Mary Elizabeth Cummins Adams, 1843-1881

Mary Elizabeth Cummins Adams
Original Tintype

Mary Elizabeth Cummins Adams
Reproduction from tintype

We were chatting with a relative and said hey, do you know anything about this tintype and he promptly says yes, I have a copy of it.  This is Mary Elizabeth Cummins, daughter of Amanda Carson and Stephen Cummins of Kentucky.  She married Cyrannus W. Adams in 1860 in Rockcastle County Kentucky.  She was born July 1843 and died August 6, 1881.  She is my husbands great great grandmother.

Mary Elizabeth
Cummins as
a young girl.

Cyrannus W. Adams
Her husband.

Her obituary appeared in the Interior Journal August 12, 1881.  "The inhabitants of our little village were greatly startled and then filled with the most profound sorrow last Saturday evening by the announcement that Mrs. C.W. Adams, wife of one of our most prominent merchants had been found dead in her bed.  She had been in ill health for a long time, but was feeling better than usual when she retired the night before.  She was a victim of heart disease.  Mrs. Adams was a most estimable lady, greatly esteemed by all that knew her.  She leaves two children, Gaines and Maggie, who, together with the bereaved husband and father, have the sympathy of the community in their affliction."

Stephen G. Cummins

Amanda Carson, Stephen's first wife
and mother of his children.

These are her parents, Amanda Carson and Stephen G. Cummins.  His death notice appeared in the Interior Journal, Nov. 5, 1880.  "Died at his residence, in this county, October 28th, 1880, Stephen G. Cummins, aged nearly 65 years.  Mr. Cummins was one of the very best citizens this county has ever had.  He was born here and his entire life was passed in this county.  More than 35 years ago he became a member of the Presbyterian Church, and he remained a devoted Christian until his death.  His notable traits were uprightness in business affairs, pure morals and a generous disposition.  Two children, Mr. W.C. Cummins and Mrs. C.W. Adams, and his widow (Jane Bodle, his second wife) survive him.  He was a father in Israel, and his loss will be deeply felt.  The entire community sympathize with the bereaved relatives."

Turn of the Century Parade, Dresden Tennessee

I don't know what they were celebrating but this is a parade picture taken in the late 1890's or perhaps early 1900's in Dresden Tennessee.  The building in the background is the old courthouse.  The center section was built in 1858 by a contractor named Cowardin.  The Cowardin's are cousins of the Morans.  The later side sections were built by L.E. Wingo. The Wingo's are also cousins of the Moran family.  The courthouse burnt down in 1948.  

The only person we've been able to identify in the picture so far is James Henderson Moran III.  He's the handsome dandy riding the horse on the left side of the picture.  

Parade at the Courthouse Dresden, Tennessee

The man on the left is James H. Moran III.

Closeup of  horse with festive flowers and garlands.  Notice the bridle and harness

is even wrapped with ribbon.

It's possible some of these are Moran women or Moran relatives. 

Detail of woman driving carriage.  Notice the reins are decorated with ribbons too.

This is the group in the background on the left side of the picture.

We don't know who the man is but he looks authoritative!

Close up of the center grouping in the background.

Closeup of the background group on the right side.

Man on center horse.

Woman framed by doorframe.

Ribboned and flowered carriage.wheel detail.