Sarah Melvina (Rockett) Abernethy (abt. 1790 - 1847)

Born about 26 Mar 1790 in Lincoln, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Wife of William Abernathy — married 26 Mar 1807 in Granville County, NC

Descendants

Died 1847 at about age 56 in Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Tim Hudson [send private message]

Biography

NAME

Wife of William Abernathy.

Possible name is Sarah Melvina Rockett (per undocumented source)

I cannot find any documents that show her first name, or maiden name.

The gravestone pictured on find-a-grave is a modern gravestone that was placed in the cemetery many years after their death. It is a single stone that includes 5 people.

BIRTH

Sarah (Sallie) Melvina Rockett

Parents: Richard Rockett & Eleanor Abernathy, per undocumented source

Birth estimated about 1790, based on the following:

1) born between 1791-1800, per census in 1830, age 30-39

2) born between 1791-1800, per census in 1840, age 40-49

3) possible birth 26 Mar 1790, per undocumented source

Place of Birth: unknown

1) Possible place of birth: Edgefield Co. SC, per undocumented source

2) Her children are inconsistent; saying mother born NC, GA, SC, or AL

Birthplace according to her children:

1) child Starling's 1880 census says both parents born NC

2) child Martha's 1880 census says father born SC, mother born GA

3) child Elizabeth's 1880 census says both parents born SC

4) child William's 1880 census says both parents born NC

5) child William's 1900 census says both parents born AL

6) child William's 1910 census says both parents born AL

7) child Amanda's 1880 census says both parents born NC

8) child Nancy lived to 1880 census, but does not know parent's birthplace

DEATH

Death estimated about 1847, based on the following:

1) died between 1840 and 1850 census.

2) possible death: 1847, per undocumented source

Place of death: assume Pontotoc Co. MS, based on the following:

1) it appears that all of their children in Pontotoc Co. MS by 1850 census.

2) Minor child, Amanda age 14, living with older sister in 1850 Pontotoc Co. MS

Find A Grave Memorial# 50506311

Burial: Abernethy Cemetery, Algoma, Pontotoc County, Mississippi

The gravestone pictured on find-a-grave is a modern gravestone that was placed in the cemetery many years after their death. The single stone includes 5 people.

Inscription: Abenethy, William Abernethy (1776-1846), Sallie Melvina Rockett Abernethy ( -1847), Robert Burton Abernethy (son), Mary Jane Abernethy Wood (1836-1856), Infant Wood (July 1856)

MARRIAGE

There are no documents that show wife's name, not even first name.

It is assumed her name was Sarah/Sallie, based on undocumented research.

Possible marriage date: 26 Mar 1807, per undocumented source.

Possible marriage place: Lincoln Co. NC, per undocumented source.

CENSUS / TIMELINE

1810 Census: *** NOT VERIFIED ***

Census Location: Capt Reids District, Lincoln, North Carolina

Name: William Abernathy

1 - Males - Under 10: ........ [Sterling]

1 - Males - 16 thru 25: ....... [WILLIAM]

1 - Females - Under 10: ..... [Eleanor]

1 - Females - 16 thru 25: ... [SARAH]

Numbers of Slaves: 2

Number of Household Members: 6

1810 Census Notes:

There are 4 different William Abernathy in 1810 Lincoln Co. NC, but this census appears to be the closest.

1820 Census: *** NOT VERIFIED ***

Location: West of the South Fork of the Catawba River, Lincoln, North Carolina

Name: Wm Abernathy

4 - Males - Under 10: ........ [Sterling, Richard, James, and ???]

1 - Males - 26 thru 44: ....... [WILLIAM]

1 - Females - Under 10: ..... [Eleanor, Nancy, Mary] <--- too many

1 - Females - 26 thru 44: ... [SARAH]

Engaged in Agriculture: 1

Total Free White Persons: 7

1820 Census Notes:

There are 3 different William Abernathy in 1820 Lincoln Co. NC, but none of them have enough daughters. The above census is the closest match for the number of sons.

1824: child Robert, born in Alabama (assume Jefferson County)

1825: child Martha, born in Alabama (assume Jefferson County)

1825: child Eleanor, married Samuel Abernathy, 18 Aug 1825 Jefferson Co. AL

1828: son-in-law, Samuel Abernathy purchased land in Jefferson Co. AL

1828: child Elizabeth, born in Alabama (assume Jefferson County)

1830 Census: Jefferson, Alabama, p.15

Name: Wm Abanathy

2 - Males - 5 thru 9: .......... [Robert and James]

1 - Males - 15 thru 19: ...... [Richard]

1 - Males - 20 thru 29: ...... [Sterling]

1 - Males - 40 thru 49: ...... [WILLIAM]

2 - Females - Under 5: ...... [Elizabeth and Martha]

2 - Females - 15 thru 19: ... [Mary and Nancy]

1 - Females - 30 thru 39: ... [SARAH]

Total Free White Persons: 10

1830 Census Notes:

Living next to Samuel Abernathy (assumed son-in-law, the husband of Eleanor)

Living next to David Abernathy (assumed father of Samuel, the father-in-law of Eleanor)

1831: child Nancy, married Henry Pitts (date estimated)

1834: William Abernathy purchased 40 acres in Jefferson County, Alabama

1834: child Richard, married Mary Alexander, Jefferson Co. AL

1835: child Starling, married Elizabeth Ware, Jefferson Co. AL

1836: child Mary, married Elam Ware (date estimated)

1840 Census: Jefferson, Alabama, p.27

Name: William Abernathy

1 - Males - 10 thru 14: ...... [William]

1 - Males - 50 thru 59: ...... [WILLIAM]

1 - Females - 5 thru 9: ....... [Amanda]

2 - Females - 10 thru 14: ... [Elizabeth and Martha]

1 - Females - 40 thru 49: ... [SARAH]

Total Free White Persons: 6

Note: living next to son: Richard Abernathy

Note: living close to Wilson Abernathy (assume David "Wilson" Abernathy)

1840: child Nancy, w/husband Henry Pitts, has census in Pontotoc MS

1840: child Elizabeth, w/husband Starling Abernathy, census in Pontotoc MS

1840: children James & Robert, cannot locate; ages 16 & 18, assume nearby

1845: child Mary, w/husband Elam Ware, substitute census in Pontotoc MS

1845: child Robert, has substitute census in Pontotoc MS

1845: child Eleanor, w/husband Samuel, substitute census in Pontotoc MS

1847: child Martha, married Calab Flanagan (date estimated)

1840-1850: death of William Abernathy (assume died 1846 in Pontotoc MS)

1840-1850: death of wife (assume Sarah, assume died 1847 in Pontotoc MS)

1850: all children have census in Pontotoc Co. MS

1851: child James, married Emeline Porter, in Pontotoc Co. MS

Sarah was born in 1790. She was the daughter of Richard Rockett and Eleanor Abernathy. She passed away in 1847.

Sources

• Find A Grave <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50529652/sarah-melvina-abernethy>