Confirming a Family Story: the 1929 Death of Merle Winford Campbell

Sometimes genealogists have trouble finding evidence that proves a family tale. Even if the tale began as a truthful one, snippets here and there eventually get altered, embellished, or even omitted as the story is passed from person to person, and generation to generation. Thus changing how the tale is received or perceived.

And sometimes, we keepers of the family history get lucky.

*— Morley Cemetery at Scott County, Missouri**

Merle Winford Campbell was born 1 September 1927 in Vanduser, Scott County, Missouri to my great-grandparents Norma Ethel Robins (1906-2000) and Chester Wesley Campbell (1906-1994). He was their first-born child, coming almost eleven months after their marriage. Though Merle died before she was born, he was a brother of my grandmother, Betty Sue Campbell Lincecum (1934-2014).

Family lore stated simply that Merle died of an ear infection. Fortunately, I was able to find a death certificate to support this claim.

Mearl’s death certificate provides the cause of death as Mastoiditis. Medical News Today defines the condition this way:

Mastoiditis is a serious infection in the mastoid process, which is the hard, prominent bone just behind and under the ear. Ear infections that people fail to treat cause most cases of mastoiditis. The condition is rare but can become life-threatening without treatment.
Symptoms of mastoiditis include swelling behind the ear, pus coming out of the ear, throbbing pain, and difficulty hearing.
Ear infections that do not receive treatment, as well as antibiotic-resistant ear infections, sometimes spread. When this happens, the bacteria travel to surrounding structures, including bones such as the mastoid process.
Without antibiotic treatment, the bacteria can continue spreading to the bones of the skull. They may also travel to the blood and organs, including the brain.
Middle ear infections, which doctors call acute otitis media, and mastoiditis are most common in children younger than 2 years of age.

Norma’s and Chester’s second child Lynuel (d. 2008) was born one month after the death of Merle.

Visit Merle Winford Campbell’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.

*Image by Graver Gal via FindAGrave memorial #29636238. Permission for use granted in bio.

Which Lincecum is Listed on the Marriage Record for Gideon Berry & Sally Whatley?

[Originally posted on previous platform October 2016.]

Gideon Berry, son of William Green Berry and Nancy Lincecum, married Sally Whatl(e)y 28 February 1813 in Putnam County, Georgia. Here is the record image retrieved from FamilySearch.org :

In addition to the primary information gleaned from this record regarding Gideon and Sally, I am interested in the Lincecum listed toward the bottom.

Given under my hand at office this 27th of Febuary 1813 —-
for C Pendleton clk
[G?] Lincecum

Here it is again, perhaps a touch bigger:

The Gideon Lincecum and Miriam Bowie family was purported to be in Putnam County, Georgia at this time. Hezekiah, only remaining son of the couple after the American Revolution, was the “head of household,” since his father had died some years earlier. (Judy Jacobson’s Alabama & Mississippi Connections* states Hezekiah was in Putnam County about 1806, and specifically states he was on a tax roll for Capt. William Minton’s District of said county in 1813.)

Hezekiah was a sister of Nancy Lincecum Berry, and therefore uncle to Gideon Berry. Hezekiah and wife Sally Hickman had seven sons. The only one, in my opinion, who was “of age” at the time of Gideon (Berry) and Sally’s marriage, was Gideon Lincecum II.

An item in the 3 August 1814 Georgia Journal (Milledgeville newspaper) provides Gideon “Linsecum” was tax collector for Putnam County. Judy Jacobson also notes he married wife Sarah Bryan that same year in Putnam county.

So that name is likely G. Lincecum, right? The problem I have is that particular G (if that’s what it is) is not written like any other G in the document. Thoughts, anyone?

The Lincecums moved on from Putnam County within a few years of this marriage between Gideon Berry and Sally Whatl(e)y. Hezekiah, along with his son Gideon, was in Mississippi by 1818. Even Gideon Berry’s mother, Nancy (Lincecum), went on to Mississippi at some point. She died there about 1849.

Gideon and Sarah Whatl(e)y Berry moved on from Georgia, as well. They settled in Pickens County, Alabama by 1840.

Visit Gideon Berry’s page at the Lincecum Lineage database.

Visit Sarah Whatley Berry’s page at the Lincecum Lineage database.

*Links to book for sale at Amazon. As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Biographical Outline of Elizabeth O’Banion Lincecum (1829-1899)

A smile hath passed which filled our home with light. A soul whose beauty made that smile so bright.

— epitaph on Elizabeth’s tombstone

Elizabeth Obanon (O’Banion?) / Cleveland was born 20 November 1829, possibly in Georgia, to Mary (maiden name unknown) Obanon Cleveland. The 1850 Washington County, Texas Federal census suggests Elizabeth was born an Obanon / Obanion. Mother Mary married J. M. Cleveland about 1844.

Using this record, as well as the 1860 Washington County, Texas Federal census, Elizabeth had brothers named Benjamin and John, and a sister named Martha. Her half-brothers were William, Joseph, and Leander. In fact, brother Benjamin (with surname Obanion) was just “two doors down” from Elizabeth Lincecum in 1860. Separately, the rest of the siblings – at home with Mary – were all listed with the surname Cleveland.

Elizabeth (indexed as a Cleveland) married Lachaon Joseph Lincecum February 1852 in Washington County, Texas. They went on to have 9 or 10 children: Lycurgus, George Durham, Mary E., Val Dies, Sallie, Lachaon Joseph Jr., Edna Katherine, Leolia Gideon, Lucullus Garland, and (possibly) Anna.

Elizabeth died 10 July 1899 in Gonzales, Texas. She was laid to rest at Gonzales Masonic Cemetery, under the tombstone pictured at top. Photo credit to Cindy S. Munson (2011) via FindAGrave – permission for use granted in her bio.

Individual Facts:

Census: 3 October 1850 / Washington County, Texas
Census: 12 June 1860 / Long Point, Washington County, Texas
Occupation: September 1870 / Keeping House in Washington County, Texas
Census: 28 September 1870 / Burton, Washington County, Texas
Occupation: June 1880 / Keeping House in Williamson County, Texas
Census: 3 June 1880 / Williamson County, Texas

Death notice from The Daily Express (San Antonio, Texas) dated 12 July 1899:

MRS. L. J. LINCECUM
Gonzales, Tex., July 11 — Died at her home in Gonzales, Tex., on Monday, July 10, 1899, at 9 p. m., Mrs. L. J. Lincecum, aged 69 years, 7 months and 12 days. The interment will be held at the Masonic cemetery at 4 o’clock this evening.

Visit Elizabeth O’Banion Lincecum’s page at the Lincecum Lineage database.