The next is a visitor submit by Candice Buchanan, a reference librarian within the Historical past and Family tree Part within the Analysis and Reference Companies Division. Candice labored with the Toothman household by her volunteer work with the Greene County, Pennsylvania Archives, and has their permission to jot down about their ancestor Abigail “Muddy” Toothman.
As genealogists meticulously reconstruct the lives and households of our ancestors, we search extra than simply their names and dates. We persistently pursue these elusive particulars – nonetheless small – that can restore personalities to their profiles.
Clues to these characters are sometimes found inside the hundreds of newspaper pages databased within the Library of Congress *Chronicling America historic newspaper assortment.
In simply such a case, this useful useful resource unraveled an unanticipated yarn that supplied a backstory to a stupendous {photograph} and a little bit of household folklore.
The placing younger lady within the good hat is Abigail “Muddy” (Kiger) Toothman (1870-1964), spouse of Harry Sterling Toothman, daughter of Lee Roy Kiger and Mary (Wells) Kiger.
To the unaware outsider, Abigail’s beautiful likeness elicits admiration, however for her grandchildren it has been a supply of astonished amusement. Her heirs have discovered it entertaining to reconcile this youthful picture with the aged lady, whom they affectionately knew as “Muddy.”
Fundamental household historical past data present that earlier than her marriage, Abigail lived together with her mother and father and siblings in Monongalia County, West Virginia, however her descendants knew nothing private about her adolescence.
Household custom has forgotten Muddy’s youth. Her legacy begins with the beginning of her one and solely youngster. One and solely as a result of after the labor ended, Muddy allegedly declared that she wouldn’t be doing that once more. The newborn boy was accordingly christened with each title that the couple could have in any other case bestowed upon a number of sons: Glenn Jacob Roy Thornton Toothman.
It’s a story that has run by the household together with the title. Abigail’s great-grandson, Glenn III, knew his powerful ancestor through the ultimate decade of her 93 years: “Muddy was as feisty as her hat was daring. No matter age, she was identified to sneak out to the bar for a double-bourbon and rub of snuff. When my father (Glenn Jr.), whom she known as ‘Junie,’ complained to her about this unacceptable behavior, Muddy shortly put him in his place by famously saying, ‘Junie you don’t know nothing about life till you’ve lived all of it’.”
So, we needed to marvel simply what was the life that Abigail had lived? Enter the newspapers.
Admittedly, although we hoped to seek out some private insights within the small city newspapers of days passed by, we have been shocked and moved by the surprising vary of search outcomes Chronicling America yielded.
A Childhood Filled with Music!
Censuses, courthouses, and tombstones present the important information in regards to the Kigers, however give away nothing very warm or private.
So, when the Morgantown, West Virginia information revealed that Abigail’s father, Lee Roy Kiger, was a preferred, native musician, it was an thrilling shock!
We first discover Lee Roy’s title in print when he misplaced his music ebook in 1853.
Kiger-Wells Marriage
An vital growth essential to Abigail’s existence was printed in 1855, when her father married her mom.
![A newspaper clipping with visible text that reads: “Married: On the 29th ult. by [Eld. A. J. Bowman]. Mr. Lee Roy Kiger and Miss Mary Wells, all of Morgantown.”](https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/files/2022/06/1855-03-31-Kiger-300x189.jpg)
Musical Farmer
By March 1859, Lee Roy and Mary have been the mother and father of 1 son, Rollie, with one other son, Henry, on the way in which. Although Census data constantly listing him as a farmer and tanner, Lee Roy was clearly persevering with his musical pursuits whereas elevating his household.
Dancing Till Daylight
Twenty years later, Lee Roy and Mary had accomplished their household, with 4 identified kids: Rollie (1858-1933), Henry (1859-1865), Catherine (1862-1954), and Abigail (1870-1964). The three surviving Kiger children have been ages 21, 17, and 9 years outdated, when this all-night dance celebration stuffed their residence with nimble ft.
A New Sister
Abigail’s brother, Rollie was wed in 1880, to a gal from one other ceaselessly talked about household within the social columns, Matilda Frum.
Apples and Mates
Abigail was 13 years outdated once we first discover her title within the social columns, together with an apple-cutting occasion hosted by her father.
The Occasion of the Season
This one speaks for itself!
Abbie on the City
By 1885, Abigail is out and about with associates. Many such visits backwards and forwards made the papers. Although solely the highlights are seen right here, anybody may return to the newspapers to reconstruct this teenage lady’s social scene!
Tragedy Strikes
Then life modified. Abigail was 15 years outdated when she misplaced her mom, Mary (Wells) Kiger, on December 12, 1885.
One other Loss
The demise of Abigail’s sister-in-law on November 28, 1887, meant that her brother, Rollie, was left a widower with a younger household. A number of years later, after her marriage, the elder two of those three Kiger kids got here to dwell with Abigail, the place they have been enumerated at her residence within the 1900 Census.
The Swan Music
Lee Roy Kiger’s energetic life was stilled within the spring of 1888.
Left to Mourn His Loss
Abigail was 17 years outdated when her father handed away on April 20, 1888.
Guardian Appointed
An orphaned minor, Abigail was appointed a guardian by the Monongalia County Courtroom. Her case is on file within the Bond Books of the County Clerk’s workplace on the Courthouse in Morgantown.
Life Goes On
Within the ultimate entry of her girlhood, Abbie makes a dramatic exit. Now 18-years-old, she leaves residence alone to seek out her personal method.
Coming of Age
When Abigail married Harry Sterling Toothman (1872-1951) on July 19, 1890, they each lied about their ages, saying they have been 21 (bride) and 19 (groom), despite the fact that they’d simply turned 20 (bride) and 18 (groom). Harry’s cause is unclear as a result of he nonetheless required his father’s signature, however Abigail averted the required consent of her guardian by declaring herself to be of authorized age. Their nuptials are recorded in Marriage Book 2, page 55 on the courthouse in Fairmont, Marion County, West Virginia.
It was on this city, the place Abigail transitioned from Miss to Mrs., that she proudly donned her signature hat and sat for the photographer.
She was a woman who grew up with music and dancing, household, and associates. Her world was shaken by a succession of nice losses that modified her life without end earlier than she had even reached her majority.
However on this second, imagining her seated in entrance of the digital camera, it’s that ultimate newspaper discover that units the scene for a way the items of her story have come collectively, as Abigail steams off to study her commerce – millinery – the craft of designing, making, trimming and promoting hats. The hat could make the woman, particularly if the woman could make the hat! This feels much less like a wave from the previous than a wink, which appears excellent for Muddy.
*The Chronicling America historic newspapers on-line assortment is a product of the National Digital Newspaper Program and collectively sponsored by the Library and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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