Fielding Isaacs and Susan Bowman
Fielding Isaacs was born about 1816 to Samuel Isaacs and Nancy Baldridge. Fielding married Susan Bowman, the daughter of Jacob Bowman and Elander Evans. Susan was born about 1816. I found two marriage bonds for the marriage of Fielding Isaacs and Susan Bowman in Clay County. The first bond was dated 9 January 1830. The second was dated 12 January 1835:
Mr. Ab Baker, Sir -- You will plese to issue lisens to Feelen Isaac and my dater Susan Bowman and you will oblige your friend. Elendor Bowman. Witnesses: Samuel Isaac & Edward Evens. Fielding Isaacs paid the bond of $1.35
The first county record date of 9 January 1830 would make Fielding and Susan both 13 or 14, depending on their respective birthdays. In the second county record Fielding and Susan would be 18 or 19. Susan said in her Civil War deposition of 13 Nov 1884 that she was 18 when she married. The fact that their first child was born in November of 1835 would seem to support a marriage date of 1834 or 1835 rather than 1830. They were the parents of ten children.
Fielding Isaacs was listed on the 1840 census of Madison County as a male between 20-30. Susan was listed as a female between the ages of 20-30. They had two sons, ages 0-5. Fielding was listed on the Owsley County tax rolls from 1844 through 1848. Susan Isaacs was listed twice in the Elk Lick Baptist Church records.
October 1843 - Received by experience and baptism: ... Susan Isaac
June 1844 - Brother Elijah Isaacs caste forward and let the church know the hurt between him and Susan Isaac. The church is satisfied.
Elijah Isaacs was Susan's brother in law. Unfortunately, whoever was keeping the church minutes didn't make a record of what the particular hurt was.
In 1850 Fielding and Susan were living in Estill County. In 1860 they were living in the newly formed (1858) Jackson County. They probably hadn't moved, since part of Jackson was made up of the southern part of Estill County.
Susan applied for a mother's pension for the Civil War service of her son Jasper who died during the conflict. According to her deposition, she divorced Fielding after he deserted her and left the family destitute while their youngest child, Andrew, was still a baby. Susan's divorce suit was dated 12 March 1863 and it was filed 16 March 1863. In June 1865 the court recorded the alimony and property division between Susan and Fielding.
Susan Isaacs, Plaintiff
vs
Fielding Isaacs, deft.
This day a judgment filed in this court as follows, (to wit), whereas there is a suit pending in the Jackson County Circuit Court for alimony and a division and an injunction granted by the court we the plaintiff and the defendant do hereby agree to for as alimony in the personality of the defendant is/as? we do agree that the following shall be a consent decree of the court, and is as follows, to wit, the plaintiff is to have absolutely the home, farm, that is all of the land down as far as the ford of the creek below the house, and all of the household and kitchen furniture, three sows, and twenty pigs, and all of the sheep on hand, two cows, one fat hog, two axes, and some flax, and all the corn on hand, except twenty bushels. It is further understood that the defendant is to have the use of one small ____ for the present year, about four acres, and is to have one bed and furniture, and the children now with the plaintiff are to remain with her, and the defendant is to have no control over them whatsoever, given under our hands this ___ day of February 1865. Signed by both Fielding and Susan Isaacs
The divorce was granted in November of 1867, and became effective one year later.
State of Kentucky, Jackson Circuit Court
November Term 1867
Susan Isaacs Plaintiff
against Judgment
Fielding Isaacs Defendant
It is adjudged by the court that the Plaintiff be and she is divorced from the defendant and restored to all the rights and privileges of an unmarried woman and the Defendant be divorced from the Plaintiff to take effect twelve months from this date. It is further adjudged by the court that the Plaintiff recover-- against the defendant her cost herein expended including $75.00 which is hereby allowed Plaintiff's council Randall V. Forbes and this case is Stricken from the docket--
The record of the division of land following the divorce is found in the Jackson County Land Records, Book 2, pg. 382:
9 April 1870: William Rader, late sheriff of Jackson County on the 1st part and Julius Spivy on the 2nd part. There was a sale on 20 June 1868 under execution of the circuit court in favor of Susan Isaacs against Fielding Isaacs. [She got 150 acres which was bid off to J. Spivy for $93.00.]
