First, I'd like to thank the folks at the David Benton Facebook page for including my article, written by Mary C. Bell Hudson. Next, I want to thank those of you who have visited and please, if you have something, anything related to genealogy you would like to share please use the comment section and I will copy and paste it into a post of its' own. While my intentions were to write solely on Bell Genealogy, I feel this limits both my viewers and the content. If you will notice I have included other family names and will continue to do this. Also, I plan to be more active with this blog in 2012 and you, the viewers can make that easier for me, if you will also submit material, but please include sources of information if possible. That source can be something as simple as your own personal knowledge, but I do want to be accurate.
Okay, the Yates family has been a challenge for me to say the least. I keep wishing and hoping I'll find something that will be like a key and unlock, at least some of what I will call a mystery. Unfortunately, it seems the more I discover the more mysterious they become. Recently, I visited the archives in the basement of the Benton County Library to verify something I found on Ancestry.com concerning Joshua Yates, seemingly the only son of Elisha. Joshua and his sister Harriet were convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of James Harvey Cleghorn. If you have read my account of the Yates trial, you may remember originally the entire family was charged with first degree murder, but later charges were dropped against sisters Charlotte and Johannah. Joshua, Harriet, Salitha and Adeline were tried and on February 16, 1845 the jury's verdict was Salitha and Adeline not guilty and as mentioned Joshua and Harriet were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Joshua was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary and Harriet was sentenced to three years, but like EVERYTHING else involving this Yates family I have hit a wall.
First things first, I mentioned visiting the Archives at the Benton County Library to ascertain the validity of this: Quarterly court minute book b (1854-1861) P. 506: jOSHUA yATES CHARGED AS FATHER OF CAROLINE oAKLEY'S TWO BASTARD CHILDREN IN MARCH 1860. P/508 - LISTS THE YOUNGEST CHILD AS 3 YEARS OLD.
which is noted in a family tree on Ancestry.com. I haven't a clue where any of this came from. The minute book (b) and the dates do not match, nor does the page. In fact, there is no record of Caroline Oakley period. Truthfully, as silly and ridiculous as it sounds, I'm beginning to wonder if there is a conspiracy out there to prevent me from finding the truths about this Yates family!
Oh that is so silly, stupid, paranoid even right? Okay, after the trial and verdict was given I can find no record of Harriet Yates existence. I have researched the Tennessee State Prison, viewed a list of prisoners being housed in the state prison (1831-1855) and neither Joshua, nor Harriet Yates name is included. I have even been in contact with Mr. John-Paul (Jay) Richiuso, C.A., M.A., Assistant Director for Manuscripts Services at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, who physically checked their records and found no evidence either ever served time in prison. But, I have found this from the September 1845 Term of Court in Benton County, TN - Tha Joshua Yates had been Lodged at the Carroll Co Jail
Sept 1845 Term of Court--Benton Co TN
12-27-1844 1-14-1845
1-19-1845 5-12-1845
to 4 turnkeys
Total: 51.12
also Feby 1845 To putting irons on Joshua Yates .25
May 1845 To taking iron off Joshua Yates .25
This seemingly indicates Joshua Yates was incarcerated from 27 December 1844 until 12 May 1845, but what about Harriet? Remember she was sentenced to a year longer than Joshua.
Perhaps one day I will find something that will pull all of this into place and give a clear picture of this Yates family, but until then I will continue to search. Joshua and wife Tabitha moved to Missouri and are in Long Island, Mississippi County, MO for the 1860 US Census. Tabitha was said to be a widow and re-married G. Cyrus Campbell, 2 November 1862. There are accounts of a Joshua Yates being killed in the Civil War and accounts of a Joshua Yates being a prisoner. Oh, there are also accounts of Joshua Yates enlisted on both sides and ALL are about the same age and yes, the same age as "my" Joshua Yates. Whoopie!! This is soooo much fun, but I really wish I could catch a pinch of luck.
Forgive me if this is extremely jumbled and if it was about another of my families I might try to fix it and try to make it make sense, but not with the Yates family. I'd never get it fixed!
Until next time, thank you for visiting and please come again,
Tim Bell
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