Family notes:
Mattie Lee was born at the family home in Bengal (Taylor County), Kentucky, the eldest of 5 siblings. She was named for her paternal grandmother, Mattie Gaddie Vaughn, and a combination of her mother, Lee Beams Vaughn and maternal grandfather, Thomas Lee Beams. She never knew either of her Vaughn grandparents. Both died before the marriage of her parents. On the other hand, she spent much time with her maternal grandparents, Tom and Crissie Beams, who lived within walking distance of her parents. The Beams owned a general store in Bengal which also served as the Bengal post office where Thomas and Crissie both served as postmaster at various times. Thomas Beams also operated a mill, blacksmith shop and numerous other businesses while Crissie managed the store.
The Vaughn home was on a farm that Mattie's father, Dennis, inherited following the death of his parents and Uncle Billy (who was half owner in the farm). But Dennis didn't enjoy farming and the family moved a few miles away to "the city" of Campbellsville by the time Mattie Lee was 12 years old.
Family notes:
Mattie Lee was born at the family home in Bengal (Taylor County), Kentucky, the eldest of 5 siblings. She was named for her paternal grandmother, Mattie Gaddie Vaughn, and a combination of her mother, Lee Beams Vaughn and maternal grandfather, Thomas Lee Beams. She never knew either of her Vaughn grandparents. Both died before the marriage of her parents. On the other hand, she spent much time with her maternal grandparents, Tom and Crissie Beams, who lived within walking distance of her parents. The Beams owned a general store in Bengal which also served as the Bengal post office where Thomas and Crissie both served as postmaster at various times. Thomas Beams also operated a mill, blacksmith shop and numerous other businesses while Crissie managed the store.
The Vaughn home was on a farm that Mattie's father, Dennis, inherited following the death of his parents and Uncle Billy (who was half owner in the farm). But Dennis didn't enjoy farming and the family moved a few miles away to "the city" of Campbellsville by the time Mattie Lee was 12 years old.