Civil War Messenger for Federal Troops
He was the son of John and Mary O'Dell Lay. He is living in District 8, Campbell, TN in 1860, with his parents and siblings, Elizabeth, David, William L., Elijah his twin, Drury, Rhoda C. and Mary. He married Eliza and after her death married Martha on March 4, 1877 in Campbell Co., TN.
Elisha died in Oklahoma City at his daughter Izora's home. His first wife Eliza's burial location is unknown at this time.
Per Mrs. McCarty, descendant of Elisha Lay, said the twins looked so much alike that most people could only tell them apart when they were standing together; Elisha was the shorter of the two. Pictures showed these two very young men in what appeared to be Union Army Uniforms. Mrs. McCarty explained several years later, that the boys were too young to participate in the actual fighting in the Civil War, but both served as messengers for the Federal troops.
Per Ms. McCarty, Elisha Lay died at Oklahoma City, at the home of his daughter, Izora. Elisha and his first wife, "Liza" Sweat, were both very young when they married, sometime in 1867. Their first child, born in 1868 died at birth; scarcely two years later, the second child, Mary, was born. Elisha Lay was working in Indiana with his brother, William Quillen Lay, in the lumber business when his son, William, was born. Shortly after the birth of William, Eliza was diagnosed with TB. They immediately moved back to Tennessee where she died, leaving a 3 month-old son. Elisha, with three small children, met and married Martha Williamson soon after Eliza's death. Lavisa, the third of the couple's children, and little William referred to Martha as their mother. Elisha was never satisfied in one place. They lived several places in Campbell County, a while in Sequatchie Valley, TN, and back to Campbell County. In 1897, he, Martha and daughter Lavisa with her husband, Jesse Jackson Elder left TN by train for Oklahoma. They got off the train at Weatherford, OK. Lavisa and Jackson Elder stopped at Yukon, OK, then later moved to El Reno, where they settled down. Elisha and Martha traveled from Weatherford to Dewey County, OK by wagon. They settled on land located about 3 miles east and 2-3 miles north of Putman, OK.
Mrs. McCarty writes: "They lived in a dugout that leaked when it rained and the snakes could crawl in. Here they lived through drought and blizzards so bad they nearly froze to death. Cattlemen didn't like the Sodbusters and weren't the easiest people to neighbor along side.. They went hungry many times. Lots of quail, squirrel and rabbits ended up on their table. 'Guess that's why Elisha and his son Richard became expert marksmen. They hunted with a muzzle loaded gun when a miss meant no food. The Lays farmed and raised a few cattle, but Elisha was a carpenter and built homes in the area. Sometimes pay was vegetables, meat or a little cash. Sometimes he walked 10 to 12 miles to work. He was a faithful Mason and walked many miles to lodge meetings at night. Martha was an Eastern Star member. Martha passed away in the early 1900's...After her death the family separated -- some to return to Tennessee and others to remain in Oklahoma...Elisha spent the rest of his life traveling to Tennessee, California and Oklahoma to visit and live with his children. He never unpacked his trunk....He had no religion. He did not believe in God...
Elisha Lay and his son-in-law Jesse Jackson Elder built a beautiful house on the John "Jack" Lay farm in Campbell County, TN on the Powell River. This is where Jesse met Lavisa Lay. After Jesse and Lavisa returned to Tennessee from Oklahoma, they lived in this home until his death. Lavisa stayed there until the TVA bought the land."
Eunice (Lay) Plummer's autobiography contained the following remarks about her grandfather, Elisha LAY --"As a small girl I had bad ear aches. My grandfather Lay would get up during the night and light his old pipe and blow smoke in my ears. He was about 81 years old at this time. Then there was the skunk oil that was used on baby sister (Violet) when she had the croup. These were some old time remedies used by Grandfather Lay that really did work..."
(From Nena Smothers)
He was the son of John and Mary O'Dell Lay. He is living in District 8, Campbell, TN in 1860, with his parents and siblings, Elizabeth, David, William L., Elijah his twin, Drury, Rhoda C. and Mary. He married Eliza and after her death married Martha on March 4, 1877 in Campbell Co., TN.
Elisha died in Oklahoma City at his daughter Izora's home. His first wife Eliza's burial location is unknown at this time.
Per Mrs. McCarty, descendant of Elisha Lay, said the twins looked so much alike that most people could only tell them apart when they were standing together; Elisha was the shorter of the two. Pictures showed these two very young men in what appeared to be Union Army Uniforms. Mrs. McCarty explained several years later, that the boys were too young to participate in the actual fighting in the Civil War, but both served as messengers for the Federal troops.
