Rachel (Burleson) McKinney (abt. 1813 - bef. 1900)

Born about 1813 in Burke, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Wilson McKinney — married 1835 in North Carolina, United States

Descendants

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Biography

Rachel Burleson was born about 1813 (see research note re: Birth Year) in Burke County, North Carolina to Simeon Burleson and Mary Anna Ledford.

In the 1820 U.S. Federal Census, Rachel was likely enumerated in the household of her father, living in Burke County, North Carolina. She would have been one of two females under 10 years old in that household (the other was likely her sister, Martha)^[1].

Rachel married James M. Gage on 25 November 1827 in Burke County, North Carolina^[2].

It is not clear where James was living when the 1830 U.S. Federal Census was enumerated (see research note re: James Gage in 1830), but it appears that Rachel and their first child, Nancy, were living with Rachel's father, Simeon Burleson, in Burke County, North Carolina^[3].

• Rachel would have been the only 15 - 19 year old female in Simeon's household.
• Nancy would have been one of two females less than five years old (the other being Rachel's youngest sister, Jane Burleson).

Rachel's marriage to James would end sometime in the 1830's. It is currently unknown whether she and James separated or James passed away. Rachel and James, were the parents of at least two children (see research note re: Children):

1. Nancy (Gage) Young b. ~1829 d. ???^[4]
2. Aaron Gage b. ~1833 d. ???

Sometime before the enumeration of the 1840 U.S. Federal Census, Rachel would marry Wilson McKinney^[5] (see free space page Probate for Estate of Simeon Burleson). A marriage record for Rachel and Wilson has not yet been located.

In the 1840 U.S. Federal Census, Rachel was enumerated in the household of her husband, Wilson McKinney, living in Yancey County, North Carolina^[6].

• Rachel would have been the only 20 - 29 year old female in Wilson's household.
• Nancy Gage would have been the only 5 - 9 year old female, although she was likely closer to 11 years old.
• Aaron Gage would have been one of two males under five years old. The second male under five years old was, Reuben, the first child born to Rachel and Wilson.

In the 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Rachel and Wilson lived in Yancey County, North Carolina. Also in their household were six children: Nancy and Aaron, from Rachel's first marriage, and four children born to Wilson and Rachel^[7].

In the 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Rachel and Wilson lived in Yancey County, North Carolina with their five children^[8].

In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Rachel and Wilson lived in Bakersville Township, Mitchell County, North Carolina. Also in their household were three of their children, plus Rachel's daughter, Nancy, and Rachel's granddaughter, Joanah, a child of Nancy's^[9].

In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Rachel and Wilson lived in Bakersville Township, North Carolina. Also in their household was their son Thomas, and a granddaughter, Anna - the daughter of Nancy, Rachel's daughter from her first marriage^[10].

Rachel and Wilson had five children together (see research note re: Children):

1. Reuben M. McKinney b. ~1839 d. 1906^[11]
2. Jane (McKinney) Davis b. 1841 d. 1932^[12]
3. Thomas Jefferson McKinney b. 1845 d. 1927^[13]
4. Isaac W. McKinney b. ~1850 d. 1921^[14][15]
5. Evelyn (McKinney) Johnson b. 1853 d. 1942^[16][17]

Neither a death record nor evidence of a burial have been found for Rachel. It is assumed that she passed away before the enumeration of the 1900 U.S. Federal Census. A Find-a-Grave Memorial indicates that she is buried in Mine Creek Baptist Church Cemetery near Bakersville, Mitchell County, North Carolina, but that memorial does not include a photo of a grave marker^[18].

Research Notes

Birth Year

A birth record for Rachel has not yet been located. An estimate for her birth year can be made by looking at other records:

• About 1811 - The 1860^[8] U.S. Federal Census.
• About 1812 - The 1870^[9] U.S. Federal Census.
• About 1813 - The 1850^[7] and 1880^[10] U.S. Federal Censuses.
• Born 1811-1820 - The 1820^[1] and 1840^[6] U.S. Federal Censuses.
• Born 1811-1815 - The 1830^[3] U.S. Federal Census.

