John married Lucy WILLIAMSON, daughter of John B. and Mary Oglevy nee BREEDLOVE WILLIAMSON, on 11 May 1810 in Henrico Co., VA. According to her burial record, she was born ca. 1792 in Henrico Co., VA. (This date is consistent with the suggestion in the record of marriage noted below that she was not quite of full age.) She was buried on 11 Apr 1849 in the Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond, VA according to her burial record (below). Information about her ancestry is located here.
RECORD OF MARRIAGE: "KNOW all men by these presents that we John Bath and Herman B. Sneed are held and firmly bound to his excellency John Tyler Esq. Governor and Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the just and full sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, to which payment well and truly made to the said Governor and his successors for use of the said Commonwealth; we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators jointly and severally by these presents. Selaled with our seals and dated this 11th day of May 1810. Th condition of the above obligation is such that if there be no lawful cause to obstruct a marriage intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound John Bath and Lucy Williamson, both of the County of Henrico, then the above obligation be void else to remain in full force and virtue. Executed in the presence of John Bath (L.S.) Wm. Richardson Herman B. Sneed (L.S.) Sc. this day appeared before me Clerk of said and made oath on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God that the within named is above the age of twenty-one years and a resident of siad Given under my hand this day of 18. See consent page 106."
CENSUS RECORDS: 1820- there is one John Bath present in the index to the 1820 census, he is indicated as living in Richmond, Henrico Co. VA (Bath, John, Rcy 169); 1830- a John Bath is listed as living in Monroe W., Richmond, Henrico Co. VA, again the only John Bath listed in the index (Bath, John Rich 372 Monroe W); 1840 - only one John Bath is included in the index, he is listed as living in Richmond, Henrico Co. (Bath, John Henr 197 Richmond).
BURIAL RECORD FOR JOHN BATH: "57-39 John Bath, age 64, buried 4 Nov 1841, died of apoplexy, buried in Range 1, Section 8, Quarter 2, Row 1, Grave 1. Owner not listed. " (Richmond City, Shockoe cemetery 1822-1982 interment cards)
BURIAL RECORD FOR LUCY NEE WILLIAMSON BATH: "Lucy Bath, age 57, buried 11 Apr 1849, Range 6, Section 12, Quarter 2, Row 2, Grave 2. Owner: Johannah Houck. " (Richmond City, Shockoe cemetery 1822-1982 interment cards)
About a year after Lucy died, her heirs apparently got into some legal wrangling over the diposition of her late husband's estate:
ADVERSTISEMENT: "SALE OF VALUABLE LOTS IN THE CITY OF RICHMOD [sic] AND HENRICO COUNTY. PURSUANT to a decree in the suit of Bath and others against Bath and others, rendered by the county Court of Henrico on the 3d day of February, 1851, I shall, as Commissioner, proceed to sell the following property, at the following times and upon the following terms: On FRIDAY the 28th day of (this month) February, 1851, on the premises, at 4 o'clock, P.M. I shall sell a lot in Duval's addition, near the Poor House in the city of Richmond, it being parts of lots No. 39 and 36 in the plan, fronting 80 feet 6 inches and running back between parallel lines 157 feet. On SATURDAY the 1st day of March, 1851, on the premises at 4 o'clock, P.M., I shall sell a lot fronting on 7th street, 53 feet 6 inches and running back 63 feet 6 inches, and known in the plan of the ciyt of Richmond as No. 505. This lot is between Cary street and the Canal, opposite Myers' Factory, and on it are two tenements at present occupied by tenants. On the 3d day of March, 1851, that being Court day, at 1 o'clock P.M., at the front door of the Court House of Henrico county, I shall sell a piece of land in Henrico county, containing 4 acres, more or less, a few miles below the city of Richmond, adjoining the lands which once belonged to Nathaniel Roberson and Wytham Street deceased, and is the same which was conveyed to John Bath by Rachel Johnson on the 21st of June, 1821. The above property is all sold for a distribution among the heirs of John Bath, deceased. TERMS: -The property to be sold at public auction to the highest bidder. One third of the purchase money to be paid in cash, one third in six months and one third in twelve months from the day of sale. The credit payments to be secured by deeds of trust in each case. Any purchaser who may pay the whole purchase money in cash may be allowed a discount of legal interest on the credit payment or payments, and have a deed at once made to him. Feb. 14-dr3dM THOS. J. EVANS, Commissioner." (21 Feb 1851 Enquirer (Richmond, VA) p. 3; an identical notice appears in the 14 Feb 1851 issue of this same newspaper.)
