Father: Marcus Winchester Parrish (TN) (1818 – ABT 1869)
Mother: Frances (Fanny) Proctor-Parrish-Bragg (TN) (1817 – ABT 1889)
Born: Sumner County, TN (1844)
PARRISH FAMILY: Nancy was the oldest daughter of Marcus Winchester and Francis (Frances) Proctor-Parrish. She was born in Sumner County, TN where the Proctor and Parrish families were close friends. Following Nancy's birth, Marcus and Francis (Fannie) left TN and farmed in IL (1950 Census) and then MO (birth records of Rebecca Ann Parrish), before moving to Texas. The couple arrived in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas in 1859 with 6 living children (per 1860 census and 1869 voter rolls).
The 6 living children and James who died before the trip to TX are provided below:
• John D. Parrish (TN 1839 – UNK After 1889)
• Jesse Lambert (J.L.) Parrish (TN 1841 – 1918)
• NANCY R. PARRISH (TN 1844-1928)
• Martha Rose Parrish-Sisco-Roberts (IL 1851-1935)
• James (IL 1848 – Prior to 1860)
• Henry Marcus Parrish (TN 1852 – 1916)
• Rebecca Ann Parrish-Pearl (MO 1857-1913)
TEXAS LAW of 1854: Texas land grants drew settlers from across the U.S., but primarily from the upper South (NC, KY, and TN). In 1854, the TX land grant program reduced the land grant size from 320 acres to 160 acres (normally 0.5 miles X 0.5 miles square). The state required the settler to build a home and live on the land for three years. After three years, the settler would pay for a land survey and file for a "land patent". The most desirable lands were adjacent to perennial streams, as water wells were not an option at the time in the semi-arid climate of the region west of Dallas, TX as the water table was too deep for shallow (dug) wells. Nancy's husband's land grant had access to the South Fork of the of the Trinity River, what is now called Town Creek.
The Parrish land grant, located 1.5 miles NW of the Weatherford town square, had a small tributary of Town Creek, and ½ mile NE of Nancy's husband's 160-acre patent. The method of surveying the land was crude based on today standards. Measurements were commonly made by tying a rope of a known distance between the front and back legs of a horse to somewhat shorten their stride. The surveyor would count the steps of the horse. Parker County was not open grasslands, but rather a mosaic of prairie and very thick forests (with and abundance green-brier vines and other woody undergrowth). The crudely identified property boundaries between neighboring land patents became a legal challenge in later years when fencing became a common practice.
PARKER COUNTY, TX: Parker County was established in 1855. The first settlers arrived at a valley adjacent to the Town Creek. They called the areas Goshen in 1854. A year later, the area became the Parker County seat with its new name Weatherford, TX. This was "Comanche country" at the time and was considered the edge of the frontier. Some estimate that over 400 settlers in the county were killed or taken by Comanches in the 1850's, 1860's and 1870's. The Parrish family were some of the early citizens of the new county seat (Weatherford). Nancy's father, Marcus W. Parrish had an odd-shaped land-grant, of what appears to be 160-acres about 1.5 miles northwest of the Weatherford courthouse. Between 1859 and 1869 (his approximated death), Marcus acquired additional lands in the Chapman patent and acquired the 160-acre Easley patent located ½ mile west of his patent and immediately north of the Blythe patent (Nancy's husband's patent).
In 1860, Parker County was mostly unsettled mosaic of natural grasslands (prairie) and forests. The grasslands occurred on the black clay soils (considered poor soils for farming at the time) and the rocky limestone soils common to the area, also unsuited for farming. Riparian forests were adjacent to streams. The most common vegetative type was a thick post-oak forest. This "forest" was titled the "cross-timbers" as settlers had to cross the thick forest, tangled with green brier and other vines, a dreaded task. The forest was almost impenetrable by horse and wagon, a gained another name "The Cast Iron Forest".
Although this frontier was not easily cropped, the mosaic of oak forests, riparian areas, and grasslands provided an abundance of wildlife (e.g., whitetail deer, turkey, and black bear) for the settlers. Corn and wheat, grown on the sandy soils after the trees were removed for the log home and stove-wood, was used to feed their stock and make bread. Parker County settlers did not farm grain (corn or wheat) for sale. Rather, they were subsistence farmers raising cows (milk, beef, and to pull wagons), horses, chickens and swine. Their cash-crop were the few cows and horses raised on their land. "Farms" were not fenced, as barb wire was not invented until 1867 and its availability in Parker County would have been limited until after the railroad reached Weatherford in 1880. Thus, a traditional 160-acre homestead ("patent") in the Weatherford, TX area was mostly wooded, with some open prairie areas for grazing, a few small areas under cultivation to grow vegetable crops and some corn to feed the stock. Trees in Parker County were not like the tall trees in the southeastern states, a 15-foot log was a long log for the area. Thus, homes were small log-structures constructed from post-oak trees cleared from the homestead. Wood-post fences (picket) surrounded most homes to protect the house, yard, and garden from the free-ranging livestock.
MARRIAGE: Court records show that Nancy married Sidon Blythe (ABT 1837 – ABT 1905) in 1861 or 1862 at a location described as being 1½ mile north of Weatherford, presumed to be at the Parrish home. Nancy would have been 17-18 years old and Sidon (born ABT 1837 in TN) would have been 24-25 years old.
BLYTHE FAMILY: Andrew (ABT 1812 – UKN) and his wife Margaret (ABT 1808 – UNK) Blythe moved from TN, to MS, then to Parker County, TX, arriving at the Veal Station (a stagecoach stop about 12 miles north of Weatherford just east of current HWY 51). The 1867 voter record shows that Sidon lived in Parker County for 11 years (demonstrating arrival in 1856), certainly one of the early settlers in the county. Land abstracts show the Blythe couple owned the 160-acre land grant (patent) in August of 1959, substantiated by the 1960 census. The 160-acre land grant was approximately 1.5 miles west-northwest of Weatherford and ½ mile SW of the Parrish land. Town Creek supplied water to the Blythe's and their livestock. No records were found on Andrew or Margaret after 1960, suggesting Andrew and Margaret died prior to the 1870 Census.
1870: The 1870 census shows that Sidon and Nancy were living on the Blythe 160-acre patent, with their 4-year-old daughter named M. J. Blythe (1866 – ABT 1869). The 1970 census also showed an infant named Thomas, Nancy's grandfather Parrish's name. However, other records suggest this infant was George Winchester Blythe. Note: The male infant also may have been an older sibling, depending on Georges actually date of birth (in question). The couple's daughter, M. J. Blythe, apparently died, presumably from the array of fatal diseases common in those times. Sidon remained a "farmer" (livestock and subsentence garden crops), presumably on his parents 160-acre farm, which had grown to 240 acres in 1880 (court records from Sidon testimony).
