Thomas Poff - Knox County - 1917

By Dusty Pilgrim,

Thomas Bueford Poff Jr. born in Knox Co. Kentucky on April 7, 1863 (date confirmed from family Bible) was the son of Thomas Bueford (Bluford?) Poff and wife Nancy Jane Kellems. They lived several places then finally in Bell Co. KY in the same area where Thomas Sr. grew up. Thomas Poff Sr. joined the Union Army in 1861 and detached to the KY 8th, released at the end of the War. Thomas Jr. was conceived while his father was stationed at nearby Barbourville KY.

1880 census Pineville, Bell, Kentucky, District 6; Thomas PEUGH Self 55 KY Farmer VA TN; Nancy J. PEUGH Wife 52 KY KY KY; Emily PEUGH Dau 25 KY; Sarah M. PEUGH Dau 20 KY; Thomas PEUGH Son 17 KY; Amanda PEUGH Dau 14 KY; Josephine PEUGH Dau 10 KY

* took me forever to find them with that spelling;

* (Josh) Bell Co. KY formed from Knox Co. in 1867

Thomas Poff Jr. married Nancy Evelyn Miracle on December 26, 1889 in Bell Co. KY, she was the daughter of John Atts Miracle and Mary Thompson. To that union nine children were born, all in Bell Co. KY.

Thomas Poff (Jr.) & wife Nancy can be found in the following census:

1900 census Cubage, District 13, Bell Co. KY with children  - Samuel b. 1891; Mary Jane b. 1893; Cora b. 1896; Lucinda b. 1898. 

Thomas and Nancy's youngest daughter Ellen born 1909 in Bell Co., shortly there after they moved to Madison Co. KY because Thomas Poff (Jr.) lost the family farm willed to him by his mother. Nancy's mother Mary didn't like Tom and made his life miserable so he left to keep the peace as they were caring for his wife & younger children when he couldn't. The preacher threatened to "church" Mary for her unchristian behavior towards Tom, but Tom had already left the home ("Church" means to have them thrown out of the church). Mary did change her ways somewhat after that but it was to late then. Mary Jane left because of her Grandmother too, she would live with others & work for them for room & board.

1910 Madison County Kentucky, Blue Lick, District 74, Nancy and 7 of her children are living in the home of her father John Atts Miracle: Nancy age 39 (listed as widow although Thomas was still living); Mary J. age 16; Cora age 14; Lucinda age 12; John A. age 10; C M age 7; Sarah E. age 3; Nancy E. age 8 months.  1920 Madison County Kentucky, Yates District: Nancy Poff & her two youngest are in census at her fathers house (John Atts Miracle) 

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Court Commitment-Circuit Court Madison County, Ky.

From Book 1, Page 140

August Term 1917

State of Kentucky Commonwealth County of Madison versus Thomas Poff

This day E. H. Crooke, Attorney for the Commonwealth, filed an information as follows, to-witt: To J. C. Baxter Judge of the Madison Court: I am reliably informed that Thomas Poff is a person of unsound mind and a Lunatic and therefore ask that a Jury be impaneled to pass upon the subject.

_________________________

County Attorney Madison Court

Ordered by the Court, That G. Murry Smith Esq., an Attorney of this Court be and he is appointed to defend for and on behalf of the person under trial.

To inquire, etc., comes a Jury, to-wit: Lawson Reynolds, Jesse Rhodus, Cruther Soper, Martin Babe, Sam Shearer, Jas. Keene, Guy Bolton who being duly impaneled and sworn according to law, after hearing the evidence, returned the verdict viz: We of the jury find from the evidence that Thos. Poff is a person of unsound mind and a Lunatic: that he was born in Belle County, Ky. And resides in Madison County, and is 62 years of age; that he was not brought into this State for the purpose of becoming a charge upon the Commonwealth: that he own no estate of any kind; that father is dead and mother is dead and reside in ___ and ha__ not estate sufficient to support the person under trial; and said Thomas Poff is not capable of laboring either in whole or in part for his support.

