Mary

Two maiden name theories are commonly found in circulation: Serginer and Pope. Neither has credible support in records. I believe that various researchers and myself have identified the origin of the Pope theory, and when taken with other extant evidence, we find strong disproving evidence for the theory than confirmation. We have not resolved how or where the Serginer theory originated. I saw it first in the Neal family history in an article by Jay Cox, without citations to sources. Some researchers have adopted the theory that she may be a daughter of William Serginer, a theory that at present has little confirmation, other than a commonality in migration pattern, nor have any records turned up to contradict it. However, this is more a reflection of the scarcity of records than of the evidence itself. Until more records are discovered, these two conjectured maiden names are not necessarily much more likely than any of the other surnames found among their peers. ----------------------------- The Mary Pope Theory: According to Frances Griffin of Salem OR, Dr. Beck wrote in the History of Bartholomew Co., IN, 1888, that Elias Cox (youngest son of Joseph and Mary Cox) used to speak of his uncle Pope and cousin-in-law Migneon Boaz. Because this was written while Elias Cox was still alive, it would seem to have some credibility. However, the same also states that Elias's mother (Mary) was a daughter of Elijah Pope, which evidence (below) indicates cannot be the case, so there is at least one known error in that account. Migneon Boaz married Sally Pope, daughter of Elijah Pope and Mary Davis. Dr. Beck's account would suggest that Sally Pope and Elias Cox are cousins, which would imply that Mary (-) Cox was either the sister of Elijah Pope (thus dau. of Pilgrim Pope) or sister to his wife Mary Davis (which can't be since they would both be named Mary. Plus, Mary Davis's father mentions only his daughter Mary Pope in his will). The natural conclusion from Dr. Beck's account would be that Mary is the daughter of Pilgrim Pope and Olive Surginer. However, evidence is against the theory that she was a daughter of Pilgrim Pope. Elijah Pope did leave an accounts book which is housed at the Indiana historical society, with names of his wife, children, brother, father, etc., but does not list Mary as a sister. Ruby has also located a "Deed by Heirs" in Rowan Co., NC, 1791, in which Elijah and Nathan Pope, "heirs of their honored father Pilgrim Pope", sold his 640 acre tract (which was adjacent to William Surginer). Mary, the wife of Joseph Cox, was living on that date, and she would have also been an heir if she was indeed his daughter, so she and her husband should have had to acknowledge the sale of the tract. There is no mention of her in that document. Ruby has also located the will for Olive (Surginer) (Pope) Dickson, widow of Pilgrim Pope, who would be the mother of Mary (--) Cox if the Pope theory were correct. The will was probated in Crawford Co., IN in May 1820, in which she names her two living Pope sons (Nathan and Elijah) as well as her Dickson stepsons (James, Daniel, Duglis, and Ellichander), without menion of Mary Cox. Note however that she ONLY names sons and step-sons. One of her daughters witnessed the will, but did not appear in it. Together the Elijah Pope accounts book, the Deed by Heirs document, and the will, all appear to indicate that Mary, the wife of Joseph Cox, was likely NOT a daughter of Pilgrim Pope (or therefore, a sister of Elijah Pope). This Pope parentage theory is repeated hundreds of times, but seems to be based ONLY on the Barth. Co. History comment, when in fact, that reference to "cousin" may not be a literal first cousin. I would urge other researchers to NOT spread the Pope "misinformation" theory further. Note: 1820 Census, Crawford Co., IN, lists Pilgrim Pope and Elijah Pope. No Cox or Surginer listed. Dianna L. Whitmer has Mary Pope, with death 14 Oct 1846 Bartholomew Co., IN on web page. Hanneman's 1993 "The Ruddick Family in America", p. 138, also states the Mary Pope theory, without further elaboration. --------------------- The Surginer theory: Given without documentation in the Neal family history. Ruby believes, without proof, that she was probably a daughter of William Surginer (the same who owned land in Rowan Co., NC, adjacent to Pilgrim Pope). I have no yet found the origin of the Surginer claims. According to Ruby, William Surginer was probably a brother to Olive Surginer who married Pilgrim Pope. They always moved together, and after Pilgrim Pope's death in 1790, William continues to make moves with Elijah Pope and his mother until they went to Indiana in 1815. BURIAL: !Tombstone: Reads: In Memory of MARY. Consort to Joseph Cox, who died Oct. 14th 1846, Aged 72 years". Located along Middle Road at Joseph Cox Court.

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