Sandy "Alexander" Morrison

Question

Hi there,

 

I am looking for information pertaining to an ancestor Sandy "Alexander" Morrison b. 1829 who was likely an slave of the Morrisons in or near Scotland, North Carolina. His wife was Mary Ann Buchanan. I find them in the 1870 and 1880 Census, but not before that.

Any information you provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

PHG

Chicago, IL

Comments

In trying to help answer your question, I looked up the 1870 and 1880 Census records that list SANDY "ALEXANDER" and MARY A MORRISON.

On the 1870 Census, SANDY's age is shown as "30" years; MARY's age is shown as "27" years.

But on the 1880 Census, SANDY's age is shown as "51"; MARY's age is shown as "33 years" - which is quite a difference!  The children's ages on the 1880 Census seem to be accuate - looking at their ages in 1870.

Frequently the "ages" of individuals are "wrong", so we really can't determine an "estimated" birth year unless we have several Census records to look at.

Did you know that the Census taker would ask neighbors or even the children in the household the questions, if the parents were not available?

Instead of an estimated birth year of 1829 for SANDY - perhaps, 1840 would be a closer estimate.

I point this out because a more accurate estimated birth year will help to find him on the 1850 and 1860 Slave Schedules.

Will comment further if I have any new information for you.  Sincerely, Melinda

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Thank you,

Having done extensive research on Sandy and Mary Ann's decendants Its great that someone else points this out. I noticed that too! I am the great granddaughther of their dau Mary Jane Morrison who married my great grand father Mathew Alston in Maxton, Robeson Co. NC 1898.

I do not know what happened to Mary Jane Morrison or her husband Mathew Alston as all but one of their five children can be seen living with thier paternal grandmother Mary Johnson Alson-Taylor or Mary Taylor in the 1920 Census in Alfordsville, Robeson County, NC.

I have checked with the Robeson County Recorder of Deeds office and they don't have any record of Mary Jane Morrison and or Mathew Alston dying there, This is a huge mystery and I estimate that they died between 1910 and 1915, but can't find any records to substantiate it.

I was of course very thrilled when Frank found what he thought at first was Sandy and Mary's daughters, but neither were their dau May Jane Morrison.

I do plan to do further research on Sandy" Alexander" Morrison and Mary Ann Buchanan prior to 1870 which may require a trip to NC.

Anyway, if you come across anything that may solve these mysteries it would be greatly appreciated and thank you very much for the tip on Sandy's possible correct age.

 

PHG

Answer 1

There is a Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses 1790-1920 by Thorndale and Dollarhide. It shows Scotland County in North Carolina starting in 1890. Prior to that Richmond county was larger and included the land that became Scotland county by 1890.

Sandy Morrison and Annie Buchanan had a daughter, born 19 Oct 1883 in NC who died 17 Mar 1929 in Riverdale, Alfordsville, Robeson Co., NC.

Sorry, I did not find anything about Sandy earlier than 1870.

Comments

Hi Frank,

Thank you so much for the speedy response. What is the name of Sandy and Mary Ann's daughter who died in Robeson county? Can you share a link to that info as well?

 

PHG

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Her name was Flora Annie Meekins and her spouse was Robert Meekins. I found it at familysearch.org by entering the parents names and residence of NC 1860 - 1880.

familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F38Z-XJ5

Another daughter, occupation, domestic, was Sarah Maloy born 1857 Scotland Co., NC who married Dave Maloy. She died 27 Apr 1927 at about 70y at Alfordsville, Robeson, NC. Here's the link for her at familysearch.org

familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F34W-9FH

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Thank you again Frank,

 

Having done extensive research on Sandy and Mary Ann's decendants I'd found the information you graciously provided. I asked the name of their dau who'd died in Robeson County because, I am the great granddaughther of their dau Mary Jane Morrison who married my great grand father Mathew Alston in Maxton, Robeson Co. NC 1898.

I do not know what happened to Mary Jane Morrison or her husband Mathew Alston as all but one of their five children can be seen living with thier paternal grandmother Mary Johnson Alson-Taylor or Mary Taylor in the 1920 Census in Alfordsville, Robeson County, NC.

I have checked with the Robeson County Recorder of Deeds office and they don't have any record of Mary Jane Morrison and or Mathew Alston dying there, This is a huge mystery and I estimate that they died between 1910 and 1915, but can't find any records to substantiate it.

I was of course super thrilled when you said you'd found Sandy and Mary's Morrisons daughter who died in Robeson Co, but neither were their dau Mary Jane Morrison.

I do plan to do further research on Sandy" Alexander" Morrison and Mary Ann Buchanan prior to 1870 which may require a trip to NC.

Should you come across anything that may solve these mysteries it would be greatly appreciated and thank you very much for everything thus far.

 

PHG