My biggest Brick Wall is the parents (and sibling) of William Benjamin Nolen (Nolan). Here is the family story that I have never been able to find proof of:
From our Nolen Facebook page: John Nolen February 27, 2010 · Where we came from...
William was born about 1864.
William Benjamin Nolen born Sept. 1864 Cook Co., Illinois died 1900 Sabogla, Calhoun Co., Mississippi There is little known about William. The 1900 census reported his father was born in Ireland and his mother born in Scotland. According to JW Nolen, Williams father was killed when he was 7 years old. His wife threw hot coffee in his face and it got into his lungs, he died as a result of this. The mother was imprisoned for manslaughter. These events took place in Chicago, Cook County, Ill.There was a sister (name unknown) who was taken in by an aunt in Virginia. William was raised by a Mr. Whitson. At some point after the Chicago fire, Mr. Whitson brought him to Miss. When William was 18, Mr. Whitson sold him 160 acres of land in Yellow Bushy Bottom in Sabogla, Miss. It was here that he married and had all his children. William died in 1900 of Pneumonia. At some point after this, the family moved to Arkansas. William married Gertrude Abigale Hammock who was the daughter of Felix Hammock and Mary Doolittle of Calhoun County, Miss. They had the following children...Sherman Nolen born Nov. 11, 1889 in Sabogla, Calhoun, Miss. and died Nov 20, 1965 in St. Louis, Mo. Buried Mounds Cem., Lil Bourne, Mo. Granville Patrick Nolen, born Apr 10, 1891 in Sabogla, Calhoun, Ms. Wilburn Lee Nolen, born Mar 20,1893 in Calhoun Co., Ms and died Apr 20, 1905 in Sabogla, Calhoun Co.,Ms Was killed in a hunting accident by Sherman. Betsy Ann (Bessie) Nolen born Jan 7, 1895. Mary Catherine (Mammie) Nolen born Oct. 3, 1897. John Sterling Nolen born Apr 12, 1900 in Sabogla, Calhoun Ms died May 4, 1972 in Lil Bourne, New Madrid Co., Mo. This is the man we all lovingly called " Pa "
This says his mother threw coffee on his father. The story I got long ago was boiling water. We believe she threw some type of hot liquid on him. Recently found a date of 6/27/1868 for possible Fathers Death in Chicago, Cook, IL, still investigating???
As you can see this is a big mystery for all of the family researching our ancestors. I would love to be the one to break the wall. Any suggestions/help appreciated.