John BATH and Lucy WILLIAMSON had at least the following children:
2 i. Sophia2 BATH (1814-1885) 3 ii. Mary2 BATH (1820-1851) 4 iii. Samuel S.2 BATH (b. 1825) 5 iv. Benjamin2 BATH (b. 1825) 6 v. Jane Madison2 BATH (1832-1874)
2. Sophia2 BATH (John1). She was born ca. 1814 in Virginia. She died in 1885 (according to a note found among her descendant, Kathryn Niven's papers), presumably in Monroe, Union Co. NC..
Sophia married Archibald Pae, son of Alexander PAE & Isobel MUIR/MOORE, on 23 Jul 1835 in Henrico Co., VA by James B. Taylor. He was born on 14 Oct 1814 in Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland. He died on 18 Nov 1878 in Monroe, Union Co. NC. He was a machinist. Information about his ancestry and their descendants is located here.
MARRIAGE NOTICE: "MARRIED - In this city, on Thursday evening, by the Rev. James B. Taylor, Mr. ARCHIBALD PAE to Miss SOPHIA BATH." (Richmond Courier and Daily Compiler, 24 Jul 1835, page 3, column 1.)
CENSUS RECORDS: 1840 - "Pae, Archibald Henr 218 Richmond"; 1850 - Lower Economic District, Chesterfield Co. VA; 1860 - Archibald Pae Manchester Northern District, Chesterfield Co. VA; 1870 - Archibald Pae (age 59 from Scotland) is listed as the head of house with Sophia and two children, Carrie and Zachary (Wilmington, New Hanover Co. NC).
OBITUARY: "Died in this place on the 18th instant, Capt. Arch'd Pae aged about 64 years, father of Mr. [sic] J. W. Rudge of this place. He was of Scottish birth and was in his prime days one of the best machinists in the state. It is said he built run [sic] the first locomotive engine ever in North Carolina." (Sat 23 Nov 1878 The Monroe Inquirer")
Sophia Pae is listed as living with her daughter Caroline Virginia nee Pae Rudge's family in the 1880 federal census for Monroe, Union Co. NC; both her parents are indicated as being Irish. A note among a descendantšs papers indicates she died in 1885.
3. Mary2 BATH (John1). She was born ca. 1820 and died ca. 1851. She married John J. PENDLETON on 31 Oct 1850 in Richmond, Henrico Co. VA. (I speculate she died in 1851 because there are several deed records associated with her brother-in-law, Archibald Pae from 1852 onward that mention her husband but not her. If she had passed away, her husband's continuing interest in her family's property suggests they had issue.) John was born ca. 1830.
MARRIAGE NOTICE: "Married on Thurs. the 30st Oct. [Oct 31, 1850] by Rev. R.B.C. Howell, D.D., Mr. John J. Pendleton to Miss Mary Bath, all of this city." (Richmond Whig/Daily Richmond Whig 2 Nov 1850; Richmond Republican and General Advertiser 5 Nov 1850)
4. Samuel S.2 BATH (John1). He was born ca. 1825 and lived in Charleston, South Carolina ca. 1852 according to several deed records associated with his brother-in-law, Archibald Pae from 1852 onward that mention him.)
His relatives recall he was a wealthy property owner in Richmond who became involved in "some trouble" that ultimately led him to flee to the West, accompanied for a short time with his nephew, James A. Pae. According to the latter, Samuel S. became interested in the mining industry and ultimately amassed another fortune. His nephew claimed he took on an assumed name, "Charles Hill", and indeed was one and the same as the Charles Hill who died in Los Angeles, CA without a will ca. 1902 leaving an estate valued in excess of $142,000. Multiple articles were written in Richmond newspapers regarding his surviving relatives attempts to claim this fortune. Similar claims were made by multiple other individuals in numerous other states on behalf of their long lost relatives. Ultimately the courts concluded that the Charles Hill who died was an estranged member of a Massachusetts family.
NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS CLAIMING SAMUEL S. BATH WAS CHARLES HILL:"CHARLES HILL'S HEIRS MAY BE RICHMONDERS. It has been practically proven that three of the heirs to the fortune left by Charles Hill, who died in California some time ago, reside in this city. Mr. Hill died leaving a bank account of $142,000, besides a large amount of real estate. The local claimants to the immense fortune are: Charles S. Cook of No. 201 Randolph street, Mrs. Dora V. Houston, 1014 west Main street, and Mrs. Maud C. Plunkett. In addition to these several of their relatives in North and South Carolina have joined in the fight for the fortune...Mr. Diggs [a lawyer hired to pursue the claim] became interested in the case through Charles. S. Cook, who heard the story from Mr. Peay [sic], and it was so straight that he began to inquire into it as a result... "(1 Aug 1902 Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, VA) p. 4); "RICHMOND PEOPLE HEIRS TO FORTUNE... AN ASSUMED NAME. The grounds for the claims of Mr. Cook and others is that Hill was living under an assumed name at the time of his death, which was very sudden. They contend that he was in reality no other than Samuel S. Bath, who once lived in Richmond, but was compelled to leave this section of the country in 1854 on account of a difficulty in which he became involved. He located in the vicinity of San Francisco, earned a fortune, and died a wealthy man... Hill, or Bath, before leaving Richmond, lived on West Main Street, just in front of where the Jefferson Hotel now stands. He was an influential citizen and regarded as quite wealthy, owning much property in that vicinity. The court records show where many deeds were recorded by him in various deals in which he was interested. Upon becoming involved in trouble, Hill sold all of his property, and with his nephew, James Pea [sic], who now lives in Newport News, fled to the West, where Hill soon became interested in the mining industry which was just springing up in that country. He accumulated a fortune. After remaining with his uncle for a short time, Pea [sic] tired of the country and returned to his native State, going to Newport News, where he is now working in the shipyards. It was principally through Pea that the heirs in Virginia and North Carolina became interested in the legacy he being confident that Hill was no other than Bath... HANDWRITING IDENTICAL... Several specimens of the handwriting of Bath have been forwarded to San Francisco where they have been compared with that of Hill, and Attorney Freeman writes that the similarity is really remarkable. Much other evidence of this character has been unearthed... " (1 Aug 1902 The Times (Richmond, VA) p. 8); "CHAS.HILL'S FORTUNE... Mr. Sands, discussing the results of his trip last night, said: "I think that I can prove beyond a doubt that my clients are the true heirs. At the Home of the Good Samaritan, where Bath died, I was told that the photographs given me by my clients resembled him more than any others that had been shown, and that the photos of Mr. Bath's family showed a remarked resemblance to the dead man... " (27 Sep 1902 Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, VA) p. 1)
5. Benjamin2 BATH (John1). He was born ca. 1825.
6. Jane Madison2 BATH (John1). She was born in either 1832 or 1834 in VA. A descendant (Susan Hardwicke) has confirmed her middle name was Madison. According to an inscription on a grave marker, she died on 4 Jan 1874 and was buried on the same day in the Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond, VA.
Jane Madison married William Bennett COOK, son of Alban S. and Sarah (Sally) nee Goode Cook, on 14 Oct 1850 in Richmond, Henrico Co. VA. (Here's what may represent a photograph of the couple that could have been taken on their wedding day. It is unclear that the William B. and Jane M. Cook in this photograph are our relatives.) He was born ca. 1830 and ran an iron foundry in Richmond. He died on 13 Jan 1893 and was buried on 14 Jan 1893 in the Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond, VA.
CENSUS RECORDS: 1850 - a Jane Bath is included in the index to the VA census, she is listed as living in Richmond, Henrico Co. (Bath, Jane Hn C 307 Richmond). The entry indicates she was 22 years old and born in VA. 1860 -William COOK and his family appear in the 1860 census for Richmond, VA.
MARRIAGE NOTICE: "Married on Mon. morning the 14th inst. [Oct 14, 1850] by the Rev. Mr. Jones of Norfolk, Mr. William B. Cook to Miss Jane M. Bath, all of this city." (Richmond Republican and General Advertiser 15 Oct 1850, p. 2)
NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT: "Richmond as a Manufacturing City: IRON WORK AND MACHINERY. SNYDER & IRBY, W. B. COOK & CO., AND JAMES D. BROWNE... PHOENIX FOUNDRY. The iron works of this significant name were founded by 1853 by Lowndes & Cook. They have been three times destoryed by fire- in 1856, in 1860, and at the evacuation in 1865. Before the war a large business was done here in iron verandahs, and all kinds of wrought iron and ornamental work for buildings. In 1861, the senior partner of the old firm, Mr. Lowndes, died, and since that time the business has been carried on by Mr. Wm. B. Cook, who has made a specialty to some extent of casting iron fronts and otehr architectural iron works. Before the war all of the castings of this kind in use here came from York, Pa., and other points north. Since 1865 work of this description has been done as well and as cheaply here, and Mr. Cook has sent a great deal of it South. Among other items we note sixty verrandahs sent to the southern States. Mr. Cook is now filling large orders from this city and elsewhere. He has just finished a handsome and substantial front for the fine new store corner of 15th and Cary streets and the vaults and gratings for the same. He built the vaults of all the banks in Richmond except one, and has now on hand contracts for eleven iron fronts for buildings in various parts of the city, including the proposed handsome residence of Mr. Watts, corner of Marshall and 11th streets, and several fine stores on Main street. He was contractor for the iron work of the Atlantic Hotel, in Norfolk, one of the handsomest structures in the whole southern country. The Phoenix Foundry is located on 8th street, between Main and Franklin."
