Finding the Guardian

 

Sometimes, we have to come to the conclusion that stories about our family's history may not necessarily be the way things really were. Regarding the mention last week of Aunt Fannie's story about her orphaned mother, it is fairly easy to look through documents to piece together the actual situation. Family stories passed down through the generations can sometimes be just that: stories.

On the other hand, the possibility that my third great-grandmother's brother traveled from South Carolina to attend to the needs of his orphaned nieces—and nephew, one would presume—could be a reasonable expectation. Judging from some reports of Light Townsend's land holdings in Marlboro County, South Carolina, he might have been the most logical relative to extend a helping hand. (Not to mention, if that were so, surely there would be some documentation drawn up that would help confirm the family relationship.)

What happened to the children of Delaney Townsend and her husband Andrew J. Charles after their unexpected passing can be easily seen through census records in the following decade. Rupert Charles and his sisters Fanny and Emma were listed in the 1860 household of Melburn L. Odum in New River County, Florida.

That, however, only begins to provide the explanation. To see the family connection requires a bit more digging. Melburn's wife Drucilla was actually Andrew Charles' sister. As can be deduced by the surname of two other children in the Odum household, Drucilla had been previously married to a man named Hines. Indeed, we can now see the marriage license for Thomas Hughes Hines and Drucilla Charles was returned dated May 11, 1852, in Madison County.

It was apparently Thomas Hughes Hines who was originally appointed guardian for the orphaned children of his brother-in-law Andrew Charles. Thanks to a comment from reader Kathy Duncan of Porch Swings, Fireflies, and Jelly Jars, we can see the slightest mentions in the probate records for the Charles estate, dated October 19 of 1854 and again in early January 1855, referring to payments to "T. H. Hines, guardian."

So why the letter from Aunt Fannie, stating that Light Townsend traveled from South Carolina to Florida to take care of his orphaned nieces? Let's see if we can find any record from Light Townsend's side of the story that would mention a connection to Delaney Townsend Charles' family.