26 October 2010

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Mowdy


Joseph Mowdy v Polly Mowdy (Journal 5 p610 - 13 Mar 1860; p632 - 17 Mar 1860; Roll 14 case number 28 - Mar 1860)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple according to Joseph was married in Wms Co on 30 Mar 18**, although no marriage record has currently been discovered.  In Rings Cemetery there was a burial for Eliza Mowdy, wife of Joseph, who died on 29 June 1847 @36Y 3M 11D.  According to the Bryan Democrat, 8 Dec 1870, Joseph was born in Warren Co, VA on 14 Oct 1790 and later traveled to Kentucky and Ohio when he married Eliza Connel.  They settled in LaFayette, Wms Co c1844.  In actuality the household of Joseph Mowdy was listed in the 1840 Jefferson twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p227 and showed Joseph, probably wife Eliza, with 4 girls and 3 boys.

He published a notice of attachment against Otis Greeley, an absconding debtor, on 27 Oct 1847.  In the 1850 Jefferson Twp federal census, p22B, the Mowdy family was listed as Joseph 49 VA, Mary 48 NY, John 19 OH, Mary 17 OH, George 14 OH, Martin 5 OH, and John McKinsey 28 OH carpenter; therefore, sometime between the death of wife Eliza and the 1850 census of 9 Sept 1850 Joseph married Mary "Polly". Since the surname has been found as Mondy, Monday, or Moudy, records for this family need to be carefully searched.  The errant Polly could be a Mrs. McKinsey as there was a young man old enough to be her issue with the Mowdy family in the 1850 census.   By the 1860 West Unity, Brady Twp federal census, p153a, Joseph 60 VA lived with his son John and family; Polly was not listed. 

He stated that Polly was willfully absent for more than three years.  A legal notice was placed in the local newspaper and he was granted a divorce. In the 1870 Brady Twp federal census, p1, Joseph still resided with his son John; Joseph was listed as 65 KY without occupation.  He died on 1 Dec 1870 @71Y 1M 17D and was buried in Rings Cem, West Unity.  

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