Minnie Sophronia Clark

Notes:

Name: Minnie S. Butler
Death Date: 23 Nov 1951
Death Place: San Augustine, San Augustine, Texas
Gender: Female
Race: White
Death Age: 57 years 6 months
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 23 May 1894
Birthplace: Sabine County, Texas
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: Elias Clark
Father's Birthplace: Texas
Mother's Name: Mary Wallace
Mother's Birthplace: Texas
Occupation: Housewife
Place of Residence: San Augustine, San Augustine, Texas
Cemetery: Little Flack
Burial Place: San Augustine, Texas
Burial Date: 24 Nov 1951
Additional Relatives: X
Film Number: 2074927
Digital Film Number: 4167284
Image Number: 2523
Reference Number: cn66906
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976

Minnie married William Elmer Butler on 25 Dec 1913. William (son of Robert Curry Butler and Frances "Fannie Mae" Ellen Andrews) was born on 17 May 1892 in Texas; died on 30 Aug 1963 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in Little Flock Baptist Church Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Aulcie Elray Butler was born on 4 Oct 1914 in Texas; died on 1 May 1940; was buried in Little Flock Baptist Church Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.
2. R C Butler was born on 12 Apr 1919 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 27 Oct 2004 in San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in Little Flock Baptist Church Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.
3. Living
4. Living

Notes:

Texas Pvt Co F 11 Regt Texas Inf Confederate States Army. Member of the Antioch Baptist Church.

Kathie Kendrick Duty states that he was born 4 January 1843, versus in June as shown by others.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1870 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Hemphill Beat 1, PO Hemphill
Enumerated 27 Jun 1870
Page 4
26-26
Clark, Elias 27 M w Farmer 200 150 Tx
Clark, Josephine M 19 F w Keeping House Tx
Clark, John A 5 M W Tx
Clark, Sydney A 3 F W Tx
Clark, Felix J 2 M W Tx

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Sub Div 84
Page 24D SD 1 ED 84
Enumerated 6 Jul 1880
218-224
Clark, Elisha W M 37 Farmer Tx Miss Ala
Clark, Josephine W F 29 Tx Miss Miss
Clark, John W M 15 Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Sidney Ann W F 13 Tx Tx Tx
Clark, James W M 11 Tx Tx Tx
Clark, M. Golistis 10 W M Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Leancy W M 8 Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Anna W F 5 Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Mattie M W 3 Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Jefferson M W 1 Tx Tx Tx
Isom, JT W M 50 Farmer SC SC SC

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1
Enumerated 5 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheets 2B and 3A
34-35
Clark, Elias Head m W Jan 1845 57 M 30 Tx Miss Ala Farmer
Clark, Mary Wf W F Feb 1851 49 M 30 11/10 Tx Miss Miss
Clark, Thos F Son W M July 1881 18 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Clark, Elijah W Son W M Oct 1884 16 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Clark, Ara J Dtr W F Nov 1887 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Agnes E Dtr W F Nov 1887 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Minnie S Dtr W F May 1894 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Edward Nephew W M Jan 1879 21 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
35-36
Clark, Jeff E Head W M Jan 1879 21 S Tx Tx La Farm Laborer
Clark, Allice Wf W F Mar 1879 21 M 1 1/1 Tx --- ---
Clark, Jefferson H Son W M Dec 1899 5/12 S Tx Tx Tx
36-37
McLemore, Thos Head W M Jan 1863 37 M 9 Tx Nc Nc Farmer
McLemore, Sopha Wf W F Mar 1876 24 M 9 4/4 Tx Tx Tx
McLemore, John E Son W M aug 1892 9 S Tx Tx Tx
McLemore, Myrtie Dtr W F May 1894 6 S Tx Tx Tx
McLemore, Fannie B Dtr W F Jan 1896 4 S Tx Tx Tx
McLemore, Maggie Dtr W F Nov 1897 2 S Tx Tx Tx

