Martha Pennington Gilley Family

A census record is snapshot in a moment in time. My experience has taught me that sometimes we pay too much attention a detail and sometimes not enough. I was doing a bit of "wandering" in my database and took a closer look at Martha Pennington. She was the youngest daughter of Levi Pennington and Elizabeth Henson. Martha was born on 29 Mar 1843 in Hemlock, Ashe Co., NC and died on 21 Dec 1926 in Eldreth, Ashe Co., NC. She married a widower, Marshall Gilley on 21 Mar 1872. These are the basic dates of her life...but if you look a little closer, there is some interesting things to consider.

Martha is the youngest of the 13 children of Levi Pennington and Elizabeth Henson. Everything looks pretty normal in the 1860 census. Martha is the only child still in the household with her parents and his recorded as a 18 year old. It is the the 1870 census where questions arise. Martha is recorded with her parents as his her brother, Daniel Pennington (Levi Daniel Pennington). However, there are two children also recorded - William Pennington as a 6 year old and Mary as 4 year old. You find in the the same two children in the 1880 census recorded with Marshall Gilley with the surname of Gilley.

I would love to say that I knew this the whole time. I think I heard or knew about it when I first started looking more seriously at the census records. However, I didn't really go back and look at it more closely. Like most people, I don't really think about women of that area having children outside of marriage that seriously. Marshall married a Lucy Denny on 9 Oct 1866. I haven't been able to locate Marshall in the 1870 census and my supposition is that Lucy likely died sometime before 1872, as that is when Marshall and Martha Pennington get married.

Marshall was born Apr 1835 to Francis Gilley and Dorcas Jones and died sometime between 1910 and 1920. Marshall was of an age to fight in the Civil War and like most in his area, he fought for the Confederacy. Marshall enlisted in Company 2nd B, North Carolina 32nd Infantry Regiment on 13 Mar 1864 as a Private. He also turns up on the list as a prisoner of war in Elmira prison in NY. So, if I look closely at the dates, Marshall likely left Martha Pennington pregnant before he went off to war (William) and perhaps when he arrived home (Mary or Mollie). So we are left to consider if Marshall is the father of Martha's children. They are listed as his children in the 1880 census. Since, we don't have access to the 1890 census, we are left with more questions than answers. According to census records, Marshall and Martha had the following children:

• William Pennington/Gilley b. 1864 d. aft 1920 
• Mary/Mollie Pennington/Gilley b. 1867 d ? 
• Wilson Gilley 1 Jun 1873 d. 28 Dec 1936 m. Ollie Jane Osborne m. Nora Amanda Shaw 
• Amanda Elizabeth Gilley b. 4 Aug 1876 d. 6 Jan 1968 m. Winfield Kelly Harris 
• Olive Gilley b. 1876 d. 1879 (of a fall according to mortality schedule) 
• Adah Gilley b. 1883 d. ? 

Here is why I am still a bit uncertain as to the names. The oldest son, William stays with the name of Pennington and is recorded as getting married to Mary Caroline Derham 27 Aug 1884. In the 1900 census, Mary is recorded with her maiden name and several children and William is recorded with his mother. Mary is recorded in the 1910 census and divorced and widowed in the 1920 census. William is listed as married in 1910 and widowed in 1920. Only one of the children lists William Pennington as her father in the records. It is also interesting to note that one of those children died in 1916 of tuberculosis. The father's name is listed as unknown and he is listed as white in the death record but "colored" or black on the burial record. Makes me wonder if there was something else going on. William stayed in Ashe Co., NC and is the informant on his mother's death record. I don't find him in the 1930 census, so I assume that he probably passed away.

It seems that every few years you can learn a little more with the additional records that seem to be added. I suppose the only way we will ever know if William and Mary are Marshall's children is if it shows up in DNA records. It would be lovely if you could answer all the questions instead of finding more mysteries. I suppose that is why I enjoy genealogy so much, there is always more to the story and you are unlikely to ever discover the full story.

My Pennington Past - My PRA Membership

I began seriously researching my Pennington family 20 years ago and began that search by joining the Pennington Research Association.  It has been a very valuable contact for me and resource.  Today we would call it networking, but anyone who has done genealogy research has been doing networking for a long time.

