Life History

Other facts

Notes

• A census record in Bolivar County, Mississippi may be a record forAndrew Jackson Dempsey.  The age matches our Andrew Jackson Dempseywho lived later in Arkansas County, A.  One discrepancy is that thisrecord reports Andrew as born in Arkansas, rather than Mississippi, aslater Arkansas censuses report.  But James C Dempsey, who is likelyhis brother, was born in Mississippi.
  
  1850 Federal Census, Bolivar County, Mississippi, 9 November, BolivarDistrict, scan p 382, Hse/Fam #73
  Benjamin Perryman 71 M Farmer  Tennessee [born abt 1779]
  Mary Rachel Perryman 50 F Kentucky [born abt 1800]
  Albert Smith 30 F Laborer Kentucky [born abt 1820]
  Mary E Smith 18 F Mississippi [born abt 1832]
  Rachel Smith 17 F Mississippi [born abt 1833]
  Andrew Demsy 26 M Laborer Arkansas [born abt 1824]
  James C Demsy 22 M No Occupation Mississippi [born abt 1828]
  
  This census does not report the family relationships of individuals.Looking at the configuration of this household, I would guess thatMary E Smith is the daughter of Ben and Mary Perryman, and Albert herhusband.  Andrew and James are likely brothers.  It would appear thatAndrew is working for Mr Perryman on the farm.  I have found noearlier information on Andrew Jackson Dempsey's parents or family toconfirm this fraternal relationship with James.
  
  1870 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 2 July, PrairieTownship, PO St Charles, page 13, Hse/Fam #98
  Dempsey, Jackson  47 M W Farmer $300 Personal  b Mississippi
  Dempsey, Mary 16 F W Keeping House born Mississippi  Cannot read orwrite
  Dempsey, Jackson 12 M W born Mississippi  Cannot read or write
  
  In 1880, Jack is living with his sister Mollie (Mary) Henderson, nextdoor to a family named Vanderford, with whom their father AndrewJackson Dempsey is living and working.
  
  1880 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 3 June, PrairieTownship, District 2, page 21 (scan p15C), Hse #24, Fam #28
  John Henderson  W M 21 (Head) Farmer AR MS AL
  Mollie Henderson  W F 25 Wife Keeping House MS MS MS
  M J Henderson  W F 19 Sister Single AR MS AL
  Jack Dempsey W M 23 Bro-in-law Single Farming MS MS MS  [born abt1857]
  Wilfred Hargraves W M 6 1/2 Bro Single AR AL AL
  
  1910 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 26 May, PrairieTownship, District 13, page 11A, River Division, Hse/Fam #17
  Midleton, Andy Head M W 50 Widow US Unknown Unknown Fisherman Owns
  Dempsie, Jack Head M W 40 Married 23 years AR IL IL Fisherman Owns[born abt 1870]
  Dempsie, ---  Wife M W -- Married 23 yrs 6 children/3 living AR MS US
  Dempsie, Roc Son M W 20 Single AR AR AR Fisherman [born abt 1890]
  -- page11B --
  Dempsie, ---  Dau F W 10 Single AR AR AR [born abt 1900]
  Dempsie, ---  Dau F W 5 Single AR AR AR [born abt 1805]
  Portwood, Andrew Boarder M W 35 Single US US US Fisherman
  
  At one time I thought Roc was the son of Jackson Dempsey, born in1858.  The I found this 1910 census, indicatnig that Roc's fatherJackson reported as age 40 was born about 1870!  Yet in 1930 Roc'sfatehr Jack is reported as 72, a gain of 30 years in 20!.  Alltheother census ages make him born abotu 1858.  So for soome reason, Jackwas reproted as abotu 10 or 11 years younger than he was!
  
  In 1910 Jack and his family are living on the White River.  Everyonein this division of Praire Township are fishermen.  Note that bothAndy Midleton and Jckson Dempsie are reproted as Head of thishousehold and owners of their home.  For some odd reason, theenumerator has recorded no first name for the Jack's wife or his twodaughters.  By 1930, Roc has married, they have moved inland and he isnow raising cotton.
  
  1930 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 12 April, PrairieTownship, District 24, page 3B, Public Road, Hse #51, Fam #52
  Dempsey, Roc (Roe?) Head Rents M W 42 Married at age 30  AR MS ARCotton Farmer
  Dempsey, Josie F W 30 Married at age 18  AR AR AR
  Dempsey, Harrison Son M W 11 AR AR AR
  Dempsey, Thelmer (Thomas?) Son M W 9 AR AR AR
  Dempsey, Elvis Son M W 7 AR AR AR
  Dempsey, Jack Father M W 72 Widowed  MS MS MS [born abt 1858]

Sources

• 1. 1930 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 12 April, Prairie Township, District 24, page 3B, Public Road, Hse
• 2. 1870 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 2 July, Prairie Township, PO St Charles, page 13, Hse/Fam #98
• 3. 1880 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 3 June, Prairie Township, District 2, page 21 (scan p15C), Hse #24,
• 4. 1910 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 26 May, Prairie Township, District 13, page 11A, River Division, River
• 5. 1910 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 26 May, Prairie Township, District 13, page 11A, Hse/Fam #17