1881 census
Douthrite, Ezekiel m m head 25 English NB farmer Baptist Coverdale, Albert
Douthrite, Gabriella m f wife 24 English NB Baptist Coverdale, Albert
Douthrite, Minne s f daughter 1 English NB Baptist Coverdale, Albert
Notes from Merla Douthwright in and Madalyn Shaffar
This is right. Phebe died having Bruce and Aaron's sister Amy stepped in as short term help until he could make other arrangements. Reread and ..... How could Phebe Ann have died giving birth to Bruce when Dolly came after him?????
I really don't know what to say! I never actually looked at the dates that closely before. Somewhere there has got to be an incorrect date.
Three things I know as fact...
(1)Bruce and Dolly believed themselves to be blood siblings (Bruce often teased Tildie by saying "One step is quite enough, thank you!") (step mother)
(2) Both Dolly & Bruce called Lydia "Ma" (step mother) and referred to Phebe as "mother" (their mother)
(3) Lydia (by her own admission) only had 1 child. That birth "did damage" and she couldn't have more.
Lydia, a recent widow with one child, needed a home and support. Beamer, recent widower with 3 children (1 an infant) needed a housekeeper and mother for his children. They got married.