1880: By 1880, the couple had three living children. Nancy was committed to a mental Hospital in January-February of 1880, just prior to the census. Sidon and the three children were living in Parker County, TX near William Bragg and Frances Parrish-Bragg, presumably on the Parrish land. Note: Nancy's father, Marcus Parrish died in 1869 and her mother (Nancy Proctor-Parrish) married William Bragg before 1880. Also living with the Bragg's was Nancy's oldest brother John Parrish (widower) and his 3 children. Living next to the Braggs (on the Parrish land) was William Sisco and Martha Rose Parrish-Sisco and their three children. Clearly, the Parishes and in-laws were living and farming as a large family-unit in 1880. The 1889 Parker County Plat shows the location of the Parrish farm was just NW of downtown Weatherford NE the present-day junction of the Peaster Highway and Zion Road. The Blythe farm was ½ mile SW of the Parrish farm mostly south of the current railroad and Town Creek, and east of the Williamson Memorial HW (loop). In 1880, Sidon's and Nancy's three children, ages 10, 7 and 3, were:
• George Winchester Sydney (or Sidon) Blythe. (ABT 1870 – 1951). George W. S. Blythe married Minnie E. Hood (1846-1928) in Parker County. They had many children and both are buried in Prairie View Cemetery, near Macomb, OK. His birthday varies in the records. It appears that late 1969 was the most substantiated date of his birth. George's obituary states that he moved to OK from Chico, Wise County, TX in 1895 (age 24-26). Note: Chico TX was settled by a Parker family group, which may have been relatives of Frances (Fannie/Fanny) Parker-Parrish-Bragg. He lived most of his life in the Macomb, OK area where he and Minnie had many children.
• Maud A. Blythe (1874- UKN). No records were confirmed after the 1880 census other than the 1887-1889 probate of her mother's estate (160-acres) in Parker County, TX. Maud was 10 at the time.
• Ella Lee Blythe-Rose-Floyd-Ennis (1875 – 1942). Ella (Ellen/Elley) married 3 times and had multiple of children with each husband. She was admitted to a mental hospital sometime between 1910 and 1920. She remained in mental Oklahoma hospitals for much of her adult life (1920, 1930, and 1940 census). Ella is buried in Calvin OK under the name Ella L. Ennis. Note: Her grave stone states she was born in 1871, but other records demonstrate that 1875 to be accurate. Note: It is common for old stones to be replaced by family members, with the missing (difficult to read) years being decided upon by memory, rather than accurate documentation.
NANCY'S MENTAL ILLNESS: Oddly, per the legal testimony associated with her illness by Sidon in late January 1880, Nancy (age 36) had no signs of mental illness prior to January 1, 1880 (26-days prior to intervention by the Sherriff). She was taken into custody in restraints by the Parker County Sherriff on January 8, 1880 (order of the court, Sherriff's notes, and letters of support for hospitalization from Sidon Blythe, their doctor, and Frances Parrish-Bragg). She then was then transferred to a mental hospital in Austin, TX where she remained until she was moved to a hospital in Wichita Falls, TX in 1927, one year prior to her death in 1928. Her illness was diagnosed as "acute mania" (bipolar). Note: During the testimony regarding Nancy's condition (January 1880), Sidon stated that George was 10 years old, giving strong evidence that he was born in 1869 and the 1870 census infant documented as Thomas may have been George.
SIDON ABANDONS THE CHILDREN: An 1886-1888 probate/petition of the court regarding Nancy's estate (160-acres in Parker County and the home) claims that Sidon Blythe abandoned the 3 children and was a "fugitive of the law". Another legal record shows that Sidon appealed the criminal charges brought by the State. He lost the appeal on May 16, 1886, which may explain his "departure" from Parker County and abandonment of his 3 children. In 1888, the Parker County court granted guardianship of the children and estate to Nancy's brother J. L. Parrish, as all the children were minors and Nancy's mother was a recent widow. The land and homestead were sold by the Courts to provide funds for the children. The children were cared for by J. L. and his wife Rebecca until they became adults.
MORE ON SIDON: Census records find that Sidon was in a relationship with Mary Vesti-Boswell (assumed widow) in the mid-1880's and well before 1888 (the petition of the court for guardianship of the children). Sidon and Mary Vasti had started their own family by 1887 (Samuel Blythe; birth August 4, 1887), eventually having 5 children (Samuel, Rillar (Vella), Randolph, Claude, and Melvin). It is presumed, that Sidon and Mary were living just north of the Red River in Indian Territory, near what is now Willis OK. Randolph Blythe was born in OK in 1893. The records of Melvin Blythe show that Melvin, (the youngest child) was born in 1899 in Willis OK, suggesting Sidon and Mary remained in the area (Indian Territory), immediately north of the Red River and Grayson County, TX. Sidon and Mary were officially married in 1999 in Grayson County, TX 14 years after the birth of their 1st child. The late marriage is likely attributed to Sidon being a fugitive.
SIDON's DEATH AND BURIAL: The preponderance of evidence suggests that Sidon died sometime after 1900, while he, Mary, and their children were living in rural Marshall County, OK (just north of the Red River). The last record of Mary was the 1910 census that documents she was living as a widow in Grayson County, TX (south of the Red River) with three of her children. A Blythe family story (Ancestry.com) documents that a family member said Sidon died of pneumonia after swimming the Red River. The death and burial location of Sidon and Mary remain unknown. Note: Much of the land near Willis, OK was flooded by Lake Texoma (1940s). It is plausible that Sidon's and Mary's graves are inundated by Lake Texoma.
NANCY'S DEATH AND BURIAL: After her death in the Wichita Falls, TX hospital, Nancy was buried in the Prairie View Cemetery, Macomb, OK where her son (George W. Blythe) was living. He died in 1951. A "new" headstone (appears to have been made and replaced in 1951 with the same stone and engraving as George's) shows "Granma Blythe". Note: Some online sources suggest that this is the grave of Sidon's second wife Mary Vasti-Boswell-Blythe. This is highly unlikely as there is no evidence the two "families (Nancy's children and Mary's children) were aware of one-another, as Sidon was a fugitive and was living with Mary and their children in Indian Territory (Marshall County, OK) for 20 years after he abandoned George and his two younger sisters (ABT 1886), and until his death ABT 1905.
