Person Page - 152

     William married Maud D'Aubigny, daughter of William D'Aubigny and Maud de Saint Hilary, circa 1210.

William married Maud Marshal on 12 October 1225. She was the eldest daughter and later co-heiress of William Marshal, and widow of Hugh Bigod, 3rd Earl of Norfolk.

William de Warren 5th Earl of Surrey died in 1240.

     Maud Marshal was born in 1192.

Maud married William de Warren 5th Earl of Surrey on 12 October 1225. She was the eldest daughter and later co-heiress of William Marshal, and widow of Hugh Bigod, 3rd Earl of Norfolk.

Maud Marshal died on 27 March 1248.

     Elizabeth Susan McClure was born on 24 July 1830 in Newberry County, South Carolina.¹

Elizabeth married Zachariah Taylor ABNEY, son of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, circa 1850 in Saluda County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Cary McClure and Maria Louise Davenport. Her grandparents were William McClure and Elizabeth Reagin. Cary and Maria Louisa moved from Newberry to Harrison County, Texas about 1854. Cary died there in December 1870 or January 1871. His will was probated there in January 1871 and mentions that his daughter and her husband were both dead. Cary and Maria reared their Abney grandchildren.¹

Elizabeth Susan McClure and Zachariah Taylor ABNEY moved from Newberry County, South Carolina to Harrison County, Texas, circa 1854 Zach and Elizabeth traveled along with her parents, Cary and Maria Louisa Mclure. Apparently the Abneys had moved from Edgefield to Newberry to be nearer to her parents as both their sons Cary and Olin say they were born in Newberry county.

Elizabeth Susan McClure and Zachariah Taylor ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 22 August 1860 in Elysian Fields, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as Z. Abney, a 30 year old farmer and Eliabeth Abney his 29 year old wife. He had real estate valued $11000 and personal estate $60000. Living with them were their three sons C. M., age 9; O. L., age 7; and J. G. Abney, age 5. All were born in South Carolina, except for John who born in Texas. Elizabeth's parents were living nearby.²

Zachariah died on 9 June 1862 in Corinth, Mississippi, at age 32 He died in service during the Civil War leaving Elizabeth Susan McClure as a widow. According to niece Elizabeth Schumpert Cassity, "Uncle Zach and Aunt Elizabeth were a most brilliant couple. Uncle Zach died from fatigue after a long march in the war between the states. She never recovered her spirits after my uncle's death, so they say she died of a broken heart." "The children were reared by their mother's parents in a big plantation adjoining their own. All were educated men." "All died rich men although they never looked at life seriously until they had run through two fortunes, the one from their father's estate, and the one from their grandfather McClure's."^3,4,5,6

Elizabeth Susan McClure died circa 1864 in Harrison County, Texas.^7,8

     Cary McClure ABNEY Sr., son of Zachariah Taylor ABNEY and Elizabeth Susan McClure, was born on 13 December 1850 in Newberry County, South Carolina.¹ He was also known as Mack. He was a merchant and planter.

Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. appeared on a census, enumerated 22 August 1860, in the household of his parents Zachariah Taylor ABNEY and Elizabeth Susan McClure in Elysian Fields, Harrison County, Texas. He was listed as C. M. Abney, age 9, born South Carolina.²

His father died on 9 June 1862 in Corinth, Mississippi, when Cary was 11. He and his two brothers were raised by their grandparents, Cary and Maria Louisa McClure in Marshall, Texas.^3,1,4,5 Cary graduated in 1870 at the University of Virginia . Their alumni journal listed him as a planter in Elysian Fields, Harrison county, Texas. He attended 1868-1870.⁶

Cary married first Minnie Taylor on 30 January 1872 in Harrison County, Texas.⁷

Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Dr. Olin Light ABNEY sold a tract of land to John Gilliam Davenport ABNEY on 10 November 1872 in Harrison County, Texas. They sold "our undivided two thirds interest" in the land from their share of the estate of their father to their brother. It included one tract of 422 1/2 acres and another of 320 acres on the line between Harrison county, Texas and Caddo Parish, Louisiana. It included land conveyed by T. C. Hill to Z. Abney by deed 27 May 1859 and by the estate of James Owens to Zachariah Abney 1 Aug 1861.

Cary married second Anna Josephine Jones on 28 February 1878 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. From the 2 Mar 1878 The Times of Shreveport, Louisiana: "Married -- Abney-Jones -- On the 28th February, at the residence of Mrs. R. A. Phelps, by Rev. W. Dickinson Dalsett, Mr. Carey McC. Abney and Miss Anna J. Jones."⁸

Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Anna Josephine Jones appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 18 June 1880 in Precinct 1, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as C. M. Abney, a 29 year old farmer, born South Carolina, and his wife, Annie J. Abney, age 23, keeping house, born Texas. Also in the household was daughter, Bissie, age 2, born Texas; Bob Tuttle, an 80 year old black laborer, born Louisiana; and Emma Merrill, 21 year old black cook, born Texas.⁹

Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Anna Josephine Jones appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1900 in Precinct 2, Waskom, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as Cary M. Abney, a 49 year old merchant, born December 1850 in South Carolina. His wife, Anna J. Abney, was 43 and born October 1856 in Texas. They had been married 22 years and she was the mother of 4, with 3 still living. They owned their farm free of mortgage. Living with them was their son Zach Abney, age 19, born January 1881; son Cary Abney, age 17, born August 1882; and daughter Jennie V. Abney, age 11, born November 1888, all born in Texas and attending school. Also in the household were 9 servants and 4 boarders.