Genealogy was a different hobby back then.  Email was available but  most correspondence was done by postal mail or snail mail as most would call it.  Joining a genealogy society or surname association was an important way to share information and gather data and resources.  Those early societies not only provided data via journals or newsletters, but they also provided contacts with other researchers who had similar interests.  It is invigorating to "meet" someone with similar research interests.

My grandmother's embroidered family tree.

As I said, email was available, just not that common.  I think my first email account was in the early 1990's which I still have, although it is not my main account...in fact, I don't even use it that often any more.  The first thing I tell anyone who is starting to do genealogy research is that whomever is beginning that journey needs to get what they know spelled out.  Whether they are using a genealogy program or a piece of paper, you need to spend time getting what you know recorded.  It is only then you can begin to add the various bits and pieces that help you learn more about those you search for.  I had what I knew written down.  It was really that much...I had a simple family tree that had been embroidered on material in a frame on the wall.  On that family tree, my great grandmother's grandmother was listed as Elizabeth Pennington.

Anyone who has spent much time doing genealogy research especially doing surname studies will find that there are certain names that are repeated quite often.  Not only will you find these common names, but you will also find a multitudes of names because they popular during that time period.  If you don't think this happens, ask any teacher what the popular names of the day are.  There are a multitude of Elizabeth's among the Penningtons.  The most important part of my initial contact with the PRA (Pennington Research Association) was the identification of who my 3rd great grandmother was and how she fit into the larger group of the Penningtons.  That information was provided to me by John French who was the Research Director at the time.  He had spent a lot of time building a data file about all the Penningtons that he had come across.  There were a lot mistakes as would be the case on any data file that includes information and theories mixed together.  A great deal of this information was traded back and forth through email which certainly introduced me to one of the best methods of contact for my own research.  John French passed away not too long after we had this contact.

Not everything that John French told me is correct according to my own research.  I have so much more available to me now in terms of data than I did 20 years ago.  I can access census records or death records at my fingerprints through the internet.  I can have instantaneous contact with a fellow research across the country.  Not only can I access the data but I can access digital copies and photos of what other researchers have done.

So, what is the point of being a member of a genealogical society or surname association...I believe an important aspect of that membership is networking.  Just like social networking today - it isn't a valuable tool unless you participate.  There is always new information to learn and perhaps new eyes can see or perceive information than those who have gone before.  It is an opportunity to add to what has been learned, but also help those just beginning their "journey" on their first steps.  There are so many who have done that for me...some that I still correspond and talk to quite frequently to this day.  I would suggest that if you are going to take up genealogy as a serious hobby, you consider joining or participating in some sort of group that can help you along the way.

I am and have been a member of news-lists communicating via email, surname association groups, county and state genealogy associations.  In addition, I run and am a member of Facebook groups, a participant in FindAGrave.com as well as communicating my research through my websites and my genealogy blog.  It is impossible to even  guess at how much assistance that has been given to me by others and the value of what I have been able to provide for others.  So you might consider joining a surname association like the PRA, and spend time to add to their library of research so you can build better information, make valuable genealogy contacts and perhaps help others as well.  You might find that in the end, you are the one who benefits the most.

Pennington’s in Ashe Co., NC in Early Census Records - 1810

As previously discussed in the blog entry Penningtons in Ashe Co., NC in Early Census Records - 1800.  These records can be pretty difficult to figure out who is who.  The 1810 Census is probably more difficult than the 1800 census because now they have done the disservice of only giving first initials.  So, once again, these are my theories and are not facts.  Check the records for yourself to see if you read them any differently.  

E Pennington - Ashe Co., NC

1 - Free White Persons, Males - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 16-25

1 - Free White Persons, Males - 26-44
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 16-25

1 - Number of household members under age 16

1 - Number of household members over 25

4 - Number of Household Members

I think that this individual is likely Ephraim Pennington b. 1769 - which would put him as as 41.  As previously discussed, I do not know who his wife is.  I am also unsure who all the children are.  However, the age fits for the white male of 16-25 to be Levi Pennington who was born in 1794.  This Ephraim is most likely the son of Ephraim b. 1745.