James Gage in 1830

Attempts to locate Rachel's first husband, James Gage, in the 1830 U.S. Federal Census, have not been successful. On 10 Sep 2023, the following searches were conducted on that census. None of the matches from these searches were consistent with a James Gage, whose household included a wife (Rachel Burleson) who was about 17 years old, and a daughter (Nancy), who was about 1 year old.

• First Name = "J*", Last Name = "Ga*ge", Residence = "Kentucky, United States" returned zero records
• First Name = "J*", Last Name = "Ga*ge", Residence = "North Carolina, United States" returned one record:
  • Jacob Gage age 50 - 59 living in Rutherford County, North Carolina. His presumed wife was 40 - 49 years old and they had eight children.
• First Name = "J*", Last Name = "Ga*ge", Residence = "Tennessee, United States" returned three records:
  • James Gage Sr. age 70 - 79 living in Tipton County. His presumed wife was also 70 - 79 years old. Tipton County is a far west county in Tennessee, on the Mississippi River.
  • James Gage Jr. age 30 - 39 living in Tipton County, Tennessee. His presumed wife was age 20 - 29, and they had six children living with them: three aged 5 - 9 and three under five years.
  • John Gage age 40 - 49 living in Hardeman County, Tennessee. His presumed wife was age 30 - 39, and they had eight children in their household. Hardeman County is in the southwest corner of Tennessee.
• First Name = "J*", Last Name = "Ga*ge", Residence = "Virginia, United States" returned zero records.

Children of Rachel Burleson

Not all of Rachel's presumed children have sources that identify Rachel as their mother. In several cases, this parental relationship is inferred from a collection other sources:

• Nancy Gage
  • A birth record has not been found for Nancy.
  • The counts of individuals in the 1830 U.S. Federal Census support her being part of the household of her maternal grandfather, Simeon Burleson^[3].
  • The counts of individuals in the 1840 U.S. Federal Census support her being part of the household of Wilson McKinney^[6].
  • In the 1850^[7], 1860^[8], and 1870^[9] U.S. Federal Censuses, Nancy was enumerated in the household of Wilson McKinney.
  • One marriage record for Nancy has been found, but that record does not identify the parents of the bride or groom^[4].
  • In 1878, Nancy's own daughter, Joanna, who was born out of wedlock, became a ward of Wilson McKinney^[19].
  • A death record has not been found for Nancy.
• Aaron Gage
  • A birth record has not been found for Aaron.
  • The counts of individuals in the 1840 U.S. Federal Census support him being part of the household of Wilson McKinney^[6].
  • In the 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Aaron was enumerated in the household of Wilson McKinney^[7].
  • A marriage record has not yet been found for Aaron and his wife.
  • In the 1860^[8] and 1870^[9] U.S. Federal Censuses, Aaron's household was adjacent to the household of Wilson McKinney.
  • A death record has not been found for Aaron.
• Reuben M. McKinney
  • A birth record has not been found for Reuben.
  • The counts of individuals in the 1840 U.S. Federal Census support him being part of the household of Wilson McKinney^[6].
  • In the 1850^[7] and 1860^[8] U.S. Federal Censuses, Reuben was enumerated in the household of Wilson McKinney.
  • One marriage record for Reuben has been found, but that record does not identify the parents of the bride or groom^[11]
  • In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Reuben's household was adjacent to the household of Wilson McKinney^[9].
  • In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Reuben's household was two households away from Wilson McKinney^[10].
  • A death record has not been found for Reuben.
• The remaining four children (Jane^[12], Thomas^[13], Isaac^[15], and Evelyn^[17]) each has a death certificate that indicates their mother was Rachel Burleson.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "United States Census, 1820", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLX-7ZG : Thu Jul 20 23:13:59 UTC 2023), Entry for Simeon Burlison, 1820.
2. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q215-G2X7 : 21 July 2021), DGS #102155825, Image #566, James M Gage and Rachel Barteson, 25 Nov 1827; citing Burke, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} "United States Census, 1830", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5M-JB2 : Thu Jul 20 17:11:04 UTC 2023), Entry for Simeon Burlison, 1830.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} "North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8WJ-W94 : 14 February 2020), DGS #7613968, Image #87 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9VV-S7R6?i=86&cc=1726957), 8th entry from bottom, Nancy Gage in entry for Sidney S. Young, 1874.
5. ↑ FamilySearch; United States, North Carolina, Yancey County, Probate Records; Probate records, 1855-1938, Catalog #151993 (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/151993); Record of wills, 1838-1935; DGS #4779747; Will Book Volume #1, Pages 103-108; Images 59-62 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-LGCH-4JT?i=58&cc=1867501&cat=151993); Settlement of the estate of Simeon Burleson. For more details see the freespace profile Probate for Estate of Simeon Burleson.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4} "United States Census, 1840", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHYJ-P24 : Thu Jul 20 18:22:32 UTC 2023), Entry for Wilson McKinney, 1840.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4} "United States Census, 1850", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4BL-GZG : Sat Sep 09 16:31:21 UTC 2023), Household #401, Line #21, Entry for Rachel McKinny in household of Wilson McKinny, 1850.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4} "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDD1-VZ2 : Tue Jul 18 00:25:22 UTC 2023), Page #62, Household #400, Line #10, Entry for Rachel McKinney in household of Wilson McKinney, 1860.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4} "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW8L-5P2 : Mon Aug 21 16:03:45 UTC 2023), Page #22, Household #161, Line #12, Entry for Rachel McKiney in household of Wilson McKiney, 1870.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2} "United States Census, 1880", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCXC-CYP : Thu Aug 03 01:56:26 UTC 2023), Enumeration District #142, Page #13, Household #111, Line #37, Entry for Rachell McKinney in household of Wilson McKinney, 1880.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} "North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8W2-X5V : 14 February 2020), DGS #007537771, Image #42 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98N-18FM?i=41&cc=1726957), Page #72, Reuben M McKinney, 1867.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} "North Carolina Deaths, 1931-1994", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FP6T-9PR : 29 September 2022), Jane Davis, 1932.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} "North Carolina Deaths, 1906-1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F3WY-44T : 20 February 2021), Thomas J. Mckinney, 17 Oct 1927; citing Bakersville, Mitchell, North Carolina, reference 124, State Department of Archives and History, Raleigh; FHL microfilm 1,907,336.
14. ↑ "North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8WJ-7KY : 14 February 2020), DGS #7613968, Image #86 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9VV-S7R3?i=85&cc=1726957), 6th entry from bottom, Isaac McKiney, 1874.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} "North Carolina Deaths, 1906-1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F34F-2BW : 20 February 2021), Isaac W. Mckinney, 28 Feb 1921; citing Bakersville, Mitchell, North Carolina, reference fn 605 cn 373, State Department of Archives and History, Raleigh; FHL microfilm 1,892,718.
16. ↑ "North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8WJ-QJC : 14 February 2020), DGS #7613968, Image #83 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9VV-S7R2?i=82&cc=1726957), Line #8, Evaline McKiny in entry for Henderson Johnson, 1870; Note: This marriage is also described on image #9 line #17.
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} "North Carolina Deaths, 1931-1994", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FPP7-N9T : 29 September 2022), Evelyn McKinney Johnson, 1942.
18. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 10 September 2023), memorial page for Rachel Burleson McKinney (1810–unknown), Find A Grave: Memorial #11477147, Mine Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Bakersville, Mitchell County, North Carolina, USA; Maintained by Owens (contributor 50560026).
19. ↑ FamilySearch; Unindexed catalog images; United States, North Carolina, Mitchell County, Probate Records; Probate records, 1871-1963; indexes, 1869-1968, 1869-1968; Catalog #168775 (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/168775); Appointment and record of administrators 1871-1909; DGS #7537783; Image #51 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G98N-16VL?i=50&cat=168775); Page #29; In the matter of Joanna Gage Apprentice, 29 Jul 1878.