How Are We Related?

My brother, Tom, asked me to remind him how we are related to Thomas Probert. My brother, Dan, asked me what was it about Thomas that made me want to write about him? In addition, he wanted to know how I decide which ancestor to write about. Good questions -- especially for extended family who may be reading this blog -- and I appreciate all of you.

To answer Tom's question, Thomas Probert is our paternal gg-grandfather. Here is a chart that shows this relationship. If you recall, Thomas was married twice. We are descended through Mary Elizabeth Diamond who died, as did her baby, shortly after the birth of her first son. The cause of death is listed as "consumption," or what we now know as tuberculosis.

After being found not guilty in the killing of Jacob Spears, Thomas married a second time to "Kate" Richardson. The new family moved to Mt. Sterling and started a new life. This past month, I focused on Thomas' and Kate's life in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., Kentucky. Our cousin, Barbara Kaiser Pharo, is a direct descendant of Kate. This second chart would apply to her.

To answer Dan's question, I am always trying to discover information about our ancestors. Some are easier to research than others. For example, Thomas left quite a paper trail as the result of working in a government position. He was also featured in numerous newspaper articles as a result of the killing of Jacob Spears. Ancestors who served in the military are also great subjects because they, or their widows, often filed for a pension. You can order copies of their pensions from the National Archives. These records often provide great documentation as the widow, for instance, had to prove their marriage and the births of all of their children. These can be a gold mine.

So I go where the evidence leads me. Although I have written about our Wainright ancestors in the past, I submitted an application to become a Daughter of the American Revolution, I really had to tighten up some of the information I had to make the case that Vincent Wainwright, Minute Man from New Jersey, was a direct ancestor. My application was approved. The Wainright/Wainwright line is going to be the focus of my next writings because I found so additional information on their lives in Cincinnati along the Ohio River.

I appreciate all of you who read these posts. You, my readers, really do keep me motivated to continue. Thanks for following along.

Kathy
February 2015

What Happened to Kate? - Part 3

I do not know how Kate was able to support herself and her children after Thomas' death -- at least initially. Three years after she purchased her home on North Maysville, she is listed in the 1880 Census as "keeping house." Unfortunately, we do not have the benefit of an 1890 Census, so we have to rely on other documents.

In 1893 after living in the Maysville home for 16 years, Kate sold her home in 1893.What's interesting about this sale is that the owners include Kate, but also her adult daughters Mary Lou and Maude, and Maude's husband James Casey.

The sale included the following:

It is understood between Mrs. Kate Probert, Mrs Mary Lou Gorman and Mrs. Maud Casey and her husband James Casey that the said three thousand dollars is to be paid to T. F. Rogers to be invested by him under the direction of Mrs. Kate Probert in real estate, bank stock, bonds, or building . . ." It is designated that these assets, including interest, is for her use during her natural life, then to be divided equally among her two daughters.

By the 1900 Census, Kate and her extended family were living on Sycamore Street. In addition to Kate, her household included:

• Mary Lou Gorman, daughter, age 34, widowed, mother of four children with two living. She is listed as a "trained nurse."
• Katie Gorman, granddaughter, age 18, at school
• Ida Gorman, granddaughter, age 11, at school
• Maud Casey, daughter, age 28, widowed, mother of two children with one living, dressmaker.
• Maud Casey, granddaughter, age 3
• Maggie Story, granddaughter, age 26, seamstress

It is surprising that both daughters are widowed at ages 34 and 26 respectively. The other surprise is that Maggie Story is the daughter of Addie, Kate's stepdaughter. And as we shall see in the next post, Kate is ill.

What Happened to Kate? - Part 2

This we know for certain. Shortly after Thomas' death in October, 1876, Kate purchased a home located at this address on North Maysville, next door to the property of George Everett. We also know that the house underwent extensive remodeling and additions were added. What we don't know is whether or not parts of this beautiful structure were part of what she purchased.

Apparently, the Odd Fellows played some role in helping her get on her feet after Thomas died. One of the key members of the Odd Fellows, D.B. Garrison, provided assistance in one way or another for Kate to purchase this home. The total purchase price for this home in February, 1877, was $2700, The house was purchased within three months of Thomas' death.

