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Note: CENSUS DATA: I have been unable to find the widowed Mary McCollister Summersgill and her children in the 1870 census. However, after reviewing LaDelle Wilbur Plates information in her book, SUMMERSGILL'S IN AMERICA and the 1870 census record of an H. Summersgill, I am of the opinion that the children shown in that census record may be those of Thomas and Mary Summersgill. The census record shows the following information: H. Jumingill (Summersgill), Lee Co., AL, Brownsville Beat, Post Office, Columbus, GA; p. 19, taken 16 August 1870. Living in the home were: H. Summersgill, 30, female, born GA, working in cotton mill; J., 16, male, born GA; J., 13, male, born GA; H., 11, male, born GA; T., 8, female, born AL; E., 6, male, born AL. Also, M. Holly, female, age 68, born GA and keeping house shown. COMMENTARY: The identity of H. Summersgill is unknown at this time. However, the initials of the children living in the home somewhat match the known given names and ages of some of Thomas & Mary Summersgill's children; i.e., J.= John; J. = James; H. = William Henry; T. = Unknown child that may have died young (the 3 year gap between William Henry and Edward would allow another birth); E. = Edward. This leaves 3 known children unaccounted for, i.e, Emma, Maggie, & Thomas. Where they may have been living is not known. However all of this is just speculation at this time. ------------------------------------------------ OBITUARY INFORMATION: Part of obituary on file at Linwood Cemetery indicates that Mary McCollister, sister of Thomas McCollister and wife of W. R. Martin, Sr., "died in Phenix City, Ala. on Sept. 28, 1895, 5 sons John, James, Henry, Thomas, William, 2 daughters, Mrs. John T. Abney of Columbus, Mrs Maggie Hill of Phenix City, Ala., 2 brothers, Thomas and William McCollister, step mother of Mrs. Thomas Ledbetter, Mrs. Eliza Hook, Mrs. Rachael Page all of Columbus, and David of La." COMMENTARY: The children noted in Mary's obituary, i.e., John, James, Henry, Thomas, William, Mrs. John T. Abney (Emma H.) and Mrs. Maggie Hill (Maggie) were children by her first husband, Thomas Summersgill. Mary's step-children mentioned, i.e., Mrs. Thomas Ledbetter (Sarah Jane), Mrs. Eliza Hook (Eliza), Mrs. "Rachael Page (Rachael ), and David were children of Jane McCollister and W. R. Martin, Sr. Jane McCollister was Mary's sister and the first wife of W. R. Martin, Sr. After Jane McCollister's death and the death of her first husband, Thomas Summersgill, Mary then married W. R. Martin, Sr.
COMMENTARY ON MARY'S BIRTH DATE: Mary's birth date (before March 28, 1829) is based on census information and information from the will of Andrew McAlister, Jr., (Mary's uncle). That will was dated March 28, 1829. In Andrew's Will, the 4 children of his brother, Robert are mentioned specifically by name, i.e., Elizabeth, Andrew, Syrena Emaline, and Mary. -------------------------------------------------- NOTE: It is also quiet possible that Robert and Sarah McCollister had moved from SC to Carroll Co., GA. before the 28 March 1829 date, since a William Bailey represented Robert at Andrew Jr.'s Will hearing in Anderson, SC. Presently, the identity of this William Bailey is unknown, but could have been related to Robert McCollister's wife, Sarah "Sallie" Bailey.
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