Betsy, also known as Elizabeth, was born into slavery in Maryland around 1837. She was eight years old when her family was sold to Foster Ray and taken to Lebanon Kentucky “for the use of him and his family.”
While enslaved she married Stephen Doneghy. They had several children before he left in 1864 to join the United States Colored Troops and fight in the Civil War. After slavery they remained in Lebanon, Kentucky. Stephen worked as a farm laborer and as a servant. Neither Betsy or Stephen could read or write. In 1870 their oldest son, Thomas was attending school. The younger sons at six and two were not yet old enough.
The following year, Marietta Ray Foster, the former wife of slave holder Foster Ray died and left bequests to some of her “former servants”, including Betsy. She left her $150. According to the inflation calculator that would be worth almost $4,000 today. There was also a bequest directing her nephew to spend $500 on the education of “Tim”, who I assume is Thomas. Thomas did get educated and became a teacher.
On October 4, 1879 Betsy and Stephen’s youngest son, Wesley, was born. Two months later Stephen died of unknown causes at home, unattended by a doctor.
In the 1880 census Betsy and eight of her children remained in Lebanon living at 144 Main Street. The children were Thomas (20), Samuel (17), James (12), Tinsley (10), Katie (7), Laura (6), Mary (3) and Wesley who was eight months old. The two oldest sons were working as servnts. Betsy was 48 and keeping house.
In 1893 Thomas died at 33 years old. By 1897 the family had relocated to Louisville, Kentucky – 67 miles to the north. Louisville was a destination for many leaving Lebanon. Betsy’s house at 815 Thirteenth Street was full. Three daughters, three sons, two spouses and three grandsons made up the household. Everybody was employed except Sam’s wife. There were two laundresses, two domestics, two cooks, a waiter and a coachman.
In 1902, the family address in the city directory, was around the corner at 1204 W. Madison. It was there that Samuel died of meningitis in November of 1901. Tinsley followed him in December dying of inflammatory rheumatism. Betsy herself died of senility on January 1, 1906.
Previous posts in this series.
Foster Ray – Slaveholder
Marietta Ray Foster’s Death and Will – 1872
Thomas Ray Allen 1847 – 1907
Agnes Primus
Clara Hoskins Green – Thomas’ Mother
A – ASSUMPTIONS