Martha Adeline Shankles, daughter of George Shankles and Elizabeth Holland, was born in northern Alabama (either in Jackson or De Kalb County). She was one of at least thirteen siblings according to the 1850 census. This particular record shows her age as seventeen. Almost every other census record (we have seven in total from 1840 to 1910) shows a different age, suggesting possible birth years anywhere from 1833 to 1839.
Martha's husband was Eli Henderson Byrd II. Together they had at least ten children and eventually ended up moving from Alabama to Indiana during the latter half of the Civil War. One of their children was John Franklin Byrd, and John's daughter was Frances Anna Byrd (my mother's maternal grandmother). |
I'm inclined to believe that Martha's true birth year was 1833 and that her age on the 1850 census was the most reliable. This record shows that she had three older siblings (in addition to several younger ones): John at age 23, Peter at age 21, and James age 18.
Now, there is one other thing that is potentially confusing about Martha's age. The headstone (if it can be called that) for her grave site in Tunnelton Cemetery says that she was born on March 12, 1827, which would have added six years to her age.
The name "Baugh" is from her second marriage to John Baugh, which according to the 1900 census took place in 1887. Her first husband passed away in 1875, leaving Martha a widow with a houseful of kids - an all too common story in those days, unfortunately.
But back to the question of her age and this early date on the headstone. "March" sounds correct as the birth month since this is mentioned on the 1900 census, although the year is still erroneously recorded as 1839. According to the U.S. and International Marriage Records database, Martha's father and mother, George and Elizabeth, were wedded in the year 1827. And that date seems to confirm all the birth years suggested above from the 1850 census.
By May 1910, we find Martha once again widowed and now living with her youngest son Sam Byrd and his wife Lydia. She was bearing her second husband's last name and still unsure of her age, it seems.
But back to the question of her age and this early date on the headstone. "March" sounds correct as the birth month since this is mentioned on the 1900 census, although the year is still erroneously recorded as 1839. According to the U.S. and International Marriage Records database, Martha's father and mother, George and Elizabeth, were wedded in the year 1827. And that date seems to confirm all the birth years suggested above from the 1850 census.
By May 1910, we find Martha once again widowed and now living with her youngest son Sam Byrd and his wife Lydia. She was bearing her second husband's last name and still unsure of her age, it seems.
Martha Adeline passed away on November 12th of that year. She was seventy-seven.
*Martha was one of my 3rd great grandmothers on my mother's side.