Nellie Penny (abt. 1855)

Born about 1855 in Kentucky, USA [uncertain]

Wife of Aaron W Purcell — married 13 Oct 1870 (to 5 Mar 1892) in Pike County, Illinois, USA

Wife of Gilbert Whitney — married 27 Jul 1893 in Pike County, Illinois, USA

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Erin Cole [send private message]

Biography

Nellie Penny was born about 1855 in Kentucky.^[1] Her exact origin is unknown at this time.

Nelly married Aaron Purcell on October 13, 1870, in Pike county.^[2] Her parents were said to have been both born in Kentucky.^[1]

The 1880 Census shows the Purcell family living in Pleasant Vale, Pike County, Illinois on 19 June 1880. Aaron was listed as a "Farm Laborer" and Nellie was "Keeping House". They had four children by this time and one on the way. ^[1]

• Erran - male ~32 - Illinois, Father Kentucky, Mother Indiana
• Nella - wife ~25 - Kentucky, Father Kentucky, Mother Kentucky
• Ada - daughter ~8 - Illinois, Father Illinois, Mother Kentucky
• Mary - daughter ~7 - Illinois, Father Illinois, Mother Kentucky
• Wiley - son ~4 - Illinois, Father Illinois, Mother Kentucky
• Mattie (name is not legible) - daughter ~2 - Illinois, Father Illinois, Mother Kentucky

Shortly after the census was taken, John was born. A couple of years later, in 1882, he died and was buried in Kinderhook Cemetery in Pike County.^[3]

Nellie was granted a divorce on 5 March 1892. The basis of the divorce was a charge of adultery between Aaron Purcell and Anna Mills aka Jane Wells. The final decree indicated the Judge found Aaron guilty. He was ordered to pay Nellie the sum of $100 in lieu of alimony and court costs. Aaron was granted custody of the following children: Wiley Purcell, Charley Purcell, Annie Purcell (this is probably Mattie), and William Purcell. ^[4]

Nelly married Gilbert Whitney on July 27, 1893, in Pike County.^[5] They had at least two girls together, Leona and Rachel.

Gilbert appears to have died by 1901 when Nellie shows up in the Des Moines city directory. She is listed through 1911 when Leona shows up as well at the same address. For many years she is listed as "wid Albert".^[6] Not clear why "Albert" and not Gilbert or Elijah. Also, not clear on who was living with her.

Research Notes:

• In the 1860 United States Federal Census for Barry, Pike, Illinois, we find (page 53-4) the following people listed under the same household.^[7]
  • Benjamin D. Brown, 56, M, Farmer, b. Massachusetts
  • Mary, 54, F, Housework, b. Vermont
  • Mary York, 18, F, Housework, b. Illinois
  • Harry Hance, 21, M, Laborer, b. New York
  • Nelly, 6, F, -, b. Kentucky
  • John Robinson, 11, M, -, b. Illinois
  • John T. Brown, 53, M, Farmer, b. New York
  • Sarah, 55, F, Housework, b. New York
  • Antonette, 29, F, School Teacher, b. New York
• There was a Nellie Penny working in a domestic job in the house of Sela Morse in Barry, Pike County, Illinois, when the 1870 census was taken.^[8] There is no evidence that this is the same Nellie. It seems likely that she was in Pike County at the time of the census as she was married there a few months later.
• There was also a William Penny in Pittsfield Township, Pike County, Illinois, in the 1870 Census. He was reported as b. OH. Her brother maybe? Looks like he was living with three Craft brothers.
• Where is Nelly in the 1900 Census? Searched Ancestry but no result yet.
• Where is Nelly in the 1910 Census? Searched Ancestry but no result yet.
• There is a marriage record for Nellie M. Whitney to Wells J. Holiday in Adel, Iowa, on December 7, 1911. Her parents are given as Benj. Brown and May Brown. The groom's name may have been J. Holiday Wells as his father's name is given as S.W. Wells (his mother was Anawie Price, difficult to read, ancestry interprets as Amanda Prest).^[9] This fits with Nellie disappearing from the Des Moines directory after the 1911 edition. However, it says she was b. 1859, Pike County, Illinois rather than 1854 in KY. It also indicates that this is only her second marriage but it should be her third or even fourth if Penny was not her LNAB.
• Perhaps Nelly came to Traer to visit her eldest child, Idella, and Leona met Elmer Taylor Early there. He and his family were from Traer. Perhaps Leona came to live with Idella after their mother, Nellie, remarried?
• On February 6, 1913, Nelly is listed along with Gilbert as the parents of Leona when she married Elmer Taylor Early from Traer, Iowa. The record does not indicate whether the parents were still alive. NOTE: Nelly's name is reported as "Nettie May Brown" on the marriage register.
• When did Nelly die?
• Was there an Anna Purcell? Some trees have one but no source at this time.
• Who is Alice P. Purcell from the photo with Idella (Purcell-771-2.jpg)?

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} 1880 United States Federal Census; Census Place: Pleasant Vale, Pike, Illinois; Page: 696D; Enumeration District: 197
2. ↑ Illinois, Marriage Certificate, Personal history collection of Erin Cole
3. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #20305822
4. ↑ Pike County Circuit Court order in the possession of David Roberts
5. ↑ Illinois, County Marriages, 1800-1940 (Ancestry.com)
6. ↑ U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 (Ancestry.com)
7. ↑ 1860 United States Federal Census; Census Place: Barry, Pike, Illinois; Roll: M653_219; Page: 820; Family History Library Film: 803219 (Ancestry.com)
8. ↑ 1870 United States Federal Census; Census Place: Barry, Pike, Illinois; Roll: M593_; Page: ; Image: . (Ancestry.com)
9. ↑ Iowa Marriage Records, 1880-1940 (Ancestry.com)