Mary Jane Ferguson Espley

Besides, John, who died at the age of 4, Mary Jane Ferguson is probably the child I know the least about.  She was born April 12, 1869 in Saratoga Township.  She is first listed at age 2 in the 1879 census with her family.  Next, she appears in the 1880 census at age 12 "in school".  She later went on to meet James Thomas Espley (born in England).  They were married October 1, 1891.  He was the son of James and Ellen (Phillips) Espley.  They had a daughter in 1896, but her birth place is not known.  Thomas (which is what he went by) was a coal miner.  The witnesses to the marriage were Minnie Gilbride and Will (her brother presumeably) Ferguson.  The marriage was conducted by the REv. Magner from the Presybertian church.  No marriage record could be found due to missing microfilm at the Morris Library.

We know Mary died sometime in 1895.  Her grave says Jan 29, 1895, but there are conflicting records regarding her burial and funeral home records.  Funeral records say February 2, 1895 and a death certificate cannot be located.  Cause of death was listed as consumption.  We also know from a probate record of Mary Steel Ferguson's that she has a child Mary Ellen Espley.  The death certificate is from Pendleton Lancaster England where presumeably Thomas and his daughter were visiting his parents because Ellen Espley is listed as the informant.  The child died August 1, 1897 and the year is listed as 3 years.  Mary Jane must have died very shortly after he daughter's death.  More research is needed into this case. A birth certificate for Mary Ellen Espley is a start and possibly restarting the search for Mary Jane's death certificate and probate record.

 This is just a guess, but this may be Mary Jane.  She looks like Isabelle, and its the first picture in the photo album owned by Aunt Lizzie Kay.  It seems fitting that her sister would be the first picture in the album. 

 I still feel this is a picture of the Ferguson family.  The far right one would be Mary Jane

 This is also a guess, but because this picture is from England, it could be Mary Jane and her daughter.  I need to find out what happened after Thomas and Mary Jane married.

James went on to Mary another and in his obituary (in 1917) mention of his previous family was nowhere to be found.