Storey, Laura Jane Rebecca
Born: Sept. 5, 1861 in Greene County, AL
Married: Clarence William Oliver in 1877
Spouse:
Date of Death:
Burial:

Laura Jane Rebecca Storey was the first daughter of eight children born to Sirlenus Alonzo and Margaret Scot Moore Storey. Laura was born September 5 1861 in Greene County, Alabama. There is not much of Laura as a young girl, but if we use her parent’s events, we can say these things about her. Laura was two years old when her father, Sirlenus Alonzo, went off to fight with regiment, 20th Regiment Mississippi Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and four when he came home from the war. Then she was twelve in 1861, when her family moved to Beauregard, Copiah County, Mississippi outside Wesson.

Now, things get interesting for her. While living in Beauregard, she met and married Clarence William Oliver of Wilcox County, Alabama. She was sixteen when she married Clarence in 1877. She was thirteen years younger than him. Here, I have to interject that I have no documentation on this. I wrote Copiah County, Mississippi for a marriage record, for which they replied that they do not have a record of them being married there. If they were married in Copiah County, there is one Presbyterian church that would be old enough so probably married in the Wesson Presbyterian Church.

Laura and Clarence had twelve children:
1. James Granville born January 1 1878 in Wesson, Wilcox County, Mississippi, married Venus Newton in Ellis County, Texas, and died June 3 1963 in Falls City, Karnes County, Texas. He was buried in the Newton Cemetery in Ellis County, Texas.

2. Fredrick Clarence born 1880 in Wesson, Wilcox County, Mississippi, married Ethel Ricketts, died in Los Angeles, California and buried in Fort Worth.

3. Claude William born Wesson, Wilcox County, Mississippi, married Cassie Ailey of Tennessee, died in Vernon, Wilbarger County, Texas. They were both buried in East View Memorial Cemetery in Vernon, Wilbarger County, Texas.

4. Ernest Albert born 1885 in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas, married Leata Morgan, died 1919 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas during a flu epidemic.

5. Edgar Guy November 20 1887 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas, married Frankie Arzella Barnett April 6 1817 in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas, died June 3 1985 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. They had one child, Frances Ann.

6. Robert Ray “Bob” born 1896 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas, married Zella Ailey of Tennessee, died and buried in Vernon, Wilbarger County, Texas. He was buried in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon, Wilbarger County, Texas. They had one child; Robert “Bobby” Ray Jr.

7. Ray Woodbridge born June 16 1890 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas, married Jessie Matlida Barnett 1919 in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas, died April 16 1953 in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. They had two children, Raymond Ernest and Ida Ruth.

8. Margaret Elizabeth born 1879 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas and married Thomas A. Phillips in Mexia, Limestone County, Texas.

9. Laura Audra born December 25 1892 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas, married Weaver W Barnett in Mexia, Texas, and died September 23 1974 in Mexia, Texas. They were both buried in

10. Kuren born June 24 1901 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas, died July 1 1901 during a flu epidemic and buried in the Midlothian Cemetery in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas.11. Ina Ruth born February 17 1903 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas, married Edward Polsley and died December 1995 in Mexia, Texas.

12. Ernest born September 15, 1905 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas, September 15, 1905 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas and buried in the Midlothian Cemetery in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas.

In the 1880 Census, Clarence and Laura are listed along with James and a infant son in Beauregard, Copiah County, Mississippi. From the family history it appears that this infant is Frederick Clarence.

Soon after a tornado that killed Laura’s brother, Milton Albert in 1883, Sirlenus, Laura’s father, took his family, which included his married children to Brownwood, Brown County, Texas. They traveled first by train to Cisco and finished the trip by horse and wagon. Clarence William and Laura settled in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas. They with their children are listed in the 1900 US Census.

Then they are listed in the 1910 US Census living in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. Six of the twelve children were still at home. They lived there until Laura’s husband, Clarence William, sold his blacksmith shop to his son, Edgar Guy.

Laura shows up again on the 1930 US Census, where she was living alone then in Midlothian. Her husband, Clarence William had already died in Midlothian and buried near their two children, Kuren and Ernest, in the Midlothian Cemetery. Laura after her husband’s death, she moved to Mexia, Limestone County. She probably went to live with her daughter, Margaret Oliver Phillips, living there. She lived there until August 11, 1940 when she died. She was buried in the Midlothian Cemetery next to her husband, Clarence William and two children, Kuren and Ernest, already buried there. She was 79 when she died of Myocarditis, which is acute inflammation of the heart muscle.

My father said that he knew his grandmother, Laura only briefly but he did say this about her. That she was strict and stern. She was a very devote Presbyterian. My feeling about her was that may be true but I also see her as woman who loved her family and life. That she was quick to laugh and smile and could hold her own from growing up with so many brothers.

Now, I will tell you my experience with Laura. Soon after my separation from my first husband, I attended a spiritualistic church outside Casa Dadga. During the service, a lady stood up and stated that she has a message for Debbie. Of course, I thought that there had to be another Debbie there and looked around. The lady went on saying that this was from my great-grandmother. She wanted me to know that she was watching over me and so that I would know that this was from her, she traveled by covered wagon and that I resemble her. I went home and called my father. After telling him about the experience, he said to forget about it and called it hogwash. Not giving up, I called my cousin, the family historian; she told me that Laura did travel by covered wagon and that she would send me a picture of Laura as a young girl. Eagerly opened the envelope containing the photo to see Laura, well, there is a resemblance!

Sources:

1. Frances O Maynard, Henry Storey of South Carolina and His Descendants, 1996, p 45
2. Frances O Maynard, Henry Storey of South Carolina and His Descendants, 1996, p 23-24
3. Frances O Maynard, Henry Storey of South Carolina and His Descendants, 1996, p 45
4. Frances O Maynard, Henry Storey of South Carolina and His Descendants, 1996, p 45-53
5. 1880 US Census, Beauregard, Copiah, County, Mississippi, June 2, 1880
6. 1900 US Census, Justice Precinct #6, Ellis County, Texas, June 14, 1900
7. 1910 US Census, Justice Precinct 1, Weatherford City, Parker County, Texas, April 21-22, 1910
8. 1930 US Census, Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas, April 3, 1930
9. Frances O Maynard, Henry Storey of South Carolina and His Descendants, 1996, p 45
10. Texas Death Certificate, Mexia, Limestone County, Texas, #38655
11. Texas Death List 1903-1940, p 18811

Uploaded 6/18/2009
donated by Deborah O Levine