CITY DIRECTORY ENTRY: "PHOENIX FOUNDRY-WILLIAM B. COOK. It is only your shallow man who believes in luck-who limits his faith to the ruling of a star or the casting of a planet. The laws of gravity, of chemistry, of botany, and the other natural laws, are not more fixed and certain in their operation than those who push their way up the plane of social and rational life, and there develop their influence in the struggle which every man makes in life, from the boy's game of play up to the crowning act of individual achievement in work. The sublime faith that believes in the stars-that looks up and out upon the deep-vaulted night, and tries hard to formulate a faith that all men can accept and rationally founded-may be admired by us for the grandeur and vastness of the problems it seeks to solve; but a little reason, not too shallow or superficial in quality, will soon bring us back to the more rational basis of cause and effect, the same arithmetic of which may be accurately computed as the threads of an even web. Law is the basis of everything, and although it works by invisible hands and feet, it treads steadily in one path, and bfrings out the uniform result. The lucky man is the one who perceives the chance of success, and seizes it at the right moment to make the success his own. He may be thwarted time and time again by adverse or unforseen contingencies, such as no proper forecast, can effectually guard against; but a resolute faith in cause and effect in the industrial dogma that something comes from something and nothing comes from nothing, will bring him out successfully in the end. The owner of the Phoenix Foundry, Mr. William B. Cook, is a happy exemplification of the correctness of these reflections. He is a hard worker, and has had some hard rubs with "Adverse and unforeseen contingencies." He has been burnt out no less than three times in twenty-five years, but by dint of perserverance and the best of all personal qualities--pluck--he has risen each time, if not Phoenix-like, from the ashes of a previous establishment, yet like a resolute and determined man, hwo, when one chance fails him, is ready, nothing daunted, to strike for another. With him, work is victory. He takes no chances at luck, and consequently draws no blanks. Each blast of the forge, and each blow of the hammer, is what he has faith in, and leaves the rest to fortune. There are larger and more imposing establishments in Richmond, but his political economy is not to cut the throat of their competition, but to establish his own. No man is prouder of the prosperity of Richmond, arising from the other and larger establishments, than the energetic and public-spirited owner of the Phoenix Works. He seeks to share only in hte general prosperity, and demands patronage only as he may show himself worthy of it. The Phoenix Foundry is on the east side of eighth street, between Franklin and Main. Prior to November, 1871, it was run by Messrs. Cook & Viles, but since that time Mr. Cook has been the sole propreitor. He employs a large force and turns out a large variety of general castings, besides manufacturing iron railings, balconies, verandahs, columns, caps, sills, vault doors and frames, and all kinds of iron work for buildings. In fact, about everything this side of the line of Architectural iron work is sucessfully turned out in his establishment. His building is a large three-story brick, on Eighth above Main, with the foundry in the rear of it, and two stories above for machinery, woodwork, and pattern loft. He has recently completed and put up the large and comodious burglar & fireproof safe vault, in the new banking house of Messrs. Issacs, Taylor and Williams, on the corner of Thirteenth & Main Streets, which is said to be the largest safe ever manufactured south of "Mason and Dixon's line." Whether this be so or not, it is certainly large enough