Transcribed by Timothy R. Meador, Jr.

 

June 19, 1952

 

* CAL’S COLUMN *

 

    We resume the publication of the old records and our comments thereon. The time is Monday, June 21, 1802. The next item in the old records is as follows: “Deed, 300 acres, James Montgomery to John Kennedy, proven by the oath of Dempsey Kennedy; one of the subscribing witness thereto.” We know nothing of either of these parties. We presume that the Kennedys were perhaps brothers, and members of the present Kennedy family of Smith and adjoining counties. Some members of the family have shortened the spelling to Canada, so were are informed.

 

    “Deed, 20 acres, John L. Martin to William Alexander, proven by the oath of David Cochran, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be registered.” No comment.

 

    “Deed, Thomas and Mourning White to Richard Pryor, proven by the oath of William Pryor, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto.” Readers perhaps have noted how few of the wives of 150 years ago had their names on the deeds. Women’s rights then were not nearly so many as they now are, and deeds were not required to have the signatures of the wives of those making the deeds. Thomas White’s wife, “Mourning,” certainly had a very unusual name. We do not know who Thomas White was, although the writer’s wife’s mother was a Miss White prior to her marriage to William F. Jenkins about 50 years ago. “Mourning” White is another of whom we have no additional information. But we do have a little comment to offer on names. Children of today may be surprised to learn that “Mourning,” “Patience,” “Charity,” “Faith,” “Hope,” “Lovejoy,” and many other