Marriage of James A. Crider to Elvira Tennessee Thurmond; January 3, 1855 - Their Marriage, Life, and Family

Copyright B. Harrison- The Hopelessly Hooked Genealogist
c2016

On this date in history, 3 January 1855; my maternal great-grandparents James A. Crider and Elvira Tennessee Thurmond were married in Graves County, Kentucky.  

Below is a digital image of their actual marriage record in the Marriage Books of Graves County, Kentucky; although the image is very difficult to read unless enlarged significantly, which would not fit on this blog page as formatted. 

Marriage Record of A. J. Crider to E. T. Thurmond

(bottom row on this image)

Graves County, Kentucky

1855- Marriage Book

Graves County Courthouse in Mayfield, Kentucky

The bride was about age 18 and the groom was about age 20- 21 when they married. She was the daughter of James Jordan Thurmond and Leah Dale Hudspeth (Thurmond). The groom was the son of David Crider and Sarah "Sallie" Shultz Walker (Crider). James was known as "Jim", and Elvira was sometimes called "Tenney", nickname for her middle name of Tennessee.  The groom was born in Dyersburg, Gibson County, Tennessee. By the 1850 Census James was aged 16 and living with his parents in Graves County, Kentucky. The bride was born in Maury County, Tennessee and where she was still living with her parents as of the 1850 Census, which lists her age as 14. 

The marriage of James and Elvira took place in Graves County, Kentucky in 1855; so the bride's family must have moved from Tennessee to Kentucky between the 1850 Census and the marriage date in 1855.

By the 1860 Census (5 years after their marriage) Jim and Elvira Tennessee Cider were living in Calloway County, Kentucky with their first child Angeline J Crider, aged 4. It is very likely that James A "Jim" Crider participated in the Civil War from Kentucky between the years of 1861-1865, however I have not yet found military records identifying him. 

Calloway County Courthouse, Murray, Kentucky

On the 1870 Census the family of James and Elvira Crider is listed as living in Brinkley, Calloway County, Kentucky with a total of 5 children: Angeline (14), William (10), Missouri (5), Ada (2), and Mary (3 months). James is listed as age 36, and Elvira is listed as age 34. 

Original Calloway County Courthouse, KY- Built in 1823

Photo courtesy of Kentucky Digital Library Collection

Calloway County Courthouse, KY

Photos courtesy of Kentucky Digital Library Collection

My great-grandfather James A. Crider died at the relatively young age of 41, on 17 Feb 1875, of pneumonia. Family stories indicate he became sick after riding his mule to Tennessee on business on a cold rainy day.  He reportedly died at home in Calloway County, Kentucky.  His last child, my maternal grandfather Stephen Linn Crider, was born only 3 months after James died. James A. Crider is thought to buried in Calloway County, Kentucky; possibly at Elm Grove Cemetery where a few other Criders are buried.  I have not yet been able to obtain a photo of his gravestone or verify whether he has a stone. I rely on Find A Grave volunteers for most gravestone photos in my tree, as I live "way out west" and nowhere near the state of Kentucky and don't anticipate being able to travel there in the near future. 

Murray, Calloway County, Kentucky

Postcard of a Country Road

Kentucky Digital Library Collection

His widow, my great-grandmother Elvira Tennessee Thurmond Crider raised her young children alone for a few years, then next married in 1883 to Marcus Montrose Melton in Gibson County, Tennessee. On the 1880 Census she was still living in Farmington, Graves County, Kentucky and is listed as "widow" E. T. Crider,  Head of Household. So evidently, she had returned to Tennessee as a Widow to live after the 1880 Census and re-married there. The marriage license confirms that she was several years older than her second husband.  Marcus M. Melton died in 1886, only 3 years after their marriage.  They had no known children together. Elvira subsequently filed for a Confederate Widow's Pension in Tennessee, under her 2nd husband's Confederate Civil War military service from in the state of Tennessee ( App # W4571).  She is listed as Tennessee Melton on the pension application. A photocopy of this Widow's Pension application file may be obtained from the Tennessee State Archives. 