to satisfy and one that what our home institutions cannot do in the way of manufacturing mammoth safes, need not be sought for elsewhere. Mr. Cook is also constructing iron fronts for buildings, and doing not a little to the architectural taste and beauty of our city. The iron work for St. Mark's Church (Episcopal) is from his establishment, as well as numerous verandahs, balconies, railings, etc., of iron, put up during the past two or three years in different parts of the city. The iron work to the new office building of the Gas Works at Rocketts, with fine iron verandah and steps, was furnished by Mr. Cook. He has lately filled orders for Norfolk, for points in North and South Carolina, and other parts of the South, and he is confident he can compete, in quality and style of work, as well as in price, with any similar establishment in this or any other city. Mr. Cook has had an experience of twenty-five years and upwards at the business in which he is now engaged. Born in an adjoining county, and coming to Richmond when he was a mere boy, he has spent his apprenticeship and whole busiiness among us. He has had, as we have before intimated, some pretty severe rebuffs of fortune; but he has cmoe out every time with a resolution to strike ten blows for success where he had only struck five before. Starting first as a partner of Barnes & Co., he was afterwards of the company of Lownes & Cook, then of Cook & Viles, and now has the Phoenix Foundry as his own-- a foundry appropriately named from the circumstances already referred to, that on three several occasions he has seen his different establishments reduced to ashes. Such business energy and capacity as he has shown, and such faith in his work as the means of ultimate triumph, entitled him to a liberal if not generous share of public patronage..."[RICHMOND DIRECTORY 1873-74 (xx appendix)]
BURIAL RECORD FOR JANE MADISON NEE BATH COOK: "381-32 Jane Cook, age 42, buried 8 Jan 1874, Place of death Foushee and Cary streets, cause of death: typhoid fever, Range 26, Section 7, Row 2, Grave 4. Owner: Francis J. Barns. Remarks: Iron Founder. " (Richmond City, Shockoe cemetery 1822-1982 interment cards)
GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTION FOR JANE MADISON NEE BATH COOK: "Sacred to the memory of Jane M. Beloved wife of Wm. B. Cook. Died Jan 4, 1874. Aged 40 years. Little Frank Deane Cook Died June 29th 1872. Yet again we hope to meet thee, when the days of life are fled and with joy in heaven to greet thee where no farewell tears are shed." (Shockoe cemetery gravestone inscription)
BURIAL RECORD FOR WILLIAM B. COOK: 474-34 William B. Cook, age 63, buried 14 Jan 1893, Place of death 2nd and Byrd streets, cause of death: ulceration of the bowels, Range 26, Section 7, Row 2, Grave 1. Owner: Francis J. Barns. Remarks: Iron Founder. (Richmond City, Shockoe cemetery 1822-1982 interment cards)
Jane Madison BATH and William B. COOK had at least the following children:
7 i. Eudora Virginia3 COOK (1852 1929) 8 ii. Adelaide M.3 COOK (b. 1856) 9 iii. William3 COOK (b. 1859) 10 iv. Charles Stanley3 COOK (b. 1868) 11 v. Maud M.3 COOK (1872 1953)
7. Eudora Virginia3 COOK (Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). She was born 20 Apr 1852 in VA. She died 2 Oct 1929 and is buried in the Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, VA.
Eudora Virginia married Addison Chasteen HOUSTON, son of Addison Louis and Martha Ellen nee Allport Houston, on 18 Jun 1874. He was born 5 Jul 1848 and was a building contractor. He died 15 Aug 1924 and is buried in the Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, VA.
They appear in the 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920 censuses for Henrico, VA. According to the 1900 census, Eudora had a total of ten children, only three of whom were living in 1900. A photograph of the entire family appears here.
