| Notes |
- MHR note: William R. Hedges had a big orchard and back of it one could see across the Licking River to the Fox place, tall trees and magnolias. Great grandfather was across the river and we went over in a canoe dug out of a big log.
MHR note: The following incident in the early life of William Ribelin Hedges was told by George Edward Hedges, son of James Alva Hedges and his wife Philora (Allen). When "Willie Riblan" was about 10 years old, he shot and wounded a bear on or near the home place in Kentucky but did not kill it. He ran to the house in excitement to get the dogs. Upon hearing what was afoot, his father Levi Hedges said he knew where the bear would go and knew a short cut to the place. He went with Willie Riblan" with his own gun and intercepted the bear. He shot it himself and Willie was outraged as it had been his bear and he had not been allowed to polish it off.
[2]
- MHR note: Ida Cronkhite said (in pink letter of 28 December 1949) she thought that “Aunt Betty” Hopper (Eliz. B.1820) who was found with the William Ribelin Hedges family in the 1870 census, was a distant cousin through the Armstrongs. She cared for her mother who died when Betty was about 25 years old. Malinda Hedges needed help, so Betty made her home with them. She got board and room and one third of the wool. Betty was so shy she put on her sunbonnet before coming downstairs and few ever saw her face. Lonely widowers found her not only unresponsive, but unwilling to talk to them. When 81 and nearly blind, she fell downstairs and died shortly thereafter. She helped rear the second generation and “Uncle Will” said she'd been a second mother.
[2]
- MHR Note: Letter from Melissa Lucinda Hedges, to her brothers, William R. Hedges, James A. Hedges and Levi M. Hedges and sister Philora (Allen) Hedges telling of their father's death. This letter was in the possession of Anna (Hedges) Bagley, Purdin, Missouri when Mary (Hedges) Reiner visited her in 1940. The heading “at home” refers to the home of William R. and Malinda R. Hedges on the bank of the Licking River at the mouth of the Bluebank, Fleming County, Kentucky, in the part of Fleming County.
At home, December 1, 1885.
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
It is with a sad heart I take up my pen to write the sad news of our dear father’s death. He departed this life Saturday, Nov. 28, at 25 minutes after six o’clock in the morning. After a serious illness of 12 day. He suffered more than tongue can tell. He lay in an unconscious state for several hours. He suffered greatly from the time he was taken. The doctor had to draw his water from him. Oh it was so hard to see him suffer so, but it had to be. Rose came to see him; staid several days then went home; came back after he was down. Ike got here after he was dead. Uncle Jesse staid with him all the time. We laid him in the old graveyard where sister Mary was laid, there to slumber till Gabriel’s trump and the voice of the Lord shall awaken the dead from the old churchyard.
I sent postals to you all when I found he was so bad, but I suppose it was not so any of you could come. He never talked about any of his children, but thought he could not live from the start. We done all we could for him but nothing done any good. He has done paid the debt we all have to pay and we can go to him; he cannot come to us; Oh how we miss him. Mother sits around and looks so sad. I can hardly bear it. She is not well. She send her love to you all.
My love to you all. Write soon as you all are very close together. I want this letter to be read by all. I would love to see you and talk to you face to face but we are far apart. Yes we are scattered – we are scattered, though a joyous band were we. Now this letter is for one and all of you. Write as often as you can.
You sister, M. L. Stenrod
[2]
- 1850 US census, enumerated 20 August 1850
Division 2, Fleming County, Kentucky
William R Hedges, age 52, farmer, real estate $3000
Malinda R, age 44
Addison W, age 24, farmer
Viana J, age 22
Peter T, age 19, laborer
Levi M, age 17, laborer
Rosannn S, age 14, attending school
Malissa L, age 12, attending school
William R, age 9, attending school
James A, age 6, attending school
Isaac A, age 4
Mary Ann Crouch, age 26
Peter L Crouch, age 2
William N Cassity, age 18, laborer
[5]
- 1860 US census, enumerated 15 Aug 1860
Rowan County, Kentucky
W R Hedges, age 62, farmer, real estate $3000, personal property $1060
Malinda R, age 54
Viana J, age 31
Malissa I, age 21
William, age 19
James, age 16
Isaac, age
Elizabeth Hopper, age 40, domestic
[5]
- 1870 US census, enumerated
Cross Roads, Rowan County, Kentucky
William Hedges, age 72, farmer, real estate $5000, personal property $1000
Malinda, age 64, keeping house
Melissa Demere, age 30, domestic servant
Malinda Demere, age 5
Elizabeth Hopper, age 50, at home
In the 1870 census, four household are listed next to each other: William Ribelin Hedges and three of his sons: Levi, William R. and James Hedges.
[5]
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1798 - 1885 (87 years)
[1, 2, 3] 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set