Biography researched and written by Evelyn Park Blalock. Please do not publish elsewhere without providing full and proper credit. Thank you.
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UPDATED 14 August 2020
Rutha Ann Vermillion Blalock was born to Samuel Harry Vermillion and Ruth Ann Patten Vermillion in Tarrant County, Texas. Her father died of yellow fever when serving in the Confederate Army, while Rutha was still an infant. During her childhood, Rutha was orphaned, though the date and circumstances of her mother's death are currently unknown. A genealogy that was prepared by Samuel's nephew, Samuel Bell Vermillion, and passed down through his descendants, includes information that Rutha was "raised by the Waggoner family" after the death of her mother. Their specific identity and relationship to Rutha is currently unknown.
Rutha is found on the 1880 Census orphaned and living with the Abner Deatherage family, still residing in Tarrant County. Abner Deatherage's granddaughter Isabella "Bell" Burnett (maiden name of Rutha's mother) is also living in this household. There was some type of familial relationship between Rutha and Bell, and Rutha's oldest children knew her as "Aunt" Bell.
In 1885, Rutha married Gilbert Wilburn Blalock, who was in Tarrant County working for the railroad. While still in Texas, Gilbert and Rutha had at least two children: William Frankin Blalock and Joseph Ewell Blalock. After the death of Gilbert's father, the family moved to Gilbert's childhood home, the William Blalock family farm near Big Cane in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Rutha and Gilbert had at least six more children in the years that followed: Tallaquah Blalock Dunbar, Tallulah Blalock Jones, Murphy John Blalock, Henry William (Royal) Blalock, Annie Blalock Dunbar, and Gilbert Blalock Jr.
The 1900 U.S. Census indicates that Rutha gave birth to ten children, with seven living. Therefore, three as yet unidentified children were born to Rutha, but died prior to 1900. Her last known child, Gilbert Jr., was born in 1902. Given the naming traditions of the period, it is likely that another son named Gilbert was among those who died prior to 1900. This Census also indicates that Rutha was blind. Soon after the birth of her youngest child, Rutha disappeared from all records.
A newspaper article in the St. Landry Clarion on 30 December 1905 indicates that the wife of G. Blalock (presumed to be Rutha) was found by her neighbors in a near death condition. She is not found on any records past this time, and death is presumed to have occurred soon thereafter. This article further stated that G. Blalock was arrested in Alexandria for abuse, supposedly for blinding his wife, and was returned to the Parish jail in Opelousas. However, no record of this arrest or arraignment can be found in St. Landry Parish courthouse records. The timing is suspicious, as Rutha had been listed as blind at least five years earlier, on the 1900 U.S. Census. Gilbert had filed suit against a very powerful planter in the area a month before this article was published, accusing the planter of failing to pay rent and royalties for farmland he had leased from Gilbert. Soon after the article appeared, Gilbert apparently fled to Vernon Parish and changed the information he provided for nativity on all future records (claiming to be born in Kentucky rather than Louisiana on future Census records, pension application, etc.). The lawsuit was then dismissed due to Gilbert's failure to appear. It is clear that this is the same Gilbert, as he is specifically listed living in Vernon Parish in family obituaries and in his mother's probate record.
On the marriage records for her sons William and Ewell (who married sisters in Louisiana), Rutha's name is recorded as Authery/Autry. Some descendants have speculated that this indicated Rutha remarried, but it is now believed the boys responded this way because Rutha's only living family known to them was Bell Burnett Autrey. Rutha was living in the same household as Bell when she married Gilbert. The boys knew her from their early days in Tarrant County, but they likely only knew the family name without any details of the relationship. Additional information regarding the whereabouts of Rutha after the 1900 U.S. Census would be welcomed, and may be submitted via the "edit" button.
