Mary Abernathy (abt. 1817 - abt. 1858)

Born about 1817 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, USA

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1858 at about age 41 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, USA

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Biography

BIRTH / DEATH

Mary Abernathy

Birth about 1817, per census in 1850

Place of Birth: assume Lincoln Co. NC, based on the following:

1) Mary's census in 1850 says born NC

2) Appears all Abernathy's in 1830-1840 Jefferson Co. AL, originated from NC.

3) The majority of Abernathy families in 1800-1830 NC, located in Lincoln Co.

Death: between 1854 and 1860 census (average 1858):

1) died after 1854, per birth of child Amanda

2) died before 1860 census, where husband is widowed

Place of Death: assume Pontotoc Co. MS, based on the following:

1) last known location Pontotoc Co. MS (1850 census)

2) widowed husband's location Pontotoc Co. MS (1860 census)

PARENTAGE

Mary Abernathy, daughter of William Abernathy

Circumstantial evidence for father:

1) Mary's 1850 household includes 14 yr old Amanda Abernathy (sister)

2) Mary and husband moved to Pontotoc Co. Mississippi by 1850 census, and are living in very close proximity to other Abernathy's (assumed siblings).

These nearby Abernathy's are: James, Robert, Richard, Martha, Elizabeth

3) Mary and her assumed siblings, all fit correctly onto father's 1830-1840 census.

MARRIAGE

Husband: Elam Ware

Wife: Mary Abernathy

Married about 1836, per birth of child Martha (b.Aug-1837)

Location PROBABLY in Jefferson Co. AL

Husband Elam Ware is son of George Ware and Ruth.

Note: Mary's brother (Sterling Abernathy) married Elam's sister (Elizabeth Ware)

Note: husband Elam Ware, married 2nd wife Cansada Smith-Collins, in 1861

CENSUS / TIMELINE

1830 Census: Jefferson, Alabama, p.15

Name: Wm Abanathy

2 - Males - 5 thru 9: ........... [Robert, James]

1 - Males - 15 thru 19: ....... [Richard]

1 - Males - 20 thru 29: ....... [Sterling]

1 - Males - 40 thru 49: ....... [WILLIAM]

2 - Females - Under 5: ....... [Eliabeth, Martha]

2 - Females - 15 thru 19: ... [Nancy, Mary] <------

1 - Females - 30 thru 39: ... [SARAH]

Total Free White Persons: 10

Note: ages are a little "off" on some, but total number of family members is correct.

1836: marriage of Elam Ware and Mary Abernathy (date estimated)

1839: living in Alabama, per birth of child William, assume Jefferson Co. AL

1840: ???, cannot locate census

Note: several family members (both Ware and Abernathy) have already moved to Pontotoc Co. MS, but others reside in Jefferson Co. AL

1842: living in Mississippi, per birth of child Mary, assume Pontotoc Co. MS

1845: Elam Ware - Pontotoc County, Mississippi

Ancestry.com. Mississippi, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index

Others on 1845 census are J.M.Ware, James A Ware (not sure of relationship)

1846-1847: Mary's parents (William Abernathy and Sarah) died in Pontotoc Co. MS. Elam and Mary are caring for Mary's orphaned sister Amanda Abernathy.

1850 Census: Pontotoc, Mississippi, family#49

Elam Ware .................. 33 ... TN … farmer, real estate $640

Mary Ware .................. 33 ... NC ... [maiden Abernathy]

Martha Ware .............. 13 ... AL … attends school

William Ware .............. 10 ... AL … attends school

Mary Ware .................... 8 ... MS … attends school

Ruth Ware .................... 6 ... MS … [Sarah Ruth]

George Ware ................ 5 ... MS

Robert Ware ................. 3 ... MS

Thomas Ware ........... 3m ... MS

Amanda Abernathy ... 14 ... NC ... [Mary's sister]

1850 Census Notes:

Living next to family#48: Mary's brother: Richard Abernathy 37, Mary 36

Living close to family#52: James Ware 46, Harriet 39, (not sure if related)

Living close to family#53: Mary's sister: Elizabeth Abernathy-Potts age 18

Living close to family#54: Mary's sister: Martha Abernathy-Flanagan age 22

Living close to family#55: Mary's brothers: James Abernathy 28, Robert 26

1854-1860: death of Mary Abernathy-Ware

1860 Husband Census: Tallibenela, Pontotoc, Mississippi, family#1244

Elam Ware ........... 42 ... TN … farmer, real estate $1000, personal $375

Wm T Ware .......... 21 ... AL

Sarah R Ware ...... 16 ... MS … attends school

Geo M Ware ........ 14 ... MS … attends school

Robt B Ware ........ 12 ... MS … attends school

Thos E Ware ........ 10 ... MS … attends school

John F Ware .......... 8 ... MS

Amanda A Ware ... 6 ... MS

1860 Census Notes:

Living close to family#1255: Mary's sister: Nancy Pitts w/husband Henry

Living close to family#1248: Mary's neice: Mary Hensley (dau of Nancy Pitts)

Sources