Her First husband was Tunis SPEARS. Second husband was Elezar SEARS. She had children by both of her husbands.


According to the Early Marriage Records of LaGrange County, Indiana, after Tunice died, Mary J. Spears married Elezar Sears. They had 5 children with three dying as infants. The two living were Major and Emma Sears.

1850 United States Federal Census about Mary J. Spears in Springfield, Lagrange, Indiana
Birth Place: Ohio; Age: 31; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1819; Gender: Female
Household Members: Tunis Spears 38, Mary J Spears 31; Anna M Spears 14; Matilda Spears 13; Mary E Spears 10; John R Spears 8; William T Spears 6; Betsey P Spears 4; Lucy J Spears 1

1860 United States Federal Census about Mary Sears Springfield, Lagrange, Indiana
Age in 1860: 41; Birth Year: abt 1819; Birthplace: Ohio; Gender: Female; Post Office: Brushey Prairie
Household Members: Eleazer Sears 60; Mary Sears 41; John Spears 18; William Spears 16; Betsey Spears 14; Lucy Spears 11; Major Spears 2; Emma Spears 4.12; George Sears 24

1870 US Census Springfield twp., LaGrange Co., Indiana for Mary Sears Family
She is living by John Spears and his family and Ezra Sears and his family
Major Sears - born abt 1858 in Indiana
Emma Sears - born abt 1860 in Indiana
Lucy age 26 years born in Indiana

InIndiana at birth of Matilda by 1837



I think these are Mary J. Scoville's brothers or cousins

Samuel W. Scoville and his wife were the second family to settle in Richland Township, coming in October, 1837. They settled on section 31, where they now live, the oldest resident settlers of the township, Robert Jackman, the first settler, having no representative here. Mr. Scoville was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., July 10, 1815, a son of David and Sally (Sutherland) Scoville, the former, a native of Connecticut, died in Onondaga County in 1847, aged sixty years, and the latter, of New York, died in 1880, aged eighty-four years. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mrs. Rosamond M. (Thompson) Scoville was born in Madison County, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1817. Her father died in that county aged fifty-nine years, and her mother subsequently came to Steuben County and died at the residence of her daughter, aged sixty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Scoville were married March 15, 1837, and came the same year to Steuben County, entering 160 acres of land, of which he has made a fine home. He also owns thirty acres on section 32. When seventeen years of age he learned the tailor's trade at which he worked ten years. He took an active part in the organization of the township and served several years as Trustee. He was County Auditor from 1856 till 1860; has served as Deputy Sheriff and Deputy Recorder, and also held commissions as Notary Public from the following Governors: Oliver P. Morton for four years from Jan. 23, 1861; Oliver P. Morton for four years from May 8, 1865; Conrad Baker for four years from Sept. 15, 1870; Thomas A. Hendricks for four years from April 5, 1875; James D. Williams for four years from April 5, 1879. Before the repeal of the Missouri Compromise he was a Democrat, but became active in the organization of the Republican party in this county. Although he has reached the allotted threescore and ten years he is still possessed of as much vigor and strength as most men of fifty years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Scoville are firm believers in the goodness of God toward all mankind, and in the faith that all will, through his goodness, be finally numbered among his people. In their home a genuine hospitality abounds and stranger and friend alike find a hearty welcome. Their son, James W., born Sept. 13, 1838, was the first white child born in the township. He is now in the mercantile trade in Cherokee County, Ala. Their second son, William T., died in infancy. Of their other children, Laura is the wife of George W. Twichell; Cornelia, of Henry S. Ball; Ella M., of Jerome B. Cheney, and Charley F., a promising young man, is at home. - From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana, pages 866-867

William D. Scoville was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Oct. 27, 1822, a son of David and Sally Scoville. He lived with his parents till twenty-two years of age, on a farm, and has always followed agricultural pursuits for a livelihood. In 1854 he settled on his present farm on section 19, Richland Township, where he has eighty acres of choice land, all of the improvements having been made by him. He was married Oct. 27, 1849, to Clarissa Sheffel, who was born May 21, 1829, and died Jan. 12, 1862, leaving two children -- Leonard, now of Labette County, Kas., and William W., at home. Dec. 23, 1862, he married Julia Ann Trowbridge, who was born Dec. 29, 1840. She died Dec. 21, 1869, and also left two children -- Clarissa E., of Richland, and Elzena J., at home. Feb. 12, 1871, he married Mrs. Mary F. Watkins, a native of Huron County, Ohio, born Feb. 8, 1839, daughter of DeWitt and Lydia Hicks, early settlers of Stafford Township, DeKalb County, Ind., where the father died in 1846 and the mother in 1863. They have had five children -- Mattie F. and Myrtie E., twins, born Jan. 28, 1872; Ernest E., born October, 1876, died January, 1877; Frank D. and Fred S., twins, born Jan. 10, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Scoville are members of the Disciples church and are among the most prominent and respected citizens. - From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana, page 867