Hi all, I looked through the archives but didn't readily find an answer to this question, so I'm hoping someone here can help. In the 1880 census, Lycurgus B. Owens and Sallie (Steadman) Owens are living in Drew County with their several children. In the 1900 Drew County census, Lecurgus Owens is listed as "widowed", and has 2 children living in his house, George Ella and Leah F. However, also listed in the 1900 Drew County census as a separate head of household is Sallie Owens. She was also listed as "widowed". I feel confident this is the right Sallie Owens because living with her is mother Mary Stalman or Statman (should be "Steadman"), born in South Carolina. Also in the house is Sallie's daughter Myrtle J. So my question is, why were Lycurgus and Sallie living apart in 1900? Why did each of them claim to be widowed? Were they actually separated or divorced? Thanks in advance for any insight, Melissa

From Melissa Jones: So my question is, why were Lycurgus and Sallie living apart in 1900? Why did each of them claim to be widowed? Were they actually separated or divorced? **** Melissa, I was able to contact some of the descendants of Lycurgus Bruce Owens and Sarah Agnes Steadman in recent years and have quite a bit of their history. No one mentioned what would be the answer to your question (divorce?), and my contact is now deceased. Lycurgus Bruce Owens was the brother of my great grandfather, Milton Hubert Owens. My guess is that they were divorced. Lycurgus "Uncle Coot" Owens died on September 19, 1909 and Sallie Owens lived until December 23, 1923. I have found other persons who were known to be divorced and the census shows that they were widowed. Long ago, in a more polite society, divorced persons were called "grass widows"......as opposed to "sod widows" :-) There were many more children than you mentioned in the family. Children of Lycurgus Bruce Owens and Sarah Agnes Steadman were: Frank Romain Owens + Catherine "Cattie" Miller and 2nd Ruth Johns Mary Owens + W. F. Matheney Grace Owens + J. W. McDonald Ella Owens + An Unknown Newton Graves Owens Myrtle Owens + Dr. Oscar Hughes Looney Leah Fern Owens + Bester Arvin Owen Wycliffe Owens The genealogy of this family is included in "Bartholomew's Song" by Rebecca DeArmond Husky in the OWENS genealogy which I submitted and which covers the descendants of Ezekiel Brooke OWENS and Adelia Pendleton PAYNE. If you want more information, please contact me personally. Carolyn Haisty camayh@cox-internet.com