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1
Enumerated 15 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 131 Sheet 1A Stamped 85
San Augustine and Hemphill Road
1-1
Thomas E and Sophia A (Clark) McLemore
2-2
Cole, Walter P M W 22 m1 1 La Ark La Farmer
Cole, Agnes E Wf F W 20 m1 1 1/1 Tx Tx Tx
Cole, Ralph E Son M W 6/12 S Tx Tx Tx
3-3
Clark, Elias W head m W 26 m1 6 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Clark, Cordelia Wf F W 26 m1 6 4/4 Tx Ark Tn
Clark, Myrtle I Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Ellis M Son M W 2 S Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Benina J Dtr F W 5/12 Tx Tx Tx
Clark, Anna B Dtr F W 5/12 S Tx Tx Tx
4-4
Clark, Elias Head M W 67 m2 41 Tx Miss Ala Farmer
Clark, Mary J Wf F W 59 m1 41 11/10 Tx Miss Miss
Clark, Minnie S Dtr F W 15 S Tx Tx Tx
Humphreys, Thos L Nephew m W 15 S Tx Ark Tx

Elias married Mary Josephine Wallace about 1870. Mary (daughter of Thompson "Finn" Wallace and Mary Etta "Polly" Vardeman) was born on 23 Feb 1851 in Texas; died on 24 Oct 1930 in Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

A Mary Wallice (sic) was enrolled in the District 6 School in Sabine County in 1854.

At the time of the 1910 census, Josephine was shown as being the mother of 11 children, 10 still living. It therefore appears she was not the mother of three children living with she and Elias at the time of the 1780 census, John (b. 1865) and Sydney Ann (b. 1867) and Felix J. (b. 1868).

At the time of the 1920 Federal census she was living with her youngest daugher and son-in-law, Minnie and Elmer Butler, in San Augustine County.

Her headstone reads: "Come ye blessed - She lived and died a Christian - Beloved - How we miss you."

Obituary follows. Copied from FamilySearch, Public Memory:

In memory of Mrs. Elias Clark, who went away, leaving us for a better world on October 24th 1930. She was born Feb. 23rd 1851. She was married to Elias Clark in 1870. To this union was born eleven children. They are: C.B. Clark, L.T. Clark, J.E. Clark, T.F. Clark, W.E. Clark, Mrs. Agnes Cole, Mrs. Minnie Butler, all of whom are still living. Bruce Clark, Mrs. Anna McLemore, Mrs. Mattie Chandler and Mrs. Ara Anderson, who preceded her in death. There were also three step-children: John Clark, who died in early life, Mrs. J.W. Craig, who is also dead, and Felix Clark, who still survives. She left eighty grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren.
She professed faith in Christ in early life and joined the missionary Baptist Church. She was a charter member the the Antioch Church, and was a faithful and devout Christian.
Dear Mother was kind and true, meeting everyone with a smile. She always bore her trials with patience. It was so hard to give her up, but God's will must be done, not ours. We know it was a joyful hour for her when she heard the Dear Savior saying: "Enter Thou into the joy of the Lord. You have been faithful over a few things and I will make thee ruler over many things."
What more can be said? We know that a life like this can mean only a self sacrifice and loving service with heart and hands. Such a life she performed, not one day but every day, striving to help everyone she could.
Funeral service was held by Eld. E.M. Gentry at Antioch Church and her body was laid to rest in Antioch Cemetery to await the resurrection.
Committee: E.J. McGown, L.H. Chandler and Cora McLemore

Note - This obituary was written in October of 1930 in memory of Mary Josephine Wallace Clark. Antioch Church is the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Sabine County, Texas. The cemetery is Gravel Hill Cemetery adjacent to the church property. A copy of the following poem was written below the obituary.

