Martha Elizabeth (Williams) Ross (1839 - 1897)

Born 28 Feb 1839 in Georgia

Wife of John J. Ross — married about 1857 in Ouachita County, Arkansas

Descendants

Died 17 Sep 1897 at age 58 in Ouachita County, Arkansas

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Biography

This biography of Martha E Williams was written by Jim Pickering. The information presented here comes totally from research. Any corrections and/or additional information with documentation will be welcome.

Martha was born 28 Feb 1839 most likely in Georgia, and moved to Arkansas about mid 1840s with her father and stepmother. The family was first recorded in the 1850 census for Lafayette Township, Ouachita County, Arkansas. As of the 1850 census her family consisted of her father, stepmother, and two half siblings.^[1][2]

Father: Thomas Williams (1812 GA - 1895 AR)

Stepmother: Matilda ?? Williams ( 1829 AL - 1899AR)

Martha Elizabeth Williams (1839 GA - 1897 AR)

Louisa Williams (1847 AR - ??)

Thomas Williams (1848 AR - ??)

Mary A Williams (1850 AR - ??)

Research Note: Matilda is Thomas' wife given she is with him for the duration. However, there is not enough difference in age between Matilda and Martha for Matilda to be Martha's mother. Therefore the working assumption is that Thomas married Martha's mother about 1830 to 1839 in Georgia. A search of Georgia marriage records for Thomas Williams 1830 - 1839 produced six marriages in six different counties. Then the 1840 census records were searched for Thomas Williams in each of the six counties. Considering the 1840 ages of Thomas, Martha, and an estimate for Martha's mother the best match was in Richmond County. The Richmond County marriage was Thomas Williams and Catherine Clegg 6 September 1837. Catherine died after the birth of Martha in 1839. Thomas then married Matilda with their first child being Louisa born 1847 in Arkansas. At this point the marriage to Catherine Clegg is more speculation than fact so more research will be necessary.

Martha's family had moved to the far north of Ouachita County, Arkansas by 1860. Exactly when between 1850 and 1860 the move was made and If Martha was still living with her family is not known. She was no longer with the family as of the 1860 census. ^[3]

Ouachita County, Arkansas did not start recording marriage records until 1875 so there is no marriage record for Martha, but she married John J Ross, and probably in 1857 given their first son, John Thomas, was born 12 December 1858.

Martha's new family was omitted from the 1860 census. Chronically the next record found for her was the 1870 Census for Lafayette Township, Ouachita County, Arkansas, dated June 6 1860. Husband, John's occupation is indicated as Farmer with $3,600 in real estate value and $825 in personal property. The family consisted of four children.^[4]

John J. Ross (head of household, male age 37 years born KY)

Martha E. Ross (female age 47 years, born AL)

John Thomas Ross (male age 11 years, born AR)

William F. Ross (male age 9 years, born AR)

Virginia F. Ross (female age 3 years, born AR)

R. D. (male age 7 months, born AR)

Research Note: Worth noting here that John J. and family were listed in the 1870 census as household # 12, Thomas Williams, Martha E's father, was listed as household # 33, and James H. Franklin, father of Malinda Ann Franklin, was listed as household # 6.

On 14 December 1879 their eldest son, John Thomas, age 21, married Malinda Ann Franklin, age 17.^[5]

As of the 1880 census John J had moved Martha and children from rural Lafayette Township, Ouachita County to the town of Camden, Ouachita County. His occupation was listed a "Merchant" suggesting that he had acquired or started a business. The family was complete with the birth of son, Oscar, in 1879.^[6]

John J. Ross (self, age 47 years, born KY)

Martha E. Ross (wife, age 41 years, born GA)

Willie F Ross (son, age 19 years, born AR)

Virginia F. Ross (daughter, age 13 years, born AR)

Wiley J. Ross (son, age 9 years, born AR)

Oscar J. Ross (son, age 1 year, born AR)

J.W. Holloman (clerk in store, age 22 years, born TN)

Husband John J's Last Will and Testament was written 24 July 1884. He must have been ill and knew his time was short. John J. died 13 August 1884, and his Will was filed for Probate on 14 August. John J. was buried in the Oakland Confederate Cemetery, Camden, Ouachita County, Arkansas.^{[7] [8]}

Research Note: It has not been determined if after the death of her husband Martha continued to live in the same house with their two minor children or moved in with one of her older children. At some point she most likely would have needed help. There are extensive probate court files concerning husband, John J's, estate and guardianship of the minor children that hopefully will shed some light on Martha's last ten years, if there is ever an opportunity to read the files.

Martha died 17 Sept 1897 and was buried along side her husband in the Oakland Confederate Cemetery, Camden, Ouachita County, Arkansas. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find A Grave, database and images (accessed 12 December 2017), memorial page for Martha Elizabeth Williams Ross (28 Feb 1839–17 Sep 1897), Find A Grave Memorial no. 24791023, citing Oakland Confederate Cemetery, Camden, Ouachita County, Arkansas, USA ; Maintained by Annie202 (contributor 30783445).[1]
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (12 April 2016), Thos Williams, Lafayette, Ouachita, Arkansas, United States; citing family 120, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). [2]
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch(13 December 2017), Thos Williams, 1860. GS file 803047, Digital Folder 005165618, Image 00186, Household ID 1308. [3]
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (12 April 2016), John J Ross, Arkansas, United States; citing p. 2, family 12, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,558. [4]
5. ↑ "Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957, J T Ross and M A Franklin," database with images, FamilySearch, (26 September 2017), 14 Dec 1879; citing , Ouachita, Arkansas, United States, county offices, Arkansas; FHL microfilm 987,775. [5]
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (26 August 2017), John J Ross, Camden, Ouachita, Arkansas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 229, sheet 128B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0053; FHL microfilm 1,254,053. [6]
7. ↑ "Find A Grave, John J Ross (2 Dec 1832–13 Aug 1884)", database and images (accessed 04 December 2017), Find A Grave Memorial no. 8594380, citing Oakland Confederate Cemetery, Camden, Ouachita County, Arkansas, USA ; Maintained by Annie202 (contributor 30783445) [7]
8. ↑ "Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979, Last Will and Testament, John J Ross," database with images, FamilySearch (22 May 2014), Ouachita, Wills 1876-1901 vol A, 92 -95, image 92 & 93 of 251; county courthouses, Arkansas. [8]