Signed: Phil Maynahan, Foreman

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Brief History of Case by the Presiding Judge:

Age? 62; Color? White; Sex? Male; Occupation? Laborer; Occupation of Husband? __; Habits? Good; Extent of Education? None; Number and date of previous attacks? None; What relatives, if any, have been insane, peculiar, or intemperate? ___; Duration of present attack? Two Months; How exhibited and has changed in character? Worse; Supposed cause? __; Any delusions or hallucinations, and if so, what? __; Subject to fits __, if so, how long and what cause? __; Natural temper and disposition toward relatives Violent; Any threat, attempt or tendency to injure self or others? Yes; Violent? Yes; Destructive? Yes, Cleanly? Yes; Periodic frenzy and lucid intervals and duration of each ___; What restraints have been imposed and what treatments used ___; Any injury about the head ever received? No; Any bodily disease from suppression of evacuations, eruptions, sores, injuries? Yes; What estate have the parents, husband or wife of the person under trial? ___

�Together with whatever else may be deemed material toward enabling the superintendent of the asylum to understand the case� ____________________

Wherefore it is adjudged by the court that said Thos. Poff is a person of unsound mind and a Lunatic; it is ordered that __ he be committed to the asylum for the insane at Lexington, Ky., and that the superintendent of said asylum be immediately notified and directed to send for said lunatic.

J. G. Baxter, Judge Madison County

Attest: F. B. Terrell Clerk Madison Court

Term Aug., Date Aug. 25, 1917

Book No. 1, Page 140

Medical Records

No. 13760

Thomas Poff

Madison County

Admitted Aug. 25, 1917

Address _______

Remarks ______

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Mental Test of Patient When Admitted

Name Thos. Poff; Consecutive No.; Date Aug 25,1917

I. Consciousness and Orientation (Note: No answers were written to the questions below.)

II. School Knowledge: (Note: No answers were written to the questions below.)

III. Problem-Answer-Time-Remarks (Note: No answers were written below.)

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Instructions for Attendants Sent for Patients

Do not take charge of a patient until you receive commitment papers, duly signed.

Be kind and considerate toward the patient and do not use restraints, if possible avoidable.

If possible, secure answers to all the subjoined questions, from relative or family physician. Have patient leave all valuables and money at home.

Get name and address of nearest or near relative as a correspondent.

History of Case Obtained by Attendant.

Full name of Patient Thos Poff, County Madison, town Berea, Name and Address of Correspondent Mrs. Wm. Burnell, Berea, Ky., Telegraph or Telephone Same, Relationship of Correspondent to Patient Daughter.

Age 62, Sex Male, Color White, Married, Single, Widowed, or Divorced-Widowed,

Occupation Farmer, Number of Children Living 1, Number Dead _, Age of Youngest Child _,

What relatives have been insane- yes brother

Habits of patient and parents regarding use of intoxicants, opium, morphine, chloral, etc- not known

Has patient attempted or threatened injury to self of others- yes others

What education has patient- very little

Where was patient born- Ky.

Ascertain what disease the patient, has or has had, or serious injury- Sore leg

Delusion--Character of think he will be hurt

Habits of patient as to cleanliness- yes, as to sleep __

What is thought to have caused the insanity- sickness

Is patient noisy, violent, destructive, depressed- violent at times

Did you use restraints in conveying patient to the asylum- only hold him

L. A. Watkins, Attendant

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Ward Admission Record

Name Thos Poff, County Madison, Ward 15,

Admitted Aug 25, 1917, at 12:15 PM, Bathed at 12:50 PM.

