James W. J. L. Selby

b. February 1837
d. >1920

Alverta

b. May 1842
d. >1920

 

Children

Florence Selby, b. 1867
James Harvey Selby, b. Dec. 1868
Harry Selby, b. 1869
James W. Selby, Jr., b. Jan. 1870
Lulu Selby, b. 1874
Ernest Selby, b. 1876
Edith M. Selby, b. 1878
Carroll M. Selby, b. Dec. 1880
Pearl G. Selby, b. Dec. 1882

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • In 1845 James W. inherited an equal portion of his father's estate real and personal. [PG WB PC:282; MSA CR34,682]
  • The 1860 Federal Census shows James (22) lives with his widowed mother on a farm in Brandywine in the 4th Election District.
  • Pvt. James Selby served in Company B of the Weston's Battalion, Maryland Guard of the 21st Virginia Infantry (Confederate). He enlisted May 23, 1861 at Richmond (the same day as his brother Joseph), requested a transfer July 2, 1861, and was discharged December 8, 1861. [Fold3.com]
  • St. Paul's Episcopal Church records show that James and Alverdie Selby had a son (cetas 9 months), named James Harvey Selby, baptized on August 11, 1869. Possibly the boy was named after his uncle, James Harvey. [MSA Special Collections, M1350]
  • The 1870 Federal Census indicates J. W. Selby (33) is a dry goods merchant in the Seventh Ward of Washington, D.C. His wife Alverta (28) keeps house. Children are Florence (3) and Harry (1), both born in DC. Elizabeth Green (17), a black domestic from Virginia resides with them.
  • By the 1880 Federal Census James (42) has become a boot merchant and his wife Alvorda (37) is still keeping house in Washington, DC, but with six children at home or in school.
  • When the 1900 Federal Census was taken in Washington, DC, James (63) is a shoe dealer. Alverda (58) is at home with three of the children: James Jr. (30, shoe store clerk), Carroll (19, dry goods clerk) and Pearl (17); Alverda has born 12 children of which 7 survive. The household also includes: Samuel R. Wilson, a border and cabinet-maker; Danial (26, law clerk) and Cora Hastings; Marion (72) and Lelia Morse (35) are lodgers. James and Alverda have been married for 35 years and rent their home.
  • The 1920 Federal Census for Washington, DC, shows that James W. Selby is 73 and his wife Alverda is 67. Daughter Pearl (33) resides with them, as does a lodger, Walter R. Crecilius (21). James does not appear to be working, but Alverda is keeper of a boarding house, and Pearl is a bookkeeper.