Margaret Lydia Stier was a daughter of William Madison and Mary M. (Boggess) Stier. Born 27 March 1863 (or possibly 1862) in Sardis Township, Harrison County, West Virginia, her birthdate preceded the acceptance of West Virginia into the Union as a state on 20 June 1863. Margaret Lydia Stier grew up on her family's farm. Her mother, Mary Stier, passed away in 1876, when Margaret was 13 years old.
Madison Stier (1809-Unknown), born in Virginia, was listed as a farmer in the Harrison County 1860 U.S. Census, with ownership of real property valued at $3000 and personal property valued at $700, which established him as a substantial landowner in the area. Mary M. (Boggess) Stier (1813-1876) was the oldest daughter of Albertus Boggess (1791-1861), who was listed in the Harrison County 1860 U.S. Census as a farmer, born in Maryland, and as the owner of real property valued at $5000 and personal property valued at $4000 which included three slaves. Mary's younger half-brother Albert Boggess (1839-1891) would fight for the Confederacy at the Battle of New Market in May 1864 as a VMI cadet and later join the Confederate Army. Madison and Mary Stier's son Cleatus Stier (1836-1921) joined the Union Army and served as a private in Company E, 12th Infantry Regiment West Virginia. Harrison County was largely pro-Union leading up to the Civil War and was the site of no major Civil War battles but some isolated guerrilla activity and significant troop support facilities at Clarksburg.
No birth record has yet been found for Margaret Lydia Stier, and although Madison and Mary Stier were named as her parents on her marriage certificate and she was raised in their household, it is possible that she was actually their granddaughter. A letter from Margaret in the possession of one of her granddaughters indicates that Margaret's "grandmother was a Boggess", which could be interpreted to mean that Mary Magdalene (Boggess) Stier was Margaret's grandmother, rather than her mother. Also, Margaret Randolph's 1950 death certificate lists Samuel and Mary (Stier) Hardman as her parents, and Mary Stier was an older daughter of Madison and Mary Stier. In any case, Margaret was raised by Madison and Mary M. Stier as their daughter.
Margaret is listed as Lydia M. Stier, age 8, in the 1870 U.S. Census in the household of Madison and Mary M. Stier at Sardis Township, Harrison County, West Virginia. The 1870 U.S. Census indicated that Lydia M. Stier had attended school during the year and that her father's real property was then valued at $250 and his personal property was valued at $360. Other Stier children living in the household in 1870 were Martha E. (age 37), Lewis E. (age 21), Champa A. (age 19), and James M. (age 16). Eight older children of Madison and Mary M. Stier were no longer living in the family household, though most continued to live nearby.
Margaret Lydia's mother, Mary M. (Boggess) Stier, died 01 October 1876 at Sardis when Margaret Lydia would have been 13 years old. The death was report by Madison Stier, the husband of Mary M. Stier, so it is likely that Margaret Lydia continued to live with her father after the death of her mother.
No record of Madison Stier or Margaret Lydia Stier has been found in the 1880 U.S. Census. And no record has been found regarding the date of death or location of burial of Madison Stier.
Margaret was married to Lewis Spencer Fitz Randolph (1852-1892) on May 18, 1882 in Harrison County, West Virginia. She is listed in the marriage record as "Maggie L. Stier", age 20, daughter of Madison Stier and Mary Stier. The groom is listed as Lewis S. F. Randolph, age 28, son of David F. Randolph and Caroline F. Randolph. The 1870 U.S. Census had listed David F. Randolph as a "farm laborer" in Ten Mile Township, Harrison County, West Virginia with personal property of $100, born in Virginia, and both he and his wife Caroline were listed as "Unable to Write."
A citation of this marriage is found in "The Descendants of Edward Fitz Randolph and Elizabeth Blossom 1630-1950" (1955) by Louise Aymar Christian and Howard Stelle Fitz Randolph with the following entry:
____________
#894. SPENCER8 FITZ RANDOLPH (629), b. 1853; died 1892; married 1882, MARGARET STEIR, b. 1862.
Child:
i. LULU,9 b. W. Va.; m. LEE CASEY
____________
Edward Fitz Randolph, a great grandfather of Lewis Spencer Fitz Randolph, emigrated from England to Scituate, Plymouth County, Massachusetts in 1630, and is listed as one of the passengers on the "Winthrop Fleet." He married Elizabeth Blossom, daughter of Thomas Blossom, and they had twelve children. The family had relocated to New Jersey by 1670, settling in the Piscataway and Woodbridge areas. Many of Edward's descendants fought in the American Revolutionary War, include his great grandson Samuel Fitz Randolph, who with his family relocated to Northwestern Virginia after the war ended. Samuel Fitz Randolph founded the town of Salem, West Virginia, in Harrison County, where both Margaret Stier and Spencer Randolph were born and raised.
