Pamelia Jane Carpenter1

b. 13 February 1855, d. 29 December 1920
FatherJames Carpenter1,2 b. 2 Jun 1825, d. 10 Sep 1881
MotherMargaret Ann Ryburn1 b. 9 Aug 1828, d. 15 Apr 1905
Birth13 Feb 1855 Pamelia Jane Carpenter was born on 13 Feb 1855 in Virginia.1,3 
 Pamelia's name appears in several variations over the years, including Pamela, Permelia and Cornelia. However, it was spelled Pamelia on her headstone and that is the variation that will be used here. 
Childhood  Pamelia spent her childhood in the Glade Spring area of Washington County. She was the oldest daughter in a family of 8 children.4,5,2 
Fath-Death1881 Pamelia's father died in 1881, at which time all of her sisters except Eliza were still at home. 
  Mary married in 1890, Frances in 1894 and Sarah in 1897. 
Cens-190020 Jun 1900  When the 1900 census was enumerated Pamelia was the last one still living at home with her mother.6 
Devisee  Pamelia had apparently devoted herself to caring for her mother whose will (written in 1898) left both her real and personal estate to Pamelia in appreciation of her kindness.7 
Marriage28 Aug 1901 She married John C. Calhoun on 28 Aug 1901 in Washington County, Virginia.8 
29 Aug 1901 She was 46 (although she claimed 35 on the marriage license) and he was 32. 
Devisee  Pamelia and John cared for Catherine Ryburn, Pamelia's aunt, in the years prior to Catherine's death in 1908. Catherine's will, written in 1907, left the couple both her real and personal property.9 
Cens-191010 May 1910 Nine years after their marriage John and Pamelia were recorded on the Glade Spring district federal census. They had adopted a son, Henry Fond, who was 8 years old. Pamelia again shaved a few years from her age, claiming she was 48 when she was actually about 55. Although specific addresses were not recorded on this census, the phrase "East of Antioch" was written in the margin of the page.10 
Death29 Dec 1920 Pamelia died on 29 Dec 1920 at age 65.3 
Burial She was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 

Related Links and Images:

Pamelia's headstone
Other interments in Rock Spring Cemetery
ChartsDescendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited8 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S23] Marguerite Carpenter Flynn Coleman, "Carpenter Family" in Families of Washington Co. and Bristol, VA, p. 106.
  2. [S165] James Carpenter household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 18 (61B stamped), dwelling 154, family 155, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 18 of 54. James Carpenter, 55, farmer; Margaret A., 52, wife; Cornelia J., 26, dau; Mary M., 17, dau; Sarah R., 12, dau; Frances S, 8, dau; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 206. Stone reported to read: "Pamelia J., 13 Feb. 1855-29 Dec. 1920, age 65y 10m 16d."
  4. [S234] James Carpenter household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., The Western District, p. 443 (added script), dwelling 549, family 536, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2005, image 81 of 361. Enumeration includes: James Carpenter, 34, farmer, land value $3,000, personal property $300, b. VA; Margaret 30; William 6, Pamelia 5; Elisa 4; John 1; Sarah 2/12; all b. VA.
  5. [S635] James Carpenter household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, p. 69 (stamped), dwelling 219, family 225, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2005, image 31 of 49. Enumeration includes: Jas Carpenter, 44, farmer, land value $1,800, pers. prop $400; M.A., 42, keeping house; William, 16; P. J., 15; Eliza, 14; John, 12; Mary, 7; S.R. (f), 4; all b. VA.
  6. [S574] Margaret Carpenter household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 109, sheet 14A (96 stamped), dwelling 271, family 282, viewed online at Genealogy.com, Jan. 2005, image 68 of 70. Margaret Carpenter, 71, wid, b. Aug. 1828, mother 8 children, 7 living, b. VA, parents b. VA; Permelia, dau, sgl, 40, b. __ 1860 VA, parents b. VA.
  7. [S830] Margaret A. Carpenter will (recorded 1905), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 29 (D): 29. The will was dated 6 Apr. 1898 and recorded in court 4 May 1905; witnessed: Jas A. Davis and J.T. Quesenberry.
  8. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 15. Record abstracted as: John C. Calhoun, sgl, s/o G.W. & Nancy Calhoun, farmer AND Amelia Carpenter, 35, sgl, d/o James & Margaret Carpenter; marr: 28 Aug. 1901.
  9. [S818] Catharine Ryburn will (recorded 1908), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 30 (E): 10. The will was witnessed by T.M. Porterfield and John Widener. It was dated 16 Apr. 1907 and recorded 10 Aug. 1908.
  10. [S237] John C. Calhoun household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 117, sheet 18A (36 stamped), dwelling 305, family 311, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2005, image 35 of 45. Enumeration includes: John C. Calhoun, 41, md 9 yrs, farmer; Pamelia, wife, 48, marr 9 yrs, mother of 0 children; Henry Fond, adopted son, 8; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.