OBITUARY: "VETERAN CONTRACTOR IS CLAIMED BY DEATH. A. C. Houston Expires Suddenly in Home on West Main Street. A. C. Houston, one of the oldest contractors in Richmond, died last night at his residence, 1016 West Main Street. He was 77 years old. Death came upon the veteran contractor suddenly. Funeral arrangements have not been made. Besides his wife, Mrs. Dora V. Houston, Mr. Houston is survived by two sons, John T. and C. N. Houston, and one daughter, Mrs.. A. O. Wilson. Coming to Richmond about sixty years ago from Bowling Green, Mr. Houston spent practically his entire life in the construction business of this city. Many of Richmondšs buildings were erected under his supervision. Having firmly established his business, Mr. Houston gave up active participation last year and retired to spend his declining years quietly. Besides being prominent in the construction business here Mr. Houston was for a number of years an active member of Dove Lodge, No. 51, A. F. and A. M. He had many friends, both business and social." (16 Aug 1924 Richmond Times Dispatch p. 9); FUNERAL NOTICE: "BURY A.C. HOUSTON THIS AFTERNOON. Funeral services for Addison Chastine Houston, a well-known citizen and contractor, who died Friday night at his residence, 1016 West Main Street, will be conducted this afternoon at 3 ošclock. Interment will be in Riverview Cemetery with Masonic exercises. Mr. Houston was a prominent Mason, being the oldest member of the Dove Lodge, and a past master of that lodge. The lodge has called a special communication this afternoon to pay the last tribute of respect to him. Just previous to his death Mr. Houston haad expressed a desire that he be borne to the grave by members of Dove Lodge, and, as an especial mark of respect, the pallbearers will be the following past masters of the lodge: Ollie C. Hope, Dr. George F. Bagby, W. Fleet Kick, George W. Watt, Dr. W. B. Lorraine, W. T. Sheperd, L. T. Pemberton and T. R. Aaron. " (17 Aug 1924 Richmond Times Dispatch p. 20)
OBITUARY: "HOUSTON-Died, at her residence,1016 W. Main St., October 2, 1929, Eudora Virginia Houston, widow of A.C. Houston. She leaves to mourn their loss three children, Mrs. Lelia Owen Wilson, Chas. V. and John T. Houston; the following grandchildren: Addison Houston, R. Houston Brett, Marion Jane, Arthur and John Houston Jr.; one sister, Mrs. E. C. Plunk, and one brother, O. S. Cook. Funeral services will be held from the above residence at 3 P.M. tomorrow (Thursday). Interment Riverview Cemetery. " (3 Oct 1929 Richmond Times Dispatch p. 19); FUNERAL NOTICE: "Mrs. Eudora Virginia Houston. Funeral services for Mrs. Eudora Virginia Houston, widow of A. C. Houston, who died at her residence 1016 West Main Street yesterday, will be held this afternoon. Interment will be in the Riverview Cemetery. Mrs. Houston is survived by two sons, Charles V. and John T. Houston, on [sic] daughter, Mrs. Lelia Owen Houston; a brother, C. S. Cook, and one sister, Mrs. E. C. Plunk, and five grandchildren." (3 Oct 1929 Richmond Times Dispatch p. 2);
Eudora Virginia COOK and Addison Chasteen HOUSTON had the following children:
12 i. Charles Nelson4 HOUSTON (1875 1942) 13 ii. Lelia Madison4 HOUSTON (1876 1955). 14 iii. Willard L.4 HOUSTON (b. ca. 1880) 15 iv. Emmett4 HOUSTON (b. May 1884) 16 v. John Trevillian4 HOUSTON ( 1890 1985)
8. Adelaide M.3 COOK (Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). She was born ca. 1856 in VA. Herešs a photograph of her when she was a teenager.
9. William3 COOK (Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). He was born ca. 1859 in VA.
10. Charles Stanley3 COOK (Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). He was born Sep 1868 in VA. He married Minnie H. SMITH, daughter of Henry and Lena Smith, ca. 1891. She was born ca. 1869 in Maryland. They had the following children:
17 i. Virginia H.4 COOK (1896 1957) 18 ii. William Henry4 COOK (1899 1968) 19 iii. Minnie E.4 COOK (b 1903) 20 iv. Ethel Mae4 COOK (1907 1987)
11. Maud M.3 COOK (Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). She was born ca. 1872 in VA and died on 17 Feb 1953 at the Louise Obici Memorial Hospital, Suffolk, VA. She is buried in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, VA. She married Ernest Cordell PLUNKETT, son of John F. and Sarah Elizabeth Plunkett, on 9 Aug 1893 in Richmond, Virginia. They and their children appear in census entries for Richmond, VA in 1900 and 1910. Ernest C. apparently died sometime between 1910 and 1920, as his widow appears without him in the 1920 and 1930 censuses for Richmond.