Margaret and Spencer Randolph became the parents of Ward (1883-1962), Vance Eslie (1888-1963) and Lulu Madge Randolph (1889-1969). There is no record of this family in the 1890 U.S. Census, probably due to the destruction of the majority of this Census by fire in 1921. Family history indicates that Spencer Randolph supported his family as a storekeeper. Margaret was an accomplished dressmaker and would create beautiful quilts throughout her adult life.
Two references to this family are found in the book, "DAVIS The Settlers of Salem, West Virginia (Their Ancestors and Some of Their Descendants)" by Susie Davis Nicholson, published by Salem Seventh Day Baptist Church (1992):
______________
Page 190
389. DAVID F. RANDOLPH ... Their children RANDOLPH:
772 i. Lewis Spencer, b. 1852; d. 1892; m. 18 May 1882 (D) Margaret Lydia Stier b. 1862, (d/o Madison & Mary)
Page 324
772. LEWIS SPENCER F. RANDOLPH [8] (David [7], Jane Maxson [6], Mary Davis [5], Nathan [4], T. Wm. [3], John [2], Wm. [1]) b. 1852; d. 1892; 1882 MARGARET LYDIA STIER, b. 1862. Their children RANDOLPH:
i. Vance E., b. 23 April 1888 (D); d. at Clarksburg, WV 31 March 1963.
ii. Lulu, b. 9 Dec. 1889, Salem, WV; d.s. 29 Dec. 1969 (DAR) m. Rev. N. Lee Casey.
i. Ernest R.
ii. Rev. Joseph H.
iii. Virginia Lee, m. George Gleason
______________
Margaret Lydia's husband, Spencer Randolph, died suddenly of typhoid fever in Morgansville, Doddridge County, West Virginia on 21 November 1892 according to the West Virginia Deaths Index. He was buried in Salem, Doddridge County, West Virginia two days later. Margaret Lydia was then left on her own to raise three very young children ages 9, 4, and nearly 2 years old. To survive, she would keep a flock of chickens, and perhaps sell the eggs, as well as send her boys into the mines for lumps of coal left behind by the coal cars.
In 1898, all three Randolph children were attending the Wilsonburg School in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. The report for that school year indicated that the children in the school had difficulty securing the necessary books.
The 1900 U.S. Census indicates that Margaret Lydia and her three children were living as "boarders" with her older brother Lewis E. Stier and his wife in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. The two boys, Ward and Vance, were listed as ages 17 and 12, respectively, had attended 6 months of school that year, and were both occupied as "farm laborers". The youngest child, "Lulie", was listed as age 10, and also had attended school for 6 months that year.
In 1910, the U.S. Census listed Margaret Randolph as "Head" of her own household, with her children Ward and Lulu living with her in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. No occupation was listed for Margaret, but Ward (age 26) was listed as a coal miner, and Lulu was listed as a student (age 20).
A few years after the marriage of her daughter Lula Randolph to Rev. Nathan Lee Casey in 1922, Margaret took up residence with her daughter's family in Charleston, West Virginia. Margaret was an integral member of the family, helping to raise the three Casey children: Virginia, Joseph and Ernest. She relocated with the family to numerous locations in West Virginia as Nathan Lee, a Methodist pastor, was periodically reassigned.
Margaret attended the Wilsonburg Baptist Church as a child. After her marriage she became a Seventh Day Baptist, joining her husband in the church of his father, mother and ancestors in observance of the sabbath on Saturday. Margaret returned to the Wilsonburg Baptist Church after the death of her husband, but attended Methodist services with her daughter Lula and son-in-law Rev. Nathan Lee Casey when she took up residence with her daughter's family. Margaret enjoyed the wedding services conducted by her pastor son-in-law in the parsonages where they lived, often serving as a witness for the young couples married there. A well-worn Bible was found among her possessions after her death.
Margaret Randolph died on 24 June 1950 in Wilsonburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. She was buried on 26 June 1950 in the IOOF O'Neil Cemetery in Wilsonburg, Harrison County, West Virginia.
************************
OBITUARY
MRS. MARGARET RANDOLPH
Mrs. Margaret M. Randolph, 87, widow of Lewis Spencer Randolph, died at the home of a son, Ward Randolph, at Wilsonburg, Saturday, June 24, at 12:50 p.m. following a short illness.
She was born March 27, 1863 at Sardis, a member of the Stier family.
