52 Cousins~Robert Warner Kepley

Robert Warner Kepley was born 21 April 1839, a son of John Peter Kepley and Rachel Simison. He was the eighth of nine children born to this couple. Robert Warner had 3 brother and 5 sisters. In 1860, Robert gave his occupation as a day laborer.

On 17 March 1859, Robert Warner Kepley married Sarah Louvina Holshouser, daughter of Henry Holshouser, if the informant for her NC death is correct. [Surname also spelled, Holtshouser]. 

Between March 1859 and 8 July 1870 Robert and Sarah conceived four children. During that time Robert Warner Kepley was involved in an incident that caused him to be incarcerated into the NC Penitentiary as a Convict. Presently, I have not uncovered why he was imprisoned.

Robert Warner Kepley and Sarah Louvina Holshouser had the following children:

1. Lewis Alexander C. Kepley, born 1860; married Margaret Elmina Waller, 18 May 1879, Rowan County, North Carolina; married Elizabeth J. Bean, 29 Mar 1908, Rowan County, North Carolina; died 15 Sep 1926, Providence, Rowan, North Carolina.

2. Mary Jane Kepley, born 9 Apr 1863, Rowan County, North Carolina; married Daniel H. Sides; died 31 Jan 1928.

3. Rosa Clementine Kepley, born 15 Oct 1864, Rowan County, North Carolina; married Samuel Green Lowder, 29 Jun 1902, Stanly County, North Carolina; died 24 Mar 1958, Stanly County, North Carolina.

4. George Calvin Kepley, born 13 Apr 1867, Rowan County, North Carolina; married Mattie Joan Shoe, 12 Jun 1892, Stanly County, North Carolina; died 15 Dec 1957, Gold Hill Township, Cabarrus, North Carolina.

Sadly, Robert Warner Kepley, age 33, died 24 Jul 1872 while imprisoned.

Sarah Louvina Holshouser Kepley raised her four children, never remarrying. Sarah died 28 April 1918 in Rowan County, North Carolina. She was buried in the Pine Grove Methodist Church Cemetery, Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina.

Robert Warner Kepley was my 2^nd Cousin 4X Removed.

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NOTE: The posted birth and death dates for Robert Warner Kepley are from his recently created FindAGrave Memeorial. These two dates are questionable at the best and DO NOT meet the Criteria for The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). The 1850 Census shows him age 11, born abt 1839. The 1880 Census shows Sarah Louvina Holhouserr a widow. Consider his birth and death dates as questionable until fully proven.  

1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed November 2024); Memorial page for Robert Warner Kepley; (21 April 1839–24 July 1872); Find a Grave memorial # 177907291, Citing Unknown; Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA. 

2. 1850 U. S. Census, Rowan County, North Carolina, population schedule, School District 37, Rowan, North Carolina, Page: 229A(Stamped), Line 28, Dwelling 1832, Family 1858, Household of Rachel KEPLEY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 643. 

3. 1860 U. S. Census, Rowan County, North Carolina, population schedule, Salisbury, Rowan, North Carolina, Page: 257 (stamped); Line 24-26, Dwelling 752, Family 717, Household of Robert KEPLEY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 April 2022); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 912. 

4. 1870 Census, Wake County, North Carolina, population schedule, Raleigh Middle Ward, Wake, North Carolina, Page: 256 (stamped; Line 14, Dwelling 859, Family 1065, Robert KEPLEY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 April 2022); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M593, Roll. 

5. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Robert Warner Kepley (21 April 1839–24 July 1872), Memorial # 177907291. 

6. "Index to North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : online November 2024), Marriage: Robert Kepley & Sarah L Holsehouser; North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1977.; Marriage Date: 17 Mar 1859. 

8. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Sarah L “Sallie” Holsehouser Kepley (27 April 1837–27 April 1918), Memorial # 52488846. 

9. 1870 U. S. Census, Rowan County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morgan, Rowan County, North Carolina, Page: 519(stamped; Line 38, Dwelling 240, Family 224, Household of Sally KEPLEY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 April 2022); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M593, Roll 1158. 

10. 1900 U. S. Census, Rowan County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morgan, Rowan County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 242, Page: 343C (stamped; Line 5, Dwelling 175, Family 176, Sarah L. KEPLEY; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: viewed 11 April 2022); citing National Archives Microfilm T623;. 

11. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Sarah L “Sallie” Holsehouser Kepley (27 April 1837–27 April 1918), Memorial # 52488846

52 Cousins~Amy (Earnhart) Liggett

Amy (Earnhart) Liggett was born 19 August 1860 in Bedford County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Benjamin Earnhart and his wife, Susan, whose maiden name is unknown, Susan was the 1st born of two children born of this union. She had 5 half-brothers, 1 half-sister and a sister. Her father was previously married to Harriett McIntosh. Harriett passed away sometime between 1860 and 1870. Benjamin Earnhart married Susan, his second wife about 1860, shortly after the death of his 1st wife. 

Any Earnhart, age 18, married John Henry Newton Liggett, age 19, on 29 Aug 1878 in Bedford County, Tennessee. He was a farmer. 

John Henry Newton Liggett and Amy Earnhart had the following children:

i. Lillian Florence "Lillie" Liggett was born on 9 Oct 1879 in Tennessee, Lillie died on 6 Oct 1973 at the age of 93.

ii. Willie Liggett was born in Apr 1881 in California. 

iii. James Liggett was born in Mar 1885 in California. 

iv. Horace Greeley Liggett, born 11 May 1888, California; married Nora Edith Abbott, 1917; died 4 Feb 1956, Fresno County, California.

v. Nice A. Liggett was born in Jul 1889 in California. 

vi. Mrs. Hattie Ferman Liggett was born in Jul 1892 in California. 

vii. Earl Liggett was born in Oct 1894 in California. 

viii. Walter Liggett was born in Dec 1895 in California.

ix. Lloyd Liggett was born in Aug 1896 in California. 

                   

Amy (Earnhart) Liggett died on 9 December 1897, cause unknown. Mrs. Amy Liggett, wife of J. H. N. Liggett, died in Eureka School district on Thursday morning of this week. [Died 9 Dec 1897.] The Lemoore Leader, Lemoore, California, Sat, Dec 11, 1897.

We do know that John Henry N. Liggett was left with 7 children under the age of 10 and the other were only a few years older. Thus, in 1899 (exact date unknown) John Henery Liggett married Candace Alma Worley. to this union four additional children were born. 

John Henry Newton Liggett died 27 Oct 1834 in Hanford, Kings County, California.

TULARE MAN IS CALLED BEYOND

Death Saturday claimed J. H. N. Leggett, 76, of Tulare. He passed away at a Visalia hospital, following a paralytic stroke. 

Mr. Leggett had made his home on South D street in Tulare. He is survived by his second wife, Candace, of Tulare, and their son and daughter, Claude Leggett and Mrs. Viola Foster of Tulare; and by seven children by his first wife-- Mrs. F. Worley and Mrs. Hattie Ferman of Los Angeles and Lloyd, Horace, Walter, Earl and Tom Leggett of Hanford.

Funeral services were conducted at Hanford at two o'clock Monday afternoon, from the People's Undertaking Parlors.

[Tulare Advance-Register, 29 Oct 1934.]

Amy (Earnhart) Liggett was my 2nd Cousin 4X Removed. 

______________________________

1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com: accessed November 2024); Memorial page for Amy Earnhart Liggett; (19 August 1860–8 December 1897); Find a Grave memorial # 42111660, Citing Hanford Cemetery; Hanford, Kings County, California, USA.

2. 1870 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, Page 328A & B (Stamped), Line 38, Dwelling 146, Family 150, Household of William EARNHART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: viewed 22 October 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm M593_.

3. 1880 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, enumeration district (ED) 012; Page: #27B (Stamped), 54, Dwelling: #209, Family: #213, Household of J. H. N. LIGGETT; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: online November 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm T9:.

4. "Local & County Items.," Death Notice, The Lemoore Leader, Lemoore, California, 11 December 1897, Page 3, column 3; Digital On-Line Archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/: online November 2024).

5. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Amy Earnhart Liggett (19 August 1860–8 December 1897), Memorial # 42111660.

6. "Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: online November 2024), Marriage: Amie Earnhart & Jon H. N. Liggett, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/5206961:1169; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/24538:1169.

7. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, John Henry N. Liggett (December 1858–27 October 1934), Memorial # 42111753.

9. 1900 U. S. Census, Kings County, California, population schedule, Lucerne, Kings, California, enumeration district (ED) 0035, Page: #277B (Stamped), Line: #76, Dwelling: #153, Family: #154, Household of J. H. N. LIGGETT; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: online November 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm Series: T623.

