sparks was survived by his wife, Susan Durham Sparks, and five children. At the time of his death, Robert and Susan were the parents of three daughters, Martha, 16; Sarah, 13; Huldah, 10; and two sons, Bynum, 8; and Thomas, 3. [5 & 6] There were also, apparently, other children that did not live, as his last letter to his wife also told her to meet him "up yonder where my little babies is gone".
[1] Compiled service Record, Robert Sparks, Pvt., Co. E, 4th North Carolina Infantry; Carded Records of Confederate Soldiers, Civil War, Record Group 109; digital images, subscription site, "NARA Roll 141," (Fold3.com, accessed 26 Feb 2015).
[2] Compiled service Record, Robert Sparks, Pvt., Co. E, 4th North Carolina Infantry; Carded Records of Confederate Soldiers, Civil War, Record Group 109; digital images, subscription site, "NARA Roll 141," (Fold3.com, accessed 26 Feb 2015).
[3] The Sad Letters of Robert Sparks (ca. 1824-1864) Written Shortly Before His Death; Russell E. Bidlack, Sparks Family Association; 30 October 2011.
[4] Tragic Letter Written by Robert Sparks (ca. 1824-1864) Three Days Before His Death; Sparks Family Association, 2 March 2012.
[5] 1860 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lower Division, p. 52, Image 104, dwelling 749, family 749, Robert Sparks household; digital images, www.ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653_918.
[6] 1870 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Trap Hill Township, p. 398B, Image 800, dwelling 146, family 145, Susanah Sparks household, digital images, www.ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration M593_1165.
King Pruitt and the Bell Mountain Massacre
My father-in-law's great-grandfather, Hampton P. Pruitt, had a brother named Oliver King Pruitt (based upon available census data). They were sons of Joel Pruitt, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth Durham Pruitt.
In 1850, King was identified as a 9- year old boy. In 1860, Oliver K. was listed as a 16- year old. Taken together, his named is presumed to have been Oliver King Pruitt. He cannot be located in a census after the one taken in 1860. [1]
The next piece of information recorded about King Pruitt was recorded in a handwritten ledger kept by Levi Absher. Born in 1838, Levi Absher lived in northern Wilkes County and during his lifetime, kept a ledger in which he recorded birth and deaths, apparently family members and neighbors. Within the ledger is this notation: King Pruitt - Shot [2]
My father-in-law had never heard any stories about King Pruitt until a local researcher named Paul W. Gregory told him about the Bell Mountain Massacre. According to my father-in-law's recollections, Mr. Gregory told him that locals found out that raiders were planning to loot homes and a group of residents assembled to try to defend their properties. And that the raiders were actually the Home Guard, who should have been defending the neighbors, not attacking them. The group encountered the Home Guard near Bell Mountain in northern Wilkes County. According to my father-in-law, Mr. Gregory told him that King Pruitt was one of the casualties.
Mr. Gregory wrote a book, Early Settlers of Reddies River, published in 1976, in which he discussed what was known as the Bell Mountain Massacre. [3] He references the difficult conditions that existed in the South near the end of the war, the problems related to the general location of Northwest North Carolina, and the poor regard that many local residents had for the Home Guard. Regarding the events that occurred on December 2, 1864, Mr. Gregory said that:
"Complete details of what happened are not available; but we do know that when the smoke cleared that at least four of the defending citizens were killed."
Three members of the Sebastian family, Charles, Lewis and William, were killed, along with Thomas Shumate. Mr. Gregory further wrote:
Also reported to be killed, but unconfirmed by this writer were King Pruitt, Reubin Owens, W.W. Higgins and Wess Brown. Moses Frank Richardson and Lewis Sebastian, age 17 and son of William Sebastian, Jr. were among those who escaped the massacre."
and
"Another group of local citizens in the nearby community, hearing the shots, moved in and helped drive the attacking force across the mountain into Alleghany County."
Levi Absher's ledger listed several other men, in addition to King Pruitt, who were "Shot". These included Rubin Owens, Thomas Shumate, Lewis Sebastian, Charlie Sebastian, Billie Sebastian, W.W. Higgins, Little Wes. Brown, James Blackburn and Rila Hall.
Levi Absher's ledger does not include dates of death for these men, or in any way suggest that they were killed at the same time. Their names are not listed together, but are scattered throughout the list. However, except for James Blackburn and Rila Hall, the names in the ledger appear to match the names of those killed, or reportedly killed at Bell Mountain.
________________________________________
What do we know about the events of December 2, 1864?
Mr. Gregory provided background information about the circumstances and conditions that existed in the area, along with a record about what happened that day.
The Wilkes Journal-Patriot published an article in January 2015, the 150th anniversary of the final year of the Civil War, mentioning the Bell Mountain Massacre. You can read that article here.
In a genealogy forum in 2006, a descendant of William Sebastian provided a similar account of events.You can read that account here and an account from another descendent, posted in 2012, here. These links are broken, and I am unable to locate the original postings.
Nanalee Caudill quotes from "History of Alleghany County 1859 through 1976" The Battle of Caudill's Hill, page 255. You can read that here.
FindAGrave has a memorial for the daughter of Lewis Sebastian, who was one of the men killed that day. This memorial includes an account of those events, found here.
No accounts were contemporary with the events of December 1864. None of the accounts listed here, including Mr. Gregory's, provide any sources or references to newspaper reports, diaries, or any other records created at or near the time that these deaths occurred. We don't know whether or not Mr. Gregory viewed Levi Absher's ledger.
One of the accounts in the genealogy forum references records at the Wilkes County Courthouse. I have not yet located those records.
