Izola Martha Mills marriage certificate/note to Mr. Hall

[Steve Whitlock]

(09-19-2012 02:10 PM)Jenny Wrote:  Hi all!

I've been cruising around Ancestry.com (yeah, I hear everyone yelling, "GET OFF!") and decided to check in with an old "friend" of mine: The John Byron Wilkes family tree based on that nutty will written by Booth imposter John Byron Wilkes. I was surprised to find several new documents under Izola Mills' profile. One is a picture of labeled "Izola Martha Mills and JWB" which I will post here in a moment.

The other is a marriage certificate under the label "Letter certifying marriage of JWB and Izola Martha Mills." However it appears whoever posted this certificate might have missed something. Something important.

There is a note attached to the bottom which addresses a Mr. Hall (I am assuming Mr. James O. Hall). Even though I darkened it, I am not sure what it says - can you guys help me decipher it? But on the top of the document I believe I see a handwritten note that says, "Declared a forgery by Mr. Hall."

I don't know much about the whole "Izola Mills marriage" theory but I do find it amusing that someone submitted this as proof of a marriage when it clearly has notes declaring it a forgery! And I thought you all might like to see this picture of "Izola and JWB." Again, no idea where it comes from... and it doesn't really look like him to me.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Jenny,

Are you aware that Martha I. M. Booth, a widow, m: John H. Stevenson 2 Mar 1869 in Baltimore, MD? That was followed by the death of her husband, Charles Still Bellows, 16 Dec 1869. Martha L. Bellows then married, again, John H. Stevenson 23 Mar 1871.

It seems that Charles S. Bellows knew somewhat of his wife's indiscretions and wrote a will leaving everything (such as it was) to his brother, with no mention of a wife, nor children.

Martha then proceeded to file a claim for her late husband's Navy Pension and disputed the estate of Charles S. Bellows, having cared for his two children, Ogarita Elizabeth Bellows b: 22 Oct 1859 and Charles Alonzo Bellows (aka Charles S. Bellows Jr) b: 15 May 1861.

After all, she was a faithful wife who cared for her husband's children, and didn't remarry until 23 Mar 1871 to John H. Stevenson.

She won in both matters, the Navy Pension and Probate.

I have copies of both the pension and probate, but they are a bit lengthy.