LAURA MARY ‘Laurie’ HEATH (b. 1815) in Cabell Co VA. m. 28 Jan 1834 Sanders W. McCOMAS (b. 20 Jan1814-23 June1876). He was the son of Moses McComas and Lucy (Napier) McComas from Cabell Co VA. They met and married in Cabell Co VA where both families lived. Sanders was a brother of William Burke ‘Burk’ McComas who married Laura’s sister Nancy Heath. During their time in Cabell Co five of the Israel Heath children married five of the children of Moses McComas. Laura Mary died in 1847, because Sanders W. McComas went on to marry 2nd in 1847 Nancy Boydston McPIKE in Platte Co. MO. Both the Israel Heath and Moses McComas extended families moved on to Platte Co. MO 1839-1840. Sanders W. McComas who ofen just went by ‘SW ‘McComas was first in Platte Co. Mo then in 1856-1857 became one of the first settlers to Jefferson Township, Jackson Co. KS. 2nd wife Nancy Boydston McPike went with him. Her brother Nat was also found to have lived there. (Nat for Nathaniel). According to a biographical sketch contained in a book written in 1890, Sanders W. McComas was reared on his father Moses McComas’s farm (Cabell Co VA), and was in the Army during the Mormon War, moved to Platte Co MO in 1842 where he pre-empted and improved a farm upon which he lived until he moved to KS. Sanders W. McComas took an active part in politics and was frequently solicited to become a candidate for office. He was for many years Constable and Deputy Sheriff in Jefferson Township, Jackson Co. MO and held numerous township offices. His vote was given to the Democratic party. He belonged to the A.F. & A.M. (Freemasons) and to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. During his pioneer life he underwent many hardships in common with others of that class, but his house was ever open to the friendless and distressed, and newcomers found in him a hearty friend. He was noted for his generosity to the poor, and as a man of progressive ideas, interested in education and every good work, and outspoken in his opinions. He was not only self-made in a financial sense, but was also self-educated. He endured some of the trials which the ‘bloody days’ of Knsas brought to the lot of its residents and was ever ready to answer a call of duty. The children of Sanders W McComas are later to be found in Circleville, Jackson Co. KS. His son Israel married twice and had numerous children in Circleville and was still living there in 1880 and 1900 census, listed as a farmer. A biographical sketch of Israel McComas says he ‘was reared on the farm in Platte Co. Mo receiving such an educatio as could be obtained at the subscription schools in a new country, and laboring as hard as his years would allow between the terms of school. He not only helped to improve the fathers farm there, but also the one in Jackson Co KS to which his father Sanders W. McComas removed. In 1860, he went to Pike’s Peak with an ox-team, but returned in the fall of the same year, and in the following spring was united in marriage to Miss J.E. Horn, a native of Clay County, MO. Three children resulted from their union, one of them being deceased. Mildred J. is the wife of Lyman Allen of this (Jefferson) township, and Anna is still at home. The first wife of Israel (Nancy J. Horn) died in 1864. Mr. Israel McComas was again married in Feb 1866, his bride being Miss Martha E. Johnson, a native of the Buckeye state. Her father, Samuel Johnson, was born in new York and came to this county in 1861, dying the same year. This union has resulted in the birth of 7 children. Nancy is the wife of John Eaclen of Jackson county, Edna is a music teacher, Frances is the wife of F.M. Myers of Jackson Co., Hattie, Marquis (Marcus) M., Maud and Katie complete the group. Mr. Israel McComas is a Republican and much interested in the success of the party principles. He has filled the office of Jefferson Township Treasurer. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are among the well-esteemed members of the community. Mr. Israel McComas has made a specialty of stock-raising and feeding. He attributes his success to hard work and good management, and all who know his life concur in this opinion. ‘ Cynthia H. McComas, daughter of Sanders W. McComas formed the acquaintance of Archibald D. Abel while he was a farm laborer in Jefferson Township, Jackson Co. KS. They married 24 Oct 1867. Mr. Archibald D. Abel was born in Pulaski County, KY 31 March 1844 to Thomas Abel from North Carolina. Archibald was raised in Missouri and came to Jefferson Township, Jackson Co. KS with his parents around 1864. He acquired a very good education in the common schools and during the second year of the Civil War, when a youth of 18 yrs, enlisted in the 18th Missouri Infantry, Company K, and served until its close. He participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing and in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign. He also accompanied Sherman on the famous ‘march to the sea’ and later was at the Grand Review in Washington, after which he received his honorable discharge 18 July 1865, being mustered out with the rank of Corporal. Cynthia H. McComas and Archibald D. Abel removed immediately after the wedding to a farm, which they owned and