Compiled in honor of Nancy D. Parrish for the descendants of Marcus Winchester Parrish by Lee Davis, Granbury, TX December 2023
Mother: Frances (Fanny) Proctor-Parrish-Bragg (TN) (1817 – ABT 1889)
Born: Sumner County, TN (1844)
PARRISH FAMILY: Nancy was the oldest daughter of Marcus Winchester and Francis (Frances) Proctor-Parrish. She was born in Sumner County, TN where the Proctor and Parrish families were close friends. Following Nancy's birth, Marcus and Francis (Fannie) left TN and farmed in IL (1950 Census) and then MO (birth records of Rebecca Ann Parrish), before moving to Texas. The couple arrived in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas in 1859 with 6 living children (per 1860 census and 1869 voter rolls).
The 6 living children and James who died before the trip to TX are provided below:
• John D. Parrish (TN 1839 – UNK After 1889)
• Jesse Lambert (J.L.) Parrish (TN 1841 – 1918)
• NANCY R. PARRISH (TN 1844-1928)
• Martha Rose Parrish-Sisco-Roberts (IL 1851-1935)
• James (IL 1848 – Prior to 1860)
• Henry Marcus Parrish (TN 1852 – 1916)
• Rebecca Ann Parrish-Pearl (MO 1857-1913)
TEXAS LAW of 1854: Texas land grants drew settlers from across the U.S., but primarily from the upper South (NC, KY, and TN). In 1854, the TX land grant program reduced the land grant size from 320 acres to 160 acres (normally 0.5 miles X 0.5 miles square). The state required the settler to build a home and live on the land for three years. After three years, the settler would pay for a land survey and file for a "land patent". The most desirable lands were adjacent to perennial streams, as water wells were not an option at the time in the semi-arid climate of the region west of Dallas, TX as the water table was too deep for shallow (dug) wells. Nancy's husband's land grant had access to the South Fork of the of the Trinity River, what is now called Town Creek.
The Parrish land grant, located 1.5 miles NW of the Weatherford town square, had a small tributary of Town Creek, and ½ mile NE of Nancy's husband's 160-acre patent. The method of surveying the land was crude based on today standards. Measurements were commonly made by tying a rope of a known distance between the front and back legs of a horse to somewhat shorten their stride. The surveyor would count the steps of the horse. Parker County was not open grasslands, but rather a mosaic of prairie and very thick forests (with and abundance green-brier vines and other woody undergrowth). The crudely identified property boundaries between neighboring land patents became a legal challenge in later years when fencing became a common practice.
PARKER COUNTY, TX: Parker County was established in 1855. The first settlers arrived at a valley adjacent to the Town Creek. They called the areas Goshen in 1854. A year later, the area became the Parker County seat with its new name Weatherford, TX. This was "Comanche country" at the time and was considered the edge of the frontier. Some estimate that over 400 settlers in the county were killed or taken by Comanches in the 1850's, 1860's and 1870's. The Parrish family were some of the early citizens of the new county seat (Weatherford). Nancy's father, Marcus W. Parrish had an odd-shaped land-grant, of what appears to be 160-acres about 1.5 miles northwest of the Weatherford courthouse. Between 1859 and 1869 (his approximated death), Marcus acquired additional lands in the Chapman patent and acquired the 160-acre Easley patent located ½ mile west of his patent and immediately north of the Blythe patent (Nancy's husband's patent).
In 1860, Parker County was mostly unsettled mosaic of natural grasslands (prairie) and forests. The grasslands occurred on the black clay soils (considered poor soils for farming at the time) and the rocky limestone soils common to the area, also unsuited for farming. Riparian forests were adjacent to streams. The most common vegetative type was a thick post-oak forest. This "forest" was titled the "cross-timbers" as settlers had to cross the thick forest, tangled with green brier and other vines, a dreaded task. The forest was almost impenetrable by horse and wagon, a gained another name "The Cast Iron Forest".
Although this frontier was not easily cropped, the mosaic of oak forests, riparian areas, and grasslands provided an abundance of wildlife (e.g., whitetail deer, turkey, and black bear) for the settlers. Corn and wheat, grown on the sandy soils after the trees were removed for the log home and stove-wood, was used to feed their stock and make bread. Parker County settlers did not farm grain (corn or wheat) for sale. Rather, they were subsistence farmers raising cows (milk, beef, and to pull wagons), horses, chickens and swine. Their cash-crop were the few cows and horses raised on their land. "Farms" were not fenced, as barb wire was not invented until 1867 and its availability in Parker County would have been limited until after the railroad reached Weatherford in 1880. Thus, a traditional 160-acre homestead ("patent") in the Weatherford, TX area was mostly wooded, with some open prairie areas for grazing, a few small areas under cultivation to grow vegetable crops and some corn to feed the stock. Trees in Parker County were not like the tall trees in the southeastern states, a 15-foot log was a long log for the area. Thus, homes were small log-structures constructed from post-oak trees cleared from the homestead. Wood-post fences (picket) surrounded most homes to protect the house, yard, and garden from the free-ranging livestock.
MARRIAGE: Court records show that Nancy married Sidon Blythe (ABT 1837 – ABT 1905) in 1861 or 1862 at a location described as being 1½ mile north of Weatherford, presumed to be at the Parrish home. Nancy would have been 17-18 years old and Sidon (born ABT 1837 in TN) would have been 24-25 years old.
BLYTHE FAMILY: Andrew (ABT 1812 – UKN) and his wife Margaret (ABT 1808 – UNK) Blythe moved from TN, to MS, then to Parker County, TX, arriving at the Veal Station (a stagecoach stop about 12 miles north of Weatherford just east of current HWY 51). The 1867 voter record shows that Sidon lived in Parker County for 11 years (demonstrating arrival in 1856), certainly one of the early settlers in the county. Land abstracts show the Blythe couple owned the 160-acre land grant (patent) in August of 1959, substantiated by the 1960 census. The 160-acre land grant was approximately 1.5 miles west-northwest of Weatherford and ½ mile SW of the Parrish land. Town Creek supplied water to the Blythe's and their livestock. No records were found on Andrew or Margaret after 1960, suggesting Andrew and Margaret died prior to the 1870 Census.
1870: The 1870 census shows that Sidon and Nancy were living on the Blythe 160-acre patent, with their 4-year-old daughter named M. J. Blythe (1866 – ABT 1869). The 1970 census also showed an infant named Thomas, Nancy's grandfather Parrish's name. However, other records suggest this infant was George Winchester Blythe. Note: The male infant also may have been an older sibling, depending on Georges actually date of birth (in question). The couple's daughter, M. J. Blythe, apparently died, presumably from the array of fatal diseases common in those times. Sidon remained a "farmer" (livestock and subsentence garden crops), presumably on his parents 160-acre farm, which had grown to 240 acres in 1880 (court records from Sidon testimony).