Family tradition is that Fielding was a mean person, who was not only abusive to his wife, but also abusive towards his mother Nancy. As a result, many in the family would have nothing to do with him. Oral family histories maintain that Fielding was also a womanizer. The court records of Jackson County and testimonies of neighbors seem to support Fielding's history of troublesome conduct and womanizing.
July term, 1867, pg 19 - Nancy Stephens vs. Fielden Isaacs for bastardy (continued)
August term, 1867, pg 26, - Commonwealth against Fielden Isaacs - bastardy
October Term 1867 - Commonwealth vs. Fielding Isaacs for bastardy (continued)
July term 1869 - County court vs. Fielden Isaacs and C.M. Isaacs- ordered the Fielden Isaacs and C.M. Isaacs be summoned by the sheriff to appear in this court and make settlement in the case of the commonwealth by Mary Stephens against Fielden Isaacs in the Bastard [sic] case.
September term, 1869 - Nancy Stephens to show why her son Nathan is not bound out.
September term, 1869 - Mary Stephens vs. Fielden Isaacs - Ordered that C.M. Isaacs make a settlement at the next term and Fielden has to show why he thinks he doesn't need to pay the rest of his obligation.
November term, 1869 - Mary Stephens vs. Fielden Isaacs - ordered that this court be continued and the further proof issued for Fielden Isaacs to Madison County. - the case is dismissed. The defendant [Fielding] having paid $13.00 principal on the bond herein and defendant has to pay costs. The plaintiff [Mary Stephens] shall recover of the defendant all costs herein. [Fielding seems to have left Jackson County around this time as he appeared in Garrard County on the 1870 census.]
Other Court Records regarding Fielding:
Nov Term 1858, pg. 18 - Grand jury indicted Fielding Isaacs
June term, 1859, pg. 38 - Commonwealth against Fielding Isaacs - indictment
[I am not sure what the November 1858, or the June 1859 indictments were for. They might be bastardy charges, or they may be a result of some involvement in other events that took place in Jackson County during that period. Samuel Isaacs, Fielding's nephew was murdered the 17th of January 1859. John Morris was murdered the 20th of January, 1859. James R. Isaacs, another of Fielding's nephews was charged with manslaughter during the June term in 1859, and James R's father in law, John Clemons was charged with malicious stabbing and perjury during the same June 1859 term.]
April term (special session) 1861, p. 239
It is appearing to the satisfaction of the court that Levisa Johnson having departed this life and having 6 infant children and it becoming necessary that the court should make provision for them agreeable to law.
And on motion of Fielden Isacks ordered that he be and he is hereby appointed guardian of the six infant children of Levisa Johnson to wit: Nancy Jane Johnson being over 14 years of age and being in open court and making claim of the said Fielden Isaacs, Edy Johnson being over 14 years of age and not being able to be at court proves in court by James R. Isaacs that she wishes Fielden Isaacks be appointed her guardian, Andrew J. Johnson age 12 years, Jenny Johnson age 9 years, Richard Johnson aged 5 years, Carlita Johnson three years and all the last 4 being under the age of 14 years - It is ordered by the court that Fielden Isaacks be and he is appointed guardian of the said six infant children and he came forward and entered into bond with the Commonwealth with James R. Isaacs as surety and further taken the oath required by law in such cases. [Record says Richard Johnson, but the child was actually Rachael. Lavinsa/Vicy Johnson was the daughter of Herod Johnson and Elizabeth Isaacs and the niece of Fielding Isaacs. Jeremiah Sparks suggested in his deposition (see below) that Fielding was the father of Vicey's children. Nancy Vance, in her deposition, also made reference to Fielding's family by a "woman named Johnson."]
