Sarah Elizabeth Musser1

b. 9 August 1849, d. 13 May 1926
FatherDaniel R. Musser2 b. 22 Jan 1823, d. 11 Mar 1896
MotherElizabeth Fields2 b. 12 Jan 1818, d. 17 Jan 1855
Birth9 Aug 1849 Sarah Elizabeth Musser was born on 9 Aug 1849 in Washington County, Virginia.1 
Childhood  Sarah was the eldest daughter in a family of three children. Her father, Daniel Musser, was a respected and successful builder in Washington County. Lizzie's mother died when Lizzie was about 6 years old; her father did not remarry for another 5 years. Later in life Lizzie commented that she assumed much of the responsibility for her younger siblings. 
Marriage30 Dec 1869 She married Isaac Debusk, son of Ira Debusk and Eunice (?), on 30 Dec 1869 in Washington County.3 
Cens-187016 Aug 1870  Following their marriage Sarah and Isaac lived in Abingdon with Sarah's father and stepmother. Isaac was employed as a carpenter, as was Sarah's father.4 
Widowed24 Aug 1879  Isaac died in August 1879 leaving Sarah with 3 young children. 
Cens-18801880  Sarah and the children continued to live with her father in Abingdon.5 
Marriage21 Mar 1895 She married second Davidson Alderson Widener, son of Reuben Widener and Lucinda Allison, on 21 Mar 1895 in Washington County.6 
  Davis (he does not seem to have used Davidson) was himself a widower; he was also a carpenter.  
Cens-Sum  Sarah, or "Lizzie" (as she appears in most records), and Davis made their home in Damascus (Washington Co.). In the early 1900s their household included 3 children from Davis's first marriage as well as Lizzie's 5 year old granddaughter, Mildred Cover, whose mother (Lizzie's daughter Sallie) died when Mildred was very young.7,8 
Death13 May 1926 Lizzie died on 13 May 1926 at age 76.9 

Research Comment:

For additional information on Sarah and her children see Patricia Craig Johnson's narrative page for Daniel Musser and/or Elizabeth (Fields) Musser.

Family

Isaac Debusk b. 4 Aug 1845, d. 24 Aug 1879
Children
Last Edited12 Mar 2012

Citations

  1. [S2439] Patricia Craig Johnson, "Isaac Debusk-Sarah Elizabeth "Lizzie" Musser" family group sheet, (e-mail address).
  2. [S2439] Patricia Craig Johnson, "Daniel Musser-Elizabeth Fields" family group sheet, (e-mail address).
  3. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 87. Isaac Debusk, 24, sgl, b. & resid Washington Co., VA, carpenter, s/o Ira & Eunice Debusk marr Sarah Elizabeth Musser, 20, sgl, b. & resid WDV, d/o Daniel & Elizabeth Musser; 30 Dec. 1869.
  4. [S635] Dan Musser household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Abingdon, p. 6 (original script), dwelling 35, family 36, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov 2010. Household includes: Dan Musser, 46, carpenter, owns land worth $1,600, pers, prop of $150; Mary A., 45, keeping house; Wm H., 18, printer's apprentice; Mary J., 16, attending school; Isaac Debusk, 29, carpenter; Sarah E. Debusk, 21; all b. VA.
  5. [S156] Daniel Musser household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Abingdon, ED 92, p. 15 (stamped), dwelling 185, family 205. Sept. 2010. Household includes: Daniel Musser, 47, carpenter; Mary 44; Elizabeth Debusk, 21 [sic], dau; Sallie F. Debusk, 10, dau; Martha, 8, dau; Isaac, 4, son; all b. VA. [Note: 3 Debusk children should have been enumerated as Daniel Musser's grandchildren]
  6. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 121. Davis A. Widener, 48, wid, s/o Reuben & __ Widener marr Elizabeth Debusk, 46, wid, d/o Dan C. & Elizbeth Musser; 21 Mar 1895.
  7. [S237] D.A. Widner household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Damascus, ED 119, sheet 4A (p. 63 stamped), dwelling 68, family 70, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov 2010. Household includes: D.A. Widner, 63, carpenter, marr #2, marr 15 yrs; Lizzie E., wife, 56, marr #2, marr 15 yrs, mother 3 children, 2 are living; Jessie J., son, 28, sgl, carpenter; Lucy _, dau, 26, sgl; Frank B. Widener, son, 23, sgl; all b. VA; Mildred R. Cover, granddaughter, 5, b. NC, father b. NY, mother b. VA.
  8. [S634] D.A. Widner household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Damascus, ED 119, sheet 4A (p. 63 stamped), dwelling 68, family 70, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov 2010. Household includes: D.A. Widner, 63, carpenter, marr #2, marr 15 yrs; Lizzie E., wife, 56, marr #2, marr 15 yrs, mother 3 children, 2 are living; Jessie J., son, 28, sgl, carpenter; Lucy _, dau, 26, sgl; Frank B. Widener, son, 23, sgl; all b. VA; Mildred R. Cover, granddaughter, 5, b. NC, father b. NY, mother b. VA.
  9. [S2413] Research of Patricia Craig Johnson, e-mail address.