Joseph and Priscilla (Barker) Lumpkins, my fourth great-grandparents, both died in about 1848 in Morgan County, Kentucky, leaving their eleven children - all under the age of 20 - orphaned.
The causes of their untimely deaths remain a mystery. It doesn't help that Morgan County was a burned county - no official county records such as probate or court order books survive to shed light on how the Lumpkins' estate was settled including the fate of their children.
However, the 1850 US Federal census offers clues, revealing how the court decided to scatter the Lumpkins children across the county with the kids enumerated in the households of neighboring families.
An Early Morgan County, Kentucky Settler
The Lumpkins' two eldest sons, John and William (my third great-grandfather) - who were about 19 and 16 at the time their parents died, eventually indicated in the 1880 US Federal census that Joseph and Priscilla were both born in Virginia. According to the 1840 census, Joseph Lumpkins was born between 1801 and 1810 and would have been between 38 and 47 years old when he died.
When did Joseph arrive in Kentucky? While it's hard to pinpoint an exact date, we can certainly narrow the time frame.
Morgan County was founded in December 1822, and the earliest surviving tax records date to 1823. In that first year of recorded taxes, the surname Lumpkins was enumerated without a first name. Was this Joseph?
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1823 Morgan County, Kentucky tax list enumerating a Lumpkins |
No Lumpkins were enumerated in the 1824 tax list, but we know Joseph was in the area. That was the year he married Priscilla Barker on October 21st.
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October 21, 1824 Morgan County, Kentucky marriage between Joseph Lumpkins and Priscilla Barker |
Beginning in 1825, Joseph Lumpkins was named on the county's tax lists. In fact, he was the only Lumpkins enumerated in each ensuing tax year until 1836 when a William Lumpkins appeared for the first time (some researchers speculate this was Joseph's brother arriving from Virginia). Thus, it appears that Joseph was likely the Lumpkins who appeared on the 1823 tax list - suggesting this was his first recorded appearance in Morgan County - making him one of the earliest settlers after the county's establishment.
A Family Divided
When minor-aged children were orphaned it was common for the court to place them with local families and task them with providing for their wellbeing and education. And sure enough, across the county, families were enumerated in the 1850 census with the minor-aged Lumpkins children.
- Dwelling # 28 - home to William and Sarah Pearce - included 2-year-old Francis M. Lumpkins.
- Dwelling # 396 - home to William and Prudence Lykins - included sisters Manerva and Caroline Lumpkins (aged 19 and 10 respectively).
- Dwelling # 400 - home to James and Catherine Davis - included Jane and Perlina Lumpkins (aged 13 and 4 respectively).
- Dwelling # 948 - home to Jacob and Elizabeth Henry - included 15-year-old Joseph Lumpkins
- Dwelling # 951 - home to Lewis Henry - included 6-year-old Wiley Lumpkins.
- Dwelling # 962 - home to William and Eliza Henry - included brothers George and Thomas Lumpkins (aged 13 and 7 respectively).