Shep's Place Family Tree

Catastrophe struck Eliza Martt and her two sisters in June 1849 when the rest of their family, including their parents, died of cholera. The girls' grandfather Nathaniel Martt became their guardian. At that time Eliza was only six years old; Elizabeth Frances was eight; and Lucy Jane was just a baby. When Nathaniel died in 1860, Emmor Fox was chosen as guardian of Frances and Eliza. Lucy must have died before then, or perhaps she was raised by different people because she needed a wetnurse.

‎[didnt record the year!]‎: Nathaniel Mart paid $4.00 to Rebecca Steber "for schooling" Lucy Jane Martt, Elizabeth F. Martt and Eliza A. Martt, plus he required $40/year for support. In September 1853 he paid to N., Null for teaching school $2.20.

The final guardian account of Emmor Fox Guardian of Eliza Ann Mart and Elizabeth F. Mart, minors of William A. Mart, Deceased.

1850: Eliza Ann was with Nathaniel Mart
1860 Eliza Ann was with Emmor Fox

We used to go to church at Bethlehem Chapel. Did you ever see a foot washing? The ladies were sitting on one side of the aisle and the men on the other. There was a man with a towel wrapped on him, and he washed the men's feet. I believe it was my grandma, and she was tall and wore a towel, and she washed the women's feet. Grandma and Grandpa kept Bethlehem Chapel going.

"When we visited Aunt Mec ‎(America F. Sheets Burnett)‎ we had a good time. I always loved to go to her house. She would make biscuits that big ‎[as a saucer]‎! That good old cow butter on those biscuits! The drippings we called "dirty gravy". Your biscuits soaked up that grease.

She was an immaculate housekeeper and a good cook. Everybody wore long dresses to the floor in those days.

You could trust everybody in those days.

I remember her ‎[Eliza Sheets, Mamie's great-grandmother]‎ coming over to Grandma's ‎[America F.]‎ riding side-saddle. She had dark piercing eyes and was a right nice-looking lady. She was a very clean woman. I remember her in grey - in a bonnet.

She had one sister. Cholera killed her whole family but her sister. She was raised an orphan.

She was hard of hearing. Lived on Rocky Fork.

She died suddenly, dropped dead of a stroke while working over the butter with the paddle.

Mrs. Gory W. Sheets, living at Rocky Fork, O., suffered a stroke of paralysis Sunday at 10 o'clock & died at 2 o'clock. She was seventy odd yrs.old & a fine old lady who was loved in her community.

Jan 15, 1843
Oct. 15, 1916
Farewell my husband and children all.
From your mother
Christ doth call