What Happened to Kate? Part 1

Thomas Probert died of cirrhosis of the liver on October 9, 1876. His widow, Kate, was only 39 years old. I have no knowledge of when Thomas recognized that he was ill and what impact this knowledge may have had on his wife and two young children still at home. However, there are a couple of records that give me a clue.

Nine months before Thomas' death, Kate and Thomas sold their billiard table and its fixtures for $150. Did they need the cash or recognize that there would no longer be any need for these items? Note that in 1876, women did not typically conduct their own business, and Thomas acted as Kate's agent for the sale. It was the end of an era.

Thomas was not able to submit his final request for reimbursement for prisoners kept in his jail. I was able to uncover an invoice submitted in Kate's name at the Kentucky archives. Based on this invoice, it seems as if Thomas only kept prisoners through July, 1876.

The invoice was submitted for reimbursement on December 23, 1876. Kate is noted in the document as the "Administratrix of T.H. Probert, deceased." So how would she support herself and his children now? There are some clues in the paperwork.