1. The verifiable names of the children of Reuben Mabe are: First marriage to Sarah Cherry 1) Alexander (1818-1899), 2) Samuel N. Mabe (1829-1915), 3) Larkin Mabe (about 1837-), and 4) Sarah (1839-1909), Second marriage to Polly Lawson Johnson 1) Lucinda (about 1856-), 2) Sophrona Mabe (about 1859--), 3) Jesse (about 1862), 4) Reuben Mabe (about 1864-), and 5) Mary Cornelia Mabe (1866-1935).
A. The sources for this information are the 1850, 1860, and 1870 Hawkins County, Tennessee census records for Reuben Mabe.
B. There is an assumption on my part that Sarah Cherry was Reuben's wife from at least 1817, and she died or was divorced from him before 1855.
C. Other sources are the pension application that Polly Mabe filed in 1881 for Reuben's War of 1812 service wherein she stated that she and Reuben married in October 1855 and her surname at the time of marriage was Johnson.
D. The maiden name of Sarah was noted in a family bible maintained by the descendants of her daughter, Sarah Mabe.
E. The exact birth date and death dates of Alexander was recorded in a family bible maintained by the ancestors of his daughter, Nancy Anne Mabe.
F. Alexander was identified as Reuben's son because of debt, 'Alexander Mabe ran into financial trouble before 1850 in Hawkins County. Reuben Mabe stated in the court minutes that he was Alexander's father and took on the debt himself'. NOTE: Posted by David Jones on MABE GENFORUM.
G. The source for the birth and death dates for Samuel N. Mabe is his and his wife's Civil War pension application records.
H. The source for birth and death dates for Sarah Mabe is the family records of Hilton Turner.
I. The source for birth and death dates for Mary Cornelia Mabe is the family records of Carol Doren.
J. The rest of the approximate birth dates came from the census records.
2. The 1830 Hawkins County, TN census is the first known census where Reuben appears as a head of house-hold. Since he had children born before 1820 either his census records were lost or he must have been staying in another household in 1820 in Tennessee or North Carolina. Using information from the 1830 and 1840 census you can gather information about approximate ages of the possible children of Reuben and compare this data to the 1850 census records.
The 1830 Hawkins County, Tennessee census: Mabe, Reuben
310001-221001
Males: 3 (under 5) birth date (1826-1830), 1 (5 to 9) birth date (1821-1825)
Females: 2 (under 5) birth date (1826-1830), 2 (5 to 9) birth date (1821-1825),
1 (10 to 15) birth date (1815-1820)
NOTE: Where is Alexander? He would be 13 in 1830. 9 children total.
The 1840 Hawkins County, Tennessee census:
Mayab, Reuben
1120001-1011001
Translation:
Males: 1 (under 5) Larkin, 1 (5 to 9) Samuel, 2 (10 to 14) birth date (1826-
1830)
Females: 2 (under 5) Sarah, 1 with birth date of 1836-1840, 1 (10 to 14) birth date (1826-1830), 1 (15 to 19) birth date (1821-1825)
NOTE: One female born between 1815 and 1820 left. One female born between
1821 and1825 left. One male born between1826 and 1830 left. One
female, who was born between 1836 and 1840, is not listed in the 1850 census record of Reuben Mabe. 9 children total.
3. William Mabe (1813-1896) and Martha Mabe Smith Trent are brother and sister. This information is in an affidavit filed by William that is included within the application that Martha filed to collect pension benefits for the Civil War death of her son, Moses Smith.
4. William Mabe, in his 1892 Civil War pension application S190, stated that he had been a resident of Tennessee for 70 years. This means he moved with his family to Tennessee on or about 1822.
5. Within the Civil War pension application for George Mabe, alias George Smith, Martha Trent filed an affidavit that says that she knew George from the time he was a small child and his step-father was named Smith. He lived with her for 12 years after his discharge and she also verified the extent of his illnesses. George was listed as living within Benjamin Trent's (Martha's husband) household in his Hawkins County, Tennessee 1870 census record. George could be the George Mabe that was listed under the 1850 Hawkins County, Tennessee census for David Mabe. They have similar birth years. Since Martha had been married to Moses Smith she could have known George from that relationship or she could have been related to him in some way from the Mabe side. There is no mention of the names of George's father, step-father, or mother. Martha Trent is same person that was the mother of Moses Smith.
