Rowan Co. marriage book 1, p. 212, contains a license issued 28 May 1889 for Arabelle Bradley to marry Harison Kidd, with a consent note attached from Archibald Kidd, saying "I certify that I have raised Arabell Bradly from the time she was 2 years old and she is now 15 years old and wishes to bee united in mtrymony with Harison Kidd to which I have no objections. Her parents unknown the Clerk is herby autherised to isshue marage licens for her and Harison Kidd. Arch Kidd." The age of Harrison is not given. Surety on the bond is by L. P. McBrayer (who was married to Martha "Patsy" Kidd, Archibald's sister.) The minister's return in register A, p. 25, states that the marriage took place on 29 May 1889.
According to my great-uncle James Earl McBrayer, a grandson of the Lewis Parker McBrayer who married Patsy Kidd, and thus a great-nephew of Arch Kidd who signed the consent note, the Harrison Kidd who married Arabelle Bradley was Arch's brother. J. Earl says that it was somewhat of a scandal in the family that Arch raised Arabelle and then "gave her to his brother" when she was only 15 and Harrison was in his forties. But the 1880 census of Rowan Co. lists Harrison Kidd age 32, brother, living with John M. Kidd (another brother of Arch), and that census line has a mark in the column that Harrison died during the year. If he died in 1880, he couldn't be marrying in 1889. Either Uncle Earl was mistaken and there was a different Harrison Kidd who married Arabelle Bradley, or else the 1880 census has a mark in the wrong column. I should check the 1900 census of Rowan Co. to see if I can find Harrison and Arabelle there. |
