Martha Cacy1

b. May 1872, d. 4 February 1958
FatherJames Cacy2
MotherElizabeth (?)2
BirthMay 1872 Martha Cacy was born in May 1872 in Virginia according to the 1900 census (see discussion below).3 
Marriage27 Feb 1894 She married John V. Debusk, son of David Debusk and Sarah Jane Larimer, on 27 Feb 1894 in Washington County, Virginia.2 
  Martha's sister Ruth had married John's brother William the previous year. 
Cens-19005 Jun 1900  John and Martha first lived in the Holston district of the county where John worked as a day laborer. At the turn of the century they had been married 6 years and had had 3 children, although one child had died.3 
Cens-19106 May 1910  They may have moved briefly as the 1910 census recorded them in the Glade Spring district and noted that the location was on Rock Rd. near Stone School house. They were renting a home. Two additional children were born between 1900 and 1910 but daughter Frances (b. 1894) died in 1906.4 
Cens-19203 Jan 1920  In 1920 they were back in the Holston District where they were enumerated adjacent to John's brother William. Both men were indicated as owning their homes which may reflect the passing of their father in 1913. It appears that John and Martha's daughter Minnie had married in the intervening years and was the mother of a 3 year old son named Francis. John and Martha had added two additional children to the family as well, including a son Harry who at age 2 was younger than his 3 year old nephew.5 
Death4 Feb 1958 Martha died on 4 Feb 1958 at age 85.1 
Burial She was buried at Bethel Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.1 

Research Comment:

Martha's stone at Bethel Cemetery states that she was born Jul 9th 1883 (see link to photo below). However, the record is just as clear that she and John married in 1894 and that she listed her age as 20. She clearly was not 10 years old when she married. Her entry on the 1900 census states she was born in May 1872. She was listed on the 1880 census in her father's household (age 6). Later census entries list her age as: 1900 (26); 1910 (36) and 1920 (46). These suggest her actual year of birth may have been 1873 or 1874 but the 1883 on her stone cannot be correct.6
Martha's 1900 census entry indicates she was the mother of an additional child who died before June 1900. The unidentified child may be Buna Debusk who is buried at Bethel Cemetery and whose stone indicates he or she was born on March 1, 1898 and died on March 22nd 1898.

Related Links and Images:

Martha's headstone
Other interments in Bethel Cemetery

Family

John V. Debusk b. 9 Aug 1872, d. 12 Dec 1934
Children
  • Frances M. Debusk3 (25 Nov 1894 - 22 Apr 1906)
  • Minnie M. Debusk3 (Apr 1899 - )
  • Bertie E. Debusk4 (circa 1903 - )
  • Daisy Debusk4 (circa 1906 - )
  • Mattie Debusk5
  • Harry Debusk5
Last Edited23 Mar 2011

Citations

  1. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 246. Stone reported to read: Martha Cacy Debusk, 9 Jul 1883-4 Feb. 1958.
  2. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 27. John B. Debusk, 21, s/o David and Sarah Debusk, farmer marr Martha A. Cacy, 20, s/o James & Elizabeth Cacy; 27 Feb. 1894.
  3. [S634] John V. Debusk household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 114, sheet 3B, dwelling 53, family 53, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2010. Household includes John V. Debusk, 26, b. Aug. 1873, marr 6 yrs, day laborer; Martha A., wife, 26, b. May 1872, marr 6 yrs, mother of 3 children, 2 are living; Frances M., dau, 5, b. Nov. 1886; Minnie M., dau, 1, b. Apr 1889; all b. VA/VA/VA.
  4. [S237] John Debusk household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 117, sheet 15A (p. 33 stamped), dwelling 258, family 264, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2010. Household includes John Debusk, 36, marr 15 yrs, farm laborer, rents home; Martha, wife, 36, marr 15 yrs, mother of 5 children, 3 are living; Minnie, dau, 10; Bertrie, son, 7; Daisy, dau, 4; all b. VA/VA/VA; Rock Rd. nr Stone School House.
  5. [S238] John V. Debusk household, 1920 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 155, sheet 2A (p. 187 stamped), dwelling 22, family 22, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2010. Household includes John V. Debusk, 46, farmer, owns farm; Martha A., wife, 46; Bertie E., son, 17; Dasie, dau, 13; Mattie, dau, 8; Harry, son, 2 4/12; Minnie M. Marian [?], dau, 20, marr; Frances Marian, grandson, 3 4/12; all b. VA/VA/VA.
  6. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 246. Stone reported to read: Buna B. Debusk, 1 to 22 Mar 1898.