Francis A. Childs

Francis A. Childs M V B K Y Photo: Born: 22 January 1819/1820; in Virginia.[1009] Married: His cousin, Sarah A. Elizabeth Strother, on 20 September 1853. Her parents were Elijah John Strother and Elvira Elizabeth Obannon. She was born in Fauquier County, 9 May 1836, and died in Pike County, Missouri, 6 April 1908. She is buried in Ashley Cemetery, Ashley, Missouri. [1010] Died: “September 6, 1884, after an illness of … a few days.”[1011] Obituary: “How sad to realize the fact that Frank Childs is no more.”[1012] See Obituary Chapter. Children: Francis and Sarah Childs had the following children: William E., born in Virginia 10 September 1854; died in Virginia 20 November 1855. James H., born in Virginia February 1856; died in Virginia 9 August 1857. George F.; born in Virginia 27 September; died in Virginia October 1858. Robert A.; born in Virginia 5 February 1859; died in Missouri 26 May 1882. Ann Elizabeth; born in Virginia 25 January 1861; died in Virginia 29 May 1862. Mary Louise; born in Virginia 31 August 1863; married David A. Hickman 18 October 1882. Edward Walton; born 23 July 1865 in Virginia; married Quinhtete Hawkins 13 August 1887. Lillie E.; born 27 November 1866 in Missouri; married Lewis S. Brown 2 February 1887 in Missouri, died 1939. Rebecca Irine; born 18 October 1868 in Missouri; died 13 October 1869 in Missouri John William; born 10 August 1870 in Missouri; married Kate AchmanNovember 1896; died 30 October 1932. George M.; born 3 March 1872 in Missouri; married Grace Griffith 13 October 1913; died 30 May 1928. Kate Strother; born 30 May 1875 in Missouri; married John Albert Palmer 19 February 1896 in Missouri; died in Missouri 28 February 1931. Ella Frances; born 19 January 1878 in Missouri; married John Thomas 6 December 1903 in Missouri; died 16 June 1957.[1013] Five of the thirteen children died infants: the first-, second-, and third-born, when their mother was ages 18, 20, and 22; the fifth-born; the ninth-born. So, after the last infant-death, Sarah had at age 33 borne nine children, yet had four surviving. She was 45 at the birth of her youngest. Parents and Siblings: His father was William H. Childs, who was born 23 April 1783 and died 19 February 1859 in Fauquier.[1014] William H. Childs married Nancy Ann Lewis on 30 December 1808. She was born 6 September 1795, and died 1 March 1869.[1015] [1016] Frank was the eldest son.[1017] His sister Ann wed Alpheaus J. Strother.[1018] His sister Mary V. wed Robert E. Martin [BH]. His brother was James H. Childs [B. H.]*from James H. Childs’ entry. [NOTE:have source that Bob Martin wed Mary Virginia Childs, but no source that she was sister of Frank & James Childs. Need footnote for this.] Other Family: Frank’s maternal grandparents were William Lewis and Ann Montgomery. [1019] Frank and Sarah married on September 20, 1853. He was age 33, and she age 16. Together they had thirteen children, who were born between 1854 and 1878. Five of the thirteen children died infants: the first-, second-, and third-born, when their mother was ages 18, 20, and 22; the fifth-, and the ninth-born. So, after the last infant-death, Sarah had at age 33 borne nine children, yet had four surviving. Frank was 58 and Sarah 44 at the birth of their youngest. This daughter was born four days before Frank’s birthday, and was named for him: Ella Frances. Ella was six years old when he died. In July 1865 the family was in Virginia; in November 1866, they were in Missouri. They moved West immediately after the war ended, Sarah at age 29 and Frank at age 45. They left behind in a Virginia cemetery four their seven children born up to that time. Their last six were born in Missouri. Frank lived to 1884, age 64, and Sarah to 1908, age 72. They were married almost 31 years: he passed 14 days before their anniversary. She was age 48 when he passed and lived another 24 years thereafter.[1020] Stories, Letters & Biographies: [Cite ViHi Va. Magazine article 1983, for diary mentioning Mrs. Frank Childs. #] “[H]e moved to Pike [County,] Missouri, in 1865 after the war ended.” See Biographies Chapter. Not sure if this is a quotation or Lynn’s own textual introduction to the quotation. CSR: 6’0”, light complexion, dark hair, grey eyes; enlisted 15 March 1862 Bealeton; 43 years old; captured 31 May 1862 Hanover Courthouse; exchanged 5 August 1862 Aikens Landing; captured 3 December 1862 Warrenton; exchanged 29 March 1863 City Point; wounded 28 May 1864 Haw’s Shop; paroled 5 May 1865 Fairfax Courthouse. Additional Information: Wounded at Haw’s Shop, May 28, 1863. Died since the war.[1021] In 1837, Francis A. Childs moved with his father to Fauquier to a farm owned by John Strother, (father of Alpheaus J. Strother, Francis’ sister Ann’s husband.) He stayed there two years. In 1840 he was listed in the Culpeper County census, and in 1850 in the Spotsylvania County census. [1022]