Monument erected April xx 2024 by the generous donation of J. Denise Wilkinson

Phoebe's Story

In the beginning, Phoebe was a working girl in Sharonville, Hamilton County Ohio along with her sister Sarah. They are boarders along with other young people learning their crafts at the home of Adelade and Thomas Edmonds. Per the 1860 census.

By the year 1870, Phoebe along with her sister Sarah relocated to Rockport, Spencer County Ohio with their mother Christiana. At this time, my gggrandfather Samuel was well established there having arrived in about 1840. The girls are working as milliners. Per the 1870 census.

In 1871 Christiana has died, and suddenly Sarah dies in the later part of 1878 while she was visiting their brother George Henry Wilkinson in Princeton Indiana. Now Phoebe is left alone, far from her family in Ohio. Reaching Princeton was a difficult venture during those days, and even to visit Samuel at the far north of the county would prove to be a time consuming if not dangerous undertaking.

So she marries! On October 2, 1878 Phoebe Catherine Wilkinson became the bride of Shadrack Rogers Howell. They pack up and move to Belmont, Iroquois County, Illinois. S. R. Howell is age 58 and a cabinet maker. Phoebe is age 48 and keeps house. Residing next door is Mr. Howell's son Garret Peck Howell. Per 1878 marriage certificate and 1880 census.

In 1900 we have the family moved again. I wonder if there is gypsy blood in our Wilkinson line? Mr. and Mrs. Howell are in Slaughterville (now known as Slaughters), Webster County, Kentucky. They are boarders in the household of Vance and Brewnette Brengman. Shadrack is age 78, a house carpenter. Phoebe is age 68, and had no children. They have been married 22 years. Also son Garrett resides close by. All of these documents state thus far Phoebe was born in Ohio, mother born in Ohio and father born in New Jersey. Per the 1900 census.

Shadrack R. Howell I believe died between 1900 and 1910 in Webster County, Kentucky. Unfortunately Kentucky did not start keeping death records until 1911. I have contacted several people at the library in Webster County, and Mr. Howell cannot be found in any of the cemetery records. They have no obituary index, thus there is no way to search for an obituary without a death date. I'm not sure we will find additional information here.

In 1910 we have a Phoebe, age 80 residing in a widows home in New Albany, Indiana. She had no children, born in Ohio, mother born in Ohio, yet father is listed as born in Pennsylvania. Well, at 80…can you remember everything? Per 1910 census.

On August 27, 1910, Phoebe Catherine Wilkinson Howell perishes, age 77. Also on her death records (line 3), her medical condition is listed as senile. It was not known who her husband, mother or father was, yet it states she was from Chrisney Indiana where Samuel resided and possibly she did as well. At least it is in the same vicinity as Rockport. I can only assume this to be her. She is buried at the Fairview Cemetery in New Albany, Indiana. There is no marker, however I have created a memorial on Find A Grave. Per death record, obituary, and cemetery record.

Well, this is the end of the line for Phoebe. She had no children and thus her line ends here on August 27, 1910.

None of this would have been possible if I had not seen Cheryl VanHoose's family tree on ancestry.com. Her family tree was blocked (which is a good thing), however upon making contact she willingly shared with me everything she knew regarding Phoebe. And believe me, that was a lot! I always assumed Phoebe lived and died in Hamilton or Warren County Ohio. Never in my wildest dreams did I realize Phoebe and Sarah relocated with their mother Christiana to Spencer County. Thank you so much Cheryl for sharing your information and working together in trying to determine this ladies life.

J. Denise Wilkinson

September 3, 2010