Elizabeth F Epling Polley Coleman Rhodes Looney
Hi All:
I recently discovered our George Rhodes (b abt 1845 Whitley Co KY) married Elizabeth Epling Polley (b abt 1836 VA) in Buchanan Co VA July 1884. He was granted a shady divorce from Elizabeth in 1889 citing adultery. (it appears she had not been served before the proceeding. RT Hackney family members were "witnesses" to her indescretions)
In the last years of her life ahe took the name Coleman. (had a child, Miles, by Moses). She also had children by Joseph Looney : Dulcina and George E. (who later went by the name Looney). I am looking for any information on this woman and her children.
Regarding their marriage:
Buchanan Co VA Marriages, pg. 42 31 Jul 1884 George Rhodes 35 wd b. Harlan KY, s/o John -- Elizabeth Epling 47 s b. Pike Co KY, d/o Isaac "Marriages Buchanan County, VA, 1858-1890" copied from microfilm by Jesse Stewart.
Regarding their divorce:
Our George Jones was the petitioner against Elizabeth Rhodes. The documents state that they had been estranged / separated for up to 2 years before the petition was filed. George may have filed the petition June 19, 1888. He may have attached depositions by George Hackney and RT Hackney at that time.
Witness George Hackney (41 years of age) stated: " I know of her having been, within the past 5 years,in bed with a man who was not her husband and who was not related to her. That was at her house in Pike County by and about 10 o'clock at night. She was under the cover with the man- I went to this place with this man that night, who told me on the way that he was going there to 'git him a little that night'. This is the same man I saw in bed under the cover."
RT Hackney, George's daughter's future father-in-law stated:
" I know and of my personal knowledge of her having an illicit and improper conversation with a man during her marriage with George Rhodes who was not her husband who was not related to her-
I know also of her having left her husband George Rhodes of her own accord, that she positively refused to live with him, acknowledging at that time that that he was good to her and treated her alright. I moved her from his residence himself and I know that she has not lived with him for two years past."
There are additional documents that appear to state that Elizabeth Rhodes was not served with the divorce papers.
George's divorce cost $28.20
According to Ken Lintott:
" George Hackney, the witness against Elizabeth (Epling) Rhodes is likely the son of John T. Hackney and Frances Hurley and whose wife Vandalia Francis was one of "the other women" in Shadrack's affair.
...RT Hackney was a witness on behalf of George Rhodes in his divorce and the next year apparently conducted the marriage of George and Mary Jane at the home of Mary Janes father, Ruel Priest Hackney."
Thanks
Rita
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