Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.
Me-My Mom-Ruby Alberta Belknap-Bessie Beatrice Landers-Angleine Henrietta Littrell-Letis Ellen Knox-Clarissa S. Fuller
My 4th great grandmother, Clarissa Fuller, is another woman in my direct maternal line and another resilient pioneer. She lived to the old age of 81. She was born about 1809 in Jay, Franklin, Maine, U.S.A. to Erza Fuller and Avis Briggs. She was only 5 years old when her mother passed away leaving a home full of children. Clarissa's father remarries the widow Sarah Morse Stubbs (also known as Sally). She probably helped him raise the younger children.
Clarissa grows up in her hometown and marries George W. Knox in September of 1827. Shortly after her father dies in October of 1842, Clarissa and her family join a wagon train going west to Mercer County, Illinois. Many of Clarissa's and George's relatives and friends are on the journey. Clarissa is now the mother of three children. Her oldest daughter, Letis Ellen, would have been about twelve year old.
In Mercer county, Illinois, the family settles on a farm and three more children are born. But their lives about to change, as the civil war is coming. Like so many families during that time period, Clarissa watches as her oldest son (George E. Knox) enlist in the Union army. Their family is one of the lucky ones, as George makes it home.
Clarissa losses her husband sometime between 1860 and 1880. See my post about George W. Knox. In the 1880 census, Clarissa is living with her children, Lydia and Joseph in Abington, Mercer, Illinois. According to Clarissa's obituary, when she died on February 24, 1891, she is living with her son-in-law, Issac Downs. Isaac was the husband of her daughter, Samantha. The obituary lists her children and where they where living in 1891. George E., Letits Ellen, who resides in Nebraska, , Lydia, living near Keithsburg, Sarah Sullivan, of Millersburg, Mrs. Isaac Downs and Joseph B Knox of Joy.
Sources:
"Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F44Q-SZY : accessed 05 May 2014), Ezra Fuller in entry for Claracy Fuller, 1809; citing JAY,FRANKLIN,MAINE; FHL microfilm 11037.
"Maine, Marriages, 1771-1907," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F4FD-YZD : accessed 05 May 2014), George W. Knox and Clarissa S. Fuller, 09 Sep 1827; citing Jay,Franklin,Maine, reference ; FHL microfilm 11037.
1880 U.S. Census, Mercer County, Illinois, population schedule, Abington, enumeration district (ED) 172, Sheet 263A (stamped), dwelling 153, family 155, Clarrissa Knox; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 April 2014); NARA microfilm publication T9.
Volume, VII, #34, The Times Record, Aledo, IL, 26 February 1891. obituary for Clarissa Fuller Knox.
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