52 Ancestors 2021: Week 33: Tragedy

There are a lot of things my ancestors have been through that could be described as 'tragic' or 'a tragedy.' It's hard to pick just one or two instances to write about, honestly. Especially since I love for y'all to get to know each and every one of my ancestors on such an intimate level. Every time I write about them, as a matter of fact, I get to know them even better as well. 

One 'tragedy' that I could mention is the family story that my Great-Great-Great-Great (4x) Grandparents died in an accident on their journey back from Hoodsville, Arkansas to Henderson, Kentucky. 

Supposedly, Charles Tandy Sandefur and his second wife, Shilo Watson, died on August 23rd, 1852 and were more than likely buried beside the road they died on. It's possible a few of their children might have perished with them, but I'm not 100% sure.

In 1850, the family is living in the Hoodsville (now it's not even a town) area of Jefferson County, Arkansas. The 1850 census lists them --

Tandy Stanifer - 60
Stulo Stanifer - 38
James A Stanifer - 17
Peter W Stanifer - 16
Isobl Stanifer - 13
Phylo H Stanifer - 12
Susan E Stanifer - 10
Bennett P Stanifer - 7
Thomas W Stanifer - 4
Judia Ann Stanifer - 3
John Stanifer - 0

Charles Tandy Sandefur and Shilo (Watson) Sandefur definitely disappear between the 1850 census and 1860, so them both dying in between those years is certainly plausible. But as for an accident claiming their lives... why didn't it take a child? Did it? Let's take account of each child in the 1850 census with them and where they go from there. 

James Archilles Sandefur dies young in March of 1860 of bronchitis here in Henderson County, Kentucky. His occupation is listed as a storekeeper. He never married nor had any children. He was only 27 years young. 

Peter W. Sandefur disappears after 1850 -- BUT there is a Peter Staniford that mustered into the Civil War (Union Side) in Illinois and mustered out in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Pine Bluff is Jefferson County, so this MIGHT be our Peter. I can't for the life of me find him in the 1860 or even 1870 censuses, though. 

Isabella Sandefur marries Wilkerson/Wilkinson Brewer on July 8th, 1852, in Jefferson County, Arkansas - she was 16 years young. They appear in Pine Bluff, Arkansas for the 1860 and 1870 census, and then Whiteville, Arkansas for the 1880 census. She disappears after 1880, as does her husband so they both likely died between 1880-1900. 

Philo Hilyer Sandefur returns to Henderson County, KY, where he marries Susan Rebecca Jarrett (half-sister of outlaw John Marion Jarrett) on February 3rd, 1860. They become my Great-Great-Great (3x) Grandparents through their son, Eugene Henry Sandefur. Philo lives out his life here and dies in the Western State Hospital on January 16th, 1915. In the 1900 census and 1910 census, Philo and Susan live at 1419 Clay St, Henderson KY, beside their son Eugene Henry Sandefur who lives at 1421 Clay St. These houses are directly across the street from the front door of the old Audubon School. 

Susan Elvira Sandefur disappears for the 1860 census, but she re-appears living with her half brother, William Henry Sandefur, in Henderson for the 1870 and 1880 censuses. She then disappears for 1900, 1910... until she dies in Louisville on December 20th, 1921. She was in the Kings Daughters Home and died of general senility. King's Daughters and Sons was a Home for the "Incurables." It was located at 1705 Stevens Ave. It was built in 1909 and used as the home for the incurables until it gradually turned into a nursing home. While digging for more information, I did find her under "Alvina Sanford" in the 1920 census for the King's Daughters Home... but still can't find her in the 1900 or 1910 census. 

Bennett Sandefur re-appears in the 1860 census in Henderson County, KY in the home of his older half-brother, Nathaniel Rufus Sandefur. He then disappears - so it's likely he died between 1860 and 1870. 

Thomas P. Sandefur makes it back to Henderson County, KY, where he's living with his older half-brother Henry C. Sandefur in the 1860 census. On December 4th, 1866, he marries Amelia "Ameny" Williams and they live here in the 1870 and 1880 census... then he disappears. Likely he died between 1880 and 1900. 

Ann "Annie" Sandefur ended up back in Henderson County, KY, for the 1860 census. She's living with her elder half-brother, Charles Tandy Sandefur Jr. By February 24th, 1870, she marries James H. Henry. She passes away on October 6th, 1874, and is buried out in Pleasant Valley Cemetery I believe. 

Lastly, John B. Sandefur, the youngest son, is back in Henderson County, KY by 1860 and living with his elder half-brother Nathaniel Rufus Sandefur. By July 24th, 1873, he marries Arabella "Belle" Williams. Sometime between their last child being born in 1885 and when John dies in 1901 - they moved to Chicago, Cook Co, IL. He died on April 24th, 1901, according to the death index.. yet strangely, Belle and Margaret live alone in the 1900 census and her marital status is "widowed." 

So it does appear that none of the children, or very likely none of the children, died in the accident that took Charles Tandy Sandefur and Shilo (Watson) Sandefur's life. Again, I really don't know if the tragic fate of their dying on the journey back to Henderson actually happened or not. With most of their children coming back to Henderson - it's a possibility they died here between 1850 and 1860. But with a few of their children staying in Arkansas and marrying young... it's entirely possible they left their children alone in the world. 

If they truly died the way they did, I do feel that's quite tragic. Charles Tandy Sandefur fathered at least five children that survived with his first wife, Martha Robards, before her death in 1831 at about 36 years young. Then he married Shilo in late 1831 and they had at least 10 more children that survived. Their eldest daughter together, Eliza Jane, stayed in Henderson and married her cousin, Bennett Sandefur, on March 13th, 1849. Eliza died sometime between the 1880 and 1900 censuses likely in Ohio County, KY, where they removed to and lived. 

Well, I hope this blog helped you get to know my 4x Grandparents and their offspring a bit. It certainly did help me to go over each one of them again. It's strange we always spend so much time on our direct ancestors but rarely ever look at our collateral lines. They can be the most interesting!