Re: Eiljah Kirkman Fly/ Isabella Scott Fly
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In reply to:
Re: Eiljah Kirkman Fly/ Isabella Scott Fly
4/18/01
To the Forum,
This is a good time to make a case-in-point. I have encountered multiple substitution of the name "Elijah" for "Elisha" and vice-versa in the forty years of genealogical endeavor that I have put into the Fly-family-tree work.Elisha is an uncommonly favorite name found in the early Fly-family records. The preponderance of appearances have been "Elisha-named" individuals; the error being reportings of these as "Elijah".
The first such instance that comes to mind has to do with the Revolutionary War Payment Voucher to "Elijah" for "Elisha" Fly, b. ca. 1746.His voucher was made to "Elijah", but Elisha went ahead and endorsed what turned out to read, "Eligah", for Elisha couldn't SPELL "Elijah" with the voucher face down, concealing the spelling on the front.
The next case that comes to mind is that of Elisha, jr. b. ca. 1767 in Williamson County, TN Court records.I encountered INDEX records which said that the material in the texts made reference to "Elijah" Fly, when, in fact, the records told about "Elisha's" doings, like being Sup't. of the road, or other Court-related business.
Another case close-in to my own branch of the family, my grandfather had a brother, "Elisha" (called "'Lish") who was the father of my stepmother.She and Dad were first cousins.I had access to her Fly records, too.HE WAS ELISHA FLY.No middle name. His Death Certificate names him "Elijah".
My grandfather, James William Fly, had an Uncle Elisha and HIS son Elisha was grandfather's first cousin. - Jeremiah Fly, b. ca. 1773 had a son "Elisha", - one name only - b. 1811.Enoch Fly, b. 1776 had a son Elisha in Missouri, and THAT one came back to North Carolina, albeit Edgecombe Co., and retained the "FLY" spelling when the others over in Northampton Co. changed the spelling to "Flythe" about 1835 to 1838. There were an Elisha Andrew Fly and an Elisha Brown Fly in other parts of the family.
I think you have been able to see that there were lots of "Elishas". There were either NO Elijahs or I have failed to remember one until we come to Elijah Kirkman Fly. (See below)
Then we come down generation under "Rev." John, b. 1772 (lay minister) who had son Rev. David Fly, ordained Methodist Minister. And THAT brings us to a son of Rev. David Fly named Elijah Kirkman Fly. For whatever reason, here was a Fly really named "Elijah".So what happens?The Clerk at the Courthouse issues his Marriage paper work as "Elisha K. Fly" marrying Isabella Jane Scott in Yalobusha County, MS.I WISH I could be certain that the Clerk got it right, - to KNOW if THIS is our indication of his CORRECT given name.But his granddaughter, Valera Aud, said it was "Elijah Kirkman Fly".So I guess I will leave it in my data-base as "Elijah", because USUALLY grandchildren get their grandfathers' names right. I wish I could be sure.
Just thought you'd like to know what experience has revealed about Elishas and Elijahs in this family. The overwhelming presence of the "Elisha" name; and the single "Elijah Kirkman Fly" (with the court record voting for "Elisha" to be correct), what do YOU think, Cousins?
James Whitney Fly
"Cousin Jim"