Person:Sarah Carter (95)

about Sarah JSarah J. Morgan

Spouse 1: John W. Byers

Spouse 2: Sarah JSarah J. Morgan

Marriage Date: 26 Jan 1862

Marriage Place: Jefferson

Performed By: JP

Surety/Perf. Name: J. N. Taylor

Since you know where she is in 1860 and can find nothing on her in 1870, it's most likely that James Milton Morgan, her first husband, died between 1860 and 1870. I found nothing in AL death records for any name variations of James Milton Morgan. Generally these death records pertained to highly communicable diseases like typhoid, however. If he died of a fever, it could easily have been the flu or pneumonia, which likely wasn't reported to authorities. It would be unusual if there were a death record for him. However, it's possible there is a grave for him in Coosa. I'll see if I have anything in my limited cemetery records. Coosa County genealogists have done extensive work on compiling their cemetery markers. Of course many graves were not marked in 1860's or they were just a rock marker, which are generally unreadable today.

Regarding Sarah Morgan's remarriage, the above is the only marriage for "Sarah Jane Morgan" in 1860-1870 time period. Jefferson County is 2 counties NW of Coosa - not that far for AL. I'd look for census records in Jefferson county for Sarah Byers. Since she has very young children in 1860, there's a possibility that they may be living with this Byers couple. Anyway, John Byers seems to be the most likely candidate as the overseer that she reportedly married. I'll see what I have on Byers in Coosa records. I will tell you that many of the records from the Civil War time period, especially 1863-1865 of the South are almost unreadable due to watered down ink and home-made unstable inks. Nevertheless, if I find anything, I'll pass it on. It may take me a while to do this as I have a lot of records to examine. Also, I have not looked at many civil records from Coosa; mostly what I have are criminal and debtor records.

Regarding our Sarah Miller who married a Carter - I've looked at the Coosa county census record for Thomas and Sarah Carter who had a daughter Sarah J born in GA about 1837. Their oldest child is 19, which means they married about 1830, probably in GA. I could not find a marriage record for this couple, but that is not unusual. This time period would match the known facts we have on our Sarah Miller. 3 other facts that would agree with Sarah Miller being the maiden name for Sarah Carter [mother of Sarah Carter Morgan] is 1.) 3 of the sons of Charles Miller moved to Coosa between 1840-1850 so she would be in same county as 3 of her brothers, 2.) Nancy Miller Swan, sister of Sarah Miller, moved to Randolph Co, AL at roughly the same time period; Randolph Co is about 2 counties east of Coosa, and 3) Thomas Carter of Henry, GA bought land from Enos Barnes in 1837, shortly after Charles Miller had died. Charles Miller and the Barnes family had a close relationship in Henry, GA so the sale of the land from Barnes to Thomas Carter is suggestive that Carter may have been related to the Miller family. We know Sarah married a Carter between 1826 and 1837 because of county records we've seen.

There is a Thomas Carter who lived in Newton, GA in 1840 census; this is near to where Charles Miller lived [Charles lived along Henry/Newton county line] and where Charles' son Robert lived [Newton Co]. The Carter couple in 1840 have a son born 1821-1825 and daughters born 1826-1830 [1] and 1831-1835 [2]. This data doesn't match very good with 1850 Coosa census, so it might not be the same couple. However, in 1850 Coosa, it appears Thomas and Sarah have married daughter [Pierson] and perhaps grandkids [both Pierson and Carter] living with them. If so, Sarah Carter age 13 born 1837 is probably their youngest child and all the Carter kids younger than her are probably grandkids. Sarah Carter, Mrs. Thomas would have been 43 at the birth of daughter Sarah. Alternatively, Sarah's age may be incorrect by 10 years and/or Thomas could have married twice and had kids by a previous marriage. This Sarah Carter b 1794 seems to be best choice for Sarah Miller [based on above facts] with the exception of the birth year which does not match known Sarah Miller data when she was living with parents Charles and Nancy. I've searched the census data, marriage data, and other records and this Sarah of Coosa is still the closest fit. Probably we'll never know for certain without a marriage record.

Your Sarah Jane Carter Morgan is the only one in census records to match your family Bible data. Do you have birth years recorded in the family Bible? Whether Mrs. Thomas Carter, mother of Sarah b 1837, is the former Sarah Miller is yet to be determined; I'd say that Thomas and Sarah Carter of Coosa are the right parents for Sarah b 1837, however.

I'll keep y'all posted with what I learn.

1.   Brenda Baumert
   15 Mar 2008.

   ulibrenda@gmail.com

2.   I received this via email this morning from a researcher who agreed to try to locate more information on our James Milton and Sarah Jane Carter Morgan. You may recall that the family story we have is that James Milton died of a "fever" one Spring and that Sarah "married the overseer". I have searched in vain for who that person might be and what happened to Sarah after 1860, the last time she and James Milton and their children, appear together in ANY census.
   
   I'm hoping that by sharing this researcher's info with more people, together we may find some more clues. Please note she has also ventured a guess about who Sarah's parents might be.
   
   Happy hunting!