occupied. They labored with a mutual purpose of building up a comfortable home, and prospered. The farm property of the union embraced 234 acres in Jefferson Township, besides an additional 160 acres in Gove County. Eight children were born to Cynthia H. McComas and Archibald Abel. Louarie, Ella who became a proficient music teacher and married Henry Elliott of Jefferson Township, Thomas a schoolteacher, Sanders L., Millie, Nannie and Jesse, David S. their 2nd child died when only two years 10 mos old. Cynthia McComas and Archibald Abel were favorably known to the citizens of the region, prominently connected with the First Baptist Church at Holton KS. Mr. Abel officiated as a Trustee and takes an active part in church work. He was politically with the Republican party and served as Township Trustee for two years. His farming operations were carried on ‘in that systematic manner which seldom fails of success.’ Lucy A. McComas went on to marry James H. Baxter (his 2nd marriage) in 1873 and they had 5 children. Son David R. McComas of Circleville, Jackson Co. KS ws a Union soldier in the Civil War, a private in Company A, 5th Reg. Kansas Volunteers, Cavalry. He joined 1 July 1861 and was discharged on disability 1 May 1862. His record says ‘Distinguished Service.’ He married 12 April 1865 Lucticia Ann Anderson, the daughter of Martin Anderson but died just one year after his marriage. Sanders W. McComas was born 5 Mar1814 (on tombstone) in Cabell Co VA and died 26 June 1876 in Jackson Co. KS. Nancy Boyston McPike McComas died 15 May 1899 at age 85. Both are buried in Circleville Cemetery, Jackson Co KS. The children of Sanders ‘S.W.’ McComas and his two marriages: 1st marriage children w/ Laura Mary Heath: Benjamin J. McCOMAS b. 25 April 1835 d. 12 Jan 1875 (age 39) m. 21 Jan 1869 Mary Jane POPE (1845-1881) They are both buried in Circleville Cemetery, Jackson Co. KS along with sons Bennie J. (1873-1887) and George P. McComas (1871-1890) ‘George P. McComas was born 18 April 1871 and died at James Dick’s, 14 Nov 1890, in his 19th year. An entire family, except for one member, has fallen in a short time by that dread disease, consumption. He was buried Sunday, 15 Nov in the Circleville Cemetery. The Holton Weekly Recorder Nov 20 1890. David R. McCOMAS b. 1837 d. 5 Apr 1867 ( Civil War-Distinguished Service) m. 12 Apr1865 Luticia Ann ANDERSON (b. 28 Jan 1841). Married Jackson Co. KS Israel McCOMAS b. 19 June 1839 d. 12 May 1914 m.1 14 Mar 1861 Nancy J. HORN (1838-1864) m.2 11 Feb 1866 Martha E. JOHNSON (1841-1908) All 3 buried Circleville Cemetery, Jackson Co. KS along with children Edna L. (1868-1947) and Kate Gertrude (1881-1959) (from Martha), and Thomas (b.ca.1850, d. 1886) ‘in his 36th yr after 8 yrs of suffering’ a large company of people from Circleville attended his funeral held in the Methodist Episcopal church of Circleville KS 9 Sept 1886) ) ( son from Nancy Horn). Children from Israel and Nancy J. Horn, 1st marriage: Mildred J. McComas m. Lyman Allen, Jefferson Twp Jackson Co. KS Anna 3rd name unknown Israel and 2nd wife Martha E. Johnson had 7 children: Nancy McComas m. John Eaclen, Jackson Co. KS Edna McComas Frances A. m. Francis M. Myers 20 Feb 1889 Jackson Co. KS Hattie McComas m. Robert S Murray 24 Dec 1891 Jackson Co KS Marcus M McComas m. Laura J. Bailey 13 Oct 1892 Maud Katie Cynthia H. McCOMAS b. 6 Oct 1842 d. 29 Jan 1905. m. Arch D. ABEL b. 31 Mar 1844 d. 2 May 1905. Chloe McCOMAS b. 1844 m. James WILSON of TX Lucy A McCOMAS b. ca 1846 d. 29 Jan 1905 m. 19 Jan 1873 J.H. BAXTER. Lucy and one son buried in Circleville Cemetery, Jackson Co. KS Sarah McCOMAS b. ca 1847 m. James BURNISON of Pottawatomie Co. KS 2nd marriage children with Nancy McPike: Louara McCOMAS b.ca 1855 d. 22 Apr 1881 age 26, tombstone says daughter of Sanders and Nancy. She married 21 Mar 1880 James E MOORE. She is buried in Circleville Cemetery, Jackson Co. KS. It appears she may have died in childbirth as a child is buried alongside Claud S. Moore s/o J.E. and L.A. death listed 4 May 1881. He went on to marry 2nd Kittie Bordner. Nancy Burke McCOMAS b. 1857 d. 19 July 1936 (tombstone reads d/o Sanders and Nancy) m. 5 Sept 1889 J.C. STAUFFER (1857-1936) She is buried in Circleville Cemetery, Jackson Co. KS. We have only one clue concerning his first wife Laura Mary Heath. Her grave was never found. But Sanders W. McComas himself in later years, answered the question on the whereabouts of Laura Mary Heath: In a piece in the Holton Recorder, Thurs March 14, 1935 by Arthur G. Hurst, entitled “Early Cemetery is South of Circleville” we learn: “The first death in the community (of Circleville) was a Mrs. Brown, who lived on the place now occupied by Jim Cole. Sanders McComas picked out the cemetery and his brother-in-law Nat Boydston, gave the land. Mr. McComas’ first wife’s (that would be Laura Mary Heath) grave washed away in Missouri, hence I suppose he chose the hill overlooking what is now Circleville, and how appropriate it is.” There was a great flood of the Missouri River in 1844 when the Heath/ McComas were living in Platte Co along the river, but there were more children born before he remarried in 1847, so the exact year of Laura Mary’s death is still unknown.