Back in Time with James Mathis (Mathews)

    The other day we analyzed why the James Mathews, that we had found in Collin County, Texas in 1870 who together with Sallie were probably the parents of Lennie Mathis, wife of William Pinkney Leggett.  Below is a listing of that family's census record.

Year: 1880; Census Place: Precinct 8, Collin,Texas; Roll: 1296; Family History Film: 1255296; Page: 292A; Enumeration District: 029.

Moving backwards from 1880 to 1870 I attempted to find James and his family. I suspected that they might live in Yalobusha county since Lennie's obituary stated that was her place of birth.  I needed to check for Mathews as well as Mathis. I found a James Mathews with wife Sallie and son, Rickman in Yalobusha. In Texas there had been a stepson Louis Rickman. 

Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 11, Yalobusha,Mississippi; Roll: M593_754; Page: 60A; Image: 126; Family History Library Film: 552253.

      When we moved back another ten years, I didn't expect to find James with wife Sallie because of her age but knowing the children would help. We ought to be able to find him especially since we knew names of children Martha, John C., Lafayette and Rickman (Louis Rickman). Here is a James Mathis with wife Mathilda, daughter Martha, son Columbus (Jno C?) Lafayette, son Lewis (Louis Rickman?).  The ages are not perfect but close enough that we might be looking at the correct family.  Lafayette County is on the northeast border of Yalobusha County. At about this same time I spotted a marriage reference of James Mathews to Sarah Johnson in 1861 in Lafayette County. Sallie (Sally) is a nickname for Sarah. 

1860; Census Place:  , Lafayette,Mississippi; Roll: M653_585; Page: 58; Image: 62; Family History Library Film: 803585.

     Moving back another ten years we find James with Mathilda and Martha.  There were other children listed.  Could Mathilda be wife number 2?  

 Year: 1850; Census Place:  , Lafayette,Mississippi; Roll: M432_375; Page: 269B; Image: 95.

So does is this James with his families the correct family for Lennie?  Have we met the Genealogical Proof Standard.? Not Yet.  But I think we are looking in the right direction.  And the best part was the family that was living next door to James in 1850.  Are we looking at James' father?  More than likely James and Ire are related but not sure how just yet.

Year: 1850; Census Place:  , Lafayette,Mississippi; Roll: M432_375; Page: 269B; Image: 95.