Eveline Allen's tombstone gives little away. The modest stone along the Chariton Cemetery's entrance driveway was placed soon after her 1881 death and in accordance with directions included in her will, "I wish a plain Marble Slab, not expensive. inscribed, Mrs. Eveline Allen (no more)."
There's actually a bit more, however, "Mother" in raised lettering across the top and the death date, 1881; and a bit less, "E." instead of "Eveline." It is identical in form to the stone marking the grave of her daughter, Hattie F., a young school teacher who died in 1872, immediately to the north.
A brief notice published in The Chariton Democrat of March 12, 1881, provides the circumstances of her death on March 6, but no biographical information: "Mrs. E. Allen, of this city, who fell upon the ice and injured herself so badly several weeks since, died of her injuries on Sunday morning. She was sixty-five years of age and had resided in this city for several years. The funeral came off on Tuesday afternoon."
What she did leave behind was a detailed will, written during 1874, that provides a little insight into her character, the belongings of a widow in modest but comfortable circumstances --- and into what she especially valued among them: her silverware carefully allocated among three of her four surviving children.
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Eveline, nee Carpenter and a native of Delaware County, Ohio, had been married there on April 19, 1834, to Harlowe David I. Allen, a farmer, mason and sometimes merchant, who died at the age of 52 on Nov. 30, 1862. They became the parents of eight children, two of whom died young.
Their eldest son, Heman, enlisted in Company G, 96th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but died of disease at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, on Feb. 12, 1863. While living in Chariton many years later, Eveline applied for the pension she was entitled to as his widowed mother and during November of 1879 received the retroactive amount of $658.57 --- a substantial chunk of change at the time --- and a modest stipend threafter.
The Allens' eldest daughter, Mary E., married Lyman S. Huntley on March 23, 1860, in Delaware County, but they soon were parted by the Civil War. Following his discharge in 1865 after distinguished service that earned him the brevit rank of captain, Mary, Lyman and their eldest son soon moved west to settle in Warren Township, Lucas County.
It would appear the Eveline and her other children --- Mattie, Joseph C., Hattie and Lucy --- came along at the same time or soon thereafter and settled in Chariton. Hattie died during 1872 and on Oct. 22, 1874, Eveline sat down to write her will, carefully allocating her belongings, including what for the time was a substantial collection of silverware.
At the time of her death six years later, Mattie and Lucy still were sharing the family home in Chariton, but Joseph seems to have moved on. Here's the text of the will:
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First, I direct that after death I be decently buried. Second, I direct that all debts (if any) be paid as soon as may be, also funeral expenses as soon as convenient. 3rd, I direct that the remainder of my estate personal and real be divided as follows:
First, I wish and direct that Mary E. Huntley or her heirs be paid as soon as convenient Fifty Dollars.
Second, I give and bequeath to Joseph C. Allen one Silver Watch now in his possession, six Silver Tea Spoons mark(ed) E. Allen, one Silver Sugar Shovel and the Commentaries on the Bible, one third the value of the Homestead when sold.
Third, I give to Mattie C. Allen three Silver Table Spoons, Three Silver dessert spoons, Six Silver forks, six Tea knives and forks with a half of the remaining Pictures after her own are taken and one half the Books in the Library with one half of the furniture belonging in the house and the Extension Table, Two Beds and bedding and when sold, one third the value of the Homestead.
Fifth: The House and Lot to be kept for a home for Mattie C. and Lucy E. Allen as long as they remain unmarried and should they both marry it may then be sold and the value equally divided between Joseph C., Mattie C. and Lucy E. Allen, but it cannot be sold as long as they need a home in it, they to pay the taxes thereon while they occupy it. Should they want it sold and if they can all agree to it, it may be disposed of and the proceeds divided as before stated. In case of the death of either, they will dispose of their share by Will and in case there is no Will, it will be given to the remaining ones mentioned.
This is as far as I recollect the whole of my effects and I will now say I appoint J.C. and Mattie C. allen as Executors of the same.
I wish a plain Marble Slab, not expensive. inscribed, Mrs. Eveline Allen (no more). All moneys on hand will be divided between Mattie C. and Lucy E. Allen equally.
(signed) Eveline Allen, Oct. 22nd, 1874.
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By the time of Eveline's death, Joseph apparently had moved along and so Mattie served as sole administrator of the estate.
The homestead most likely was sold soon thereafter --- Mattie and Lucy, both school teachers, seem to have been independent minded women interested in moving on --- to the Dakotas. Mattie remained single; Lucy married Stephen Wilson. Both taught for some years at Hot Springs, South Dakota, but were living in San Diego, California, at the time of their deaths during the 1920s.
What became of Joseph isn't clear. He was living at St. Joseph, Missouri, in the mid-1890s, but his name and date of death, Sept. 23, 1897, are inscribed on the tombstone in Galena Cemetery, Delaware County, Ohio, that marks his father's grave and also serves as a cenotaph for his brother, Heman. Whether Joseph was laid to rest there, too, I can't say.
And, of course, I have no idea what became of the family silverware, but it would be interesting to know if any of it still is in circulation.
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