Mary H. "Mollie" Young1,2

ID#1501, b. 21 September 1873, d. 16 February 1959
Pedigree
Mary H. "Mollie" (Young) Alley
Father: Reason Young
Mother: Catherine V. Eller

Birth date: 21 September 1873.3 It has also been reported that Mary was born on 21 September 1874. However, I suspect this date is incorrect as it comes from her death certificate for which the informant is someone I have not yet identified, Mrs. Adam Steigner (sp?). Granted, her gravestone shows 1874 as the year of her birth, but a birth record that is created near the time of the event is generally considered a better source for a birth date.4,5

Birth place: West Virginia
Even though the birth register is a Marshall County record, Mary is one of 20 people appearing on consecutive lines on one page indicating that Ohio County was their birthplace. I question whether the use of dittos resulted in an error ... perhaps there was one person born in Ohio County, but the next line should have changed back to Marshall County. Clerks routinely used dittos to reduce the handwriting they had to do, and it may have been so routine that there was an oversight and the dittos carried on for several lines.

Most children were born at home in the 1870s, and her parents always lived in Marshall County as far as I know. Mary was living at Lynn Camp in Marshall County when she got married, most likely with her parents. Of course it is possible that Mary was born in Ohio County, but it seems more likely that Marshall County would be the correct location.3

Commonly known as Mollie, a nickname frequently used for Mary.6,7

On 8 August 1895 in Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, Mary applied for a marriage license with Elias Sheridan Alley, son of William Leaper Alley and Matilda Siburt. They are identified by the names they commonly used, Sheridan Alley and Mollie Young.6 The actual date of their marriage is unknown from the marriage record which contains the following certification dated 21 November 1910, "Minister is deceased and failed to make a return. The following sign their names as witnesses to the marriage: E. D. Young, Frederick Young." The certification was signed by J. E. Chase, Clerk.6 It is likely that they were married shortly after the issuance of the license based on the 1900 federal census which reported that they had been married four years. As the official date of that census was 01 June 1900, they could have been married as late as 01 June 1896.8 Mary reported having 3 children; 2 were still living.

As of 12 September 1918, Mollie resided with her husband, Sheridan, at 108 Tomlinson Avenue, Moundsville, West Virginia,along with their son, Forrest.1,9

Photograph of Church and Alley family members. Date taken: believed to be circa 1950. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. Taken in front yard of Herbert and Nellie (Church) Kuhn. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.10

By the time of Sheridan's death in 1952, he and Mollie were living at 110-1/2 Tomlinson Avenue, Moundsville, West Virginia.11

On 16 February 1959 at age 85, Mary died at home (1 Twenty First Street, McMechen, Marshall County, West Virginia) from coronary thrombosis due to five years of heart disease.4,5 She was interred on 19 February 1959 in the Fairview Cemetery, Rt. 250, Fairview, Marshall County, West Virginia; her name appears on the gravestone as "Mollie H. Alley."7,4

Click on camera icon(s) to view photo(s) of gravestone, then use your browser's back button to return here.5

Census Records

YearLocationEnumeration info as recorded
1900Meade District, Marshall County, West VirginiaMary Alley, female, age 25, wife, married 4 years, born Sept 1874 in West Virginia, 2 of 3 children still living
(Official U.S. Census Date: 01 June 1900)8

Deceased Children of Mary H. "Mollie" Young and Elias Sheridan Alley:

Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=23 Mar 2018

Citations

  1. [S313] World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, online http://www.ancestry.com (Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005), Elias Sheridan Alley. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.
  2. [S996] Photograph of gravestone, Fairview Christian Church Cemetery, taken by Glen Richmond Harris, date unknown.
  3. [S624] Mary H. Young, Marshall County Register of Births, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_bcsearch.aspx, file 4132552_00335.jpg.
  4. [S1002] Mary H. Alley, Certificate of Death, Marshall County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_dcsearch.aspx, file 2074147_0000612.jpg.
  5. [S996] Photograph of Sheridan and Mollie H. Alley gravestone, Fairview Christian Church Cemetery, taken by Glen Richmond Harris, date unknown.
  6. [S709] Marriage License for Sheridan Alley and Mollie Young, Marshall County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx, file 4130831_00085.jpg.
  7. [S996] Photograph of Mollie H. Alley gravestone, Fairview Christian Church Cemetery, taken by Glen Richmond Harris, date unknown.
  8. [S1137] Sheridan Alley household, 1900 U.S. Census, Marshall County, West Virginia, Meade District, Enumeration District 72, sheet 6B, National Archives micropublication T623_1765.
  9. [S313] World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, online http://www.ancestry.com (Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005), Forrest William Alley. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.
  10. [S336] Photograph of Ollie and Irma Church, Vella Alley, Mollie Alley. From collection owned by Nellie (Church) Kuhn, inherited by her daughter. Digital scan of original photo made in 2006 by Jo Ellen (Kuhn) Dalton.
  11. [S379] Elias Sheridan Alley, Certificate of Death, Marshall County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_dcsearch.aspx, file 1984253_0002778.jpg.
  12. [S452] Lewis Alfred Aston, Marshall County Register of Births, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_bcsearch.aspx, file 4130821_00408.jpg.

