The 1850 and 1860 Census enumerations both give her name as Mary. She is not described as Viney at all. She is found in the 1850 census residing in Anderson Co., TN (they lived near the county border with Campbell County). She is listed with her husband, John Phillips (age 30 years). She is listed as Mary Phillips (age 30 years), and has children: Clarissa (age 11 years); Elizabeth (age 8 years); Susy (age 6 years); Milton (age 4 years); and William (age 4 months). Listed in the household adjacent to John Phillips is his brother-in-law, William Ward, in whose household resided his mother (and Viney's), Catherine (Harmon) Ward.

John Phillips died in 1852 and his widow is found in Anderson Co., TN in the 1860 census enumeration as the head of her own household. She is again identified as Mary Phillips (age 39 years) with children: Milton (15 years); Sarah (12 years); William (9 years); and Claibourn (7 years).

So, the Federal Census records give her name as Mary while her tombstone records her name as Viney. Viney was a name that was used more familiarly among family members for her, as I have been told by modern-day family members descended from her. I only have family oral tradition that says her name was Mary Viney (Ward) Phillips. As I mentioned previously, I have found Viney given alternately as being a nickname for Melvina and Louvina.

The 1850 and 1860 census supports the name Mary while the tombstone supports the name Viney. Family oral tradition indicates it was Mary Viney. I write Viney because I cannot ascertain which name (Melvina or Louvina) it stood for.

I wanted to offer this additional information. If you need copies of the census records, I can provide them to you. I again thank you for the edits you did implement and thank you for your further consideration of the additional information I have provided.

Contributor: CMWJR (50059520)
Charles Ward