The family unit had completely changed by the 1910 Census. Gilbert's mother (who was by then 92 years old) is shown at the residence of one of her granddaughters in Evergreen in nearby Avoyelles Parish. Many of the children of Rutha and Gilbert are shown on the Census living in a home adjacent to their stepbrother David, who was by then married. Murphy is listed as the head of household (at the age of 16), with Tallulah, Tallaquah, Annie, and Gilbert Jr. also living in the home. One son, Henry, was singled out from the other children to live with his aunt, Louisa Anna Blalock Reed. This proved quite advantageous for him, as he was provided an opportunity to attend college, whereas some of his siblings had to begin working prior to graduating high school. Gilbert Sr. and two of his older sons, Willie and Ewell, cannot be found on 1910 Census records, but family lore states that Willie left home at the age of 14 to work for the railroad, and brother Ewell joined him two years later. They were sending money home as support for their younger siblings.
Any information that can be provided regarding the date and location of Rutha's death and burial would be appreciated. It is presumed that she died about December 1905 or soon thereafter in the area of Morrow, Louisiana. It is likely that she is buried in the unmarked vault beside her mother-in-law, Evelina Burleigh Blalock, in Dubuisson Cemetery, but documentation would be appreciated. Please submit any information via the "edit" button.
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UPDATED 14 August 2020
Rutha Ann Vermillion Blalock was born to Samuel Harry Vermillion and Ruth Ann Patten Vermillion in Tarrant County, Texas. Her father died of yellow fever when serving in the Confederate Army, while Rutha was still an infant. During her childhood, Rutha was orphaned, though the date and circumstances of her mother's death are currently unknown. A genealogy that was prepared by Samuel's nephew, Samuel Bell Vermillion, and passed down through his descendants, includes information that Rutha was "raised by the Waggoner family" after the death of her mother. Their specific identity and relationship to Rutha is currently unknown.
Rutha is found on the 1880 Census orphaned and living with the Abner Deatherage family, still residing in Tarrant County. Abner Deatherage's granddaughter Isabella "Bell" Burnett (maiden name of Rutha's mother) is also living in this household. There was some type of familial relationship between Rutha and Bell, and Rutha's oldest children knew her as "Aunt" Bell.
In 1885, Rutha married Gilbert Wilburn Blalock, who was in Tarrant County working for the railroad. While still in Texas, Gilbert and Rutha had at least two children: William Frankin Blalock and Joseph Ewell Blalock. After the death of Gilbert's father, the family moved to Gilbert's childhood home, the William Blalock family farm near Big Cane in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Rutha and Gilbert had at least six more children in the years that followed: Tallaquah Blalock Dunbar, Tallulah Blalock Jones, Murphy John Blalock, Henry William (Royal) Blalock, Annie Blalock Dunbar, and Gilbert Blalock Jr.
The 1900 U.S. Census indicates that Rutha gave birth to ten children, with seven living. Therefore, three as yet unidentified children were born to Rutha, but died prior to 1900. Her last known child, Gilbert Jr., was born in 1902. Given the naming traditions of the period, it is likely that another son named Gilbert was among those who died prior to 1900. This Census also indicates that Rutha was blind. Soon after the birth of her youngest child, Rutha disappeared from all records.
A newspaper article in the St. Landry Clarion on 30 December 1905 indicates that the wife of G. Blalock (presumed to be Rutha) was found by her neighbors in a near death condition. She is not found on any records past this time, and death is presumed to have occurred soon thereafter. This article further stated that G. Blalock was arrested in Alexandria for abuse, supposedly for blinding his wife, and was returned to the Parish jail in Opelousas. However, no record of this arrest or arraignment can be found in St. Landry Parish courthouse records. The timing is suspicious, as Rutha had been listed as blind at least five years earlier, on the 1900 U.S. Census. Gilbert had filed suit against a very powerful planter in the area a month before this article was published, accusing the planter of failing to pay rent and royalties for farmland he had leased from Gilbert. Soon after the article appeared, Gilbert apparently fled to Vernon Parish and changed the information he provided for nativity on all future records (claiming to be born in Kentucky rather than Louisiana on future Census records, pension application, etc.). The lawsuit was then dismissed due to Gilbert's failure to appear. It is clear that this is the same Gilbert, as he is specifically listed living in Vernon Parish in family obituaries and in his mother's probate record.
