~Minnie Mae Bloodsworth (1887-1914)~

 

 

   Minnie was the second child of Newton and Ellen (Baggett) Bloodsworth. She was born December 25, 1887 in Escambia Co. Alabama. She died on July 19, 1914 in Escatawpa, Jackson Co. Mississippi at the young age of 26 and is buried in the Community of Christ Cemetery. 

 

 

   Minnie was only married once, to William M. Jernigan (1858-1914) on December 12, 1912 in Wallace, Escambia Co. Alabama. The Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957 record states, William Jernigan, birth date was 1858, born in Florida, age 54 at time of marriage. Spouse: Minnie Bloodsworth birth date was 1889, born in Alabama, age 23 at time of marriage. The event took place in Wallace, Escambia Co. Alabama. (Batch #M74521-1, Film #1289649). William M. Jernigan was the son of  John J. Jernigan and Josephine T. Cotton of Santa Rosa Co. Florida and Brewton, Escambia Co. Alabama.

 

 

   Minnie is only found on one census record, 1910 Owens, Escambia Co. Alabama, age 23, single and living in the home of her father Newton. Her mother had passed away 4 months earlier.  The census states that Minnie could not read or write. She lived with her father, helping out with her younger siblings whose ages ranged from 17 years old to 2 years old, until she married in Dec 1912, two years later after her mothers sudden death at childbirth. Her father didn't marry again until Oct 1916, managing his children for almost 6 years on his own. 

 

 

  The Jernigan family oral history story passed down through the generations state that William was murdered near Mansfield, DeSoto Co. Louisiana and that he and Minnie (his 3rd wife) had a baby boy who was given up for adoption at the time of Minnie's death in 1914, same year William was murdered. At this time, no other information is available to the family as if this story is indeed true and if so, who is the boy and who raised him...did his last name change? Another intersting note is, William's 2nd wife, Mollie "Mattie" Thompson-Jernigan lived and died in Noxubee Co. Mississippi in 1935, which is 205 miles from where Minnie is buried. If anyone knows anything about these families, I would really like to hear from you please. Thx