Herbert Paul Harris1

ID#1502, b. 9 November 1928, d. 21 January 2022
Pedigree
Herbert Paul Harris (commonly known as Paul)
Father: James Ray Harris
Mother: Mary Ann Horner

Birth date: 9 November 1928
Birth place: Fork Ridge, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia.2

Commonly known by his middle name.3

Photograph of Paul Harris in military uniform. Date taken: early 1950's. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.4

Paul married Helen Etta Hunter on 7 February 1958 at Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia. J. R. Harris, a Church of Christ minister and grandfather of the groom, certified that he united them in marriage.2

Photograph of Paul Harris. Date taken: 11 September 2010. Location: Grand Vue Park, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Taken during the Church Family Reunion. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.5

During the September Church family reunion, Paul offered his home at 708 Glenwood Avenue in Moundsville as a meeting point for his brother, Glen (who was living in Ohio) and me (J. Dalton, living in Pennsylvania). The three of us spent an enjoyable October afternoon looking through Glen's photo albums and telling "stories" as I scanned photos and made notes. In the end, Glen let me borrow his albums to scan more photos at home ... there were just so many as we shared not only the Harris line, but also my Church line through Glen's marriage to Helen Alley. We later met a second time at Paul's house to return the albums to Glen and continue sharing family memories.3

On 21 January 2022 at age 93, Paul died at home (708 Glenwood Avenue, Moundsville, West Virginia.)6 He was interred in the Riverview Cemetery, Round Bottom Hill Road, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.6
Charts
Direct Descendants of John Harris
Family Line(s):
Church Index
Harris Index
Last Edited Date=21 Feb 2022

Citations

  1. [S748] LIVING Sivard, "Re: James R. Harris family in 1930 census," e-mail to Jo Ellen Dalton, 24 September 2004.
  2. [S999] Marriage License for Herbert Paul Harris and Helen Etta Hunter, Marshall County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx, file 4130891_00240.jpg.
  3. [S9] Personal knowledge of Jo Ellen (Kuhn) Dalton.
  4. [S1511] Photograph of Herbert Paul Harris. From collection owned by Glen R. Harris, inherited from his parents, and/or his grandparents. Digital scan of original photo made in October 2010 by Jo Ellen (Kuhn) Dalton.
  5. [S2416] Digital photograph taken by Jo Ellen Dalton on 11 September 2010 at Church family reunion, Grand Vue Park, Moundsville, West Virginia.
  6. [S2775] Herbert Paul Harris obituary, presented by Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory, Moundsville, West Virginia, online https://www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com

1800 U.S. Census, Maryland, Montgomery County

ID#1515, b. 4 August 1800
Pedigree
  • Page 224 Line 09, District 1, Montgomery County, Maryland,
              Hezekiah Summers, total of 29 persons:
                   one free white male 16 & under 26 years (?)
                   one free white male 26 & under 45 years (?)
                   one free white male 45 years & over (Hezekiah)
                   one free white female 10 & under 16 years (?)
                   two free white females 16 & under 26 years (?)
                   one free white female 26 & under 45 years (?)
                   one free white female 45 years & over (?)
                   one other free person except Indians (?)
                   20 slaves (?)
  • Page 224 Line 22, District 1, Montgomery County, Maryland,
              Alexander Summers, total of six persons:
                   three free white males under 10 years (David, Elijah & ?)
                   one free white male age 16 & under 26 years (Alexander)
                   one free white female under 10 years (?)
                   one free white female age 16 & under 26 years (wife Mary Ann)
Last Edited Date=20 Sep 2016

1920 U.S. Census, West Virginia, Marshall County

ID#1516, b. 1 January 1920
Pedigree

Enumeration District No. 62:

  • 084, Moundsville, Washington District, Marshall County, West Virginia,
              Clark, S. E., male, age 66, head, married, born in Kansas
                   --, Margret, female, age 66, wife, married, born in Ohio
                   --, William, male, age 38, son, single, born in West Virginia
                   --, Anderson, male, age 31, son, single, born in West Virginia
                   --, Bernice, male, age 27, son, single, born in West Virginia
              The family owned their home on Highland Avenue free of mortgage.
  • 085, Moundsville, Washington District, Marshall County, West Virginia,
              Kuhn, Hattie, female, age 39, head, widowed, born in West Va
                   --, Herbert, male, age 21, son, single, born in West Va
                   --, Margret, female, age 19, daughter, single, born in West Va
                   --, Agnas, female, age 11, daughter, single, born in West Va
                   --, Alla/Alta, female, age 11, daughter, single, born in West Va
              The family owned their home on Highland Avenue free of mortgage.