On the marriage records for her sons William and Ewell (who married sisters in Louisiana), Rutha's name is recorded as Authery/Autry. Some descendants have speculated that this indicated Rutha remarried, but it is now believed the boys responded this way because Rutha's only living family known to them was Bell Burnett Autrey. Rutha was living in the same household as Bell when she married Gilbert. The boys knew her from their early days in Tarrant County, but they likely only knew the family name without any details of the relationship. Additional information regarding the whereabouts of Rutha after the 1900 U.S. Census would be welcomed, and may be submitted via the "edit" button.
The family unit had completely changed by the 1910 Census. Gilbert's mother (who was by then 92 years old) is shown at the residence of one of her granddaughters in Evergreen in nearby Avoyelles Parish. Many of the children of Rutha and Gilbert are shown on the Census living in a home adjacent to their stepbrother David, who was by then married. Murphy is listed as the head of household (at the age of 16), with Tallulah, Tallaquah, Annie, and Gilbert Jr. also living in the home. One son, Henry, was singled out from the other children to live with his aunt, Louisa Anna Blalock Reed. This proved quite advantageous for him, as he was provided an opportunity to attend college, whereas some of his siblings had to begin working prior to graduating high school. Gilbert Sr. and two of his older sons, Willie and Ewell, cannot be found on 1910 Census records, but family lore states that Willie left home at the age of 14 to work for the railroad, and brother Ewell joined him two years later. They were sending money home as support for their younger siblings.
Any information that can be provided regarding the date and location of Rutha's death and burial would be appreciated. It is presumed that she died about December 1905 or soon thereafter in the area of Morrow, Louisiana. It is likely that she is buried in the unmarked vault beside her mother-in-law, Evelina Burleigh Blalock, in Dubuisson Cemetery, but documentation would be appreciated. Please submit any information via the "edit" button.
Biography researched and written by Evelyn Park Blalock. Please do not publish elsewhere without providing full and proper credit. Thank you.
-----------
UPDATED 14 August 2020
Rutha Ann Vermillion Blalock was born to Samuel Harry Vermillion and Ruth Ann Patten Vermillion in Tarrant County, Texas. Her father died of yellow fever when serving in the Confederate Army, while Rutha was still an infant. During her childhood, Rutha was orphaned, though the date and circumstances of her mother's death are currently unknown. A genealogy that was prepared by Samuel's nephew, Samuel Bell Vermillion, and passed down through his descendants, includes information that Rutha was "raised by the Waggoner family" after the death of her mother. Their specific identity and relationship to Rutha is currently unknown.
Rutha is found on the 1880 Census orphaned and living with the Abner Deatherage family, still residing in Tarrant County. Abner Deatherage's granddaughter Isabella "Bell" Burnett (maiden name of Rutha's mother) is also living in this household. There was some type of familial relationship between Rutha and Bell, and Rutha's oldest children knew her as "Aunt" Bell.
In 1885, Rutha married Gilbert Wilburn Blalock, who was in Tarrant County working for the railroad. While still in Texas, Gilbert and Rutha had at least two children: William Frankin Blalock and Joseph Ewell Blalock. After the death of Gilbert's father, the family moved to Gilbert's childhood home, the William Blalock family farm near Big Cane in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Rutha and Gilbert had at least six more children in the years that followed: Tallaquah Blalock Dunbar, Tallulah Blalock Jones, Murphy John Blalock, Henry William (Royal) Blalock, Annie Blalock Dunbar, and Gilbert Blalock Jr.
The 1900 U.S. Census indicates that Rutha gave birth to ten children, with seven living. Therefore, three as yet unidentified children were born to Rutha, but died prior to 1900. Her last known child, Gilbert Jr., was born in 1902. Given the naming traditions of the period, it is likely that another son named Gilbert was among those who died prior to 1900. This Census also indicates that Rutha was blind. Soon after the birth of her youngest child, Rutha disappeared from all records.
