Bailey, Ficklin, Morris

Louvenia Morse and Mahala Morris Ficklin

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Louvenia Morse and Mahala Morris Ficklin

A Tale of Two Matriarchs

Mahala Morris Ficklin, b. 1834

Oh, how I love thee

my darling, my sweet

on to thy father

for thou, I bespeak

oh, how I love thee

my darling my sweet

if thou will have me

we’ll marry tout de suite .

Louvenia Morse was enumerated in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, for Baldwin County, Alabama, as “Melvina.” She was born February 1846, in Alabama, and was widowed before 1900.1 Viney Louvenia Morse died October, 1832; interred at Montrose, Baldwin, Alabama.2 She was of interest to me because her surname was the same as my 2nd great grandmother, Mahala Morris Ficklin, a neighbor, in 1900. They were both buried at Montrose. Louvenia Morris was described as “black,” in this census, and “mulatto,” by 1910.3

Other household members were her daughters, Daisy [Morse] Parker, and granddaughters, Lavenia and Georgia Parker. Daisy Morse married George Parker, June 14, 1894, at Montrose, Baldwin County, Alabama. Russell Dick and D.C. Stapleton were witnesses.4

Luvenia Morse’ possible husband was Jack [Jacob] Morse as enumerated in the 1866 Mobile County Census,5 and the [Jacob Norris] 1867 Alabama Voter Registration for Mobile County.6 Jacob Moss was  enumerated in the 1880 Census.   His departure from the record coincides with the withdrawal of Federal troops, and the end of Reconstruction in the South. Louvenia Morse  [Viny Moss and Jake] were  counted in the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, for Baldwin County [Courthouse], Alabama.http://”United States Census, 1880,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4N1-CBG : 22 August 2017), Viny Moss in household of Jake Moss, Court House, Baldwin, Alabama, United States; citing enumeration district ED 7, sheet 190C, NARA …

Returning to the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, for Baldwin County, Alabama, a perusal of the surrounding households elicits further details concerning Louvenia’s family, specifically, the names of five of her six children:

  1. Daisy [Morse Johnson], b. Apr 1879 – 1953,7 m. George Parker; and later, m.  Percy Johnson.8, 9

  2. Lewis [Louis Morse, Sr.], b. 1866-67(not) m. Georgia Allen10, 11, 12

  3. Jacob H. Morse, b. 1870 – 1932 m. Lucinda Davis, October 1886 at Baldwin County.

  4. Robert Morse, b. Feb 1870-1872 – 1923  m. Caroline Bailey13, 14

  5. Willie Morse, b. 1874 – 1936 m. Violet Tucker, 28 June, 1896, at Montrose.

  6. Unknown married Louisa Valrie Morse, widow.15 No marriage record was found.

  7. Daniel Morse  [Dan’l Moss] married Amy Valrie,         father of Jasper J. Morse, who died 1970, aged 45 years; and m.  Ruby Wiggins.   Jasper’s mother,  Amy Valrie Morse, widow,  married Samuel E. Taylor, at Mobile, in 1905.16 Samuel E. Taylor married Floreta Williams, widow, at Mobile in 1908.17 Amy Valrie was the daughter of Melinda Webster, a granddaughter of Amy Webster  former slave of David Tate.   Amy Valrie Taylor died at Montrose, in 1917.18

A Samuel Taylor was the widower of Mary Ficklin, Mahala’s daughter, whose uncle, Rev. Ellis officiated at their nuptials.  Their son, Mahala’s grandson, Henry T. Taylor wed Louvenia’s granddaughter, Lavinia Parker, in 1912, at Baldwin County.19

George Ficklin and Mahala Morris Ficklin’s children, as enumerated in the 1870 and 1880 U.S. Federal Census were the following persons:

1. Percy Walker Morris, 1854 – 1935 – stepson m. Susannah Alexander1

2. Caroline Ficklin, 1861 – 1932, m. Edward [Edmund] Bailey,2 (my great-grandmother, mother of Caroline Elizabeth Bailey Stradford). Caroline Bailey died at Tensaw, in 1932.3

3. Millie Ficklin, 1863 – 1904, m. Frank Reed4; m. Harrison Andersen; m. Charles Vivians, Rev. Ellis officiated;5 daughter Gertrude Reed married Eugene Talley of Bessemer, Jefferson, Alabama, 19116.

