Causey, Diana + Linthicum, John W = William A., Daniel, Soloman, Elizabeth, Al
I have been working on my family history, primarily on the Linthicum surname, for a number of years. Records I have found indicate that my great-great grandfather, William A. Linthicum (WAL), was born in Guilford County, NC around 1825 to 1829.He migrated through KY to southern IN where he died a pauper and a Civil War Veteran in Crawford County in 1877.
My mission at this point is to find WAL’s parents.Even before I learned that WAL was probably born in Guilford County, I had combed KY and all nearby states 1830 and 1840 Censuses and only the ones from Guilford County seemed to have the right demographics to contain WAL and his parents.When I had the opportunity this fall, I spent a few days in the Greensboro area. In using the resources of the Greensboro Public Library, the High Point Library, the Asheboro/Randolph County Library and the Friend’s Collection at Guilford College I was not able to find a definite link between WAL and his forebears but I did accumulate great many facts about an individual named John W. Linthicum (JWL).I took an immediate liking to this individual because one of WAL’s sons, my great-grandfather, is also a John W. Linthicum.I may have created a massive “red herring” for myself by letting this possible coincidence sway me but lacking any other good trail to follow, I have made a few assumptions about the Guilford County JWL. and pressed on:
One assumption is that the JWL that I have in the facts below is the same individual who is reported on the 1830 and/or the 1840 Census as “John Lincicum” and “Jno. Linthecum.” This JWL shows a wife, 2 sons and a daughter in the 1830 Census and a wife, 3 sons and 3 daughters in the 1840 Census.WAL is a good fit within the age brackets shown.Another assumption is that this JWL might be the son of Sr. Daniel Linthicum whose family is documented in a frequently referenced book, “Genealogy of the Linthicum and Allied Families” by Matilda P. Badger, which traces the Linthicum family roots back to Maryland in the 1600’s.This JWL has siblings Soloman Linthicum, Richard Linthicum, Daniel Linthicum Jr., Christopher Linthicum, and Elizabeth Linthicum.
Now the clues we have about JWL that I hope will some day lead to learning enough to know if he was indeed the father of my WAL:
JWL marries Diana Causey on March 25, 1823.Soloman Linthicum appears on the Guilford County marriage bond.If the 2nd assumption above is valid, Soloman could be JWL’s brother.
John Linthicum appears several times in the Post Office’s “dead letter” articles in the Greensboro Patriot (GP).
A John Linthicum is listed as a delegate to the Guilford Temperance Convention from the Rehobeth Methodist Church near Greensboro in the 4/18/1846 edition of the GP.I have been in contact with the church historian to see if there may be any records of John and family.
Diana Causey Linthicum’s death on 9/18/1842 is reported in the 9/24/1842 GP.Her age is reported as 44, which fits into the brackets of the 1830 and 40 Census.
JWL’s death is reported in the 9/18/1847 GP.He is memorialized as a frequently published contributor to the GP.He was noted for his verse bemoaning the follies of the time and remembered by his “ nom de plume”, The Village Bard.It was mentioned that he, no doubt, had much personal experience of the evils of the alcoholic spirit.
It appears that JWL died intestate (without a will) and his estate was subject to probate.There are two Guilford County Court documents dated November 15th?, 1847 where a $200 and $500 bond are posted by those who will “see after” and “account for” JWL’s estate. There is a great deal of legal hocus pocus and an inventory dated February 1850 for JWL’s estate which shows no real property. The bottom line to this untrained observer is that there are no children or heirs named and perhaps the State and the lawyers are the only benefactors from JWL’s untimely and poorly planned demise.
In the 1850 Guilford County, Southern Division Census there are some younger Linthicums living with other families that could be JWL and Diana’s orphaned kids:
(1.On line 1625 with the Howrens, there is an Elizabeth Linthicum, 52, who could be JWL’s sister, an Albert Linthicum, 23 and a Daniel Linthicum, 21.
(2.On line 811 with the Coes, there is a John B. Linthecum, 16, who is probably apprenticed as a blacksmith.
(3.On line 1616 with the Wilsons, there is a Diana Linthicum, 19.
If you are still with me, I’ll assume that you do have a bit of natural curiosity and maybe will take a peek into your family records and see if just perhaps your family tree has the branch that has eluded me thus far.I would love to hear from you and would be happy to share sources for any of the information I have accumulated.I assure you that I use good virus protection and do not mass forward every thing I receive to everyone in my address book.If you have anyone in your family researching Linthicum and Causey, please pass this query on to them.
Thank you
Terry L. Linthicum