Another Tale of Love and Marriage

Seraphna

Seraphna's story has everything; love, war, tragedy and more. 

This is the story of my great great grandmother, Seraphna Collins Murphy Leonard. There is so much about her story that I can not help but identify with, but that is for another post. 

Seraphna was born on February 28, 1842 to James T. Collins and Mariah Cope in Franklin County, North Carolina. From Census Records we know that she was the oldest of eight children and could read and write. (Can you just imagine all the different spellings of her name that I have come across?)

On March 5, 1863 Seraphna married James G. Murphy (AKA Jim - J.G. Murphy). She was 21. We know what was happening at that time in our country's history. Civil War! James was 22 when he enlisted on May 20, 1861 as a private in Company G North Carolina 15th Infantry. He reported for duty in June. Before reporting he did what most men did, he wrote his will. After three months of marriage Jim left. 

Jim was reported missing in October in a Raleigh newspaper. Can you imagine the anguish she felt when she saw this notice.

 

Later it was confirmed that Jim died at Bristoe Station, Virginia on October 14, 1863.

After just seven months of marriage, Seraphna was a widow.

Family lore tells a story that Seraphna shot a deserter through the front door when he came onto the porch and threatened her. We will never know if this story is true or not but if it is, she was a courageous woman. 

Seraphna inherited Jim's property but that would lead to more troubles in the future - a story for another post. 

After the war, Seraphna married again. She married my great great grandfather William Henry Leonard on January 29, 1868. William Henry also served in Company G and enlisted the same day that James G. Murphy did. On a future post I will tell you about the time he served.

This is William Henry Leonard

This is their marriage record

William and Seraphna were married at the home of her father James Collins.

I need to stop for a moment and tell you that as a very young child, I remember going upstairs at Aunt Delta;s house and just being fascinated with Seraphna's dress. I am pretty sure it is the same dress that she is wearing in her picture. It was her wedding dress. Unfortunately the dress is gone now. 

William and Seraphna would have two sons; Henry Lee Leonard and William Payton Leonard.

William Payton is my great grandfather. 

William Henry would pass away on October 26, 1886 leaving Seraphna a widow once again. Seraphna would live until May 22, 1898.

William Henry and Seraphna are buried in the Larkin Leonard Cemetery on the J.B. Leonard road in Franklin County. After his death, his son,William Payton, applied for a special marker, a US Headstone of a Veteran.

This is what is left of Seraphna and William Henry's gravestones.

There is much more to the story but I will save that for another post. 

I would like to thank cousin Donnie Leonard for walking me through snake infested tall grass and brush to see the graves back in 1980!! Thanks Donnie!!

I would also like to thank cousin Gerald Leonard for all the pictures, sharing his research and keeping me straight! Thanks Gerald!!

Watch for my next post, "Another Tale of Love and Marriage #2"

Thanks for stopping by!