4. Elizabeth Ficklin, 1866 – Elizabeth Smith (George) married 16 years in 1900. Her children were George, Mary, Louisa, Caroline, and Eliza.7 8

5. Amelia Ficklin, 1869 – 1919, m. Augustus Jones9

6. Mary Ficklin, 1871 – 1898, m. Samuel E. Taylor10 in 1889, the year of her father’s death, at Edmund Bailey’s house; Rev. Jeffrey Ellis officiated. Samuel Taylor was the brother of Susan Taylor.  Rests near her father at Montrose.

7. Georgia Ficklin, 1874 – 1906, died a widow – husband unnamed.

8. Helena Ficklin, 04 June 1873 – 1956, m. Walter Joyce11 Helena Ficklin Joyce died a widow, in Cook County, Illlinois, 1956.12

9. Lucretia Ficklin, 1877 – 1952, m. Henry Pickett13 Lucretia Pickett died 1952, at Mobile, Alabama.14

1 “Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950,” index and images, FamilySearch (familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTWT-PMK : accessed 26 Sep 2013), Percy Morris and Susannah Alexander, 1876

2 “Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950,” index and images, FamilySearch (familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTWT-P87 : accessed 17 Feb 2013), Edward Bailey and Caroline Ficklin, 10 Apr 1878; citing Baldwin County; FHL microfilm 1839621.

3“Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDGY-MPX : 27 November 2014), Caroline Bailey, 14 Jun 1932; citing reference cn 11224, Department of Health, Montgomery; FHL microfilm 1,908,500.

4 “Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950,” index and images, FamilySearch (familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTWT-5Q3 : accessed 25 Sep 2013), Frank Reed and Millie Ficklin, 1881.

5“Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950,” Charles Vivian and Millie Andersen, 15 Mar 1891; citing Baldwin, Alabama, United States, county courthouses, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,839,622.

6“Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950,” Eugene Talley and Gertrude Reed, 07 Aug 1911; citing Jefferson, Alabama, United States, county courthouses, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,065,260.

7“United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9ZL-6WB : accessed 27 October 2017), Elizabeth Smith in household of George Smith, Precincts 2-3 Stockton, Perdido, Baldwin, Alabama, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 2, sheet 15A, family 242, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,001.

8“United States Census, 1920,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXCL-JPG : accessed 27 October 2017), Lizzie Smith in household of George Smith, Stockton and Deans, Baldwin, Alabama, United States; citing ED 3, sheet 9A, line 21, family 201, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 2; FHL microfilm 1,820,002.

9 ” Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950,” index and images, FamilySearch (familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTW8-M3N : accessed 07 Mar 2013), Augustus Jones and Amelia Fickling, 1896.

10 ” Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950,” index and images, FamilySearch (familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTWY-SYD : accessed 07 Mar 2013), Samuel Taylor and Mary Ficklin, 1889.

11 “Mississippi, Marriages, 1800-1911,” index, FamilySearch (familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V2ZP-GV9 : accessed 26 Sep 2013), Walter Joice and Helena Fickler, 1904.

12“Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1878-1994,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MH-YCG8 : 17 May 2016), Helna [Helena] Joyce, 05 Aug 1956; citing Melrose Park, Cook, Illinois, United States, source reference , record number , Cook County Courthouse, Chicago; FHL microfilm .

13 “Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950,” index and images, FamilySearch (familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTW8-9MP : accessed 26 Sep 2013), Henry Pickett and Creacy Fickling, 1900.

14“Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J64X-BYS : 27 November 2014), Lucretia Pickett, 19 Jul 1952; citing reference 15090, Department of Health, Montgomery; FHL microfilm 1,908,871.

Louvenia’s childrens’ father was “Jake,” or “Jacob,” on the following death records:

  1. Willie Morse20

  2. Robert Morse (incorrect in the record as “Lewis”)21

  3. Daisy Morse Johnson, and22

  4. Jacob H. Morse.23

Again, nexus has been established for Louvenia’s husband, namely, Jacob Morse. All were buried at Montrose Cemetery, Montrose, Baldwin County, Alabama.