Per Ms. McCarty, Elisha Lay died at Oklahoma City, at the home of his daughter, Izora. Elisha and his first wife, "Liza" Sweat, were both very young when they married, sometime in 1867. Their first child, born in 1868 died at birth; scarcely two years later, the second child, Mary, was born. Elisha Lay was working in Indiana with his brother, William Quillen Lay, in the lumber business when his son, William, was born. Shortly after the birth of William, Eliza was diagnosed with TB. They immediately moved back to Tennessee where she died, leaving a 3 month-old son. Elisha, with three small children, met and married Martha Williamson soon after Eliza's death. Lavisa, the third of the couple's children, and little William referred to Martha as their mother. Elisha was never satisfied in one place. They lived several places in Campbell County, a while in Sequatchie Valley, TN, and back to Campbell County. In 1897, he, Martha and daughter Lavisa with her husband, Jesse Jackson Elder left TN by train for Oklahoma. They got off the train at Weatherford, OK. Lavisa and Jackson Elder stopped at Yukon, OK, then later moved to El Reno, where they settled down. Elisha and Martha traveled from Weatherford to Dewey County, OK by wagon. They settled on land located about 3 miles east and 2-3 miles north of Putman, OK.
Mrs. McCarty writes: "They lived in a dugout that leaked when it rained and the snakes could crawl in. Here they lived through drought and blizzards so bad they nearly froze to death. Cattlemen didn't like the Sodbusters and weren't the easiest people to neighbor along side.. They went hungry many times. Lots of quail, squirrel and rabbits ended up on their table. 'Guess that's why Elisha and his son Richard became expert marksmen. They hunted with a muzzle loaded gun when a miss meant no food. The Lays farmed and raised a few cattle, but Elisha was a carpenter and built homes in the area. Sometimes pay was vegetables, meat or a little cash. Sometimes he walked 10 to 12 miles to work. He was a faithful Mason and walked many miles to lodge meetings at night. Martha was an Eastern Star member. Martha passed away in the early 1900's...After her death the family separated -- some to return to Tennessee and others to remain in Oklahoma...Elisha spent the rest of his life traveling to Tennessee, California and Oklahoma to visit and live with his children. He never unpacked his trunk....He had no religion. He did not believe in God...
Elisha Lay and his son-in-law Jesse Jackson Elder built a beautiful house on the John "Jack" Lay farm in Campbell County, TN on the Powell River. This is where Jesse met Lavisa Lay. After Jesse and Lavisa returned to Tennessee from Oklahoma, they lived in this home until his death. Lavisa stayed there until the TVA bought the land."
Eunice (Lay) Plummer's autobiography contained the following remarks about her grandfather, Elisha LAY --"As a small girl I had bad ear aches. My grandfather Lay would get up during the night and light his old pipe and blow smoke in my ears. He was about 81 years old at this time. Then there was the skunk oil that was used on baby sister (Violet) when she had the croup. These were some old time remedies used by Grandfather Lay that really did work..."
(From Nena Smothers)
Civil War Messenger for Federal Troops
He was the son of John and Mary O'Dell Lay. He is living in District 8, Campbell, TN in 1860, with his parents and siblings, Elizabeth, David, William L., Elijah his twin, Drury, Rhoda C. and Mary. He married Eliza and after her death married Martha on March 4, 1877 in Campbell Co., TN.
Elisha died in Oklahoma City at his daughter Izora's home. His first wife Eliza's burial location is unknown at this time.
Per Mrs. McCarty, descendant of Elisha Lay, said the twins looked so much alike that most people could only tell them apart when they were standing together; Elisha was the shorter of the two. Pictures showed these two very young men in what appeared to be Union Army Uniforms. Mrs. McCarty explained several years later, that the boys were too young to participate in the actual fighting in the Civil War, but both served as messengers for the Federal troops.
Per Ms. McCarty, Elisha Lay died at Oklahoma City, at the home of his daughter, Izora. Elisha and his first wife, "Liza" Sweat, were both very young when they married, sometime in 1867. Their first child, born in 1868 died at birth; scarcely two years later, the second child, Mary, was born. Elisha Lay was working in Indiana with his brother, William Quillen Lay, in the lumber business when his son, William, was born. Shortly after the birth of William, Eliza was diagnosed with TB. They immediately moved back to Tennessee where she died, leaving a 3 month-old son. Elisha, with three small children, met and married Martha Williamson soon after Eliza's death. Lavisa, the third of the couple's children, and little William referred to Martha as their mother. Elisha was never satisfied in one place. They lived several places in Campbell County, a while in Sequatchie Valley, TN, and back to Campbell County. In 1897, he, Martha and daughter Lavisa with her husband, Jesse Jackson Elder left TN by train for Oklahoma. They got off the train at Weatherford, OK. Lavisa and Jackson Elder stopped at Yukon, OK, then later moved to El Reno, where they settled down. Elisha and Martha traveled from Weatherford to Dewey County, OK by wagon. They settled on land located about 3 miles east and 2-3 miles north of Putman, OK.