1880: By 1880, the couple had three living children. Nancy was committed to a mental Hospital in January-February of 1880, just prior to the census. Sidon and the three children were living in Parker County, TX near William Bragg and Frances Parrish-Bragg, presumably on the Parrish land. Note: Nancy's father, Marcus Parrish died in 1869 and her mother (Nancy Proctor-Parrish) married William Bragg before 1880. Also living with the Bragg's was Nancy's oldest brother John Parrish (widower) and his 3 children. Living next to the Braggs (on the Parrish land) was William Sisco and Martha Rose Parrish-Sisco and their three children. Clearly, the Parishes and in-laws were living and farming as a large family-unit in 1880. The 1889 Parker County Plat shows the location of the Parrish farm was just NW of downtown Weatherford NE the present-day junction of the Peaster Highway and Zion Road. The Blythe farm was ½ mile SW of the Parrish farm mostly south of the current railroad and Town Creek, and east of the Williamson Memorial HW (loop). In 1880, Sidon's and Nancy's three children, ages 10, 7 and 3, were:
• George Winchester Sydney (or Sidon) Blythe. (ABT 1870 – 1951). George W. S. Blythe married Minnie E. Hood (1846-1928) in Parker County. They had many children and both are buried in Prairie View Cemetery, near Macomb, OK. His birthday varies in the records. It appears that late 1969 was the most substantiated date of his birth. George's obituary states that he moved to OK from Chico, Wise County, TX in 1895 (age 24-26). Note: Chico TX was settled by a Parker family group, which may have been relatives of Frances (Fannie/Fanny) Parker-Parrish-Bragg. He lived most of his life in the Macomb, OK area where he and Minnie had many children.
• Maud A. Blythe (1874- UKN). No records were confirmed after the 1880 census other than the 1887-1889 probate of her mother's estate (160-acres) in Parker County, TX. Maud was 10 at the time.
• Ella Lee Blythe-Rose-Floyd-Ennis (1875 – 1942). Ella (Ellen/Elley) married 3 times and had multiple of children with each husband. She was admitted to a mental hospital sometime between 1910 and 1920. She remained in mental Oklahoma hospitals for much of her adult life (1920, 1930, and 1940 census). Ella is buried in Calvin OK under the name Ella L. Ennis. Note: Her grave stone states she was born in 1871, but other records demonstrate that 1875 to be accurate. Note: It is common for old stones to be replaced by family members, with the missing (difficult to read) years being decided upon by memory, rather than accurate documentation.
NANCY'S MENTAL ILLNESS: Oddly, per the legal testimony associated with her illness by Sidon in late January 1880, Nancy (age 36) had no signs of mental illness prior to January 1, 1880 (26-days prior to intervention by the Sherriff). She was taken into custody in restraints by the Parker County Sherriff on January 8, 1880 (order of the court, Sherriff's notes, and letters of support for hospitalization from Sidon Blythe, their doctor, and Frances Parrish-Bragg). She then was then transferred to a mental hospital in Austin, TX where she remained until she was moved to a hospital in Wichita Falls, TX in 1927, one year prior to her death in 1928. Her illness was diagnosed as "acute mania" (bipolar). Note: During the testimony regarding Nancy's condition (January 1880), Sidon stated that George was 10 years old, giving strong evidence that he was born in 1869 and the 1870 census infant documented as Thomas may have been George.
SIDON ABANDONS THE CHILDREN: An 1886-1888 probate/petition of the court regarding Nancy's estate (160-acres in Parker County and the home) claims that Sidon Blythe abandoned the 3 children and was a "fugitive of the law". Another legal record shows that Sidon appealed the criminal charges brought by the State. He lost the appeal on May 16, 1886, which may explain his "departure" from Parker County and abandonment of his 3 children. In 1888, the Parker County court granted guardianship of the children and estate to Nancy's brother J. L. Parrish, as all the children were minors and Nancy's mother was a recent widow. The land and homestead were sold by the Courts to provide funds for the children. The children were cared for by J. L. and his wife Rebecca until they became adults.
MORE ON SIDON: Census records find that Sidon was in a relationship with Mary Vesti-Boswell (assumed widow) in the mid-1880's and well before 1888 (the petition of the court for guardianship of the children). Sidon and Mary Vasti had started their own family by 1887 (Samuel Blythe; birth August 4, 1887), eventually having 5 children (Samuel, Rillar (Vella), Randolph, Claude, and Melvin). It is presumed, that Sidon and Mary were living just north of the Red River in Indian Territory, near what is now Willis OK. Randolph Blythe was born in OK in 1893. The records of Melvin Blythe show that Melvin, (the youngest child) was born in 1899 in Willis OK, suggesting Sidon and Mary remained in the area (Indian Territory), immediately north of the Red River and Grayson County, TX. Sidon and Mary were officially married in 1999 in Grayson County, TX 14 years after the birth of their 1st child. The late marriage is likely attributed to Sidon being a fugitive.
SIDON's DEATH AND BURIAL: The preponderance of evidence suggests that Sidon died sometime after 1900, while he, Mary, and their children were living in rural Marshall County, OK (just north of the Red River). The last record of Mary was the 1910 census that documents she was living as a widow in Grayson County, TX (south of the Red River) with three of her children. A Blythe family story (Ancestry.com) documents that a family member said Sidon died of pneumonia after swimming the Red River. The death and burial location of Sidon and Mary remain unknown. Note: Much of the land near Willis, OK was flooded by Lake Texoma (1940s). It is plausible that Sidon's and Mary's graves are inundated by Lake Texoma.
NANCY'S DEATH AND BURIAL: After her death in the Wichita Falls, TX hospital, Nancy was buried in the Prairie View Cemetery, Macomb, OK where her son (George W. Blythe) was living. He died in 1951. A "new" headstone (appears to have been made and replaced in 1951 with the same stone and engraving as George's) shows "Granma Blythe". Note: Some online sources suggest that this is the grave of Sidon's second wife Mary Vasti-Boswell-Blythe. This is highly unlikely as there is no evidence the two "families (Nancy's children and Mary's children) were aware of one-another, as Sidon was a fugitive and was living with Mary and their children in Indian Territory (Marshall County, OK) for 20 years after he abandoned George and his two younger sisters (ABT 1886), and until his death ABT 1905.