Enumeration District No. 64:

  • 087, Moundsville, Washington Township, Marshall County, West Virginia,
              Church, Eli, male, age 47, head, married, born in West Va
                   --, L Nora Biorch, female, age 41, wife, married, born in West Va
                   --, Oakey Anise, male, age 22, son, single, born in West Va
                   --, Vella C., female, age 21, daughter, single, born in West Va
                   --, Nellie Belle, female, age 17, daughter, single, born in West Va
                   --, Ollie Canvise, male, age 16, son, single, born in West Va
                   --, Hannah Elizabeth, female, age 14, daughter, single, born in West Va
                   --, Vera Rosemon, female, age 12, daughter, single, born in West Va
                   --, Orrel Amos, male, age 10, son, single, born in West Va
                   --, Leila Ellen, female, age 7-11/12, daughter, single, born in West Va
                   --, Linna Alice, female, age 3-9/12, daughter, single, born in West Va
              The family rented their home on Hancock Avenue.
  • 150, Moundsville, Washington Township, Marshall County, West Virginia,
              Newell, Steven E., male, age 67, head, married, born in West Va
                   --, Clara, female, age 51, wife, married, born in West Va
              The family owned their home at 26 Fostoria Avenue free of mortgage.
  • 151, Moundsville, Washington Township, Marshall County, West Virginia,
              Newell, William, male, age 20, head, married, born in West Va
                   --, Ella, female, age 18, wife, married, born in Ohio
              The couple rented their home, living at 26 Fostoria Avenue with William's parents.
Last Edited Date=27 May 2020

James Mathews1

ID#1519
Pedigree
Father: not yet identified.
Mother: not yet identified.

Birth date: not yet determined
Birth place: not yet determined.
Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=14 Sep 2012

Citations

  1. [S263] Martha Summers, Certificate of Death, Calhoun County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_dcsearch.aspx, file 1953608_0001327.jpg.

Link Roberts1

ID#1521, b. about 1862
Pedigree
Father: Enoch Roberts
Mother: Elizabeth Bartrug

Birth date: about 1862
Birth place: Virginia.1

Census Records

YearLocationEnumeration info as recorded
1870Church Township, Wetzel County, West VirginiaLink Roberts, male, age 8, born in Virginia, attended school
(Official U.S. Census Date: 01 June 1870)1
Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=21 Nov 2011

Citations

  1. [S293] Enoch Roberts household, 1870 U.S. Census, Wetzel County, West Virginia, Church Township, Burton Post Office, page 29 (158 stamped), National Archives micropublication M593_1701.

Floyd D. Starcher1

ID#1522, b. 1867, d. 1945
Pedigree
Father: Perry Starcher
Mother: Louisa (unknown)

Birth date: 1867.1
Birth place: unknown.

Floyd married Mary Irene "Rene" Summers, daughter of Joseph Summers and Martha Ellen Matthew, on 18 January 1891 in Calhoun County, West Virginia. (Note that Floyd's name was misspelled as "Floid" on the marriage record.)2

Floyd died in 1945.1 He was interred in the Mt. Zion United Methodist Cemetery, Mt. Zion, Calhoun County, West Virginia.1
Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=16 Apr 2013

Citations

  1. [S269] Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery, gravestone inscriptions, presented by Calhoun County WVGenWeb, online http://www.lindapages.com/calhoun/cemetery/mtzioncem.htm
  2. [S368] Register of Marriages for Floid Starcher and Mary I. Summers, Calhoun County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx, file 4011510_00102.jpg.

Perry Starcher1

ID#1523
Pedigree
Father: not yet identified.
Mother: not yet identified.

Birth date: not yet determined
Birth place: not yet determined.

Perry married Louisa (unknown).1

Deceased Child of Perry Starcher and Louisa (unknown):

Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=16 Apr 2013

Citations

  1. [S368] Register of Marriages for Floid Starcher and Mary I. Summers, Calhoun County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx, file 4011510_00102.jpg.

Louisa (unknown)1

ID#1524
Pedigree
Father: not yet identified.
Mother: not yet identified.

Birth date: not yet determined
Birth place: not yet determined.

Louisa married Perry Starcher.1

Deceased Child of Louisa (unknown) and Perry Starcher:

Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=16 Apr 2013

Citations

  1. [S368] Register of Marriages for Floid Starcher and Mary I. Summers, Calhoun County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx, file 4011510_00102.jpg.

