Week 33: Troublesome--Trying to Find Mary Davey

This is my third year working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow. I will write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or at My Trails into the Past. I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.

This past week, while attending a genealogy class on writing up our research, I have been researching what became of Mary Davey, who married at least twice, once to a Crosby, and another to a Smith. Her death date is still unknown as well. Researching Mary has certainly been troublesome.  

However, writing up the research has helped with some progress. Below is what was known before the start of the new research:

Mary Davey, born 23 May 1839 and the sixth child of Thomas Davey and Mary Nicholas, came to the U.S. with her family in 1851. She was baptized at fourteen at St. Peter’s Church in Reading, Pennsylvania.[1]

In 1885, her mother visited Mary Crosby in Indianapolis when she was suffering from cancer. In February of 1886, she appeared in her father’s obituary as Dr. Mary Crosby of Indianapolis. In September of 1893, her mother’s obituary stated she (as Dr. Mary Smith) lived in Carthage, Missouri.[2]

Finally, a newspaper article written in 1901, a Mrs. Eliza Shode of Newport, Kentucky, was looking for Mrs. Mary Smith, formerly of Jeffersonville. “She was an aunt of Dr. E. N. Flynn [actually her sister, Elizabeth Davey] and her maiden name was Miss Mary Davey. She was married several times, her husbands being named Crosby, Fraily, Hawkins and Smith. The latter is still living.”[3]

One would expect to find her in the 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses. With the clues about Indianapolis, she ought to be listed in city directory. Perhaps, she is hidden behind a husband’s name. However, if she really was a physician, then would be likely she would be listed under her own name. She was not so listed.

After a round of research, her last husband was found. Dr. Mary Crosby married Dr. W. T. Smith in Springfield, Missouri on 11 July 1889.[4] She placed physician ads in the Springfield Daily Republican before her marriage as Dr. Mary Crosby and then as Dr. Mary Smith after the marriage.[5]  Without knowing what her husband’s first and middle names, it is difficult to find him.

Mr. Crosby has yet to be found. A timeline of Mary’s life, with the blue text showing the results of the latest round of research:

United States Timeline: (blue text is from this research period/black text is from known info)

1852-Mar 12:     arrival in New York City

1853-Oct 21:      father, Thomas, declares intention to naturalize, Berks County, Penn

1854-Mar 12:     baptism & membership, St. Peter’s Church, Reading, Berks co, Penn

1885-Sep:            Mary Crosby suffering from cancer in Indianapolis

1885-Oct-Nov    Dr. Mary Crosby, physician ads in Indianapolis News, at 124 Fletcher av, op S. House

1886-Feb:            Dr. Mary Crosby is living in Indianapolis (father’s obit)

1887                     Mary Crosby, physician, is listed in Louisville, Kentucky city directory

1888-May-Jul     Dr. Mary Crosby, physician ads in Springfield Daily Leader, address 307 East Walnut St

1888-Jul-Sep       Dr. Mary Crosby, physician ads in Springfield Daily Leader, address 449 South St

1888-Oct             Dr. Mary Crosby is sick

1889-Jul               Dr. W. T. Smith and Dr. Mary Crosby marry in Springfield, Missouri.

1893-Sep:            Dr. Mary Smith is living in Carthage, Missouri (mother’s obit)

1901-Mar:           Mary Smith likely dead, husband still living, clues to 4 possible husbands: CROSBY, FRAILY, HAWKINS, SMITH

1901-Dec             Possible mention of Dr. Mary Smith of Winfield, Indiana

Progress has been made on the research of Mary Davey. Standby for the next round as I try to find a reference to her attending medical school.

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[1] Family data, Thomas Davey Family Bible, (Cincinnati, Ohio: Moore, Wilstch, Keyes & Company, 1859); original owned by [address for private use], transcription done by Mary Davey Korn, granddaughter of Thomas Davey. “New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957,” Ocean Queen, arriving 12 Mar 1852, 2nd page, lines 18-25, digital image, Ancestry ((http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 Aug 2019), citing NARA M237, roll 110. Central United Methodist (Reading, Pennsylvania), Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania., St. Peter's Church, Baptisms p 1, Mary Jane Davey baptism; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 June 2012).

[2] “City News,” Jeffersonville Evening News, 25 Sep 1885, p. unk. "Thomas Davey," Jeffersonville (Indiana) Daily News, 9 Feb 1886, p. 2. “Death of Mrs. Mary Davey," Jeffersonville News, 19 Sep 1893, p. 4.

[3] “Who Mrs. Smith Was,” Jeffersonville Evening News, 2 Mar 1901, p. 4.

[4] Greene County Recorder of Deeds, Greene Co, Missouri, Marriage Record, Volume I, p. 147, Dr. W.T. Smith to Dr. Mary Crosby, 1889, digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/), digital film 007424401.

[5] Springfield Daily Republican, 5 May 1888, p. 4, Newspaper.com (https://www.newspaper.com). 

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