She is survived by two sons, Ward, at whose home she died; and Vance E., of Summit Court, Clarksburg; one daughter, Mrs. N. L. Casey, of Lumberport, where she made her home; 13 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Mrs. Randolph was a member of the Wilson Baptist church for over 50 years.
************************
amg
Madison Stier (1809-Unknown), born in Virginia, was listed as a farmer in the Harrison County 1860 U.S. Census, with ownership of real property valued at $3000 and personal property valued at $700, which established him as a substantial landowner in the area. Mary M. (Boggess) Stier (1813-1876) was the oldest daughter of Albertus Boggess (1791-1861), who was listed in the Harrison County 1860 U.S. Census as a farmer, born in Maryland, and as the owner of real property valued at $5000 and personal property valued at $4000 which included three slaves. Mary's younger half-brother Albert Boggess (1839-1891) would fight for the Confederacy at the Battle of New Market in May 1864 as a VMI cadet and later join the Confederate Army. Madison and Mary Stier's son Cleatus Stier (1836-1921) joined the Union Army and served as a private in Company E, 12th Infantry Regiment West Virginia. Harrison County was largely pro-Union leading up to the Civil War and was the site of no major Civil War battles but some isolated guerrilla activity and significant troop support facilities at Clarksburg.
No birth record has yet been found for Margaret Lydia Stier, and although Madison and Mary Stier were named as her parents on her marriage certificate and she was raised in their household, it is possible that she was actually their granddaughter. A letter from Margaret in the possession of one of her granddaughters indicates that Margaret's "grandmother was a Boggess", which could be interpreted to mean that Mary Magdalene (Boggess) Stier was Margaret's grandmother, rather than her mother. Also, Margaret Randolph's 1950 death certificate lists Samuel and Mary (Stier) Hardman as her parents, and Mary Stier was an older daughter of Madison and Mary Stier. In any case, Margaret was raised by Madison and Mary M. Stier as their daughter.
Margaret is listed as Lydia M. Stier, age 8, in the 1870 U.S. Census in the household of Madison and Mary M. Stier at Sardis Township, Harrison County, West Virginia. The 1870 U.S. Census indicated that Lydia M. Stier had attended school during the year and that her father's real property was then valued at $250 and his personal property was valued at $360. Other Stier children living in the household in 1870 were Martha E. (age 37), Lewis E. (age 21), Champa A. (age 19), and James M. (age 16). Eight older children of Madison and Mary M. Stier were no longer living in the family household, though most continued to live nearby.
Margaret Lydia's mother, Mary M. (Boggess) Stier, died 01 October 1876 at Sardis when Margaret Lydia would have been 13 years old. The death was report by Madison Stier, the husband of Mary M. Stier, so it is likely that Margaret Lydia continued to live with her father after the death of her mother.
No record of Madison Stier or Margaret Lydia Stier has been found in the 1880 U.S. Census. And no record has been found regarding the date of death or location of burial of Madison Stier.
Margaret was married to Lewis Spencer Fitz Randolph (1852-1892) on May 18, 1882 in Harrison County, West Virginia. She is listed in the marriage record as "Maggie L. Stier", age 20, daughter of Madison Stier and Mary Stier. The groom is listed as Lewis S. F. Randolph, age 28, son of David F. Randolph and Caroline F. Randolph. The 1870 U.S. Census had listed David F. Randolph as a "farm laborer" in Ten Mile Township, Harrison County, West Virginia with personal property of $100, born in Virginia, and both he and his wife Caroline were listed as "Unable to Write."
A citation of this marriage is found in "The Descendants of Edward Fitz Randolph and Elizabeth Blossom 1630-1950" (1955) by Louise Aymar Christian and Howard Stelle Fitz Randolph with the following entry:
____________
#894. SPENCER8 FITZ RANDOLPH (629), b. 1853; died 1892; married 1882, MARGARET STEIR, b. 1862.
Child:
i. LULU,9 b. W. Va.; m. LEE CASEY
____________
Edward Fitz Randolph, a great grandfather of Lewis Spencer Fitz Randolph, emigrated from England to Scituate, Plymouth County, Massachusetts in 1630, and is listed as one of the passengers on the "Winthrop Fleet." He married Elizabeth Blossom, daughter of Thomas Blossom, and they had twelve children. The family had relocated to New Jersey by 1670, settling in the Piscataway and Woodbridge areas. Many of Edward's descendants fought in the American Revolutionary War, include his great grandson Samuel Fitz Randolph, who with his family relocated to Northwestern Virginia after the war ended. Samuel Fitz Randolph founded the town of Salem, West Virginia, in Harrison County, where both Margaret Stier and Spencer Randolph were born and raised.
