Selina Amburgey

Selina was the first born child that resulted from the union of marriage between William Riley and Harriet.  Selina was born on February 25th, 1894 in Knott County, and died on November 25th, 1961 being laid to rest in Collins Cemetery in Knott County.
The following is a recollection of Selina by her granddaughter Charlotte Hall Dixon.  This recollection is taken from the Potter Family geneology page which can be accessed at the following link:  http://yeahpot.com/newsome/minus.html

REMEMBERING GRANDMA
by Charlotte Hall Dixon

My grandma, Selina, passed away in 1963. Her memories will live in my heart until I get to see her again.

When I close my eyes and think of her, I can still feel how soft she was when we hugged. Grandma was short, like me. She kept her grey hair up on her head. She wore long dresses and always looked so neat. I can't remember ever seeing her or my Mom in pants. Grandma was like an angel; so sweet, loving and caring.

I remember our visits to Grandma's house. She met us at the door with a hug. As we walked through the kitchen door, we always smelled food and spices. After we ate and visited inside for a bit, we seemed to always end up on her big front porch in the summertime. It was so inviting and comfortable. I sat there on those visits and listened to my Mom and Grandma talk. While they talked, I would feel the cool summer breeze on my face and smell her flowers and flower bushes. The breeze carried the beautiful, soft fragrance right across the porch. Sometimes, I would go down off the porch and walk around her flowers, enjoying the beauty and smell of them. She had one bush that I'll never forget. It smelled heavenly. She called it her "bubby bush." It was my favorite of all. The memory of her "bubby bush" is so strong in my mind, it's like it's still here today. When I think of her, I almost always remember the smell of that bush, also. I guess I associate it with her in my mind.

I can remember one visit very vividly. I was sitting on the floor of her porch, in front of Grandma Selina. She was braiding my hair and teaching me things from the Bible. Oh, she was such a sweet Angel On Earth. She said one thing that has stuck in my mind ever since. I was thirteen years old at the time. As she was braiding my hair, I remember she said, "In order to enter the gates of Heaven, you must be as humble as a child." Well, I know that's where Grandma is, as she was so very humble. She was such a good, sweet, honest person. And I know her heart was with the Lord.

I hope that she can look down at me today and smile at what I have become. I hope she knows that I'll be joining her some day, and she can braid my hair and tell me stories again.

Oh, Grandma, if you can hear me, thank you for helping to shape me and teach me. Thank you for all the love you gave me. I'm still carrying that love in my heart until I see you again. I love you, Grandma!

Author: Charlotte Dixon
Hazard, Kentucky

Since I Last Posted

Quite a bit of time has passed since I last posted on this blog.  As of today I was able to secure my username and password and was able to log back on here.  Looking forward to starting my quest for family information once more and sharing as I go.

The Taney County Missouri Connection

Throughout the last several years I have often wondered what the connection to Taney County, Missouri was for our family.  We have known that for some reason Riley packed up the family and made the trek from Knott County, Kentucky, to Taney County, Missouri sometime before 1908.  That is when Margaret was born.  Benton, and Granville, were also born there, with Granville's birthdate showing 1913.  The family then shows up back in Knott County where Robert was born in 1915.

In exchanging information with Sudy Amburgey Reynolds, she made mention that the little town of Bradleyville, Missouri, had come up in conversation with others.  A quick search of Bradleyville, and Amburgey, on Google opened up a whole new set of doors.  For nearly 50 years prior to Riley Amburgey's arrival in Taney County, there was a steady flow of some very common surnames associated with Knott County, and our kinfolk, heading into Taney County, Missouri.  A search of cemetery names in Taney County shows Combs, Maggard, and Adams family in this area.

The first piece of the puzzle was Jesse "Boss" Adams, and Margaret (Maggard) Adams.  Jesse, and Margaret, are the grandparents of Riley.  Jesse died on August 10, 1874 in Taney County, and is buried there.  Margaret also died in Taney County in 1866.  Some records suggest that Jesse and Margaret stopped for a brief period in Fort Smith, Arkansas, before venturing on into Missouri.  Upon Margaret's death Jesse remarried Angelina Solomon.  The two marriages produced 15 children.  Several of those children either ended up in Taney County, Missouri, or they were born there.  Riley Amburgey had quite a few aunts, and uncles, living there before he ever thought about making the move.



Jesse Adams Tombstone in Bradleyville, Mo.