July term, 1863, pg. 326 - F. Isaacs resignation as constable in District #4, is received
January term, 1864, - F. Isaack is exempt from Military tax because of age - he is over the age of the military tax.
Civil War Pension Application Depositions regarding Fielding:
Jeremiah Sparks deposition on the 14th of November 1884 regarding a pension for Susan Isaacs on behalf of her son Jasper who died during the war:
Question: Tell us the date and circumstances of Fielding's abandonment of claimant
Answer: I could not give the date - Ever since I knew him, he has been running off with women and coming back and abusing his wife, I have seen him running about with women all along before the war. He has a family by Vicey Johnson and the rumor is that he has raised a family by Vicey's child and also by his own child the daughter of Vicey. He had children by Mary Stevens and Nancy Stevens before the war, I think that he practically abandoned Susan his wife before the war and wasted his substance on other women.
Nancy Vance deposition on the 13th of November 1884 regarding a pension for Susan Isaacs on behalf of her son Jasper who died during the war: [Nancy Harrison Vance is the daughter of George Harrison and Rachel Isaacs. Since Rachel was Fielding's older sister, Nancy was a 1st cousin to Wilburn and Darius, etc.]
Question: Where was her [Susan's] husband? [when the boys got home from the war]
Answer: I don't remember whether he was about there then or not. I don't think that they lived together as man and wife any after her last child was born. I know when it was quite a small child she came here to town, badly bruised and she said that he had struck her on the head. Her head was badly bruised and her eyes blackened. When the boys were mustered out in 1864, I went there with Wilborn and Darius the two boys that came back from the army [Jasper died during the war and although Cornelius came home at the same time, he was married and probably went to his own home rather than his mother's] and the old man was standing in the yard. He and his wife did not speak at that time. I don't think that he was staying there then. His horse was hitched to the fence and I think that he had come there from another place. My best recollection is that he was said to be staying with a woman named Collins at that time. I don't think that he had been contributing any to the support of his family for a good while. I think that he was taking away from them. I don't know many facts of my personal knowledge, but his treatment of his wife was common told and every body knew it. I know of my own knowledge that he had a woman named Johnson and raised a family of children by her. This was before the year 1863.
Correspondence regarding Fielding:
The following is from a letter from Charlotte Perry of Oklahoma written to Aaron T. Isaacs.
There is a Alma Lockard of Oregon whose grandfather Vincent M. Stephens, born 1858 in Jackson Co., his brother, James Buchannan Stephens, born 1856 and his sister Sarah Ellen Stephens born 1855 who married Wm. Arvine, are said to have been the illegitimate children of one Fielding Isaacs and her great grandmother Mary Jane Stephens who later married Hiram Lunsford and had a family by him. She can find no documentation so is hoping she can find someone who had heard the story, that has been passed down in this particular Isaacs family.
Many family traditions list Fielding's death between 1860 and 1870. Some claim he died during the Civil War. It is probably only wishful thinking on their part. Fielding was alive and well in 1870 living in Garrard County with an 18 year old named Jenny Johnson. He was living in Wayne County in 1880, still with Jenny.
Children of Fielding and Susan Bowman
1. Cornelius "Neal" M. Isaacs was born 24 November1835. He married Margaret Pigg on 6 June 1855 in Owsley County. Margaret Pigg was the daughter of Milton and Mary Pigg. She was born 16 March 1836 and died 3 June 1919 in Estill County. During the Civil War Cornelius served in Co. D, 7th KY Infantry. He applied for an invalid pension 13 March 1880 (certificate #297690).
In addition to the family that Cornelius had with his wife Margaret, it is believed that he also had an illegitimate son with a woman named Naomah Brewer. In the Jackson County court records of October 1876, pg. 71:
Ordered by the court that Dillard Brewer, infant child of Omea Brewer deceased, above 2 years old be allowed the sum of forty-seven dollars and that Mrs. Susan Isaacs be his committee and that she take charge of said child and that she be required to treat him humanely.