_______________________________________
And, what do we know about King Pruitt?
We know he was in the household of Joel and Elizabeth Pruitt in 1850 and 1860. We know that he can't be found in any later censuses. We know that the name King Pruitt was written by Levi Absher in his handwritten ledger, along with the word "Shot". Other names within this ledger were also listed as "Shot".
We don't know if King Pruitt was a part of the group that was trying to prevent looting, or if he was in the group of neighbors who heard the shooting and came to help. More information is needed, but records may never have been created, or may not survive.
______________________________________
[1] Information about King Pruitt's father can be found here.
[2] Levi Absher Ledger; published by the Wilkes Genealogical Society, 16 pages. This book can be ordered from the Wilkes Genealogical Society for $25.00 plus shipping, or $18.75 for a digital edition.
[3] Early Settlers of Reddies River; by Paul W. Gregory. Published by the Wilkes Genealogical Society, 1976. Pages 168-171. This book can be ordered from the Wilkes Genealogical Society for $8.00 plus shipping, or $6.00 for a digital edition.
In 1850, King was identified as a 9- year old boy. In 1860, Oliver K. was listed as a 16- year old. Taken together, his named is presumed to have been Oliver King Pruitt. He cannot be located in a census after the one taken in 1860. [1]
The next piece of information recorded about King Pruitt was recorded in a handwritten ledger kept by Levi Absher. Born in 1838, Levi Absher lived in northern Wilkes County and during his lifetime, kept a ledger in which he recorded birth and deaths, apparently family members and neighbors. Within the ledger is this notation: King Pruitt - Shot [2]
My father-in-law had never heard any stories about King Pruitt until a local researcher named Paul W. Gregory told him about the Bell Mountain Massacre. According to my father-in-law's recollections, Mr. Gregory told him that locals found out that raiders were planning to loot homes and a group of residents assembled to try to defend their properties. And that the raiders were actually the Home Guard, who should have been defending the neighbors, not attacking them. The group encountered the Home Guard near Bell Mountain in northern Wilkes County. According to my father-in-law, Mr. Gregory told him that King Pruitt was one of the casualties.
Mr. Gregory wrote a book, Early Settlers of Reddies River, published in 1976, in which he discussed what was known as the Bell Mountain Massacre. [3] He references the difficult conditions that existed in the South near the end of the war, the problems related to the general location of Northwest North Carolina, and the poor regard that many local residents had for the Home Guard. Regarding the events that occurred on December 2, 1864, Mr. Gregory said that:
"Complete details of what happened are not available; but we do know that when the smoke cleared that at least four of the defending citizens were killed."
Three members of the Sebastian family, Charles, Lewis and William, were killed, along with Thomas Shumate. Mr. Gregory further wrote:
Also reported to be killed, but unconfirmed by this writer were King Pruitt, Reubin Owens, W.W. Higgins and Wess Brown. Moses Frank Richardson and Lewis Sebastian, age 17 and son of William Sebastian, Jr. were among those who escaped the massacre."
and
"Another group of local citizens in the nearby community, hearing the shots, moved in and helped drive the attacking force across the mountain into Alleghany County."
Levi Absher's ledger listed several other men, in addition to King Pruitt, who were "Shot". These included Rubin Owens, Thomas Shumate, Lewis Sebastian, Charlie Sebastian, Billie Sebastian, W.W. Higgins, Little Wes. Brown, James Blackburn and Rila Hall.
Levi Absher's ledger does not include dates of death for these men, or in any way suggest that they were killed at the same time. Their names are not listed together, but are scattered throughout the list. However, except for James Blackburn and Rila Hall, the names in the ledger appear to match the names of those killed, or reportedly killed at Bell Mountain.
________________________________________
What do we know about the events of December 2, 1864?
Mr. Gregory provided background information about the circumstances and conditions that existed in the area, along with a record about what happened that day.
The Wilkes Journal-Patriot published an article in January 2015, the 150th anniversary of the final year of the Civil War, mentioning the Bell Mountain Massacre. You can read that article here.
In a genealogy forum in 2006, a descendant of William Sebastian provided a similar account of events.
Nanalee Caudill quotes from "History of Alleghany County 1859 through 1976" The Battle of Caudill's Hill, page 255. You can read that here.
FindAGrave has a memorial for the daughter of Lewis Sebastian, who was one of the men killed that day. This memorial includes an account of those events, found here.
No accounts were contemporary with the events of December 1864. None of the accounts listed here, including Mr. Gregory's, provide any sources or references to newspaper reports, diaries, or any other records created at or near the time that these deaths occurred. We don't know whether or not Mr. Gregory viewed Levi Absher's ledger.
One of the accounts in the genealogy forum references records at the Wilkes County Courthouse. I have not yet located those records.
_______________________________________
And, what do we know about King Pruitt?
We know he was in the household of Joel and Elizabeth Pruitt in 1850 and 1860. We know that he can't be found in any later censuses. We know that the name King Pruitt was written by Levi Absher in his handwritten ledger, along with the word "Shot". Other names within this ledger were also listed as "Shot".
We don't know if King Pruitt was a part of the group that was trying to prevent looting, or if he was in the group of neighbors who heard the shooting and came to help. More information is needed, but records may never have been created, or may not survive.
______________________________________
[1] Information about King Pruitt's father can be found here.
[2] Levi Absher Ledger; published by the Wilkes Genealogical Society, 16 pages. This book can be ordered from the Wilkes Genealogical Society for $25.00 plus shipping, or $18.75 for a digital edition.