He appeared in a newspaper article 25 April 1904 in the The Times, published in Shreveport, Louisiana. Article on Waskom, Texas mentioned Cary. It said that he "has large landed interest, which embrace some of the some of the best farming and pasture lands in Harrison county, Texas. Mr. Abney is a large planter, his farms being under a high state of cultivation."

It said that he owns and runs a general store, livery and feed stable and the Abney's Hotel, the only hotel in Waskom. He also operated a cotton gin and a grist mill, both steam powered. The grist mill was operated one day a week making fresh meal for the local farmers.

The hotel was also their home. There are a couple of articles in the Marshall, Texas newspapers from 1905 that seem to indicate that Anna Jones Abney was very much involved in the hotel and entertaining various times there. One article from November 29, 1905 is about the new Episcopal church in Waskom and mentions that Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Abney took "everyone to their hotel and . . . served all who entered their home."¹⁰

Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Anna Josephine Jones appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 16 May 1910 in Precinct 8, Waskom, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as C. M. Abney, a 59 year old retail merchant with a general store, born South Carolina, and his wife, Anna J. Abney, age 50, born Texas. They had been married 32 years (1878) and Anna was the mother of 4 children, 3 currently living. Living next door was their son, Zach, and wife Jennie. Zach worked in his father's store.

Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. died on 24 May 1923 in Waskom, Harrison County, Texas, at age 72.¹ He was buried in Algoma Cemetery, Marshall, Harrison County, Texas.¹

His obituary appeared 25 May 1923 in the The Marshall Messenger, published in Marshall, Texas.

     Anna Josephine Jones was born on 27 October 1857 in Texas.¹

Anna married Cary McClure ABNEY Sr., son of Zachariah Taylor ABNEY and Elizabeth Susan McClure, on 28 February 1878 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. From the 2 Mar 1878 The Times of Shreveport, Louisiana: "Married -- Abney-Jones -- On the 28th February, at the residence of Mrs. R. A. Phelps, by Rev. W. Dickinson Dalsett, Mr. Carey McC. Abney and Miss Anna J. Jones."²

Anna Josephine Jones and Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 18 June 1880 in Precinct 1, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as C. M. Abney, a 29 year old farmer, born South Carolina, and his wife, Annie J. Abney, age 23, keeping house, born Texas. Also in the household was daughter, Bissie, age 2, born Texas; Bob Tuttle, an 80 year old black laborer, born Louisiana; and Emma Merrill, 21 year old black cook, born Texas.³

Anna Josephine Jones and Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1900 in Precinct 2, Waskom, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as Cary M. Abney, a 49 year old merchant, born December 1850 in South Carolina. His wife, Anna J. Abney, was 43 and born October 1856 in Texas. They had been married 22 years and she was the mother of 4, with 3 still living. They owned their farm free of mortgage. Living with them was their son Zach Abney, age 19, born January 1881; son Cary Abney, age 17, born August 1882; and daughter Jennie V. Abney, age 11, born November 1888, all born in Texas and attending school. Also in the household were 9 servants and 4 boarders.

Anna Josephine Jones and Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 16 May 1910 in Precinct 8, Waskom, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as C. M. Abney, a 59 year old retail merchant with a general store, born South Carolina, and his wife, Anna J. Abney, age 50, born Texas. They had been married 32 years (1878) and Anna was the mother of 4 children, 3 currently living. Living next door was their son, Zach, and wife Jennie. Zach worked in his father's store.

Anna Josephine Jones died on 5 August 1921 in Waskom, Harrison County, Texas, at age 63.¹ She was buried in Algoma Cemetery, Marshall, Harrison County, Texas.¹

Her obituary appeared 6 August 1921 in the The Marshall News Messenger, published in Marshall, Texas. Death of Mrs. Abney -- Anna Josephine Abney. "Yesterday morning Mrs. Abney had gone to the Episcopal Church where she was looking after some repairs that were being made. In returning in crossing the tracks of the Texas and Pacific Railroad she was stuck by the pilot of the Louisiana Limited passenger train and hurled clear of the tracks. The train was stopped and Mrs. Abney was brought [by it] to Marshall for treatment. She was taken to the Kahn Memorial Hospital, but lived only a hour."

The article said that she was 63 years old and born in Tyler, Texas. "When a young girl she went to Shreveport to live with her grandfather, Dr. Taylor."

She was "survived by her husband, one son, Mr. Carey M. Abney, of Marshall, and a daughter, Mrs. M. M. O'Bannion, of Waskom."

