wedding picture
Thomas J. Spry
&
Sena Permilia Ramsey
Married
September 10, 1900
Stephens County census only listed two Spry families on the 1880 records. Most likely brothers, the first one was Clinton Spry, age 25 and his wife Alexander age 26, along with their three children.
My GGrandparents were the second family Chevin Spry age 30, he and both of his parents were from North Carolina. Chevin's wife Sarah Narcis (Alexander) Spry age 31 was born in Mississippi, both of her parents were from North Carolina.
Also listed were three of their children:
1. Walter A Spry, 5 years of age
2. Arza Belle Spry, 2 years of age
3. Thomas J. Spry, 9 months old (My Grandfather)
There was also a daughter by the name of Rutha Jane born sometime after 1880. I did not find her on a census record until 1910 living with her bother Walter.
Also on the 1880 Stephens County census living next door to Chevin and Sarah was Matthew Lafayette Ward, with his second wife Melvina Saphronia (Alexander) and 7 children. Melvina Saphronia (Alexander) Ward and Sarah Narcis (Alexander) Spry were sisters.
Matthew Ward was married 5 times, his first 3 wives were:
1. Martha Ann McLemore
2. Melvina Saphronia Alexander
3. Amanda (Scroggins) Tabors
After the 1880 census Chevin Spry and Melvine died, and on Oct 18, 1898 Matthew L. Ward married Sarah Narcis Spry, making her his 4th wife.
The Ward family are listed on the 1900 Parker County, Texas census as follows:
Matthew L. Ward head of household age 53, he and his parents were from Alabama
wife Sarah N. age 51 from Mississippi, her parents were from South Carolina (on the 1880 census her parents were listed from North Carolina)
1. Eugene, son 12 years of age , born in Texas
2. Ivy Irene, daughter 5 years of age, born in Texas
3. Mary, daughter , 8 years of age, born in Texas
4. Walter Spry, step-son 23 years of age, born in Texas
5. Arza Belle Spry, step-daughter 22 years of age born in Texas
6. Thomas J. Spry, step-son 21 years of age born in Texas
The Parker County 1910 census shows Matthew Ward and Sarah Spry Ward being divorced. Matthew was living with two of his daughters
Mary Daughter age 19
Ina daughter age 15
Sarah N. was now living eith her oldest son Walter and his wife Anna
Walter Spry head of household age 36
Wife Anna age 30
Sena Spry daughter age 1 1/2
Sarah N. Mother age 61 and divorced
Ruth Spry Sister age 34 (Rutha Jane)
Matthew L. Ward married again after Sarah N. to Martha Sullivan. In 1910 Matthew Ward left Parker County for Harmon County Oklahoma, he died at Hollis Oklahoma but was taken back to Parker County to be buried with his 3rd wife Amanda Tabor.
Springtown Texas, Parker County 1900 census lists another family living near by Joel B and Mary Jane (Lemons) Ramsey and three of their children:
1. John F. age 21 born in Alabama
2. "Senie" P. (Sena Permilia) age 17 born in Alabama
3. Mary Frances "Molly" age 14 born in Alabama
Thomas J. Spry and Sena Permilia Ramsey met, fell in love and were married September 10, 1900 in Springtown, Texas, Parker County. The first five of their children including my Mother Velma were born at Springtown, Texas, Parker County. Sometime after 1911 "Tom", and "Senie" as most people knew them decided to join a group of friends and family and continue their westward move. One of those familes was my Grandmother's sister Mollie, and her husband Wesley Tabors.
Mollie, her husband Wesley, and their children dropped out of the wagon train early and settled at Dodson, Texas, where they lived the rest of their lives and are both buried there.
"Tom" and "Senie" continued to move west, finally settling in a small Community named Plaska (it no longer exists). They purchased their first 160 in acre farm in Hall County on September 26, 1916, and added two more children Ima Ruth born May 8, 1918, and
T. J. Spry born Febuary 7, 1920.
Grandmother died January 11, 1960, Grandad died July 30, 1974, they are both buried at Fairview Cemetery Memphis, Texas, Hall County.
Tom, Senie, Earl, Velma, Ruby
Venita, Ima Ruth, & T. J. Spry
