Melissa Ann Gravitt

F, #3420, b. 18 February 1857, d. 22 August 1913
Melissa Ann Gravitt|b. 18 Feb 1857\nd. 22 Aug 1913|p3420.htm|James Henson Gravitt|b. 14 Jul 1834\nd. 8 Apr 1913|p3480.htm|Elizabeth Bell|b. 6 Nov 1839\nd. 29 Dec 1907|p3481.htm|Thomas J. Gravitt|b. 15 Jul 1812\nd. 17 Aug 1890|p3548.htm|Mary E. Rison|b. c 1815\nd. b 1839|p3723.htm|Thomas B. Bell|b. 1813|p4068.htm|Elizabeth (Elisa) Hockersmith|b. 6 Sep 1816\nd. 1897|p6221.htm|

Relationship=Great-grandmother of Robert Lynn Adams.
Relationship=Grandmother of Ida Ione Ashby.
Last Edited=30 Jan 2008
Melissa Ann Gravitt Ashby
     Melissa Ann Gravitt was born on 18 February 1857 at Iowa.4,5,6,7,8 She was the daughter of James Henson Gravitt and Elizabeth Bell.1,2,3 Conflicting evidence states that Melissa was born at Iowa on 18 February 1856.9 Conflicting evidence states that Melissa was born on 18 February 1858.10

Melissa Ann Gravitt was enumerated with James Henson Gravitt as Melissa A. Gravitt on the Census of 5 July 1860 at Fabius Township, Davis Co., Iowa. She is age 3 and was born in Iowa.11

Melissa Ann Gravitt was enumerated with James Henson Gravitt as Melissa A. Gravitt on the Census of 19 August 1870 at Fabius Township, Davis Co., Iowa. She is age 13 and was born in Iowa. She is attending school.12

Melissa Ann Gravitt married George Washington Ashby, son of Richard Washington Ashby and America Lane, on 26 May 1875 at Davis Co., Iowa, when she was 18 at the home of Eli D. Powers.13,14,5

Melissa Ann Ashby was enumerated with George Washington Ashby as Melissa Ashby on the Census of 7 June 1880 at Wyacondah Township, Davis Co., Iowa. She was shown as age 29, born in Iowa, and "keeping house." Her father was born in KY, her mother in MO..15

Melissa Ann Ashby was enumerated with George Washington Ashby as Melissa Ashby on the Census of 22 June 1900. She was shown as wife, a white female, age 43 and born in Iowa in Feb. 1857. She had been married 27 years and was the mother of 8 children of whom 7 were still living. She could read and write..16

Melissa Ann Gravitt was listed in the household of George Washington Ashby on the 1905 Iowa State Census at Franklin Township, Appanoose Co., Iowa. Other members of the household were Emery Emmet Ashby, Clyde Hinson Ashby, Alice O. Ashby, Howard Ray Ashby and Grover Everett Ashby.17

Melissa Ann Ashby lived at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, on 30 December 1907.18

Melissa Ann Ashby was enumerated with George Washington Ashby as Melissa Ashby, wife on the Census of 20 April 1910 at Center Township, 1st Ward, Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa. She is shown as a white female, age 53. She was born in Iowa. Her father was born in Kentucky, her mother in Missouri. She has been married once, for 35 years. Readability is questionable but it appears to report she has had 6 children. Five children are still living. She can read and write..19

Melissa Ann Ashby was shown as the daughter of James Henson Gravitt in James Henson's obituary in April 1913 at Bloomfield, Davis Co., Iowa. She was listed as Mrs. George Ashby of Centerville, Iowa.20

Melissa Ann Ashby died on 22 August 1913 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, at age 56. The GenForum posting shows cause of death was gall stones on 22 Aug 1913.5,21,9 Conflicting evidence states that she died at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, on 23 August 1913.22,8 She was buried at Thomasson Cemetery, Appanoose Co., Iowa, on 24 August 1913.22,23

Melissa Ann Ashby was shown as the mother of Howard Ray Ashby in Howard Ray's obituary.24

Children of Melissa Ann Gravitt and George Washington Ashby

Citations

  1. [S2] Interview, Ida Ione Ashby Adams, 1996.
  2. [S19] 1910 US Census Population Schedule, Appanoose Co., IA.
  3. [S87] Elaine Bukove, "Gravitt Descendents", page 3.
  4. [S17] 1900 US Census Population Schedule, Appanoose Co., IA, Entry 254 /254 Melissa's date of birth is shown as Feb 1857.
  5. [S87] Elaine Bukove, "Gravitt Descendents", Page 7.
  6. [S173] Ashby Genforum, online http://genforum.genealogy.com/ashby, Her date of birth is shown as 18 Feb 1858. Message 989, posted by Ruthie D on 12 July 2000 - no source cited.
  7. [S39] 1860 US Census Population Schedule, Davis Co., IA, She is listed as age 3 on 1860 US Census Population Schedule, Davis Co., IA, Monterey Post Office, Dwelling Number 753, Family Number 714, Line 21.
  8. [S397] Vera L. McMains, "Gravitt Family Data", Ancestral File.
  9. [S221] Bertine - Harper Web Site, no longer available online, Cited Appanoose County, Iowa Death Records, Book 3, Page 200..
  10. [S195] Obtained from Ruth Doty, "FGS, GW Ashby", Melissa Ann Gravitt-Ashby born Feb 18th 1858.
  11. [S39] 1860 US Census Population Schedule, Davis Co., IA, Monterey Post Office, Dwelling Number 753, Family Number 714.
  12. [S40] 1870 US Census Population Schedule, Davis Co., IA, Page 11 (Stamped page 47), Dwelling Number 82, Family Number 83, starting on line 1.
  13. [S175] Marriage of George & Melissa ASHBY: Wm. Gravitt testified as to their competent age and condition. The Certificate of Marriage was returned and filed on 19 June 1875..
  14. [S19] 1910 US Census Population Schedule, Appanoose Co., IA, ED 14, Page 97, sheet 8A. Married for 35 years. Second marriage for George; first marriage for Mellisa.
  15. [S37] 1880 US Census Population Schedule, Davis Co., IA, Microcopy No. T-9, Roll No. 336, Enumeration District 52, Page 11, Family Number 105.
  16. [S189] Appanoose County Iowa, Family Quest Archives, Heritage Quest Digital Microfile T623\416\PART2\125A; Enumeration District 20 Sheet 13(Stamped 125A); Location 254/254.
  17. [S538] 1905 Iowa State Census Population Schedule, Appanoose Co., IA, Franklin Township, Postoffice Address RFD Cincinnati #1.
  18. [S421] Obituary of Elizabeth Bell Gravitt, 30 Dec 1907.
  19. [S190] Appanoose County Iowa, Family Quest Archives, Heritage Quest Digital Microfile T624\390\PART3\97A; Enumeration District 14 Sheet 8A(Stamped 97).
  20. [S566] Davis County Republican, April 1913.
  21. [S173] Ashby Genforum, online http://genforum.genealogy.com/ashby, Message 989, posted by Ruthie D on 12 July 2000.
  22. [S418] Obituary of Melissa Ashby, 23 Aug 1913.
  23. [S221] Bertine - Harper Web Site, no longer available online.
  24. [S222] Obituary of Howard Ashby, Jan. 24, 1967.
  25. [S17] 1900 US Census Population Schedule, Appanoose Co., IA.
  26. [S436] Marriage Certificate of Dessie Ashby and Thomas G. Manson.
  27. [S422] Obituary of Alice Ashby Manson, 23 Dec 1963.
  28. [S17] 1900 US Census Population Schedule, Appanoose Co., IA, Entry 254/254..