This past week Amy Johnson Crow of 52 Ancestors challenged us to write about Love. Well we do have a collateral line named “Loveren” but that’s a stretch. So an ancestor I overlooked in last years 52 Ancestors is Carrie Batson. Carrie is one of my paternal great grandmothers. She is my grandma Gay’s (Etta’s) mother. While I knew her husband, ‘Grampy’ I never knew her.
Carrie (Caroline) was born 17 January 1866 in Mt. Sterling, Ohio to John R. and Sarah (Dick) Batson.

 

In the 1870 US census (click on image to enlarge) we find a Catherine (3 years old) listed in the John R. Batson (47 years of age) family in Hopewell township, Muskingum county Ohio, a Potter, born in Virginia. Her mother is Sarah J, (40 years) born in Ohio. Also in the household is William L. (18 years) also a Potter born in Ohio, Agnes A. (16) helps mother, born in Ohio, John M. (13)  born in Ohio, Florence R. (11) born in Ohio, and Charles H. (6) born in Ohio. This is probably where I get my love of pottery from. This family is the last entry before the listing for the Village of Mount Sterling.

In the 1880 US census John R. and Sarah J Batson are again in the Hopewell township in Muskingum county Ohio. John is now 57 and still working as a potter. Here we see that he and both of his parents were born in Virginia. Sarah is now 50 and again shown born in Ohio while both of her parents are listed as being born in New York state. Florence R. their daughter is 20 years old and still at home. Their son Charles is 18, Carrie is 14, and a new younger brother to Carrie is Edgar E. who is 10 years of age.

In 1888 Carrie Batson married Gilmore C. Francis. They marry in Zanesville, Muskingum, Ohio on 30 March by the Justice of the Peace George W. Griffen. Gilmore was born and raised in California. How did he meet, let alone marry Carrie? My sister Madeleine’s theory is that Gilmore was unable to find a wife from those that knew him in California and it’s her idea that through his fathers connections to friends and family still living in Ohio a wife for Gilmore was found. Gilmore was 23 and Carrie was 22 when they married. That is why Madeleine and I refer to Carrie as a possible ‘mail order bride?‘

Etta Jane Francis their first child is born 26 June 1889 in California. 2 years later Grace is born on 5 April 1891.

The 1900 US census we find Gilmore and Carrie in Tulare county out in Orosi (about 15 miles north of Visalia) California. Gilmore is 37, a farmer renting the home they are living in. Carrie is shown as Sarah C. 34 years of age and having given birth to 2 children both of which are still living. Etta is now 10 and Gracie G. is 8 years of age and they are both in school. Carries father died in 1900.

In the 1910 census the family is still living in Orosi. My Grandmother “Gay” talked about growing up on the Elliott Ranch. Hey David, do you know where the Elliott Ranch was? I had thought it was south of Visalia near Elderwood.

By the 1910 Census Carrie’s daughter Etta (my grandma ‘Gay”) had married Ira B. Putnam and moved to his ranch west of Visalia California. So the Family consisted of Gilmore C. now 45 years old Farming on a farm as an employee. Carrie is now 43 and it shows 2 live births and 2 yet living. Carrie and Gil were lucky they did not lose any children early.  Grace is now 19.

In 1915 Carrie’s mother dies in Ohio. So at 49 both of her parents are gone and probably any connections at home in Ohio are limited.

In 1920 US Census we find that both of Carrie’s daughters are now married. Gracie married Lark Jones in 1912. Gil and Carrie are now living in Visalia.

In 1930 US Census they were not found but they are in the Visalia city Directory in 1934.

 

Carrie dies 12 August 1937 in Visalia.

 

Carrie is buried in the Visalia Cemetery.

How do you think Gilmore and Carrie met? Was it a love match or an arranged marriage?