6. Isabella Mabe filed an application for a pension in 1869 for the Civil War death of her husband, Robert. It states that Robert was a Corporal in Company E of 4th Regiment of the Tennessee Calvary and was killed at Holston River in Tennessee on September 14, 1862. He was mustered on March 17, 1862. At first he was listed as a deserter which was later changed to captured and killed by the rebels in a personal altercation. On the application is their wedding date (1851), and the names and birthdays of their children. This Robert Mabe is not listed in the 1850 and 1860 censuses under the name of Robert Mabe, but is listed under the name of Robert Moore. This is a transcript of those two censuses and the 1870 census where you can see their surname is Mabe:
1850 Hawkins Co. TN census District 10 HH 66 John L. Moore 55 Wheelwright VA
Hannah 32 NC
Robert 18 NC
Mary 16 VA
Lucinda 13 VA
Elija 8 VA
Sophia 5 TN
Thomas 3 TN
1860 Hawkins Co. TN census District 8 page 66 PO: Surgeonsville, TN HH 463:
Robert Moore age 30 M Day Laborer b. NC
Isabella " age 27 F b. NC
Mary " age 7 F b. TN
Hannah " age 5 F b. TN
Lutitia " age 3 F b. TN
Drewry " age 2 M. b. TN
The 1870 Hawkins County, Tennessee census:
Mabe, Isabella (35), Mary (17), Hannah (15), Sutr__ (Luiticia) (13), Dewey (11),
and Susan (9)
NOTE: The wife and children's given names, listed in the 1860 census, are the
same as the given names that are listed in the pension application that Isabella
filed in 1869. This Robert could not be the son of Reuben, but he might be his
grandson and the illegitimate son of his daughter Hannah or a son who married
Hannah.
7. There are no records listing the names of the children of Reuben Mabe.
8. There are no pre-1850 Hawkins County, Tennessee marriage records for any Mabe, male or female.
9. Let's look in the Tennessee 1850 census and beyond for other possible children of Reuben that meet the following age criteria and born in TN or NC:
1 female born between 1815 and 1820 she left before 1840 census
2 females born between 1821 and 1825 one left before 1840 census
1 female born between1826 and 1830
3 males born between1826 and 1830 one left before 1840 census
1 female born between 1836 and 1840 left before the 1850 census
NOTE: These census records do not identify the children's relationship to
Reuben. The children could be his, his grandchildren, or someone that is or is
not related to him.
Analysis of the 1850 and 1860 Tennessee census:
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: TN COUNTY: Hawkins DISTRICT 2 92-626 Mabe, David M 60 No occupation, NC, Mary F 55 NC, William M 12 TN,
Margaret F 10 TN, George M 4 TN, Nugley M 2 TN.
David is the mystery man of this census. He was born in North Carolina, but he is not
listed as a head of household in any census prior to this or in subsequent censuses
either. The names of his father and mother are unknown. It is possible that he is the
son of Robert Mabe, Sr. of Stokes County, North Carolina. According to a law suit
filed against the family of Robert, Sr., a David Mabe is listed as the son of Robert, Sr.
However, that David is not listed in any censuses either. William and Margaret could
possibly be his son and daughter. If William and Margaret are his children then
David would have to moved to Tennessee prior to their births. Because of her age his
wife Mary would be the unlikely mother of George and Nugley. This George could
be the George Mabe, alias George Smith, who filed a pension application that I
mentioned in FACT 5. Except for possibly George and William, the children listed in
this census can not be found in other Hawkins county records or census. If any of
these children are his grandchildren then their parents, David's children would have
to have moved to Tennessee prior to their births. Except for Reuben, William,
Alexander, Edmon, and a William Mabe (b. 1788 in Virginia) and living in Giles
County, Tennessee there are no other Mabe families in the 1820, 1830, or 1840
Tennessee census records.
There is a David Mabe who lived in Stokes County all his life. He is the illegitimate
son of Rachel Mabe, the daughter of John, Sr. This relationship is well documented
in various Stokes County court actions filed against his mother in the early 1800s. He
married Mary Duggins on July 30, 1818. This David was born on or about 1795
which is the same timeframe as the approximate birth date of the David who is in the
1850 Hawkins County census. Because of the inconsistencies in the 1820, 1830, and
1840 Stokes County census information for David Mabe it is possible that one or the
other David could have counted in one census but not the other.
Because of the David Mabe's presence in the Hawkins County in 1850, he must be
taken into consideration when determining whether Rueben is the father of some of
the Mabes who were living in Hawkins County or other certain Tennessee counties
in 1850 and after.
