Moonshiner in the family

 Dave's cousin Melissa Morgan Kline asked if I'd heard the story of Dave's grand uncle Willard Morgan.  Here's what she wrote me:

Here are the articles that I found detailing the arrest of our Morgan Moonshiner. Shepherdstown Register, Jefferson County, Friday 9/29/1893 Willard Morgan, the notorious moonshiner, who has defied and defeated the revenue officers in the mountains of Wyoming County for fully twenty years has been captured by Marshal Dan Haunon. The New Dominion, Morgantown, West Virginia, October 7, 1893 A Morgan Criminal in Wyoming County Welch, W. Va., Sept. 29. - Wednesday morning Deputy United States Marshal D. H. Harmon, Jr., captured on Indian Creek, in Wyoming County, Willard Morgan, one of the most noted and desperate moonshiners in all this section of the country. The arrest was accomplished by Harmon and his deputies slipping upon him unawares and getting the drop on him before Morgan could even cock his trusty Winchester which he has kept constantly with him for years. Morgan is about fifty-five years of age, tall and muscular, wears a heavy beard and is remarkably intelligent, considering the backwoods life he has always led. He has been extensively engaged in the moonshine business for over twenty years, and for over twenty years, he has successfully evaded or defied all attempts upon the part of the county and State authorities to arrest him. Armed to the teeth he and his gang have made more than one United States Marshall leave the neighborhood, and it was only last fall that he alone made Deputy Marshall Cunningham lay down his arms and make a hurried departure. About six years ago the State Legislature issued an order that the militia be sent into Wyoming to arrest Morgan and his gang, but for some reason this order was never executed. The prisoner was brought here last night and this morning gave bond in the sum of $200 for his appearance before the United States court at Charleston, whereupon he got gloriously full and left for home. Harmon says Morgan submitted to arrest very calmly, but that his wife raised Cain and gave vent to language of sulphureous kind in great profusion giving the officers a very thorough and elaborate "cussing" out.

Foster Care

 My grandmother, Vennie Watson Wicker, grew up in foster care.  The Cates family who had employed her mother as a housekeeper, took her under their wing when her mother (Mattie) was taken to a mental institution.  The photo is my grandmother and Dollie Cates taken about 1916 when Grandma was only about 12 years old. At some point Vennie also went to live with the Williams family which is where she was living when she married my grandfather.

Oddly when she and Grandpa married, she had a court appointed guardian whom my mother had never heard of. Grandma was the only surviving child and had to depend on neighbors and "church 'folks" to take her in since there was no family around.

But she's not the only one of my ancestors in foster care.  My great-great grandfather Milton Long also was taken in my another family.

Milton's father Thomas Long died in 1837 leaving Susannah Long with many children to care for.  One or two of her daughters had married:  Susannah to Charles Mothershead (1832) and Eavline to Whitaker Mothershead (1834).  That left James, Samuel, Elizabeth, Milton, and Sarah.  I imagine life was not easy for a widow in the 1830s who had a farm to manage but also had children to "manage".

In 1839, James (16) had John Murrell as a guardian (with his brother-in-law Whitaker Mothershead) followed by his brother Samuel (14) in April of 1840 who had Whitaker for a guardian along with John Murrell.  I'm guessing their mother Susannah Baker Long was not well since she died in 1840.

Upon her death, the other children were put in foster care July 1840.  Sarah (7), Milton (11) and Elzabeth (13) to James Pounds (with James Evans and Whitaker Mothershead)

But, there were many more children left as orphans taken in by these same men (and families) with the Bakers (Orson and Milton) in the early 1840s.  Among them were Susannah Long and Charles Mothershead's children in 1840-41:  John (9), Thomas (11), Charles (4) and Willis (6).  And then 4 years later they were all assigned new guardians. And then in 1848, they had all new guardians again.  I don't know the reason for the constantly changing guarianships but I can just imagine what the instability was like for those children.

Frontier life was not for the faint of heart.

Providence Baptist Church

 Cousin Dwight and I have been working on genealogy together for many years now.  We are double related through the Longs and the Grahams.

Several years ago cousin Richard Gannon and I photographed and transcribed many pages from the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Jefferson County Missouri.  Although we found many relatives and ancestors we did not find William Graham, Margaret Graham, Thomas Long and Susannah Baker who were early settlers of Jefferson County.  Because of the number of descendants who attended that church  and the Ware Baptist, we thought maybe they were early members and the records had been lost.