Mrs. McCarty writes: "They lived in a dugout that leaked when it rained and the snakes could crawl in. Here they lived through drought and blizzards so bad they nearly froze to death. Cattlemen didn't like the Sodbusters and weren't the easiest people to neighbor along side.. They went hungry many times. Lots of quail, squirrel and rabbits ended up on their table. 'Guess that's why Elisha and his son Richard became expert marksmen. They hunted with a muzzle loaded gun when a miss meant no food. The Lays farmed and raised a few cattle, but Elisha was a carpenter and built homes in the area. Sometimes pay was vegetables, meat or a little cash. Sometimes he walked 10 to 12 miles to work. He was a faithful Mason and walked many miles to lodge meetings at night. Martha was an Eastern Star member. Martha passed away in the early 1900's...After her death the family separated -- some to return to Tennessee and others to remain in Oklahoma...Elisha spent the rest of his life traveling to Tennessee, California and Oklahoma to visit and live with his children. He never unpacked his trunk....He had no religion. He did not believe in God...
Elisha Lay and his son-in-law Jesse Jackson Elder built a beautiful house on the John "Jack" Lay farm in Campbell County, TN on the Powell River. This is where Jesse met Lavisa Lay. After Jesse and Lavisa returned to Tennessee from Oklahoma, they lived in this home until his death. Lavisa stayed there until the TVA bought the land."
Eunice (Lay) Plummer's autobiography contained the following remarks about her grandfather, Elisha LAY --"As a small girl I had bad ear aches. My grandfather Lay would get up during the night and light his old pipe and blow smoke in my ears. He was about 81 years old at this time. Then there was the skunk oil that was used on baby sister (Violet) when she had the croup. These were some old time remedies used by Grandfather Lay that really did work..."
(From Nena Smothers)
He was the son of John and Mary O'Dell Lay. He is living in District 8, Campbell, TN in 1860, with his parents and siblings, Elizabeth, David, William L., Elijah his twin, Drury, Rhoda C. and Mary. He married Eliza and after her death married Martha on March 4, 1877 in Campbell Co., TN.
Elisha died in Oklahoma City at his daughter Izora's home. His first wife Eliza's burial location is unknown at this time.
Per Mrs. McCarty, descendant of Elisha Lay, said the twins looked so much alike that most people could only tell them apart when they were standing together; Elisha was the shorter of the two. Pictures showed these two very young men in what appeared to be Union Army Uniforms. Mrs. McCarty explained several years later, that the boys were too young to participate in the actual fighting in the Civil War, but both served as messengers for the Federal troops.
Per Ms. McCarty, Elisha Lay died at Oklahoma City, at the home of his daughter, Izora. Elisha and his first wife, "Liza" Sweat, were both very young when they married, sometime in 1867. Their first child, born in 1868 died at birth; scarcely two years later, the second child, Mary, was born. Elisha Lay was working in Indiana with his brother, William Quillen Lay, in the lumber business when his son, William, was born. Shortly after the birth of William, Eliza was diagnosed with TB. They immediately moved back to Tennessee where she died, leaving a 3 month-old son. Elisha, with three small children, met and married Martha Williamson soon after Eliza's death. Lavisa, the third of the couple's children, and little William referred to Martha as their mother. Elisha was never satisfied in one place. They lived several places in Campbell County, a while in Sequatchie Valley, TN, and back to Campbell County. In 1897, he, Martha and daughter Lavisa with her husband, Jesse Jackson Elder left TN by train for Oklahoma. They got off the train at Weatherford, OK. Lavisa and Jackson Elder stopped at Yukon, OK, then later moved to El Reno, where they settled down. Elisha and Martha traveled from Weatherford to Dewey County, OK by wagon. They settled on land located about 3 miles east and 2-3 miles north of Putman, OK.
Mrs. McCarty writes: "They lived in a dugout that leaked when it rained and the snakes could crawl in. Here they lived through drought and blizzards so bad they nearly froze to death. Cattlemen didn't like the Sodbusters and weren't the easiest people to neighbor along side.. They went hungry many times. Lots of quail, squirrel and rabbits ended up on their table. 'Guess that's why Elisha and his son Richard became expert marksmen. They hunted with a muzzle loaded gun when a miss meant no food. The Lays farmed and raised a few cattle, but Elisha was a carpenter and built homes in the area. Sometimes pay was vegetables, meat or a little cash. Sometimes he walked 10 to 12 miles to work. He was a faithful Mason and walked many miles to lodge meetings at night. Martha was an Eastern Star member. Martha passed away in the early 1900's...After her death the family separated -- some to return to Tennessee and others to remain in Oklahoma...Elisha spent the rest of his life traveling to Tennessee, California and Oklahoma to visit and live with his children. He never unpacked his trunk....He had no religion. He did not believe in God...
Elisha Lay and his son-in-law Jesse Jackson Elder built a beautiful house on the John "Jack" Lay farm in Campbell County, TN on the Powell River. This is where Jesse met Lavisa Lay. After Jesse and Lavisa returned to Tennessee from Oklahoma, they lived in this home until his death. Lavisa stayed there until the TVA bought the land."
Eunice (Lay) Plummer's autobiography contained the following remarks about her grandfather, Elisha LAY --"As a small girl I had bad ear aches. My grandfather Lay would get up during the night and light his old pipe and blow smoke in my ears. He was about 81 years old at this time. Then there was the skunk oil that was used on baby sister (Violet) when she had the croup. These were some old time remedies used by Grandfather Lay that really did work..."
(From Nena Smothers)
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