Luerna Church1

ID#1525, b. 7 July 1889, d. 17 September 1977
Pedigree
Father: John Wesley "J. W." Church
Mother: Anna Arena Hathaway

Birth date: 7 July 1889
Birth place: Sycamore, Calhoun County, West Virginia.1,2

Luerna married Coy Robinson on 1 March 1908 in Calhoun County, West Virginia.3

Luerna was listed as the informant on the death certificate of her mother, Annie Irene Church, dated 21 February 1966.4

At age 88, Luerna died on 17 September 1977.5 She was interred on 18 September 1977 in the Mt. Zion United Methodist Cemetery, Mt. Zion, Calhoun County, West Virginia.5

Census Records

YearLocationEnumeration info as recorded
1920Sherman District, Calhoun County, West VirginiaLuerna Robinson, female, age 30, wife, married, born in West Virginia
(Official U.S. Census Date: 01 January 1920)6
Charts
Direct Descendants of William S. Church
Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=24 Feb 2016

Citations

  1. [S369] Luerna Church, Calhoun County Register of Births, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_bcsearch.aspx, file 808278_00109.jpg.
  2. [S2209] Lurland Virginia Robinson, Calhoun County Delayed Certificate of Birth, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_bcsearch.aspx, file _00980.jpg.
  3. [S370] Marriage License for Coy Robinson and Luerna Church, Calhoun County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx, file 4011510_00034.jpg.
  4. [S283] Annie Irene Church, Certificate of Death, Calhoun County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_dcsearch.aspx, file 1992147_0000618.jpg.
  5. [S269] Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery, gravestone inscriptions, presented by Calhoun County WVGenWeb, online http://www.lindapages.com/calhoun/cemetery/mtzioncem.htm
  6. [S990] Coy Robinson household, 1920 U.S. Census, Calhoun County, West Virginia, Sherman District, Enumeration District 22, sheet 2A, National Archives micropublication T625_1950.

Coy Robinson1

ID#1526, b. 9 July 1884, d. 17 May 1950
Pedigree
Father: not yet identified, but reportedly born in West Virginia.
Mother: not yet identified, but reportedly born in West Virginia.2

Birth date: 9 July 1884.1
Birth place: Staten, Calhoun County, West Virginia.2,3

Coy married Luerna Church, daughter of John Wesley "J. W." Church and Anna Arena Hathaway, on 1 March 1908 in Calhoun County, West Virginia.4

At age 65, Coy died on 17 May 1950.1 He was interred in the Mt. Zion United Methodist Cemetery, Mt. Zion, Calhoun County, West Virginia.1

Census Records

YearLocationEnumeration info as recorded
1920Sherman District, Calhoun County, West VirginiaCoy Robinson, male, age 35, head, married, born in West Virginia, a self-employed farmer (general farm)
(Official U.S. Census Date: 01 January 1920)2
Last Edited Date=24 Feb 2016

Citations

  1. [S269] Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery, gravestone inscriptions, presented by Calhoun County WVGenWeb, online http://www.lindapages.com/calhoun/cemetery/mtzioncem.htm
  2. [S990] Coy Robinson household, 1920 U.S. Census, Calhoun County, West Virginia, Sherman District, Enumeration District 22, sheet 2A, National Archives micropublication T625_1950.
  3. [S2209] Lurland Virginia Robinson, Calhoun County Delayed Certificate of Birth, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_bcsearch.aspx, file _00980.jpg.
  4. [S370] Marriage License for Coy Robinson and Luerna Church, Calhoun County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx, file 4011510_00034.jpg.

Henry "Old Hundred" Church1

ID#1527, b. 30 November 1750, d. 14 September 1860
Pedigree
Father: not yet identified.
Mother: not yet identified.

Birth date: 30 November 17502 or 13 December 17503 or 1751.4
Birth place: England.5 Reportedly in Suffolk.6,7

The year of 1750 appears in a reprint of the 1901 book entitled History of Wetzel County, West Virginia authored by John C. McEldowney, Jr.: "Henry Church, better known as 'Old Hundred,' was born in Suffox [Suffolk] county, England, in 1750.1 A birth date of 30 November 1750 appears in a history of Hundred that is included in the WVGenWeb site for Wetzel County.2

Genealogies recorded by various researchers have shown a birth date of 13 December 1750. That date can be calculated by subtracting Henry's age at death per his new gravestone (109 years 9 months 1 day)8 from his reported date of death (14 September 1860.)6 However, Henry's age at death is given by another source as 109 years 9 months 14 days - an additional 13 days2 that age actually calculates backwards to the previously mentioned date of 30 November 1750. It's interesting that the history on the Hundred Area PRIDE website skirts the discrepancy by simply stating that Henry was born in late 1750.6

On the other hand, 1751 is the year of birth that appears on Henry's new gravestone purchased in 1972.3,2 That seems odd to me considering that Henry's age at death as it appears on the gravestone supports a birth date of 13 December 1750. However, the year of 1751 is supported by the 1850 federal census in which Henry's age was given as 99.5

Hopefully I'll run across an official/primary document some day that will sort all of this out.