It is ordered by the court that a claim of six dollars heretofore allowed Susan Isaacs for taking care of and keeping an infant child of Omea Brewer, decd, 3 months, be placed on the list of claims for 1877 and that the sheriff pay the same out of the first county funds that come into his hands for sd year 1877.
The child, Dillard Brewer, was listed as Dillard Isaacs and living with Susan Isaacs when the 1880 census was taken. Naomah Brewer was listed on the 1870 census of McKee, Jackson County, pg 210, 35/35 with three children, Hughs 8, Sarah C. 3, and Willliam D. 11/12's.
Cornelius died 7 March 1904 at Station Camp Creek, Estill County of drowning. He is buried in the Wilson Cemetery on the David Newton Farm in Estill County. Margaret A. Isaacs, widow, received a widow's pension (certificate #579248).
Estill County, Kentucky
In the matter of the above-described claim for pension, personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the said County and State, Margaret A. Isaacs age 67 years, whose P.O. address is Station Camp, County of Estill Co. State of Kentucky who being by me first duly sworn according to law declares that she is the claimant in the said claim and that her husband Cornelius M. Isaacs met his death by accidentally drowning in Station Camp Creek on the 7th day of March of this present year 1904 there was no doctor treated him for if there had Been one or more present they could not have rendered him any service as my husband was dead when he was rescued from out of the water there is no Public record kept in our county of deaths Almost every family keeps a family record of Births and deaths but there is no Public record Kept neither is there any regular undertaker here except in towns people imploys A mechanic to make A coffin for their dead Mr. Zachariah Taylor made my husbands coffin.
According to her certificate of death, dated 3 June 1919, Margrett Isaacs, widow, age 83 years, 2 months and 17 days caught the flu in October and never recovered. She died and was buried in Station Camp, in Estill County.
2. Nancy Isaacs was born 27 December 1837. She died 2 January 1839 in Estill County.
3. Wilburn "Wil" B. Isaacs was born 17 December 1839. He married America "Mecca" M. Hacker 2 April 1867 in Owsley County. She was the daughter of Isaac Hacker and Esther Morris. Wilburn served in the Civil War in Co D, 7th KY Infantry. He applied for an invalid pension 29 April 1879, certificate #3543370. He died 12 January 1923 in Madison County.
Excerpts from Wilburn's pension application:
Wilburn B. Isaacs
Enrolled at Booneville, KY, 19 August 1861
Mustered-in at Camp Dick Robinson [Garrard Co., KY], 22 September 1861
Company D, Age 21 years
Mustered-out at Louisville, KY, 5 October 1864
[Wilburn's regiment was originally designated the 3rd KY Volunteer Infantry but
was subsequently redesignated the 7th KY Volunteer Infantry.]
Deposition A
Case of Wilburn B. Isaacs, No. 283,113
On this Sixth day of January 1886, at Near Waco, County of Madison, State of Ky, before me, J. F. Allison, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office,
personally appeared Willburn B. Isaacs clt. [claimant], who being by me first duly sworn to answer
truly all
interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of afore-said pension
claim, deposes and says: his age is 46 years occupation farmer Post Office address
Waco, Madison Co., Ky. am clt. in this case. I claim a Pension for GSW
[gun shot wound] right heel and
left ankle recd at the battle of Richmond Ky. about the 1st Sep 62. I also recd a slight
wound in my left arm which does not disable me. There was only about 90 men of our
Regt present in the action. They were commanded by Col. Garrard in the morning and
later in the day by Major I. N. Cardwell and later by Cap. A. H. Clark. [Andrew H.
