The Documented Genealogy of Curtis Lynn Older

31. Documentation for Melissa Jane Barnard
(11 Dec 1841 to 23 Jan 1924)
mother of Elizabeth Jane Ricketts
(18 October 1861 to 17 Feb 1922)

Melissa Jane Barnard, Second Great-Grandmother of Curtis Lynn Older:

1) Melissa Jane Barnard, wife of Jacob Ricketts, parents of Elizabeth Jane Ricketts
2) Elizabeth Jane Ricketts, wife of Daniel Alexander Fox, parents of Ethel Belle Fox
3) Ethel Belle Fox, wife of Robert William Gouty, parents of Mavis Lorene Gouty
4) Mavis Lorene Gouty, wife of Truxton James Older, parents of Curtis Lynn Older

Download Adobe Acrobat File - 31. Melissa Jane Barnard - (The file has the following text plus images.)

Melissa Jane Barnard was born December 11, 1841, in Vermillion County, Indiana.(1) The parents of Melissa are not known but they may have been Jesse and Susanna Barnard (Barnett). Melissa Barnett is listed in the 1850 Indiana Federal Census for Vermillion County, Highland Township, dwelling 185, family 185. Her age is given as 9 years old. A Susanna Barnett, age 40, also is listed in the household. A Jesse Barnett, age 43, is listed in the Jacob Ricketts household in the 1850 census along with some children who had a last name of Barnett.

Melissa Jane Barnard married Jacob Ricketts on March 21, 1861, in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.(2) They were married by Justice of the Peace A. E. Howe. Jacob Ricketts was born February 22, 1826, in Dearborn County, Indiana.(3) He was the son of John Ricketts and Mary Goodner.

Jacob Ricketts and Melissa J. Barnard were the parents of eight children.(4)

1. Elizabeth Jane Ricketts was born October 18, 1861, in Vermillion County, Indiana. She is a twin of Abraham Lincoln Ricketts. She married Daniel Alexander Fox on April 1, 1880. She died February 27, 1922, in Gessie, Indiana, from a home fire. She was buried at Hopewell Cemetery, Vermillion County, Indiana.

2. Abraham Lincoln Ricketts was born October 18, 1861, in Vermillion County, Indiana. He died in 1939. He is buried at the Zaphyers Hill Cemetery, Florida. He was a twin of Elizabeth Jane Ricketts.

3. Joseph Ricketts was born in July 1864, in Vermillion County, Indiana. He was married in 1864 to a Nancy E. ___________. Joseph died in 1935 and is buried in the Lower Mound Cemetery, Vermillion County, Indiana.

4. Nancy Ricketts was born in July 1864, in Vermillion County, Indiana. She married John Henry Dixon. Nancy died on March 6, 1937, and is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Fountain County, Indiana.

5. Hiram "High" Ricketts was born in 1871 or 1872 in Vermillion County, Indiana. He married Gabrielle Talbert. Hiram died in 1930. He is buried at Lower Mound Cemetery, Vermillion County, Indiana.

6. Fredrick Ricketts was born April 30, 1874, in Vermillion County, Indiana. He married Myrtle E. Gaskin on March 29, 1899, in Vermillion County, Indiana. He died August 24, 1934.

7. Daniel Ricketts was born in 1878 in Vermillion County, Indiana. He died in 1922 and is buried at the Lower Mound Cemetery. His name appears on the same tombstone as that of his parents.

8. Jacob Ricketts (Junior) was born in 1880.

Melissa Jane (Barnard) Ricketts signed a US Pension form related to the service of Jacob Ricketts as a private in Company D, 57th Regiment of the Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the War of the Rebellion. Melissa indicates that her only marriage during her lifetime was to Jacob Ricketts whom she married on March 21, 1861, by A. E. Howe, J. P. Melissa also states that Jacob Ricketts previously was married to Nancy Scott, who died about 1858. Melissa indicates that Jacob Ricketts died at his home in Warren County, Indiana, on the 3rd day of May 1910.

A US Pension form affidavit also was signed by Clark Dennis and Margaret Ballah related to the pension for Jacob Ricketts and Melissa J. (Barnard) Ricketts. The statement by Dennis and Ballah confirmed the death of Nancy Scott about 1858 and that Jacob spoke of Nancy as his first wife. They indicated Jacob was a private in Company D, 57th regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry who died at his home in Warren County, Indiana, on May 3, 1910. Dennis and Ballah indicated they were both well acquainted with Melissa Jane Ricketts since she was a little girl and that her maiden name was Barnard.