Compiled in honor of Nancy D. Parrish for the descendants of Marcus Winchester Parrish by Lee Davis, Granbury, TX December 2023
Father: Marcus Winchester Parrish (TN) (1818 – ABT 1869)
Mother: Frances (Fanny) Proctor-Parrish-Bragg (TN) (1817 – ABT 1889)
Born: Sumner County, TN (1844)
PARRISH FAMILY: Nancy was the oldest daughter of Marcus Winchester and Francis (Frances) Proctor-Parrish. She was born in Sumner County, TN where the Proctor and Parrish families were close friends. Following Nancy's birth, Marcus and Francis (Fannie) left TN and farmed in IL (1950 Census) and then MO (birth records of Rebecca Ann Parrish), before moving to Texas. The couple arrived in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas in 1859 with 6 living children (per 1860 census and 1869 voter rolls).
The 6 living children and James who died before the trip to TX are provided below:
• John D. Parrish (TN 1839 – UNK After 1889)
• Jesse Lambert (J.L.) Parrish (TN 1841 – 1918)
• NANCY R. PARRISH (TN 1844-1928)
• Martha Rose Parrish-Sisco-Roberts (IL 1851-1935)
• James (IL 1848 – Prior to 1860)
• Henry Marcus Parrish (TN 1852 – 1916)
• Rebecca Ann Parrish-Pearl (MO 1857-1913)
TEXAS LAW of 1854: Texas land grants drew settlers from across the U.S., but primarily from the upper South (NC, KY, and TN). In 1854, the TX land grant program reduced the land grant size from 320 acres to 160 acres (normally 0.5 miles X 0.5 miles square). The state required the settler to build a home and live on the land for three years. After three years, the settler would pay for a land survey and file for a "land patent". The most desirable lands were adjacent to perennial streams, as water wells were not an option at the time in the semi-arid climate of the region west of Dallas, TX as the water table was too deep for shallow (dug) wells. Nancy's husband's land grant had access to the South Fork of the of the Trinity River, what is now called Town Creek.
The Parrish land grant, located 1.5 miles NW of the Weatherford town square, had a small tributary of Town Creek, and ½ mile NE of Nancy's husband's 160-acre patent. The method of surveying the land was crude based on today standards. Measurements were commonly made by tying a rope of a known distance between the front and back legs of a horse to somewhat shorten their stride. The surveyor would count the steps of the horse. Parker County was not open grasslands, but rather a mosaic of prairie and very thick forests (with and abundance green-brier vines and other woody undergrowth). The crudely identified property boundaries between neighboring land patents became a legal challenge in later years when fencing became a common practice.
PARKER COUNTY, TX: Parker County was established in 1855. The first settlers arrived at a valley adjacent to the Town Creek. They called the areas Goshen in 1854. A year later, the area became the Parker County seat with its new name Weatherford, TX. This was "Comanche country" at the time and was considered the edge of the frontier. Some estimate that over 400 settlers in the county were killed or taken by Comanches in the 1850's, 1860's and 1870's. The Parrish family were some of the early citizens of the new county seat (Weatherford). Nancy's father, Marcus W. Parrish had an odd-shaped land-grant, of what appears to be 160-acres about 1.5 miles northwest of the Weatherford courthouse. Between 1859 and 1869 (his approximated death), Marcus acquired additional lands in the Chapman patent and acquired the 160-acre Easley patent located ½ mile west of his patent and immediately north of the Blythe patent (Nancy's husband's patent).
In 1860, Parker County was mostly unsettled mosaic of natural grasslands (prairie) and forests. The grasslands occurred on the black clay soils (considered poor soils for farming at the time) and the rocky limestone soils common to the area, also unsuited for farming. Riparian forests were adjacent to streams. The most common vegetative type was a thick post-oak forest. This "forest" was titled the "cross-timbers" as settlers had to cross the thick forest, tangled with green brier and other vines, a dreaded task. The forest was almost impenetrable by horse and wagon, a gained another name "The Cast Iron Forest".
Although this frontier was not easily cropped, the mosaic of oak forests, riparian areas, and grasslands provided an abundance of wildlife (e.g., whitetail deer, turkey, and black bear) for the settlers. Corn and wheat, grown on the sandy soils after the trees were removed for the log home and stove-wood, was used to feed their stock and make bread. Parker County settlers did not farm grain (corn or wheat) for sale. Rather, they were subsistence farmers raising cows (milk, beef, and to pull wagons), horses, chickens and swine. Their cash-crop were the few cows and horses raised on their land. "Farms" were not fenced, as barb wire was not invented until 1867 and its availability in Parker County would have been limited until after the railroad reached Weatherford in 1880. Thus, a traditional 160-acre homestead ("patent") in the Weatherford, TX area was mostly wooded, with some open prairie areas for grazing, a few small areas under cultivation to grow vegetable crops and some corn to feed the stock. Trees in Parker County were not like the tall trees in the southeastern states, a 15-foot log was a long log for the area. Thus, homes were small log-structures constructed from post-oak trees cleared from the homestead. Wood-post fences (picket) surrounded most homes to protect the house, yard, and garden from the free-ranging livestock.
MARRIAGE: Court records show that Nancy married Sidon Blythe (ABT 1837 – ABT 1905) in 1861 or 1862 at a location described as being 1½ mile north of Weatherford, presumed to be at the Parrish home. Nancy would have been 17-18 years old and Sidon (born ABT 1837 in TN) would have been 24-25 years old.
BLYTHE FAMILY: Andrew (ABT 1812 – UKN) and his wife Margaret (ABT 1808 – UNK) Blythe moved from TN, to MS, then to Parker County, TX, arriving at the Veal Station (a stagecoach stop about 12 miles north of Weatherford just east of current HWY 51). The 1867 voter record shows that Sidon lived in Parker County for 11 years (demonstrating arrival in 1856), certainly one of the early settlers in the county. Land abstracts show the Blythe couple owned the 160-acre land grant (patent) in August of 1959, substantiated by the 1960 census. The 160-acre land grant was approximately 1.5 miles west-northwest of Weatherford and ½ mile SW of the Parrish land. Town Creek supplied water to the Blythe's and their livestock. No records were found on Andrew or Margaret after 1960, suggesting Andrew and Margaret died prior to the 1870 Census.
1870: The 1870 census shows that Sidon and Nancy were living on the Blythe 160-acre patent, with their 4-year-old daughter named M. J. Blythe (1866 – ABT 1869). The 1970 census also showed an infant named Thomas, Nancy's grandfather Parrish's name. However, other records suggest this infant was George Winchester Blythe. Note: The male infant also may have been an older sibling, depending on Georges actually date of birth (in question). The couple's daughter, M. J. Blythe, apparently died, presumably from the array of fatal diseases common in those times. Sidon remained a "farmer" (livestock and subsentence garden crops), presumably on his parents 160-acre farm, which had grown to 240 acres in 1880 (court records from Sidon testimony).