     Zachariah ABNEY, son of Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Anna Josephine Jones, was born on 13 January 1881 in Harrison County, Texas.¹

Zachariah ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1900, in the household of his parents Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Anna Josephine Jones in Precinct 2, Waskom, Harrison County, Texas. He was listed as Zach Abney, age 19, born January 1881 in Texas, and attending school.

Zachariah married Jennie May Bryson on 18 December 1904 in Harrison County, Texas.²

Zachariah ABNEY and Jennie May Bryson appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 16 May 1910 in Precinct 8, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as Zack Abney, a 29 year old salesman in a general merchandise store and his 25 year old wife, Jinnie. Both born in Texas. They had been married 5 years (1905) and Jinnie was the mother of two, both living. They had two children: Zack, Jr., age 4, and Virginia, age 1 6/12.

On 30 April 1917 Zachariah died in Harrison County, Texas, at age 36 leaving Jennie May a widow.¹ He was buried in Algoma Cemetery, Marshall, Harrison County, Texas.¹

His obituary appeared 2 May 1917 in the The Marshall Messenger, published in Marshall, Texas. "High Tribute is Paid to Departed" -- It said that he was 36 years old and died after an illness of a number of months.

"He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Abney and brother of Hon. Carey Abney and Mrs. M. M. O'Bannion of this city, and a grandson of the late Mrs. Anna Jones Sloan. His wife was Miss Jennie Bryson, daughter of J. H. Bryson and a niece of Jno. W. Furrh and J. M. Furrh of Elysian Fields."

"He was educated in the public schools of Harrison county and Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, Missouri and the University of Virginia."

He was associated with his father in business and "was imminently successful and prosperous."

The funeral service was held at his home conducted by Rev. Dollarbite of Kaufman. Internment in Concord Cemetery [sic] near Jonesville.

     Jennie May Bryson was born on 27 December 1885 in Texas.¹

Jennie married Zachariah ABNEY, son of Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Anna Josephine Jones, on 18 December 1904 in Harrison County, Texas.²

Jennie May Bryson and Zachariah ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 16 May 1910 in Precinct 8, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as Zack Abney, a 29 year old salesman in a general merchandise store and his 25 year old wife, Jinnie. Both born in Texas. They had been married 5 years (1905) and Jinnie was the mother of two, both living. They had two children: Zack, Jr., age 4, and Virginia, age 1 6/12.

Zachariah died on 30 April 1917 in Harrison County, Texas, at age 36 leaving Jennie May ABNEY as a widow.³

Jennie May Bryson appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 17 February 1920 in Precinct 8, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as Jennie Abney, a 38 year old widow and her four children: Zach, 14; Virginia, 10; John, 8; and Kenneth, 6.

Jennie May Bryson died on 27 July 1961 in Harrison County, Texas, at age 75.¹ She was buried in Algoma Cemetery, Marshall, Harrison County, Texas.¹

     James Kenneth ABNEY Sr., son of Zachariah ABNEY and Jennie May Bryson, was born on 10 February 1913 in Harrison County, Texas.

James Kenneth ABNEY Sr. appeared on a census, enumerated 17 February 1920, in the household of his mother Jennie May Bryson in Precinct 8, Harrison County, Texas. He was 6 years old, and listed as Kenneth.

James Kenneth ABNEY Sr. died on 2 June 1979 in Harrison County, Texas, at age 66. He was buried in Colonial Gardens Cemetery.

     John Gilliam Davenport ABNEY, son of Zachariah Taylor ABNEY and Elizabeth Susan McClure, was born on 20 February 1855 in Elysian Fields, Harrison County, Texas.

John Gilliam Davenport ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 22 August 1860, in the household of his parents Zachariah Taylor ABNEY and Elizabeth Susan McClure in Elysian Fields, Harrison County, Texas. He was listed as J. G. Abney, age 5, born in Texas.¹

His father died on 9 June 1862 in Corinth, Mississippi, when John was 7. He and his two brothers were raised by their grandparents, Cary and Maria Louisa McClure in Marshall, Texas.^2,3,4,5 He graduated in 1873 at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. He began college in 1869 or 1870 at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Rockbridge county, Virginia. The VMI Official Register for the session commencing 1 Jul 1870 lists J. G. Abney of Texas as a student under heading Third Class (Sophomore?). He then transferred to the University of Virginia where he appeared in the 1871 University of Virginia student listing as John Gilliam Abney of Powelton, Texas.^6,7

Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Dr. Olin Light ABNEY sold a tract of land to John Gilliam Davenport ABNEY on 10 November 1872 in Harrison County, Texas. They sold "our undivided two thirds interest" in the land from their share of the estate of their father to their brother. It included one tract of 422 1/2 acres and another of 320 acres on the line between Harrison county, Texas and Caddo Parish, Louisiana. It included land conveyed by T. C. Hill to Z. Abney by deed 27 May 1859 and by the estate of James Owens to Zachariah Abney 1 Aug 1861.

