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HOWARD FAMILY - Possible Clues for Relationship with SILVEY FAMILY

Early tax records show an Alexander Howard, Sr., an Alexander Howard, Jr. and an Asa Howard all living near each other.  My assumption is a father and two sons.  By 1830 there is just one Alexander Howard, so we might think the older man had either died or moved.  Only Asa is listed in 1850 census. 

 

To me, the following document is really interesting.  It looks like the whole clan has rallied round poor Ben Howard, who's woman has dun him wrong. Must be son of Alexander Howard?

I think we can presume any man who signed the petition was at least 21 years old?  Benjamin Howard married Mahaley McCormick in  24 Nov 1820 Roane Co. TN

Source:  "Roane County, TN Divorces 1807-1900" compiled by Robert Bailey 1994 (from Petition to State Legislature)

BENJAMIN HOWARD vs MAHALY HOWARD  - outcome not known  14 Aug 1825

"We your Petitioners...... that Benjamin Howard, a young man and citizen of our county, unfortunately for himself, married to a MAHALEY MCCOMAC [McCormick?], who at that time, was a stranger in the neighborhood, and after rendering her husband a life of ???? kindness for two years through her incontinency a dittailed account of which would be as disagreeable as unnecessary, eloped with from both husband and child with another man, and has not returned.

Your petitioners not being able to charge misconduct to the score of the sd HOWARD, except his retaining her after her crimes became notorious be considered as such; and knowing that relief granted by the circuit court is .............grant a Bill of Divorcement.......think him entitled to......

Names of Peitioners:

John E. Nelson  (two daus. m Silvey men)
George Arnold  (m. a Cook)
James Buckhannan,
Henry Spicer
Henry Lower
Andrew Nail
Andrew Lower
Bauswell Cooper
WILLIAM SILVEY
SAMUEL SILVEY
Martin SHADWICH   [Shadrick?]
CHARLES SILVEY
WILLIAM SILVEY SENR.
John SHADWICH
REUBEN HOWARD
PETER COOK
ALEXANDER HOWARD
JAMES HOWARD
James Ducipe ?
JOHN SILVEY, sennier
William Jones
William Ives  [Thomas Ives m. Mary Silvey in 1835]
Joshua Eaton
Michael Arnold (father of George Arnold)
Robert Liles
Hiram Cromwell
Charles Crage
Thomas Bell
Marimon McGee
Robert Liles  (one is son)
Wiley Tuten
George Cofer
Jacob Lower
Ralph Lane
William Russell
James Smith
JOHN SILVEY, JUNR.  (cousin to other John)
Michael Boyd

State of Tennessee, Roane County.  This day appeared GEORGE ARNOLD.........made oath that he believes the wife of Benjamin Howard was a ????? woman and ???? she left hir child, some time ago and has not yet returned to it.   Sworn to.....14th day of Aug. 1825.

(Good old George was in Bastardy court himself for siring two children with Elizabeth Liles, probably the daughter of the Rev. War soldier, Robert Liles, above) 

State of Tennessee, Roane County.  This day came ALEXANDER HOWARD .....made oath that Benjaman Howard wife did leave him with any provocation he believes and left hir child on his hand about twelve months ago & has never returned as yet & it is reported that she has taken up with another man of the name of William MORE.    14th day of Aug 1825.

 ROANE, TN MARRIAGES From 1801 to 1849

                               

No idea who that Valentine Cunningham is.  Maybe a grandson?  Not found in Roane records.

The Estate Books of Roane County show

p. 209  Asa Howard, Jan 1833, Will

I Asa Howard of the county of Roane & State of TN, now sick and likely to die,............wife Elizabeth.........14th day of June 1832  Witness Robert Williams, Willis PREWETT

1840 Roane  page 23 

SAMUEL SILVY  010/000/01-020/000/1
ASA HOWARD - 012/100/01-110/200/1  [born  1780-1790]

1850 Roane, #1261

Asa Howard 64, miller, VA  Sarah 54 TN Sara A. 17, Nancy 12, Christopher 19

Might this be an Asa Junior?

Another list of Good Ole Boys

Capt. Underwoods Co. Tax List for 1831

Biographical Sketch of George W. Silvey, Webster County, Missouri (son of Charles and Lucretia Howard Silvey)  ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mo/webster/bios/s4100004.txt