Monday, March 1, 2010
Ann McGee, 1816-1882, Podcast #1
Hello again. This is George E. Ridgeway Jr.
This podcast is about my fifth generation grandmother, Ann McGee.
"The things I am about to tell of Ann McGee are valid as far as I know. If I have noted something that is not true, please let me know in this blog and I will review it and correct if need be. Thank you."
Ann McGee was John Ridgeway's second wife after Mary Ann Cooper. According to records in Peoria county, Illinois, Ann and John got married on July 5, 1832. It is believed that she was only 15 years old when she married John. She didn't have their first child, Melinda until she was 21 in 1837. She had 6 children by John, although, it seems confusing when you view the censuses. I believe that she was taking care of John's first family during the first five years of marriage. They would have ranged from 1 to 12 years of age. I can't imagine Ann wanting to raise more younguns at that time.
When John died, Ann was left with John's first children who were mostly on their own and their children with Melinda being 15, Johnathan was 7, Rebecca was 6, Ezra just turned 3 and Barzilla was an infant. John left Ann a considerable amount of acreage in his will. It is all outline in John Ridgway, 1797 -1852 Podcast #3. Ann could not write her name and she had no skills with which to snag a job. Plus, during that time, women did not take employment. Ann did the only thing a women could do then. She snagged a new husband.
Ann married Edward Purcell May 6,1854. She would have been 38 years old. Ed was a brave fella to take on a widow with that many children. Mary Purcell was born in 1857 and her brother Thomas Purcell was born in 1859. Edward Purcell died in 1870. Ann was left alone again with two more mouths to feed. We see Ann in many censuses living with her sons, her daughters and in-laws. She appeared to be active in church. She was a mid wive who delivered some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. It appears that Ann married one more time to a Jacob Crotz (Kratz).
I have always admired Ann 'McGee' Ridgway-Purcel-Crotz. I have no records for her. No birth certificate, no marriage certificate and no death certificate. Throughout her whole life she seems to be a strong partner of whom ever she was married to and as a single woman she was often the head of house. What little I do know about her gives me the sense that she was very important to her children and grandchildren. There are rumors that she was part Cherokee Indian through one or both of her parents. I have not been able to substantiate them. She had to be one of those early pioneers with 'true grit' to have moved to an area of Illinois that had yet to be developed. It was not an easy task to help John raise his kids and establish a home in the wilderness. It makes me proud to know that her genes may be part of my makeup.
Until next time, Good Day and keep on searching.
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