Maria Caffyn

Narrative:

     Maria Caffyn was born on 13 Jul 1816 in Butler Co., Ohio.^6,7,8
     She was probably one of the three females under age 10 listed in the household of her father, Richard Caffyn, in the 1820 Federal Census of Oxford Twp., Butler Co., Ohio.¹⁶ She was probably one of the two females age 10 to 15 listed in the household of her father in the 1830 Federal Census of Oxford Twp., Butler Co., Ohio.¹⁷
     She moved to Indiana with her parents before 1840. She was probably one of the two females age 20 to 30 listed in the household of her father in the 1840 Federal Census of Decatur Co., Indiana.¹⁸
     Maria married John Cobb, son of Joshua Cobb and Nancy Crawford, and older brother of the man her sister Elizabeth would marry the following year, on 11 Jul 1841 in Decatur Co., Indiana, with Jacob Martin officiating.^9,10,11
     Maria and John moved to Dearborn Co. about 1842. They appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana, enumerated 26 Jul 1850, reporting real estate valued at $6500. Their children Davis, James and Thomas were listed as living with them, as was is younger brother, Elkanah, and Elizabeth Turney, age 15, who may have been a servant.¹⁹
     Maria and John adopted Mary Walsh, apparently about 1860. She is shown as adopted, with the surname Walsh, in the 1860 census, and with surname Cobb and no notation in the 1870 census.²⁰
     Maria and John appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana, enumerated Jun 1860, reporting real estate valued at $50,000 and personal estate of $50,000. Their children Davis, James and Thomas were listed as living with them, as were their adopted daughter, Mary Walsh, and Ann Suring, age 15, a servant. His brother Oliver and his family are listed six households later, apparently living close by.²¹
     She and John appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana, enumerated 1 Jul 1870, reporting real estate valued at $40,000 and personal estate of $50,000. Their son Thomas was listed as living with them, as is their adopted daughter Mary Walsh, their eldest son James and his wife Martha Ella Trumbower. There was also an unknown apparent relative, Carrie Cobb, and a servant, Louise Rupker, age 17. His brother Oliver and his family are listed five households later, apparently living close by.²²
     Maria and John appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana, enumerated 4 Jun 1880. Their son Thomas was listed as living with them, as were her mother, their adopted daughter Mary, and two servants, Carie Achman, age 22, and Augustus Gould, age 16.²³
     Maria left a will dated 3 Dec 1892 stating she was of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana, in which she directed that after her debts were paid, a lot in Aurora was to go to her adopted daughter Mary, and another lot along with a strip of land next to her home place was to go to her daughters-in-law Martha Ella Trumbower and Jennie C. Pratt, wives of her sons James and Thomas. Martha was to receive a 3/5 interest while Jennie received 2/5. The stable and wood house on the strip of land was to be removed to the home place. She gave Martha her choice of one of the four oil paintings in her home, with Jennie received her choice of the remaining three. Her husband was to receive a life estate in the home place and all the remaining part of her estate. After his death that was all to go to Jennie. She named her son Thomas as executor.²⁴
     Her husband died on 15 Jun 1895 in Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana.^25,26,27
     Maria appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana, enumerated 1 Jun 1900. Her son Thomas was listed as living with her.²⁸
     Maria died on 19 Aug 1901 in Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana, at age 85.^12,13 She was buried on 21 Aug 1901 in Riverside Cemetery, Aurora, Indiana.^14,15
     Her will was proved on 11 Sep 1901 in Dearborn Co., Indiana.²⁴