Three years later, Kate and her daughters Mary Lou and "Maudia" were listed in the 1880 Census. Kate was listed as "keeping house" and the two girls were "at school."

I do know from other records, that Kate must have tried to bring in some income, because the Records of the Montgomery County Circuit Court include several instances where Kate had to sue to recover payment for services rendered.

These four lawsuits sought the recovery of $56.65 in 1877 dollars. It seems incredible that Kate would have to go to court to seek payment, but in looking at other records, this seemed to be common practice. It doesn't say what work she had completed for these clients.

Eventually, her girls would both marry, and this would become the "family home." Kate would live in this home for 16 years.

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.

A Fresh Start in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., Kentucky

Map of Mt. Sterling, 1879

Four months ago, I closed the chapter on the first phase of Thomas Probert's life. He was acquitted in the shooting of Jacob Spears. Shortly after his acquittal, he married Catherine Richardson, and the new family moved to Mt. Sterling, Montgomery County, Kentucky.

If you recall, Thomas began his career in Lexington as a "confectioner." This was the trade he took up in Mt. Sterling.

According to a History of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, 

. . . the earliest baker to build a significant reputation in the community was Thomas Probert, who was in Mt. Sterling by 1859. By 1871 he was listed as a confectioner and liquor dealer, and apparently went completely in the liquor business after that." p.184)

There are no records nor mentions in the newspapers in those first couple of years. On March 18th, 1860, Bettie B. was added to the family, joining two older half-sisters. This was "Kate's" first child. Unfortunately, their time of great joy was to be short-lived, as Bettie died seven months later. A son, Col. Speed Fry, was born on February 14th, 1862. Col. Speed Fry was Thomas' first surviving son -- but he, too, would die young, living only 3 1/2 years. Maggie O. was born in 1864, but would also die just short of her first birthday. Col. Speed Fry and Maggie died within two months of each other. Kate, stepmother to Addie and Lucy, was yet to have one of her own children survive to the age of four. I can't imagine the pain.

Sleep little darlings, sleep.
Not in the cradle bed.
Not on the Mother's breast
But with the quiet dead.

Source:

History of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, 1792-1918. Carl B. Boyd and Hazel Mason Boyd, 1984.

Kate Probert Update

On my August 31st post, I discussed going to Mt. Sterling, KY and attending a meeting of the Mt. Sterling Historical Society that was taking place when I arrived.  They had a speaker, Becky Ryder, from the University of Kentucky.  She discussed preservation techniques for artifacts, newspapers, etc.  Miles Hoskins, the local president of the Historical Society, had found out that some very old copies of the Kentucky Sentinel were going to be part of an estate sale.  The Kentucky Sentinel was a weekly paper published in the 1880s.  He purchased the papers and the society loaned them to U.K. to make digital copies.  They have a website at the Kentuckiana Digital Library.  If you click on this link, you can read the obituary for Kate Probert.

Kate Probert's Obituary

I copied the text for easier reading.

Mt. Sterling Advocate:  Wednesday, March 22, 1905 p. 7.

Probert – Mrs. Kate Probert, relic of Thomas Probert, deceased, departed this life on Sunday night the 20^th instant, at 11 o-clock aged 66 years.  Funeral service was conducted at her home on Sycamore Street on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o-clock by her pastor, J. R. Hobbs, of the Baptist church, and her remains were buried in Machpelah cemetery.  Mrs. Probert had been a member of the Baptist church for many years and of the Mt. Sterling Baptist church since its organization in 1870, and as a Christian and church working woman she was consistent in living and faithful in the discharge of religious duties.  As a neighbor, friend, mother, step-mother she was absolutely free from prejudice and favoritism and her endeavor was to be kind and just to all.  She had been sick for more than eight years and such christian fortitude in pain and sorrow has never been surpassed.  The home will be lonely without her, but the evidences she left of trustfulness and the chirstian life will be sufficient to impress the living that she is in that home provided for her through Christ and where she abides others may attain through repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Mrs. Probert leaves two daughters, Mrs. C.C. Coleman, of Cincinnati, and Mrs. Maud Casey, of this city and three grand-children, Katie Mae and Ida Gorman and Georgia Casey.  Mrs. Probert’s husband was an Odd Fellow and she gave evidence of their watchfulness and care for a brother’s widow.

