McCauley, Lanier, Hankins, Hopkins & Taylor Families

John Covey HOWARD ^1,2172

  General Notes:

John Covey's parents were listed in Knox County in the 1810 census so it is likely that's where he was born in 1806. Since Harlan County was created from Knox County in 1819, the family probably didn't actually move but were simply living in the part of Knox County that became Harlan.

John Covey Howard was married 3 times & had a total of 20 children.

According to Emma Taylor Hopkins, he was the Sheriff of Harlan County, Kentucky in 1867. He was also a farmer and distiller.

His first wife was Matilda Brock. They were married before 1828 and she was the mother of his first 11 children. It is unclear what happened to Matilda but she was gone before the 1850 census was taken. Several stories are told to explain her disappearance - (1) she ran off with a pack peddler [salesman] and never returned; (2) she went to the spring to draw water and never returned; (3) she was killed by Indians [this seems unlikely as very few Indians lived in Kentucky by the mid 1800's]. Some of Matilda's descendants think she wouldn't have willingly left and never contacted any of her children or her other family members. It is also told that she was pregnant at the time of her disappearance. John Covey divorced Matilda claiming she no longer lived in the area. The divorce was granted about 1852.

His second wife was Sarah Saylor. They were married between 1852 - 1853 and had 2 children.

His 3rd wife was Mary Morris. They were married in 1856 and had 7 children. They had been married for 43 years when John Covey died in 1899.

His son, Berry Howard, was tried and acquitted in the assassination of Kentucky Governor William Goebel in 1900. His grandson, Wilse Howard (son of Hiram Brock Howard) was one of the main figures in the Turner Howard Feud in Harlan County in the late 1800's.

  More Information:

• 1810 United States Federal Census, John Howard household, Knox County, Kentucky: John Covey appears to be included in the composition of his father's household as a male under 10. ²¹⁷⁴

• 1820 United States Federal Census, John Howard household, Harlan County, Kentucky: John Covey appears to be included in the composition of his father's household as a male age 10-16. ²¹⁷⁵

• 1830 United States Federal Census, John Howard household, Harlan County, Kentucky: John Covey's household consisted of 1 male <5 [James], 1 male 20-30 [John Covey], 1 female <5 [Mahala], 1 female 20-30 [Matilda]. ²¹⁷⁶

• 1840 United States Federal Census, John C. Howard household, Harlan County, Kentucky: John Covey's household consister of 3 males < 5 [Hiram Brock, Larkin & John Covey Jr.], 2 males 5-10 [James & Michael], 1 male 20-30 [unknown], 1 male 30-40 [John Covey], 1 female <5 [Nancy], 1 female 10-15 [Mahala], 2 females 20-30 [Matilda & unknown]. ²¹⁷⁷

• 1850 United States Federal Census, John C. Howard household, Harlan County, Kentucky: John Covey was living with his children: Mike, John Jr., Lark, Hiram, Nancy, Elizabeth, Mary, Tilda, and Jake. John Covey was listed as a farmer, age 45, born in Kentucky. His wife and the children's mother, Matilda Brock Howard was not listed in the household. ²¹⁷⁸

• 1860 United States Federal Census, John C. Howard household, Harlan County, Kentucky: John Covey & his 3rd wife, Mary, were living with his children: Elizabeth, Mary, Tilda & Jake and their children: Idress, Henry and Armenta. John was listed as a farmer, age 53, born in Kentucky. He owned real estate valued as $2000 and personal property valued at $1000. ²¹⁷⁹

• 1870 United States Federal Census, John C. Howard household, Harlan County, Kentucky: John Covey and Mary were living with their children, Idress, Henry, Sarah & Cindy and his children Jake, Berry & Ary. John was listed as a farmer, age 64, born in Kentucky. He had real estate valued at $1500 and personal property valued at $200. Their post office was Mt. Pleasant. ²⁰⁰³

• 1880 United States Federal Census, J. C. Howard household, Harlan County, Kentucky: John Covey & Mary were living with their children, Sarah, Cindy, Madison & Idress; Idress's children ELijah & Laura; and Mary's father, Littleton Morris. John was listed as a farmer, age 72, born in Kentucky. ¹³⁶⁷

John married Matilda BROCK, daughter of James BROCK and Elizabeth OSBORN, bef. 1828.²¹⁴⁶ The marriage ended in divorce. (Matilda BROCK was born ca. 1810 ⁸⁴⁹.)

John next married Sarah "Sallie" SAYLOR bet. 1852 and 1853.²¹⁷⁰ The marriage ended in divorce. (Sarah "Sallie" SAYLOR was born ca. 1815 in Tennessee ²¹⁸⁰.)

John next married Mary F. "Polly" MORRIS, daughter of Littleton MORRIS and Martha "Patsy" MARK, on 10 March 1856 in Harlan County, Kentucky.²¹⁷¹ (Mary F. "Polly" MORRIS was born ca 1830 in Watts Creek, Harlan County, Kentucky ²¹⁸¹ and died bet. 1910 and 1920 in Wallins Creek, Harlan County, Kentucky ^2182,2183.)

  Marriage Notes:

Harlan County Marriage Records show that J. C. Howard and Pollie Morris were married at the home of Littleton Morris by Justice of the Peace, L. H. Noe. Witnesses were Littleton & Patsy Morris.