A Pennington - Ashe Co., NC
2 - Free White Persons, Males - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 16-25
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 16-25

2 - Number of household members under age 16

4 - Number of Household Members

I believe this is Aaron Pennington b. Abt 1786 in North Carolina who is a son of Ephraim Pennington (See 1800 Census Blog) The dates pretty well fit.  The oldest male in this household would have been in his early 20’s as would the oldest female.  Aaron’s wife was Ann Coldiron who was likely born about 1790 in Virginia, therefore the age would still fit.  There are two male children in the household.  Aaron and Ann had two sons:  Levi b. Abt 1807 and Henry b. Abt 1808.  It is also interesting to note that the line on the census is located right by an E Pennington and L Pennington.  As I believe this is a son of Ephraim Pennington with a brother of possibly Larkin - it is an interesting coincidence.

E Pennington - Ashe Co., NC

1 - Free White Persons, Males - 45 and over
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 45 and over

2 - Number of household members over 25

2 - Number of Household Members

I had thought that old Ephraim had passed and he might have.  If not, then this is likely Ephraim b. 1745 who would have been 65 years of age which is certainly in the realm of possibility.  Theoretically, this could also be Elijah, son of MIcajah as well.  He was b. In 1761 and married a Susannah Kelley.  I haven’t really been able to locate him with any certainty.  Since he doesn’t show up in the 1800 census, I don’t really think it is him.

E Pennington - Ashe Co., NC

1 - Free White Persons, Males - 10-15
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 16-25

1 - Free White Persons, Males - 26-44
4 - Free White Persons, Females - Under the age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 10-15
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 26-44

6 - Number of household members under age 16

2 - Number of household members over 25

9 - Number of Household Members

Theoretically this could be the Ephraim b. 1769 rather than the one I mentioned above.  The same information fits.  I am unaware of the age of the others in the household.  I also do not know the identity of this individual.  Perhaps the name is wrong.  There are a few missing Penningtons who I know are alive in this era, but I still can’t find out where they are.

L Pennington - Ashe Co., NC

1 - Free White Persons, Males - under age of 10

1 - Free White Persons, Males - 10-15
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 16-25

1 - Free White Persons, Males - 26-44
2 - Free White Persons, Females - Under the age of 10
2 - Free White Persons, Females - 10-15
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 26-44

6 - Number of household members under age 16

2 - Number of household members over 25

8 - Number of Household Members

This is where I go into the realm of theory.  I can’t identify this person with any certainty.  If I look at the 1815 Tax list, there are two Levi’s recorded in that tax list.  One of those is labeled as Levy, Jr - but I think that merely means that this is a younger Levi not that he is necessarily the son of the older Levi.  Levi b. 1767 would just fit into the category of male 26-44 in that he is 43 years of age.  I think that Levi either passes away or moves sometime after 1815.  As a son of Micajah Pennington, he likely had land that he either inherited from his father or his own land and could have been on the tax list without living there.  As for identifying the household members, I can’t do that with any certainty.  However, it is interesting to note that there are some Penningtons that don’t show up in the census records.  

M Pennington - Ashe Co., NC

1 - Free White Persons, Males - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 10-15
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 16-25
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 45 and over
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 45 and over

1 - Number of Slaves

2 - Number of household members under age 16
2 - Number of household members over 25

5 - Number of Household Members

I believe that this likely MIcajah b. 1743 with his wife, Rachel Jones b. 1740.  That would put them at age 77 and 80 respectively.  I am unable to identify the three young males recorded in the household.  Perhaps they are grandsons.  Since this household also has a slave and the 1800 census also showed a slave for Micajah Pennington’s  household.  I think it is reasonable to assume that this is the same household.

Pennington’s in Ashe Co., NC in Early Census Records - 1800

It can be very difficult to decipher who is who in the census records from 1850 on because of the similarity of names.  There are multiple Penningtons in the region with similar names.  I can tell from personal experience, that it takes a lot of time and study to figure out who fits where.  I thought I would spend some time looking at some of the early census records of Ashe Co., NC.  Since, Ashe County was split off of Wilkes County in 1799, it seemed wisest to start with the 1800 census. I will start with a summary of each household then explain who I think the household members are.  These are my conclusions based on my knowledge of the family.