[3] Early Settlers of Reddies River; by Paul W. Gregory. Published by the Wilkes Genealogical Society, 1976. Pages 168-171. This book can be ordered from the Wilkes Genealogical Society for $8.00 plus shipping, or $6.00 for a digital edition.
Elizabeth Durham Pruitt
Elizabeth Durham, the daughter of John Durham, was born around 1815-1820 in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
Elizabeth Durham married Joel Pruitt, Jr. on November 9, 1835 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. [1]
Elizabeth's father wrote a will in March 1847 (or possibly 1849) naming his children. In his will, he stated that he had "already given unto my four eldestchildren daughters, namely Elizabeth Pruitt wife of Joel Pruitt, Sally Creed wife of Henry Creed, Charlotte Sparks wife of Joel Sparks and Susan Sparkes wife of Robert Sparks their portion of my world estate." He also willed to his two younger daughters "twenty-five dollars about the amount given to my elder daughters." [3] This will was probated in July 1863, and not only confirms the name of Elizabeth's father, but it links her to her brother-in-law, whose story can be found here.
Information about Elizabeth and Joel's family can be found here.
The Civil War years were not kind to Elizabeth, as her father died, likely from old age, prior to July 1863. Her son, Hampton P. Pruitt, died from injuries received serving the Confederacy on December 15, 1863. Her brother-in-law, Robert Sparks, was executed for desertion in April 1864. Her son, King Pruitt, was apparently killed by the Home Guard in a skirmish in Wilkes County on December 2, 1864.
These are the deaths that we know about that touched Elizabeth's life over a few brief years.There may have been other family members who died during the Civil War that simply haven't been identified and linked to Elizabeth Durham Pruitt. She had at least four daughters who would have been old enough to have been married before or during the Civil War, but we don't know who any of their daughters married (yet). Elizabeth also had several brothers who were probably old enough to serve in the Civil War.
Sadly, Elizabeth's story was undoubtedly similar to many other families, on both sides of the conflict, throughout the Civil War.
______________________________________
[1] "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979" FamilySearch, Joel Prewitt and Elisabeath Durham, 9 Nov 1835. FHL microfilm 546,480
[2] Copy of photo received from Robyn Pruitt via email. Ownership of the original is unknown. Picture is damaged with large white spots. The female standing behind them may be a daughter.
[3] Wilkes, North Carolina, Will Books; Will of John Durham; digital images, FamilySearch.com; (accessed 24 Feb 2015)
Elizabeth Durham married Joel Pruitt, Jr. on November 9, 1835 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. [1]
 |
| Reportedly a photo of Joel Pruitt and Elizabeth Durham Pruitt, seated [2] (Click to enlarge) |
Elizabeth's father wrote a will in March 1847 (or possibly 1849) naming his children. In his will, he stated that he had "already given unto my four eldest
Information about Elizabeth and Joel's family can be found here.
The Civil War years were not kind to Elizabeth, as her father died, likely from old age, prior to July 1863. Her son, Hampton P. Pruitt, died from injuries received serving the Confederacy on December 15, 1863. Her brother-in-law, Robert Sparks, was executed for desertion in April 1864. Her son, King Pruitt, was apparently killed by the Home Guard in a skirmish in Wilkes County on December 2, 1864.
These are the deaths that we know about that touched Elizabeth's life over a few brief years.There may have been other family members who died during the Civil War that simply haven't been identified and linked to Elizabeth Durham Pruitt. She had at least four daughters who would have been old enough to have been married before or during the Civil War, but we don't know who any of their daughters married (yet). Elizabeth also had several brothers who were probably old enough to serve in the Civil War.
Sadly, Elizabeth's story was undoubtedly similar to many other families, on both sides of the conflict, throughout the Civil War.
______________________________________
[1] "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979" FamilySearch, Joel Prewitt and Elisabeath Durham, 9 Nov 1835. FHL microfilm 546,480
[2] Copy of photo received from Robyn Pruitt via email. Ownership of the original is unknown. Picture is damaged with large white spots. The female standing behind them may be a daughter.
[3] Wilkes, North Carolina, Will Books; Will of John Durham; digital images, FamilySearch.com; (accessed 24 Feb 2015)
Joel Pruitt, Jr.
Joel Pruitt, Jr. married Elizabeth Durham on November 9, 1835 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. [1]
The 1840 census identifies only the head of household. Other members of the household were identified only with "tic marks." Joel Pruitt's household included Joel, 20-30 years old; a female, also 20-30 years old; and three children under age five, one male and two females. The three children should be Augustus, Phebe and Alice, based upon their ages. [2]
In the 1850 census, Joel and Elizabeth were both 35 years old. Their family included Augustus, 14; Phebe, 12; Alice, 11; Hampton, 10; King, 9; Robert, 8; Mary, 7; Sarah 5; and Joel, 2. [3]
By 1860, the household included Joel, 45; Elizabeth, 40; Oliver K., 16; Mary, 14; Sarah, 11; Joel B., 9; Martha, 7; Julia Ann, 6; Charlotte, 3; and John, 1. Joel had aged ten years, Elizabeth aged five years, and the other members of the household seem to have aged seven years in a decade. [4]
In 1870, Joel, 55; Elizabeth, 50; Mary, 23; Martha, 18; Julia, 16; Charlotte, 14; and John, 12, were joined by Solomon, 10; Malinda, 8; and Frances, 4. [5]
By 1880, Joel, 65, and wife Elizabeth, 60, and daughters Martha, 26 (and single), Almeda, 18; and Franky 14; were joined by grandsons, Freland Pruitt, 4, and Esquire Pruitt, 3. This was the first census that identified the relationship of household member to the head of the household. [6]
No 1890 census survives.
Joel Pruitt's age in the various censuses seems to be consistent with a birth date of about 1815.
Elizabeth Durham Pruitt's age in 1850 suggested a birth date of about 1815. In the following three census years, her age suggests a birth date of about 1820. If she was indeed born in 1820, she was about 15 years old when she married. Her father, John Durham, married Keziah Ryon in January 1819. Unless he had been married previously, Elizabeth's earliest birth date would have been 1819.
In the absence of other information, children of Joel and Elizabeth Pruitt must be identified from the census data, and can be identified as (probably) the following family of seven sons and nine daughters:
1) The oldest identified son, Augustus Pruitt, born about 1836, married Matilda Gentry in 1866 and lived next door to his parents, Joel and Elizabeth, during the 1870 census. By 1880, he and his wife were living in Piney Creek in Ashe County, NC, with five children. In 1900, they were in Horse Creek township in Ashe County with two single adult children and a widowed daughter and two grandchildren. In 1910, Augustus was the father-in-law in a Kimball household in Merrick County, Nebraska. By 1920, Augustus was living with his son, Hardin, in McDowell County, West Virginia, where he died in 1923.
2) & 3) No further information has been identified about Phebe Pruitt, born about 1838, or Alice Pruitt, born about 1839. Since Phebe was 12 and Alice was 11 in the 1850 census, they may have been married and no longer living in their parent's household by the 1860 census.
4) Hampton Pruitt, born about 1840, married Mary Wagoner in 1862, and died while serving as a Confederate soldier, leaving behind one son, Adam Hampton "Hamp" Pruitt.
5) Oliver King Pruitt, born about 1841, is believed to have been killed by the Home Guard during the Bell Mountain Massacre on December 2, 1864.
6) Nothing more is known about Robert Pruitt, born about 1842, who would have been about 18 years old at the time of the 1860 census. He might have been living elsewhere, or could have died between the census dates.
7) Mary Pruitt, born about 1843, was living with her parents in 1870 with a stated age of 23, but not in their household by 1880. She may have married or she might have died.
8) Sarah Pruitt, born between 1845 and 1849, was enumerated as a 5- year old in 1860 and as an 11- year old at the time of the 1860 census. She was no longer in her parents household by the 1870 census. (A large gap between the birth of Sarah and the next child, Joel, may indicate that another child was born and died.)
9) Joel B. Pruitt was born about 1850, married in 1869, and by 1880, he was living with his wife, Sarah Caudill, in Piney Creek in Ashe County, NC, with four children. In 1900, Joel B. and Sarah were in Clifton Township, Ashe County, where Sarah reported that she was the mother of seven children, with six children living. Joel was still in Clifton Township in 1910, a widower, and he died in 1916 while living in Piney Creek Township in Ashe County.
10) Martha Pruitt was born about 1852, based upon her ages in the 1860 and 1870 censuses. She was identified as 26 years old and living with her parents in 1880. Nothing more is known about her.
11) & 12) Julia Ann Pruitt, born about 1854, and Charlotte Pruitt, born about 1856, were in their parents' household in 1870 as 16- and 14-year olds, respectively. Nothing more is known about either of them.
13) John Pruitt was born around 1858 and was living with his parents in 1870 as a 12-year old. By 1880, he was living with his older brother, Joel, in Ashe County, NC. Nothing more is known about John after 1880.
14) Solomon L. Pruitt was born about 1860. He married Phoebe Jane Wagner by 1880, when he was enumerated (under the name Dock Pruitt) with his young wife in her mother's household in Mulberry, NC. In 1910, in Mulberry Township, Phoebe reported that she was the mother of seven children, with six children living. In 1920 and 1930, Solomon and Phoebe remained in Mulberry, NC. Solomon died December 21, 1930.
15) Identified in 1870 as 8-year old Malinda Pruitt and in 1880 as 18-year old Almeda Pruitt, this appears to be the same person. Nothing more is known about her.
16) Frances Pruitt was 14 years old when enumerated in her parent's household in 1880. Nothing more is known about her.
Dates of death are not known for Joel Pruitt, Jr. or for his wife, Elizabeth Durham. Burial locations are also unknown. An online tree at Ancestry.com provides a death year for Joel of 1885, and a death date of February 26, 1887 for Elizabeth. No sources were provided for this information, however. [7]
________________________________
Of the seven sons of Joel and Elizabeth Pruitt, five can be accounted for (Hampton and King, who died during the Civil War, and Augustus, Joel and Solomon). Robert cannot be found after age 18, and John cannot be found after age 22. They may have moved away, they may have died, or they might have begun using a middle name and just can't be recognized.
Of the nine daughters in this family, after they leave the household of their parents, not any of them can be accounted for (at this point). Along with the possibilities that exist with their brothers (moving away, dying, or using a middle name) the obvious possibility is that marrying and taking their husband's surname makes them nearly impossible to locate in the census. Marriage records were checked, but are incomplete for this time frame in North Carolina.
UPDATE: Additional information about some of the daughters in this family has been posted here. More is now known about five of the nine daughters!
_________________________________
[1] "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979" FamilySearch, Joel Prewitt and Elisabeath Durham, 9 Nov 1835. FHL microfilm 546,480
[2] 1840 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, p. 30 (written), Joel Pruitt; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M704, roll 373.
[3] 1850 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, p. 310, Image 123, dwelling 906, family 906, Joel Pruett; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432, roll M432_649.
[4] 1860 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lower Division, p. 1, Image 4, dwelling 12, family 12, Joel Prewett; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll M653_918.
[5] 1870 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Union Township, p. 408, Image 817, dwelling 80, family 80, Joel Pruet; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M593, roll M593-1165.
[6] 1880 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Mulberry Township, enumeration district (ED) 208, p. 63.4, dwelling 41, family 44, Joel Pruitt; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll T9_987.
[7] Wyatt/ Church Family Tree, Ancestry.com
 |
| 1835 Marriage Bond for Joel Pruitt and Elizabeth Durham (Click to enlarge) |
The 1840 census identifies only the head of household. Other members of the household were identified only with "tic marks." Joel Pruitt's household included Joel, 20-30 years old; a female, also 20-30 years old; and three children under age five, one male and two females. The three children should be Augustus, Phebe and Alice, based upon their ages. [2]
 |
| Joel Pruitt, Jr. household in 1840 |
In the 1850 census, Joel and Elizabeth were both 35 years old. Their family included Augustus, 14; Phebe, 12; Alice, 11; Hampton, 10; King, 9; Robert, 8; Mary, 7; Sarah 5; and Joel, 2. [3]
 |
| Joel Pruitt, Jr. household in 1850 (Click to enlarge) |
By 1860, the household included Joel, 45; Elizabeth, 40; Oliver K., 16; Mary, 14; Sarah, 11; Joel B., 9; Martha, 7; Julia Ann, 6; Charlotte, 3; and John, 1. Joel had aged ten years, Elizabeth aged five years, and the other members of the household seem to have aged seven years in a decade. [4]
 |
| Joel Pruitt, Jr. household in 1860 (Click to enlarge) |
In 1870, Joel, 55; Elizabeth, 50; Mary, 23; Martha, 18; Julia, 16; Charlotte, 14; and John, 12, were joined by Solomon, 10; Malinda, 8; and Frances, 4. [5]
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| Joel Pruitt, Jr. household in 1870, on two pages (Click to enlarge) |
By 1880, Joel, 65, and wife Elizabeth, 60, and daughters Martha, 26 (and single), Almeda, 18; and Franky 14; were joined by grandsons, Freland Pruitt, 4, and Esquire Pruitt, 3. This was the first census that identified the relationship of household member to the head of the household. [6]
 |
| Joel Pruit, Jr. household in 1880 (Click to enlarge) |
No 1890 census survives.
Joel Pruitt's age in the various censuses seems to be consistent with a birth date of about 1815.
Elizabeth Durham Pruitt's age in 1850 suggested a birth date of about 1815. In the following three census years, her age suggests a birth date of about 1820. If she was indeed born in 1820, she was about 15 years old when she married. Her father, John Durham, married Keziah Ryon in January 1819. Unless he had been married previously, Elizabeth's earliest birth date would have been 1819.
In the absence of other information, children of Joel and Elizabeth Pruitt must be identified from the census data, and can be identified as (probably) the following family of seven sons and nine daughters:
1) The oldest identified son, Augustus Pruitt, born about 1836, married Matilda Gentry in 1866 and lived next door to his parents, Joel and Elizabeth, during the 1870 census. By 1880, he and his wife were living in Piney Creek in Ashe County, NC, with five children. In 1900, they were in Horse Creek township in Ashe County with two single adult children and a widowed daughter and two grandchildren. In 1910, Augustus was the father-in-law in a Kimball household in Merrick County, Nebraska. By 1920, Augustus was living with his son, Hardin, in McDowell County, West Virginia, where he died in 1923.
2) & 3) No further information has been identified about Phebe Pruitt, born about 1838, or Alice Pruitt, born about 1839. Since Phebe was 12 and Alice was 11 in the 1850 census, they may have been married and no longer living in their parent's household by the 1860 census.
4) Hampton Pruitt, born about 1840, married Mary Wagoner in 1862, and died while serving as a Confederate soldier, leaving behind one son, Adam Hampton "Hamp" Pruitt.
5) Oliver King Pruitt, born about 1841, is believed to have been killed by the Home Guard during the Bell Mountain Massacre on December 2, 1864.
6) Nothing more is known about Robert Pruitt, born about 1842, who would have been about 18 years old at the time of the 1860 census. He might have been living elsewhere, or could have died between the census dates.
7) Mary Pruitt, born about 1843, was living with her parents in 1870 with a stated age of 23, but not in their household by 1880. She may have married or she might have died.
8) Sarah Pruitt, born between 1845 and 1849, was enumerated as a 5- year old in 1860 and as an 11- year old at the time of the 1860 census. She was no longer in her parents household by the 1870 census. (A large gap between the birth of Sarah and the next child, Joel, may indicate that another child was born and died.)
9) Joel B. Pruitt was born about 1850, married in 1869, and by 1880, he was living with his wife, Sarah Caudill, in Piney Creek in Ashe County, NC, with four children. In 1900, Joel B. and Sarah were in Clifton Township, Ashe County, where Sarah reported that she was the mother of seven children, with six children living. Joel was still in Clifton Township in 1910, a widower, and he died in 1916 while living in Piney Creek Township in Ashe County.
10) Martha Pruitt was born about 1852, based upon her ages in the 1860 and 1870 censuses. She was identified as 26 years old and living with her parents in 1880. Nothing more is known about her.
11) & 12) Julia Ann Pruitt, born about 1854, and Charlotte Pruitt, born about 1856, were in their parents' household in 1870 as 16- and 14-year olds, respectively. Nothing more is known about either of them.
13) John Pruitt was born around 1858 and was living with his parents in 1870 as a 12-year old. By 1880, he was living with his older brother, Joel, in Ashe County, NC. Nothing more is known about John after 1880.
