Thursday, May 17, 2018

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 20

Margaret Amanda Atkins/Adkins Alexander

She was called Amanda all of her life. She was born January 14, 1847 in Jackson County, Indiana to James Hite and Margaret Harper [Stillwell] Adkins/Atkins. She was the 6th of 7 children.

In the 1850 US Census she is with her parents in Jackson County, Indiana. She is 4 years old.

In 1860 Amanda would be barely 14, but I have not found the family in the 1860 census. I have looked. Just not there.

To me it is disturbing that John W. Alexander and Amanda were married on December 29, 1861 in Brownstown, Jackson, Indiana. She would have been 15. Not really surprising though. I have many females married very young. In some records he is listed as John H., but most show him as John W. His father was John H. Alexander. I think I will change his middle initial in my program to W, as that is most often used. I'll make a not about it.

Together, they produced 7 children: Edward, Sarah E., Charles E., John Everett, Anna C., William Hays, my great-grandfather, and Catherine "Kate" Alexander.

In 1870 they are listed. Amanda is 22 years old. She's listed as Margaret A. Sarah E. is 6, and Charles is 4 months.

In 1880 the census shows that Amanda is 33 years old and has Charles E. age 9, John E. age 7, and Anna C. age 5, at home. Sarah is missing and I still have to find her. The census was taken in June of this year, and in October my great-grandfather would be born. Catherine should be listed in this census, but she is missing.

The 1900 census shows the family still in Jackson County, Indiana. Amanda is listed as Amanda for the first time. She is 53 years old and has been married for 38 years. William H. is the only child left in the nest. He is 20. Living next door is Katie, Catherine Alexander, aged 16 and her husband John Wilkerson. They are listed as having been married 0 years. Newly weds!

Amanda's husband, John W. Alexander died on the 4th of August, 1904.

In the 1910 census Amanda is found with her son John Everett Alexander, he is widowed, Amanda is 63, and a granddaughter, Mabel who is 10. Amanda is often in the gossip clips in the local newspaper going visiting with Mable. I think they were quite close.

On April 22, 1914 in Seymour, Jackson, Indiana, Amanda died. She was 67 years old. AT that time she was in the city living with her son, William Hays and Olive [Martin] Alexander.  She was buried in Liberty cemetery by her husband.

Her Obituary read:
Mrs. Amanda Alexander was born Jan. 14, 1849, and died April 22, 1914, at the home of her son, Will, at Seymour, aged 65 years, 3 months and 8 days. She leaves to mourn their loss two sons and two daughters, viz: Will, of Seymour; John, of Indianapolis; Mrs. Kate Wilkerson, of Bedford, Mrs. Anna Lane, of near Zelma, and a host of friends and relatives. She was a kind and affectionate mother and a faithful neighbor and her smile will not be forgotten by those who knew her. She expressed her willingness to go several times before her death.

The remains were brought here, Saturday a.m., and taken to Liberty. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. I.E. Fish after which she was laid to rest beside her husband in the cemetery there.

Source text:
1850 U.S. Census, Hamilton, Jackson, Indiana, (Hamilton, Jackson, Indiana); , Digital GS number: 4192456, FamilySearch.
1870 U.S. Census, Jackson County, Indiana, (Hamilton TWP); Dwelling 168 Family 168, Series: M593, Roll: 326 Page: 388, Heritage Quest.
1880 U.S. Census, Jackson County, Indiana, (Hamilton TWP); Dwelling 123 Family 132, Series: T9, Roll: 286 Page: 82, Heritage Quest.
1900 U.S. Census, Jackson County, Indiana, (Owen TWP); , Series: T623, Heritage Quest.
1910 U.S. Census, Jackson County, Indiana, (Owen TWP); , Series: T624, Heritage Quest.
The Tribune. Seymour, Indiana, 23 April 1914.


#52ancestors #Adkins/Atkins #Alexander

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