The second child of Ann Sweaney was born 31 July 1843 in
Tennessee (probably Lawrence Co.). She came with the Jeremiah
Sweaney family to Dallas Co., Mo as a child. She was living with
them at the time of the 1850 census. By 1860 she is living with
Ann and the other children.
She and Claybourne (Clay) McVey reared four children:
Rachel A., William M., Nancy E., and Orfea. They resided near
the Niangua River, east of Windyville. Clay was born 1 Jan 1825
in Tennessee, the son of Joseph and Rachel (Looney) McVey. He
died 23 July 1904 and is buried at Morgan Cemetery. Clay willed
his land to William M. (Bill) Sweaney.
Roscoe stated: Granny remembered the Civil War times.
There was talk of killing all the boy babies one year and she
took William and hid him. She took in a lot of kids and raised
them. She told of hiding and hearing muskets being cocked around
the house during the war.
Barbara married 3 Oct 1878 to Abijah Bennett (Bk B, 126).
He was born 20 Nov 1820 in Indiana, the son of Elizabeth Prow.
He was residing with Elizabeth and John Prow in 1850. He married
1st to Elizabeth Coon and (2nd) Nancy Dugan (dau of George W.)
the 1850 census shows him with Elizabeth, the 1860 he is with
Susanna b. in MO. and with a son John T., b. 1851. The wife's
name may have been Susanna Nancy. We know that when he
married Barbara he had four young children that she raised: Aborn
Andrew (Kimmy), Permela (Mealie), Artelus (Chelus), and Hela
(Heley) Bennett. The 1870 Census lists the children of Abijah and
Nancy as John T. b. 1852, America H., b. 1861 (male- Healy);
George A. J., b. 1864; Nancy M. P., b. 1866 (Permela); and
Archelus P., b. 1969. There were at least eight children in the
household at the time of marriage and then "Babe" was known to take
in orphans to raise, such as Mary Hawks.
Abijah B. Bennett died 3 Nov 1897 and Barbara died 3 April
1932 and are buried at Lone Rock where they had attended church.
She outlived Abijah about 35 years and was known for the care she
gave her many grandchildren and adoptees. Her children were:
