13 October 2010

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Jefts


Sarah J. Berger Jefts v Harris S. Jefts (Journal 12 p89 - 28 May 1883; Roll 39 Box 128 case number 1133 - 4 Apr 1883)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Gorham Twp, Fulton Co, OH on 26 Oct 1865 (Marriage V3 p52).  Sarah, parentage unknown, was born in 1839 PA. Harris, born in Mar 1842 NY, was the son of Kitridge and Lucinda Monroe Jefts who were enumerated in the 1850 and 1860 NW Twp federal census, p53 and 6, respectively.  Kittridge owned property in Sec 9 of NW Twp and he and his wife were buried in the Billingstown Cemetery as Kitridge (15 Mar 1815 - 10 July 1903) and Lucinda (3 Nov 1820 - 23 Dec 1904).   Harris was a Civil War soldier serving in Co F 177th Ohio Infantry.  The Jefts couple was listed in the 1870 NW Twp federal census, p8, as Harris 28 NY, Sarah 31 PA, and William A 3 PA; however, from the 1875 Wichita, Sedgewick Co, KS State Census, SJ Jefts was listed with her sons, WA, O, and NK, a two month old.

Sarah stated in court that Harris was willfully absent for three years or more and she wanted a divorce, alimony, and custody of the minor children.  The couple had the following three sons: William A (b1867), Ottis (b1874), and Newton B (b1875).  The divorce was granted.  Harris S. Jefts married Caroline Beighey in Steuben Co, IN on 3 Oct 1894.  According to the 1900 Camden, Hillsdale Co, MI federal census p3B, the Jefts family was listed as Harrison, a carpenter, 58 NY, Caroline 42 MI, Newton K son 25 KS, and Margaret Beighey mother-in-law.  

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