OBITUARY: "Mrs. Maud Cook Plunkett. Suffolk, Virginia, February 17 - Age 80, of Richmond, died Tuesday, February 17, 1953 at 5:05 pm at the Louise Obici Memorial Hospital after an illness of several weeks. She was the daughter of WILLIAM BENNETT and JANE MCGILL [sic] BATH COOK of Richmond. A native of Richmond, she resided there during her life with the exception of the past few years when she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. O. R. Yates in Suffolk. She belonged to the Main Street Methodist Church, Richmond. In addition to her daughter, she is survived by 3 other daughters, Mrs. J. H. MOORE of Baltimore, Maryland; 3 sons, JOHN H. PLUNKETT, ERNEST W. PLUNKETT and ALLEN M. PLUNKETT, all of Richmond; 22 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. The body was taken to Bliley Funeral Home, Richmond, where funeral services will be conducted Thursday afternoon, February 19, 1953. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond." (18 Feb 1953 Norfolk Virginian)
Maud M. COOK and Ernest Cordell PLUNKETT had seven children:
i. Lillian C.4 PLUNKETT (b 1894) ii. Annie M.4 PLUNKETT (b 1896) iii. John K.4 PLUNKETT (b 1899) iv. Nellie E.4 PLUNKETT (b 1901) v. Ernest C.4 PLUNKETT (b 1903) vi. Allen M.4 PLUNKETT (b 1908) vii. Ruth B.4 PLUNKETT (b 1911)
12. Charles Nelson4 HOUSTON (Eudora V.3 COOK, Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). He was born on 26 Jul 1875 in Virginia and died on 2 Jul 1942 in Virginia. He is present in the 1880, 1900, 1920 and 1930 censuses. He was a carpenter.
13. Lelia Madison4 HOUSTON (Eudora V.3 COOK, Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). She was born on 9 Dec 1876 in VA and died on 15 Feb 1955 in South Carolina. Herešs a photograph of her when she was a baby.
She first married William Hughes BRETT on 10 Jan 1898 at St. Paul 's Church, Washington, D.C. According to a Sons of the American Revolution application submitted by his son, William Hughes was born on 13 Sep 1872 and died on 24 Mar 1932. A photograph of Lelia next to a scan of the marriage notice below is located here.
MARRIAGE NOTICE: "ROMANCE IN THE WEDDING. Miss Lelia Houston of Richmond Married in Washington. J. HUGHES [sic] BRETT THE GROOM. The Pretty Artist Never Told of Her Engagement. THE THIRMANN-TAYLOR NUPTIALS. A Great Concourse of Friends Crowd St. Paul's Church to Witness the Ceremony. The Bride Radiant. Other Marriages. A wedding which contained many of the elements of romance took place in Washington, D.C. on Monday last, one of the principals in the affair being Miss Lelia Houston, the only daughter of Mr. A.C. Houston, the well-known builder of this city, who resides at "Welburn," the beautiful country home, just outside the corporate limits. The happy groom was Mr. J. [sic] Hughes Brett, who is the son of a wealthy cotton-buyer and merchant of Georgia, but who now holds a profitable position in one of the Government departments at Washington. During the past year Miss Houston had made a number of trips to Washington where she had relatives, and during one of her visits she met Mr. Brett. It was a case of love at first sight on his part and she soon learned to return his affection. The engagement followed, but it was not announced to any but the relatives and closest friends of the two, and the announcement of the marriage will be read with great surprise by those here who know the bride. The wedding was quietly celebrated at the home of the bride's relatives in Washington, her family being represented by one of her brothers. After the event, Mr. and Mrs. Brett went on a wedding trip, and on their return will reside in Washington. Mrs. Brett is one of the prettiest of Richmond's many beautiful girls. She is an artist of decided ability as many pictures which she has painted will attest." (13 Jan 1898)
Lelia and her son appear without him in the 1900 census for Richmond, but she is still listed as married.
Lelia second married Arthur Owen-WILSON, son of Arthur and Elizabeth Agnes nee Barwick Owen-Wilson. According to his gravestone, he was born 29 Jun 1882 in Louisiana. He died on18 Apr 1934 and is buried with his mother and brother in the Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, Alabama. Arthur was a civil engineer who worked for a railroad company.
MARRIAGE NOTICE: "Owen-Wilson-Brett. Tuesday evening, October 12, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Addison Chastine Houston was the scene of a very pretty wedding when their only daughter, Mrs. Lelia Houston Brett, was united in marriage to Arthur Owen-Wilson, son of the late Arthur Owen-Wilson of Huntsville, Ala. and a grandson of the late Rev. John Owen-Wilson, of Preston, England and the late Hugh Crawford Barwick, of St. Catherinešs Canada. Mrs. Owen-Wilson is a young woman of great beauty and many accomplishments, well known in Richmond society. She was born and reared in Richmond and on her maternal side is a descendant of one of Virginiašs distinguished statesmen, President James Madison. The house was beautifully decorated in palms and goldenrod. Miss Agnes L. Wade, cousin of the bride, wore a lovely creation in pink and white, and carried pink carnations. The bride, attired in traveling costume of blue, was met at the alter by the groom, who was attended by E. H. Taymar, of Birmingham, Ala. The service of the Episcopal Church was read by the Rev. Mr. James. After the ceremony, the couple left for a bridal trip, and will be at home at 2115 Grove Avenue, after November 1." (16 Oct 1909 The Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA) p. 3)
Arthur, his wife, and his stepson are present in the 1920 census for Charleston, SC; he and his wife are present in the 1930 census for Savannah, GA.
