Mary Ann B. Hess

Mary Ann B. Hess was born 1828, at Marcella, in Independence County, Arkansas, the daughter of Solomon Hess and Nancy (last name unknown).

Mary Ann is listed as a female under the age of of five on the 1830 Independence County census.    The 1840 Independence County census lists her as a female age 10-15 years.

Mary Ann's father died about November 1840.    He willed his property to his wife and his children.    Mary Ann, being a minor, was not mentioned by name in her father's will.

Mary Ann married James T. Bone on March 3, 1846, in Independence County.    James Bone was born about 1824, in Tennessee, according to census.     He was one of several children born to Azra (Azor) Bone and Hulda M. Sherrill.  

Azor Bone was born about 1799, in North Carolina, and died about 1871, in Independence County, Arkansas.    Hulda Sherrill was born about 1800, in Tennessee, and died 1872-1879, in Independence County.    They were married on December 18, 1821, in Wilson County, Tennessee, and moved to Independence County, Arkansas prior to 1840.   

On June 30, 1849, an agreement was filed in Independence County, in which all of Solomon Hess' heirs are named.     It named surviving sons and daughters, William, Joseph, Martin M., Hiram, Thomas R., Mary B. and Elvy Jane Hess.

The 1850 Independence County census, Jefferson Township, shows James T. Bone, 26, a farmer, real property valued at $500; Mary, 22; John W., 4; and Hiram M., 2 years of age.  

The 1860 Independence County census, Washington Township, shows James T. Bone, 37, a farmer, real property valued at $600, personal property valued at $300; Mary B., 32; John W., 13; Hiram W., 11; Joseph A., 9; and Laura L., 6 years old.

We have been told that James died about 1866, in Independence County.  

Mary married William R. McMillin on October 10, 1869, in Independence County.    Census indicates that William McMillin was born about 1814, in Tennessee.    William had children from a prior marriage.   

The 1870 Independence County census, Washington Township shows Wm R. McMillin, 56, a farmer, personal property valued at $150; Mary B., 42; Maggie C., 5; Laura L. Bone, 16; James B. Bone, 8; and Sidney R. Bone, 6 years old.    Listed next to them was Mary's son John W. Bone, 21, a farmer, personal property valued at $250; Sarah C., 20; Elizabeth, 1; and William McMillin, 7 years old.    Living near-by was the Sherrill family.    Living with the Sherill family was Elizabeth McMillin, 13 years old.    We believe Maggie, William and Elizabeth McMillin were all three William's children from his prior marriage.     We do not believe William and Mary had children together.   

We did not locate William or Mary after the 1870 census.    They have both died prior to 1879, in Independence County.  

We located three of James and Mary Bone's children on the 1880 census in Tarrant County, Texas.

Children of James Bone and Mary Hess

1. John W. Bone, b. abt Dec 1846, in Independence Co, AR.    Census indicates he m. Sarah C. ___ abt 1868, probably in Independence Co.    The 1870 Independence Co, AR census shows John W. Bone, 21, farmer, $250 pers prop, AR; Sarah C., 20, AR and Elizabeth, 1, AR.    Living with them was William McMillin, 7, AR.    We did not locate John, Sarah and Elizabeth after 1870.    Some researchers say John married Sarah Jane Davis in 1871, in White Co, AR.    If this is our John W. Bone, we can only assume Sarah and Elizabeth died prior to 1871, or John and Sarah divorced prior to 1871.    The 1870 census shows John and Sarah (maiden name unknown) had a daughter, Elizabeth Bone, born abt 1869. 

2. Hiram W. Bone, b. abt 1848, in Independence Co, AR; m. Elizabeth M. J. Bagley, who was b. abt 1853, in TX.    Children included: (1) Henry C. Bone, b. abt 1875, TX; (2) Joseph F. Bone, b. abt 1878, TX; and (3) Minnie M. Bone, b. abt 1879, TX

3. Joseph Azra Bone, b. Mar 9, 1851, in Independence Co, AR; d. 1923, Jefferson Co, OK.    He m. Matilda Dwiggins on July 13, 1876, in Van Buren Co, AR.   Matilda, b. 1858, in TN; d. 1878, AR, was the daughter of Robert Emmett Dwiggins and Susan Ann (Loyd) Sampson.    Robert Dwiggins d. in 1876, and is buried in Magness Cem, near Hiram, in Cleburne Co, AR.  Joseph and Matilda had twins that were b. & d. in 1878.     The family moved to Tarrant Co, TX in 1879.    Joseph m. Matilda's sister, Hester Ann Dwiggins on Dec 12, 1879, in Tarrant Co, TX.    Hester Dwiggins was b. 1859, in TN and d. 1884, in Tarrant Co.    Matilda, Hester, and their mother Susan, who d. 1880, are all buried in Lonesome Dove Cem, near Grapevine, in Tarrant Co, TX.     Joseph and Hester had at least one child: Edgar Wilson Bone, b. Oct 6, 1880, Tarrant Co, TX; d. 1941, Tarrant Co.     Joseph then m. Sarah Tennessee "Tennie" Churchman on Nov 19, 1884, in Tarrant Co.    Tennie Churchman was b. Oct 10, 1869, in TN and d. 1937, in Cooke Co, TX.    Joseph and Tennie's children (all b. in TX, included: (1) Walter W. Bone, b. June 1886; d. 1908 Cooke Co, TX; (2) Annie O. Bone, b. Apr 23, 1888; d. 1959, Cooke Co, TX; m. Miller M. Sparkman; (3) Beauforte Albert Bone, b. Mar 15, 1890; d. 1960, Sullivan Co, MO; (4) Stevie Alexander Bone, b. Dec 14, 1891; d. 1977, Washington Co, AR; (5) Sidney Burnie Bone, b. Dec 6, 1895, TX; d. 1942; (6) Jennie A. Bone, b. Oct 1896; and (7) Laura O. Bone, b. Aug 1899

4. Laura L. Bone, b. abt 1854, Independence Co, AR; m. ____ Gatton abt 1874, in AR.    She appears on the 1880 Tarrant Co, TX census living with her brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Hester Bone; her brothers James and Sidney; and her two children.     Children included: (1.) Maggie A. Gatton, b. abt 1876, AR; and (2) Claudie Gatton, b. 1880, TX

5. James B. Bone, b. abt 1862, Independence Co, AR

6. Sidney R. Bone, b. abt 1865, Independence Co, AR