A newspaper article in the St. Landry Clarion on 30 December 1905 indicates that the wife of G. Blalock (presumed to be Rutha) was found by her neighbors in a near death condition. She is not found on any records past this time, and death is presumed to have occurred soon thereafter. This article further stated that G. Blalock was arrested in Alexandria for abuse, supposedly for blinding his wife, and was returned to the Parish jail in Opelousas. However, no record of this arrest or arraignment can be found in St. Landry Parish courthouse records. The timing is suspicious, as Rutha had been listed as blind at least five years earlier, on the 1900 U.S. Census. Gilbert had filed suit against a very powerful planter in the area a month before this article was published, accusing the planter of failing to pay rent and royalties for farmland he had leased from Gilbert. Soon after the article appeared, Gilbert apparently fled to Vernon Parish and changed the information he provided for nativity on all future records (claiming to be born in Kentucky rather than Louisiana on future Census records, pension application, etc.). The lawsuit was then dismissed due to Gilbert's failure to appear. It is clear that this is the same Gilbert, as he is specifically listed living in Vernon Parish in family obituaries and in his mother's probate record.
On the marriage records for her sons William and Ewell (who married sisters in Louisiana), Rutha's name is recorded as Authery/Autry. Some descendants have speculated that this indicated Rutha remarried, but it is now believed the boys responded this way because Rutha's only living family known to them was Bell Burnett Autrey. Rutha was living in the same household as Bell when she married Gilbert. The boys knew her from their early days in Tarrant County, but they likely only knew the family name without any details of the relationship. Additional information regarding the whereabouts of Rutha after the 1900 U.S. Census would be welcomed, and may be submitted via the "edit" button.
The family unit had completely changed by the 1910 Census. Gilbert's mother (who was by then 92 years old) is shown at the residence of one of her granddaughters in Evergreen in nearby Avoyelles Parish. Many of the children of Rutha and Gilbert are shown on the Census living in a home adjacent to their stepbrother David, who was by then married. Murphy is listed as the head of household (at the age of 16), with Tallulah, Tallaquah, Annie, and Gilbert Jr. also living in the home. One son, Henry, was singled out from the other children to live with his aunt, Louisa Anna Blalock Reed. This proved quite advantageous for him, as he was provided an opportunity to attend college, whereas some of his siblings had to begin working prior to graduating high school. Gilbert Sr. and two of his older sons, Willie and Ewell, cannot be found on 1910 Census records, but family lore states that Willie left home at the age of 14 to work for the railroad, and brother Ewell joined him two years later. They were sending money home as support for their younger siblings.
Any information that can be provided regarding the date and location of Rutha's death and burial would be appreciated. It is presumed that she died about December 1905 or soon thereafter in the area of Morrow, Louisiana. It is likely that she is buried in the unmarked vault beside her mother-in-law, Evelina Burleigh Blalock, in Dubuisson Cemetery, but documentation would be appreciated. Please submit any information via the "edit" button.
-----------
UPDATED 14 August 2020
Rutha Ann Vermillion Blalock was born to Samuel Harry Vermillion and Ruth Ann Patten Vermillion in Tarrant County, Texas. Her father died of yellow fever when serving in the Confederate Army, while Rutha was still an infant. During her childhood, Rutha was orphaned, though the date and circumstances of her mother's death are currently unknown. A genealogy that was prepared by Samuel's nephew, Samuel Bell Vermillion, and passed down through his descendants, includes information that Rutha was "raised by the Waggoner family" after the death of her mother. Their specific identity and relationship to Rutha is currently unknown.
Rutha is found on the 1880 Census orphaned and living with the Abner Deatherage family, still residing in Tarrant County. Abner Deatherage's granddaughter Isabella "Bell" Burnett (maiden name of Rutha's mother) is also living in this household. There was some type of familial relationship between Rutha and Bell, and Rutha's oldest children knew her as "Aunt" Bell.