It has been suggested that Henry married Hannah Keine about 1778. This estimated date is based on a handwritten note on the back of a photograph of Hannah stating that she and Henry were married for 82 years. As they both reportedly died in 1860, subtracting 82 years suggests a year of 1778.9 However, that commonly accepted marriage date of circa 1778 has to be wrong as Henry didn't come to America until 1780 per research by Don N. Hagist whose source was the muster rolls of the 63rd Regiment of Foot, WO 12/7242, British National Archives.

According to one source, Henry was the first settler in the area that would one day be known as Church District, Wetzel County, West Virginia. His home marked the location where the town of Hundred would be built. This source indicates that Henry was there in 1782,10 however, there is a Henry Church listed in the Pennsylvania Septennial Census of 1786 as living in East Bradford, Chester County, Pennsylvania. There's no guarantee that this is the same Henry as the census is simply a list of names with no household info, but considering all of the older histories indicating that he was in Chester County, it seems likely that it is one and the same.11

Sketch of Henry Church. Date: 1858 or 1859. Location: Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia. Click on camera to view full (or larger) image than the one shown here, then use your browser's back button to return to this page.12

Henry reportedly died at age 109 on 14 September 1860.6,2 Henry's body was interred in the Hundred United Methodist Church Cemetery, Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia.4 The gravestone inscription for Henry and Hannah reads,
Founders of Hundred
Henry Church 1751 - 1860 109 Yrs. 9 Mos. 1 Day
Hannah, His Wife 1754 - 1860 Aged 106 Yrs

Click on camera icon(s) to view photo(s) of gravestone, then use your browser's back button to return here.4

According to the Wetzel County WVGenWeb site, the History of Wetzel County, West Virginia 1983 book included the following:7
"Henry and his wife gave the plot of ground known as the Hundred Cemetery to the community as a gift so they would be buried there. It is located behind the Hundred United Methodist Church. A new marker for their graves was purchased by Norval Throckmorton and Dr. J. S. Church in 1972 to be a lasting tribute to Henry Church and his wife, Hannah."


Henry and Hannah had eight children and the youngest daughter died at the age of 68.1

Census Records

YearLocationEnumeration info as recorded
1810Monongalia County, VirginiaHenry Church, head of a family of 12 persons (7 males, 5 females); believed to be the male age "45 & over"
(Official Census Date: 06 August 1810)13
1820Tyler County, VirginiaHenry Church, head of a family of six (1 male, 5 females), believed to be the male age "45 & upward" and engaged in agriculture
(Official Census Date: 07 August 1820)14
1830Western District of Virginia, Tyler County, VirginiaHenry Church Senr., head of a family of five (2 males, 3 females), believed to be a male age "70 & under 80"
(Official Census Date: 01 June 1830)15
1840Western District of Virginia, Tyler County, VirginiaHenry Church Senr, head of a family of four (2 males, 2 females); believed to be a male age "80 & under 90" and employed in agriculture in spite of his age
(Official Census Date: 01 June 1840)16
For years 1850 through 1870:  Real estate = land and buildings.
Personal estate = non-land property such as household goods, furnishings, and livestock.
185064th District, Wetzel County, VirginiaHenry Church, male, age 99, born in England, a farmer, real estate value $2,000
(Official U.S. Census Date: 01 June 1850)5
1860Wetzel County, VirginiaHenry Church, male, age 110, born in England, a farmer, real estate value $1,596 plus personal property value $225
(Official U.S. Census Date: 01 June 1860)17

Deceased Children of Henry "Old Hundred" Church and Hannah Keine:

Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=15 Jul 2018

Citations

  1. [S373] John C. McEldowney, History of Wetzel County, WV.
  2. [S1796] "Hundred," submitted by Ruth Hixenbaugh Jones, presented by The Wetzel County WVGenWeb, online http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvwetzel/Communities/…. Original source: History of Wetzel County, West Virginia 1983.
  3. [S928] Digital photo of gravestone in Hundred United Methodist Church Cemetery (Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia) taken by K. Alan Lewis, online http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/466069/photo/… in KAL's Family Tree. Permission to use on this site granted by Lewis.
  4. [S928] Digital photo of Henry and Hannah Church gravestone in Hundred United Methodist Church Cemetery (Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia) taken by K. Alan Lewis, online http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/466069/photo/… in KAL's Family Tree. Permission to use on this site granted by Lewis.
  5. [S927] Henry Church household, 1850 U.S. Census, Wetzel County, Virginia, 64th District, 21, National Archives micropublication M432_981.
  6. [S1795] Hundred Area PRIDE, online http://www.hundredareapride.com/Hundred%20History.htm, viewed 07 September 2010.
  7. [S1796] "Hundred," submitted by Ruth Hixenbaugh Jones, presented by The Wetzel County WVGenWeb, online http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvwetzel/Communities/…. Original source: History of Wetzel County, West Virginia 1983. Information pertaining to Henry Church.
  8. [S928] Digital photo of Henry and Hannah Church gravestone in Hundred United Methodist Church Cemetery (Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia) taken by K. Alan Lewis, online http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/466069/photo/… in KAL's Family Tree. Permission to use on this site granted by Lewis.
  9. [S931] "Loffer Family Tree," Ancestry Family Trees, online http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/2737960/person/-1288701759, Barbara Bua.
  10. [S373] John C. McEldowney, History of Wetzel County, WV, p. 51.
  11. [S2372] 1786 Pennsylvania Septennial Census, East Bradford, Chester County, Henry Church household. Viewed image online at Ancestry.com. Original data: Septennial Census Returns, 1779–1863. Box 1026, microfilm, 14 rolls. Records of the House of Representatives. Records of the General Assembly, Record Group 7. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, PA.
  12. [S930] Henry Church sketch, by Porte Crayon, online http://digital.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx;idno=harp0019-1.
  13. [S2224] Henry Church household, 1810 U.S. Census, Monongalia County, Virginia, page 489, National Archives micropublication M252_69.
  14. [S2190] Henry Church household, 1820 U.S. Census, Tyler County, Virginia, page 82, National Archives micropublication M33_140.
  15. [S2195] Henry Church Senr. household, 1830 U.S. Census, Tyler County, Virginia, Eastern District, page 167, National Archives micropublication M19_200.
  16. [S2153] Henry Church Senr. household, 1840 U.S. Census, Tyler County, Virginia, Western District of Virginia, page 31 stamped, National Archives micropublication M704_579.
  17. [S1114] Henry Church household, 1860 U.S. Census, Wetzel County, Virginia, Milo and Burton Post Office, page 7, National Archives micropublication M653_1384.
  18. [S929] "Wetzel County, WV Connections," Rootsweb WorldConnect, online http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi, Bill Cunningham.

Hannah Keine1,2

ID#1528, b. 1754, d. 27 July 1860
Pedigree
Hannah (Keine) Church
Father: not yet identified.
Mother: not yet identified.

Birth date: 1754.3

Birth place: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.2,4 It has also been reported that Hannah was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania,5, which was the parent county of Lancaster County (formed on 10 May 1729.)6 At first, I thought that perhaps she would have been born in the western part of Chester County that became Lancaster County. However, once I looked up the date of Lancaster County's beginning and realized that it was already formed by the time Hannah was born in the 1750s, that theory went out the window! It will take more research to determine which of the two counties is the correct one.

Alternatively, Hannah's birthplace was recorded as England in the 1860 federal census, but that is the only source I have seen to support that idea.7 Perhaps the enumerator simply assumed that she was born in the same country reported for her husband.

Hannah's age was reported as 105 in the 1860 federal census for which the official date was 01 June 1860.7 If she was 105 on the 1st of June but 106 by the time of her death less than two months later, it follows that her birth must have occurred in June or July.

Conflicting evidence indicates that Hannah was born in 17555 or about 1760.4 At this point, it seems likely that both of those years are incorrect.

It has also been reported that her surname may have been spelled Kiene.8

Portrait of Hannah. Date: unknown. Location: unknown. Ancestry.com contributor Barbara Bua included the following information on her Loffer Family Tree:
"The photo of Hannah shown here was found in the album of Reva Ruth Anderson . Notes on the back of the picture say that Hannah was a Quaker who married Henry Church soon after they met. They were married for 82 years. It also says that all eight of Hannah and Henry's children lived to be 80 years, or more. I don't know who made these notes, or if information on children is correct."
Click on camera to view full (or larger) image than the one shown here, then use your browser's back button to return to this page.9

It has been suggested that Hannah married Henry "Old Hundred" Church about 1778. This estimated date is based on a handwritten note on the back of a photograph of Hannah stating that she and Henry were married for 82 years. As they both reportedly died in 1860, subtracting 82 years suggests a year of 1778.10 However, that commonly accepted marriage date of circa 1778 has to be wrong as Henry didn't come to America until 1780 per research by Don N. Hagist whose source was the muster rolls of the 63rd Regiment of Foot, WO 12/7242, British National Archives.