Marriage License of E. T. (Elvira Tennessee) Crider to M. M. (Marcus Montrose) Melton

24 Aug 1883

Gibson County, Tennessee

Gibson County, Tennessee Historical Marker

Color Photo Postcard

By the 1900 Census, Elvira is found living in Kennett, Dunklin County, Missouri and is listed as Elvira T. Crider,  a "Widow" age 66 (which should probably be 64), residing in the household of her son John W. (Wesley) Crider age 24, along with her other son (my maternal grandfather) Stephen Linn Crider age 24. Their household included 3 "servants", one housekeeper and 2 farm laborers.  Evidently Elvira was referred to by her first husband's surname during this time she lived with her 2 adult sons from the first marriage, or they chose to report her under that name to the census taker.  The 1910 Census finds her living in Gibson County, Tennessee once again, listed as Elvira Melton, a "Widow" age 74 residing in the household of her daughter Rosa Crider (Newbill) and son-on-law John Newbill.  Elvira most likely spent the remainder of her years in Dunklin County, Missouri living with (or under the care of) Crider and Newbill kin.

Kennett, Dunklin County, Missouri town square

Elvira died on 19 January, 1921 and is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Kennett, Dunklin County, Missouri, near other Crider kin.  The death certificate lists her age as 84 and cause of death as bronchitis.  ( Elvira's grand-daughter Augusta Crider, my mother, was born in 1920, so they never had a chance to really know each other, and Augusta had no memories of  her paternal grandmother. )  

Last but certainly not least, it is worthy to note that my great-grandmother Elvira was the great-grand-daughter of William Thurmond, a Revolutionary War Soldier (my 4x-great-grandfather). He enlisted as a Private in the 3rd Virgnia Regiment, Continental Line, reference DAR National #103874. His Heirs were granted Land Bounty Warrants in 1831 in Amherst County, Virginia on his service. (Additional source for this info- Douglas Register, page 307). Elvira's maternal grandfather was also a Revolutionary Patriot; Thomas Hudspeth, (my maternal 3x-great-grandfather) from Salisbury Distrct, North Carolina, DAR Ancestor #A059757.         

Missouri Death Certificate

Elvira "Ellin" Tennessee Thurmond Crider Melton

19 Jan 1921

Kennett, Dunklin County, Missouri
Source: Missouri Digital Heritage

Oak Ridge Cemetery, Kennett, Dunklin County, Missouri
Found on Find A Grave,
Contributor: Chris Crawford

Sources on the Crider family genealogy include:   

 Fanily Records of B. Harrison 

 Missouri Digital Heritage online

              Graves County, Kentucky marriage records

Gibson County, Tennessee marriage records

Kentucky Digital Library online, Murray State University
National Archives, Revolutionary War Soldiers Records   

                  "Crider Families of Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee: Descendants of John Michael

                    Kreider".  Heritage Books 2007, Rebecca L Blackwell, first published 1999.    

                 

ie

d of pneumonia aftSteven, was born only 3 months before James died.

James A Crider: Born circa 1834 in Gibson County, Tennessee, Died 1875 in Calloway County, Kentucky

            Copyright 2015, The Hopelessly Hooked Genealogist (B. Harrison)

 NOTE: This ancestory biography has been edited and compiled by B. Harrison, owner of the blog "The Hopelessly Hooked Genealogist- A Genea In Arizona" at www.hopelesslyhookedgenealogist.blogspot.com ; utilizing History Lines timelines and photos and her own personal documentation and photos from her research on this ancestor. 

James A "Jim" Crider was born about 1834, in Dyersburg, Gibson County,Tennessee, United States. He was my great-grandfather on the maternal side of my tree. His mother was Sarah "Sallie" Shults and was 24 years old when James was born. His father was David Crider who was 30 years old when James was born. James was the second of nine children. His older sibling Nancy Carolyn Crider was 5 years old when James was born. By the 1850 Federal Census, James' parents had moved the family to Graves County, Kentucky. James A Crider married Elvira "Ellin" Tennessee Thurmond on 3 Jan 1855 in Graves County, Kentucky. By the 1860 Federal Census, James and Elvira were living in Calloway County, Kentucky with their first child, Angeline J Crider. The 1870 Federal Census shows them living in Brinkley, Calloway County, Kentucky with their first 5 children. By 1875 they were living in Murray, Calloway County, Kentucky. James A Crider passed away on 17 Feb 1875 of pneumonia. His last child, my maternal grandfather Stephen Linn Crider, was only 3 months old when James died. James is buried at Elm Grove Cemetery, Calloway County, Kentucky; reference Find A Grave Memorial # 71154828. 
Following is a TIMELINE of some of the events occurring in the lifetime of James A Crider.