To that beautiful land we call heaven,
The place where we all want to be
Is a road that leads onward and upward,
And a lone weary traveler we see.
An angel is hastening to open
The pearly gates far and wide,
Bidding this pilgrim welcome,
To the joy on the other side.
Who is the traveler fair angel?
Someone's sister or brother?
Oh, no far greater than these,
'Tis someone's precious mother.
She is a mother old and gray,
And bent with the passing years,
As she toils through sunshine and shadows
And up through the vale of tears.
It has been her lot to be happy.
And then came her saddest hours.
Many a bitter weed she has plucked,
That grew in her lovely flowers.
Oh, dear tired, weary mother,
If we friends and loved ones knew
How thy loving hands have guided us,
And steered us safely through.
author unknown

Notes:

According to 1850 CENSUS SABINE COUNTY, TEXAS WITH ADDED FAMILY INFORMATION AND CORRECTIONS by Helen Gomer Schluter and Blanche Finley Toole, Elijah Clark was the son of William Clark and Elizabeth Isaacks. Elizabeth would only have been about 14 when he was born, so it could be that William Clark had been previously married.

Elijah was married twice. His first wife is unknown, and his second wife was Jane Lagrone.

In a commerative ceremony dated 2 Jun 2001, a marker reading "Texas Revolutionary War-Sabine Volunteers-Captain Collins Company-Defenders of the Republic of Texas Marker" was installed for him in Griffin Cemetery in Sabine County.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1850 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Sabine District
Enumerated 28 and 29 Apr 1850
135-135
William Clark 61 M Farmer 1000 SC
Mahala Clark 38 F Ky
Nelson Clark 17 M Tx
Mariah Clark 12 F Tx
Andrew Clark 10 M Tx
Harison Clark 9 M Tx
Margaret Clark 7 F Tx
William Clark 4 m Tx
136-136
Powell and Sarah Fullen (born SC and Va, with dtr born in KY)
137-137
Elijah Clark 37 M Farmer 600 Miss
Jane Clark 28 F SC
Louis Clark 11 M Tx
Elias Clark 7 M Tx
Paschal Clark 5 M Tx
John Clark 4 M Tx

Elijah married Jane Lagrone about 1842 in Sabine County, Texas. Jane was born about 1822 in South Carolina; died after 1860 in Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Was she the sister of Emanuel Lagrone, who married Rachel Clark?

(Research):

Census Listings:

1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Housan Bayou beat No. 3, PO Hemphill
Enumerated 24 Jun 1860
Page (?)17
125-125
Jane Clark 34 F Farmer 2000 350 SC
Elias Clark 16 M Tx
Pascal Clark 14 M Tx
John Clark 12 m Tx
Susan Clark 9 F Tx

Notes:

Married:
Trudy Cox also shows they were the parents of Grison and Ann, though these children can not be found on either the 1850 or 1860 census. Perhaps they died young?

Notes:

(Research):In looking for the first husband of Mary Etta VARDEMAN, I was found the following family that was a near perfect match. The names, ages and birthplaces for Maretta, Elizabeth and Sophia match their later census listings in Sabine County, Texas. I looked at every WALLACE and WALLIS family that was indexed in Mississippi in 1850 by Ancestry.com. They were in Lawrence County, Mississippi, which is located in the southwestern portion of the state, nearby to Pike and Amite counties.

1850 Federal Census Mississippi, Lawrence County:

29-29
Wallis, Thomson 32 M W Farmer $50 Miss
Wallis, Maretta 29 F W Miss
Wallis, Elizabeth 3 F W Miss
Wallis, Sophia 1 F W Miss

I am assuming this is the correct family for the time being. More information should be gathered to either prove or disprove this assumption.

Other Wallis's in Lawrence County in 1850 include:
30-30
Wallis, James A 27 M W Farmer Miss
Wallis, Nancy W 18 F W Miss
Wallis, Sarah M 1 F W Miss

32-32
Wallis, Thomson Sr.62 M W Farmer 350 So Car
Wallis, C?ary 62 F W Ga
Wallis, Clementina 22 F W Miss
Wallis, Martin 21 M W Miss
Collins, Centhia 18 F W La?