Here is the census information of the Stokes County David Mabe:
The 1820 Stokes County, North Carolina census:
Maab, David
10010-0010
Males: 1 (under 10), 1 (26 to 45)
Females: 1 (16 to 25)
The 1830 Stokes County, North Carolina census:
Maabe, David
120001-011001
Males: 1 (under 5), 2 (5 to 9), 1 (30 to 39)
Females: 1 (5 to 9), 1 (10 to 14), 1 (30 to 39)
NOTE* In 1820 a male was listed as born between 1810 and 1820. Since David and Jane married in 1818 he would have been 2 in 1820. Did he die before 1830? In 1830 a female is listed as born between 1816 and 1820. She is not in the 1820 census. Is she a daughter or that was missed in 1820 or a relation living with them in 1830?
The 1840 Stokes County, North Carolina census:
Mabe, David
0122001-000101
Males: 1 (5 to 9), 2 (10 to 14), 2 (15 to 19), 1 (40 to 49)
Females: 1 (15 to 19), 1 (40 to 49)
The 1850 Stokes County, North Carolina census:
Mabe, David (53), Jane (45), and John Mabe (16). David is listed as a farmer. Jane and John can not read and write.
The 1860 Stokes County, North Carolina census:
COUNTY: Stokes DIVISION: Danbury REEL NO: M653-914 PAGE NO: 25
REFERENCE: Enumerated by R. M. Hill
Mabe, David (65, farmer, $100 personal value), Jane (60), Hamilton (40), Eliza Mabe (38 Unknown Relation), and Winston Mabe (36)
The 1870 Stokes County, North Carolina census:
Mabe, David (75)
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: TN COUNTY: Hawkins DISTRICT 2: 90-626 Mabe, Franky F 30 farming, $200 value of real estate TN, Mary F 10 TN,
William M 8 TN, Wilson M 6 TN, Annis M 4 TN, Jackson M 1 TN
In 1850 Franky Mabe was living two residences from David Mabe. Franky owned property valued at $200, David did not own property nor did he have an occupation. The family, headed by Abram Gonce, age 21, living between them did not own property and listed his occupation as farmer. The family, headed by James Smith, age 50, listed after David also did not own property and listed his occupation as farmer. Were David and the other families living on Franky's land and paying rent? If so, would this fact lead someone to believe that the relationship between David and Franky is father and daughter?
Franky was listed as a correspondent in an 1849 divorce case filed by Mary Brooks against her husband, William Brooks. This was uncovered by Charles Brooks. Later in 1857 William and Franky married and, except for Mary, the children listed under the Franky's 1850 census record changed their surnames to Brooks.
Was Franky born in Tennessee as recorded in 1850 census record? If this is true then her parents were living in Tennessee in 1820. There are no early census records supporting that.
Franky does fit within Reuben's census records. There is a female living in his house in both the 1830 and 1840 census that was born between 1821 and 1825. Additionally, there is a female born between 1836 and 1840 living in his house that is not living with him in the 1850 census. It could logical to assume that this two are Franky and her daughter, Mary. Remember, Mary is the only daughter that did not change her surname to Brooks. Mary married Jesse Lawson on August 31, 1865 in Hawkins County.
CONCLUSION: Franky could be the daughter of either. It would be nice if we could find David's census records prior to 1850 to confirm the ages of his daughter(s) and son(s). I still would lean toward Reuben being the father of Franky for the simple reason that she fits within Reuben's census records for the 1830 and 1840 censuses and there is no other information that she could be the daughter of David. The evidence grows stronger if Reuben is proven to be the son of the Stokes County Reuben and she is the sister of William Mabe. The Stokes County Reuben had a daughter with the nickname of Franky as does William. She also named her children William, Sarah, Jackson, and Larkin. These are names that Reuben and William used for their children.
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: TN COUNTY: Hawkins DISTRICT 2 57-621 Mabe, John M 21 farmer, owns no real estate, TN, Elizabeth F 22 TN, James M 7/12
John lives 5 residences from Reuben. John is not listed in the 1860 census. I think he moved to Missouri. In the 1830 census Reuben has 3 males that match John's approximate age.
CONCLUSION: Since John is so young and living so close to Reuben I would think that John would be a better fit for Reuben than David.
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: TN COUNTY: Hawkins DISTRICT 3 67-640 Mabe, William M 37 farmer owns no real estate, TN, Susan F 30 TN, Hezekiah M 12 TN, Jackson M 10 TN, Martha F 6 TN, Frances F 4 TN, Reuben M 3 TN, Lucinda F 1 TN
Even though this record lists William's birth state as Tennessee, the pension application he filed in June 10, 1891 states he had been a resident of Tennessee for 69 years which means he was 9 when his family migrated to North Carolina. William first appeared in the census in 1840 as residing in Hawkins County, Tennessee. In 1840 he was living within a couple of residences of his father-in-law, John Fletcher. That is probably why in 1850 he is living in a different district than the other Mabe families. William is listed on the 1836 Hawkins County tax rolls with Reuben Mabe. William was in Hancock County in 1860, enlisted in the Confederate army in 1863 and was wounded on May 146th 1864 at Derry's Bluff. His leg was amputated 6" above the knee. His sons Hezkiah and Jackson served with him. Hezkiah was wounded at Chickamanga in the right shoulder. His Jackson was killed at Chattanogga in 1864.