Lelia Munson HOUSTON and William Holmes BRETT had one child:
21 i. Rieman Houston5 BRETT (b. ca. 1898)
14. Willard L.4 HOUSTON (Eudora V.3 COOK, Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). He was born ca. 1880 in Virginia and is present in the 1880 census entry for his parents.
15. Emmett4 HOUSTON (Eudora V.3 COOK, Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). He was born ca. May 1884 in Virginia and is present in the 1900 census entry for his parents.
16. John Trevillian4 HOUSTON (Eudora V.3 COOK, Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). He was born on 20 Jan 1890. He died on 30 May 1985 and is buried in the Riverview Cemetery, Richmond VA. John married Maime -. She was born ca. 1892. They appear in the 1920 and 1930 censuses for Richmond, and Brookland, VA. The had the following children:
i. Marion B.5 HOUSTON (b 1919) ii. Rebecca Jane5 HOUSTON (b 1921) iii. John5 HOUSTON (1923) iv. Arthur O.5 HOUSTON (b 1924)
17. Virginia H.4 COOK (Charles Stanley3 COOK, Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). She was born ca. 1896 in Virginia and died ca. 1957 in Richmond, VA. Virginia H. married Norman Otto HAYES. He was born ca. 1898.
18. William Henry4 COOK (Charles Stanley3 COOK, Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). He was born on 15 Mar 1899 in Maryland and died ca. Mar 1968 in Richmond, VA. William Henry married Myrtle C. DILLARD, daughter of Percy Ernest and Molly Treadway nee Dunn Dillard. She was born 22 Oct 1915 and died 14 Feb 1990 in Richmond, VA.
19. Minnie E.4 COOK (Charles Stanley3 COOK, Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). She was born ca. 1903 in Virginia and appears in the 1910, 1920 and 1930 census entries for Richmond, VA with her parents.
20. Ethel Mae4 COOK (Charles Stanley3 COOK, Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). She was born ca. May 1907 in Virginia and died ca. December 1987. She married Charles Walter SIPP. He was born on 7 Nov 1900 and died in October 1964 in Kansas City, Jackson Co. MO. They had a daughter:
i. Evelyn Mae5 SIPP (1928 1985)
21. Rieman Houston5 BRETT (Lelia H.4 HOUSTON, Eudora V.3 COOK, Jane Madison2 BATH, John1). He was born 15 Oct 1898 in Washington, D.C. He died on 28 Dec 1964 in VA and is buried in the Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, VA. He was an attorney, a candidate for Congress, and a navy veteran of World War I.
Rieman Houston married Minnie King FLOURNOY, daughter of Ormand Augustus and Minnie nee King Flournoy. She was born 3 Feb 1906 in VA and died in 23 Apr 1999 in Richmond, VA. She is buried in the Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, VA.
OBITUARY: "R. Houston Brett Rites Tomorrow; Patent Attorney. Graveside services for R. Houston Brett, 66, of 3317 Monument ave., a patent attorney, will be held tomorrow a 11 a.m. in the family section of Riverview Cemetery. He died yesterday. In 1930 Mr. Brett ran as an Independent Republican candidate for Congress from the Third district. In the early 1940s he served as Richmond area commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a graduate of National University of Law in Washington and a veteran of World War I. He was a member of the Pennsylvania, Georgia and Virginia Bar Associations. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Minnie Flournoy Brett, and a daughter, Mrs. James M. Wiltshire, of Richmond" (28 Dec 1964)"
Rieman Houston BRETT and Minnie FLOURNOY had children.
If you recognize any of the names here and would like to contact me, here's my email address: david.rudge@wmich.edu.
Other lines on this site:
- Maine COOK FLUENT MILLS WEBBER WOODWARD;
- Michigan BIERI ROTH WYSS;
- North Carolina ADAMS GIBSON PAE PERSONS RUDGE BANKS COBLE;
- Virginia BATH BREEDLOVE WILLIAMSON
- Wisconsin BREITKREUTZ FINDER NEFF YOUNG
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Last updated on 10 Nov 2011