William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
I picked up some more information in the past few days, all from the Coffee County chat room (http://www.cafes.net/jlewis/) regarding my great grandmother and her parents.
The 'operator' of the site is Jess Lewis and he seems to be pretty knowledgeable
about the ‘goings-on’ in Coffee County, Tennessee.
There were quite a few Messicks in Coffee County during the mid-1800’s (and thereafter). My g-grandmother, Martha E., was reportedly a Messick. Information from my family indicates that she married William H. Fletcher, my g-grandfather in 1865.
My family information does not give her age or year of birth. William was born in 1847.
However, website information that I have picked up so far indicates that the Martha E. Messick who is of the approximately correct age, never married. I believe that this is not true and that this Martha E. Messick, born in 1850 in Coffee County to Richard and Telitha Messick, was my great grandmother.
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This is a summary of what I have picked up this week
From the 1850 census of Coffee County
Richard Messick (age 19) and Telitha (age 17)
One child:Martha (age - 5 months)
From the 1860 census of Coffee County
Richard C. Messick, with no wife
Children:Martha (age 9)
William (age- 7)
Tilitha (age - 8 months)
From the 1870 census of Coffee County
Richard (age 36)
married to Sarah (age 29)
Children: William (age 18)
Mary (age 8)
Frances (age 6)
Lydia (age 4)
Laura (age 1)
The family of Richard and Telitha
(and, later the family of Richard
and Sarah), according to Jess Lewis,
were quite ‘well off’
Of course, if Martha (who would be about 19 or 20 by 1870) did not marry she would still be listed with this family, unless she died or moved away (at the age of 19 ? ).
I believe that this Martha, was instead, married to my great grandfather,
William H. Fletcher, on 12/7/1865 and remained married to him until her death in the vicinity of Tucumcari, New Mexico, sometime after 1920)..
According to family legend my great grandmother (Martha E.) and my great grandfather (William H. Fletcher) got married against the wishes of Martha’s parents. Martha’s parents promised to disown her if she married William. It was reported that Martha’s family was quite rich and that William did not come from a wealthy family.
However, the information that I have on Martha through websites indicates that Martha must not have ever been married. The fact that any information on her from her family during that time that indicated she was never married would be consistent with a women who was ‘disowned’. The Martha that was from the family of Richard and Telitha MUST have been my great grandmother, in my opinion. The information just seems to fit.
I would appreciate any comments. I would really appreciate any information on the family of Richard and Telitha and both of their parents, as well.
Thanks,
John L. Fletcher
New Mexico
More Replies:
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
Audrey A. Franklin 7/27/03
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
Donald Hauser 2/02/02
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
John Fletcher 2/03/02
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
3/18/01
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
3/19/01
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
Carol Burkes 10/21/01
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
John Fletcher 10/21/01
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
kathy henre 1/13/02
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865
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Re: William H Fletcher/Martha E Messick 1865