There are at least four of Riley's aunts, or uncles, that can be tied direct to Taney County before his arrival.  The first is Daniel Boone Adams (b. February 18, 1845 in Letcher County, Ky.).  Daniel moved around quite a bit and shows up on five different censuses, in five different towns around Bradleyville, Mo.  He appears in 1880 at Buchanan, Mo., 1900 at Marion, Mo., 1910 at Big Creek, Mo., 1920 in Benton, Mo (any connection to the naming of Benton Amburgey?), and finally in 1925 at Douglas, Mo.

The second uncle in the Bradleyville area during this time is Allen Adams who shows up in the 1880 Census in Marion, Mo.  I do not have any dates for Riley's aunt Jane Adams, however, records indicate that she died in Springfield, Mo.  Riley had one more uncle, Stephen Adams who passed away in 1911 in the town of Brown Branch, which is in Taney County.

It would be neat enough to say that the connection to Taney County ended there but it doesn't.  Riley's older sister Margaret (Amburgey) Combs, along with her husband Granville Combs (the connection for the naming of Granville?), migrated to Taney County around 1890.  Margaret died in Taney County, on March 1st, 1917 in Bradleyville, Mo.

I stumbled upon this oral history of Granville and Margaret Combs by their great-grandaughter Huba Hodge Price:

"My great-grandfather, Granville Combs (s/o Mason & Matilda WATTS Combs), to my mother, daughter of Robert H., Granville's youngest son. My mother grew up with Old Grandpa (Granville) telling her stories and family history. He talked lots about his mom (Matilda WATTS) and his mom's mom whom he said was his Grannie WATTS. Mom said that she asked him why he never talked about his dad, and he replied, "I was small enough when my dad died that I don't remember much about him." In 1890 Granville Combs and wife Margaret (AMBURGEY) Combs moved from Letcher Co., KY to Taney Co., MO. With them was a BLAIR family. Margaret's grandparents Jess "Boss" and Margaret (MAGGARD) Adams had moved to Taney Co, ca 1850. Granville brought the family Bible."

According to the family bible here is the record of Granville and Margaret:

Granville Combs married Margaret Amburgey 23 March 1864 Letcher Co. KY.

Children of Granville and Margaret:
Matilda Combs born 14 Feb 1866 died 12 Aug 1889, married Thomas H Amburgey 19 June 1884
Wiley Combs born 15 Jan 1868 died 26 Aug 1872 Letcher Co.KY
Enoch Combs born 25 Feb 1871 married 3 July 1893 Juda Stamper (Enoch died 3 Jan 1951 Idaho)
John Riley Combs born 18 June 1873 died 7 Dec 1942 Taney Co. MO married Martha Ida Clark 14 April 1895 Taney Co., MO
Ambrose Combs born 8 Feb 1876 died 14 Jan 1916 Arkansas married #1 4 Nov 1901 Rosie Hunt #2 Allie Farr
Shadrick Combs born 4 March 1878 died 24 Feb 1891 Taney Col, MO
Diannah Combs born 23 March 1881 died 18 Dec 1960 Taney Co., MO m #1 29 Jan 1898 Thomas O'Neal #2 Clearence Hayse
Melvina Combs born 28 Oct 1883 died 9 Feb 1909 married Samual P Day
Elizabeth Combs born 24 Feb 1887 died 27 Feb 1887
Nancy Combs born 13 March 1888 died 25 April 1888
Robert H. "Bob" Combs born 21 Feb 1891 Taney Co died 10 June 1950 Taney Co., married 25 Sept 1910 Taney Co., Ettie Jane Pierce.

According to the Combs family bible, in addition to the Adams, and Maggard connection, Riley had his sister Margaret, and brother in-law Granville, along with seven other nieces, and nephews already in Taney County, Mo. before they made the big move.  We now know why Riley stopped, and put down roots in Bradleyville, Mo. The question still begs, why did they have to leave Knott County, Ky in the first place?  Oral family history suggests that there was trouble brewing in Knott County as a result of Riley's sharpshooting skills.  It is a question that may go unanswered as many of the voices who told the original story have passed on.

More on William and Harriet

One of the perks of working in the public education system is that there is always a break just around the corner.  This Christmas I have enjoyed being around my family, but I have also enjoyed the downtime to peruse my geneology information, and to kickstart my interest in it again.  I have been gathering information for the last 15 years, waiting on the right time to organize it.  I'm thinking that the time is now.