1880: By 1880, the couple had three living children. Nancy was committed to a mental Hospital in January-February of 1880, just prior to the census. Sidon and the three children were living in Parker County, TX near William Bragg and Frances Parrish-Bragg, presumably on the Parrish land. Note: Nancy's father, Marcus Parrish died in 1869 and her mother (Nancy Proctor-Parrish) married William Bragg before 1880. Also living with the Bragg's was Nancy's oldest brother John Parrish (widower) and his 3 children. Living next to the Braggs (on the Parrish land) was William Sisco and Martha Rose Parrish-Sisco and their three children. Clearly, the Parishes and in-laws were living and farming as a large family-unit in 1880. The 1889 Parker County Plat shows the location of the Parrish farm was just NW of downtown Weatherford NE the present-day junction of the Peaster Highway and Zion Road. The Blythe farm was ½ mile SW of the Parrish farm mostly south of the current railroad and Town Creek, and east of the Williamson Memorial HW (loop). In 1880, Sidon's and Nancy's three children, ages 10, 7 and 3, were:
• George Winchester Sydney (or Sidon) Blythe. (ABT 1870 – 1951). George W. S. Blythe married Minnie E. Hood (1846-1928) in Parker County. They had many children and both are buried in Prairie View Cemetery, near Macomb, OK. His birthday varies in the records. It appears that late 1969 was the most substantiated date of his birth. George's obituary states that he moved to OK from Chico, Wise County, TX in 1895 (age 24-26). Note: Chico TX was settled by a Parker family group, which may have been relatives of Frances (Fannie/Fanny) Parker-Parrish-Bragg. He lived most of his life in the Macomb, OK area where he and Minnie had many children.
• Maud A. Blythe (1874- UKN). No records were confirmed after the 1880 census other than the 1887-1889 probate of her mother's estate (160-acres) in Parker County, TX. Maud was 10 at the time.
• Ella Lee Blythe-Rose-Floyd-Ennis (1875 – 1942). Ella (Ellen/Elley) married 3 times and had multiple of children with each husband. She was admitted to a mental hospital sometime between 1910 and 1920. She remained in mental Oklahoma hospitals for much of her adult life (1920, 1930, and 1940 census). Ella is buried in Calvin OK under the name Ella L. Ennis. Note: Her grave stone states she was born in 1871, but other records demonstrate that 1875 to be accurate. Note: It is common for old stones to be replaced by family members, with the missing (difficult to read) years being decided upon by memory, rather than accurate documentation.
NANCY'S MENTAL ILLNESS: Oddly, per the legal testimony associated with her illness by Sidon in late January 1880, Nancy (age 36) had no signs of mental illness prior to January 1, 1880 (26-days prior to intervention by the Sherriff). She was taken into custody in restraints by the Parker County Sherriff on January 8, 1880 (order of the court, Sherriff's notes, and letters of support for hospitalization from Sidon Blythe, their doctor, and Frances Parrish-Bragg). She then was then transferred to a mental hospital in Austin, TX where she remained until she was moved to a hospital in Wichita Falls, TX in 1927, one year prior to her death in 1928. Her illness was diagnosed as "acute mania" (bipolar). Note: During the testimony regarding Nancy's condition (January 1880), Sidon stated that George was 10 years old, giving strong evidence that he was born in 1869 and the 1870 census infant documented as Thomas may have been George.
SIDON ABANDONS THE CHILDREN: An 1886-1888 probate/petition of the court regarding Nancy's estate (160-acres in Parker County and the home) claims that Sidon Blythe abandoned the 3 children and was a "fugitive of the law". Another legal record shows that Sidon appealed the criminal charges brought by the State. He lost the appeal on May 16, 1886, which may explain his "departure" from Parker County and abandonment of his 3 children. In 1888, the Parker County court granted guardianship of the children and estate to Nancy's brother J. L. Parrish, as all the children were minors and Nancy's mother was a recent widow. The land and homestead were sold by the Courts to provide funds for the children. The children were cared for by J. L. and his wife Rebecca until they became adults.
MORE ON SIDON: Census records find that Sidon was in a relationship with Mary Vesti-Boswell (assumed widow) in the mid-1880's and well before 1888 (the petition of the court for guardianship of the children). Sidon and Mary Vasti had started their own family by 1887 (Samuel Blythe; birth August 4, 1887), eventually having 5 children (Samuel, Rillar (Vella), Randolph, Claude, and Melvin). It is presumed, that Sidon and Mary were living just north of the Red River in Indian Territory, near what is now Willis OK. Randolph Blythe was born in OK in 1893. The records of Melvin Blythe show that Melvin, (the youngest child) was born in 1899 in Willis OK, suggesting Sidon and Mary remained in the area (Indian Territory), immediately north of the Red River and Grayson County, TX. Sidon and Mary were officially married in 1999 in Grayson County, TX 14 years after the birth of their 1st child. The late marriage is likely attributed to Sidon being a fugitive.
SIDON's DEATH AND BURIAL: The preponderance of evidence suggests that Sidon died sometime after 1900, while he, Mary, and their children were living in rural Marshall County, OK (just north of the Red River). The last record of Mary was the 1910 census that documents she was living as a widow in Grayson County, TX (south of the Red River) with three of her children. A Blythe family story (Ancestry.com) documents that a family member said Sidon died of pneumonia after swimming the Red River. The death and burial location of Sidon and Mary remain unknown. Note: Much of the land near Willis, OK was flooded by Lake Texoma (1940s). It is plausible that Sidon's and Mary's graves are inundated by Lake Texoma.
NANCY'S DEATH AND BURIAL: After her death in the Wichita Falls, TX hospital, Nancy was buried in the Prairie View Cemetery, Macomb, OK where her son (George W. Blythe) was living. He died in 1951. A "new" headstone (appears to have been made and replaced in 1951 with the same stone and engraving as George's) shows "Granma Blythe". Note: Some online sources suggest that this is the grave of Sidon's second wife Mary Vasti-Boswell-Blythe. This is highly unlikely as there is no evidence the two "families (Nancy's children and Mary's children) were aware of one-another, as Sidon was a fugitive and was living with Mary and their children in Indian Territory (Marshall County, OK) for 20 years after he abandoned George and his two younger sisters (ABT 1886), and until his death ABT 1905.