14) Solomon L. Pruitt was born about 1860. He married Phoebe Jane Wagner by 1880, when he was enumerated (under the name Dock Pruitt) with his young wife in her mother's household in Mulberry, NC. In 1910, in Mulberry Township, Phoebe reported that she was the mother of seven children, with six children living. In 1920 and 1930, Solomon and Phoebe remained in Mulberry, NC. Solomon died December 21, 1930.
15) Identified in 1870 as 8-year old Malinda Pruitt and in 1880 as 18-year old Almeda Pruitt, this appears to be the same person. Nothing more is known about her.
16) Frances Pruitt was 14 years old when enumerated in her parent's household in 1880. Nothing more is known about her.
Dates of death are not known for Joel Pruitt, Jr. or for his wife, Elizabeth Durham. Burial locations are also unknown. An online tree at Ancestry.com provides a death year for Joel of 1885, and a death date of February 26, 1887 for Elizabeth. No sources were provided for this information, however. [7]
________________________________
Of the seven sons of Joel and Elizabeth Pruitt, five can be accounted for (Hampton and King, who died during the Civil War, and Augustus, Joel and Solomon). Robert cannot be found after age 18, and John cannot be found after age 22. They may have moved away, they may have died, or they might have begun using a middle name and just can't be recognized.
Of the nine daughters in this family, after they leave the household of their parents, not any of them can be accounted for (at this point). Along with the possibilities that exist with their brothers (moving away, dying, or using a middle name) the obvious possibility is that marrying and taking their husband's surname makes them nearly impossible to locate in the census. Marriage records were checked, but are incomplete for this time frame in North Carolina.
UPDATE: Additional information about some of the daughters in this family has been posted here. More is now known about five of the nine daughters!
_________________________________
[1] "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979" FamilySearch, Joel Prewitt and Elisabeath Durham, 9 Nov 1835. FHL microfilm 546,480
[2] 1840 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, p. 30 (written), Joel Pruitt; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M704, roll 373.
[3] 1850 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, p. 310, Image 123, dwelling 906, family 906, Joel Pruett; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432, roll M432_649.
[4] 1860 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lower Division, p. 1, Image 4, dwelling 12, family 12, Joel Prewett; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll M653_918.
[5] 1870 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Union Township, p. 408, Image 817, dwelling 80, family 80, Joel Pruet; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M593, roll M593-1165.
[6] 1880 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Mulberry Township, enumeration district (ED) 208, p. 63.4, dwelling 41, family 44, Joel Pruitt; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll T9_987.
[7] Wyatt/ Church Family Tree, Ancestry.com
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Mary Wagoner Pruitt
Mary Wagoner (or Waggoner) was born in 1840, the daughter of Adam and Sarah Waggoner. In 1850, ten-year old Polly (a very common nickname for Mary) was in the household of her parents, along with her sisters, Matilda, 16; Betsy, 13; Lucinda, 3; and Margaret, 1. They lived in Ashe County, North Carolina. [1]
In 1860, 20-year old Polly was in the household of her parents, along with her sisters, Lucy, 14; and Peggy, 11. They lived in Alleghany County, North Carolina, which was formed from Ashe in 1859. The names of their neighbors seem to be very similar in 1850 and 1860, so they likely didn't move, but instead, the name of the county changed. [2]
Mary married Hampton P. Pruitt on June 1, 1862. Hampton obtained a bond to marry in Wilkes County, North Carolina, on May 31, 1862, and signed the bond by making his mark. They married the following day, on June 1, 1862. [3] Hampton and Mary were both around 22 years old at the time of their marriage.
Hampton and Mary had one son, Adam Hampton Pruitt, who was called "Hamp". Mary became a widow on December 15, 1863, when her husband died in Northern Virginia while serving the Confederacy. [4] Mary would have been around 23 years old, with a child who was less than a year old.
By 1870, Mary Pruitt was again living with her parents and sister, Margaret, this time in Union Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina. Mary's son, Adam Hampton Pruitt, who was six years old, was mis-identified by the enumerator as "Andrew". Relationships were not stated in the 1870 census, but occupations were identified. Mary is listed as a "domestic servant" who cannot read or write. [5]
The 1880 census was the first time that relationships were given between the head of the household and the people living in the household. In 1880 in Walnut Grove Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, Mary Pruitt, age 38, and Hampton Pruitt, age 16, were living in the household of John P. Adams and his wife, Lucinda. John's occupation was listed as farmer; however, he was "Unable to work for the previous twelve months of the census year". The 1880 census had a column titled "Maimed, Crippled, Bedridden, or otherwise disabled" and John P. Adams had a mark in that column, indicating that this description applied to him. The condition that affected John was listed as "Scrofula". Also in the household were John's wife, Lucinda, and their four children, William M. Adams, age 9; Margaret, age 7; Ambrose C., age 5; and Sarah E. Adams, age 4. Mary Pruitt is listed as "w-Sister", presumably meaning "wife's sister", and is identified as a widow. Hampton Pruitt is 16 years old, listed as a farm laborer.
John Adams was Mary Wagoner Pruitt's brother-in-law, husband of Lucinda Wagoner Adams, one of Mary's younger sisters. He was suffering from scrofula, which was most likely tuberculosis of the lymph nodes in the neck. [6]
Thus, this household consisted of John, apparently unable to work and possibly bedridden; two women, sisters Lucy and Mary; Hamp; and four children under the age of ten. Hamp was almost certainly doing a man's job in providing for the household by working on the farm at age sixteen. [7]
Hamp married in December of 1885, and there is no surviving 1890 census. We have no information about whether Mary remained in her sister's household for a period of time after Hamp's marriage, or if she shared their home from the beginning of her son's marriage.
