Melissa Elmira Shepherd (abt. 1835 - aft. 1900)

Ancestors

Wife of Ezekiel Banks — married 6 Jun 1852 in Yancey County, NC

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Biography

Melissa was born about 1835. She married Ezekiel Banks on 6 June, or 30 August, 1852, in Yancey County, NC.

Census records list the following children born during the apparent life time of Ezekiel, with their spouses if any:

Harriet M. Banks (Elijah Luther Robinson), 1854 - 1895; Wesley M/W Banks, 1855 - after 1879; Margaret S. Banks, 1857 - after 1879; Cordelia/Cornelius Banks, 1859 - after 1869; Rachael Banks, 1862 - after 1869; Mary Crance Banks (Collett Leaventhrope Harris), 1865 - 1905;

Notes: Ezekiel Banks, 24, is listed with "Mira M. Banks", 25, in the 1860 census for Yancey County, NC, but afterward, in 1870 and 1880, he is not present and Melissa is head of household. In 1880 Melissa was head of the Caney River household #254 including her later children (see below), while son Wesley (head), and daughters Margaret and Mary were next door at household #255. In 1900, Melissa resided in the home of her son Tarpley Banks in Prices Creek, Yancey County, NC. Also present was daughter Sudia Banks.

Here are children born after 1865:

Thomas Banks, 1869; William Banks, 1870; Marceny Banks, 1872 - after 1879; Dulcena Banks, 1872 - after 1879; Tarpley D. Banks (Bertha Ann Ledford), 1874 - 1944; Sudia Banks, 1876 - after 1899;

Several family tree sources and one military source indicate that Ezekiel died in 1865. If anyone can provide evidence that he lived longer, please contact us.

Melissa was present with son Tarpley for the 1900 census.

Sources

NC Marriage Records, via Ancestry.com (2 records with a discrepancy on date).

Sources: US Census, Yancey Co NC, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900; Ancestry.com's Jackson family tree; Hurst Raby Shepherd family tree; EricLassenFamilyHistory family tree; Jane M. Howard, listing of Banks Creek Cemetery, Burnsville NC, www.findagrave.com; Jane M. Howard, listing of Clingman Ledford Cemetery, Prices Creek, Yancey Co NC, www.findagrave.com;