Dwight decided to look further down the Big River into Washington County Mo which was settled early because of the abundance of lead and other minerals important in the  early 1800s.  Providence Church interested Dwight because other Long family members attended that church when first coming to Missouri.  Possibly even our 4th grreat grandmother Elizabeth Mitchell Long ("old Grandmother Long" in the document below)  who had livedwith her son Samuel, our Thomas's brother.

Marg. Ann Grahaam is very faded and at the bottom

While looking at the records, Dwight found a "Margaret Ann Graham" and a "Susan Long" along with the Bakers.   We'd known from the McCarrell family Bible that Margaret's middle name was "Ann" but this was confirmation that we had the right woman.

Susan Long Wallace, daughter of Milton Long
granddaughter of Susannah Baker and Thomas Long

It had never occurred to me that Susannah's name might have been shortened to "Susan" and yet, she had three granddaughters named "Susan".  One born 1850 was the daughter of son Samuel, one born in 1848 was the daughter of her daughter Sarah Elizabeth and one born in 1858 was the daughter of Milton Long.

Many years ago, I tried to find Susannah Baker Long's family.  I was pretty sure she was a daughter of Elijah Baker, sister of Orson and Milton Baker because she named one of her children "Milton" which was a name that had never been in the Long family.  But, members of the famuly told me she was NOT from their family.  This might have been during my early days of research when I believed others knew better than I did.  She might have thought I was asking if she was the daughter of Milton.  Dwight found pretty convincing evidence whe was inded the daughter of Elijah Baker since their names were group together:  

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland

 Dear Silas,

Two used books for your birthday?  This year each grandchild has received a book about one of our ancestors.  I chose Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland, for you.  You may notice both books are by the same author—Morgan Llewelyn.  One is fictional and the other non-fiction but both are about Brian Boru.  I suggest you read the old one with the man on the cover first to introduce you to Brian and Ireland of a thousand years ago.

The 1014 book is non-fiction so is a little more difficult to read but I’m finding it very interesting.  The first chapter is about Ireland at that time and the tribes of Ireland during an earlier period.  If you skip that chapter, the second chapter begins the story of Brian Boru.  You may need a little help reading this book so I’m writing notes in it that may help. it is very detailed about the battle of Clontarf which shaped Ireland today.

Brian was brilliant at tactical battles and his enemy was primarily the Norse who had settled in ireland.  We probably descend from Brian, but we also descend from Vikings, Norsemen and Normans who were the primary invaders of all of the countries in the North Sea area.  Try to admire Brian without taking sides since we also descend from the Vikings. Roman’s books were about the Vikings.

The Battle of Clontarf might have been sparked by a chess game but Gormlaith (Gorma) , Brian Boru’s wife, Malemora’s sister and Sitrich Silkbeard’s mother played a part: thus the comparison to Helen of Troy.  We desecend from both Brian and Gormlaith through their son Donnchad.

The battle consisted of Brian Buordu with his son Murrough defending the seat of High King with many neighboring kingdoms joining forces.

 They were fighting a coalition of tribes led by Malemora, Sitric Silkbeard who was the viking king of Dublin, with Sigrud the Stout and Brodir, the pirate king (both Vikings)

The Battle conclude with 7,000-10,000 killed including the leaders on boths sides—-in one day April 23 1104.  More important than who won the batlle is the question who lost—-the leaders of both sides.  Ireland was so defeated with no leaders that the natives (Gael) and the vikings  (Norsemen) learned to live together peacefully and just call themselves “Irish”.

You are Irish from your Granddaddy’s family and mine. Brian was the youngest of about 10 children as you are also the youngest.  I think you will enjoy his story.

If you get together with your siblings and cousins, you will discover we descend from almost every king and queen ruling western Europe in the dark ages.  The Dark Ages were a time of plagues, disease and death in battle.  For example,the black plague in the 1200’s killed half of the European poputlation. The ruling class survived and had children.  So, millions of people have royal roots. What is unusual is we can trace our ancestry on paper to those rulers and most people can’t.

I enjoyed reading these books since I’d been to some of the places mentioned when Grandpa and I went to Ireland.  I wish I’d known this history before we went.  I never thought I’d enjoy reading a book about one battle, but I have enjoyed the books very much.

Love and Happy Birthday!