10. 1910 U. S. Census, Kings County, California, population schedule, Lucerne, Kings, California, enumeration district (ED) 0080, Page: #137B (Stamped), Line: #66, Dwelling: #196, Family: #197, Household of James N. LIGGETT; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: online November 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm Series: T625:

11. 1920 U. S. Census, Tulare County, California, population schedule, Tulare, Tulare, California, enumeration district (ED) 0222, Page: #27B (Stamped), Line: #54, Dwelling: #209, Family: #213, Household and John H. N. LIGGETT; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: online November 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm Series: T625:

12. 1930 U. S. Census, Tulare County, California, population schedule, Tulare, Tulare, California, United States, enumeration district (ED) 0068, Page: #232B (Stamped), Line: #75, Dwelling: #41, Family: #41, Household of John H. N. LIGGETT; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: online November 2024); citing National Archives Microfilm Series: T626:

13. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, John Henry N. Liggett (December 1858–27 October 1934), Memorial # 42111753.

14. "TULARE MAN IS CALLED BEYOND, 29 October 1934," Page 1, Column 1.">

52 Cousins~John M. and Sophronia S. Speed ~Mystery Couple related to Col. George Drye and his wife Mrs. Rowena Drye.

With today’s posting I have a real mystery in the family that I was completely unaware of just weeks ago.  

Comments were left on a posting to my blog post https://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2022/06/mrs-rowena-drye-widow-of-col-george-drye.html. The young lady wanted to know how “John M. and Sophronia S. (Maiden name unknown) Speed were related to George and Rowena (Maiden name unknown) Dry were related. 

John M. Speed was born abt 1824 and died before December 1875. Sophronia S. (LNU) Speed applied for a Civil War Widows pension on 2 December 1875; Application#223713. 

https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/4654/records/1172475

 It is not known when John M. Speed and Sophronia S. (LNU) Speed were married. Their only child, Elizabeth, was born in 1844 and in the 1900 Census her mother reported that she was deceased. 

On 13 June 1900, Sophronia S. (LNU) Speed wrote her Last Will and Testament. 

Last Will of Sophronia S. Speed

Sophronia S. Speed, being of sound mind do make this Will my last will revoking all previous wills:

First: I wish all my just debts and funeral Expenses paid.  Second, I wish my executor to buy me a lot in Eastern Cemetery, and there bury me, and erect over my grave a neat tombstone.

Third: I give to my Nephew Stephen Dry certain pictures and an upholstered chair, which I have pointed out to my executor, and which I desire him to have crated and shipped to my said nephew at Houstonville, Ky. 

Fourth: I give my Nephew John Dry a chair which my Executor is to have upholstered, and which is known to him. 

Fifth: I give to my niece, Amanda C. Bradley, a certain trunk which I have had my nurse pack, and the contents thereof, the said nurse, Mrs. A. B. Gregory, knowing the said trunk.

Page  219 

Sixth: I give all my wearing apparel to Maria Milligan. 

Seventh: The remainder of my Estate of whatever description is to go into the hands of my Executor to be by him sold and the proceeds used by him without accountability in the paying of my debts, paying for my said lot in the said Cemetery, and the erection of my tombstone, and keeping my grave in repair. 

I appoint R. C. Bradley my executor and request that he be permitted to Execute bond without Security. 

This June 13th 1900.                Sophronia X S. Speed,

Witness W. E . Mitchell 

Rewena D. Weatherford 

Mrs. A. B. Gregory 

State of Kentucky, 

At a County Court held for Jefferson County at the Court House in the City of Louisville on the 18th day of July 1900 the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Sophronia S. Speed deceased late of this County was produced in Court and proven by the testimony of W. E. Mitchell, Rewena D. Weatherford and Mrs. A. B. Gregory the subscribing witnesses thereto, whereupon the same was established by the Court to be the last will and testament of said testatrix and ordered to be recorded, and is recorded in my office as Clerk of said Court.

                  Attest Wm C. Johnson Clerk

Sophronia S. Speed, by her will, makes bequests of furniture and clothing to different persons, and directs her executor to sell the remainder and use the proceeds in the payment of her debts and for the care of her grave.