1800 Census - Morgan, Ashe Co., NC

Benj Pennington (Either Benjamin or Benajah Pennington)

1 - Free White Persons, Males - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 16-25
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 16-25

1 - Number of household members under age 16

3 - Number of Household Members

The oldest male in the household is likely around 20-25 years of age which would make said male born between 1775-1780.  The question is whether the name is Benjamin or Benajah.  Based on naming patterns, it is most likely Benajah.  The question is which one.  Micajah Pennington b. 1743 has a son name Benajah born in 1782 and another Benajah b. 1770 whose father is unknown.  I suspect that this is likely the son of Micajah - however it is difficult to identify the other household members as there isn’t a proven wife of Benajah that is known.  

Ephraim Pennington

1 - Free White Persons, Males - 10 - 15
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 45 and over
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 16-25
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 45 and over

1 - Number of Household members under age 16

2 - Number of Household members over 45

4 - Number of Household Members

I believe that this is the Ephraim who was likely born about 1745.  His father was possibly Ephraim b. 1720 and wife Elizabeth.  Am I sure about this...no.  There is nothing to really back up my supposition.  Based on DNA research, it is also likely that there is a close relationship between this Ephraim and Micajah b. 1743.  They could be cousins or brothers.  Ephraim’s wife’s name is unknown.  The male in the household who is aged 10-15 (b. 1785-1790) is interesting.  I think (based on my research and that of Jim Pennington) that it might be the Aaron Pennington who was born about 1787 in Ashe Co., NC.  Aaron died about 1860 in Harlan Co., KY and an Ephraim Pennington is listed as his father on the death record.  I do not know who the young female in the household is.

Ephraim Pennington

2 - Free White Persons, Males - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 26-44
1 - Free White Persons, Females - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 16-25

3 - Number of Household members under age 16

2 - Number of Household members over 25

5 - Number of Household Members

I believe that this is the Ephraim Pennington b. 1769 recorded in the 1850 census with son Andrew Pennington.  I believe that he is also the son of the previous Ephraim Pennington b. 1745 and therefore a brother to previously mentioned Aaron Pennington.  The identity of the spouse is unknown.  Another cousin has speculated that the wife might be Margaret Spencer based on the land records.  I believe that one of the males in the household is my 4th great grandfather, Levi Pennington b. 1784.  At a guess, I think the other young male is Larkin Pennington who dies sometime after 1840 in Whitley Co., KY.  He shows up in some land records in the area and Levi has a son named Larkin Pennington.  It is hard enough to identify young male children in a family but almost impossible to identify young females.  I am unable to identify this young female.

Levi Pennington

1 - Free White Persons, Males - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 26-44
2 - Free White Persons, Females - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 26-44

3 - Number of Household members under age 16

2 - Number of Household members over 25

5 - Number of Household Members

This Levi Pennington is most likely the son of Micajah Pennington b. 1743 and Rachel Jones and was therefore born 21 Dec 1757.  For many years, most researchers were convinced that Levi b. 1794 (m 4th great grandfather) was a son of this Levi and therefore a son of Micajah.  However, for many reasons many of us who research the Levi Pennington b. 1794 no longer believe this connection.  Therefore, very little of the information that I have on this Levi is what I would call trustworthy.  I think that this Levi leaves Ashe Co., NC for Lee Co., VA with most of the Micajah Pennington family.  I don’t believe that this is the Levi who is recorded in 1815 tax list but rather Levi b. 1794.

Micajah Pennington

2 - Free White Persons, Males - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 26-44
3 - Free White Persons, Females - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 16-25

5 - Number of Household members under age 16

1 - Number of Household members over 25

7 - Number of Household Members

I would identify this Micajah as Micajah, Jr b. 13 Dec 1763.  Once again, I can’t identify the spouse, so the adult female is unknown.  However, I have a better chance of identifying the children, I have the following children of Micajah, Jr.