Grandma (and Grandpa)

The Dark Ages

 Dear Eli, July 2025

This is one of Grandpa’s and my favorite books about “The Dark Ages”. Sorry it’s a little “well-read”. It tells the stories of some of my favorite legendary Brits—-Bodecia and King Arthur (I checked and we probably are not related to either of them to my dismay).  Beginning with chapter 5, there are  other stories which are also very interesting and are indeed relatives or ancestors:  King Alfred the Great, Ethelred the Unready, William the Conqueror. Athelstan and Eric Bloodaxe are “great uncles”: they are siblings of our ancestors so we are related to  them but don’t descend from them.

I’ve tried not to burden any one of my grandchildren with the royal extent of our family but rather wanted each one to focus on an individual because the full array is even hard for me to digest. But, this book is brimming with ancestors—-Sam had a story about King Alfred the Great in his book (and my grandmother’s family in Williamsburg, Va).  So, that leaves you with Ethelred the Unready and William the Conqueror.  William the Conqueror changed England and the English language forever, so if you are to read one story, read about William the Conqueror who etched the year 1066 forever in English history.

This is a particularly good person for you to read about since you probably descend from Normans on your father’s side also.  Although I haven’t researched the details, “Warren” is considered a Norman name. William the Conqueror is not some gorgeous knight in shining armor with sparkling teeth and a confident smile but a warrior king of Viking heritage.  Many are unaware that “Norman” is short for “Norsemen”.  So, William and his vast invasion was a combination of French military organization and Viking fierceness and naval prowess.

While reading the story of the invasion, try not to take sides because you descend from both sides.  There’s a family tree on page 210 of the Saxon and Norman family trees. I have a check mark by all of the people you descend from.  I discovered this when researching Lbby’s person St. Margaret of Scotland. Her granddaughter Matilda was also William the Conqueror’s grandchild.. Those family holiday dinners must have been interesting! The Plantagenet family (William’s family) is one of my favorites with Eleanor of Aquitaine (Anna’s person) and Richard the Lionheart (who had no children that we know of). 

I saved this book for you with all of the other royals in the two lines because you’re interested in history. if you have any trouble understanding anything, let me know.  It’s not as unusual as you might think that we are descend from  so many “royals:  Princes tend to marry Princesses.  

These charts are to show you my direct lineage from them.   Again, millions of people descend from these famous kings and queens but they don’t know it and don’t have a chart showing the lineage.

Love,

“Princess” Grandma

PS If you are ever “into” any of the Viking or Medieval  TV series/movies, there will be lot of family history to watch.

The Spy from Williamsburg

 Sam, May 2025

A Spy from Williamsburg is a book I’ve had in my library for some time..  I bought it because it had a character in it that I was related to, Gabriel Maupin.  But, I have 4 Gabriel Maupins in my family tree who lived in or around Williamsburg before the Revolutionary War. This book was sold at the Williamsburg book store so I trust it has accurate information.  While reading the book,I read that Gabriel Maupin had a son named George Washington Maupin (p. 84), I thought, “I have never heard of a Maupin with that  name.  So, with a little research I found the Gabriel Maupin mentioned in the book —-my first cousin 5 times removed (7 times removed for you).  That one did indeed have a son called George Washington Maupin. So, it’s not one of my ancestors but a still a family member.

Reading on (89-91), I was very interested in all of the details about black smithing.  I come from a long line of black smiths. One of my father’s grandfathers was a smith as were two of his great grandfathers. One worked for the railroad, one for a lead mine and another made wagon wheels but went on to making carriages.  His sons worked in the early automobile industry assembling cars.

In that same section (91) is a story about King Alfred of England——at last someone I knew I descended from—-my 33rd great grandfather who was sometimes called Alfred the Great.  That’s an interesting story they tell in the book about him realizing that life would be difficult without the blacksmiths..  Wikipedia says of King Alfred:

Alfred had a reputation as a learned and merciful man of a gracious and level-headed nature who encouraged education, proposing that primary education be conducted in English rather than Latin, and improving the legal system and military structure and his people's quality of life. He was given the epithet "the Great" from as early as the 13th century, though it was only popularized from the 16th century.^[4] Alfred is the only native-born English monarch to be labelled as such.

This year, each of the grandchildren is being given a book mostly from our bulging bookshelves with special meaning.  Yours is a book that reminded me on one I read on YouTube “Tolliver’s Secret”.  They both take place in the 1770’s, with 12 year olds taking on adult responsibilities when a family member is injured. But this book takes place in Virginia where Grandpa and I both had family living in the 1770s. I hope you enjoy it.  And, I hope you understand a little more about your ancestors and family history.