About 20 May 1875 John began practice as an attorney in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. On that date the Tri-Weekly Herald of Marshall reported: "The Longview New Era states, that Mr. John G. Abney, of Marshall and Mr. E. S. Terry, of that place, after passing the usual examination before the District Court, with credit to themselves, were admitted to the bar as Attorneys at Law."⁷

He appeared in a newspaper article 21 November 1879 in the The Marshall Messenger, published in Marshall, Texas. "Mr. W. L. Dial of the Dallas H and C., and Mr. J. G. Abney, of the Marshall bar, had an affray in the neighborhood of the opera house. No one knows which had the most of itl. The H. and C. struck the bar once or twice about the head, and put his taper finger in the eyes of the law. In the last round the H. and C.'s ear got in the way, and the bar bit it -- actually bit it -- and a section off the upper end was detached. It was secured by friends and triumphantly replaced, and the beauty and size of that member are unimpaired. The mayor is not as public spirited as he ought to be, and makes no reduction to [unreadable - paper had been folded] guilty and was charger $5. A jury acquitted the bar yesterday afternoon."

In April 1882 he was elected mayor of Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas. He had been there practicing law since the late 70s, having moved there from Harrison county. By 1888 he had been elected county judge.⁸ He "had the reputation of being a most learned man and the youngest judge who ever sat on the bench in Texas," according to his frst cousin Elizabeth Cassity.⁹

John married Brunetta Wilkerson Thompson on 15 December 1884 in Marengo County, Alabama.

He appeared in a newspaper article 6 January 1895 in the Fort Worth Daily Gazette, published in Fort Worth, Texas. Judge J. G. Abney sold his entire property here today including the Abney addition near the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas railway round house, to Quickstedt Bros. The judge will shortly move to San Antonio to locate there on account of his health. His many friends here regret his departure and commend him to the good people of the Alamo City.

On January 27 the paper reported: Judge J. G. Abney and family have gone to San Antonio to make it their future home.⁷

On 18 May 1896 John Gilliam Davenport died of consumption in Waskom, Harrison County, Texas, at age 41 leaving Brunetta Wilkerson a widow. His children were under ten when he died. His widow moved to Georgetown, Texas and reared her three children with the help of her relatives, her mother taking full responsibility when Nettie died less than ten years later.¹⁰ He was buried in Abney-Rudd Cemetery. This cemetery no longer exists. His remains were later moved to the Colonial Gardens Cemetery.¹¹

His obituary appeared 19 May 1896 in the Evening Messenger, published in Marshall, Texas. "Died -- Hon. J. G. Abney, of Hillsboro, Tex., died of consumption at 4:20 p. m. Monday at the residence of his brother, Mc. Abney, at Waskom. He leaves a wife and two sons and one daughter, all of whom were with him at his death. He will be buried at the family burying ground [Abney-Rudd Cemetery] near Maj. Jno. D. Rudd's. He was a nephew of Mrs. A. W. Hill."

His obituary appeared 21 May 1896 in the Dallas Morning News, published in Dallas, Texas. "Judge John G. Abney of Hillsboro and for serveral years county judge of Hill County died Monday, May 18, at the residence of his brother, C. M. Abney of Waskom, Texas. He was a brother of Dr. O. L. Abney of Fort Worth."

     Dr. Olin Light ABNEY, son of Zachariah Taylor ABNEY and Elizabeth Susan McClure, was born on 15 December 1852 in Newberry County, South Carolina.²

He appeared on a census, enumerated 22 August 1860, in the household of his parents Zachariah Taylor ABNEY and Elizabeth Susan McClure in Elysian Fields, Harrison County, Texas. He was listed as O. L. Abney, age 7, born South Carolina.³

His father died on 9 June 1862 in Corinth, Mississippi, when Olin was 9. He and his two brothers were raised by their grandparents, Cary and Maria Louisa McClure in Marshall, Texas.^4,5,6,7

He was apparently a student in 1871 at Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie, New York. His autograph appeared in an 1872 autograph album of the school belonging to Allen Tibbets Cook of Warsaw, Indiana. The autograph was dated July 16, 1872 and said that he was from Marshall, Texas.⁸

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY and Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. sold a tract of land to John Gilliam Davenport ABNEY on 10 November 1872 in Harrison County, Texas. They sold "our undivided two thirds interest" in the land from their share of the estate of their father to their brother. It included one tract of 422 1/2 acres and another of 320 acres on the line between Harrison county, Texas and Caddo Parish, Louisiana. It included land conveyed by T. C. Hill to Z. Abney by deed 27 May 1859 and by the estate of James Owens to Zachariah Abney 1 Aug 1861.

He appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 11 June 1880 in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. The household was listed as O. L. Abney, a 26 year old medical student born in South Carolina, He was living alone. Shrieveport is in Caddo Parish, but he was apparently not lving in the city as no post office was listed. He was most likely there studying under a cousin, Dr. John Ira Schumpert, who was also listed in Caddo Parish at that time.⁹

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY graduated in 1881 from Louisville Medical College in Louisville, Kentucky. This is now the University of Louisville School of Medicine.^8,10

Olin appeared in a newspaper article 26 February 1881 in the The Courier-Journal, published in Louisville, Kentucky. Olin L. Abney's name is first on the list of the recent graduates of the Louisville Medical College. His residence is listed as Louisiana.⁸

He appeared in a newspaper article 3 June 1881 in the Shreveport Daily Standard, published in Shreveport, Louisiana. "The health of our country is excellent. We have two fine physicians in our neighborhood, one of whom is our young friend Dr. O. L. Abney, who has lately graduated at Louisville, Ky., and has located here at this place."⁸

Olin married Mary Welder on 19 December 1889 in Victoria, Victoria County, Texas. Her fatherJohn James Welder was born in Germany.¹¹

From the 1890 publication Types of Successful Men in Texas by L. E. Daniell, self-published, p. 365: Dr. O. L. Abney. Victoria, TX -- "Dr. O. L. Abney was born December 15, 1852 at Newberry, S. C. His parents were Zack and Lizzie Abney, native Americans. He came to Texas in 1883 [sic]. Received his literary education at Gilmer and Marshall, Texas, and at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Studied medicine with Dr. Schumpert, at Bethany, La; attended lectures in 1879 at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1880 and at Louisville, Ky., where he graduated the following spring. In 1887, he took a special course at the New York Polyclinic, and one at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. Previous to coming to Texas, he practiced a short while at Mooringsport, La. (1882), and before removing to Victoria (1887), he practiced (1883 to 1886) at Ellinger, Texas.

He is a member of the Texas State Medical Association, and of the Victoria County Medical Society. The Doctor has now become known as a writer, preferring to devote his time to study rather than in endeavoring to instruct others. He is unmarried. Doing a general practice, he is partial to the surgical branch, to which he devotes special attention."⁸

He was apparently involved in horse racing. An 1894 article in a Louisville, Kentucky newspaper noted that O. L. Abney of Victoria, Texas "bought horse Baron Nutpatch for $530." Then in 1895 a Galveston, Texas paper noted "It is rumored that Dr. O. L. Abney of Fort Worth will bring his stable of trotters here for the fair races."

On 13 Jan 1897 The Fort Worth Record and Register wrote Road Races. Several Gentlemen to Take Part in Them Thursday. "For some time past interest in the royal sport of horse racing has been allowed to lag in this city. Last year there was a slight effort made to reorganize a gentleman's racing club, but nothing ever came of it. Another move in that direction is now being made, with the ultimate object of stimulating an interest in racing and looking to organizing of a race association and also the building of a suitable track.. . .

At any rate, Dr. O. L. Abney and others are arranging for a mumbler of races between gentlemen's roadsters to be run tomorrow afternoon at the old race track, northwest of the city, no admission being charged. . . ." O. L. Abney is one of those registered to race in the three races - trotting, pacing, and a trotting or pacing race.⁸

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY and Mary Welder appeared in a newspaper article 26 October 1895 in the Victoria Advocate, published in Victoria, Texas. "A very pleasant euchre party was given Wednesday evening, at the residence of Mrs. D. Welder, in honor of Mrs. O. L. Abney, of Fort Worth, who is on a visit to Victoria, her former home. The occasion was one of enjoyment, and will long be remembered by the ladies present."⁸

He was listed in the 1900 city directory for Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dr. Olin L. Abney, physician, office 119 1/2 N. Phillips Avenue, rooms at same location. --- Note: An ad shows him in Sioux Falls by 8 Sep 1899.¹²

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY and Mary Welder were divorced circa 1899 in Texas. In the 1900 census Mary Abney is living in Victoria with her sister Agnes and husband James H. Fleming and shown as divorced. It indicated that she had been married only one year. In later census records she is listed as Mary Welder.

This may may be the explanation for Dr. Abney's surprising move to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in late 1899. According to Wikepedia: "Beginning in the 1880s, a 90-day residency law and lax oversight on the part of local judges concerning sworn testimony caused word to spread across the United States that a legal divorce was easily obtained in Dakota Territory. As a result, both Sioux Falls and Fargo (in later North Dakota) became known as "divorce capitals". Thousands of people traveled to the towns seeking a divorce, with the resulting divorce rate in Minnehaha County during this period being nearly three times that of the national average... Divorce laws were tightened after statehood, and the phenomenon had ended by the early 1900s."^13,14,15

Olin Abney, according to his first cousin Elizabeth Schumpert Cassity, was a "fine physician," "but I do not know how many times Olin married, 3 or 4 times perhaps. However, he did not wait for them to die, he just divorced them." Olin had three sons, Lawson LeRoy (1886-1926), Louis John Maresh (1886-1978), and Glen Marsh Abney (1902-1957). [my note: could Maresh be Marsh?]^16,17

