I have been working on my family history, primarily on the Linthicum
surname, for a number of years. Records I have found indicate that my
great-great grandfather, William A. Linthicum (WAL), was born in Guilford
County, NC around 1825 to 1829. He migrated through KY to southern IN
where he died a pauper and a Civil War Veteran in Crawford County in
1877.
My mission at this point is to find WALs parents. Even before I learned
that WAL was probably born in Guilford County, I had combed KY and all
nearby states 1830 and 1840 Censuses and only the ones from Guilford
County seemed to have the right demographics to contain WAL and his
parents. When I had the opportunity this fall, I spent a few days in the
Greensboro area. In using the resources of the Greensboro Public Library,
the High Point Library, the Asheboro/Randolph County Library and the
Friends Collection at Guilford College I was not able to find a definite
link between WAL and his forebears but I did accumulate great many facts
about an individual named John W. Linthicum (JWL). I took an immediate
liking to this individual because one of WALs sons, my
great-grandfather, is also a John W. Linthicum. I may have created a
massive red herring for myself by letting this possible coincidence
sway me but lacking any other good trail to follow, I have made a few
assumptions about the Guilford County JWL. and pressed on:
One assumption is that the JWL that I have in the facts below is the same
individual who is reported on the 1830 and/or the 1840 Census as John
Lincicum and Jno. Linthecum. This JWL shows a wife, 2 sons and a
daughter in the 1830 Census and a wife, 3 sons and 3 daughters in the
1840 Census. WAL is a good fit within the age brackets shown. Another
assumption is that this JWL might be the son of Sr. Daniel Linthicum
whose family is documented in a frequently referenced book, Genealogy of
the Linthicum and Allied Families by Matilda P. Badger, which traces the
Linthicum family roots back to Maryland in the 1600s. This JWL has
siblings Soloman Linthicum, Richard Linthicum, Daniel Linthicum Jr.,
Christopher Linthicum, and Elizabeth Linthicum.
Now the clues we have about JWL that I hope will some day lead to
learning enough to know if he was indeed the father of my WAL:
JWL marries Diana Causey on March 25, 1823. Soloman Linthicum appears on
the Guilford County marriage bond. If the 2nd assumption above is valid,
Soloman could be JWLs brother.
John Linthicum appears several times in the Post Offices dead letter
articles in the Greensboro Patriot (GP).
A John Linthicum is listed as a delegate to the Guilford Temperance
Convention from the Rehobeth Methodist Church near Greensboro in the
4/18/1846 edition of the GP. I have been in contact with the church
historian to see if there may be any records of John and family.
Diana Causey Linthicums death on 9/18/1842 is reported in the 9/24/1842
GP. Her age is reported as 44, which fits into the brackets of the 1830
and 40 Census.
JWLs death is reported in the 9/18/1847 GP. He is memorialized as a
frequently published contributor to the GP. He was noted for his verse
bemoaning the follies of the time and remembered by his nom de plume,
The Village Bard. It was mentioned that he, no doubt, had much personal
experience of the evils of the alcoholic spirit.
It appears that JWL died intestate (without a will) and his estate was
subject to probate. There are two Guilford County Court documents dated
November 15th?, 1847 where a $200 and $500 bond are posted by those who
will see after and account for JWLs estate. There is a great deal of
legal hocus pocus and an inventory dated February 1850 for JWLs estate
which shows no real property. The bottom line to this untrained observer
is that there are no children or heirs named and perhaps the State and
the lawyers are the only benefactors from JWLs untimely and poorly
planned demise.
In the 1850 Guilford County, Southern Division Census there are some
younger Linthicums living with other families that could be JWL and
Dianas orphaned kids:
(1. On line 1625 with the Howrens, there is an Elizabeth Linthicum, 52,
who could be JWLs sister, an Albert Linthicum, 23 and a Daniel
Linthicum, 21.
(2. On line 811 with the Coes, there is a John B. Linthecum, 16, who is
probably apprenticed as a blacksmith.
(3. On line 1616 with the Wilsons, there is a Diana Linthicum, 19.
If you are still with me, Ill assume that you do have a bit of natural
curiosity and maybe will take a peek into your family records and see if
just perhaps your family tree has the branch that has eluded me thus far.
I would love to hear from you and would be happy to share sources for
any of the information I have accumulated. I assure you that I use good
virus protection and do not mass forward every thing I receive to
everyone in my address book. If you have anyone in your family
researching Linthicum and Causey, please pass this query on to them.
Thank you
Terry L. Linthicum