1900

The Successful Businessman

The Census Snapshot: The 1900 census reveals 65-year-old Ransom Hunter at what appears to be the pinnacle of his success. Still residing in River Bend Township, Gaston County, he’s recorded with a specific birth date – January 1835 – finally providing clarity on his true age. Most significantly, he and wife Maggie have been married for 9 years, dating their union to 1891.

A Multi-Generational Household: Ransom’s household shows a man in his prime with a growing family. Wife Maggie, 40, shares their home with three children: 10-year-old Torrance, 2-year-old Mena (misspelled as “Miner” in the census record), and 14-year-old Mary F. (Mary Frieda), who was actually Maggie’s daughter from a previous relationship with an unknown white father. This represents his most complete family unit, spanning three generations and showing Ransom as husband, father, and step-father during his most successful years.

Continued Carolina Roots: Ransom remained rooted in the same River Bend Township where he had been documented for decades, showing his deep commitment to his community and the geographic stability that likely contributed to his business success.

What This Moment Reveals: At 65, Ransom had achieved remarkable success. The specific birth date, stable 9-year marriage, and continued community presence all point to a man who had built something substantial. This census captures him during his peak earning years, with a young family that would carry forward his legacy.

What Other Documents Reveal: Ransom’s marriage certificate to Maggie Wells, dated October 21, 1890, confirms the census timeline – they had indeed been married 9 years by 1900. The marriage record shows Ransom was 52 when he wed 28-year-old Maggie Wells in Lowell Township, Gaston County. This document also reveals crucial family information: Ransom’s parents were Mike Johnson and Judie Hunter, while Maggie’s parents were George Wells and Elmina Wells.

The marriage certificate resolves the “1891” timeline discrepancy – they actually married in late 1890, making it 9+ years by the 1900 census. The document also shows another age inconsistency: Ransom listed as 52 in 1890 suggests a birth year of 1838, not the 1835 shown in the 1900 census.

Mary Frieda’s presence as Maggie’s 14-year-old daughter shows that Maggie brought a child from a previous relationship to her marriage with Ransom. According to family knowledge, Mary F. was mulatto, indicating her father was white – a relationship that occurred before Maggie married Ransom.