Clark, Co. D; later Col. of the 47th KY Vol.Mtd. Inf.] The balance of our Regt were left
at Cumberland Gap Ky. About 1/3 of the members of my Co. were engaged in the Richmond battle as near as I
recollect. there might have been 20 or 25 men present. My Co. was first engaged about 8 or 9
o'clock in the morning. about one
hour afterwards we were ordered to our horses and there we mounted and retreated in order through
Richmond. About night the Federal forces were surrendered by General Manson. My
Co. then began to scatter, each man for himself. I was wounded about the time of the
surrender. The following list of comrades were with me when I was wounded to wit:
Wilburn Bowman, D. G. Isaacs dead [1871 KY], Preston Isaacs knew of it when I was on my way
home, he is dead [1864 TN]. I stayed at a house on station camp by the name of Wedges [?]
house. I don't recollect anything about who lived there. I don't know whether anyone
there had a knowledge of my wounds or not. I remained at home about three months as
near as I can guess it. Then joined my Regt at Cincinnati O. Was there in pretty good
shape, did regular duty - was not much lame. It was not generally known in the Co.
when I returned that I was wounded, it was not talked about. Unless a man was badly
wounded it was not talked about. My most intimate comrades and tent mates were, Paul
Pigg, dead, Preston Pigg his bro, dead, P. M. Murphy dead [1863 MS], James
Lanehart,
dead [1863 MO], Green
Harrison, dead [1863 MS], and my brother Jasper Isaacs, dead [1863 LA]. After I rejoined my Regt.
again I did not complain I just went on with my duty. I don't recollect that my comrades
who were present with the Co. when I joined it at Cin. O. were present with me in the
Battle of Richmond. I done regular duty with my Co. after I rejoined it at Cin. O. except
when I was sick. I don't know whether we had a Surgeon with us in the Richmond battle
or not. The reason why I can not furnish more evidence of neighbors at the time I
was home wounded is because: the vicinity of my home was full of retreating bushwhackers
and Rebels and the citizens did not
stir about much. There was very little visiting done. I hid out one third of the time I was at
home, dare not stay in the house at night. The only person who has any knowledge of the fact that I came home wounded
from the Richmond battle in addition to the evidence already taken by Spl. Ex. Rice is
My Mother Susan Isaacs of McKee Jackson Co. Ky. I am unable to furnish the evidence of any Officer or Comrade to show that
my ankles and feet were free from the scars they now bear: at any time subsequent to my enlistment and prior to the Richmond
battle. I am also unable to furnish the evidence of any Officer or Comrade showing
that I had those scars on my feet or ankles after the Richmond battle and prior to my
discharge other than that already furnished. Col. A. H. Clark of Booneville Ky. J. F.
Herd and A. J. Herd & Judge S. [Sylvester] Isaacs were intimate associates with me at and just
prior to my enlistment in the service. they were neighbors and intimate associates of
mine from 1850 till enlistment. Since the Service I have been 2/3 disabled each year on
account of those wounds. I have not suffered from the results of any serious accident or
illness since the Service.
W B Isaacs
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of January 1886, and I
certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.
J. F. Allison
Special Examiner.
4. Darius G. Isaacs was born 22 December 1842. He served during the Civil War in Co. D, 7th KY
Volunteer Infantry. He died 16 February 1871 of consumption while living in Jackson
County, at his mother's home. He never married.
5. Jasper Isaacs was born 6 October 1844. He served in the Civil War in Co. D 7th KY Infantry.
Letter from Jasper Isaacs to his mother Susan
May The 25th 1863
Camp Near Black River Bridge Mississippi
Dear mother I seat my self to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well and do hope this may find come safe to hand and find you enjoying the same kind helping. We have been fighting for the last twenty days and are still fighting yet. We have taken in the lst twenty days upwards of five thousand prisners and 72 pieces of artiliery. Beside a great many other things to tedous to mention. We have stoped a good many men. Our Capt. [Thomas H. Wilson] is killed and some two or three more wounded in our Company. We have Vicks Burg surrounded so the Rebels can�t get out unless they fite out. Dear mother you stated in your letter you wanted me to send you some money. I will send yo two dollars. I would send you more but I�m afrade to Risk it in a letter. I want you to rite if you get it and if yo do then I will send yo some more. Wilburn is sick but not dangerous was gitting better the last I heard from him. All the rest of the Boys is well and send there love to you give my love and Respects to all inquireing friends so no more to present but remains your true son till death. Jasper Isaacks
Jasper died while in service on 8 September 1863 of disease, in Carrollton (New Orleans), Louisiana. His mother applied for a pension 11 Nov 1873, (certificate #212473).
