Beyond our Elusive William Daniel

On the 1860 Covington Co, AL census, PO Red Level, 5yo Madora Daniel was in the HH of her grandparents, Thomas & Nancy Daniel. On the 1870 census, "Adora" age 15, is listed in the HH of Thomas & Nancy Daniel. Her marriage was recorded at "Thomas Daniel residence." On the 1880 Covington Co census, she is a widow with 2 children, Anna Jones age 4 & son Thomas Jones age 1. JC Ficklin co signed as surety on a $500 mar. bond with RD Jones.

NOTE: Mr. Addison's letter calls Thomas' daughter "Dora", but Thomas' bible says she was "Mary A.", the "A" is difficult to read and could possible be another letter, but Broyce says she was "Mary Ann". Thomas did have a grand- daughter named Madora (Mrs. Jones) that was living in his HH with her 2 children on the 1880 census. A Madora's marriage was recorded 1874, in Crenshaw Co. "at Thomas Daniel res."
Mary Pharaogh Daniel probably died in childbirth, and as a result, Quoting Broyce, "What would happen to the little fellow? Why, Grandma, Of course!! Can you think of a better reason to explain how Thomas and Nancy Daniel came to raise a granddaughter born about 1854 or 1855? Madora Daniel!!" Broyce seems to have hit the nail on the head! We need to look in the local newspapers of the day, for the obit of Mary. William remarried in 1858, and died in 1862 in the War.

Broyce also suggests that Madora was the "Dora" who H. V. Addison thought was Thomas' daughter, and that the expression "Grandpa Tommie" was more literal than Mr. Addison thought. I must say that I agree with this. cca.