One of the kinfolks that I had talked to over the years was Lillian McGeath.  Lillian is the daughter of Alamander, and grandaughter of William Riley, and Harriet Ritter Amburgey.  Unfortunately, Lillian passed away in January of 2007.  I wish that I could pick her brain one more time about family history.  Lillian attended many of the Amburgey reunions in Knott County.  As I was looking through some of my "stuff" I found an article about William and Harriet that she had written for a Knott County history book.  I have taken the time to type the article.  Thanks cousin Lill.

Here is the article in it's entirety:

William Riley "Champion" Amburgey, son of Diannah (Adams) and Wiley J. Amburgey, was born 27 October 1861 at Litt Carr in (then) Letcher County, the tenth child in a family of nineteen children.  His mother died 17 June 1883 so his father later remarried having nine more children.  He acquired an eighth grade education and part of his schooling was under Professor Clark.  He was a great sportsman, marksman, and photographer.

Harriet Ritter Whitaker, daughter of Clarinda (Combs) and Squire Junior Whitaker, was born 4 August 1871 at Whitesburg in Letcher County.  "Champion" and Harriet were married 23 February 1893 and their first child, Selina (Amburgey) Collins was born 25 February 1894 in Knott County with seven more children following: (2) Adelia (Amburgey) Landrum, born 15 May 1895; (3) Ambrose Wiley Amburgey born 16 December 1896; (4) Lucinda Amburgey, born 3 October 1898; (5) Leslie Amburgey, born 6, December 1900; (6) Alamander Amburgey, born 25 December 1901; Rebecca (Amburgey) Newsome, born 28 October 1903 and (8) Clarinda (Amburgey) Short, born 24 December 1905.




William Riley, Harriet (to the right of William), possible sister of Harriet (to the left of William Riley) ca. 1910



Then around 1905 Riley moved his family to Branson, Taney County, Missouri; in which he rode part of the way in a covered wagon and the rest of the way by train.  Riley and his family farmed, fished and hunted to provide food for the family.  Three more children were born in Branson:  (9) Margaret (Amburgey) Mullins, born 23 June 1908; (10) Benton Amburgey, born 5 April 1905; and (11) Granville Amburgey, born 14 April 1913.

"Champion" moved his family back to Litt Carr, Kentucky in 1913 where he moved his family into a large log home owned by his brother, Robert Humphery Amburgey, lawyer, judge, and banker in Hindman.  Riley farmed to raise food and to sell at the market.  Still an expert rifleman, he held many shooting matches winning most of them.  This is where he got the nickname, "Champion." (My personal note: Speculation is that it is was this exact hobby that got Riley in trouble and caused him to move to Missouri until the heat wore off)

As a photographer he took many pictures of family and friends in the area and he would develop them in a dark roomwhich he had built beside the house.

Another child (12) Robert Humphery Amburgey was born 28 May 1915.

Later in yeaars his health was failing with what was called "heart dropsy."  He spent his later years sitting in his chair most of the time on the front porch where he had sun marks cut into the railing from which he could determine the time fo day.  He passed away 28 April 1933 at the age of 72 and is buried in the Amburgey Cemetery on Dead Mare Branch near the family's log home where he was born and raised.



Cabin built in 1837 by Ambrose Amburgey.  He bought the rights to over 10,000 acres along Carr Creek for $600.



 Harriet Ritter moved to Rubyville, Scioto County, Ohio after Riley's death and where some of her children lived.  She spent the remainder of her life gardening and quilting until her death on 17 March 1948 at the age of 77.  She was laid to rest in the Amburgey Cemetery beside Riley on Dead Mare Branch.

Harriet Ritter Whitaker

Harriet Ritter Whitaker was born in the little community of Whitesburg, Kentucky on August 4, 1871.  Whitesburg is located in Letcher County.  Harriet was the daughter of Squire Junior Whitaker and Clarinda Combs.  The surnames of Whitaker and Combs are associated with a large number of individuals in the Letcher and Knott County areas of Kentucky.

The Whitaker surname shows up in Letcher county around 1810.  At that time Harriet's ggrandfather Isaac Whitaker is noted as helping organize the Indian Bottom Old Regular Baptist Church.  In fact the church first met at his home which was near a place where indians had once camped.  It was appropriately named Indian Bottom and was near the mouth of Rockhouse Creek.  I remember my grandfather speaking about his mom being from a place called Rockhouse.  For more information about Isaac Whitaker and the establishment of the Indian Bottom Old Regular Baptist Church check the following link from rootwseb:  http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kyletch/articles/ib_church.htm

I believe the photo above may have been taken in the early 1940's.  The photo shows an aged Harriet.  If it was taken in the 1940's most likely it was taken around Rebecca Amburgey Newsome's place.  I often wonder what the thoughts behind the picture are, what is going on in the persons mind, or who took the photograph.  It is very likely that Harriet may be concerned about her two sons, Benton, and Granville, who were off serving the country during WWII.  Harriet also had a grandson Roy Amburgey who was contributing to the war efforts.  Maybe at some point I will take some time to examine, and share the service that these men made during WWII.