Love, Grandma

The Vikings

 Roman—

The first time I ever saw or heard of Vikings was watching Saturday morning cartoons.  Those cartoons were also my introduction to classical music.  Bugs Bunny portrayed a Viking woman in a Wagnerian Opera. I loved the helmet with the blonde braids coming down.  Someday I hope to have my photo in one.

After that the only references that I had to Vikings were they were barbarian savages who invaded peaceful villages, killed and pillaged the churches of their valuables.  Oh, and they were Scandinavian:  Norwegian, Swedish, Danish.  

Later, as an adult, I learned they were so much more than that. Hollywood and cartoons had not given them a fair rap.  Sure there were some that killed and pillaged, but many didn’t.  First, they weren’t just Scandinavian but were Baltics which includes Estonia, Lithuania, Latvian, German and Russian. Second, many settled peacefully in areas of England, France, Germany, Scotland.  Grandpa, I, and you descend from Vikings.

I first became aware of Grandpa’s Viking heritage when we visited the Viking Museum in York England—-your mom and aunts were little girls. We had just visited the Swale Valley where his mother’s ancestors were from the Aldersons. I looked at the map of where Vikings settled and  they settled in that same valley.  And then I realized Alderson  wasn’t an English name like Johnson—-John is a common English name but not Alder.They were of Viking descent.

I don’t really have an aha moment on my Viking ancestors. I had known for some time my grandmother’s family were from Normandy and came to America in the early 1700’s.   It took me a few years to put it all together.  If they were from Normandy: they were Normans which is short for “North man”  which is Viking. 

 If you look at the map in your book (on page 6) you’ll see where the Vikings lived. It confirms Grandpa’s English Viking and my French Viking roots, but it also shows that yours are also Viking roots.

This year, all of the grandchildren are getting one of Grandpa’s books and/or a book on their heritage.  You are getting both  The older book has a section on the ship building of the Vikings and how that knowledge influenced the houses they built.  The newer book shows how they lived, who the famous Vikings were, their contributions to society and their brilliant engineering.

Be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished—-Grandpa and I are/were certainly proud of you.

Love Grandma

Charlegmagne----Davis

Although I've loved historical fiction my whole life, I was always especially fond of medieval history. As a child, Princess and the Pea was my favorite story and I often tried to prove I was a princess because my skin was so easily irritated by stiff fabrics, tags in the back and hair brushes. I even went so far as to put things under my mattress to see if I could feel them: I did not. Over the years, I leaned toward the King Arthur legend, Charlemagne and the Crusades.  

Although genealogy has been a hobby of mine for 50 years, I have never been on a quest to find famous people in our family. I was content with finding where our ancestor came from. Recently I've tried a new web site that I'd only "visited" briefly over the years.  It's the Wikitree site which has a "World Tree".  The concept is we all add to the same tree.  There are problems galore when thousands (millions?) of genealogists around the world are contributing. But, we are supposed to provide proof for our additions not hearsay or family legends.

So, I spent several weeks entering information (with sources), and then I found "gateway ancestors" which aligned my tree with royalty and nobility.  The royals have been genealogists for centuries so they aren't marrying too many cousins (like the Hapsburg line did).  With a "gateway ancestors", they've introduced me to family on every throne throughout Western Europe for centuries---most are cousins (King Charles III is our 16th cousin) and uncles, but several are indeed royal ancestors. 

Charlemagne

I think the first "royal" I found in our direct line was Charlemagne (748-814)  who is also known as Charles the Great.  It's been suggested that every person of European descent has Charlemagne as their ancestor. For many years, I've considered him the greatest king of all time. When I taught, I often told the story of Charlemagne learning to read because he knew the power of reading.  He encouraged education, opening schools and promoted legible writing including the widespread use of the question mark.  He always had a book under his pillow.  We have 76,759 paths to Charlemagne.He's my 33 and 36 great grandfather through my father LeRoy Long which makes him 35 and 38 greats for my grandchildren.  I sat stunned probably for about a week with the news.

He was the first emperor of the Carolingian empire consisting of what is today France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Luxembourg,  and part of Italy and Czech Republic.  He is often called the The Father of Europe. He was very large even by today's standards 6"2".  The photo above is his reliquary located in Aachen, Germany.

Charlemagne had over 20 children with numerous wives and mistresses.  He insisted that all of the children receive a liberal arts education in addition to needlework for the girls and riding and weaponry for the boys.  I descend from two of them for sure : Bertha and Hlodowic (Louis). Others have some degree of uncertainty in the lineage.

