Almeda America Cole1

b. 1840, d. 1911
FatherSampson Cole2 b. 1811, d. 25 Mar 1893
MotherEliza Cole b. May 1814, d. 10 Jun 1887
Birth1840 Almeda America Cole was born in 1840 in Smyth County, Virginia.1 
Marriage18 Aug 1874 She married Samuel A. Byars, son of Arthur Bowen Byars and Susannah B. Blessing, on 18 Aug 1874 in Smyth County, Virginia. Samuel was a widower with 2 small sons.3 
Cens-18808 Jun 1880  In 1880 Samuel was recorded farming in the Holston District of Washington County. The members of his household were enumerated to include Samuel, his two sons from his first marriage, Almeda, and S.A. Nickles who was indicated as a servant.4 
  However 6 days later Almeda was recorded a second time; this time in her father's household in Smyth County with a 4 year old listed as Bird Byars. Bird was identified as Sampson Cole's grandson which suggests he was probably Almeda and Samuel's child. Almeda's marital status was noted as "divorced."5 
  In reality Samuel and Almeda's divorce was not finalized until January 19, 1892.6 
Cens-191018 Apr 1910  Almeda moved to Washington County, Nebraska where her sister "Remember" and her husband Peter Mock lived. In 1910 sixty-four year old "Meda" was enumerated living with "Member" (72) and Peter (80) in the community of Arlington. Meda's entry stated she was a widow and the mother of no children. Member was the mother of 11 children although only two were still living.7 
Death1911 Almeda died in 1911 in Nebraska.8,1 
Burial She was buried at Arlington Cemetery in Washington County, Nebraska.1,8 

Research Comment:

The 4 year old enumerated as "Bird" in 1880 remains a puzzle. When the enumerator visited Sampson Cole's household he recorded Sampson, followed by his wife and then by 4 of their children. As is typical, rather than writing the surname "Cole" after each given name, the enumerator made a slash mark indicating the surname was the same as the one above. When it was time to enter Almeda's name, a slash was again used to indicate her surname was the same as the entry above. Then the enumerator corrected his error and wrote "Byars" over the slash. Below Almeda's name he then made another slash for the surname and wrote "Bird" for the given name. But did he make the slash for Bird's surname before or after correcting Almeda's surname from Cole to Byars? In other words, was Bird's surname Cole, or was it Byars?

If the "Bird" was Almeda and Samuel's child he may have died young as he was not mentioned at all in the 1891 divorce proceedings.
Last Edited23 Mar 2013

Citations

  1. [S1777] Find A Grave Website (http://www.findagrave.com/index.html : accessed May 2012). Almeda America Cole Byars entry, Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Washington County, Nebraska (entry includes photo of stone: "Meda A. Byars, 1840-1911").
  2. [S521] Sampson Cole household, 1880 U.S. cens., Smyth Co., Virginia, pop sched., St. Clair district, ED 85, page 38B, dwelling 336, family 336, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2012. Household includes: Sampson Cle, 68, laborer, b. KY, father b. VA, mother b. TN; Eliza, 66, wife, b. VA/VA/VA; FreeLove, 40, dau; Dorcus E., 34, dau; D.D., 31, son; Robert L., 18, son; Almidia A. Byars, 37, dau, divorced; Bird Byars, 4, grandson; all VA/VA/VA; individuals who are listed as sons or daughters of Sampson are indicated with father's place of birth as VA, despite the fact Sampson's place of birth was listed as KY.
  3. [S60] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1851-1891 & 1860 Census, p. 26. Transcript states: Saml A. Byars, 31, wid, s/o Arthur & Susan AND Almeda A. Cole, 26, d/o Sampson and Eliza; marr 18 Aug. 1874.
  4. [S163] S.A. Byars household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston District, ED 100, p. 16D, dwelling 133, family 133. Aug 2011. Household includes: S.A. Byars, 43, farmer; Almeda, wife, 35; R.W., son, 12, farm laborer; John T., 10, farm laborer; S.A. Nickles, 30, servant; all b. VA.
  5. [S521] Sampson Cole household, 1880 U.S. cens., Smyth Co., Virginia, pop sched., St. Clair district, ED 85, page 38B, dwelling 336, family 336, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2012. Household includes: Sampson Cle, 68, laborer, b. KY, father b. VA, mother b. TN; Eliza, 66, wife, b. VA/VA/VA; FreeLove, 40, dau; Dorcus E., 34, dau; D.D., 31, son; Robert L., 18, son; Almidia A. Byars, 37, dau, divorced; Bird Byars [?], 4, grandson; all VA/VA/VA; individuals who are listed as sons or daughters of Sampson are indicated with father's place of birth as VA, despite the fact Sampson's place of birth was listed as KY.
  6. [S2943] Samuel A. Byars vs Almeda Byars, Washington Co., Virginia Ended Chancery Causes 1892-005, reel 267, Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia.
  7. [S2966] Peter B. Mock household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Nebraska, pop. sched., Arlington, ED 133, sheet 3B, dwelling 50, family 46, viewed online at Ancestry.com, July 2012. Household includes: Peter B. Mock, 80, marr #2, marr 38 yrs, b. VA, parents b. NC, own income; Meda A. Byers, sister-in-law, 64, wid, no children, b. VA, parents b. VA; Member A. Mock, wife, 72, marr #1, marr 38 yrs, mother of 11 children, 2 are living, b. VA, father b. KY, mother b. VA; Lydia E., dau, 34, sgl, b. Nebraska; resid 8th St. bet Eagle & Elm [?] East.
  8. [S2944] Barbara Muller, "Samuel A. Byars-Almeda Cole Byars," e-mail to D. Powell, 28 May 2012. Barbara is the 2nd great granddaughter of Sarah (Thomas) Nichols Byars.