On the12th day of August 1874 before the County Clerk of the Court of Owsley County, personally appeared Wilburn B. Isaacs and after being sworn states he was in the same company and regiment with his brother Jasper Isaacs, 7th KY Vol. Infantry and that said Jasper Isaacs died on the 8th day of September 1863 at Carrollton, LA, with chronic Diarrhea, contacted in the service of the United States in the line of duty. He made the statement from his own personal knowledge that he was present and waited on Jasper up to his death. Jasper is most likely buried in the Chalmette National Cemetery near New Orleans, Louisiana in one of the thousands of unknown graves.
6. Alfred Isaacs was born 11 April 1847. According to his mother's deposition he moved to Tennessee. At one time she also stated that he was in Arkansas. He married Martha S. Bratten on the 4th of July 1871 in Sebastian County, Arkansas, Fort Smith District. He was in Hartsville, Trousdale, TN in 1880.7. Margaret Isaacs was born 26 December 1850. According to her great granddaughter, Linda Peffley, Margaret married James Cornet in 1867. They moved to Indiana. Margaret died in 1914 and is buried at Mt. Tabor Cemetery in Perry Township, Boone County, Indiana. (Much of the information on Margaret Isaacs was provided by Aaron T. Isaacs)
8. James Isaacs was born 6 October 1853. He married Rachael Williams, daughter of Riley Williams on 13 April 1873 in Jackson County. Rachael was born 14 May 1846 in Nashville, Tennessee and died 23 December 1922 in Clarkesville, Johnson, Arkansas. James died 1 January 1923 in Clarkesville, Johnson County, Arkansas.
9. Elisha Isaacs was born 12 February 1856. He married Lavina (Viney) Brewer, daughter of Enos and Mary Brewer on 26 December 1877 in Estill County at the home of John Moore. Elisha Isaacs also married Charlotte Freeman prior to 1910 and Mary Ann Young on 25 January 1932. Elisha died 11 October 1934 in Jackson County. He is buried in the Banks Cemetery at Gray Hawk, in Jackson County. (Much of the information of Elisha Isaacs was provided by Aaron T. Isaacs)
10. Andrew Isaacs was born 26 July 1859. Jackson County Vital Records list Andrew's birth, "Andrew son of Fielden Isaacs and Susan Bowman born 1859 in Jackson." He married Mary Jane Isaacs, the daughter of Elisha Isaacs and Sally A. Harrison, on 14 May 1882 in Jackson County. Mary Jane was born 15 November 1857. She died in 1926 in Shamrock, Wheeler County, Texas. Andrew died 24 June 1943 in Shamrock, Wheeler, Texas.
Susan Isaacs Civil War Pension application deposition:
On this thirteenth day of November 1884 at Susan Isaacs home, County of Jackson, State of Kentucky, before me, William W. Didwick, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Susan Isaacs, Claimant, who being by me first duly [sworn is crossed out and the word requested in put in its place] requested to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this Special Examination of afore said pension claim, says:
I am the claimant in this claim, My age is about 73 years to the best of my knowledge. I reside in Jackson County, Kentucky. My post office is McKee, Jackson County Kentucky.
Please state where you were born and give the place and date of your marriage and where you have lived since your marriage.
I was born near Boonville, Owsley Co. Kentucky. I was married to Fielding Isaacs at Boonville, Kentucky when I was eighteen years old. I have lived since my marriage first at Birch Creek five miles above Boonville, Ky. I lived there until I had 4 or 5 children. Then at Birch Lick in Jackson Co. Ky. I lived there about three years. I then moved here, and have lived here forty years or more.
