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Classification: Query
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Message Board Post:
Nancy C. Chance married J. P. Powell in Copiah Co., Ms. The Computerized Indexed
Marriages (Hunting for Bears) lists 30 Dec 1871. The LDS website lists 7 Jan 1872.
I've spent 2 years looking at WFT's and websites, and no one seems to know what
happened to them after their mariage.
My ancestor was James P. Powell. There are many marriages listed for "J. P."
and "James" Powell between 1866 to 1892 in Mississippi. So, I began my research
in reverse chronological order.
My James P. Powell is listed on the 1900 McLennan Co., Tx census with wife Effie and six
children, all of whom are listed as being born in Mississippi. Luckily, I live in
McLennan County, and have direct access to research material at the genealogy department
of our library.
One such source is the Waco City Directory listings beginning in 1895-96. James P. Powell
is listed with children in his household which are not the same as the children listed on
the 1900 census. They are Florence, Lovie, Mary, and Samuel.
Thanks to
www.usgenweb.com, I went to the Adams County, Mississippi website and made two
remarkable dicoveries. First of all, there is a listing for an 1886 county census (not a
U.S. Federal Census). Listed are J. P. Powell, wife "Ephie," and most of the
same children listed on the Waco City Directory; F. V., Jas. E., Petty L, Mollie, Sam E.,
and J. Walter. The youngest son is the oldest son listed on the 1900 McLennan County
census, who was J. P.'s firstborn to his marriage to Effie. So, I know this is my
clan.
The other discovery at the Adams Co. website is the death listing for a "Mrs. J. P.
Powel" (one "L"). She died 27 Mar 1885. Age is unknown. Eleven months
later, J. P. married Effie Mayberry on 11 Jan 1886 in Adams County. The 1886 county
census took place in August. James Powel (one "L") is listed on the 1890 Civil
War Veterans census in Adams County.
I located three of the older children on the 1900 Galveston Co., Tx census: Florence,
Mary Ann, and Samuel. The girls married and remained close for the rest of their lives,
and are buried in Galveston. Sam falls off the map. Another brother, James Eli, is also
buried in Galveston.
With death dates in hand, I obtained the death certificates for Florence, Mary Ann
(Mollie), and James Eli, and discovered that all three listed their parent as James Powell
and Nancy Chance.
Florence, b. 25 Dec 1874, listed as being born in Natchez, Adams Co., Ms. Texas Death
Cert # 19242.
James Eli, b. 4 Dec 1876, listed as being born in Hazelhurst, Copiah Co., Ms. Texas Death
Cert # 55339.
Mary Ann, b. 13 Jun 1881, listed as being born in Mississippi only. Texas Death Cert #
55313.
As for the other two children, I have nothing. According to the 1886 Adams County census,
Petty Lovie was born about 1879, and Samuel was born about 1883. For Sam, the 1900
Galveston County census lists his birth as Jun 1884.
According to the circumstantial evidence, it appears that Nancy C. Chance died 27 Mar 1885
in Adams Co., Ms. due to "pneumonia complicated with hemorrage." Son James ELI
was most likely named after Nancy's father, Eli Z. Chance. I have not been able to
find a cemetery listing for her. She may have been buried in the hospital cemetery in
Natchez. Perhaps a fellow researcher in that area may be able to do some looking around
there.
Another brick in the proverbial wall is removed. I welcome any help, or criticism, with
this information.
Sincerely,
Bill Knoph