By 1900, Hamp and his wife, Samantha, were living in Walnut Grove Township with their oldest seven children, plus Hamp's mother Mary Pruitt. Mary's age is given as 63, and lists a birth month and year of July 1846. However, an age of 63 would indicate a birth year of 1837. So this information does not shed any light on her year of birth, although it does provide a probable month (July). [8]
In 1901, Mary applied for a Widow's Pension from the state of North Carolina, based upon the service of her husband, Hampton, thirty-eight years following his death while serving in the Confederate Army. She supplied information stating that Hampton "received a severe wound in the arm and was carried to Orange Court House and while there in the Horse pittle contracted pneumonia fever and died." [9] We have no record about whether Mary actually received a pension or not.
A handwritten list, presumably copied from Bible pages, provides a date of death for Mary Pruitt. This listing says that Mary died on April 10, 1904. [10] My father-in-law remembers being told that Mary was buried at Walnut Grove Baptist Church, just past Hamp and Samantha's graves, but there is no marker for Mary in the cemetery. There are a couple of cinder blocks that were placed on unnamed graves in the 1950's - perhaps one of these graves is where Mary was laid to rest. The following photograph shows the joint marker for Hamp and Samantha (in the lower left corner) and cinder blocks with the grass scraped away for visibility. [11]
As an interesting side note, the 1880 household that included Hamp and his mother, Mary, also included Hamp's Aunt Lucy and first cousin, Ambrose Adams. Hamp married Samantha Blevins in 1885. Following Hamp's death in 1916, Hamp's widow, Samantha, eventually married Ambrose Adams in 1931. Samantha and Ambrose lived with "Aunt Lucy" - likely on the same property where Hamp lived and worked as a teenager, possibly even in the same house.
_____________________________________________________
(Please be aware that names were spelled various ways in the past. You will see Wagoner/Waggoner, Pruitt/Prewitt/Pruit/Pruitte, and Adams/Adamss in old documents. Spelling of surnames didn't become consistent until after Social Security was established in 1935.)
[1] 1850 U.S. census, Ashe County, North Carolina, population schedule, p. 252, Image 30, dwelling 204, family 204, Adam Waggoner; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432, roll M432-620.
[2] 1860 U.S. census, Alleghany County, North Carolina, population schedule, p. 200, Image 400, dwelling 384, family 300, Adam Waggoner; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll M653_886.
[3] Ancestry.com, North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868 (digital image by subscription), Bond # 168664.
[4] Compiled service record, Hampton Pruitt, Pvt., Co. G, 30 North Carolina Infantry; Carded Records of Confederate Soldiers, Civil War; Record Group 109; digital images, "NARA Roll 0360".
[5] 1870 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Union Township, p. 409, Image 818, dwelling 85, family 85, Adam Wagoner; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M593, roll M593_1165.
[6] http://genealogy-quest.com/glossary-terms/diseases/medical-terminology-beginning-letter-s/
[7] 1880 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Walnut Grove Township, enumeration district (ED) 207, p. 59.3, dwelling 170, family 170, John P. Adamss household; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll T9_987.
[8] 1900 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Walnut Grove, enumeration district (ED) 161, p. 12B, dwelling 233; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll T623_1224.
[9] North Carolina, "Civil War Confederate Pensions," Hampton Pruitt; digital images, State Archives and State Library of NC, 1901 Confederate Pension Applications,"North Carolina Digital Collections".
[10] This list includes the birth years for all the children of Adam Hampton Pruitt and his wife, Samantha Blevins Pruitt, and includes the 1886 birth and death dates of a daughter that is not recorded anywhere else. Included in this list are birth dates for Adam Hampton Pruitt and Samantha Blevins, and death dates for Mary Pruitt.
[11] Photograph taken by Debbie Hendren Pruitt at Walnut Grove Baptist Church, 4650 Cabin Creek Road, Hays, NC.
In 1860, 20-year old Polly was in the household of her parents, along with her sisters, Lucy, 14; and Peggy, 11. They lived in Alleghany County, North Carolina, which was formed from Ashe in 1859. The names of their neighbors seem to be very similar in 1850 and 1860, so they likely didn't move, but instead, the name of the county changed. [2]
Mary married Hampton P. Pruitt on June 1, 1862. Hampton obtained a bond to marry in Wilkes County, North Carolina, on May 31, 1862, and signed the bond by making his mark. They married the following day, on June 1, 1862. [3] Hampton and Mary were both around 22 years old at the time of their marriage.
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| 1862 Marriage of Hampton Pruitt and Mary Wagoner (Click to enlarge) |
Hampton and Mary had one son, Adam Hampton Pruitt, who was called "Hamp". Mary became a widow on December 15, 1863, when her husband died in Northern Virginia while serving the Confederacy. [4] Mary would have been around 23 years old, with a child who was less than a year old.
