Milly Keen1

#21535, (c 1825 - a 1880)
FatherJohn Keen2,3 (c 1793 - 1877)
MotherSarah Wells4 ( - c 1848)
RelationshipsGreat-grandmother of Wilma Ilene Collins
Daughter of John Keen
Extended Family
ChartsAncestors of Wilma Ilene Collins (5 generations)
John Keen - Children & Grandchildren

Children of Milly Keen and Christian Wix
  • Elvina Wix9 (c 1838 - )
  • Lemuel Wix9 (c 1840 - )
  • Jane Wix9 (c 1843 - )
  • Daniel Wix9 (c 1846 - )

Children of Milly Keen and James Collins

Life Events

Overview
* * * * *

Mildred or Milly Keen was born in 1825 or a few years earlier in Sumner County, Tennessee, the daughter of John Keen and his first wife Sarah.
Milly was first married in 1837 to Christian Wix or Wicks. They had two children in Tennessee, moved to Perry County, Illinois and had two more children.
After Christian died, Milly married James Collins. Thomas was widowed from Milly's sister Elizabeth. Thomas had 5 children, Milly had 4, and together they had 5 more. The youngest child, Thomas (1865) is our ancestor.
As was typical in that time and place, Milly could not read or write. She probably did not know her age as it varied a lot in the records! Milly lived until after 1880.

* * * * *

 
BirthMilly Keen was born circa 1825 in Tennessee.5
 
Research Note Milly was inconsistent reporting her age, e.g. 24 in 1850, 30 in 1860, 45 in 1870, 50 in 1880. 
MarriageShe married Christian Wix in 1837 in Sumner County, Tennessee.
In the Sumner County records there is a $1250 marriage bond signed by Christian Wix and Isam Cron dated 14 September 1837 that there be no objection to the marriage of Christian Wix and Mildred Keen.6 
1840 CensusChristian Wicks was listed as the head of a family on the 1840 census taken on 1 Jun 1840 in Sumner County, Tennessee. The household included:
1 male age 30-39
1 male 15-19
1 male 10-14
1 female 15-19
1 female 10-14
1 female under 5

The oldest male and female could be Christian and Milly and the youngest their daughter Elmira who would be about 2. The others are perhaps Christian's siblings. Or, Christian had been married and had children before marrying Milly.7
MarriageMilly Keen married James Collins on 16 May 1849 in Perry County, Illinois.
This court document shows that they were married by Jas E Gordon, JP. Milly, a widow, was recorded as Mrs. Milly Wix.8
James Collins & Mrs Milly Wix
Marriage, 1849
1850 CensusJames and Milley Collins appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Perry County, Illinois, enumerated 14 Sep 1850. James was 38, a Farmer who did not own land, and was born in Tennessee. Milley was 24 and born in Tennessee. In their household were their children Richardson (24), Emily (14), Sarah E (11), William H (8), John A (5), and Milda C (7 months), as well as Milley's children from her previous marriage Elvina (12), Lemuel (10), Jane (7), and Daniel (4) Wix. The children under 10 years old were born in Illinois, the older ones in Tennessee.9
1860 CensusJames and Milla Collins appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Township 5 Range 3W, Perry County, Illinois, enumerated 2 Jul 1860. The next household was James' son Richardson and family. James was 49, Farming, owned real estate worth $1000 and personal estate worth $800. Milla was 30. They were both born in Tennessee and neither one could read or write. At home were William (18, farmer), Sarah (21), John (14), Harriet (8), Eba A (4), James (2), along with Elmira (23) and Jane (17) Wicks. William and John had attended school that year. The oldest girls, Sarah and Elmira, could not read or write.10
1865 CensusJames Collins was listed as the head of household on the 1865 state census in Township 5S, Range 3W, Perry County, Illinois. The tally for this household showed
10 & under - 2 males
11-20 - 1 female
21-30 - 1 male
31-40 - 1 female
41-50 - 1 male
There was no livestock recorded and one male age 18-45 was subject to military duty.11 
1870 CensusJames and Milly appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, enumerated 27 Jul 1870. James was 59, a Farmer, held real estate valued at $800 and personal estate of $250, could not read or write, and was born in Tennessee. Milly was 45, Keeping House, not able to read or write, and was also born in Tennessee. At home were James Jr (12, farm laborer, attended school) and Thomas (6).5
(Widowed) DeathHer husband James died on 7 Feb 1876. 
(Mentioned) ProbateMilly Collins was mentioned as an heir in the probate file of her father John Keen's estate in Apr 1877.3 
1880 CensusM Collins appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Pinckneyville, enumerated 1 Jul 1880. She was 50 years old, widowed, keeping house, born in Tennessee, and her parents were born in Virginia. With her was her son Thomas (14, working on the farm), as well as one farm servant. The next household was son James and family.12
DeathMilly died after 1880.
 
Last Edited3 Apr 2014

Citations

  1. [S1686] Marriage Records of Perry County, Illinois, 1827-1867 & 1878-1916, FHL film # 975923 & 975926 (microfilm of original records in the Perry County courthouse, Pinckneyville, Illinois), Thomas Collins & Sylva Ann Wilson, 1886.
  2. [S1687] Elizabeth Eiker Spurgeon and Dorothy I Cooke Perry County, Illinois, marriages 1827-1850 with genealogical notes, Heritage House, Thomson, Illinois (1973) (Family History Library, 977.3 A1 no. 81), Mr James Collins & Mrs Milly Wix, 1849.
  3. [S1689] John Keen, Estate Records, 1877 Box 359, File 1165, page 533, FHL film # 975933 (microfilm of original records in the Perry County courthouse, Pinckneyville, Illinois).
  4. [S100] Inferred from analysis of data: The Perry County history book says Sarah Wells was John Keen's wife.
  5. [S747] Online image of the 1870 Federal Census for United States (Heritage Quest, www.heritagequestonline.com), Illinois, Perry County, Pinckneyville PO, Roll 268, Page 221.
  6. [S1859] Marriage Records of Tennessee, 1780-2002 (http://www.ancestry.com, images online), Christian Wix & Mildred Keen, bond, Sumner County, 1837.
  7. [S1756] 1840 Federal Census for United States, Tennessee, Sumner County, Roll 534, Page 401. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  8. [S1692] Marriage Licence and Certificate for James Collins and Mrs Milly Wix, Perry County, Ohio, Court Clerk, 16 May 1849 (Family History Library, film #975923).
  9. [S1554] United States 1850 Federal Census. Illinois, Perry County, family number 463. Image viewed at Familysearch.
  10. [S657] Online image of the 1860 Federal Census for United States (Heritage Quest, www.heritagequest.com), Illinois, Perry County, Pinckneyville PO, Roll 218, Page 89.
  11. [S2880] Illinois 1865 State Census. Image viewed at FamilySearch. James Collins household, Perry County, Township 5S, Range 3W, Page 27.
  12. [S752] Online image of the 1880 Federal Census for United States (Heritage Quest, www.heritagequestonline.com), Illinois, Perry County, Pinckneyville, Roll 242, Page 124.
  13. [S1686] Marriage Records of Perry County, Illinois, 1827-1867 & 1878-1916, FHL film # 975923 & 975926 (microfilm of original records in the Perry County courthouse, Pinckneyville, Illinois), Thomas Collins & Minnie Noble, 1894.