Thompson married Mary Etta "Polly" Vardeman before 1845. Mary (daughter of Amaziah Vardeman and Una (Eunice) Carter) was born on 22 Sep 1820 in Mississippi; died on 9 Nov 1898 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According the 1854 Sabine County Scholastic census, Mrs. Wallice had one daughter, Mary, enrolled in school.

Notes:

Married:
"Sabine County Historical Sketches and Genealogical Records" lists Mary Etta Vardeman's first husband as Wallis "Finn" Wallace. They do not provide any documentation for this, however.

I believe Mary Etta's first husband was actually Thomson Wallace, and they can be located in Lawrence County, Mississippi at the time of the 1850 census. On that census, Thomson and Maretta Wallis were listed in the same household with a 3 year old Elizabeth and 1 year old Sophia.

Thompson apparently died prior to 1860, because at the time of that census, Mary Etta was married to Henry Strickland White, and living with him in Sabine County, Texas. Her children from her first marriage were listed as follows: Elizabeth Wallis, age 14, Mississippi; Joseph Wallis, age 12, Mississippi; and Josephine Wallis, age 9, Mississippi. Note that Joseph was not listed in 1850, nor is a Sophia listed in 1860. I believe the 1860 census may have been in error, and that Mary Etta and Thomson were the parents of only three children: Elizabeth, Sophia and Josephine. Josephine was probably born soon after the 1850 census. Maybe the census taker confused the names Sophia and Joseph. Or, perhaps they did have a son named Joseph as well.

In 1870, only 20 year old Josephine Wallace, listed as born in Texas, was still shown as living with her mother. But according to other records, a Josephine Wallace was already married to Elias Clark and living with him. I suspect it was actually Sophia Wallace who was still living at home with her mother in 1870. This suspicion can be confirmed by the fact that in 1880, 30 year old Sophie Wallace, born in Mississippi was the only child from her mother's first marriage that was listed in her mother's home. Sophia was married in 1890.

Notes:

One of his descendants, Elaine Wells, emailed in November 2012 that "I have visited the Dickey-Clark Cemetery in Sabine County Texas. I do not personally have a photo of the headstone for William Clark, but there is a photo on Ancestry.Com which shows the exact date of birth as May 1, 1790. Date of death July 4, 1856. It also showed that William Clark served as a Pvt. in the Mississippi Militia in the war of 1812. I was present at the ceremony when the Historical Marker was dedicated. " In January 2020, Elaine emailed "I have submitted my DNA to Ancestry and it shows my DNA directly related to William Clark. It shows his father was William Barnett Clark, born 09Oct1966 in Orange Co., Virginia, died in 1835 in Amite Co., MS. His wife was Frances Ragsdale. Born 1764 in Lunenburg Co., VA. His father was John James Clark, born 19Fe1741 in Clark's Mountain, Orange Co., VA and died 28Oct1831 in Bedfore, Orange Co., VA. Ancestry shows his wife was Mary Towles, but there was no other information about her. It shows that I have shared DNA with all those listed, except Mary Towles."

When John William Clark of Oklahoma City published his 1971 book, SOME DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM CLARK OF SABINE COUNTY, TEXAS he was conducting research to prove a theory that William Clark born about 1790 in South Carolina was related to or descended from Elijah Clark, father of John Clark, Governor of Georgia 1819-1823. He wrote in the preface to his book that "Several clues have pointed the way to research this angle as follows: Elijah Clark went from South Carolina to Georgia in early days following the Revolutionary War as a General. His son John became Governor of Georgia. John's sons went to Miss., such as Elijah, Gibson, Etc. One of John's grandsons became a political figure in Texas. A William Barnett Clark was granted a Georgia passport by the governor, signed by the Solictor General Elijah Clark to proceed across the western country to Miss. in search of land. Our William names a son William Barnett in later years after he was in Sabine Co., Texas."

The author, also noted that there were three William Clarks in Sabine County, Texas at the same time, "however our William Clark was the only one that remained there until he died."