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| Death of Hampton Pruitt in December 1863 (Click to enlarge) |
By 1870, Mary Pruitt was again living with her parents and sister, Margaret, this time in Union Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina. Mary's son, Adam Hampton Pruitt, who was six years old, was mis-identified by the enumerator as "Andrew". Relationships were not stated in the 1870 census, but occupations were identified. Mary is listed as a "domestic servant" who cannot read or write. [5]
 |
| Mary Pruitt and son Hamp in the 1870 census (Click to enlarge) |
The 1880 census was the first time that relationships were given between the head of the household and the people living in the household. In 1880 in Walnut Grove Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, Mary Pruitt, age 38, and Hampton Pruitt, age 16, were living in the household of John P. Adams and his wife, Lucinda. John's occupation was listed as farmer; however, he was "Unable to work for the previous twelve months of the census year". The 1880 census had a column titled "Maimed, Crippled, Bedridden, or otherwise disabled" and John P. Adams had a mark in that column, indicating that this description applied to him. The condition that affected John was listed as "Scrofula". Also in the household were John's wife, Lucinda, and their four children, William M. Adams, age 9; Margaret, age 7; Ambrose C., age 5; and Sarah E. Adams, age 4. Mary Pruitt is listed as "w-Sister", presumably meaning "wife's sister", and is identified as a widow. Hampton Pruitt is 16 years old, listed as a farm laborer.
John Adams was Mary Wagoner Pruitt's brother-in-law, husband of Lucinda Wagoner Adams, one of Mary's younger sisters. He was suffering from scrofula, which was most likely tuberculosis of the lymph nodes in the neck. [6]
Thus, this household consisted of John, apparently unable to work and possibly bedridden; two women, sisters Lucy and Mary; Hamp; and four children under the age of ten. Hamp was almost certainly doing a man's job in providing for the household by working on the farm at age sixteen. [7]
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| Mary Pruitt and son Hamp in the 1880 census (Click to enlarge) |
Hamp married in December of 1885, and there is no surviving 1890 census. We have no information about whether Mary remained in her sister's household for a period of time after Hamp's marriage, or if she shared their home from the beginning of her son's marriage.
By 1900, Hamp and his wife, Samantha, were living in Walnut Grove Township with their oldest seven children, plus Hamp's mother Mary Pruitt. Mary's age is given as 63, and lists a birth month and year of July 1846. However, an age of 63 would indicate a birth year of 1837. So this information does not shed any light on her year of birth, although it does provide a probable month (July). [8]
 |
| Mary Pruitt, living with her son Hamp Pruitt, in 1900 (Click to enlarge) |
In 1901, Mary applied for a Widow's Pension from the state of North Carolina, based upon the service of her husband, Hampton, thirty-eight years following his death while serving in the Confederate Army. She supplied information stating that Hampton "received a severe wound in the arm and was carried to Orange Court House and while there in the Horse pittle contracted pneumonia fever and died." [9] We have no record about whether Mary actually received a pension or not.
 |
| Mary Pruitt's Widow's Application for Pension (Click to enlarge) |
A handwritten list, presumably copied from Bible pages, provides a date of death for Mary Pruitt. This listing says that Mary died on April 10, 1904. [10] My father-in-law remembers being told that Mary was buried at Walnut Grove Baptist Church, just past Hamp and Samantha's graves, but there is no marker for Mary in the cemetery. There are a couple of cinder blocks that were placed on unnamed graves in the 1950's - perhaps one of these graves is where Mary was laid to rest. The following photograph shows the joint marker for Hamp and Samantha (in the lower left corner) and cinder blocks with the grass scraped away for visibility. [11]
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| Possible location of Mary Wagoner Pruitt's grave (Click to enlarge) |
As an interesting side note, the 1880 household that included Hamp and his mother, Mary, also included Hamp's Aunt Lucy and first cousin, Ambrose Adams. Hamp married Samantha Blevins in 1885. Following Hamp's death in 1916, Hamp's widow, Samantha, eventually married Ambrose Adams in 1931. Samantha and Ambrose lived with "Aunt Lucy" - likely on the same property where Hamp lived and worked as a teenager, possibly even in the same house.
_____________________________________________________
(Please be aware that names were spelled various ways in the past. You will see Wagoner/Waggoner, Pruitt/Prewitt/Pruit/Pruitte, and Adams/Adamss in old documents. Spelling of surnames didn't become consistent until after Social Security was established in 1935.)
[1] 1850 U.S. census, Ashe County, North Carolina, population schedule, p. 252, Image 30, dwelling 204, family 204, Adam Waggoner; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432, roll M432-620.
[2] 1860 U.S. census, Alleghany County, North Carolina, population schedule, p. 200, Image 400, dwelling 384, family 300, Adam Waggoner; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll M653_886.
[3] Ancestry.com, North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868 (digital image by subscription), Bond # 168664.
[4] Compiled service record, Hampton Pruitt, Pvt., Co. G, 30 North Carolina Infantry; Carded Records of Confederate Soldiers, Civil War; Record Group 109; digital images, "NARA Roll 0360".
[5] 1870 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Union Township, p. 409, Image 818, dwelling 85, family 85, Adam Wagoner; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M593, roll M593_1165.
[6] http://genealogy-quest.com/glossary-terms/diseases/medical-terminology-beginning-letter-s/
[7] 1880 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Walnut Grove Township, enumeration district (ED) 207, p. 59.3, dwelling 170, family 170, John P. Adamss household; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll T9_987.
[8] 1900 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Walnut Grove, enumeration district (ED) 161, p. 12B, dwelling 233; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll T623_1224.
[9] North Carolina, "Civil War Confederate Pensions," Hampton Pruitt; digital images, State Archives and State Library of NC, 1901 Confederate Pension Applications,"North Carolina Digital Collections".
[10] This list includes the birth years for all the children of Adam Hampton Pruitt and his wife, Samantha Blevins Pruitt, and includes the 1886 birth and death dates of a daughter that is not recorded anywhere else. Included in this list are birth dates for Adam Hampton Pruitt and Samantha Blevins, and death dates for Mary Pruitt.
[11] Photograph taken by Debbie Hendren Pruitt at Walnut Grove Baptist Church, 4650 Cabin Creek Road, Hays, NC.
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