Margaret and Spencer Randolph became the parents of Ward (1883-1962), Vance Eslie (1888-1963) and Lulu Madge Randolph (1889-1969). There is no record of this family in the 1890 U.S. Census, probably due to the destruction of the majority of this Census by fire in 1921. Family history indicates that Spencer Randolph supported his family as a storekeeper. Margaret was an accomplished dressmaker and would create beautiful quilts throughout her adult life.
Two references to this family are found in the book, "DAVIS The Settlers of Salem, West Virginia (Their Ancestors and Some of Their Descendants)" by Susie Davis Nicholson, published by Salem Seventh Day Baptist Church (1992):
______________
Page 190
389. DAVID F. RANDOLPH ... Their children RANDOLPH:
772 i. Lewis Spencer, b. 1852; d. 1892; m. 18 May 1882 (D) Margaret Lydia Stier b. 1862, (d/o Madison & Mary)
Page 324
772. LEWIS SPENCER F. RANDOLPH [8] (David [7], Jane Maxson [6], Mary Davis [5], Nathan [4], T. Wm. [3], John [2], Wm. [1]) b. 1852; d. 1892; 1882 MARGARET LYDIA STIER, b. 1862. Their children RANDOLPH:
i. Vance E., b. 23 April 1888 (D); d. at Clarksburg, WV 31 March 1963.
ii. Lulu, b. 9 Dec. 1889, Salem, WV; d.s. 29 Dec. 1969 (DAR) m. Rev. N. Lee Casey.
i. Ernest R.
ii. Rev. Joseph H.
iii. Virginia Lee, m. George Gleason
______________
Margaret Lydia's husband, Spencer Randolph, died suddenly of typhoid fever in Morgansville, Doddridge County, West Virginia on 21 November 1892 according to the West Virginia Deaths Index. He was buried in Salem, Doddridge County, West Virginia two days later. Margaret Lydia was then left on her own to raise three very young children ages 9, 4, and nearly 2 years old. To survive, she would keep a flock of chickens, and perhaps sell the eggs, as well as send her boys into the mines for lumps of coal left behind by the coal cars.
In 1898, all three Randolph children were attending the Wilsonburg School in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. The report for that school year indicated that the children in the school had difficulty securing the necessary books.
The 1900 U.S. Census indicates that Margaret Lydia and her three children were living as "boarders" with her older brother Lewis E. Stier and his wife in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. The two boys, Ward and Vance, were listed as ages 17 and 12, respectively, had attended 6 months of school that year, and were both occupied as "farm laborers". The youngest child, "Lulie", was listed as age 10, and also had attended school for 6 months that year.
In 1910, the U.S. Census listed Margaret Randolph as "Head" of her own household, with her children Ward and Lulu living with her in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. No occupation was listed for Margaret, but Ward (age 26) was listed as a coal miner, and Lulu was listed as a student (age 20).
A few years after the marriage of her daughter Lula Randolph to Rev. Nathan Lee Casey in 1922, Margaret took up residence with her daughter's family in Charleston, West Virginia. Margaret was an integral member of the family, helping to raise the three Casey children: Virginia, Joseph and Ernest. She relocated with the family to numerous locations in West Virginia as Nathan Lee, a Methodist pastor, was periodically reassigned.
Margaret attended the Wilsonburg Baptist Church as a child. After her marriage she became a Seventh Day Baptist, joining her husband in the church of his father, mother and ancestors in observance of the sabbath on Saturday. Margaret returned to the Wilsonburg Baptist Church after the death of her husband, but attended Methodist services with her daughter Lula and son-in-law Rev. Nathan Lee Casey when she took up residence with her daughter's family. Margaret enjoyed the wedding services conducted by her pastor son-in-law in the parsonages where they lived, often serving as a witness for the young couples married there. A well-worn Bible was found among her possessions after her death.
Margaret Randolph died on 24 June 1950 in Wilsonburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. She was buried on 26 June 1950 in the IOOF O'Neil Cemetery in Wilsonburg, Harrison County, West Virginia.
************************
OBITUARY
MRS. MARGARET RANDOLPH
Mrs. Margaret M. Randolph, 87, widow of Lewis Spencer Randolph, died at the home of a son, Ward Randolph, at Wilsonburg, Saturday, June 24, at 12:50 p.m. following a short illness.
She was born March 27, 1863 at Sardis, a member of the Stier family.
She is survived by two sons, Ward, at whose home she died; and Vance E., of Summit Court, Clarksburg; one daughter, Mrs. N. L. Casey, of Lumberport, where she made her home; 13 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Mrs. Randolph was a member of the Wilson Baptist church for over 50 years.
