Virginia Skidmore Adams and Mary Lee Mines in AL
Virginia Skidmore "Skiddie" Adams married William Jackson Watkins sometime after 1880 and she died before 1900. My aunt, who has since past, gave me their wedding photo and told me the following story.
Skiddie married a man (possibly named Adams) who owned the Mary Lee Mines, a coal mine in Lewisburg, Jefferson Co., AL. He died and Skiddie inherited the mine. She married William Watkins and sometime after 1891 she died, so William inherited the mine. He had a rare kidney ailment and his medical bills were high, so he sold the mine, but was told by the new owners that he and his family could continue living in the house on that property as long as they wanted. This is where my grandfather, James Grover Watkins, supposedly grew up. My aunt did not know if Adams was Skiddie's married name or maiden name, nor did she know if Skidmore was her maiden name.
I have not been able to find Skiddie in any census under any of the above possible surnames, so I've been trying to find out who originally owned the Mary Lee Mines. Was it someone named Adams? I know that someone (probably William Watkins) sold it to the Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron Company in 1899, but in 1900, William was living in Horse Creek Town, Walker County, Alabama.
The coal seam runs from Jefferson Co. into Walker Co. so it is possible the mine entrance is in Jefferson Co. and the house was Walker Co.
Nothing I've tried to find out who Skiddie was or the truth behind this story has ever panned out, so any help anyone cane provide, either about Skiddie's identity or about the owner of the Mary Lee Mines would be greatly appreciated.
Carolyn Hodge