Hlodowic

Hlodowic (Louis/Ludwig) was Charlemagne's heir becoming King of the Franks and King of Aquitaine. He is sometimes known as Louis the Pious, Louis the Fair and my favorite: Louis the Debonaire.  We descend from his daughter Gisela who was known for her virtue and piety.  She dedicated her life to educating her children with her husband Eberhard who became St. Eberhard. (We descend from at least three saints: St. Eberhard, St. Margaret of Scotland and San Fernando)

None of Charlemagne's daughters married---he feared their husbands would become political rivals.  It didn't stop them from having long-term relationships and children. But, it shows the political importance of marriages at this time.  Bertha is praised in particular for "having critical discernment and an appreciation for poetry".  

When her father died, she and her sisters went to live in convents which their father left them.  It's unknown which convent she entered but it was probably St. Riquier where her partner Angilbert had become the lay-abbot.

So, now when the tag in my shirt hurts, I nod and think, "It's just my Princess gene".

St. Margaret of Scotland

My cousins and I  loved visiting our grandparents flat  at 39th street and Flad in St. Louis.  Coming up the stairs was a huge hall area with an old skylight showing its age: the glass was more "frosted" than clear and often had leaves resting on it.  We immediately got to the top of the steps and looked around to see if our other cousins were there. If not, then we sat quietly reading a book or playing with Uncle Ron's old toys.

But, if the cousins were already there, the race began! Our favorite game began---CHASE! The boys (Bob and Steve) usually led the chase but  sometimes I did which occasionally resulting in injury for my taller cousins: I was able to run under tables they were too tall for.  It was a great game running through the butler's pantry into the kitchen, into the dining room sometimes waiting under the lace table cloth, waiting for my victims.  But sometimes they saw me and the race was on again out to the huge hall, through the pantry, kitchen and dining room.  We were a happy, but noisy trio of cousins.  

Our parents tried to slow us down fearful that someone (Steve) would get hurt.  But, nothing slowed us down until we heard the Westminster chimes of the church across the street: St. Margaret's of Scotland.  Our grandmother Vivian Maupin Long loved  to hold us to listen to the chimes.  She had us try to repeat them and on the hour, count the chimes to know what time it was.  To live across the street with chimes going off every 15 minutes, she must have loved them.

To this day those chimes are soothing to me:  I sit back and can feel myself relax as the chimes bathe over me. Once after the chimes, I looked outside and saw all of these people going to church and asked my grandmother why we didn't go there to church.  She explained that we weren't Catholic but Methodist.  Our church was Lafayette Park Methodist Church which we needed to take a bus or a street car to get to.  I wanted to just step inside to see what the church was like on the inside, but she told me I couldn't because I wasn't Catholic.

Years later, after I'd retired, Dave and I drove through that old neighborhood .  My grandparents flat was still there with the balcony my grandmother was afraid would collapse.  Then, I looked across to St. Margaret's  and was happy to see it is still a bustling active congregation.  

Imagine my surprise to find that St. Margaret of Scotland was my 28th grandmother (she's the 30th for my grandchildren).  With some research I found that she was a Saxon princess who married King Malcom (the Great) of Scotland.  As the Queen of Scotland, she was loved and revered by many for her pious ways and her generous nature.  

I found a historical fiction book about her marriage to Malcom and her life as Queen of Scotland: Queen Hereafter by Susan Fraser King.  In that book I discovered Lady MacBeth was her contemporary.  I checked and can say we do NOT descend from Lady MacBeth. I am very proud to have St. Margaret of Scotland as one of my ancestors.  

I keep thinking about my grandmother (her 26th granddaughter) living across the street from a church with her ancestor and she never knew it. Grandma was the kindest and most generous woman like her ancestor Margaret. Maybe those chimes were a voice from her distant past tolling in sisterhood.

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor and Henry II tombs

Anna,

I first "met" Eleanor of Aquitaine as a character in a movie The Lion in Winter.  As portrayed by Katherine Hepburn, she is a strong woman who has been imprisoned by her husband King Henry II of England.  The movie is about one Christmas when he brings her "home" to "celebrate" with three of their children:  Richard the Lionheart, Geoffrey and John. Henry and Eleanor have to decide who is to be the heir to the throne since Henry, their oldest son, has died.  Eleanor's favorite is Richard and Henry's favorite is John. (no one likes Geoffrey apparently). It's a lively movie with a lot of verbal give and take between the king and queen.

