Ellen Titcomb was born ca. 1868. The 1880 Navarro Co., TX Census finds Ellen listed in the home of her parents, Sylvester J. Titcomb (b. England) and wife, Siniah (b. Missouri). This census gives her birthplace as Texas. Guardianship documents filed 7 Feb 1890 in Montgomery Co., TX, indicate that both parents were deceased, her father was a resident of Montgomery County when he died, and that Ellen was the eldest of three children. At that time, she was 20 years old and living in Baylor Co., TX. R. F. Oliver was appointed guardian of the minor children.
The following from Harold Thomas:
"How R. F. Oliver came to be associated with the Titcomb children is not known. Mr. Oliver and his wife, Martha, were from Tennessee. They were early settlers in Montgomery County and can be found in the 1850 U.S. Census records for Montgomery County, Texas...By the time the Titcomb probate documents were filed, Mr. Oliver would have been 73 years old approximately and his wife, if living, would have been 69. How long the children were in his care and keeping is not known."
The 1900 Montgomery Co., TX Census states her birthplace as England, with a immigration date of 1875. She is living in the home of Roan G. McIntyre and wife, Elizabeth. Her occupation is listed as "servant." It is possible that, if Ellen was born in England, she emigrated with her father from England and that Siniah was her stepmother.
A great, great nephew, Harold Thomas, who is the great grandson of Ellen's brother, Zee Delious Titcomb, tells of the family tradition that Ellen had gone to work in the home of the McIntyres and that they had "adopted" her. Indeed, she lived in the home of Roan and Elizabeth McIntyre for many years. She is found on the 1900, 1910 and 1920 Montgomery Co. Census' in the McIntyre's home. She died 21 Nov 1933 (Death Certificate No. 51896, Montgomery Co., TX) and she "rests with the McIntyre family beside their graves under a beautiful cedar tree. Obviously Ellen Titcomb was considered a beloved servant and friend of the McIntyres who saw to it that she was cared for and had a proper burial among their family members." (from Harold Thomas). The tombstone placed for her erroneously records the date of death as 1935. The death certificate also records that Ellen died at home in her bed. Miss Eloise McIntyre was listed as "Informant" on the death certificate. (Death Certificate information provided by Harold Thomas). Her brothers are buried in the Willis Cemetery, Willis, Montgomery Co., TX.
Brothers of Ellen Titcomb
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