Her son Samuel’s “Memories”44 gives her date of birth on page 1 as July 9, 1854 and on page 3 as July 9, 1853. The 1860 census lists her as 5, which is more consistent with the 1854 date, and the 1870 census lists her as age 17, which is more consistent with the 1853 date. But since Thompson and Harriett were married in August 1853, the 1854 date is surely more accurate.

Her death certificate records Ellen Staton, age 69 years 10 months 14 days, born 9 July 1854 in Ky, died 25 May 1924 in Salt Lick, Bath Co., Ky, father Thompson Alfrey, mother’s maiden name Harriet Jones, both born in Ky, cause of death pulmonary tuberculosis, informant Wm Black, Salt Lick, Ky, burial in Jones graveyard.

1880 census of Rowan Co., Ky, precinct #2 (Licking and Cross Roads), lists as family #12:
Black, William, 25, works on R.R.; Ellen, 25; Minnie, 1. Shouse, Bunyan, boarder. All born in Ky.

1900 census of Fleming Co., Kentucky, district 2, enumerated 19 Jun, lists on p. 12A as family #233:
Black, William, 45, b. Apr 1855, Ky Va Va; Ellen, wife, 45, b. July 1854, Ky Ky Ky, married 22 years, mother of 8 children, 7 living; Elizabeth, dau, 18, b. Mar 1882; Mintie, dau, 16, b. May 1884; Sarah, dau, 14, b. May 1886; William, son, 10, b. Apr 1890; Christopher, son, 8, b. May 1892; John, son, 5, b. Aug 1894. All children born Ky Ky Ky.

Elizabeth, who married in July 1899, is also recorded in Rowan Co. with her husband James T. Fuller.