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William Douglas “Bill” Austin

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William Douglas “Bill” Austin

Birth
Grayson County, Virginia, USA
Death
1 Mar 1917 (aged 65)
Wise County, Virginia, USA
Burial
Wise County, Virginia, USA Add to Map
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William married Martha Jane Gilliam on Dec. 26, 1881. Bill was 30 yrs. old and Martha was 19. They had eleven children:
Ardelia, Hettie Jane, John Wilson, Sarah Edna, Mollie, Ira Stephen, Victoria, William Dewey, Jesse Martin, David Hampton and Hattie Mae.

Bill Austin was a farmer and a merchant. After closing out his store, he traveled by horseback on both sides of Cumberland Mountain selling books and tombstones. According to the standards of the time, he provided well for his family. With help from his children, a good supply of corn, vegetables, and pork were produced. After their mother's early death at the age of 44, responsibility of the home and care of the younger children fell largely on the shoulders of daughters Sarah and Mollie (then 17 and 15 years of age).

Bill was away most of the time. On the cold rainy morning of March 1, 1917, his riderless horse was found at the barn. Dewey retraced the horse path and found his father on the chestnut spur a mile above the Austin Family Cemetery. He was still breathing and Dewey threw a raincoat over him while he rushed back for help. When help arrived, Bill was dead at the age of 65 years. (source: Swindall-Austin Families of VA & NC 1622-1995, by Sutherland).
William married Martha Jane Gilliam on Dec. 26, 1881. Bill was 30 yrs. old and Martha was 19. They had eleven children:
Ardelia, Hettie Jane, John Wilson, Sarah Edna, Mollie, Ira Stephen, Victoria, William Dewey, Jesse Martin, David Hampton and Hattie Mae.

Bill Austin was a farmer and a merchant. After closing out his store, he traveled by horseback on both sides of Cumberland Mountain selling books and tombstones. According to the standards of the time, he provided well for his family. With help from his children, a good supply of corn, vegetables, and pork were produced. After their mother's early death at the age of 44, responsibility of the home and care of the younger children fell largely on the shoulders of daughters Sarah and Mollie (then 17 and 15 years of age).

Bill was away most of the time. On the cold rainy morning of March 1, 1917, his riderless horse was found at the barn. Dewey retraced the horse path and found his father on the chestnut spur a mile above the Austin Family Cemetery. He was still breathing and Dewey threw a raincoat over him while he rushed back for help. When help arrived, Bill was dead at the age of 65 years. (source: Swindall-Austin Families of VA & NC 1622-1995, by Sutherland).

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