Jesse Lank Griffin (1834-1903) and Sarah Holmes (1834-1928) had at least eight children. Most of them had "normal" names: William, Richard, John, Martha, Nancy, Sally, Stephen. But, they also had one daughter with a fairly unusual name: Tennessee, whose nickname was Tennie.
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| Find A Grave, memorial 27031200, digital image of Tennie L wife of Dot Bratton gravestone (Marshall Cemetery, Marshall, Searcy County, Arkansas), photo posted 14 May 2010 by Kim REA Mays. |
Tennessee was born on 20 July 1869 in Arkansas, but both of her parents were born in Tennessee. She married Dotson "Dot" Bratton and had at least three children. She died on 3 October 1918 and was buried in Searcy County, Arkansas.
Tennessee also had a niece who was named for a state. Tennie's brother, William (or Bill), had a daughter named Arkansas Griffin (1875-1956).
Both Tennessee and Arkansas Griffin are on my husband's trees. He has another female named for a state on his tree: Missouri Alice Leeds (1879-1947) who was born in Missouri.
Do you have anyone on your tree who was named for a state? I'd love to hear about it!
Very interesting and unusual names. My husband has a handful of ancestors named for presidents and patriotic heroes (like Ben Franklin, George Washington). If these ancestors had been named for states, their names would have been Ohio or Indiana!
ReplyDeleteSome states make better names than others! :) And, I have a handful named for presidents or heroes, too. I've not really used it that way, but it could help you understand their political views.
DeleteAs far as I know I don't have any ancestors who were named for states. I suppose one could consider it as a possible lead for where the parents were from. I wonder if Arkansas and Missouri had nicknames.
ReplyDeleteGood question! I believe Missouri just went by her other name, Alice. And, Arkansas was a middle name - her first name was Clemmie. She went by Clemmie :)
DeleteI like the nickname Tennie - cute! I don't have anyone named after a state but there are a few of my husband's ancestors named for military heroes.
ReplyDeleteI like "Tennie," too! And, I have some people named for military heroes, too. It's nice to see who our ancestors admired!
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