Strength as a Widow: Rebecca Rodgers
What happens to a woman who has nine children when their husband dies? Either she quickly remarries to have support for her and her children, or she makes do and takes care of herself and children on her own. Sometimes, she has help from family. David Rodgers died sometime after the census enumerator took the information about the 1860 census in June of that year. S. Hankins took the information that David was 42, a farmer, born in South Carolina, and had $450 worth of personal property. He did not own any land. Rebecca, his inferred wife, was 40, also born in South Carolina about 1820. Everyone in the household were reported as being born in South Carolina, even the 1-year-old, George J. That suggests they moved to Chattooga County recently. The children in the household, with their estimated birth years, were: Mary A.E., 18 b. 1842 Mark A, 17 b. 1843 Perry K, 15 b. 1845 Toliver R, 13 ...