On 12 September 1900 Olin is residing in Vienna, Austria. He applied for a passport for only himself. He said that he was born in Newberry, SC on 15 Dec 1858 (sic). His father was a U. S. citizen. He resides in Fort Worth, Texas and is a physician. He plans to return to the U. S. within two years and wants the passport for the purpose of traveling. He left the U. S. on 18 May 1900 and is currently residing in Vienna. He is described as 41 years old, six feet tall, has a high forehead, bluish grey eyes, a straight nose, a full chin, dark brown hair, a ruddy complexion, an oval face, and a moustache. He has not applied anywhere else for a passport and has never been refused one.⁸

Olin married Cora E. Marsh on 1 November 1901 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma Territory. The service took place at the parsonage of the Church of Christ and was performed by A. B. Carpenter, minister of the Gospel. Witnesses were F. E. Quarles and Mrs. Emma F. Carpenter. The groom was listed at 42 years old and born in South Carolina and the bride was 18 and born in Illinois. Note: Oklahoma did not become a state until 16 Nov 1907.¹⁸

He purchased a government land patent 19 May 1902 in Comanche County, Oklahoma. This is from U. S. General Land Office records..

He appeared in a newspaper article 28 May 1903 in the The Kansas city Star, published in Kansas City, Missouri. The Lawton & Chickasaw Cental Company Chartered in Guthrie, Oklahoma --- O. L. Abney of Lawton was one of the directors of the Lawton Chickasaw Central Railroad that was chartered on this date. It was to build a line from Lawton to Sulphur Springs.⁸

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY and Cora E. Marsh sold a tract of land to B. K. Morriss on 21 August 1903 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma Territory. Dr. O. L. Abney and Cora Abney, his wife. for $200 sold lots 5, 6 and 7 of block 2 of the Beal addition in Lawton.

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 3 September 1903 in the Lawton News-Republican, published in Lawton, Oklahoma. "Mr. Cory Abney and his sister, Miss Jennie Abney, of Texas. are visiting at the home of their uncle Dr. O. L. Abney. At present they are spending a few days in the mountains with Judge Hanna's family." Cary and Jennie were the children of Olin's brother, Cary M. Abney of Waskom, Texas.

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY and Cora E. Marsh were divorced in March 1904 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. From the 10 Mar1904 issue of the Lawton News-Republican (Lawton, OK): “Lew Martin has been attending court the past week. He is a witness in the Abney divorce case.”

In a deed dated 10 Jun 1905 in Lawton "O. L. Abney (single man)" sold lot 28 in block 51 for $250 to T. S. Hatton. This would seem to indicate that he and Cora were no longer married. The marriage might have been annulled as Cora was only 17 when they married. The legal age for men was 21 and for women it was 18.¹⁹

He appeared in a newspaper article 23 May 1905 in the The Lawton Constitution, published in Lawton, Oklahoma. Dr. O. L. Abney has leased a suite of rooms in the E & W Building and will fit them up for offices. The doctor is one of the most experienced and successful physicians in the city, but he has given little attention to the practice of his profession since residing here. He says that he is going to practice medicine now actively.⁸

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 8 September 1906 in the Sulphur Times-Democrat, published in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Dr. O. L. Abney, Rooms 211, 212, 213, First National Bank Building... Treats Chronics. Uses Superheated Air Baths, Vibratory Stimulation and Electricity in all its forms. X Ray and Microscopical Examinations,

Then on Nov. 24th they reported that Dr. M. M. MacKellar and Dr. O. L. Abney have formed a partnership and opened the Sulphus Sanitorium in the East wing of the Monte Carlo Building.⁸

Olin married Lucina Frances Steere on 4 September 1909 in Neosha, Newton County, Missouri.²⁰

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY and Lucina Frances Steere appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 12 May 1910 in Haskell Township, Tillman County, Oklahoma. The household was listed as Oland L. Abney was a 48 year old physician, born in South Carolina, and his wife, Lucina F. Abney, was 30 years old and born in Minnesota. They had been married 8 months. It was his second marriage and her first. Also in the household was his son Glenn F. Abney, 7 years old and born in Oklahoma. His mother was born in Missouri.²¹

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY was shown as a medical doctor practicing on 15 September 1911 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His specialty was Allopath. He also practiced in Chattanooga, Oklahoma 27 Jul 1911, in Eustis, Florida in February 1914, in Safety Harbor, Florida 13 Jul 1914, and in Waskom, Texas 2 Mar 1917.¹⁰

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY and Fannie Steere were listed in the 1913 city directory for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Olin L. Abney (Fannie S.), physician, 414 Oklahoman Building, residence 212 East 5th Street.

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY and Lucina Frances Steere appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 6 January 1920 in Justice Precinct 8, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as Olan Abney, a 65 year old physician, born in South Carolina, and his wife Francis Abney, was 40 years old and born in Minnesota. They owned their home free of mortgage. Also in the household was his son, Glen Abney, age 17, born in Oklahoma. He was attending school. They lived on the Waskom and Shrieveport Road.²²

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY died on 30 May 1923 in Waskom, Harrison County, Texas, at age 70. He was buried in Abney-Rudd Cemetery. This cemetery no longer exists. His remains were later moved to the Colonial Gardens Cemetery in Marshall.

