(Continued)

Melanie Jean Barnett melbar@leland.Stanford.EDU
In trying to document this story, it became apparent that the surname was probably not Mergery, as we could find none in Kentucky. However, there were some McGary's in KY early. The infamous Hugh McGary married Caty Yocum, daughter of Matthias Yocum. Moreover, there are several Mercer Co, KY deeds for Yocums---on at least two, a Rosanna McGary is a witness:

Deed Bk 3 page 137: Matthew and Silvia his wife to Samuel Dennis, 100 acres on Shawnee Run bounded by Joseph Woodcock and Thomas Denton. Witnesses: Rosanna McGary, John Yocom, James Murry. March 1796

Deed book 3 page 148 Samuel Dennis appoints Mary Dennis his lawful attorny to sell land Samuel now lives on and to sell lots in Harrodsburg and to act for him as if were personally present. Witnesses: Jesse Yocom, John Yocom and Rosanna McGary Aug. 8, 1796

We have investigated the possibility that Rosanna was a daughter of Hugh McGary. However, I have copies of the DAR papers for Hugh McGary and she is not listed as a child. I don't think that Yokum was her married name as we have not found any Yocum men who married a Rosanna. Why would Rosanna use McGary as a surname sometimes and Yokum other times? I can't hazard a guess.

According to the Yocum book by Smith, Matthias' children are as follows:

Caty born abt 1756 married Hugh McGary
Jonathan 1757/8
Jesse 1760/1 m. Dianna Denton
Matthias 1763
Sarah "Sallie" 1765 m. John Stevens
John 1768 m. Elizabeth King, Sarah Sportsman
Mary "Polly" 1770 married Samuel G. Dennis
George 1778 m. Jean, Joan or Jane Ballew
Samuel 1785 m. Mary McClure

Smith does not cite sources for all of the children on the list. I have copies of the Shane interview with Jacob (John) Stevens (Draper 12CC page 36) and he names all of the above children except for George and Jonathan. Stevens does not list birthdates. I would like to learn the source for Smith's additional data.

Another interesting tidbit we received from Sandi Gorin, of Barren Co, KY, is that there are no Yokums in Barren Co, KY. Rosanna's marriage record is the only one! But we do know that the McGarys left Mercer County for Barren and Henderson Counties. So perhaps Rosanna went from Mercer Co to Barren Co with the McGarys where she met and married William Higgins.

I propose that Rosanna Yokum who married William Higgins is indeed a "missing" daughter of Matthias Yoakum Jr and sister of Caty Yocum McGary. After Matthias' wife died (or perhaps after Matthias himself died?) Rosanna went to live with her eldest sister, Caty Yocum McGary.

Comments, anyone?

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