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Archiver > BALLEW > 1999-03 > 0920817668


From: "Don & Melissa Alexander" <>
Subject: [BALLEW-L] re Eunice Elexson, wife of James Bilyeu
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 06:41:08 -0800


The spouse of James Bilyeu (Washington Co., IN) may be Eunince Elexson.
Zilpha E.Bilyeu (also sp Zephia in the 1850C) b. 8 Nov 1835 in Indiana d. 11
Oct 1887. She was buried at Saltillo Cemetery - Brown Twp., Washington Co.,
IN (R-23-N).
Source; Hughes, John - compiler., Washington County Indiana Brown Township
Cemeteries, (Salem, Indiana: The Washington County Historical Society, 1988,
As Copied From: Death Records, Old Church Records, Grave Stones, Obituaries,
Mortuary Records, Marriage Records And Newspaper Items)p. 95
Zilpha E. Bilyeu is recorded as the daughter of James Bilyeu and Eunice
Ellison.
James and Eunice also had a son John E. Bilyeu b. Circa 4 Dec 1839 in
Indiana d. Circa 9 Jun 1901. He married 1) Sarah Frances Chastain on 18 Feb
1866, married 2) her niece, Sarah Ellen "Ella" Chastain on 19 Jun 1887. He
was buried at Hop Cemetery - Brown Twp., Washington Co., IN. Per the same
source (Hughes - Brown Twp., Washington Co., IN Cemeteries) John E. Bilyeu
is recorded as the son of James Bilyeu and Eunice Ellison.
There were other Ellison's in the area at the time. Therefore, the compiler
of the cemetery book may or may not be correct that Ellison was the last
name of Eunice.
In the 1870C the Bilyeu family was residing in Brown Twp., Washington Co.,
IN and Eunice was reported as "Could not read nor write" while James was
reported as "Blind and also could not read nor write". Therefore one might
speculate that obtaining a copy of their marriage license / return may not
resolve the question in full. Since neither could read nor write and given
her place of birth, there very well may have been a language barrier with
the courthouse clerk / minister / whatever.
It would seem logical that Eunice Elexon in the Indiana marriage index who
married James "BILYU" (sic) in Lawrence Co., IN is the same Eunice, spouse
of James Bilyeu found in both the 1850 and 1870C of Brown Twp., Washington
Co., IN. Too a large degree because two people by these same names and ages
are recorded as being buried at Talbott Cemetery - Bono Twp., Lawrence Co.,
IN.
There was another Elexson b. Circa 1802 in North Carolina in Washington Co.,
IN when the 1850C was taken. Her name was Mary Elexson Nale spouse of David
Nale. In 1850C they resided in Jackson Twp., Washington Co., IN.
The source of her surname is from the Franklin Twp.,Washington Co., IN
cemetery book (based on 2 of her children). At least one of her
grandchildren was buried in Brown Twp., Washington Co., IN. There are no
males recorded with the surname of Elexon in the 1850C for the entire county
of Washington in IN.
HOWEVER IN ORANGE CO., IN
"Ellexon, Jeremiah. Will Executed December 26, 1937 [sic] - probated
February 12, 1838 - mentions wife, Winifred - daughter; Mary (Ellexson) Nail
of Washington County, Indiana, Zilpha (Ellexson) Rogers, Elizabeth and
Winifred - references to other children who are not mentioned by name."
Source: Riker, Dorothy L. - compiler, Genealogical Sources Reprinted From
the Genealogy Section Indiana Magazine of History, (Indianapolis, IN; Family
History and Genealogy Section Indiana Historical Society, 1979), p. 41,
Early Wills of Orange County, Indiana (Abstracts and Notes) by Mrs. N.B.
Mavity.
It could be assumed that Mary Elexson (b. cir 1802 in NC) spouse of David
Nale --- who named a son Jeremiah Nale per his father's probate record in
Washington Co., IN (and was b.1823 in Indiana) was the daughter of Jeremiah
Ellexon who died in Orange Co., IN prior to February 12, 1838.
Jeremiah Ellexon did mention in his will a daughter Zilpha (Ellexson)
Rogers, therefore two things are placed for consideration 1) not all of
Jeremiah's children were named in his will thus the exclusion of a daughter
named Eunice may be explained and 2) James and Eunice Bilyeu did name a
daughter Zilpha which may indicate a possible family naming pattern.
Melissa

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