Martha Harvey Allison1

b. July 1834, d. 21 May 1915
FatherWilliam Beattie Allison2,3 b. Mar 1800, d. 7 May 1849
MotherMary Clark4 b. 1 Oct 1800, d. 26 Nov 1863
BirthJul 1834 Martha Harvey Allison was probably born in Jul 1834 in Virginia.5,1 
 Martha's year of birth is not clear at this time. Her headstone states that she was born in 1832 (no day or month given), however the 1900 census lists her birth date as Jul 1834. This is consistent with the ages reported for her on all other census enumerations (1850: 16; 1860: 25; 1870:33; 1880: 45; 1900: 65; 1910: 75). 
Fath-Death7 May 1849 Martha was 14 when her father died on 7 May 1849. 
Legatee  William's will, written the year before he died, left his estate to his sons. However, he stipulated that his daughter Martha was to receive support from them as long as she remained single.3 
Ward27 Aug 1849 On 27 Aug 1849 Martha became the legal ward of John S. Clark, her mother's brother.2 
Ward25 Dec 1854 Then, on 25 Dec 1854 following John Clark's death, Martha became the ward of her older brother William.6 
Marriage23 Dec 1858 She married Benjamin Davis Ligon on 23 Dec 1858 in Washington County, Virginia. He was a widower from Amelia County.7,8 
Contract Martha and Benjamin are purported to have signed a contract before their marriage protecting Martha's inherited property.9 
Residence This included a lot in Glade Spring whose dwelling house still stands.7 
Cens-Sum  Here they were enumerated on a series of census records which also clarified that Benjamin worked as a blacksmith.10,11,12 
Legatee28 Dec 1863 Mary's mother, Mary Clark Allison, died in late November 1863. Her will divided her personal property and monies among her six children, including Martha, who received about $900.00. This included $40 for providing her mother's burial clothing.4,13 
 Martha and Benjamin did not have children of their own, however Martha adopted her nephew Abram Greenfield Allison.7 
Cens-19001 Jun 1900 By 1900, Benjamin had died and Martha was living with Abram, his wife Mattie, and their three children in Glade Spring.5 
  Abram died a few months after the census was recorded. Martha then conveyed her property to Abram's widow, Mattie L. Allison, who was to care for Martha in exchange.7 
Cens-191016 Apr 1910  Accordingly, when the 1910 census was enumerated Martha was living with Mattie and her two children.14 
Death21 May 1915 Martha died on 21 May 1915 in Glade Spring, Washington County, at age 80.15 
Burial She was buried in the Allison-Keys square at Old Baptist Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia.16 

Related Links and Images:

Martha's childhood home17
Martha's headstone
Other interments in Old Baptist Cemetery
ChartsDescendants of Robert Clark and Martha Harvie
Last Edited13 Mar 2013

Citations

  1. [S2203] Leonard Allison Morrison, The History of the Alison or Allison Family, p. 162.
  2. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 43. John Clark named guardian of William R. and Martha H. Allison, orphans of William B. Allison, deceased. Bond: $4,000. Sureties: John Clark, Sr. and Robert Clark.
  3. [S680] William B. Allison will (1849), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 11: 170. William's will was dated 22 March 1848 and recorded 28 May 1849. The executor was John Clark; witnesses were John Clark, Sr, David Edmondson and James O. Ryburn; bond was $2,000.
  4. [S686] Mary Allison will (1863), Washington Co., VA Will Book 16: 126. Mary's will was dated 25 Nov. 1863 and proved in court 28 Dec. 1863. It named sons Robert, Samuel, John, William and Abram, daughter Martha, and daugher-in-law Catharine. Son Robert was named executor.
  5. [S574] Abram Allison household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 108, sheet 1B, dwelling 15, family 18, viewed online at Genealogy.com, April 2003, image 2 of 70. Abram Allison, 33, b. Feb. 1867, marr 12 yrs, farmer; Mattie, wife, 30, b. Feb. 1870, marr 12 yrs, mother of 3 children, all living; John W., son, 11, b. Sept 1888; May T., dau, b. Jan 1890; James, son, 2, b. Jan. 1898; Martha Ligon, aunt, 65, b. July 1834, mother b. Scotland; all persons b. VA.
  6. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 51. William W. Allison named guardian of Martha H. and Samuel D. Allison, orphans of William B. Allison, deceased. Bond: $5,000. Sureties: John Clark Sr., James O. Ryburn and John C. Greenway.
  7. [S35] Nanci C. King, Places In Time Vol. II, p. 157.
  8. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 210.
  9. [S35] Nanci C. King, Places In Time Vol. II, p. 157. The article states that Martha's inherited property included a lot with a dwelling house and other buildings. However, it does not appear, at least on the surface, that Martha inherited this property under the terms of her father's will; further research is necessary.
  10. [S234] Benjamin Ligon household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 454 (added script), dwelling 645, family 630, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 92 of 361. Reported data includes: Benjamin Ligon, 33, blacksmith, owns property valued at $1,000; Martha 25; Mary 11; all b. VA.
  11. [S635] B. D. Ligon household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring Township, p. 75 (stamped), dwelling 300, family 304, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 149 of 426. Data includes: B. D. Ligon, 44, farmer, owns real estate valued at $600; personal prop of $400; M. H., (f) 33, keeping house; Fanny Hurst, 14, black; all b. Virginia.
  12. [S165] Benjamin Ligon household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring, ED 94, page 27 (66C stamped), dwelling 245, family 247, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, The census lists: Benjamin Ligon 54; Martha 45, wife, b. VA, parents both born in Scotland; Frank Williams, servant.
  13. [S686] Mary Allison settlement (1866), Washington Co., VA Will Book 16: 413. The settlement of Mary's estate detailed the various distributions made from the $6,409.36 collected by the sale of her personal possesions, stock, notes, etc.
  14. [S237] Mattie L. Allison household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring Precinct, ED 116, sheet 3A, dwelling 47, family 52, viewed online at Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 5 of 36. Mattie L. Allison, 38, b. TN, widowed, mother of 3 children, two living; John W., son, 21, b. VA, bookkeeper at bank; Mae T, dau, 20, b. VA, school teacher; Martha H. Ligon, aunt, 75 widowed, b. VA, mother b. Scotland.
  15. [S2205] Jack Hockett, compiler, "Washington County, Virginia and Smyth County Virginia Abstracted Death Records 1912-1915" (unpublished manuscript; microfilm records viewed at the Library of Virginia, Jan. 2009), Martha Harvey (Allison) Ligon entry.
  16. [S622] Martha Keys, "Ramblingroots p2746," e-mail to Diana Powell, 27 Sept. 2005. Martha viewed Martha's stone in the Allison/Keys square at Old Baptist Cemetery.
  17. [S35] Nanci C. King, Places In Time Vol. II, p. 138. Black and white photo used with permission of the author.