On 27 July 1860 Hannah died at home (Wetzel County, Virginia.)11

An online obituary was published on 31 July 1860 by the Richmond Daily Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia.11 The following is a transcription of that obituary:

"DEATH OF A CENTENNARIAN.--Mrs. Hannah Church, who, with her aged husband, is well known to all the excursionists on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, died on the morning of the 27th inst., at her humble home near Littleton Station, Wetzel county, Va., at the advanced age of 105 years. Her husband, Henry Church, aged 109 years, is still living, but is in very feeble health."

[original spelling and punctuation retained]

Hannah's body was interred in the Hundred United Methodist Church Cemetery, Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia.12 The gravestone inscription for Henry and Hannah reads,
Founders of Hundred
Henry Church 1751 - 1860 109 Yrs. 9 Mos. 1 Day
Hannah, His Wife 1754 - 1860 Aged 106 Yrs

Click on camera icon(s) to view photo(s) of gravestone, then use your browser's back button to return here.12

Henry and Hannah had eight children and the youngest daughter died at the age of 68. Their descendants honored Henry by naming one of their sons Henry - it seemed that every family had a Henry. At one point there was Henry Church, Henry Church, Sr. (who was not "Old Hundred"), Henry, Jr., Henry of Henry, Henry of Sam, Long Henry and Short Henry.13

Census Records

YearLocationEnumeration info as recorded
1810Monongalia County, VirginiaBelieved to be included in the household of Henry "Old Hundred" Church (her husband) as the female age "45 years & over."
(Official Census Date: 06 August 1810)14
1820Tyler County, VirginiaBelieved to be included in the household of Henry Church (her husband) as the female age "45 & upward."
(Official Census Date: 07 August 1820)15
1830Western District of Virginia, Tyler County, VirginiaBelieved to be included in the household of Henry Church (her husband) as a female age "60 & under 70"
(Official Census Date: 01 June 1830)16
1840Western District of Virginia, Tyler County, VirginiaBelieved to be included in the household of Henry Church Senr. (her husband) as a female age "70 & under 80."
(Official Census Date: 01 June 1840)17
185064th District, Wetzel County, VirginiaHannah Church, female, age 90, born in Pa
(Official U.S. Census Date: 01 June 1850)4
1860Wetzel County, VirginiaHannah Church, female, age 105, born in England
(Official U.S. Census Date: 01 June 1860)7

Deceased Children of Hannah Keine and Henry "Old Hundred" Church:

Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=15 Jul 2018

Citations

  1. [S1795] Hundred Area PRIDE, online http://www.hundredareapride.com/Hundred%20History.htm, viewed 07 September 2010.
  2. [S1796] "Hundred," submitted by Ruth Hixenbaugh Jones, presented by The Wetzel County WVGenWeb, online http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvwetzel/Communities/…. Original source: History of Wetzel County, West Virginia 1983. Information pertaining to Hannah Keine.
  3. [S928] Digital photo of Hannah, wife of Henry Church gravestone in Hundred United Methodist Church Cemetery (Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia) taken by K. Alan Lewis, online http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/466069/photo/… in KAL's Family Tree. Permission to use on this site granted by Lewis.
  4. [S927] Henry Church household, 1850 U.S. Census, Wetzel County, Virginia, 64th District, 21, National Archives micropublication M432_981.
  5. [S930] Henry Church sketch, by Porte Crayon, online http://digital.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx;idno=harp0019-1.
  6. [S1797] "Pennsylvania County Formation," presented by The PAGenWeb Project, online http://www.pagenweb.org/formation.html
  7. [S1114] Henry Church household, 1860 U.S. Census, Wetzel County, Virginia, Milo and Burton Post Office, page 7, National Archives micropublication M653_1384.
  8. [S373] John C. McEldowney, History of Wetzel County, WV, p. 54.
  9. [S931] "Loffer Family Tree," Ancestry Family Trees, online http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/2737960/person/-1288701759, Barbara Bua. Note that Reva Ruth Anderson, owner of the photo album, was identified as a ggg-granddaughter of Hannah.
  10. [S931] "Loffer Family Tree," Ancestry Family Trees, online http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/2737960/person/-1288701759, Barbara Bua.
  11. [S2315] Death of a Centennarian, Richmond Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia), Tuesday, 31 July 1860, page 1, column 7. Online https://www.newspapers.com/image/?spot=6741665
  12. [S928] Digital photo of Henry and Hannah Church gravestone in Hundred United Methodist Church Cemetery (Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia) taken by K. Alan Lewis, online http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/466069/photo/… in KAL's Family Tree. Permission to use on this site granted by Lewis.
  13. [S373] John C. McEldowney, History of Wetzel County, WV.
  14. [S2224] Henry Church household, 1810 U.S. Census, Monongalia County, Virginia, page 489, National Archives micropublication M252_69.
  15. [S2190] Henry Church household, 1820 U.S. Census, Tyler County, Virginia, page 82, National Archives micropublication M33_140.
  16. [S2195] Henry Church Senr. household, 1830 U.S. Census, Tyler County, Virginia, Eastern District, page 167, National Archives micropublication M19_200.
  17. [S2153] Henry Church Senr. household, 1840 U.S. Census, Tyler County, Virginia, Western District of Virginia, page 31 stamped, National Archives micropublication M704_579.
  18. [S929] "Wetzel County, WV Connections," Rootsweb WorldConnect, online http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi, Bill Cunningham.

