Martha ("Marthy") Ann Riddell/Riddle Dawes/Daus - Estill County - 1882

Commitment Order (31 Jan 1882). Estill Circuit Court Order Book Z, 1881-1884, pages 73-74, from Kentucky State Archives, Frankfort, Ky.

Submitted By Bill Dozier

Estill Circuit Court

6 Day of April Term, 8 Day of April, 1882

Upon motion of the Atty. For the Commonwealth it is ordered that a writ of de idata inquirendo issue in the case of Marthy Dawes a lunatic returnable immediately to enquire into the state of mind as well as Estate of said Dawes and it is ordered that J. M. Riddell be appointed counsel for her where upon came the following Jury to wit: John Wallace, Joseph Wagers, B. J. C. Sale, John Miantigue, Claud Smith, Jorden Neal, John Ellington, Dilard Centers, Wm. Reynolds, John S. Howard, J. J. Tipton, and Y. G. Price who being sworn according to law and having heard the evidence returned the following verdict. We the Jury empanelled and sworn under a writ issued by the Judge of the Estill County Court directing us to enquire if Marthy Dawes of Estill County be of unsound mind and having had a view of said Marthy in open Court and having heard evidence in relation to the condition of her mind as well as Estate find that said Marthy is a Lunatic, was not destitute of mind from birth. She was born with a good mind but has had occasional spells of lunacy or crazyness for a number of years. About thirteen (13) months ago, She lost her mind almost entirely and is now a lunatic. She was born in Estill County Ky. Is about 47 years of age. She resides in Estill County with her husband Abraham Dawes. She has no Estate either in possession revision or remainder her husband has no Estate to support her. She was not brought into this state by anyone to owe to become a charge on the Commonwealth and is incapable of laboring to any extent for a Support has never heretofore been found a lunatic by the verdict of a Jury or the Judgment of a court witness our hands and seals this 01st January 1882.

B. J. C. Sale (Seal)

Y. G. Price (Seal)

J. A. Wallace (Seal)

J. J. Tipton (Seal)

Claud Smith (Seal)

Joseph Wagers (Seal)

Jorden Neal (Seal)

John Ellington (Seal)

John S. Howard (Seal)

Wm. Reynolds (Seal)

D. D. Centers (Seal)

John Miantigue (Seal)

In the pursurvance of the foregoing Judgment it is adjudged that the said Marthy Dawes a Lunatic

It is therefore ordered that the sheriff of Estill County convey the said Marthy Dawes to the Eastern Lunatic Asylum at Lexington, Kentucky and deliver her to the Superintendent there of given under my hand as Judge of the Estill County Court this 31st day of January 1882.

W. B. Benton J.E.C.C.

Notes from Bill Dozier:

Martha Ann Riddell Dawes/Daus was a native of Estill Co., Ky. (born-22 April 1833, per Family Bible-died ? (perhaps 1887?). The word �Dead� appears on her ESH patient card, per 2006 phone call to ESH Records Department.

Notes sent in an e-mail dated-Tuesday, January 02, 2007 4:26 PM

--Her name was Martha Ann Riddell/Riddle Daus/Dawes (c. 1830-1887).

--Her first husband was Absoleum Turner, and they divorced after a brief marriage that produced one daughter, Mary Catherine.

--In 1853, Martha married her second husband, Abraham Daus/Dawes, and they had about ten or so children. They lived at Wisemantown, Estill Co., KY.

--In Jan. 1882, an Estill Co. jury finds Martha to be a lunatic and that Abraham lacks the means to care for her. Judge Benton commits Martha to Eastern Lunatic Asylum--six months later her commitment is recorded in the Estill Co. Order Book.

--Also in 1882, Abraham's future wife gives birth to a daughter, the father of whom I believe to be Abraham.

--In 1887, the Estill Co. Circuit Court grants Abraham his petition for divorce from Martha. Martha is not present at the hearing. Witnesses for Abraham state they have not seen Martha in five years. Abraham states that Martha is living with relatives in IN. No mention is made of her commitment to the hospital.

--In 1887, following his divorce, Abraham marries his second wife and fathers, I believe, two additional children by her.

--An inventory of the Estill Co. cemeteries does not include the grave of Martha Ann Riddell/Riddle Daus/Dawes, nor have I encountered a family tradition that locates her burial place.

Census Data:

Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Estill, Kentucky; Roll: M653_365; Page: 0; Image: 221. Name: Abraham Dowes Age in 1860: 30 Birth Year: abt 1830 Birthplace: Kentucky Home in 1860: Estill, Kentucky Gender: Male Post Office: Irvine Name Age Sex Relation Occupation Birthplace Abraham Dowes 30 M Head Blacksmith Ky. Martha Dowes 25 F Ky. Joseph Dowes 6 M Ky. Isac A. Dowes 4 M Ky. Sarah Dowes 2 F Ky. Matilda F. Dowes 3.12 F Ky. Mary Riddle 7 F Ky. Source: Year: 1870; Census Place: Crooked Creek, Estill, Kentucky; Roll: M593_459; Page: 493; Image: 247. Name: Abraham Daws Estimated birth year: abt 1830 Age in 1870: 40 Birthplace: Kentucky Home in 1870: Crooked Creek, Estill, Kentucky Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: Irvine Name Age Sex Relation Occupation Birthplace Abraham Daws 40 M Head Blacksmith Ky. Martha A. Daws 38 F Wife Keeping house Ky. Mary C. Daws 19 F Ky. Joseph W. Daws 17 M Farm Laborer Ky. Isaac A. Daws 15 M Farm Laborer Ky. Sarah B. Daws 12 F Ky. Matilda F. Daws 10 F Ky. John W. Daws 8 M Ky. Anne E. Daws 3 F Ky. Thos. A Daws 1 M Ky. Sylvania 5 F Ky Source: Year: 1880; Census Place: Crooked Creek, Estill, Kentucky; Roll: T9_412; Page: 73.4000; Enumeration District: 39; Image: 0337. Name: Abraham Daws Home in 1880: Crooked Creek, Estill, Kentucky Age: 51 Estimated birth year: abt 1829 Birthplace: Kentucky Relation to head-of-household: Self (Head) Spouse's name: Martha A. Father's birthplace: VA Mother's birthplace: VA Occupation: Blacksmith Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Household Members: Name Age Relation Abraham Daws 51 Head Ky.--Va.--Va. Martha A. Daws 46 Wife Ky.--Ky.--Ky. Pensylvana Daws 14 Daughter Ky.--Ky.--Ky. Analiza Daws 12 Daughter Ky.--Ky.--Ky. Thomas A. Daws 10 Son Ky.--Ky.--Ky. Charlie Daws 8 Son Ky.--Ky.--Ky. Lauragreen Daws 7 Daughter Ky.--Ky.--Ky. Abraham Daws 3 Son Ky.--Ky.--Ky.