Old Joseph France circle in the wake of the American Civil War

“Old” Joseph France family in the wake of the American Civil War: 1866-1870

Things become ever more complicated at this point. Let’s start from the perspective of “Old” Joseph France.

The first thing we learn directly about him since the 1860 census is that he married Eliza J. Jackson on December 15, 1867,  in Clay County, Indiana, administered by Justice of the Peace C. P. Eppert, who was also an educator. Their approval to marry was given by C. M. Thompson, Clay County Clerk, on December 9.  Record link: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XX5T-4QW

Who was Eliza J. Jackson?

Eliza Jane Hall was born in Clermont County, Ohio, on April 21, 1826. This county is in southern Ohio, on the immediate northern side of the Ohio River.  Her parents remain a mystery for the time being. She married Luke Jackson in Clermont County in or around 1845 when she was about 19 and he 21; they migrated to Clay County, Indiana, probably around 1848. 

Luke Jackson was born in Clermont County, Ohio, on October 20, 1824. He died, apparently in Clay County, Indiana, on March 6, 1863, at age 38.

Luke and Eliza seem to have had at least six kids; some may have died young. 

Provisionally:

Lydia Jackson (1846-unknown). Born in Ohio.

John S. Jackson (1848-unknown).  Born in Ohio.

Sophia Elizabeth Jane Jackson (January 15, 1851-March 14, 1931).  Born in Clay County, Indiana. (Note: She married “young” Joseph France in 1871).

William T. Jackson (1853-unknown). Born in Clay County, Indiana.

Luke Jackson, Jr. (1855-1923). Born in Clay County, Indiana.

Stephen Jackson (1861-unknown). Born in Clay County, Indiana.

By mid-December 1867, the youngest four Jacksons were folded into the France family via the marriage of “old” Joseph France and Eliza Jane Hall Jackson.

The 1870 census (enumerated on June 20, 1870) shows a large amalgamated household led by “old” Joseph and Eliza, Posey township. Clay County, Indiana; nearest post office, Center Point.

Joseph France, listed as 56 but actually closer to 62. Coal miner. Personal estate $75.

Eliza Jane Hall Jackson France, 44. Keeping house. Cannot write.

Samuel France, 31. Coal miner. Personal estate $100.

“Young” Joseph France, 23. Coal miner.

Sarah Ann France, 22.

Christian France, 18. Works on farm.

Susanna France, 16.

Sophia Elizabeth Jane Jackson, 19. Cannot read or write.

William T. Jackson, 17.  Works at coal shaft. Cannot read or write.

Luke Jackson, Jr., 14. Cannot read or write.

Stephen Jackson, 9.

Emma France, 2.

Joseph Absalom France, 2.

Frances Priscilla Serintha Jane France, 1/12.

Observations:

Not exactly the Brady Bunch, but still . . .

Shift from farming to coal mining, reflecting rapid industrialization.

They were dirt poor.

“Old” Joseph was a widower, Eliza a widow.

In 1866, Samuel France married a Civil War widow, Ruthann (or Ruth Ann) Priscilla Wheeler Slack (whose husband Ira Barnes Slack had been killed in 1864) and together they had two of the kids listed above: Joseph Absalom France and Frances Priscilla Serintha Jane France. Ruthann had just died, on May 7, 1870, so Samuel was now a widower. He had two living stepchildren in the area also: Margie Frances Slack (1856-1906) and William Thomas Slack (1858-1937).

Sarah Ann France had married the wounded soldier Henry Newport III in 1864. In 1870, he was living in Clinton County, Illinois and the Newport name was dropped for purposes of the Indiana census. Why? She was about 26 at the time, with two living children: George Aldress Newport (1866-1950) and Harvey Henry Newport (1868-1950); Richard Nathan Newport was born later in 1870 – so she was pregnant at the time. She is also listed with the rest of the Newport household in the Clinton County, Illinois census (enumerated on June 23, 1870), so counted twice, once in Indiana and once in Illinois.  

“Young” Joseph France and Sophia Elizabeth Jane Jackson were married the following year. 

Finally, Emma France: born about 1868, who were her parents?  The answer is not immediately obvious.