Jacob Ricketts died May 3, 1910, at his home in Foster, Warren County, Indiana.(5) He was buried in Lower Mound Cemetery west of Covington, Indiana.(6) Melissa J. (Barnard) Ricketts died January 23, 1924 in Foster, Mound Township, Warren County, Indiana, and was buried in Lower Mound Cemetery west of Covington, Indiana.(7)

The 1850 Indiana Federal Census for Vermillion County, Highland Township, dwelling 185, family 185, lists Melissa Barnett, age 9, born in Indiana, attended school in year.(8) The 1860 Indiana Federal Census for Vermillion County, Highland Township, Post Office - Perrysville, lists under dwelling 155, family 159, Melissa J. Barnard, age 19, female, born in Indiana.(9)

The 1870 U. S. Federal Census for Indiana, Vermillion County, Highland Township, Post Office - Perrysville, enumerated June 24, 1870, lists Jacob Ricketts age 44, farmer, and Melissa Ricketts, age 29. The census lists William D. age 22, Ben W. age 19, John H. age 17, David age 10, Lincoln age 8, Elizabeth age 8, Joseph age 5, and Nancy age 3. The 1870 census record indicates that Elizabeth and Lincoln Ricketts were twins.(10)

The 1880 U. S. Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township, enumerated June 11, 1880, by George W. Main, lists Jacob Ricketts age 54, farmer, Melissa age 37, wife, David age 21, Lincoln age 19, Lizzie age 19, Joseph age 16, Nanny (Nancy) age 13, Hiram age 8, Fred age 7, and Daniel age 2.(11)

The 1900 Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township, enumerated June 14, 1900, by Clinto G. Beckett, lists Jacob Ricketts Sr., head, born in February 1826, age 74, Malisse J. Ricketts, wife, born in December 1841, age 58, Abraham L. Ricketts, son, born in 1861, age 39, Daniel Ricketts age 21, and Jacob Ricketts Jr., son, born in November 1883, age 16..(12)

The 1910 Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township, enumerated April 15, 1910, by Louise Boughner lists Jacob Ricketts age 84, Malisia age 68, Lincoln age 48, Daniel age 30, and Jacob Jr. age 25 living in the household.(13)

The 1920 Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township, lists Malissa Ricketts, age 78, as head of household. Daniel Ricketts, age 41, son, is the only other person listed as living in the household.(14)

Children (Ricketts) born to Jacob Ricketts and Melissa Jane Barnard:

i. Elizabeth Jane Ricketts was born November 18, 1861, in Vermillion County, Indiana. She was a twin of Abraham Lincoln Ricketts.

ii. Abraham Lincoln Ricketts was born November 18, 1861, in Vermillion County, Indiana. He was a twin of Elizabeth Jane Ricketts.

iii. Joseph Ricketts was born in July 1864, in Vermillion County, Indiana.

iv. Nancy Ricketts was born in July 1864, in Vermillion County, Indiana.

v. Hiram "High" Ricketts was born in 1871 or 1872 in Vermillion County, Indiana.

vi. Fredrick Ricketts was born April 30, 1874, in Vermillion County, Indiana.

vii. Daniel Ricketts was born in 1878 in Vermillion County, Indiana.

viii. Jacob Ricketts (Junior) was born in 1880.

ORIGINAL SOURCE MATERIAL to support the RELATIONSHIP between
MELISSA JANE BARNARD and her daughter ELIZABETH JANE RICKETTS

1) Jacob Ricketts and Melissa Barnard marriage record at Danville, Vermillion County, Illinois, March 21, 1861. They were married by Justice of the Peace A. E. Howe.

2) Elizabeth Jane Ricketts and her twin brother, Abraham Lincoln Ricketts, were born 18 October 1861 according to the Ethel Belle Fox Gouty family Bible which is in the possession of Curtis Lynn Older.

3) 1870 U. S. Federal Census for Indiana, Vermillion County, Highland Township, Post Office - Perrysville, enumerated June 24, 1870, lists Lincoln age 8, Elizabeth age 8 (twins), Joseph age 5, and Nancy age 3. Jacob Ricketts age 44 and Melissa age 29.

4) 1880 U. S. Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township, enumerated June 11, 1880, by George W. Main lists Jacob age 54, Melissa age 37, Lincoln age 19, Lizzie age 19.

5) Marriage records, Fountain County Court House, Covington, Indiana, Book 8, #350, April 1, 1881, Daniel Alexander Fox and Elizabeth Jane Ricketts. Fountain County, Indiana, Index to Marriage Record 1848 - 1920 Inclusive Volume I Letters A - G Inclusive, W. P. A. Original Record Located: County Clerks Office Covington Compiled by Indiana Works Projects Administration 1941, County: Fountain, Name: Daniel A Fox, Spouse: Lizzie J Ricketts, Marriage Date: 01 Apr 1881, Book: 8, Original Source Page: 350.

6) Index to Death Records, Warren County, Indiana, 1882-1920, book C-13, page 17, Jacob Ricketts, age 84, May 3, 1910, Mound Township.

7) Warren County, Indiana, File No. 1391, Abraham L. Ricketts, Administrator of Estate of Melissa J. Ricketts. Filed January 29, 1924, FD6, page 152, B54. Application for Letters of Administration lists Kenneth Fox, Ernest Fox, William Fox, Ethel Fox Gouty, and Ruby Fox Hinds (Hines) as grandsons and granddaughters of Melissa Jane Barnard. Elizabeth Jane Ricketts Fox burned to death in 1922 and thus was deceased at the time of her mother's death. Abraham Lincoln Ricketts, twin brother of Elizabeth Jane Ricketts, was listed as a son of Melissa Jane Barnard.