His obituary appeared 8 June 1923 in the The Marshall Messenger, published in Marshall, Texas.

     Cary McClure ABNEY Jr., son of Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Anna Josephine Jones, was born on 8 August 1883 in Waskom, Harrison County, Texas.¹

Cary McClure ABNEY Jr. appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1900, in the household of his parents Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Anna Josephine Jones in Precinct 2, Waskom, Harrison County, Texas. He was listed as Cary Abney, age 17, born August 1882 in Texas, and attending school. He graduated in 1902 at the University of Virginia . He later graduated law school in 1904 from the University of Texas became a lawyer, and maintained a law office in Marshall.²

Dr. Olin Light ABNEY, Cary McClure ABNEY Jr. and Genevieve ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 3 September 1903 in the Lawton News-Republican, published in Lawton, Oklahoma. "Mr. Cory Abney and his sister, Miss Jennie Abney, of Texas. are visiting at the home of their uncle Dr. O. L. Abney. At present they are spending a few days in the mountains with Judge Hanna's family." Cary and Jennie were the children of Olin's brother, Cary M. Abney of Waskom, Texas.

Cary married Katherine Young on 30 May 1909 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. From The Times of Shreveport, Louisiana, 16 May 1909: Waskom, Texas -- The following invitations have been received here: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Peters Young request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Mary Katherine, to Mr. Cary McClure Abney, Jr., on Thursday evening, May 30, 1909 at 9 o'clock, 303 South College Street, Marshall, Texas."

... The groom is one of the leading young attorneys of Marshall. He received his earliest education here, afterwards attending for a number of sessions, Texas A&M, in Bryan; University of Virgina and University of Texas, taking special law courses, and was graduated from the university of his native state, Texas. ...bride elect is the daughter of the Hon. T. P. Young, one of the abliest attorneys at the bar in Marshall.

Cary McClure ABNEY Jr. was an attorney in the firm of McGee and Abney on 26 July 1914 in Marshall, Texas. His law partner was M. P. McGee and their office was above the Marshall State Bank.

Cary McClure ABNEY Jr. was a Democratic state representative between 1923 and 1925 serving the voters of Harrison County, Texas.²

Cary McClure ABNEY Jr. died on 15 June 1969 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas, at age 85. He was buried in Algoma Cemetery, Marshall, Harrison County, Texas.³

     Katherine Young was born on 17 July 1884 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas.

Katherine married Cary McClure ABNEY Jr., son of Cary McClure ABNEY Sr. and Anna Josephine Jones, on 30 May 1909 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. From The Times of Shreveport, Louisiana, 16 May 1909: Waskom, Texas -- The following invitations have been received here: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Peters Young request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Mary Katherine, to Mr. Cary McClure Abney, Jr., on Thursday evening, May 30, 1909 at 9 o'clock, 303 South College Street, Marshall, Texas."

... The groom is one of the leading young attorneys of Marshall. He received his earliest education here, afterwards attending for a number of sessions, Texas A&M, in Bryan; University of Virgina and University of Texas, taking special law courses, and was graduated from the university of his native state, Texas. ...bride elect is the daughter of the Hon. T. P. Young, one of the abliest attorneys at the bar in Marshall.

Katherine Young died on 23 February 1977 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas, at age 92. She was buried in Algoma Cemetery, Marshall, Harrison County, Texas.

     Reuben Knight ABNEY, son of Cary McClure ABNEY Jr. and Katherine Young, was born on 22 January 1918 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. He was an attorney.

Reuben Knight ABNEY enlisted in the U. S. Army during World War II on 7 March 1942 at Tyler, Texas. He served in General George S. Patton’s Third Army in Europe, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and served until the end of the War.¹

Reuben Knight ABNEY died on 11 September 2009 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas, at age 91.

     Thomas Young ABNEY, son of Cary McClure ABNEY Jr. and Katherine Young, was born on 21 October 1915 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. He was an attorney.

Thomas Young ABNEY served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II enlisting in Tyler, Texas, on 23 November 1940. He spent much of his time ferrying bombers from the east coast to England.¹

Thomas Young ABNEY died on 12 December 1981 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas, at age 66. He was buried in Colonial Gardens Cemetery.

     Cary McClure ABNEY III, son of Cary McClure ABNEY Jr. and Katherine Young, was born on 2 April 1910 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas.¹ He graduated in 1934 from Texas A&M University with a degree in Agricultural Administration. After college he was the owner of an insurance agency in Marshall, Texas.

Cary began military service at age 30 on 26 March 1941 in Fort McIntosh, Laredo, Texas, captain in the U. S. Army field artillery. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese 9 Apr 1942 on the Bataan Peninsula. Before capture he survived a bomb strike on his quarters that killed six of the nine occupants. He was in the infamous Bataan Death March to the Japanese prisoner of war Camp O'Donnell. He was later moved to Cabanatuan, Davao City Penal Colony and then to the old prison of Billbid on Manilla Bay.