Compiled in honor of Nancy D. Parrish for the descendants of Marcus Winchester Parrish by Lee Davis, Granbury, TX December 2023
Mother: Frances (Fanny) Proctor-Parrish-Bragg (TN) (1817 – ABT 1889)
Born: Sumner County, TN (1844)
PARRISH FAMILY: Nancy was the oldest daughter of Marcus Winchester and Francis (Frances) Proctor-Parrish. She was born in Sumner County, TN where the Proctor and Parrish families were close friends. Following Nancy's birth, Marcus and Francis (Fannie) left TN and farmed in IL (1950 Census) and then MO (birth records of Rebecca Ann Parrish), before moving to Texas. The couple arrived in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas in 1859 with 6 living children (per 1860 census and 1869 voter rolls).
The 6 living children and James who died before the trip to TX are provided below:
• John D. Parrish (TN 1839 – UNK After 1889)
• Jesse Lambert (J.L.) Parrish (TN 1841 – 1918)
• NANCY R. PARRISH (TN 1844-1928)
• Martha Rose Parrish-Sisco-Roberts (IL 1851-1935)
• James (IL 1848 – Prior to 1860)
• Henry Marcus Parrish (TN 1852 – 1916)
• Rebecca Ann Parrish-Pearl (MO 1857-1913)
TEXAS LAW of 1854: Texas land grants drew settlers from across the U.S., but primarily from the upper South (NC, KY, and TN). In 1854, the TX land grant program reduced the land grant size from 320 acres to 160 acres (normally 0.5 miles X 0.5 miles square). The state required the settler to build a home and live on the land for three years. After three years, the settler would pay for a land survey and file for a "land patent". The most desirable lands were adjacent to perennial streams, as water wells were not an option at the time in the semi-arid climate of the region west of Dallas, TX as the water table was too deep for shallow (dug) wells. Nancy's husband's land grant had access to the South Fork of the of the Trinity River, what is now called Town Creek.
The Parrish land grant, located 1.5 miles NW of the Weatherford town square, had a small tributary of Town Creek, and ½ mile NE of Nancy's husband's 160-acre patent. The method of surveying the land was crude based on today standards. Measurements were commonly made by tying a rope of a known distance between the front and back legs of a horse to somewhat shorten their stride. The surveyor would count the steps of the horse. Parker County was not open grasslands, but rather a mosaic of prairie and very thick forests (with and abundance green-brier vines and other woody undergrowth). The crudely identified property boundaries between neighboring land patents became a legal challenge in later years when fencing became a common practice.
PARKER COUNTY, TX: Parker County was established in 1855. The first settlers arrived at a valley adjacent to the Town Creek. They called the areas Goshen in 1854. A year later, the area became the Parker County seat with its new name Weatherford, TX. This was "Comanche country" at the time and was considered the edge of the frontier. Some estimate that over 400 settlers in the county were killed or taken by Comanches in the 1850's, 1860's and 1870's. The Parrish family were some of the early citizens of the new county seat (Weatherford). Nancy's father, Marcus W. Parrish had an odd-shaped land-grant, of what appears to be 160-acres about 1.5 miles northwest of the Weatherford courthouse. Between 1859 and 1869 (his approximated death), Marcus acquired additional lands in the Chapman patent and acquired the 160-acre Easley patent located ½ mile west of his patent and immediately north of the Blythe patent (Nancy's husband's patent).
In 1860, Parker County was mostly unsettled mosaic of natural grasslands (prairie) and forests. The grasslands occurred on the black clay soils (considered poor soils for farming at the time) and the rocky limestone soils common to the area, also unsuited for farming. Riparian forests were adjacent to streams. The most common vegetative type was a thick post-oak forest. This "forest" was titled the "cross-timbers" as settlers had to cross the thick forest, tangled with green brier and other vines, a dreaded task. The forest was almost impenetrable by horse and wagon, a gained another name "The Cast Iron Forest".
Although this frontier was not easily cropped, the mosaic of oak forests, riparian areas, and grasslands provided an abundance of wildlife (e.g., whitetail deer, turkey, and black bear) for the settlers. Corn and wheat, grown on the sandy soils after the trees were removed for the log home and stove-wood, was used to feed their stock and make bread. Parker County settlers did not farm grain (corn or wheat) for sale. Rather, they were subsistence farmers raising cows (milk, beef, and to pull wagons), horses, chickens and swine. Their cash-crop were the few cows and horses raised on their land. "Farms" were not fenced, as barb wire was not invented until 1867 and its availability in Parker County would have been limited until after the railroad reached Weatherford in 1880. Thus, a traditional 160-acre homestead ("patent") in the Weatherford, TX area was mostly wooded, with some open prairie areas for grazing, a few small areas under cultivation to grow vegetable crops and some corn to feed the stock. Trees in Parker County were not like the tall trees in the southeastern states, a 15-foot log was a long log for the area. Thus, homes were small log-structures constructed from post-oak trees cleared from the homestead. Wood-post fences (picket) surrounded most homes to protect the house, yard, and garden from the free-ranging livestock.
MARRIAGE: Court records show that Nancy married Sidon Blythe (ABT 1837 – ABT 1905) in 1861 or 1862 at a location described as being 1½ mile north of Weatherford, presumed to be at the Parrish home. Nancy would have been 17-18 years old and Sidon (born ABT 1837 in TN) would have been 24-25 years old.
BLYTHE FAMILY: Andrew (ABT 1812 – UKN) and his wife Margaret (ABT 1808 – UNK) Blythe moved from TN, to MS, then to Parker County, TX, arriving at the Veal Station (a stagecoach stop about 12 miles north of Weatherford just east of current HWY 51). The 1867 voter record shows that Sidon lived in Parker County for 11 years (demonstrating arrival in 1856), certainly one of the early settlers in the county. Land abstracts show the Blythe couple owned the 160-acre land grant (patent) in August of 1959, substantiated by the 1960 census. The 160-acre land grant was approximately 1.5 miles west-northwest of Weatherford and ½ mile SW of the Parrish land. Town Creek supplied water to the Blythe's and their livestock. No records were found on Andrew or Margaret after 1960, suggesting Andrew and Margaret died prior to the 1870 Census.
1870: The 1870 census shows that Sidon and Nancy were living on the Blythe 160-acre patent, with their 4-year-old daughter named M. J. Blythe (1866 – ABT 1869). The 1970 census also showed an infant named Thomas, Nancy's grandfather Parrish's name. However, other records suggest this infant was George Winchester Blythe. Note: The male infant also may have been an older sibling, depending on Georges actually date of birth (in question). The couple's daughter, M. J. Blythe, apparently died, presumably from the array of fatal diseases common in those times. Sidon remained a "farmer" (livestock and subsentence garden crops), presumably on his parents 160-acre farm, which had grown to 240 acres in 1880 (court records from Sidon testimony).