8) National Archives: Certificate No. 703568, Pensioner - Melissa J. Ricketts, CAN No. 561621, Bundle No. 3, Claim under veteran: Jacob Ricketts; Report of the Adjutant General, Vol. 5, 973.727 r Indiana, page 634-635. Melissa Jane (Barnard) Ricketts signed a US Pension form related to the service of Jacob Ricketts as a private in Company D, 57th Regiment of the Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the War of the Rebellion. Melissa indicates that her only marriage during her lifetime was to Jacob Ricketts whom she married on March 21, 1861, by A. E. Howe, J. P. Melissa also states that Jacob Ricketts previously was married to Nancy Scott, who died about 1858. Melissa indicates that Jacob Ricketts died at his home in Warren County, Indiana, on the 3rd day of May 1910.

9) Tombstone of Jacob, Melissa, and Daniel Ricketts, Lower Mound Cemetery, Highland Township, Vermillion Co., Indiana.

REFERENCES

1. Tombstone in Lower Mound Cemetery west of Covington, Indiana, gives the date of 1841.

2. Jacob Ricketts and Melissa Barnard marriage record at Vermillion County, Illinois, March 21, 1861.

3. Declaration for Pension dated February 25, 1907, in Fountain County, Indiana. Act of February 6, 1907. "that he was born Feb 22, 1826, at Dearborn County, Ind."

4. 1870 U. S. Federal Census for Indiana, Vermillion County, Highland Township, Post Office - Perrysville, enumerated June 24, 1870, lists Lincoln, Elizabeth (twins), Joseph, and Nancy; The 1880 U. S. Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township, enumerated June 11, 1880, by George W. Main, lists Hiram, Fred, and Daniel; The 1910 Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township, enumerated April 15, 1910, by Louise Boughner. lists Jacob Ricketts Junior.

5. Index to Death Records, Warren County, Indiana, 1882-1920, book C-13, page 17, Jacob Ricketts, age 84, May 3, 1910, Mound Township.

6. Tombstone photographs taken by Curtis Lynn Older at Lower Mound Cemetery west of Covington, Indiana.

7. Warren County, Indiana, File No. 1391, Abraham L. Ricketts, Administrator of Estate of Melissa J. Ricketts. Filed January 29, 1924, FD6, page 152, B54.

8. 1850 U. S. Census for Indiana, Vermillion County, Highland Township, enumerated October 23, 1850, by Ths. C. McHale, lists Melissa Barnett, age 9, born in Indiana, attended school in year.

9. 1860 U. S. Census for Indiana, Vermillion County, Highland Township, enumerated July 1, 1860, by A. J. Adams, Post Office - Perrysville, lists Melissa J. Barnard, age 19, female, born in Indiana, living in Dwelling 155, Family 159.

10. 1870 U. S. Federal Census for Indiana, Vermillion County, Highland Township, Post Office - Perrysville, enumerated June 24, 1870.

11. 1880 U. S. Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township, enumerated June 11, 1880, by George W. Main.

12. 1900 Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township, enumerated June 14, 1900, by Clinto G. Beckett.

13. 1910 Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township, enumerated April 15, 1910, by Louise Boughner.

14. 1920 Federal Census for Indiana, Warren County, Mound Township.

Additional material added 01-01-2008:

Indiana Marriages, 1802-1892 about Shelby Ballah

Margaret Ballah signed an affidavit for Jacob Ricketts pension on May 12, 1910, in which she states she is 66 years old and her post office address is Covington, Indiana, R.R.No.7, that she is well acquainted with the first wife of Jacob Ricketts, whose maiden name was Nancy Scott and who died about the year 1858, that they often heard Jacob Ricketts speak of said Nancy as being his first wife, that said affiant is also well acquainted, and have been ever since she was a little girl, with Melissa J Ricketts, widow of said Jacob Ricketts, whose maiden name was Melissa J. Barnard and know that she was never married prior to her marriage with said Jacob Ricketts. Above document also was signed by Clark Dennis who gave his age as 69.

Nellie Ricketts Calvert was a granddaughter of Melissa Jane Barnard Ricketts.

A Cynthia Barnett is listed as age 2 and Melissa Barnett is listed as age 9 in the 1850 U. S. census for Highland Township, Vermillion County, Indiana. However, the date of the marriage certificate for Cynthia Barnard and Shelby Ballah is dated January 11, 1838.

Dwelling 185, Family 185
Susanna Barnett, age 67, female, born in Virginia, cannot read or write
Polly Barnett, age 49, born in Virginia, cannot read or write
Betsy Barnett, age 43, born in Virginia, cannot read or write
Susanna Barnett, age 40, born in Virginia, cannot read or write
Mary Barnett, age 17, born in Indiana, attended school in year