How many children have you had and what are their names & ages?
I have had nine. The oldest is Cornelius M., Wilburn next, then Darius, then Jasper, then Alfred, then James, then Margaret, then Elisha, then Andrew who is the youngest. [When the examiner copied Susan's family bible, she had 10 children listed, including a daughter Nancy who lived less than two years.]
Where are all those children now?
Cornelius lives in this county. Wilburn lives in Madison Co Ky. Darius is dead. He died here Feby 16th, 1871. Jasper died in the army. Alfred lives in Tennessee. James is in Arkansas. I don't know where Margaret is, the last I heard of her she was in Illinois. Elisha lives in this county and Andrew lives with me. All the above children are married.
Do you know the dates when the above children married?
No sir I don't. Cornelius and Wilburn both have grown children. Cornelius has three married children. Wilburn's oldest child is seventeen or eighteen year old. Alfred's oldest child is about eight years and James oldest child is about 10 or 11 years old. Margaret married in 1868 or 1869 I think. Elisha married about eight years ago and Andrew married about three years ago.
How long did your said children live with you and contribute to your support?
They lived with me until they got grown, and then they struck out for themselves. Wilburn did not live with me any after he came out of the army. Darius went off and worked until he was taken sick with consumption. He then came home and made one crop before he died. Andrew has lived with me all the time and still lives with me.
How about your husband, did he not contribute to your support or rather support you at that time?
No Sir. No more than just bread. He never provided any clothing, shoes, coffee nor nothing else except bread. He would make the boys make corn enough for bread, but he would pack half of it away to his woman. I never dared to touch any of his coffee. He carried it in his saddle bag locked up. He never permitted me to cook for him. I lived in the kitchen and he in the big house. He never gave me any money nor clothing nor provided any clothing for the children. He ceased providing for me or the children some time before he left except the corn that the children made.
Didn't you have sheep and hogs on the place?
Yes sir, but they didn't do us much good until after he left. He would not even let us shear the sheep nor pick up a tag of wool. He kept selling the hogs until I stopped him in court.
How much of his time did your husband stay here and how much did he work on the farm in 1863?
He did not stay here at all then and had not worked any of the farm for several years before that. He quit doing any work here three or four years before the war. In 1863 he was living in Madison County, I think, It may have been 1864 or 1865 that he lived in Madison County. When I commenced the suit he was living with a woman named Collins in this county.
How much is your entire property worth, land and every thing else?
I have generally ____ in the farm at $200 & $250. Outside the farm I only have a cow, six sheep. I have no horse or mule. My mule died, the one that I bought with Jasper's Bounty.
Have you any money in the Bank or bonds?
Not that I ever heard of.
Don't you make anything but corn?
No sir - sometimes Andy sows a little wheat. We all have lived off the crop. I hoe corn & do all kinds of work on the farm. I make all the clothing for myself and grandchildren. I have nobody with me now, but Andy's children and the little orphan boy whom I took to help me.
What is your yearly income?
Not much, we only make enough to eat. Never have any thing to sell. I manage to get money enough some way to pay the taxes, they generally amount to $1.50 or $2.00 per year. I don't see $5.00 in money in a year. I sold a bushel of dried apples the other day for 85 cents in funds. I got some cakes and thread to weave my lindsey. We never have sugar on the table. All the groceries we buy is coffee.
The following is a true copy of the family record taken from the family Bible of Fielding and Susan Isaacs viz:
Cornelius M. Isaacs was born November 24th, 1835
Nancy Isaacs was born December 27th, 1837
Wilbourn Isaacs was born December 17th, 1839
Darius Isaacs was born December 22nd, 1842
Jasper Isaacs was born October 6th, 1844
Alfred Isaacs was born April 11th, 1847
Margaret Isaacs was born December 26th, 1850
James Isaacs was born October 6th, 1853
Elisha Isaacs was born February 12th, 1856
Andrew Isaacs was born July 26th, 1859