Treasure Chest Thursday~Marriage of Rilah Sellers and Edna W. Byrd

The discovery of this marriage license was a big surprise. The name “Riley/Rilah” is a very common name in my maternal line of Sellers and I felt a connection from the moment I made the discovery. After researching Rilah and his wife Edna Byrd I found that they had a son, Benjamin Riley Sellers, born 1867. Benjamin Riley Sellers married  Massie Emaline Moore in 1880 and in the 1910 Census Benjamin Riley and Massie Emaline are living in Ruby, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Benjamin may have been in the County as early as October 1879.

I do not think it’s a coincidence that Benjamin Riley Sellers and his family made their way to Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Back before 1850, William Samuel Sellers, b. 1788 and his wife Alice ‘Allie’ Cook had moved from Anson County, North Carolina to Wilcox County, Alabama. It is very likely that Rilah Sellers is a descendant of this branch of NC Sellers.

Transcription:
The State of Alabama} To any Judge, Minister or Justice law-
Henry County} fully qualified to solemnize marriage
             Greeting:    You are hereby authorized to
join together in the holy state of matrimony Rilah Sellers and 
Mifs E. W. Byrd which being done you will make return thereof to
my office within thirty days. Given under my hand at office this
18th day of December A.D. 1858.         George W. Williams 
                             Judge of Probate
I hereby certify that the above named parties we duly married by me
on the 19th day of December 1858 at the house of S. A. Whitehurst in
the county of Henry and State of Alabama.    L. G. Calhoun, Jr.

The State of Alabama} Before me George W. Williams  presiding
Henry County}  came Rilah Sellers who being duly sworn
             Deposes and says that E. W. Byrd whom
He wishes to obtain license to marry is over Eighteen years of age
Sworn to + subscribed before me this Dec. 18th 1858.
George W. Williams                    Rilah Sellers
             Judge of Probate
Recorded December 18th 1858. George W. William  Judge of Probate







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[1] Marriage records of Henry County, Alabama (1821-1868).page 291; Image 292,
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89HV-3981?i=291&cc=1743384
[2] 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed ); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1455.