What happened to Jane Jarrett Carnes and her sons?

The Isaac Carnes family was living in Waterville, Marshall, Kansas 1 March 1875 (Kansas State Census). Two sons have been born since the 1870 census: David O (4) and Gilbert (2). Another son, Alonzo, is born 16 Oct 1876. Alonzo’s death record says that he was born in Clay County WV but this may not be accurate. He may have lived most of his 81 years in WV but actually born in KS and the informant did not know.  I have found several of Isaac and Catherine’s children living in WV with relatives on the 1880 census. Something tragic must have happened between 1 March 1875 – 1880. Isaac and Catherine must have died.

1880 Census:

David - living with Benjamin and Mary Coddle in Big Sandy, Kanawha, WV as an adopted son

Gilbert M - living with Clayburn and Charlotte Pierson in Henry, Clay, WV (Clayburn and Charlotte were living among several Samples households in Clay County on 1860 census so I have a hunch that Charlotte is a relative of Catherine, sister perhaps?)

Virginia and Alonzo -are living with James H. and Mary Carnes Mullins in Union, Clay County, WV; Virginia is listed as a ‘servant.’ A Franklin B. Nichols is also living in the household as a servant working on the farm.

There is a Clark Carnes living in Arkansas with his wife Delila and son Swan. 

There is a Jane Carnes that was born in 1806 and died in Greencastle, Indiana 1 May 1889. I know she had family that moved to Indiana but I don't think that there is enough information to say that this is the right Jane. 

Jane Jarrett Carnes

Happy 150th Birthday West Virginia! Anyone who knows me knows how I love my home state. I have learned to like my small town in Kansas, but West Virginia always will be my home. My family was in WV long before it was a state and most of my family is still in WV. I do have a few ancestors that left and settled elsewhere. These folks are mostly on mom’s side. Jane Jarrett Carnes, my 3rd great grandmother, is one of those ancestors.

Jane Jarrett was the daughter of Isaac Jarrett (1770-1859) and granddaughter of James Jarrett (1750-1822). She was born around 1806 in (West) Virginia. She married Henry Carnes in Clay County (West) Virginia around 1823. She was living in Boone County (West) Virginia in 1850. I have not been able to find Jane and Henry in the 1860 census but they were living in Clay County (West) Virginia when Henry died between 2 Sept 1864 when his will was written and 28 Nov 1865 when the will was proved. (WV Will Books, 1756-1991; Clay County, V. 001, pg 5, 6, 7).

I was quite surprised to find Jane Jarrett Carnes living in Waterville, Marshall, Kansas on the 1870 census! She is actually counted twice.

1870 Census -Waterville, Marshall, Kansas; enumerated on 15 July 1870 by W.A. Smith
Pg. 13 family dwelling: 112 & family #113

Carnes, Clark       39   Virginia
             Virginia    28   Virginia
             Jane         64   Virginia
 Hall, Caroline       22   Virginia

1870 Census -Waterville, Marshall, Kansas; enumerated on 20 July 1870 by W.A. Smith
Pg. 28 family dwelling: 216 & family #220

Carnes, Jane            65    Virginia
             Isaac           32    Virginia
             Catherine     24    Virginia
             Ellett            09    Virginia
             Estelline       06    Virginia
             Octavia        04    Virginia
             Virginia        02    Virginia

I assume that Jane, Isaac and Clark all came to Kansas at the same time. Birth records for Virginia Carnes show she was born in Kanawha County 27 Sep 1867

Isaac Carnes Marshall County Kansas Land Record
Clark Carnes Marshall County, Kansas Land Record

Introduction

I love genealogy and discovering my roots. Unfortunately no matter how I try, or how often I talk about it, my family does not seem to share my passion and are more than a little tired of hearing about the contents of 100+ year-old wills and other such treasures. I hope to use this blog as a place to ‘talk’ about family history and, perhaps, relieve my family of my sometimes non-stop chatter! I also hope that having a place to put down my thoughts will help me organize the information that I have gathered over the past 10 years or so. Right now I’m pretty excited about my new ‘project’….hope it lasts….