The Death of Lawrence W. Ransom “Rance” Dry

Missing births, deaths and baptism dates in our southern states is a given especially in those affected by the War for Independence and those burned counties throughout the Southern States. Finding these dates becomes complexed to impossible in some cases due to destroyed records. Finding a short death notice for Ransom Dry became a "serendipity" moment.  

Lawrence W. “Rance” Dry was alive and well when the 1900 census was enumerated in June 1900. He died at some point after the census was taken in June 1900. But when did he die? 

1900 CENSUS: Furr, Stanly, North Carolina; Roll: 1218; Enumeration District: 0125; FHL microfilm: 1241218; 18 June 1900, Page: 16B/250 (stamped); Line 100, Dwelling 300, Family 303; Lawrence W. DRY, Male, age 57, born 1843 in NC; Betta DRY, Wife, age 30, born Apr 1870 in NC and Traverse DRY, Son, age 15, born May 1885 in NC. 

After days of research I narrowed his death date down to between 1905 and 1907. His FindAGrave Memorial (46878941) say he died in 1900. Based on my research Lawrence W. Ransom “Rance” Dry died on 11 December 1906 and this is his Death Notice and it’s source.  

Big Lick: Ransom Dry died last Tuesday 11th inst. and was buried in St. Paul cemetery Wednesday.
[The Enterprise, Albemarle, North Carolina, 20 Dec 1906, Thu., Page 2, Col. 2.]

Lawrence W. Ransom “Rance” Dry is my 2nd Cousin 4X removed.

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[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page: 483B(stamped); Line 1, Dwelling 1247, Family 1247, Household of Solomon DRY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 May 2016); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 622.

[2] Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Probate Files & Loose papers, Esther DRY; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: viewed 5 May 2016); Will Book 3, page 242.

[3] 1900 US Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, population schedule, Furr, Stanly, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0125, Page: 16B/250 (stamped); Line 100, Dwelling 300, Family 303, Household of Lawrence W. DRY; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 21 January 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1218.

[4] Ransom Dry death notice, The Enterprise, Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, United States, 20 December 1906, Page 2, Col. 2.

[5] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 21 January 2021); Memorial page for Lawrence W Ransom "Rance" Dry; (1838–11 December 1906); Find a Grave memorial #46878941, Citing Saint Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery; Cabarrus County, North Carolina, USA.

It’s Family Time~The Stephen Brown Family

Stephen Brown, son of John H. Brown and Sarah Rivers, was born about 1823 in Monroe County, Alabama.

Stephen Brown married Susan Griffith about 1849 in Mississippi. She was borne about 1828 in South Carolina a daughter of Joab Griffith and his wife Sarah.

Stephen and Susan can be found in the following censuses:

•     1850 - Lauderdale County, Mississippi.
•     1855 - Jasper County, Mississippi.
•     1860 - Smith County, Mississippi
• On 18 Feb 1860 he was appointed Postmaster in Pineville, Smith, Mississippi.
•      1866 - Smith County, Mississippi.
      
  Susan Griffith Brown died after the 1866 census and before the 1870 Census. Stephen remarried during this time to a lady by the name of Rosa Ann Adams. Stephen and Rosa are enumerated as husband and wife in the 1870 Sunflower County Mississippi population censes.

•     1870 - Sunflower County, Mississippi.
•      1876 - Lauderdale County, Alabama.
•      1880 - Carroll County, Arkansas; Stephen & Rosa with son John H. Brown.

Stephen Brown and Susan Griffith had the following children:

        i.    Sarah "Sally" Brown, born abt Nov 1851, Mississippi; married Steve Bates; died 7 Nov 1899.
         ii.    Nancy "Nannie" Brown was born about 1852 in Mississippi.
         iii.    John Hancock "Jack" Brown, born 3 Jul 1855, Mississippi; married Susan Eff Adams, 9 Jul 1876, Mississippi; died 11 Feb 1900, Whitefield, Haskell County, Oklahoma.
         iv.    Joe Abb Brown, born 21 Oct 1857, Near Meridian, Mississippi; married Margaret Frances Bell, 24 Dec 1884, Foreman, Little River, Arkansas; died 26 Oct 1945, Oklahoma.
         v.    Henry C. Brown was born about 1860 in Mississippi. He died young sometime between 1866-1870.

Stephen Brown died about 1890 at the age of 67 in either Union or Carroll County, Arkansas. No death dates, obits, notices or tombstones have been found for either Stephen Brown or his 1st wife Susan Griffith.

Stephen Brown is my 1st Cousin 5X Removed.

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1. 1850 Census, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, population schedule, Southern District, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Page 386B, Line 34,, Dwelling 843, Family 856, Household of Stephen BROWN; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 375.
  2. 1860 U. S. Census, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, No Twp Listed, Smith County, Mississippi, Page: 285, Line 6, Dwelling 335, Family 335, Household of Stephen BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 August 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: M653_591.
3. 1870 U S Census, Sunflower County, Mississippi, population schedule, District 1, Sunflower County, Mississippi, Page: 459A, Line 34, Dwelling 145, Family 133, Household of Stephen BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 August 2011); citing  National Archives Microfilm M593_749.
4. 1880 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Arkansas, population schedule, Osage, Carroll County, Arkansas, enumeration district (ED) #28, Page: 244D, Line 6, Dwelling 236, Family 239, Household of  John H. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 August 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T9-0043.