William Thomas b. 1784
Joshua b. 1790
Micajah III b. 1794
James Daniel b. 1797
Margaret b. 1799
Charles b. 1804
Mariah b. 1806

I am unsure of the child named William Thomas as I have never really found him listed anywhere.  The two young males are likely Joshua and Micajah.  One of the female’s is definitely Margaret and I wouldn’t be surprised if James Daniel might have been recorded as the other female.  This family left Ashe Co., NC and ended up in Lee Co., VA and Harlan Co., KY.

Micajah Pennington
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 45 and over
1 - Free White Persons, Females - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 45 and over
1 - Number of Slaves

1 - Number of Household members under age 16

2 - Number of Household members over 45

4 - Number of Household Members

This is likely the Micajah Pennington b. 1743 family who is considered to be the progenitor of the Pennington Research Association Group 7. Micajah is unquestionably the older male in the household and Rachel Jones, his wife, is the older female in the house.  My guess is that the young female under the age of 10 is their granddaughter, Ann Little Pennington.  I have that she died before 1800 but that date is not absolute.  By that time, they had no children in the household who could have been that age, so it is either their illegitimate granddaughter, Ann or likely another granddaughter.  

Reuben Pennington

2 - Free White Persons, Males - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 26-44
1 - Free White Persons, Females - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 16-25

3 - Number of Household members under age 16

1 - Number of Household members over 25

5 - Number of Household Members

This Reuben is unknown to me.  From the research done by members of the PRA (Pennington Research Association) this is likely the son of Timothy Pennington and grandson of Ephraim Pennington b. 1720.  This would mean that he is likely a nephew of Micajah b. 1743 and Ephraim b. 1745.  

Wells Pennington
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 16-25
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 16-25

3 - Number of Household Members

This Wells Pennington is considered to be the progenitor of the PRA Group 32.  There is no documentary evidence which connects Wells to any of the other Penningtons that I have listed.  However, DNA evidence suggests that there is a family connection.  Wells Pennington was born in 1781 likely in what was then Wilkes Co., NC.  He married Elizabeth Strunk who was a few years older than he and they were likely married very close to 1800.  Their first child was born about 1802.  I think that Wells is likely a son of Ephraim b. 1745.  He is recorded in the 1820 census in Whitley Co., KY near Aaron Pennington who I think is possibly his brother.  Wells dies sometime after 1860 probably around Pulaski Co., KY which is where he was recorded in the 1860 census.

William Pennington

1 - Free White Persons, Males - 10-15
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 26-44
1 - Free White Persons, Females - under age of 10
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 10-15
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 16-25

1 - Free White Persons, Females - 45 and over

4 - Number of Household members under age 16

2 - Number of Household members over 25

7 - Number of Household Members

William Pennington
1 - Free White Persons, Males - 16-25
1 - Free White Persons, Females - 16-25

3 - Number of Household Members

I cannot identify either one of these William Penningtons with any expertise.  I suspect that they might be connected with the Group 28 William Pennington because they lived nearby.

So, what conclusions can you derive from this data and my theories.  The families are likely connected and this is suggested by the DNA evidence.  There is definitely shared ancestry between the Ephraim’s, Micajah’s, Levi’s and Wells.  It is possible that the Benj is Benajah and also likely connected.  Even though I can’t identify the Reuben and Williams - I believe that the Reuben is connected to what the PRA would call Group 4 and a descendant of Ephraim b. 1720...however, I don’t feel very confident with offering any opinions on the William’s.  Just this short look at the Pennington’s in the 1800 census should explain to you why I differentiate many of these male Penningtons by their birth years. There is a bad habit of naming multiple males in multiple generations the same name.  While there are certain names that help you identify which branch they might belong with - the only way to really identify which is which is labeling them with something as trivial as a birth year.  

A Pearl Harbor Pennington

Yesterday, I was watching the Fox broadcast for football from Pearl Harbor.  I had DVR'd it so I could watch it when I got home.  Even though many of the games had already been played, I wanted to see what they had highlighted from Pearl Harbor.  They listed all the names of those who had died that horrible day on 7 Dec 1941.  I looked for Elmer Hicks...because he was a classmate of my grandmother and great uncle from the 1939 class of Potlatch, ID.  After that, I kept glancing down at the names and to my surprise, a Pennington showed up...something I hadn't known.

