Definition of misfortune
1 : an unhappy situation2 : a distressing or unfortunate incident or event
My daddy’s family has been a mystery throughout the 40 plus years I’ve been researching.
31 Oct 1849 – 30 Oct 1930
Mary Rebecca Smith, my great-great-grandmother, was born on Halloween, 1849 in Georgia. June 1869, she married John W Black in Grimes County, Texas, three sons and three daughters were born to their union. John passed away in March of 1884 leaving the 35 year old Mary with six small children from four months to 13 years of age.
One would think that the young mother would have remarried, but as census records bear out, that was not the case. In 1900 I found Mary and her two youngest children, Wayne and Fannie, living with her oldest daughter, Mary Alice, her husband, John M Machen, and their family. June of 1911, Mary was committed to the Austin State Lunatic Asylum in Austin, Texas by her son-in-law, W T Higgins.
For 19 years, 5 months, and 13 days, this was her home, this is where she died.
I was able to obtain her commitment papers and her patient file a few years ago. It was heartbreaking to read that the condition for which she was committed could have been easily treated with Vitamin B-12.
I’ve often wondered if she simply became overwhelmed with life after losing her husband.
#52ancestors
How awful!!
Mary Rebecca Smith Black was my gr-gr grandmother. My gr-grandfather, W. T. Higgins, Jr., was mentioned in your article above. I have a letter from the asylum addressed to my gr-grandfather concerning Mary Rebecca’s status–I think it’s from the 1920s. I’ve never seen a photo of Mary Rebecca until I ran across your blog. Thanks for posting! I’d love to get a digital copy. I’m also interested in seeing any other photos of Smith/Black family members. I have multiple photos of Fannie/Fannye Black Higgins.
Mary Smith Black is my gr-gr grandmother, too. I’ve never seen a photo her until today. My gr-grandfather was W. T. Higgins. I have a letter from the asylum to W. T. Concerning personal belongings and her status. I’d be glad to share with you, as well as photos of her daughter, Fannie Black Higgins. W. T. Higgins V, Fort Worth
Will, I would love to see what you have. Do you know of any photographs of Fannie’s brother, Lemuel Wayne Black, my grandfather? I’ve been working on this family quite a lot since my Daddy passed away in 2016.