He listed the following facts about our William Clark in the preface of his book:
a) Born ca 1790 in South Carolina
b) Fought in the War of 1812
c) he was married in Mississippi, Amite County, to Elizabeth Isaacs 16 Mar 1812 and again to Mahala Graham ca 1836 in Sabine County
d) Received a land grant from the Mexican Government in Zavalla's Colony in June 1835
d) has a total of about 21 children by two wives, many of these descendants still living in East Texas
f) the only one of the three William Clarks living in Sabine county before 1850 that remained in that county and died there
g) the only land owned by William Clark south of Hemphill, TX was land bought by William and not granted to him as original owner
h)All paper of William Clark were signed by an "X" and witnessed by someone else
i) William was listed on the census records of Sabine County in 1835 and 1850, and second wife Mahala was listed in 1860, 1870 and 1880. This and the wills indicate he died prior to 1860.

The author also stated that other two William Clark's who were associated with Sabine County were:

---William F Clark (William Fain Clark). This William F. Clark received a land grant from the Mexican Government south of Hemphill on the Sandy Creek. This was later conveyed to Joseph Sullivan, and he evidently moved away since he is not shown in subsequent census records. Obediah S. Smith bought this land later and lived on it for years.


---William Clark Jr., a political leader in the Sabine District, born in either Va, Ga, or N.C. on 14 April 1798, and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and a representative from the Sabine and Nacogdoches District who married Martha Wall. They were the parents of Margaret, Francis, Sarah Jane and William, and this family moved from Hemphill to Nacogdoches County prior to 1860. There he ran a hotel and land business, and on the 1870 census of Nacogdoches, he can be found with his daughter, Sara Jane GRIFFITH, the wife of Dr. L. E. GRIFFITH, who one practiced medicine in Hemphill. William Clark Jr died 3 Jun 1871 in Nacogdoches and has a monument erected in his honor in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Nacogdoches.

On page 1 of his book, John Clark writes that "The first record found of him (William) shows him as a private in Captain John Lowry's Company of Militia, Mississippi Territory Regiment of Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col. George H. Nixon. He served in the war from 19 October 1813 to 28 Feb 1814. he was given travel pay to travel 300 miles from Tom Bigby River or Camp in northeastern Mississippi to Amite County, Miss."

White and Toole, in SABINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SKETCHES AND GENEALOGICAL RECORDS wrote of William:

"He served in the War of 1812, from Mississippi, and married Elizabeth Isaacs of Amite County, Mississippi March 16, 1812. They moved to Coahuila, Texas long before the days of the Republic and received a land grant from Lorenzo de Zavala on the waters of the Palo Gacho consisting of one league. His wife died in childbirth in the Run-away-scrape in 1836. According to legend, while William Clark's ox wagon was stuck in the mud at Sandy Creek, and he was trying to extricate it, he met his second wife, Mahala Graham. They were married in 1837, and settled on Big Sandy, and with the children of his first wife there were 21 children." SABINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SKETCHES AND GENEALOGICAL RECORDS

On April 16, 2009, Dr. Gary Clark (drgclarke@msn.com) emailed that "There is a record of probated wills of Edgefield County, Vol. II, p. 98. David Clark and wife Amy willed their plantation to their children: William, Sarah, Edward, David, James and Mary; May 3, 1813. He requested that they all live on the plantation, if possible.

The list of children in this list is limited to six. I would like to know should anyone else determine that David and Amy are William's parents. Another volume on Edgefield County references William purchased property there in April,1783; and David served on a petite jury in 1788."

Land Grant recorded in the General Land Office in Austin as JAV11, Title Jul 2, 1835, Book 22, p. 653. Signed by George Antonio Nixon, Comisionad

Joel Clark emailed, in November 2012, that "Someone posted info about a census in Amite county Mississippi that suggested that this William Clark (my 4th great grandfather) was a Junior. They mentioned 2 separate households and 1 William Clark was married to an Elizabeth. This would lend thought to William Clark's dad being William Clark Senior."