Raymond Pennington was born on 3 Apr 1924 to Harry Spears Pennington and Frances M in Colorado.  By 1930, he is recorded with his parents in Los Angeles, CA and in 1940 he is in Inglewood, CA and it is just Raymond and his father Harry...his mother had died in the intervening years. Raymond is listed in the 1942 Inglewood High School yearbook as having died on Pearl Harbor day and is listed as a Marine private.  He was originally buried at Oahu Nuuanu Cemetery in the Hawaiian Islands and his remains were moved and interred at Golden Gate National Cemetery on 21 May 1948.  (Find A Grave #3619767) This was according to the forms from the US National Cemetery Internment Control Forms.

I was able to establish that Raymond was the son of Harry Spears Pennington and Harry was the son of William T Pennington and Martha "Mattie" Crockett.  Harry was born 4 Dec 1890 in IL and died on 5 Sep 1943 and is buried in the same cemetery and listed as a Chief Radioman US Navy (Find a Grave # 3619765) I find it ironic that he died just a few years after his only child died in the same war.

I did a quick search to try and figure out which group this Pennington came from...it was a quick search.  This is the line I was able to find:

Raymond Pennington
Harry Spears Pennington m. Frances M
William Thomas Pennington m. Martha Ray " Mattie" Crockett
John Pennington m. Matilda Coon
William Pennington m. Anna Maria Brown
Jonathan Pennington m. Oscie Doty
Timothy Pennington m. Mary McCallister
Ephraim Pennington III m. Johanna Davis
Ephraim Pennington Jr m. Mary
Ephraim Pennington

I believe that this is Group 1...but it certainly deserves a lot more research!

Roby Smith Dollar

Picture Caption:  Taken abt 1904: Left to Right, Back Row:  Etta Winifred “Freddie”,
Amanda Emaline “Eva”, Cora Eula, Front Row:  Roby holding Smithy Pearl,
Sarah Margaret holding Tempa Maude Elizabeth, Bertta “Annis” Eunice

Roby Smith Dollar was the youngest child of Elizabeth Pennington and Alexander Monroe Dollar.  He was born in Ashe Co., NC on 18 Apr 1868.  As a young man, the family moved to Laurel Bloomery early in the 1880’s.  His uncle, Andrew Pennington had moved there around 1852.  Shortly after they moved to Laurel Bloomery, his mother, Elizabeth Pennington died.  His father, Alexander Monroe Dollar then married Sarah “Lulu” Pearce.  Roby married Sarah Margaret Simmons on 3 Jan 1889.  She was the daughter of Joel Simmons and Tempa Ena Harris. 

Later photo - Only the youngest daughter, Carie Mae not picture.

Roby and Maggie were the parents of ten daughters. They were:  Cora Eula Dollar (1890-1988) m. Benjamin Harrison Sturgill, Amanda “Eva” Emaline Dollar (1892-1979), Bertta “Annis” Eunice Dollar (1894-1980) m Coy McKinley Parsons, Etta “Freddie” Winifred Dollar (1896-1988) m. Charles A Thomas, Tempa Maude Elizabeth Dollar (1900-2002) m. James Walker Beverly, Smithy Pearl Dollar (1902-1980) m. Walter E Parsons, Lena Cleo Dollar (1904-2004) m. Nathan Roth, Estelle Catherine “Kate” Dollar (1906-1989) m.  Raymond Freeman, Sarah Clyde Dollar (1909-2001) m. Thomas P. Jensen, & Carrie Mae Dollar (1911-2004) m. Wilfred Joseph “Fritz” Cloutier.

Roby worked alongside his father, brother, and uncle in a small family lumber mill located near the present Dollar Road in Johnson Co., TN.  After the death of his father in 1908, and the remarriage of his step-mother, Roby and Maggie inherited the family home near Shingletown.  Only a short time later, Roby lost his wife, Maggie, to pneumonia on 19 Feb 1912 and he was left with ten daughters to raise, the youngest being under a year in age.  With the help of his older daughters, Roby managed to raise his large group of children.  He worked as a farmer, lumberman and blacksmith.  It is interesting to note, that the house he lived in at that time, had been built most likely by his brother John Dula Dollar, and then passed on to his father, Alexander Monroe Dollar.  After Monroe Dollar’s death, the house went to his widow, and then was signed over to Roby’s wife, Maggie.  After her death, he inherited the little house.