(Note- the full story and timeline with photos can be viewed on the History Lines website at:

https://historylines.com/story.jsp?person_id=HXI1384231CUA

www.historylines.com

Attatched below are some screenshots from pages of the History Lines story on this ancestor:

Tombstone Tuesday: Hallie Crider , 1889- 1892 , Gibson County, Tennessee

Copyright 2014, The Hopelessly Hooked Genealogist (B. Harrison)

Hallie Crider 1889- 1892.

Antioch Cemetery, Gibson County, Tennessee

Photo obtained by Mary Ann, who goes by Ties That Bind on Find A Grave (and who granted permission for use of the photo).

Tombstone Tuesday:  Hallie Crider died before reaching her 4th birthday. She was the daughter of James Winslow Crider and Anna Reed Crider. Nothing is known about the circumstances of her death. She was my 2nd cousin, twice removed.  Her great-grandparents George Crider and Frances Bennett Crider were also my 3x-great-grandparents.  I try to memorialize the gravesites of children in my extended family tree whenever the graves are located.  Rest In Peace, little angel Hallie. 

The above photo of Hallie was posted to Find A Grave by Donna Pinion Casey. 

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, # 1 and #2 -James Winslow Crider and Anna Reed Crider

Copyright 2014, The Hopelessly Hooked Genealogist (B. Harrison)

James Winslow Crider and his wife Anna Reed (Crider) are buried at Antioch Cemetery in Gibson County, Tennessee.  The above photo was contributed by Mary Ann, who works as a volunteer under the pseudonym of Ties That Bind on the Find A Grave website.  She gave permission for use of her cemetery photos in this blog post. 

J W Crider was the son of Thomas Bennett Crider and Nancy Ward (Crider). His grandparents were George Crider and Frances Bennett (Crider), who were also my 3x-great-grandparents. He was born in Gibson County, Tennessee on 9 Aug 1851, and lived there his entire life until his death 18 Dec 1924. In 1888 he married Anna Reed. Sources indicate they had at least 3 children, two of whom died in early childhood. Their daughter Hallie was born in 1889 and died in 1892, at age 3.  She has a headstone in Antioch Cemetery near her parents. I have posted a photo of her headstone and a short article about her on this blog under the heading of Tombstone Tuesday (to appear as of Jan 14, 2014).  J W and Anna crider also had an infant, Ruth, who is reported to have died the same day she was born 1891 (possible miscarriage or stillbirth?).  It is not known, at the time of this blog post, where the infant Ruth is buried, but in all probability she is also at Antioch Cemetery. Their next child, Emogene Anita Crider, not only survived to adulthood but married twice, and lived to the ripe old age of 90.  

J W's wife Anna survived him by 13 years, passing away in 1937 in Gibson County, Tennessee. Information she reported on the 1920 Census record indicates her mother and father were both born in Tennessee. Her parents names may have been Henry W Reed and his wife, Rebecca. 

The above photo said to be of J W Crider, his wife Nancy and their daughter Emogene Anita Crider;  was posted to the Marachel Family Tree (a public tree) on Ancestry.com. No source information is provided for the photo. 

James Winslow Crider was my first cousin, 3 times removed, according to the relationship calculator on Ancestry.com.  As stated above, we share ancestry/descent from George Crider and Frances Bennett Crider. 

OKTOBERFEST: CELEBRATING MY GERMAN AND SWISS ANCESTRY - KREIDER

Copyright 2011, The Hopelessly Hooked Genealogist (B. Harrison)

Fall weather brings with it sights and sounds that I enjoy, including Oktoberfest ethnic festivals to celebrate our Germanic heritage and share it with others. On my list for “fun” activities in the coming month will be to attend at least one local Oktoberfest in my area.  I’m looking forward to sampling some grilled bratwurst with mustard and kraut, munching on a huge soft pretzel washed down with a german beer, and listening to some lively folk music while watching the colorfully costumed dancers perform the polka.