(Research):


Census Listings:

1850 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Sabine District
Enumerated 28 and 29 Apr 1850
135-135
William Clark 61 M Farmer 1000 SC
Mahala Clark 38 F Ky
Nelson Clark 17 M Tx
Mariah Clark 12 F Tx
Andrew Clark 10 M Tx
Harison Clark 9 M Tx
Margaret Clark 7 F Tx
William Clark 4 m Tx
136-136
Powell and Sarah Fullen (born SC and Va, with dtr born in KY)
137-137
Elijah Clark 37 M Farmer 600 Miss
Jane Clark 28 F SC
Louis Clark 11 M Tx
Elias Clark 7 M Tx
Paschal Clark 5 M Tx
John Clark 4 M Tx

William married Elizabeth Isaacs on 16 Mar 1812 in Amite County, Mississippi. Elizabeth (daughter of Elijah Isaacks and Esther Donaho) was born on 9 Aug 1798 in South Carolina; died about 1836 in Coahuila and Texas, Republic of Mexico. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was the daughter of Elijah Isaacs and H. Esther Donoho. Could her age of 36 on the 1835 Sabine County census be in error? She would have been 13 at the time of her marriage, and 14 when Elijah was born.

Notes:

In a letter to Melinda Strong dated 31 March 2000, J.H. Vardaman, the Vardaman Family Historian, wrote "according to my records, there is no doubt that Amaziah Vardeman who married Unity Carter was a son of William and Ann (maiden name unknown but possibly Ayers) Vardeman. You asked if I had proof and the answer to that question is no. However, all information that I have states that they were father and son and there is no evidence whatsoever that would lead us to any other conclusion." It appears that Amaziah, and his brother Jeremiah, lived near each other in Pike County, Mississippi at the time of the 1820 census.

The Pike County, MS 1820 census, page 6, shows an "Am. Vardemon." (Ronald Vern Jackson's Index to this census incorrectly lists him as Am Vardemore). His household compositon is as follows: 1 male 16-26 and 1 male 26 to 45 1 female under 10, 1 female 26 to 45

IF this is the home of Amaziah and Una Vardeman, the 16 to 26 year old male could not be a son of theirs, as they were only married 5 years previously. Perhaps a brother or nephew? The female under 10 could be a daughter, name unknown, who was born before Polly. It might even be Polly, although her birthdate is supposed to have been in September, 1820.

Several lines down, Jeremiah Vardeman is also listed on the 1820 Pike County census. The composition of his household is: 1 male age 16-26, 1 male age 26 to 45 4 females under age 10, 1 female age 26 to 45

Leatha Betts (777 West 1000 South Woods Cross, UT 84087 (jlabetts@burgoyne.com)) emailed me that on the BLM land patents page "she found Amaziah Vardeman buying land 10 June 1826, at the Washington land office, 80 acres on Lawrence Co. Miss. Block 29 township 5N Range 10 E. Uney Massey is listed as purchasing land 10 Nov 1840, Block 20, Township 5N Range 10E.."

Jeremiah is again listed in the 1830 Mississippi Index, but neither Amaziah or Una could be found. The only Vardeman's listed in the 1830 Census Index (Irene & Norman Gillis) were as follows: Vardaman, Jno. Adams 00110-23110 Vardeman, Elijah Copiah 10100-10100 Vardiman, JeremiahMadison21010-13100 Vardiman, Sarah Franklin13100-01210

Leatha Betts informs me that the 1830 Pike County, Census was destroyed. This would explain why they are not listed in the index.

At the time of the 1840 Mississippi census, Una appears to be remarried to a Mr. Massey. It appears that Amaziah MAY have died sometime after 1826, when he bought land in Lawrence County, but before 1840, when Una was remarried. There is, however, an A. Vardeman in Adams County, Mississippi in 1840, on page 31. This microfilm should be examined as well. It may be a different person entirely. However, it is possible that Amaziah and Una divorced, and that he moved to Adams County without her.