Louvenia’s children never agreed on her actual maiden name, and presumed it was other than Morse. On her childrens’ death records, “mother” was either “Vinie Gayle, or Vinie Owen,” or just plain “Vinie.” Jacob Morse died sometime after the conception of his youngest child, William Morse, b. 1874; and before the 1900 enumeration. Jacob’s burial site was marked “unknown” for both birth and death. Jacob was interred at Montrose Cemetery, Montrose, Baldwin County, Alabama, with his family. Jacob’s cause of death, whether by disease or misadventure, remains a mystery.

Was it pure coincidence that Louvenia Morse lived on the same street as Mahala Morris Ficklin? The case may be made that Mahala Morris Ficklin was related to Louvenia Morris, by marriage. She bore George Ficklin eight children. Percy Walker Morris was born ca. 1855, in [Cleburne County,] Alabama,24 (more likely Claiborne, Monroe County, because Cleburne County didn’t exist prior to 1866). 

What do we know?

Louvenia Morse was enumerated in 1900, a neighbor of Mahala Morris Ficklin; and more, we conclude that not only were Louvenia Morse and Mahala Morris Ficklin, neighbors, but family. Mahala Morris lived outside Baldwin County, Alabama, prior to her residence, and subsequent marriage to George Ficklin ca. 1859. Louvenia Morse resided near relatives, during her widowhood; and it was no coincidence that Louvenia Morse and Mahala Morris Ficklin lived on the same street, and are interred in the same cemetery in 1900’s Daphne, Alabama.

May they rest in peace.  Amen.

Addendum:

Viny Moss, a mulatto domestic servant with four children, was enumerated in the household of Dr. and Mrs. Owen of Mobile.  Mrs. Susan Owen nee Norris was the nexus for the Norris surname.  In the 1870 U.S. Census, Jacob Morris, a mulatto and presumably his brother,  William Morris, a black,  resided with two white children at Mobile, as laborers.

© 2013-2021     Carolyn E. Hood-Kourdache. All Rights Reserved.

  1. “United States Census, 1900,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M9ZL-ZZ3 : accessed 10 Oct 2013), Melvin ? [Luvenia] Morse, ED 5 Precinct 7 Courthouse, Baldwin, Alabama, United States; citing sheet 2A, family 24, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1240001.

2“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKS-SDMM : 13 December 2015), Viney Louvenia Morse, ; Burial, Montrose, Baldwin, Alabama, United States of America, Montrose Cemetery; citing record ID 37025598, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

3“United States Census, 1910,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MK3V-PR1 : accessed 10 Oct 2013), Vina Morse, Daphne, Baldwin, Alabama, United States; citing sheet , family 87, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1374014

4“Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTWY-QQD : accessed 10 December 2015), George Parker and Daisy Morse, 1894.

5“Alabama State Census, 1866,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V6PT-T46 : 3 August 2016), Jacob Morse, Mobile, Alabama; citing certificate 1260, p. 146, Department of Archives and History, Montgomery; FHL microfilm 1,533,835.

6Alabama Department of Archives and History, Alabama 1867 Voter Registration Records Database, http://www.archives.alabama.gov/voterreg/search.cfm for “Jack Morse.”

7 “Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKS-S8TT : 11 July 2016), Daisy Morse Johnson, 1953; Burial, Montrose, Baldwin, Alabama, United States of America, Montrose Cemetery; citing record ID 37020186, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

8 “United States Census, 1900,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11095-106671-81?cc=1325221&wc=MMPN-BHQ:544119545 : accessed 09 Nov 2013), Alabama > Baldwin > ED 5 Precinct 7 Courthouse; citing NARA microfilm publication T623.

9 “Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTWY-QQD : accessed 10 Oct 2013), George Parker and Daisy Morse, 1894.

10“United States Census, 1910,” Lewis Morse, Daphne, Baldwin, Alabama, United States; citing sheet , family 92, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1374014.

11 “United States Census, 1900,” Lewis Morse, ED 5 Precinct 7 Courthouse, Baldwin, Alabama, United States; citing sheet 1B, family 22, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1240001.

12“Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950,” Louis Morse and Georgia Allen, 1886.

13 “United States Census, 1900,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M9ZL-WWC : accessed 09 Nov 2013)

14“Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950,” Robert Morse and Caroline Bailey, 1895.