Meantime, on this Wonderful Wistful Wednesday morning, September 28, 2011, I am going to write about my maternal Kreider ancestors from Germany and Switzerland.

JOHN MICHAEL KREIDER

My maternal 5^th-great-grandfather John Michael Kreider was born in Germany about 1715, and immigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the ship “Samuel” in 1732. He was about age 17 when he arrived in Philadelphia.   He came with other members of his extended family, possibly traveling with an uncle while his parents remained in Germany for a few more years.  The Kreiders came from the area known as the Pallatine Province in Germany. John Michael Kreider is the progenitor immigrant ancestor of this family lineage in America, who came to Pennsylvania to begin a new life before the American Revolution.  He is the first in my line of Keriders to produce heirs born in the land that would become the independent nation of America.  His descendants participated in the Revolutionary War to help create the America that we all know and love today.


John Michael Kreider married Catherine Truseyen.  John, or “Johann” as his name appears in some records, became a Blacksmith and owner of a Grist Mill as a young man in Philadelphia.  In 1753 his name appears in land records as having purchased 100 acres in Upper Salford, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. That same year, his name appears in church records at Indian Field Lutheran Church, having attended a church supper with 2 female servants in his employ. In 1758 he is listed in records as a Road Overseer on a jury to help lay out a road in Philadelphia starting near Bucks County line and Brenner’s Plantation. His WILL was signed on July 7, 1761 in Hatfield Township, Philadelphia, PA. The Will was proved on Aug 1, 1761; naming his “loving wife Catherine” and children John, Jacob, Abraham, Daniel, Catherine, Magdelena, and David. Son Jacob was mentioned as "absconded, but if happens to return will receive 50 pounds, daughters Catherine and Magdalena and youngest son David to receive 100 pounds after they attain the age of 18".

HANS JACOB KREIDER 1695- 1768

My 6^th-great-grandfather was Hans Jacob Kreider, father of the above John Michael Kreider.   He was born about 1695 in Germany. He settled in Strasser, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania circa 1740-1750.  He married Mary Barbara Christen, and died in Lancaster County, PA in 1768 at age 73. Some descendants of this line of Kreiders remained in the Lancaster County area for several more generations, while other moved to Virginia and then farther westward in the 1800’s. 

JACOB KREIDER circa 1667- 1745

My 7^th-great-grandfather, father of the above Hans Jacob Kreider,  was Jacob Kreider, born about 1667 in Bern, Switzerland. He married Barbara Schenk about 1690 In Baden-Württemberg, Germany, where he died in 1745 at about age 78. This branch of the family that remained in Germany while the sons and grandsons immigrated to Pennsylvania in America.

HANS KREIDER  1630-1705

My 8^th great-grandfather, father of the above Jacob Kreider,  was Hans Greider (Kreider) who was born in Germany about 1630 and died in Switzerland about 1705.  He was married to Anna Schudin.

I will write future blog entries going into a little more biographical and historical detail about some of my Kreider ancestors, as I continue my research on them to learn a little more about their lives and experiences.  I am proud to include my German and Swiss roots into my typically American melting-pot genetic heritage. 

For further background information on the Germanic cultures and the origins of the polka dance, various online sources are available including Wikipedia. According to Wikipedia, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polka, the polka dance originated in Bohemia as a dance performed by farm peasants.  It gained popularity as a ballroom dance in Prague in 1835, and was called the “Pulka” quick step. From there is spread across Europe, and was noted in Vienna by 1839 and to Paris by 1840.  Immigrants seeking a new life in America brought their homeland customs and traditions, including the Polka dance, with them to their new homes. In North American the "Polish-style polka," has roots Chicago, while the "Dutchmen-style" has roots in the American Midwest. “Conjunto-style" polkas have roots in northern Mexico and Texas, and are also called "Norteno".

Wikipedia defines the term Germanic, as being applicable to ethnic populations with roots in North Western Europe: including the Scandanavians (Danes, Swedes, Norweigians, Icelanders, and Faroe Islanders), Germans, Austrians, Swiss, Dutch, Flemish, and English).

You can read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_peoples.