Top Photo taken in 2009 - View of the house opposite the house -
2nd picture - View from the front porch - taken in 2004

Roby was known to say that “He would never be broke because he had his ten Dollars.” However, it was difficult for the family to make a living.  He was a single father with a large family and they lived on subsistence farming and whatever work he could pick up.  Then the depression hit, and his daughters had to move elsewhere to support themselves.   Some lived as close as North Carolina, and others who moved to Illinois and New York.  Roby sold his land and house in Shingletown and built a small house in Mountain City where he spent the remainder of his life.   

Painting of the little house that Roby built in Mountain City,  Painting by his granddaughter, Gail Dahl

 Most of Roby’s daughters enjoyed long and healthy lives.  Roby, Eva, Lena and her husband Nathan are all buried at Mountain View Cemetery and Sarah “Maggie” Simmons Dollar is buried at the Shingletown cemetery.

Shingletown Cemetery or Wesley Methodist Church Cemetery - Johnson Co., TN

Here is a genealogy report on the family

Roby Smith Dollar and Sarah Margaret Simmons had the following children:

             2             i.   Cora Eula Dollar, born 13 Mar 1890, Shingletown, Johnson Co., TN; married Benjamin Harrison Sturgill, 4 Jun 1913, Laurel Bloomery, Johnson Co., TN; died 18 Mar 1988, Milan, Rock Island Co., IL.

                           ii.   Amanda  "Eva" Emeline Dollar was born on 3 Jul 1892 in Shingletown, Johnson Co., TN.  She died on 28 Mar 1979 at the age of 86 in Richmond, Henrico Co., VA. She was buried in Mar 1979 in Mountain View Cemetery, Mountain City, TN. 

             3           iii.   Bertta "Annis" Eunice Dollar, born 5 Feb 1894, Shingletown, Johnson Co., TN; married Coy McKinley Parsons, 10 Apr 1918, Todd, Ashe Co., NC; died 20 Aug 1980, Lenior, Caldwell Co., NC.

             4           iv.   Etta "Freddie" Winifred Dollar, born 14 Feb 1896, Shingletown, Johnson Co., TN; married Charles A. Thomas, 24 Sep 1924, Laurel Bloomery, Johnson Co., TN; died 16 Nov 1988, Monmouth, Warren Co., IL.

             5            v.   Tempa Maude Elizabeth Dollar, born 6 Mar 1900, Shingletown, Johnson Co., TN; married James Walker Beverly, abt 1930; died 27 Apr 2002, Conway, Horry Co., SC.

             6           vi.   Smithy Pearl Dollar, born 4 Jul 1902, Shingletown, Johnson Co., TN; married Walter E. Parsons, 25 Jan 1922; died 25 Feb 1980, Valois, Schuyler Co., NY.

             7          vii.   Lena Cleo Dollar, born 24 Jun 1904, Shingletown, Johnson Co., TN; married Nathan Rothnagel, 5 Jun 1939, Johnson Co., TN; died 17 Feb 2004, Mountain City, Johnson Co., TN.

             8         viii.   Estelle Catherine "Kate" Dollar, born 14 Mar 1906, Shingletown, Johnson Co., TN; died 21 Sep 1989, Jacksonville, Clay Co., FL.

             9           ix.   Sarah Clyde Dollar, born 11 Aug 1909, Shingletown, Johnson Co., TN; married Thomas Peter Jensen, 6 Sep 1928, Monmouth Illinois; died 5 Feb 2001, Kirkwood, Warren, Illinois, USA.

           10            x.   Carrie Mae Dollar, born 11 Jul 1911, Shingletown, Johnson Co., TN; married Wilfred Joseph "Fritz" Cloutier, 1 Jul 1931, Larchmont, Westchester Co., NY; died 31 Jul 2004, Mount Vernon, Westchester, New York, USA.