James Thomas Selby

b. September 28, 1835
d. 1893-1900 at age 58-65

Margaret Ellen Coffren

b. April 1835
d. December 22, 1912 at age 77

 

Children

Margaret Coffren , b. 1860
Edward Coffren , b. 1861
Sarah (Annie) Coffren , b. 1864
Florence Coffren , b. 1867

Oden Selby, b. 1873
Iola Selby, 1878-1893

 

 

 

 

 
  • Thomas James Selby was baptized October 20, 1835 into St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Baden, but at Woodville. His parents are listed as Thomas and Ann Selby. [Church records, MSA Special Collections, M1148, pgs 30-31] His mother Ann may have died shortly after his birth, since he begins to appear in records as part of his uncle Jesse Selby's family.
  • In 1845 Thomas inherited $294.645 which with that "already received will make five hundred dollars" from Jesse Selby. [PG WB PC.282; MSA CR34,682]
  • In the 1850 Federal Census of Aquasco District Thomas Selby (15) is residing with Henry L. Wright, a 42 year old planter in Aquasco District No. 8.
  • During 1861-65 James may have served in Company B of the Maryland Guard of the 21st Virginia Infantry. Both a Pvt. James Selby and a Corporal James Selby are listed with the Confederate Army.
  • The 1863 "LIST of all persons of CLASS I, subject to do military duty" included James T. Selby, 30, a white farmer living in the Fourth District of Prince George's County, Maryland. [Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865, Ancestry.com]
  • The 1870 Federal Census for Croom in the Nottingham District lists Thomas Selby (34) as a carpenter residing in the household of W. S. Ryan (also a carpenter). No family is listed.
  • In the same census listed on the same page are neighbors Stanley (37) and Margaret (35) Coffren with their three children: Edward (10), Annie (6), and Florence (3). Charles Whitney (37), a shoemaker from New Hampshire, resides with them. In the 1860 Federal Census Stanislaus Coffren (27) is listed as a mechanic living with his wife, Margaret (22), and no children.
  • James T. Selby married Margaret Ellen Coffren on January 23, 1872 in PG. [Maryland Marriages] This would have been her second marriage.
  • In the 1880 Census for the 3rd Election District Thomas (45) appears listed as a farmer with wife Margaret (45) and six children: Margaret (20), Edward (19, a farm hand), Sarah (16, at school), Florence (13, at school) Oden (7, at school), and Iola (2).
  • Iola Selby, "daughter of Margaret E. and James T. Selby," died at the age of 15 on July 3, 1893. She lived with her family on Harrison Street in Anacostia in Washington, DC and is buried at Congressional Cemetery. [From CongressionalCemetery.org]
  • The 1900 Federal Census for Washington, DC, shows widow Margaret E. Selby (65) living at 441 Harrison Street. Two of her six children are alive and she owns her house free and clear. Edward S. Thomas (28), his wife Edith (24), and their two children rent from Margaret and reside with her, although they do not appear related.
  • The 1910 Federal Census for Washington, DC, shows widow Margaret E. Selby (75) living at 1741 Good Hope Road by herself. Florence is the only one of her six children surviving, and Margaret owns her house. [Did Harrison Street become Good Hope Road?]
  • Margaret E. Selby died on December 22, 1912 in Washington, DC and is buried at Congressional Cemetery. She lived on Good Hope Road in Anacostia and was the mother of Mrs. F. V. Swann. [From CongressionalCemetery.org]