Even though William does not appear in Reuben's 1830 census record I would have a difficult time placing William with David's family. We know that William's parents moved to Tennessee around 1822. We know that Reuben moved to Tennessee before 1830. If David Mabe and his family were in Tennessee in 1822, he was, remarkably, well hidden for 28 years. William along with Reuben and Alexander were the only Mabe families in Hawkins County in 1840. If you believe the Hawkins County Reuben is the son of the Stokes County Reuben, then William could be found in the 1820 census record for the Stokes County Reuben (See Hawkins County Reuben Mabe Parent Analysis paper that I wrote).
William had a son named Reuben.
William Mabe is the brother of Martha Mabe (See FACT 3). Martha was born about 1825. Using the information from the pension application of George Mabe and the census records she fits within the age parameters of Reuben's children for the 1830 and 1840 census information. She did not marry Moses Smith until about 1844 before the birth of her son, Moses, Jr.
CONCLUSION: Even though there is no proof I feel, based on the information stated above, that William and Martha are the children of Reuben Mabe.
1850 Hawkins Co. TN census District 10 HH 66 Moore John L. 55 Wheelwright VA, Hannah 32 NC, Robert 18 NC,
Mary 16 VA, Lucinda 13 VA, Elija 8 VA, Sophia 5 TN, Thomas 3
TN
Please, reference FACT 5 for information about this family. Between 1860 and 1862 when Robert enlisted in the Army he changed his surname to Mabe. Why? Is he the illegitimate son of Hannah Mabe? Is Hannah Reuben Mabe's daughter who was born between 1816 and 1820 that he lists in his 1830 census, and is Robert one of the males aged 1826-1830 that Reuben listed in the same census record? These individuals are not listed in Reuben's 1840 census record. If that is true than why is Robert's birth state listed as North Carolina in the 1850 and 1860 census records? Hannah was about 13 or 14 when Robert was born. Would Reuben have sent his daughter to his father's house to have the baby? It is possible.
When and where did Hannah marry John Moore? Was it before 1840 in Tennessee or Virginia? There is no record of their marriage. How many of the children listed in 1850 census were hers and John Moore's? Did Robert change his name to Mabe to avoid detection that he enlisted in the Union Army?
CONCLUSION: Even though Hannah and Robert ages fit within Reuben's census records, it is possible that Hannah's parents could be from any of the Mabe families in North Carolina, Virginia, or Tennessee. It is possible that Hannah's maiden name was not Mabe.
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: TN COUNTY: Claiborne Mayabb, Thomas (m,w, 54, farmer, NC), Mary (f, w, 42, NC), Catherine, (f, w, 22, NC), Evaline (f, w, 19, NC), Thomas H. (m, w, 18, NC, laborer), Edward (m w, 16, NC, laborer), Sarah (f, w, 14, NC), Nancy J. (f, w, 9, NC), Hiram C. R. (m, w, 8, Va), and Mary A. (f, w, 6, Va)
Thomas is the illegitimate son of Winnefred Mabe, the daughter of Robert Mabe, Sr. of Stokes County, North Carolina. Before 1850 he was in the 1830 Stokes County, North Carolina and the Washington County, Virginia 1840 census records. He later moved his family to Missouri.
CONCLUSION: He is too old to be Reuben's son. He could possibly be the nephew of David Mabe.
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: TN COUNTY: Lawrence 382 632 Mabe, William M 70 VA, Elizabeth F 60 VA, Robert L. M 21, Margaret J. F 18, Sarah C. F 16
William Mabe first appeared in the 1820 Giles County, Tennessee census record. He was there in 1830 and 1840. His family is well documented through letters that his sons, George and William, wrote from Alabama and a will that was probated after his death in 1853. His sons, James and John, died in Alabama before 1850. His son William died in Alabama between 1850 and 1853. His son George enlisted in 20th Alabama Infantry and was killed December 25, 1861.
CONCLUSION: William cannot be Reuben's son, but could be a distant relative.