Squire's (or Esquire) and Clarinda's union result in a sizable family of 13 siblings.  Harriet was the oldest of these siblings which included 6 brothers, and 6 sisters.  Names and birth/death information for those sibling are:

William 1853-1873

Margaret "Peggy" 1875-1875

Angeline 1877-1969

Lucinda 1879-1959

Mattie 1880-1900

Evaline 1880-1960

Leslie 1882-1961

Benton 1884-1964

James 1888-1961

Tina 1890-1920

Alamander 1893-1973

John 1895-1975

Obviously, Harriet was a somewhat sentimental person to her siblings, and her mother, as she named 5 of her own childern after them (Margaret, Clarinda, Benton, Alamander, and Leslie).  I wonder how many of my great aunts, and uncles, knew they were named after someone else in their mother's family?

Harriet passed away on March 17, 1948 in Minford, Ohio.  She was returned to the family burial plot in Knott County, Kentucky.  The cemetery sits on a hillside opposite the cabin that Wiley J. Amburgey lived in.

Benton, Clarinda, Granville, and Doc Short (Husband of Clarinda)

The following photo is one that I took of the cemetery in 1997 on a visit to Knott County.



A Little Bit of Light Shed On Yesterdays Blog

According to Sudy Amburgey Reynolds the nickname "Champion" was given to Riley as a result of his sharpshooting skills.  Apparently it was these same skills that caused his family some type of trouble as some type of "fued" erupted in Knott County.  It was a result of this that Riley and the family moved to Taney County, Missouri for a brief period of time.
Hopefully this can be something that I am able to revisite in the blog in more detail.

William Riley "Champion" Amburgey

Since the blog deals primarily with the family, and the descendants, of William Riley and Harriet Ritter Amburgey, it is most appropriate to start the process with them.  I'll begin with William Riley.  My great grandfather William Riley Amburgey (also known as Champion) was born on October 1st, 1869 in Hindman, Kentucky.  Hindman is the county seat of Knott County.  Riley was the son of Wiley J. Amburgey and Dianah Adams.

Riley first shows up in the 1870 federal census.  He is listed at being 8 months old at the date of the census (August 1870).  Wiley is listed as a farmer with his real estate valued at $1,000 and his personal property listed as $200.  Family members listed on the census and their ages:

Wiley J aged 44

Dianah aged 43

Elizabeth aged 16

Polly aged 13

Ambrose aged 11

Susan aged 10

John aged 7

Umphery aged 4

Elizabeth, Polly, Ambrose, and Susan were attending school but none of them could read or write.  Additionally, Dianah is listed as not being able to read or write.  The following is an image of the 1870 federal census for Precinct 4, Letcher County, Kentucky:

Riley next shows up in the 1880 federal census at the ripe old age of 11.  He is listed as one of three sons in the household (John aged 17, and Robert aged 14).  The 1880 census shows his father Wiley at age 57, and mother Dianah, age 53.  Wiley's Occupation is listed as farmer, and Dianah as keeping house.

In 1920 Riley shows up in the census for Upper Carr Creek, in Knott County.  In between the 1880 census and 1920 census we see Riley married to Harriet and having a large family.  Riley is 50 years old at this time and Harriet is 48.  In the household is: Ambrose (age 22), Leslie (age 19), Alamander (age 18), Becky (age 16), Clarinda (age 14), Margaret (age 11), Benton (age 8), Granville (age 6), and Robert (age 4).  Riley is once again listed as a farmer, and Ambrose is indicated as working for the railroad.  One of the pictures that we get from this census is that during the time period of 1906-1914 the family lived in Missouri.  The census indicates that Clarinda, Margaret, Benton, and Granville, were all born in Missouri.

The 1930 census is the last one we see Riley in as he passed away on April 28th, 1933 in Knott County, Kentucky.   Riley is 60 years old as of this time and Harriet is 58.  Benton, Granville, and Robert are the only children still at home.

One of the biggest questions that I have regarding this information is why did the family leave Knott County, Kentucky for Taney County, Missouri?