************************
amg
Margaret Lydia Stier was a daughter of William Madison and Mary M. (Boggess) Stier. Born 27 March 1863 (or possibly 1862) in Sardis Township, Harrison County, West Virginia, her birthdate preceded the acceptance of West Virginia into the Union as a state on 20 June 1863. Margaret Lydia Stier grew up on her family's farm. Her mother, Mary Stier, passed away in 1876, when Margaret was 13 years old.
Madison Stier (1809-Unknown), born in Virginia, was listed as a farmer in the Harrison County 1860 U.S. Census, with ownership of real property valued at $3000 and personal property valued at $700, which established him as a substantial landowner in the area. Mary M. (Boggess) Stier (1813-1876) was the oldest daughter of Albertus Boggess (1791-1861), who was listed in the Harrison County 1860 U.S. Census as a farmer, born in Maryland, and as the owner of real property valued at $5000 and personal property valued at $4000 which included three slaves. Mary's younger half-brother Albert Boggess (1839-1891) would fight for the Confederacy at the Battle of New Market in May 1864 as a VMI cadet and later join the Confederate Army. Madison and Mary Stier's son Cleatus Stier (1836-1921) joined the Union Army and served as a private in Company E, 12th Infantry Regiment West Virginia. Harrison County was largely pro-Union leading up to the Civil War and was the site of no major Civil War battles but some isolated guerrilla activity and significant troop support facilities at Clarksburg.
No birth record has yet been found for Margaret Lydia Stier, and although Madison and Mary Stier were named as her parents on her marriage certificate and she was raised in their household, it is possible that she was actually their granddaughter. A letter from Margaret in the possession of one of her granddaughters indicates that Margaret's "grandmother was a Boggess", which could be interpreted to mean that Mary Magdalene (Boggess) Stier was Margaret's grandmother, rather than her mother. Also, Margaret Randolph's 1950 death certificate lists Samuel and Mary (Stier) Hardman as her parents, and Mary Stier was an older daughter of Madison and Mary Stier. In any case, Margaret was raised by Madison and Mary M. Stier as their daughter.
Margaret is listed as Lydia M. Stier, age 8, in the 1870 U.S. Census in the household of Madison and Mary M. Stier at Sardis Township, Harrison County, West Virginia. The 1870 U.S. Census indicated that Lydia M. Stier had attended school during the year and that her father's real property was then valued at $250 and his personal property was valued at $360. Other Stier children living in the household in 1870 were Martha E. (age 37), Lewis E. (age 21), Champa A. (age 19), and James M. (age 16). Eight older children of Madison and Mary M. Stier were no longer living in the family household, though most continued to live nearby.
Margaret Lydia's mother, Mary M. (Boggess) Stier, died 01 October 1876 at Sardis when Margaret Lydia would have been 13 years old. The death was report by Madison Stier, the husband of Mary M. Stier, so it is likely that Margaret Lydia continued to live with her father after the death of her mother.
No record of Madison Stier or Margaret Lydia Stier has been found in the 1880 U.S. Census. And no record has been found regarding the date of death or location of burial of Madison Stier.
Margaret was married to Lewis Spencer Fitz Randolph (1852-1892) on May 18, 1882 in Harrison County, West Virginia. She is listed in the marriage record as "Maggie L. Stier", age 20, daughter of Madison Stier and Mary Stier. The groom is listed as Lewis S. F. Randolph, age 28, son of David F. Randolph and Caroline F. Randolph. The 1870 U.S. Census had listed David F. Randolph as a "farm laborer" in Ten Mile Township, Harrison County, West Virginia with personal property of $100, born in Virginia, and both he and his wife Caroline were listed as "Unable to Write."
A citation of this marriage is found in "The Descendants of Edward Fitz Randolph and Elizabeth Blossom 1630-1950" (1955) by Louise Aymar Christian and Howard Stelle Fitz Randolph with the following entry:
____________
#894. SPENCER8 FITZ RANDOLPH (629), b. 1853; died 1892; married 1882, MARGARET STEIR, b. 1862.
Child:
i. LULU,9 b. W. Va.; m. LEE CASEY
____________
Edward Fitz Randolph, a great grandfather of Lewis Spencer Fitz Randolph, emigrated from England to Scituate, Plymouth County, Massachusetts in 1630, and is listed as one of the passengers on the "Winthrop Fleet." He married Elizabeth Blossom, daughter of Thomas Blossom, and they had twelve children. The family had relocated to New Jersey by 1670, settling in the Piscataway and Woodbridge areas. Many of Edward's descendants fought in the American Revolutionary War, include his great grandson Samuel Fitz Randolph, who with his family relocated to Northwestern Virginia after the war ended. Samuel Fitz Randolph founded the town of Salem, West Virginia, in Harrison County, where both Margaret Stier and Spencer Randolph were born and raised.
