Mildred Cleopatra "Minnie" Fallin

Though her headstone and death certificate both list her birthday as March 7th, and the 1870 census was taken in July of the year, her name was not included. Her father was listed as a farmer in the Washington magisterial district of Richmond County and they most likely lived near the Northumberland County line near Village. His farm was valued at $300 and personal property at $100. He and Martha were listed along with two children. His mother Ann also lived with them.²

Minnie appeared first in the 1880 census where her name was given as Cleopatra and her age as 8. The family still appeared to be in the same area of Richmond County. Her parents were both marked as able to read but not write. She was the third oldest of eight children listed.³

The next record for Minnie was her marriage record. At the age of 19 (or 17) she married, Richard Christopher Dameron, age 45. They were married on the 15th of October 1889 in the home of W.P. Middleton by Rev. A. J. Reamy.^{4 5} The 1890 census records have been lost but newspaper articles from the time period show that Richard operated a general store in Village in Richmond County. In 1894 he transferred property and a stock of merchandise to C. M. Dameron, that was likely Cleopatra Mildred Fallin.⁶ In 1899 they sold the store in Village and moved into a new home and store just north at the intersection of present day Gibeon Road and Fallin Town Road.⁷

The 1900 census showed the family in the Lottsburg magisterial district in Northumberland. Minnie's birth year was given as 1872. Richard's occupation was given as merchant. They owned their home mortgage free. After that census they had four more children.⁸

Richard was injured in a horse and buggy accident in June of 1909 while Minnie was pregnant with their last child. He died of his injuries the next month and Otelia was born nine days later.^9-12

The 1910 census showed Minnie as the head of the family. She was listed as a farmer and probably got help from her oldest sons. She was recorded as having seven children with all seven still surviving.¹³ Elton is not listed with the family because after his father's death he went to live with Minnie's brother, Wade Fallin.

Otelia died in 1912 before turning three. She was buried at Gibeon Baptist Church and shares a headstone with her father.¹²

Minnie remarried on September 23rd, 1913 to Frank M. McKenney. At the time she gave her age as 40 and birth year as 1873.¹⁴ She would have one child with her second husband, Frank M. McKenney Jr, was born in 1915. Frank McKenney moved into the home she and Richard had built and they lived there the rest of their lives.

The 1920 census gave Minnie's age as 46 and her birth year as 1874. The only children listed were Carlton, 12 and Frank Jr., 4. Frank Sr. was listed as a farmer.¹⁵

On the 1930 census Minnie's age was given as 55, making her birth year about 1875. Frank Sr. was still working as a farmer. Frank Jr. was the only child still living at home.¹⁶

On the 1940 census form Minnie's age was given as 64 with a birth year of 1876. The form shows that she completed the 7th grade and her husband never went to school. Their home was valued at $1,000.¹⁷

The 1950 census listed her age was given as 80 and Frank as 73. Frank reported working 6 hours the previous week as a farmer.¹⁸

Frank died in 1956 and was buried at Gibeon Baptist Church.¹⁹ Minnie died the following year on January 25th, 1957. She was also buried at Gibeon near Richard Christopher and Otelia and her headstone reads "Mildred Dameron McKenney." Her cause of death was given as coronary thrombosis.¹