89-year-old: I'm a Civil War widow

[Ruby Romaine]

Ark. woman says she kept marriage a secret
June 16, 2004

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- News reports that the last widow of a Civil War soldier had died last month in Alabama prompted relatives of an Arkansas woman to verify her claims, kept private for decades, that her late husband also was a veteran of that conflict.

Now the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) recognizes Maudie Hopkins as a surviving widow of a Civil War soldier -- and the group says there may be others like her still alive.

http://www.freep.com/news/nw/widow16_20040616.htm

[Richardo]

1. So she was the 15 year old bride of an 85-year old CW vet?

Let make some assumptions (I have NOT read the article.):

She's 89 years old. Born in 1914 at the earliest (if she hasn't had her birthday this year).

If wed at 15 years old (!), wedding was in 1929.
If husband was 16 years old in 1860, he was born in 1844.
Husband would have been 85 in 1929.

Is the math correct?

[Corkey Mineola]

3. yea,,, there is a math problem!

i overlooked that the first time.
Hmmmm she'd have to be 150 some years old.
Arkansas isn't known for its math scores... just kidding.

[peekaloo]

4. married in '34, he was 86 she was 19

[FloridaPat]

5. Add 4 years to the husbands brith date - he could have been in

at the end of the conflict. I also believe that children could get married at 12 back then.

[Richardo]

6. Yeah I s'pose...

...still kinda weird.

[Ruby Romaine]

7. the math looks correct to me!

widow born in 1915-married in 1934 age 19
veteran born in 1848 -in the war from 1864-1865 (?) age 16-17
age 86 when married in 1934

[Corkey Mineola]

2. Very Cool!

Thanks for sharing this. I bet she has some great stories to share. :bounce: Eve if they are all MADE UP!