Kathy Casagranda's "Sabine Parish The 1850 Census With Added Family Information" has Amaziah Vardeman's date of death as circa 3 April 1849. She informed me that this was based on a succession petition filed in Sabine Parish on this date. Leatha Betts emailed me this transcription of the petition. It is from a typewritten copy that was originally given to Lily Carter Thurman by Marie Greer in May 1966.

Succession of A. Vardeman, Eunice Carter, pet. for administration, filed 3 Apr 1849. to the Honorable James Taylor, Judge of 16th Judicial Dist. of the State of La. and Parish of Sabine: Petition of Eunice Carter, of parish aforesaid, respecti. represents that as widow of her deceased husband, Amaziah Vardeman and tutrix of her children, she prays to be appointed adm. of such property of her deceased husaband as beforesaid-etc. C. Chaplin, atty. for petitioner. Appraiser: James Campbell and Wm. I. Herring (?) Oath by Eunice Carter signed by Uney Masse, as adminstratrix. Bond Eunice Carter as principle and Redmund Carter and W. L. White as security on the 14th Apr 1849, witnessed by James Campbell and Amon T. Morris. Property sold at house of Viney or Uney Vardeman, witt. by R.W. Campbell and John Davis on Oct 7 1849, Auctioneer Nathan H. Bray. Receipt: in Succession of Amazirah Vardeman, Uney massey, Adm. to Ann I. White Receipt: Succession of Amazrah Vardeman, Uney Massey to Henry S. White

Could it be that it simply took more that 10 years to probate the Estate of Amaziah? Note he is listed as "deceased of the State of Mississipppi" and not as a resident of Louisiana. Kathy noted that "sometime folks died and their estate or property wasn't dealt with until the widow remarried or was going to remarry or the children became of age and wanted a partition of the property that belonged in part to them."

It appears that Eunice Carter Vardeman and Una Massa are the same person. When did she remarry, however, and when did Amaziah die?

Amaziah married Una (Eunice) Carter on 12 Dec 1815 in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Una (daughter of William Carter and Mary (Molly\Polly) Cotton Strickland) was born on 24 Sep 1793 in Louisiana; died on 6 Jun 1870 in Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

IGI Records show that Una Carter married Amaziah Vardeman in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana on 12 December 1815. The couple moved north to Mississippi sometime after their marriage, as all three of their daughters were born here.

A woman named "Uny Massy" can be found in Pike County, Mississippi in 1840 (Microfilm #704). Ronald Vern Jackson's index to this census references page 152. It appears that the reference should have been to pg 297, which is what is actually stamped at the top of the microfilm as a guide. The census listing indicates this was a household made up entirely of females. There was one female between the ages of 10-15, two between ages 15 and 20, one between 20 and 30, and one between 40 and 50. Living with them as well was a female slave, who was somewhere between 26 and 56 years of age. It appears that Una might have actually had four daughters, and not just the three currently listed. Una's oldest known daughter, Polly, became 20 years old in 1840. Her youngest known daughter, Jemimah, reached age 15 the same year. This means that either of them might have been classified into two age categories. Therefore gauging the age of a fourth daughter is especially difficult. She could have been born prior to Polly, or after Jemimah. She might even have been a daughter by Una's second husband.

At the time of the 1850 Sabine Parish Louisiana, Una was living alone in dwelling #304, between her daughters Jemimah Amazia Vardeman White and Ann Vardeman White. She is listed in the transcription of the Sabine Parish census prepared by Kathy Casagranda as Unas Massa age 57, M (sic), born in Louisiana.

On the 1860 Sabine County Census, she is living with her daughter Jimimah, and son in law John Reagan White (Household 118). This is next door to Henry Strickland White and his wife Mary Etta Vardeman. On that transcription, she is shown as Una Massa, age 66, F, born North Carolina.