Margaret and Spencer Randolph became the parents of Ward (1883-1962), Vance Eslie (1888-1963) and Lulu Madge Randolph (1889-1969). There is no record of this family in the 1890 U.S. Census, probably due to the destruction of the majority of this Census by fire in 1921. Family history indicates that Spencer Randolph supported his family as a storekeeper. Margaret was an accomplished dressmaker and would create beautiful quilts throughout her adult life.
Two references to this family are found in the book, "DAVIS The Settlers of Salem, West Virginia (Their Ancestors and Some of Their Descendants)" by Susie Davis Nicholson, published by Salem Seventh Day Baptist Church (1992):
______________
Page 190
389. DAVID F. RANDOLPH ... Their children RANDOLPH:
772 i. Lewis Spencer, b. 1852; d. 1892; m. 18 May 1882 (D) Margaret Lydia Stier b. 1862, (d/o Madison & Mary)
Page 324
772. LEWIS SPENCER F. RANDOLPH [8] (David [7], Jane Maxson [6], Mary Davis [5], Nathan [4], T. Wm. [3], John [2], Wm. [1]) b. 1852; d. 1892; 1882 MARGARET LYDIA STIER, b. 1862. Their children RANDOLPH:
i. Vance E., b. 23 April 1888 (D); d. at Clarksburg, WV 31 March 1963.
ii. Lulu, b. 9 Dec. 1889, Salem, WV; d.s. 29 Dec. 1969 (DAR) m. Rev. N. Lee Casey.
i. Ernest R.
ii. Rev. Joseph H.
iii. Virginia Lee, m. George Gleason
______________
Margaret Lydia's husband, Spencer Randolph, died suddenly of typhoid fever in Morgansville, Doddridge County, West Virginia on 21 November 1892 according to the West Virginia Deaths Index. He was buried in Salem, Doddridge County, West Virginia two days later. Margaret Lydia was then left on her own to raise three very young children ages 9, 4, and nearly 2 years old. To survive, she would keep a flock of chickens, and perhaps sell the eggs, as well as send her boys into the mines for lumps of coal left behind by the coal cars.
In 1898, all three Randolph children were attending the Wilsonburg School in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. The report for that school year indicated that the children in the school had difficulty securing the necessary books.
The 1900 U.S. Census indicates that Margaret Lydia and her three children were living as "boarders" with her older brother Lewis E. Stier and his wife in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. The two boys, Ward and Vance, were listed as ages 17 and 12, respectively, had attended 6 months of school that year, and were both occupied as "farm laborers". The youngest child, "Lulie", was listed as age 10, and also had attended school for 6 months that year.
In 1910, the U.S. Census listed Margaret Randolph as "Head" of her own household, with her children Ward and Lulu living with her in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. No occupation was listed for Margaret, but Ward (age 26) was listed as a coal miner, and Lulu was listed as a student (age 20).
A few years after the marriage of her daughter Lula Randolph to Rev. Nathan Lee Casey in 1922, Margaret took up residence with her daughter's family in Charleston, West Virginia. Margaret was an integral member of the family, helping to raise the three Casey children: Virginia, Joseph and Ernest. She relocated with the family to numerous locations in West Virginia as Nathan Lee, a Methodist pastor, was periodically reassigned.
Margaret attended the Wilsonburg Baptist Church as a child. After her marriage she became a Seventh Day Baptist, joining her husband in the church of his father, mother and ancestors in observance of the sabbath on Saturday. Margaret returned to the Wilsonburg Baptist Church after the death of her husband, but attended Methodist services with her daughter Lula and son-in-law Rev. Nathan Lee Casey when she took up residence with her daughter's family. Margaret enjoyed the wedding services conducted by her pastor son-in-law in the parsonages where they lived, often serving as a witness for the young couples married there. A well-worn Bible was found among her possessions after her death.
Margaret Randolph died on 24 June 1950 in Wilsonburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. She was buried on 26 June 1950 in the IOOF O'Neil Cemetery in Wilsonburg, Harrison County, West Virginia.
************************
OBITUARY
MRS. MARGARET RANDOLPH
Mrs. Margaret M. Randolph, 87, widow of Lewis Spencer Randolph, died at the home of a son, Ward Randolph, at Wilsonburg, Saturday, June 24, at 12:50 p.m. following a short illness.
She was born March 27, 1863 at Sardis, a member of the Stier family.
