Family Group Sheet
NameOliver Perry Wells
Birth8 Dec 1825, Kentucky
Death5 Nov 1903, Menifee Co., Kentucky
FatherBenjamin F. Wells (~1802-)
MotherElizabeth Perry (~1802-<1880)
Other spousesElizabeth Downing, GGG Aunt
Unmarried
PartnerNancy Ann Downing, GGG Aunt
BirthMar 1833, Henry Co., Indiana
Death28 Jun 1904, Menifee Co., Kentucky
FatherDennis Downing (1801-1837)
MotherMary McCormick (1802->1880)
Children
2 MOliver Hazard Downing, 1C3R
Birth11 Nov 1859, Denniston, Morgan Co., Kentucky
Death16 Apr 1930, Menifee Co., Kentucky
SpouseMalinda Elizabeth Wells
Notes for Oliver Perry Wells
Most of my information on the family of Oliver Perry Wells is from Sheryl Warren, 4099 Sharon Park Lane, Sharonville, OH 45241. Her sources include an index to Menifee Co. KY marriages, the family bible of her grandfather, and something she noted as "Menifee Cemeteries" (I don't know if this is a book or if she is referring to a personal cemetery visit.)
Oliver Perry Wells was a volunteer from Kentucky in the Mexican-American War. He enlisted at Owingsville, went to New Orleans, LA, and from there to Veracruz, Mexico on the ship Palestine. In Sep 1847 after the battle for Mexico City, he returned to New Orleans in April 1848 before his marriage to Elizabeth Downing.
About four years after marrying Elizabeth, he began a relationship with her sister Nancy, who was at the time living with her mother and stepfather, Abe Ellington. Oliver and Nancy had two children together, born in 1854 and 1859. Around 1861 or 1862 he built a house for Nancy and their children next door to the house he lived in with Elizabeth. The children of the two families grew up together as siblings.
Oliver Perry Wells was a volunteer from Kentucky in the Mexican-American War. He enlisted at Owingsville, went to New Orleans, LA, and from there to Veracruz, Mexico on the ship Palestine. In Sep 1847 after the battle for Mexico City, he returned to New Orleans in April 1848 before his marriage to Elizabeth Downing.
About four years after marrying Elizabeth, he began a relationship with her sister Nancy, who was at the time living with her mother and stepfather, Abe Ellington. Oliver and Nancy had two children together, born in 1854 and 1859. Around 1861 or 1862 he built a house for Nancy and their children next door to the house he lived in with Elizabeth. The children of the two families grew up together as siblings.
Notes for Nancy Ann Downing
Nancy never married, but stayed with her sister and Oliver Perry Wells for several years, and had two children by him. After the birth of their second child, O.P. Wells built a home (the Banford McCoy house) for Nancy Ann and her two children.
Census Notes for Oliver Perry & Nancy Ann (Family)
1860 census of Morgan Co., Ky, district 1, enumerated 9 Jun, lists on p. 14 as family #81/79:
Abraham Ellington, 67, farmer; Mary, 55; Nancy Downing, 26; Mary, 24; Louisa, 6; Oliver, 6/12. All born in Kentucky.
Louisa and Oliver are children of Nancy Downing by her brother-in-law Oliver Perry Wells.
1870 census of Dry Ridge precinct, Menifee Co., Ky, enumerated 3 July, lists on p. 8 as family #51:
Downing, Nancy, 37; Louisa, 15; Hazard, 10. All born in Kentucky.
The preceding household is that of Oliver Perry Wells and Nancy’s sister Elizabeth. The next household is that of Perry and Elizabeth’s oldest son Benjamin.
Abraham Ellington, 67, farmer; Mary, 55; Nancy Downing, 26; Mary, 24; Louisa, 6; Oliver, 6/12. All born in Kentucky.
Louisa and Oliver are children of Nancy Downing by her brother-in-law Oliver Perry Wells.
1870 census of Dry Ridge precinct, Menifee Co., Ky, enumerated 3 July, lists on p. 8 as family #51:
Downing, Nancy, 37; Louisa, 15; Hazard, 10. All born in Kentucky.
The preceding household is that of Oliver Perry Wells and Nancy’s sister Elizabeth. The next household is that of Perry and Elizabeth’s oldest son Benjamin.
