Saturday, March 10, 2012

And We're Back!

After a two week intermission, we're back to Elisha's life. Just in time for it to end.

Elisha continued to buy and sell land throughout the years he was in Robertson County.[1] Elisha stayed in Robertson County at least until late 1830 when he appeared in the census in Robertson County, Tennessee.[2] Sometime before his death, it appears he moved to Montgomery County to live with his son Jeremiah. Elisha died on 10 April 1839 at the age of 79 in Woodlawn, Montgomery County, Tennessee. He was buried on 12 April 1839 in their Family Farm Cemetery, Montgomery County, Tennessee.[3]

As far as I have been able to determine, Elisha Bellamy and Nancy Parker had the following children:

                      i.   Samuel Bellamy
                     ii.   Jesse Parker Bellamy
                    iii.   Jeremiah Parker Bellamy
                    iv.   David King Bellamy
                     v.   Jan Jean Bellamy
                    vi.   Elizabeth Bellamy
                   vii.   Cinderella Bellamy
                  viii.   Cynthia Bellamy
                    ix.   Narcissa Bellamy
                     x.   Hallie Bellamy
                    xi.   Elizabeth Garner



[1] Robertson County, Tennessee, vol. A, vol. B: 19, 107, 174, vol. O: 267-268, vol. R: 136, 137-138, land deeds.
[2] 1830, Robertson County, population schedule, 430, line 20, Elisha Bellamy; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 October 2011); NARA Series M19 Roll 179.
[3] LDS, “New FamilySearch,” Elisha Bellamy death information.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

"Saved from the Gallows"

After nine long years of arrest, dismissal, trials and prison, Peter Bellamy was acquitted. The news was reported in the New York Times on 6 February 1886. Dr. Bellamy's initial arrest took place 1877.

It is difficult to imagine all the emotions that would have accompanied these nine years. I'm sure there was a nasty concoction of fear, relief, anger, indignation, sadness, guilt, regret, and gratitude. Peter's children were only ten- and twelve-years-old when all of this started in 1877. By the time he was fully acquitted of all charges his daughter was nineteen, his son was twenty-one. Peter had missed his children's late childhood and early teenage years.

The trials also ruined the Bellamy family financially. Legal fees, lawyers, bonds, and inability to work all took their toll. The family went from financial prosperity to financial hardship. All for helping a family member hide his crimes.

But, Peter did escape the gallowssomething his brother-in-law William Morrow wasn't lucky enough to claim.