She is survived by two sons, Ward, at whose home she died; and Vance E., of Summit Court, Clarksburg; one daughter, Mrs. N. L. Casey, of Lumberport, where she made her home; 13 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Mrs. Randolph was a member of the Wilson Baptist church for over 50 years.
************************
amg
Madison Stier (1809-Unknown), born in Virginia, was listed as a farmer in the Harrison County 1860 U.S. Census, with ownership of real property valued at $3000 and personal property valued at $700, which established him as a substantial landowner in the area. Mary M. (Boggess) Stier (1813-1876) was the oldest daughter of Albertus Boggess (1791-1861), who was listed in the Harrison County 1860 U.S. Census as a farmer, born in Maryland, and as the owner of real property valued at $5000 and personal property valued at $4000 which included three slaves. Mary's younger half-brother Albert Boggess (1839-1891) would fight for the Confederacy at the Battle of New Market in May 1864 as a VMI cadet and later join the Confederate Army. Madison and Mary Stier's son Cleatus Stier (1836-1921) joined the Union Army and served as a private in Company E, 12th Infantry Regiment West Virginia. Harrison County was largely pro-Union leading up to the Civil War and was the site of no major Civil War battles but some isolated guerrilla activity and significant troop support facilities at Clarksburg.
No birth record has yet been found for Margaret Lydia Stier, and although Madison and Mary Stier were named as her parents on her marriage certificate and she was raised in their household, it is possible that she was actually their granddaughter. A letter from Margaret in the possession of one of her granddaughters indicates that Margaret's "grandmother was a Boggess", which could be interpreted to mean that Mary Magdalene (Boggess) Stier was Margaret's grandmother, rather than her mother. Also, Margaret Randolph's 1950 death certificate lists Samuel and Mary (Stier) Hardman as her parents, and Mary Stier was an older daughter of Madison and Mary Stier. In any case, Margaret was raised by Madison and Mary M. Stier as their daughter.
Margaret is listed as Lydia M. Stier, age 8, in the 1870 U.S. Census in the household of Madison and Mary M. Stier at Sardis Township, Harrison County, West Virginia. The 1870 U.S. Census indicated that Lydia M. Stier had attended school during the year and that her father's real property was then valued at $250 and his personal property was valued at $360. Other Stier children living in the household in 1870 were Martha E. (age 37), Lewis E. (age 21), Champa A. (age 19), and James M. (age 16). Eight older children of Madison and Mary M. Stier were no longer living in the family household, though most continued to live nearby.
Margaret Lydia's mother, Mary M. (Boggess) Stier, died 01 October 1876 at Sardis when Margaret Lydia would have been 13 years old. The death was report by Madison Stier, the husband of Mary M. Stier, so it is likely that Margaret Lydia continued to live with her father after the death of her mother.
No record of Madison Stier or Margaret Lydia Stier has been found in the 1880 U.S. Census. And no record has been found regarding the date of death or location of burial of Madison Stier.
Margaret was married to Lewis Spencer Fitz Randolph (1852-1892) on May 18, 1882 in Harrison County, West Virginia. She is listed in the marriage record as "Maggie L. Stier", age 20, daughter of Madison Stier and Mary Stier. The groom is listed as Lewis S. F. Randolph, age 28, son of David F. Randolph and Caroline F. Randolph. The 1870 U.S. Census had listed David F. Randolph as a "farm laborer" in Ten Mile Township, Harrison County, West Virginia with personal property of $100, born in Virginia, and both he and his wife Caroline were listed as "Unable to Write."
A citation of this marriage is found in "The Descendants of Edward Fitz Randolph and Elizabeth Blossom 1630-1950" (1955) by Louise Aymar Christian and Howard Stelle Fitz Randolph with the following entry:
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#894. SPENCER8 FITZ RANDOLPH (629), b. 1853; died 1892; married 1882, MARGARET STEIR, b. 1862.
Child:
i. LULU,9 b. W. Va.; m. LEE CASEY
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Edward Fitz Randolph, a great grandfather of Lewis Spencer Fitz Randolph, emigrated from England to Scituate, Plymouth County, Massachusetts in 1630, and is listed as one of the passengers on the "Winthrop Fleet." He married Elizabeth Blossom, daughter of Thomas Blossom, and they had twelve children. The family had relocated to New Jersey by 1670, settling in the Piscataway and Woodbridge areas. Many of Edward's descendants fought in the American Revolutionary War, include his great grandson Samuel Fitz Randolph, who with his family relocated to Northwestern Virginia after the war ended. Samuel Fitz Randolph founded the town of Salem, West Virginia, in Harrison County, where both Margaret Stier and Spencer Randolph were born and raised.