But back to Eleanor who was quite possibly the most influential woman in Europe.  She was Queen of Aquitaine in her own right (meaning she didn't get the title when she married a king) but she, did indeed marry two Kings:  Louis VII of France and Henry II of England. She was not a queen who sat in the corner embroidering scarves but considered herself an equal.  She was outspoken and opinionated which was not appreciated in that male dominated world of Medieval Europe.  She even accompanied her husband Louis on a Crusade to the Holy Lands. Legend has it that she and her company of women were dressed (or undressed) like Amazons going into battle.

Eleanor had ten children:  two with Louis VII and eight with Henry II.  Of those ten children three were kings of England in her lifetime:  Henry III, Richard I and John . One daughter Eleanor was Queen of Castille and another Joan was Queen of Sicily. Her power was so great she was often the only woman "in the room" when politics were discussed and plans  were made.

So, how are we related to this remarkable woman who is my 24th great grandmother?  We descend from 5 of her children. She had two daughters with Louis VII:  Marie Capet (Countess of Champagne) and Alice Capet (Countess of Blois).  They were both my 23rd great grandmothers. With Henry II, I descend from Matilda (Duchess of Saxony and Bavaria), Eleanor (Queen of Castille) and John (King of England)---my 24th great grandmothers and grandfather.

I was over-joyed to find that I descend from such a strong woman who could hold her own with such powerful men and yet loved poetry. She was clever and out-spoken. Sadly we don't have any of her actual words but we do have some wonderful quotes from The Lion in Winter addressing her husband and sons:

 Of course he has a knife, he always has a knife, we all have knives! It's 1183 and we're barbarians! How clear we make it. Oh, my piglets, we are the origins of war: not history's forces, nor the times, nor justice, nor the lack of it, nor causes, nor religions, nor ideas, nor kinds of government, nor any other thing. We are the killers. We breed wars. ... For the love of God, can't we love one another just a little - that's how peace begins. We have so much to love each other for. We have such possibilities, my children. We could change the world.

And "change the world" they did but it was not peacefully done.. . .  

The Royals

 I don't know what to do with the information I have on my genealogy.  Am I the only one so confused by being descended from European royalty:  Saxon, Scottish, English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese.  Such notables as Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Eleanor of Aquitaine (and both of her royal husbands King Louis of France and King Henry of England), St. Margaret of Scotland, her husband King Malcolm, St. Eberhard and San Fernando.  I would have been content with being descended from a serving lady or a baron.

Do I keep it a secret or do I share the information with family not knowing how they will react.  I'm sure there are thousands (if not millions) who descend from all of them.  I've decided to just give a book to each grandchild for their birthdays about one person with information on how we are related, why that person is significant. To throw all of this at them could be a smothering as it is for me or they may toss it aside as being meaningless.

Genealogy is an odd study---it's not static at all but constantly changing with more evidence.  Our children grew up thinking they were related to Joshua Fry, Elizabeth Fry and Fry chocolate but with DNA and further study proving that we were not that Fry family.

Going back to Medieval times never interested me because I've seen so many NPE (not parent events) where the parents in documents are in fact not necessarily so with DNA.  But, in this case DNA is what sent me in this direction.  I'd always thought Judith Maupin was Nancy Burch's mother , but DNA told me that Nancy's mother was Jane Epperson and the Eppersons were my gateway ancestors unlocking the genealogy of Medieval royalty

The first birthday is Anna and I've chosen a little book by Kristiana Gregory: Eleanor, Crown Jewel of Aquitaine.  It's an author I respect ---- I don't have time to read it.  It got very good reviews for historical accuracy.  But, it stops when she becomes Queen of France which is a very small part of her story. But, it's a start.  I don't want an exhaustive biography so this will be fine.

John Dabney Maupin's Application for Civil War Pension Part 3

 

Neighbors Affidavit

I'm not sure how it information about being with Connecticut Volunteers---obviously a mistake.  So skipping down 4 lines:

"Christopher Spies aged 57 years, a resident of Linn Co. Late Co. C, 12th ConVols (???)) whose post office address is St. Catherine in Linn Co. Mo. who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows:that he has lived a neighbor and has known John D. Maupin  for 20 years last past and that he was afflicted with chronic diarrhea up to the present time and from which disability and its consequences he is at present a helpless invalid requiring constant care and watching by his wife.  He further states his health and condition is such that he is liable to succumb almost ANY day.