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/160095867/

The Courier-Journal

Louisville, Kentucky 

Thu, Jul 19, 1900

Page 10, Column 1

Sophronia S Speed in the Kentucky, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1774-1989

Name Sophronia S Speed

Residence Date Abt 1900

Residence Place Kentucky

Will Date 13 Jun 1900

Probate Date 13 Jun 1900

Probate Place Jefferson, Kentucky, USA

Inferred Death Year 1900

Inferred Death Place Kentucky, USA

Item Description Wills, Vol 21-23, 1896-1901

Individuals Listed (Name) Relationship

Sophronia S Speed

Stephen Dry_Nephew

John Dry_Nephew

Amanda C. Bradley_Niece

A.B. Gregory_Niece

Sophronia S Speed named the following George and Rowena D. Dry descendants in her Last Will.

1. Stephen Dry_Nephew; Stephen is the son of George and Rowena D. Dry.

2. John Dry_Nephew—John is the son of George and Rowena D. Dry.

3. Amanda C. Bradley_Niece is Amanda C. Drye wife of Richard Cobb Bradley. Amanda is the daughter of John F. Dry and granddaughter of Col. George Dry and Rowena D. Drye. 

Two additional individuals were bequeathed legacies. 

A, B Gregory, a nurse 

Maria Milligan. 

Fifth: I give to my niece, Amanda C. Bradley, a certain trunk which I have had my nurse pack, and the contents thereof, The said nurse, Mrs. A. B. Gregory, knowing the said trunk.

Page  219 

Sixth: I give all my wearing apparel to Maria Milligan. 

Seventh: The remainder of my Estate of whatever description is to go into the hands of my Executor to be by him sold and the proceeds used by him without accountability in the paying of my debts, paying for my said lot in the said Cemetery, and the erection of my tombstone, and keeping my grave in repair. 

I appoint R. C. Bradley my executor and request that he be permitted to Execute bond without Security. 

Let's review for a minute: A nephew is the son of your brother or sister, while a niece is the daughter of your brother or sister; essentially, they are the children of your siblings, making you their aunt or uncle. 

If John and Stephen are, in fact, a nephew of Sophronia S Speed. Then, either George DRY or Rowena D. (LNU) is a sister of Sophronia S Speed. However, Amanda C. Bradley, wife of Richard Cobb Bradley is referred to as a Niece also.  But, Amanda is the daughter of John F. Dry and granddaughter of Col. George Dry and Rowena D. (LNU) Dry. That would make Sophronia S Speed to be the daughter of Col. George Dry and Rowena D. (LNU) Dry. 

Maria Milligan was Maria Hardesty before her marriage to Albert Milligan in Jan 1852, I have not found a blood connection to Sophronia S. Speed.

I suspect that Rowena D. Dry, wife and widow, of George Dry is the key to this mystery. 

If you have any information on the parents of Sophronia S. Speed, I would love to hear from you.  

________________________

1. 1860, Marion County, Kentucky, population schedule, District 2, Marion, Kentucky, Page: #731 (penciled), Line: #22, Dwelling: #704; Family: #687, Household of John M. SPEED; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: online December 2024); citing NARA publication M653_. 

2. Compiled military record (), U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 (Provo, Utah: www.ancestry.com), N/A. 

3. 1860, Marion County, Kentucky, population schedule, District 2, Marion, Kentucky, Page: #731 (penciled), Line: #22, Dwelling: #704; Family: #687, Household of John M. SPEED. 

4. 1900, Jefferson County, Kentucky, population schedule, Louisville Ward 6, Jefferson, Kentucky, enumeration district (ED) 0059, Page 286 (Stamped); Line: #26, Dwelling: #66, Family: #114, Household of Sue S. SPEED; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: online December 2024); citing NARA publication T623, Roll: 533. 

5. KY Department of Archives and History, "Civil War Pension Index, 1861-1934" database, (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/4654/records/1172475: accessed December 2024), entry for John M Speed; Unit A 10 Ky. Infantry. 

6. C K Caron, City Directories for Louisville, Kentucky: 1861-1923 (Louisville, Kentucky: C K Caron, 1888), page 884, Sophronia SPEED. 

7. 1900, Jefferson County, Kentucky, population schedule, Louisville Ward 6, Jefferson, Kentucky, ED 0059, Page 286 (Stamped); Line: #26, Dwelling: #66, Family: #114, Household of Sue S. SPEED. 

8. Jefferson County, Kentucky, Probate Files & Loose papers, Sophronia S. Speed; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: online November 2024); Vol 21-23, 1896-1901. 

9. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com: accessed November 2024); Memorial page for Sophronia Speed; (about 1818–17 December 1900); Find a Grave memorial # 52136289, Citing Eastern Cemetery; Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA

10. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9066/records/142217

11. Jno M Speed in the U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865

https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1666/records/587040