Despite the horrific conditions he faced each day, Abney kept a notebook that detailed the fate of some 221 officers and men, including 20 Texas Aggies, who were killed or captured by the Japanese. Just before boarding a Japanese transport in December 1944, Abney gave his notebook to a fellow American officer with instructions to send it to back to Texas where it arrived in September 1945. Protected only by a crudely fashioned canvas cover, Abney’s journal is in remarkably good condition. Of the 221 officers and men he lists in the book, 135 were killed in battle or died when they were prisoners. Of those, 99 perished on Japanese “Hell Ships.” There were 86 men who survived the war, with six escaping from Japanese ships and 80 being rescued or liberated from POW camps in the Philippines, Korea, Manchuria and Japan.^1,2

In October 1944, the Japanese began moving the remaining prisoners (taken on Bataan and Corregidor) to Manila for shipment to Japan. Many were moved to Bilibid at Manila for processing before boarding ships with no markings to indicate they were carrying prisoners of war. Because life aboard these small steamers and freighters was “a living Hell,” they became known as “Hell Ships,” at least eight of which were sunk by submarines or planes from U. S. carriers.

Shortly after leaving with 750 American POWs that had been on work details near Lasang, Mindanao, the Shinyo Maru (an antiquated freighter) was torpedoed off the coast of Mindanao by the USS Paddlefish September 7, 1944. Japanese guards shot many prisoners as they struggled from the holds or were in the water. Of the POWs aboard, 668 died, including 24 listed in Captain Abney’s notebook. Five listed in the notebook survived. Unknown to those aboard the Paddlefish, 82 survivors made it to shore where they were helped by friendly Filipinos and made it inland to a Guerrilla group commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel John H. McGee who had been confined at Davao, had escaped by jumping overboard from the Yashu Maru June 15, 1944, and joined the Guerrilla forces. After McGee’s group sent a radio message to U. S. forces, the USS Narhal was assigned to pick up the survivors and did so on October 29.

The Arisan Maru, a freighter, left Manila for Japan October 11, 1944, with 1,800 prisoners, and was torpedoed by the USS Shark October 24. At least 28 of the men listed in Captain Abney’s notebook lost their lives on that ship and no more than eight of the 1,800 prisoners survived.

Late in the afternoon of December 13, 1944, after receiving about 30 letters from home, Captain Abney and 67 of his friends were put on the Oryoku Maru, which left Manila the following morning, with 1619 American POWs packed in its holds. U.S. Navy planes from the USS Hornet attacked the unmarked ship, causing it to sink the following day in Subic Bay. Two hundred eighty-six prisone rs were killed or shot in the water as they tried to escape.

Nine of his friends were killed in the attack on the Oryoku Maru The survivors were placed on the Enoura Maru, which left Luzon December 27 with 1,070 prisoners and was bombed by planes from the Hornet January 9, 1945, in Takao Harbor, Formosa. Three hundred sixteen POWs were killed in that attack. Captain Abney was injured and many of his friends were killed. Captain Abney and 37 of his friends were then placed on board the Brazil Maru, on which Captain Abney and 11 of his friends died before reaching Japan. Of the 68 that left Manila on the Oryoku Maru, 25 were alive when the Brazil reached Japan. A number of those died within a month.

A letter dated July 24, 1945, from the Adjutant General of the Army to Cary M. Abney, Sr., stated 1619 prisoners of war embarked December 13, 1944, at Manila on a Japanese vessel, presumably for transfer to Japan and that ship was bombed and sunk in Subic Bay, Luzon, December 15. The letter said partial official lists of those lost and the survivors had been received from the Japanese government and 942 of the prisoners, including Cary M. Abney, Jr., are officially reported by the Japanese to have lost their lives at the time and of the survivors remaining in the hands of the Japanese, 59 are reported to have died and others to have been later transferred to Japan. The letter said only 2 of the prisoners of war aboard are known to have evaded recapture and returned to our forces.

A later letter, dated January 12, 1948, from the Adjutant General to Cary M. Abney, Sr. stated information recently received indicates "your son survived the bombing and sinking of the Oryoku Maru on 15 December 1944 and was transferred to the Enoura Maru which was bombed 9 January 1945 in Takao Harbor, Formosa. He was then placed on board the Brazil Maru and died 28 January 1945 at sea between Formosa and Japan of wounds incurred in the bombing of the Enoura Maru."

Published reports state the survivors of the Oryoku Maru were loaded on the Enoura Maru, which took a direct hit by a U.S. Navy bomber, killing over half of the 500 POWs, and the survivors were put aboard the Brazil Maru and arrived in Moji, Japan on January 29, 1945. Only 450 of the original 1619 on the Oryoku were still alive. Included in those killed on the Oryoku were a son, Major T. N Powell, Jr. (listed in Captain Abney’s notebook) and his father, Lieutenant Colonel T. N. Powell.³

Cary McClure ABNEY III died on 15 December 1944 in Philippines at age 34.