That this claim outht to have immediate attention.  I know these facts from personal knowledge and have seen him as much as once a week for ten years. . . . .

24th May 1897. St. Catherine in the county of Linn state of MO."

This document is untitled but is testimony of Jane Gross Maupin and John W. Finney, Justice of Peace:

"On this 24th day of May 1897, personal appearance before me Mrs. Jane G. Maupin age 56, a resident of St. Catherine, MO, wife of John D. Maupin late Co. D 9 Reg Mo Cavalry war 61 (?), and that at present and for many years prior to this date, he has been a total physical weak .  So that she has to wait on him the same as a CHILD both day and night and that she knows that he was suffering from effects of chronic diarrhea and its result is when he came home that she could respectfully ask that his case be made SPECIAL his present Pen??? under new law is 618.059

Jane G. Maupin

State of Mo

Linn Co.  Subscribed and seen before me by Jane G. Maupin who I well know and that she is a credible witness and the aforesaid affidavit  read to her and understood by her in signing the same and that I am not interested in the prosecution of this claim for pension.  In Sistime any where I have set my had a Justice of Peace for Linn Co. Mo.  

John W. Finney, Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that John W. Finney who has signed his name to the foregoing affidavit was at the time of doing it a Justice of the Peace in and for said county and state duly commissioned and from that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and ended it this signature there is genuine.

Geo. W. Adams, Clerk Court Linn Co. Mo"

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington DC January 15 1898

Certificate no. 618.059

John D. Maupin

Sir:  In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by returnint this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below.  

Very respectfully, ???? Evans, commissioner

First.  Are you married?  If so state your wife's full name and her maiden name: Jane G. Maupin---Jane G. Dickinson

Second. When, where and by whom were you married?:  June 6th 1858 Williamsburg, Mo by Stephen Ham, Minister

Third. What record of marriage exists:  Recorded at Fulton Callaway Co Mo.

Fourth. Were you previously marriedd?  If so please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce:  Narcissa Maupin died at Wellsville Mo Aug 28th 1857.

Fifth.  Have you any children Living?  If so please state their names and dates of their birth:  T.C. Maupin April 8th 1838, Wm. A. June 29th 1842, Nannie M. Feb. 5th 1845, Mattie A July 14th 1859, Henry W. May 7th 1861, John D. Jan. 16th 1869, Ira R Jan. 6th 1872, Oliver T Nov. 29th 1873.

John D. Maupin (his mark)

April 30th, 1898

Witness:  E. Anderson, Mattie A. Maupin

Pensioner Dropped

U. S. Pension Agency

Topeka Kans, Oct. 31 1900

Certificate 618.059

John D. Maupin

Blacksmith D 9 Mo S M Cav

Sir:  I have the honor to report that the above named pensioner who was last paid at $12 to 4Aug. 1899 has been dropped because of death.

Jane Gross Dickenson Maupin died June 28, 1897 one month after she gave testimony on how near death he was.  John Dabney Maupin died August 16, 1899.  I don't have any documents stating he was entitled to a pension, just this last one stating he was last paid $12.

John Dabney Maupin's Civil War Pension Application Part 2

 

War Department Adjutant General's Office Washington Oct. 14, 1887

Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.  John D. Maupin, a Private of Company D 9th Regiment MO. S. M.Cavy. Volunteers was enlisted on the 22nd day of March, 1862 at Wellsville, Mo. for the War and is reported on roll to April 30th 1862 present as Blacksmith, so born (?) to Dec 31st 1863, Jany and Feby 1864, absent on detached service March and April 1864, present, as born (?) to Aug 31st 1864; Sept and Oct 1864 absent in the field; Nov and Dec 1864 present.  Jany and Feby1865 absent on detached service at Macon MO.

Muster out roll of Co, dated April 21st 1865 at Sturgeon Mo, reports him mustered out with Co. on that day as Blacksmith.

Returns for July and Sept 1862 do not report  him absent; March 1865 absent on special with Pxxx O, M at Macon Mo.

Regl'l Hospital Record are not on fileThe recors of this office funrish no evidence of disability.

Not born (?) on rolls of Co D 9th Mo. Cavalry Volunteers

R.C. Drum

Neighbors Affidavit

State of Missouri, County of Macon.  In the matter of Claim for Pension of Joh D. Maupin on this 12th day of November A.D. 1887 personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths.  Patrick Cain age 64 a resident of Macon in the county of Macon Missouri whose post office address is Macon Mo...

