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1810 - 1890 (79 years)

Loyd Rockhold and Jane Connor Rockhold Some History

Information from "Our Ancestors" by Dora Cox Mostert.

LOYD ROCKHOLD
1808 - 1884
JANE CONNOR ROCKHOLD
1810 - 1890

Loyd Rockhold was born 15 January 1808. In the Fall of 1827 he married Jane Connor, who was born 22 May 1810. They came to Carroll County, Missouri. I do not know where they emigrated from. They may have had some children before coming to Carroll County. Mary Jane, the 6th in the family of 11, was born in Carroll County, Missouri.

The children of Loyd and Jane Rockhold are:

BORN DIED
James C. Rockhold18 Nov 1828 8 Dec 1903
John Rockhold23 May 1830
Elizabeth A. Rockhold26 Jan 1832
Loyd Rockhold Jr.20 May 1834
Richard Livingston Rockhold30 Mar 183631 Aug 1926
Mary Jane Rockhold26 May 183830 May 1925
H.M. (Doc) Rockhold 6 Feb 1840in California
Elwysey A. Rockhold 2 May 184227 Aug 1873
Nancy E. Rockhold13 May 1844about 1877
William D. Rockhold 6 Aug 1847
Robert B. Rockhold11 Jan 1850

The children's marriage information is as follows:

James C. Rockhold married Mary O. Bunch on 6 May 1842.
Elizabeth A. Rockhold married a Maupin.
Richard Livingston Rockhold 1st married a West; 2nd Francis Smith.
Mary Jane Rockhold married John W.B. Cox on 23 Oct 1856.
Elwysey A. Rockhold married a Maupin.
Robert B. Rockhold married Sarah Iona Duncan on 20 Nov 1890.

Loyd and Jane later came to Mercer County, Missouri. From there they, or rather Loyd went to California to the gold rush. He got his gold but while he slept his partner stole it. Loyd was very angry but he borrowed some tools and worked until he had his gold again. He then came back to Missouri after his wife and family. He had intended to find his partner and get his gold back, even if he had to take it out of his hide. However, when he got back to Missouri he found that his partner had gone blind. He felt that was punishment enough so he just took his family and went back to California. I believe he made 3 or 4 trips before he settled there.

He made his home with his family in Shasta County, California, where he lived until his death. He died on 15 September 1884.

After his death, Jane lived with some of her daughters and other relatives for several years. I have a very nice letter that she wrote to her daughter, Mary Jane Cox. The letter is as follows:

Jan. 18, 1887

Dear Son and Daughter and Grandchildren:

It has been so long since I have written to you that I don't know hardly how to commence. I read the letter that Lizzie got from you and was glad indeed to hear from you again. Lizzie answered your letter and sent it off but about the time we had expected an answer it came back, she had directed it wrong. I have been down on Grand Island close to where Robert was at work. He came to see me every Sunday and through the week to when he could. He is well. I staid awhile with Nancy. They are all well but her. She is not very well. She has 10 children living and two dead, 7 girls and 3 boys. A girl and boy dead. Oh she has a very hard time, I think; and then I went to Mary Duffields and staid until I came up here to Riva Richman's. I have been here 5 weeks and have not seen Dock for about 2 years. He lives about 12 miles from here but has not come to see me yet.

I have written to him and sent him word several times and I don't know what he means. I guess he thinks he has enough to do to take care of his own family without being bothered with me. But I guess I'll live just as long anyway. For I have just as many friends as anyone and I'm treated well wherever I go. Mary Jane I want to see you very bad and if I was not quite so feeble as I am I don't know but that I would come to you. Yet my health has been very poor for about a year. Though I could not bear the idea of coming back there all alone. So I guess I will have to spend my last days in California. I will send Lizzie's letter to you in this. She has been up here all Summer but has gone back to her sister Delia's to go to school and to take music lessons, and is learning very fast. So hoping to hear from you soon I will close, With love to all. From your affectionate Mother.
Jane Rockhold, Pgo Shasta Co., Cal.

After Mary Jane Cox received the letter she borrowed money and sent one of her sons, Porter Cox I believe, out to bring her back to Mercer, Missouri, to Grandmother Cox's, where she lived until her death on 20 Jan 1890. She was buried in the Old Laughlin cemetery. Her tomb stone also has Loyd Rockhold's dates on it. I do not know if his body was brought back for burial in this cemetery or not.

Jane was very homesick for Missouri; and very happy to be back with her daughter, Mary Jane, and her family. I have been told that the Rockhold family were of Dutch or German descent. Jane Connor Rockhold was Irish.

Jane Rockhold had a good sense of humor and was independent but kind. A very hard working woman.
_________________________
Information from "Our Ancestors" by Dora Cox Mostert.

Owner of original	Found on Ancestry.com
File name	LOYD ROCKHOLD and JANE CONNOR ROCKHOLD.txt
File Size	4.79k
Linked to	Jane Connor; Lloyd Rockhold, II