Chasing the Past

After a looooong hiatus, I’m back.

Even though I’ve been at this a while, my attention span often gets in the way of me doing deep dives into finding people. I’m also wondering why such the struggle because today, she was pretty easy to find. I just used a few different words and a different resource.

It’s always a thrill to find someone. This week’s find was my 2nd great grand aunt, Sarah Ellen/Ella Allen. Her children referred to her as Ella, so I’m going with that. I always figured she died early because by 1899, she’s not mentioned in her mother’s will.

in 1860, Ella is on the census with her parents, William and Nancy McSwain Allen, as well as her little brother (my GGGrandfather David Jones Allen). She’s listed as Sarah, aged 5.

Today, while doing some research on David Jones (DJ) Allen, I came across the marriage register for Ellen Allen and John Underwood.

Interestingly, nothing was ever filled in for when and where they were married. The register says she was 15 and her husband John Edmond Underwood was 24. This would place her marriage date at around 1875.

However, that led me to a find a grave with information from the cemetery inscription card. No wonder I couldn’t find her. She had moved halfway across the state and her find a grave shows her being born in 1821!

So far, I can count 8 children in her short life. I would certainly like to know her ailment as the newspaper article says her death was no surprise.

If I subtract 33 years, 10 months and 12 days from September 2, 1889, she was born on 21 October 1855. However, her obituary states her date of birth is actually 20 October 1855.

She is buried at Mr. Tirzah UMC in Person County, North Carolina. One child, Ella Speed Underwood, infant of Rev J.E. & S.E. Underwood, is buried in the same cemetery. Her husband is buried with his 2nd wife and the other children are buried across North Carolina.

Another connection is this receipt I found in DJ’s receipts/papers.

Rec’d Augt 6th, 1894 at

Norwood ND of DJ Allen

Stanly Cty to pay balance

due more + less for

carrying Rev. J. E. Underwoods

daughter from Norwood to DJ

Allen Home

J.A. Tyson

I wonder which daughter visited? JA Tyson, I believe, is John A Tyson who DJ did some business with. Back on December 29, 1888, DJ took out a $20 loan to clear a mortgage for his brother in law’s bay mare. The 1880 census lists a John A Tyson in Center who is a Physician.

I am now fairly certain I have found DJ’s older sister and can now research her descendants and hopefully sort out some more DNA matches.

Sources:

• Raleigh Christian Advocate. Wed. 25 Sep 1889. Page 5
• Find a Grave
• NC Marriage Records
• NC US Historical Records Survey Inscription Card
• US Census 1860, 1870, and 1880