15 “United States Census, 1880,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4N1-6FG : accessed 09 Nov 2013), Loueser Valree in household of Judie Valree, Lowells, Baldwin, Alabama, United States; citing sheet 217A, family 8, NARA microfilm publication T9-0001

16“Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950,” Samuel E Taylor and Amy Morse, 10 Jul 1905; citing Mobile, Alabama, United States, county courthouses, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,550,509.

17“Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950,” Samuel E Taylor and Floreta Williams, 26 Dec 1908; citing Mobile, Alabama, United States, county courthouses, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,550,510.

18“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKS-SD7K : 11 July 2016), Amy Valrie Taylor, 1917; Burial, Montrose, Baldwin, Alabama, United States of America, Montrose Cemetery; citing record ID 37026915, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

19“Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTW8-QXL : 28 September 2017), Henry T Taylor and Lavenia Parker, 29 Feb 1912; citing Baldwin, Alabama, United States, county courthouses, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,839,624.

20“Alabama, Deaths, 1908-1974,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDRZ-338 : accessed 10 Oct 2013), Willie Morse, 27 Nov 1936; citing reference cn 25208, Department of Health, Montgomery; FHL microfilm 1908547.

21“Alabama, Deaths, 1908-1974,” Lewis Morse, 29 Jun 1923; citing reference cn 13047, Department of Health, Montgomery; FHL microfilm 1908250.

22“Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881–1952.” Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010.

23 Ibid.

24 “Alabama, Deaths, 1908-1974,” Percy Mcmorris [Morris], 12 Jan 1935; citing reference cn 16, Department of Health, Montgomery; FHL microfilm 1908527.

5 thoughts on “Louvenia Morse and Mahala Morris Ficklin”

  1. I am Willie Taylor, great-great granddaughter of Mary Ficklin Taylor and Viny (Louvenia, Viney, Lavina, Melvina, etc.) Morse. Viny Moss and Jacob Moss are in the 1880 census in Baldwin County. She is my paternal grandmother Louvenia Parker Taylor Benjamin’s grandmother via her daughter, Daisy. I grew up in Montrose, AL and I was able to be with Mama Daisy and grandmother while they were living. There’s no indication that she’s sister to Mary Ficklin’s mother. The name Morse, Morris, Morse identified the same person in different census reports, however I think you may have considered Mahalia (Mahala) Morris a Morris because her son was named Percy Morris. Please contact me.

    Reply

    1. Hello, Willie:

      Actually, I was contacted by Mr. McConico of Baldwin County in the search for the marriage record of George Ficklin to Mahala Morris, before 1859. The Bible gifted to Mahala was from her earlier employer (probably the noted Percy Walker – attorney to Alex Weatherford in 1851) when she nursed him back to health, in exchange for her services. [The Bible did not survive Katrina, due to flooding of the Ninth Ward in New Orleans. The Benjamins kept it.] Attorney Percy Walker’s marriage remained childless; and Mahala was mother to his son, Percy Walker Morris. Percy Morris was described by a chronicler of the Ficklins in Baldwin County, as “quite white with jet black hair, and of extreme short stature – his feet not touching the floor of the church pew.” This “cousin” also declared Mahala was never married prior to her union with George Fickin. Ergo, the conclusion that her son, Percy resulted from her association with Percy Walker. No inference was made that she was “sister” to Louvenia Morris, but rather sister-in-law. Thank you for your interest.

      Reply

  2. I am Arnetta Sims great great granddaughter of Wally Valrie. I am not sure about the parents of Daisy Spires Parker. You listed her as being a Morse it is my understanding that she was the daughter of Victoria Valrie Spires. Victoria was the daughter of Wally Valrie Sr. Daisy ‘s grandchildren which are the heirs of Edward “Blockie” Parker ( Daisy’s son) live on the old homestead of Wally Valrie in Montrose at present…Daisy’s niece Kathleen Woods is still living and could attest to the correction. Thank you very much for your information.

    Reply

    2. Hello, again, Arnetta:

      Daisy Spires [Parker] was the daughter of John Spires, and his previous wife. She was the stepdaughter of Victoria Valree, [see the 1910 Census] because Victoria married John in 1908. But Victoria Valree was my second cousin twice removed through her “grandmother,” Amy Webster.

      I wonder if you have further information regarding Melinda Webster’s parentage.

      Thank you in advance.

      Carolyn

      Reply

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