Phoebe Williams1

ID#1529, b. 25 June 1803, d. before 1850
Pedigree
Father: not yet identified
Mother: not yet identified

I have not confirmed this info yet, but she may have been born on 25 June 1803 in Morris County, New Jersey.1

Phoebe reportedly married David Summers, son of Rev. Alexander Summers and Mary Ann Vinagar, on 20 August 1821 in Monongalia County, Virginia. I have not yet officially confirmed this date and location.1

Phoebe reportedly died before 1850 in Monongalia County, Virginia.1

Census Records

YearLocationEnumeration info as recorded
1830East Monongalia Township, Monongalia County, VirginiaBelieved to be included in the household of David Summers (her husband) as a female age "20 & under 30"
(Official Census Date: 01 June 1830)2
1840East Monongalia Township, Monongalia County, VirginiaBelieved to be included in the household of David Summers (her husband) as a female age "30 & under 40."
(Official Census Date: 01 June 1840)3

Deceased Children of Phoebe Williams and David Summers:

Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=21 Jan 2016

Citations

  1. [S374] Family Data Collection - Individual Records, online http://www.ancestry.com (Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2000).
  2. [S2156] David Summers household, 1830 U.S. Census, Monongalia County, Virginia, Eastern District, page 369, National Archives micropublication M19_191.
  3. [S2155] David Summers household, 1840 U.S. Census, Monongalia County, Virginia, Western District (East Monongalia Township), page 51 stamped, National Archives micropublication M704_567.
  4. [S253] David Summers household, 1850 U.S. Census, Marion County, Virginia, the Eastern District, pages 125B and 126A, National Archives micropublication M432_958.
  5. [S1596] David Summers, Marion County Register of Deaths, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_dcsearch.aspx, file _00345.jpg.

Rachel Reed1

ID#1530, b. about 1803, d. 22 July 1893
Pedigree
Father: not yet identified.
Mother: not yet identified.

Birth date: about 1803.2 It has also been reported that Rachel was born in 1805;3 another source lists a full date of 4 July 1805.1
Birth place: Virginia.2

Rachel's first marriage was to James VanGilder on 13 March 1825 in Monongalia County, Virginia. Joshua Hickman reported that he executed the marriage.4

She became a widow when James reportedly drowned in the Mississippi River before 1850.1

Her second marriage was to David Summers, son of Rev. Alexander Summers and Mary Ann Vinagar, before 1 June 1850.1,2 Their blended family of Summers and VanGilder children is reflected in the U.S. Federal Census of 1850.2

Rachel died on 22 July 1893 in Taylor County, West Virginia.1

Census Records

YearLocationEnumeration info as recorded
1850the Eastern District, Marion County, VirginiaRachele Summers, female, age 47, born in Virginia
(Official U.S. Census Date: 01 June 1850)2
1860Taylor County, VirginiaRachel Summers, female, age 57, born in Va
(Official U.S. Census Date: 01 June 1860)5

Deceased Children of Rachel Reed and James VanGilder:

Family Line(s):
Church Index
Last Edited Date=22 Jan 2016

Citations

  1. [S375] ""Linda Hughes Hiser Family File" (Ancestry World Tree)," online http://awt.ancestry.com, Linda Hughes Hiser.
  2. [S253] David Summers household, 1850 U.S. Census, Marion County, Virginia, the Eastern District, pages 125B and 126A, National Archives micropublication M432_958.
  3. [S861] U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, online http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/inddbs/4484.htm (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2004), Rachel Reed data, Ancestry.com Source Citation: Source number: 3484.001; Source type: Pedigree chart; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: unknown.
  4. [S1074] Register of Marriages for James VanGilder and Rachel Reed, Monongalia County, electronic image by West Virginia Archives & History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx, file _00022.jpg.
  5. [S376] David Summers household, 1860 U.S. Census, Taylor County, Virginia, Pruntytown Post Office, page 49 (549 handwritten), National Archives micropublication M653_1381.