I am amused that the term "relic" as in "relic of Thomas Probert" is used instead of the word "widow". Kate was the stepmother of Lucy Probert and grandmother of Norine.  Interestingly, none of the six children of Lucy are listed as surviving grandchildren.

Another interesting observation is that Kate was apparently a committed member of the Baptist Church.  I believe her husband, Thomas, and his first wife, Mary Dimond were Catholic -- as was Lucy and her husband John Cronin.  They were Irish Catholic. (I've since found out that Thomas and Mary Dimond were married in a Baptist Church in Lexington).

I am so happy that more and more historic newspapers are being digitized.  It certainly makes my job easier.

And so ends my research for 2009.  I wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2010 -- and I hope for more "happy hunting" for myself.

Sometimes there are surprises . . .

On August 31st I blogged about my trip to the Kentucky Archives in Frankfort and my trip to Mt. Sterling. I really felt like my trip to the archives gave me very little new information. As so often happens with genealogy, I was looking through my notes trying to make sense of the Mt. Sterling Proberts, Cronins and Daileys. I have a lot of information on the Proberts. Before Thomas was the town jailor, he had been a "confectioner". At that time, confectioners ran shops that sold sweets of all kinds including bake goods. In the History of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, 1792-1918 by Carl B. Boyd, Jr. and Hazel Mason Boyd, it states:

". . . the earliest baker to build a significant reputation in the community was Thomas Probert, who was in Mt. Sterling by 1859. By 1871 he was listed as a confection and liquor dealer, and apparently went completely in the liquor business after that." p. 184 According to the 1870 Census, Thomas had transitioned to his job as jailer. In fact, the same book says on p. 107 that:

The jailor at this time was T.H. Probert, who was paid 75 cents a day for "dieting" prisoners. The county also assumed the costs of fuel, medicine and doctor's visits for inmates. City prisoners in this period were used as labor at a rock quarry on Queen St., working out their fines at $1.50 a day, or were used by the jailor in cleaning streets."

The 1870 Census lists Albert Storey and his wife, living at the jail in the same household as the rest of the Probert clan. Albert has transitioned to taking over the bakery business as evidenced by property deeds that I possess. Although the Census lists the name of Albert's wife as "Atlanta", I have other documents that list his wife as Addie, the oldest daughter of Thomas Probert.

Near the end of Thomas' life, things must have become extremely difficult financially. In December of 1875 a lien was placed on a billiard table and fixtures owned by Catherine. Thomas died in 1876 of cirrhosis.

But I just got off track -- here was the major finding. When I was at the archives, I noted (and unfortunately did not copy) that Thomas Probert of Lexington married Mary E. Dimond on either December 23rd, or December 30th 1846. Upon searching records once back home, I discovered that the Kentucky Death Records noted that Mary Probert died at the age of 29 of consumption.

That solves several problems for me. I now believe that Addie and Lucy were daughters of Mary E. Dimond Probert and not daughters of Kate. I think Kate was his second wife. I had never understood how Kate could have given birth to Addie at age 11 and Lucy at age 15. Kate is 13 years younger than Thomas.

In addition, the 1880 Census lists Mary Lou and Maude, two of her daughters as living with her. She states that she had six children and that only two are now alive. I always thought that was strange because I knew Lucy was still alive. Now I know that she did, in fact, have six biological children. Three died at the age of three and under as evidenced by the August 31st posting of their graves. Lizzie, who was one year old and living at the jail in 1870 apparently also died by the time of the 1880 Census but is not buried with the rest of the children. Catherine was stepmother to both Addie and Lucy.

I can't imagine losing four children before they reached adulthood. One other piece of evidence for Addie being the wife of Albert Storey is that their daughter, Maggie, is living with her grandmother (Kate)and listed as a granddaughter in the Census. I've spent the morning updating all of my records. Another problem solved.