In 1885, Rutha married Gilbert Wilburn Blalock, who was in Tarrant County working for the railroad. While still in Texas, Gilbert and Rutha had at least two children: William Frankin Blalock and Joseph Ewell Blalock. After the death of Gilbert's father, the family moved to Gilbert's childhood home, the William Blalock family farm near Big Cane in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Rutha and Gilbert had at least six more children in the years that followed: Tallaquah Blalock Dunbar, Tallulah Blalock Jones, Murphy John Blalock, Henry William (Royal) Blalock, Annie Blalock Dunbar, and Gilbert Blalock Jr.
The 1900 U.S. Census indicates that Rutha gave birth to ten children, with seven living. Therefore, three as yet unidentified children were born to Rutha, but died prior to 1900. Her last known child, Gilbert Jr., was born in 1902. Given the naming traditions of the period, it is likely that another son named Gilbert was among those who died prior to 1900. This Census also indicates that Rutha was blind. Soon after the birth of her youngest child, Rutha disappeared from all records.
A newspaper article in the St. Landry Clarion on 30 December 1905 indicates that the wife of G. Blalock (presumed to be Rutha) was found by her neighbors in a near death condition. She is not found on any records past this time, and death is presumed to have occurred soon thereafter. This article further stated that G. Blalock was arrested in Alexandria for abuse, supposedly for blinding his wife, and was returned to the Parish jail in Opelousas. However, no record of this arrest or arraignment can be found in St. Landry Parish courthouse records. The timing is suspicious, as Rutha had been listed as blind at least five years earlier, on the 1900 U.S. Census. Gilbert had filed suit against a very powerful planter in the area a month before this article was published, accusing the planter of failing to pay rent and royalties for farmland he had leased from Gilbert. Soon after the article appeared, Gilbert apparently fled to Vernon Parish and changed the information he provided for nativity on all future records (claiming to be born in Kentucky rather than Louisiana on future Census records, pension application, etc.). The lawsuit was then dismissed due to Gilbert's failure to appear. It is clear that this is the same Gilbert, as he is specifically listed living in Vernon Parish in family obituaries and in his mother's probate record.
On the marriage records for her sons William and Ewell (who married sisters in Louisiana), Rutha's name is recorded as Authery/Autry. Some descendants have speculated that this indicated Rutha remarried, but it is now believed the boys responded this way because Rutha's only living family known to them was Bell Burnett Autrey. Rutha was living in the same household as Bell when she married Gilbert. The boys knew her from their early days in Tarrant County, but they likely only knew the family name without any details of the relationship. Additional information regarding the whereabouts of Rutha after the 1900 U.S. Census would be welcomed, and may be submitted via the "edit" button.
The family unit had completely changed by the 1910 Census. Gilbert's mother (who was by then 92 years old) is shown at the residence of one of her granddaughters in Evergreen in nearby Avoyelles Parish. Many of the children of Rutha and Gilbert are shown on the Census living in a home adjacent to their stepbrother David, who was by then married. Murphy is listed as the head of household (at the age of 16), with Tallulah, Tallaquah, Annie, and Gilbert Jr. also living in the home. One son, Henry, was singled out from the other children to live with his aunt, Louisa Anna Blalock Reed. This proved quite advantageous for him, as he was provided an opportunity to attend college, whereas some of his siblings had to begin working prior to graduating high school. Gilbert Sr. and two of his older sons, Willie and Ewell, cannot be found on 1910 Census records, but family lore states that Willie left home at the age of 14 to work for the railroad, and brother Ewell joined him two years later. They were sending money home as support for their younger siblings.
Any information that can be provided regarding the date and location of Rutha's death and burial would be appreciated. It is presumed that she died about December 1905 or soon thereafter in the area of Morrow, Louisiana. It is likely that she is buried in the unmarked vault beside her mother-in-law, Evelina Burleigh Blalock, in Dubuisson Cemetery, but documentation would be appreciated. Please submit any information via the "edit" button.
Family Members
See more Blalock or Vermillion memorials in:
- Find a Grave Blalock or Vermillion