1880: By 1880, the couple had three living children. Nancy was committed to a mental Hospital in January-February of 1880, just prior to the census. Sidon and the three children were living in Parker County, TX near William Bragg and Frances Parrish-Bragg, presumably on the Parrish land. Note: Nancy's father, Marcus Parrish died in 1869 and her mother (Nancy Proctor-Parrish) married William Bragg before 1880. Also living with the Bragg's was Nancy's oldest brother John Parrish (widower) and his 3 children. Living next to the Braggs (on the Parrish land) was William Sisco and Martha Rose Parrish-Sisco and their three children. Clearly, the Parishes and in-laws were living and farming as a large family-unit in 1880. The 1889 Parker County Plat shows the location of the Parrish farm was just NW of downtown Weatherford NE the present-day junction of the Peaster Highway and Zion Road. The Blythe farm was ½ mile SW of the Parrish farm mostly south of the current railroad and Town Creek, and east of the Williamson Memorial HW (loop). In 1880, Sidon's and Nancy's three children, ages 10, 7 and 3, were:
• George Winchester Sydney (or Sidon) Blythe. (ABT 1870 – 1951). George W. S. Blythe married Minnie E. Hood (1846-1928) in Parker County. They had many children and both are buried in Prairie View Cemetery, near Macomb, OK. His birthday varies in the records. It appears that late 1969 was the most substantiated date of his birth. George's obituary states that he moved to OK from Chico, Wise County, TX in 1895 (age 24-26). Note: Chico TX was settled by a Parker family group, which may have been relatives of Frances (Fannie/Fanny) Parker-Parrish-Bragg. He lived most of his life in the Macomb, OK area where he and Minnie had many children.
• Maud A. Blythe (1874- UKN). No records were confirmed after the 1880 census other than the 1887-1889 probate of her mother's estate (160-acres) in Parker County, TX. Maud was 10 at the time.
• Ella Lee Blythe-Rose-Floyd-Ennis (1875 – 1942). Ella (Ellen/Elley) married 3 times and had multiple of children with each husband. She was admitted to a mental hospital sometime between 1910 and 1920. She remained in mental Oklahoma hospitals for much of her adult life (1920, 1930, and 1940 census). Ella is buried in Calvin OK under the name Ella L. Ennis. Note: Her grave stone states she was born in 1871, but other records demonstrate that 1875 to be accurate. Note: It is common for old stones to be replaced by family members, with the missing (difficult to read) years being decided upon by memory, rather than accurate documentation.
NANCY'S MENTAL ILLNESS: Oddly, per the legal testimony associated with her illness by Sidon in late January 1880, Nancy (age 36) had no signs of mental illness prior to January 1, 1880 (26-days prior to intervention by the Sherriff). She was taken into custody in restraints by the Parker County Sherriff on January 8, 1880 (order of the court, Sherriff's notes, and letters of support for hospitalization from Sidon Blythe, their doctor, and Frances Parrish-Bragg). She then was then transferred to a mental hospital in Austin, TX where she remained until she was moved to a hospital in Wichita Falls, TX in 1927, one year prior to her death in 1928. Her illness was diagnosed as "acute mania" (bipolar). Note: During the testimony regarding Nancy's condition (January 1880), Sidon stated that George was 10 years old, giving strong evidence that he was born in 1869 and the 1870 census infant documented as Thomas may have been George.
SIDON ABANDONS THE CHILDREN: An 1886-1888 probate/petition of the court regarding Nancy's estate (160-acres in Parker County and the home) claims that Sidon Blythe abandoned the 3 children and was a "fugitive of the law". Another legal record shows that Sidon appealed the criminal charges brought by the State. He lost the appeal on May 16, 1886, which may explain his "departure" from Parker County and abandonment of his 3 children. In 1888, the Parker County court granted guardianship of the children and estate to Nancy's brother J. L. Parrish, as all the children were minors and Nancy's mother was a recent widow. The land and homestead were sold by the Courts to provide funds for the children. The children were cared for by J. L. and his wife Rebecca until they became adults.
MORE ON SIDON: Census records find that Sidon was in a relationship with Mary Vesti-Boswell (assumed widow) in the mid-1880's and well before 1888 (the petition of the court for guardianship of the children). Sidon and Mary Vasti had started their own family by 1887 (Samuel Blythe; birth August 4, 1887), eventually having 5 children (Samuel, Rillar (Vella), Randolph, Claude, and Melvin). It is presumed, that Sidon and Mary were living just north of the Red River in Indian Territory, near what is now Willis OK. Randolph Blythe was born in OK in 1893. The records of Melvin Blythe show that Melvin, (the youngest child) was born in 1899 in Willis OK, suggesting Sidon and Mary remained in the area (Indian Territory), immediately north of the Red River and Grayson County, TX. Sidon and Mary were officially married in 1999 in Grayson County, TX 14 years after the birth of their 1st child. The late marriage is likely attributed to Sidon being a fugitive.
SIDON's DEATH AND BURIAL: The preponderance of evidence suggests that Sidon died sometime after 1900, while he, Mary, and their children were living in rural Marshall County, OK (just north of the Red River). The last record of Mary was the 1910 census that documents she was living as a widow in Grayson County, TX (south of the Red River) with three of her children. A Blythe family story (Ancestry.com) documents that a family member said Sidon died of pneumonia after swimming the Red River. The death and burial location of Sidon and Mary remain unknown. Note: Much of the land near Willis, OK was flooded by Lake Texoma (1940s). It is plausible that Sidon's and Mary's graves are inundated by Lake Texoma.
NANCY'S DEATH AND BURIAL: After her death in the Wichita Falls, TX hospital, Nancy was buried in the Prairie View Cemetery, Macomb, OK where her son (George W. Blythe) was living. He died in 1951. A "new" headstone (appears to have been made and replaced in 1951 with the same stone and engraving as George's) shows "Granma Blythe". Note: Some online sources suggest that this is the grave of Sidon's second wife Mary Vasti-Boswell-Blythe. This is highly unlikely as there is no evidence the two "families (Nancy's children and Mary's children) were aware of one-another, as Sidon was a fugitive and was living with Mary and their children in Indian Territory (Marshall County, OK) for 20 years after he abandoned George and his two younger sisters (ABT 1886), and until his death ABT 1905.
Compiled in honor of Nancy D. Parrish for the descendants of Marcus Winchester Parrish by Lee Davis, Granbury, TX December 2023
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