Margaret and Spencer Randolph became the parents of Ward (1883-1962), Vance Eslie (1888-1963) and Lulu Madge Randolph (1889-1969). There is no record of this family in the 1890 U.S. Census, probably due to the destruction of the majority of this Census by fire in 1921. Family history indicates that Spencer Randolph supported his family as a storekeeper. Margaret was an accomplished dressmaker and would create beautiful quilts throughout her adult life.
Two references to this family are found in the book, "DAVIS The Settlers of Salem, West Virginia (Their Ancestors and Some of Their Descendants)" by Susie Davis Nicholson, published by Salem Seventh Day Baptist Church (1992):
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Page 190
389. DAVID F. RANDOLPH ... Their children RANDOLPH:
772 i. Lewis Spencer, b. 1852; d. 1892; m. 18 May 1882 (D) Margaret Lydia Stier b. 1862, (d/o Madison & Mary)
Page 324
772. LEWIS SPENCER F. RANDOLPH [8] (David [7], Jane Maxson [6], Mary Davis [5], Nathan [4], T. Wm. [3], John [2], Wm. [1]) b. 1852; d. 1892; 1882 MARGARET LYDIA STIER, b. 1862. Their children RANDOLPH:
i. Vance E., b. 23 April 1888 (D); d. at Clarksburg, WV 31 March 1963.
ii. Lulu, b. 9 Dec. 1889, Salem, WV; d.s. 29 Dec. 1969 (DAR) m. Rev. N. Lee Casey.
i. Ernest R.
ii. Rev. Joseph H.
iii. Virginia Lee, m. George Gleason
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Margaret Lydia's husband, Spencer Randolph, died suddenly of typhoid fever in Morgansville, Doddridge County, West Virginia on 21 November 1892 according to the West Virginia Deaths Index. He was buried in Salem, Doddridge County, West Virginia two days later. Margaret Lydia was then left on her own to raise three very young children ages 9, 4, and nearly 2 years old. To survive, she would keep a flock of chickens, and perhaps sell the eggs, as well as send her boys into the mines for lumps of coal left behind by the coal cars.
In 1898, all three Randolph children were attending the Wilsonburg School in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. The report for that school year indicated that the children in the school had difficulty securing the necessary books.
The 1900 U.S. Census indicates that Margaret Lydia and her three children were living as "boarders" with her older brother Lewis E. Stier and his wife in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. The two boys, Ward and Vance, were listed as ages 17 and 12, respectively, had attended 6 months of school that year, and were both occupied as "farm laborers". The youngest child, "Lulie", was listed as age 10, and also had attended school for 6 months that year.
In 1910, the U.S. Census listed Margaret Randolph as "Head" of her own household, with her children Ward and Lulu living with her in Coal District, Harrison County, West Virginia. No occupation was listed for Margaret, but Ward (age 26) was listed as a coal miner, and Lulu was listed as a student (age 20).
A few years after the marriage of her daughter Lula Randolph to Rev. Nathan Lee Casey in 1922, Margaret took up residence with her daughter's family in Charleston, West Virginia. Margaret was an integral member of the family, helping to raise the three Casey children: Virginia, Joseph and Ernest. She relocated with the family to numerous locations in West Virginia as Nathan Lee, a Methodist pastor, was periodically reassigned.
Margaret attended the Wilsonburg Baptist Church as a child. After her marriage she became a Seventh Day Baptist, joining her husband in the church of his father, mother and ancestors in observance of the sabbath on Saturday. Margaret returned to the Wilsonburg Baptist Church after the death of her husband, but attended Methodist services with her daughter Lula and son-in-law Rev. Nathan Lee Casey when she took up residence with her daughter's family. Margaret enjoyed the wedding services conducted by her pastor son-in-law in the parsonages where they lived, often serving as a witness for the young couples married there. A well-worn Bible was found among her possessions after her death.
Margaret Randolph died on 24 June 1950 in Wilsonburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. She was buried on 26 June 1950 in the IOOF O'Neil Cemetery in Wilsonburg, Harrison County, West Virginia.
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OBITUARY
MRS. MARGARET RANDOLPH
Mrs. Margaret M. Randolph, 87, widow of Lewis Spencer Randolph, died at the home of a son, Ward Randolph, at Wilsonburg, Saturday, June 24, at 12:50 p.m. following a short illness.
She was born March 27, 1863 at Sardis, a member of the Stier family.
She is survived by two sons, Ward, at whose home she died; and Vance E., of Summit Court, Clarksburg; one daughter, Mrs. N. L. Casey, of Lumberport, where she made her home; 13 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Mrs. Randolph was a member of the Wilson Baptist church for over 50 years.
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