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Author: PCavenderJr
Surnames: Cavender
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.cavender/298/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
I've been trying to research my Father's family, though we are not really in
contact anymore due to a rather bitter divorce when I was a young child. He is Perry
Clifford Cavender, and I'm named after him, but a Jr. Last I've read online, he is
currently located in Terlingua, TX and does something involving goats and goat milk soap.
I've tried tracing it back as far as I could, and I don't have very many clues. I
know that he said we were from the Irish branch of the Cavenders (The ones from Carlow) or
at least that's what the family has always claimed. His father's name was R.H.
Cavender, and if what my mother says is true, they don't actually stand for anything.
He did have a 'Great Uncle Gus' according to her as well. I found two sons born to
either a Widow or a Divorcee that moved to Texas when she was 25 according to census data,
and that his Grandfather's name was also 'Perry Cavender'.
Using that information, I found Ellen Cavender, who was 25 in 1880, and born in around
1855. It says that she is widowed with no information on her maiden name or father other
than she was born in Arkansas and my grandfather's father was from North Carolina.
So that brings us to this:
Perry Clifford Cavender Jr. (Me)
Perry Clifford Cavender Sr. (Father)
R.H. Cavender (Grandfather)
Perry Cavender (G GF) Gus Cavender (GG Uncle)
Ellen Cavender (GG GM) Widowed, From Arkansas, born in 1855
According to the 1880 Census, Ellen, Gus and Perry are located in Precinct 7 in Erath,
TX.
My problem is that my trail ends there. Without a maiden name or any real information on
the children's father other than his name is (Something Cavender) and was from North
Carolina, I don't have much to go on. I'm pretty sure that she wasn't married
off at 15, but you never know about these things back then, so the 1870 Census
wouldn't be much help if I was looking for an Ellen Cavender.
Anyone have any clues or any possible family members related to me? My mom also mentioned
that my dad said something about 'New Mexico' before, and there were a few
Cavender's in New Mexico earlier than that, but I cannot find anything solid. Also, if
it's any help, R.H. Cavender was a Texas Ranger at one point; my mother found his
certificate online and purchased a copy of it. If memory serves, it said he was
dishonorably discharged, or something like that. That usually means it isn't something
to be proud of.
Anyway, any help is appreciated, fellow Cavenders or Cavender-enthusiasts.
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