That they have been well and personally acquainted with the claimant and that he belonged to the same Company and Regiment with the Claimant and was intimately acquainted with him from the time of the discharge from the service in 1865 until he removed from Macon Mo, sometime in the year 1868.  That Claimant was troubled with duian(?) of the bowels before his discharge and suffered with diarrhea from the time of his discharge  aforesaid and during the three years immediately following .  My knowledge of the above facts is derived from seeing him frequesntly and hearing him complain at the time of his said disability and by showed from his appearance that he was suffering during said time.

That he has no knowledge of claimants disability after he removed away from Macon Mo in 1868.  That during the time from 1865to 1868 claimant was unable to do manual labor of any kind for at least three years.

Neighbors Affidavit  29 October 1887  St. Catharine, Linn County

This affadavit is difficult to read but it has the testimony of two people:  J. M. Scott and W.R. Davis who also swear that he is unable to do any manual labor and at times is "utterly prostrate".

This certificate from the Department of the Interior, bureau of pensions is dated April 7, 1894 and is addressed to John D. Maupin, Blacksmith Co D, 9th Regiment Mo. S.M. Vol.Cav. (in upper left corner).  It has other information "So. Div.; JFC, Ex'r, orig. Inv.Ct. No. 618.059" But I don't understand what that

 is.

Declaration for Invalid Pensions

21 July 1890

This statement repeats the information found on others but includes his age as 76 and ". . .he is totally unable to earn a support by the reason of  chronic diarrhea also catarrh of the head and neuralia is totally prostrated and unable to do any work."  His pension application No. 601-796.  His signature is at the bottom of the page.

John Dabney Maupin's Civil War Pension Application Part 1

John Dabney Maupin, son of Carr Maupin, fought in the Civil War with the Union Army and applied for a pension.  "State of Missouri County of Macon.  On this 2nd day of March 1887 personally appeared before me County Clerk of the said county, a court of record within and for the count and State aforesaid John D. Maupin aged 72 years, a resident of the town of St. Catharine in the count of Linn, State MO, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that his is the identical John D. Maupin who was enrolled 22nd day of March, 1862 in the Company D of the 9th Regiment of Mo. Cavaly State vols commanded by Benj Sharp Capt and was honorably discharged at Sturgeon Missouri on the 21 day of April, 1865 that his personal description is as follows:  Age 72; height 5 feet 8 inches; complexion dark; hair black; eyes black  That while a member of the organization aforesaid, i the service and in the line of his duty at or near California in the state of Mo on or about the day of Aug or Sept, 1862 he from exposure contracted chronic diarrhea.

That he was treated in hospitals as follows: Was treated by Regimental surgeons A.B. Castle and Smith (?) that he has  not been employed in the military or naval service otherwise than as stated above.  That he has not been in the military or naval service since the 21 day of April 1865.  that since leaving the service the applicant has resided three years in Macon County Mo and the balance of the time in St. Catharine, MO and his occupation  has been that of a blacksmith...  That prior to his entry in the service above named, he was a man of good, sound, physical health being when enrolled a blacksmith.  That he is now totally disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries, above described, received in the service of the United States. .. .."

This is dated August 3, 1887.  It also adds that John D. Maupin was a private.  But it repeats much of the same information in the Declaration.

This is the Physicians Affidavit for the pension claim No. 691796.  John M. Pratt, Justice of Peace administered the oath to the physician:  "I was not acquainted with the soldier prior to the war.  I became initially acquainted with the applicant in 1876.  I was called to attend by family as his physician January 1st the same year I have mentioned.  To treat the said applicant for what I diagnosed Chronic diarrhea. He was greatly suffers with pain.  I gave him medicine which gave his temporary relief at that time."

I have been his family physician all of the time I have mentioned to the present time.  The applicant is troubled every 2 or 3 weeks with diarrhea which lasts from 5 to seven days.  It takes the strongest of astringents in the way of medicine to check it.  Then comes constipation which is about as hard to over come as the other is to control.

The applicant is gradually growing more year after year with the disease aforementioned.  I have gave him the treatment recommended by our best medical authority with only temporary relief.  The applircan is now unable to perform manual labor.  I have no interest in the prosecution of the above claim.  

J. C. Scott MD

Oct. 26th 1887 susbcribed and sworn to before me this 28th day of October 1887