Samantha Nancy GRAY DICKERSON1,A was born on 12 March 1827, in Mixerville, Bathe Township, Franklin, Indiana, United States, to Mr. Unknown2,B and Elizabeth "Liz" GRAY2.
Samantha's younger sister, Julia A. Gray2, is said to been born in Butler County, Ohio. This would seem to hint that Samantha Gray also lived, for a short period of time, in Butler County, Ohio, United States before she, her mother and sister start appearing in United States Census reports as to residing in Ripley County, Indiana, United States.
The United States Census, 1850 on 9 October 1850, in Otter Creek Township, Ripley, Indiana, United States, at age 23, Samantha and her infant son, David L. Gray3,C, are listed in her mother's household. No occupation listed for Samantha Gray Dickerson (nor her mother).
In the United States Census reports for 1860, 1870, and 1880 for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana, Samantha is listed as Samantha or Nancy Palmer. Her occupation was generally one assigned for house wife thoughts. Samantha was listed to not being able to read or write.
Samantha DickersonA,B and John Palmer4 married 28 February 1873 in Versailles, Ripley County, Indiana. Prior to the civil service it is unclear about their marital status, but they may possibly been in a common law marriage. John Palmer passed away in 1885.
Court Report. April Term.
... Samantha Palmer vs Peter Maschino, receivership. Report of receiver approved. Receiver discharged.
Source: Versailles Republican; 27 May 1886 - Page 5
In the United States Census reports for 1900 in Center Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana, Samantha Palmer, aged 73, is listed as Head of Household.
Samantha died on 9 September 1905, aged 78, in Center Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana, United States. Robert Martin Palmer3 was the informant for the State of Indiana death certificate and he listed "Nixerville, Franklin"D as her place of birth. Cause of death was said to be due to an abdominal tumor.
Samantha Nancy Gray he was buried on 10 September 1905 in Otter Creek Cemetery (also known as Tanglewood Cemetery)E in Ripley, Indiana, United States. Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson and John Palmer were the parents of six or seven children: David L. [Gray] Palmer, James Sylvanus Palmer3, John Palmer3,F
William Jesse Palmer3, Robert Martin Palmer, and Sarah I. Palmer3.Samantha's brother-in-law, Patrick Michael McCormick2,G, and Robert Martin Palmer handled her will and estateH.
... Michael McCormich, of Osgood, was in town the first of the week and probated the will of Samantha Palmer deceased.
Source: Osgood Ripley Journal; 20 September 1905 - Page 8
Notations of Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:
A Samantha Gray appears on census reports and some earlier citations as to going by Samantha Gray. It is later, such as her 1873 marriage to John Palmer, where she starts appearing to list her maiden name being Dickerson. Presents a bit of a conundrum on how to list her name in the family tree since she went by Gray for over 20 years before she went by Palmer, even prior to the civil marriage, then Dickerson. I list her, on my side, with Gray and Dickerson both as her maiden names, which may seem a bit unwieldy, but given the circumstances, accurate in terms of how Samantha used the names while alive.
B First appearance of her father's name, in documents, is in 1873 when she lists a John Dickerson being her father on a marriage record. John Dickerson is also listed as her father on her later death certificate.
C David L. Gray appears in 1860 and 1870 census reports, for John and Samantha [Gray Dickerson] Palmer, as David L. Palmer. It is unclear if John Palmer was the birth father or "adopted" him.
D This is the first mentioning of exactly where she was born at in Indiana. Mixerville was an informal, unincorporated, area in Bathe Township, Franklin, Indiana area.
E Find A Grave memorial page, for Samantha Gray Dickerson Palmer, shares her grave site is not marked.
F Child's existence may be questionable.
G Husband of Julia A. Gray
H Robert Martin Palmer is said to inherited the bulk of the estate due to him taking care of Samantha after John Palmer's passing.
Relationship to Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:
1 Maternal 3x Great-aunt through marriage
2 Indirect, through marriage
3 Maternal Cousin 3x removed
4 Maternal 3x Great-uncle
Resources for Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson:
· United Staes Census for Otter Creek Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana
· United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripey County, Indiana
· United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana
· United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana
· United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana
· copy of marriage record, not yet digitized by the county or state, shared on Ancestry online family tree by a descendant of John Palmer and Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson.
· &nsbp; State of Indiana death certificate for Samantha Dickerson Palmer; Record No. 131.
· Will of Samantha Palmer
· Find A Grave memorial pages for Samantha, her husband, and children.
· Osgood Ripley Journal
· Versailles Republican
· Ancesty message boards and online trees
· Rootweb forums
· Genealogy forums