Condition of Person; (General appearance as to Cleanliness, Vermin, and Nutrition)- Bad

Skin; (Marks, Bruises, Scars, Skin Disease, Eruption and locality)- Eruption on left leg below knee

Physical Disorders; (Deformities, Rupture, Fractures, Dislocation, etc.)- None

Mental State, Tendencies; Homicidal _, Suicidal _, Violent _, Depressed _, Destructive _

Articles found on person of Patient- None

Quality and condition of clothing- Bad

Lee O. Bush, Attendant

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Invoice of Clothing Received With Patient

Male Articles

Hats

Overcoats

Vests

Pants, Pairs- 1

Shoes, Pairs- 1 (rubber slippers)

Socks, Pairs- 1

Shirts- 1

Undershirts-

Drawers, Pairs- 1

Collars

Neckties

Suspenders, Pairs- 1

Cuffs, Pairs

Gloves, Pairs

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Statistical Data, Physical Condition, etc

Date: Aug 25, 1917

Name- Thos Poff, Age- 62, Civil Condition, Married, Single, Widowed, Divorced- Widowed, Number of times married- _, Number of living Children-Male _ , Female- 1, Number of Children dead- _

Name of birthplace of Father- _, Name of birthplace of Mother-_, Extent of Education- _

Tendencies- Suicidal _, Homicidal- yes, Criminal _, Epileptic- _,

Regular Church Religion, Sect or Denomination- _

Occupation of Self or Husband- _, Occupation of Father- _, Occupation of Mother- _

What relatives have been insane- _

Number and dates of former attacks- _, Duration of each and result- _, Duration of each present attack- Two Months, Alleged Cause- _, Probable cause- _, Contributing causes- _

Heredity, Intemperance or Drug Addition, etc., parents, Environmental, etc.- _

Diagnosis- Senile Psychosis

Physical condition: Pulse- _, Temperature- _, Respiration- _, Pupils- _, Examination of Heart and Lungs- _, Condition of Stomach and Bowels- _

Urinalysis: Color- _, Re-action- _, Specific Gravity- _, Albumen- _, Sugar- _, Urea- _, Sediment- _, Bile- _, Microscopical Examination- _

Date of Discharge- _, Condition: Restored- _, Much Improved- _, Improved- _, Unimproved- _, Died- Sept. 16, 1917

Cause of Death- Pellagra (learn more about Pellagra)

E. L. Burley M. D. ~~~~~~~~

*I would have to believe my Grandfather was not the only patient at ESH with pellagra given his time frame. Meaning many there could well have been many there physically ill resulting in them being declared lunatics.

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Notes on History of Case

There is very little "personal" information. It says he was violent at times, that could have been as he was in the final stages of pellagra or perhaps my Aunt knew he was sick & knew this may be the only way to get medical help for him so she lied a little? I'll never know, my mother told us that her mother said he was a soft spoken quiet man with a giving nature. So "violent" & "homicidal" doesn't fit with the description of his person. I know for a fact she lied on some things as it says he's widowed & he wasn't, it says she's the only child when in fact there were nine children.

Correspondent Mrs. Wm Burnell was Mary Jane Poff, daughter of Thomas Poff Jr. who married William Burnell

Maybe Tom Poff couldn't answer as to how old he was? maybe daughter Mary Jane Burnell just didn't know? I don't know why that information is incorrect.

I don't know why she put widowed as he was not, he was separated from his wife Nancy.

Mary Jane put that she's the only living child, I don't know why as there were 7 others still living. As I said maybe she knew he needed medical help & thought this was the only way to do it? If he had no means then the state would take him? Maybe she was afraid of his erratic behavior caused by the illness? I just don't know...

"what relatives have been insane?" it has brother

I don't know who's brother? brother of Thomas? brother of Mary Jane?

Mary Jane had 3 brothers one died at a month old of a heart defect, the other two lived long normal lives as I knew them both.

Tom had 4 brothers - one died at 4 years old; the other 3 married & had children I'm in contact with descendants of two of them & have never heard anything of insanity. one brother committed suicide in 1918 because his son was drafted into WW 1, as a result his son didn't have to go. But his death was after Thomas Poff died.