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: TN COUNTY: Sullivan 1192-188 Mayabb, Edward M 41 NC, Elizabeth F 41 NC, Beda F 16, Saml M 14, James M 11, Mary F 9, Nancy F 6, Jno M 3
Edward first appeared in the census of 1840 Sullivan County, Tennessee. He is too old to be a son of Reuben Mabe. The name 'Eddy' appears in the 1852 will of Reuben Mabe of Stokes County, North Carolina. It's very possible that this Edward is a brother of Reuben Mabe of Hawkins County.
His son Samuel married Martha Brewer in 1855 and is the 1860 Sullivan County census. He served in the Civil War and both sides. Later he moved to Laurel County, Kentucky, Hancock County, Tennessee, Claiborne County, Tennessee and lastly Edmundson County, Kentucky.
His son James married Dizzanna Hurst in 1856, moved to Kentucky, enlisted in the Union Army, and died February 14, 1862. Dizzana filed for his pension benefits and received then until she died in Missouri in 1920.
CONCLUSION: Edward is not Reuben's son and could possibly be his brother.
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: VA COUNTY: Lee, Enumerated on the 31st day of July 1850
200 213 Mabe, Alexander 32 M Shoe Maker $200 TN Can Read and Write, Catherine 32 F VA Can Read and Write, Sarah 12 F TN Attended School, Rody 9 F TN Attended School, Nancy 7 F TN Attended School, Jane 5 F VA, Evan B. 3 M TN, William C. 9/12 M VA
Alexander first appeared in the census records in 1840 living in Hawkins County, Tennessee. According to a court record his father Reuben assumed a debt he owed. Later he moved his family to Nebraska.
CONCLUSION: Alexander is a son of Reuben Mabe of Hawkins County, Tennessee. He does not appear in Reuben's 1830 census record. Could it be possible that Alexander was farmed out to learn the shoemaker trade that he lists in his 1850 census record?
CENSUS YR: 1860 STATE or TERRITORY: TN COUNTY: White 116 53 Mabe, David M 34, farmer $1,000 real estate $450 personal property TN,
Mary F 42 TN, Amanda F 15 TN, John M 13 TN, Lewis M 10 TN,
Sarah F 7 TN, Jessee M 4 TN, Orina F 2 TN
This is the first time David appears in a census. He, like the David in 1850 census, comes out of nowhere. According to all his census records he was born in Tennessee. His birth year was between 1824 and 1827 depending on which census you read. According to 1860 census he has accumulated some wealth, $1,000 in real estate and $450 in personal property. Since his wife is older than David there is a possibility the some of the older children are not his. He served in Civil War on the Confederate side, Co K 28th Tennessee infantry where his birth year is listed as 1823. He filed an application for a pension from the state of Tennessee. The number assigned to it was S1998. The pension would only reveal some vague information about his family, such as the age of his wife and sex and age of his children.
David does fit the age and birth criteria to be Reuben's son. He has the same given name as the David in the 1850 Hawkins County census. If he is the son of David or another Mabe family and he was born in Tennessee in 1824 to 1827 time-frame, then how come his family is not in the census records between 1830 and 1860.
CONCLUSION: It would be weak case to say David is the son of Reuben.
CENSUS YR: 1860 STATE or TERRITORY: TN COUNTY: Jefferson 839 1871 Mabe, Wm P M 22 Wagon maker $100 personal property TN, M. F 18 TN, J.F. M 6/12 TN.
Is this William the same William that was listed under David Mabe's 1850 Hawkins County census record? He is the same age. Unfortunately, William died during the Civil War. He was a member of Co G 37th Tennessee and died 9/16/1864 in US prison at Camp Morton, Indianapolis Indiana. I assume that his young wife remarried and did not file for any pension benefits. She nor her son aren't in later census records.
CONCLUSION: William is not Reuben's son. He is a possible son or grandson of David Mabe who was living in Hawkins County in 1850.
In Summary:
The names of the rest of Reuben's children could be:
Strong
William (1813-1896)
Martha (about 1825 ----) married Moses Smith and Benjamin Trent
John (about 1829----)
Medium
Franky (about 1820---)
Weak
Hannah (about 1815----) married John L. Moore
David (1824-1909)
Let's fill these names into Reuben's census records for 1830 and 1840:
1 female born between 1815 and 1820 she left before 1840 census Hannah 2 females born between 1821 and 1825 one left before 1840 census Franky, unknown 1 female born between1826 and 1830 Martha 3 males born between1826 and 1830 one left before 1840 census John, David,
Hannah's son Robert 1 female born between 1836 and 1840 left before the 1850 census Franky's
daughter Mary
