Mary Ann Hess

Mary Ann "Polly" Hess was born about 1823, in Independence County, Arkansas, the daughter of Samuel Hess and Sarah (last name unknown).

Polly married her cousin Redmond Penter on February 2, 1842, in Independence County, Arkansas.     Redmond Penter was born 1822, in Independence County, Arkansas, the son of John F. Penter (Painter), Jr. and Ann Hess.     (Ann Hess is believed to have been a sister to Samuel Hess, making Polly and Redmond 1st cousins.)

  The couple settled in Independence County.    The 1850 Independence County census shows Redman Penter, 28, a farmer; Mary A., 27; James H., 4 and Susan E., 2 years old.  

Prior to 1860, the family moved to Jackson County, Arkansas.     The 1860 Jackson County census shows Redman Painter, 35, a farmer; Polly, 27; James, 10; Sophronia, 9; Joseph, 7 and Sophenia, 5 years old.  

The 1870 Jackson County census shows Redman Penter, 48, a farmer, with real property valued at $300 and personal property valued at $200 pers prop; Polly A., 47; Mary S., 19; Sophronia, 13; and Joseph M., 15 years old.    Living with the family was Martha A Branch, 1 year old, and Robert J. Scanttan, 23, born in Missouri, working on farm.

We were unable to locate the family after 1870.   

Children of Redmond Penter and Polly Hess

1. James H. Penter, b. abt 1846, Independence Co, AR      (He is listed as 4 years old on the 1850 census and as 10 years old on the 1860 census.)

2. Mary Sophronia "Susan" E. Penter, b. abt 1848, Independence Co, AR      (She is listed as Susan E., age 2, in 1850; Sophronia, age 9, in 1860; and Mary S., age 19 in 1870.)

3. Joseph M. Penter, b. abt 1852, Independence Co, AR     (He is listed as 7 years old in 1860 and as 15 years old in 1870.)

4. Sophenia Penter, b. abt 1854, Independence or Jackson Co, AR      (She is listed as 5 years old in 1860 and as 13 years old in 1870.)