Julia Elizabeth Rice

Julia Elizabeth Rice (Baldwin)

Find A Grave Memorial ID # 61184746

Julia Elizabeth "Libbie" Baldwin, dau. of Horace Baldwin and Maria Wallace, was b. 1827 in Baldwinsville, New York; m. 1st JOHN BROWN. He died prior to 1867 and she m. 2nd, on June 26,1867, at Christ Church in Houston, Texas, with WILLIAM MARSH RICE. After the wedding, because Houston was enduring one of the worst yellow fever epidemics in its history, the couple moved to New York City, journeying to Houston only during the winter months or for business

This marriage was 'stormy' from the start, and in the 1890's, Elizabeth consulted an attorney regarding the possibility of a divorce. By the early part of 1896, because of her failing health, they moved to Houston and, on June 1st, she made her will. In this will, claimed by her attorney, she stated that they were residents of Texas (a community property state) and made provisions for her 1/2 of the Rice's wealth. After being moved to a hotel in Waukesha, Wisconsin shortly thereafter, she died "hopelessly insane" on July 24,1896 in Waukesha.

After her death and her will was read, William Marsh mounted a court battle to dispute his late wife's claims of Texas citizenship.

• 1867 marriage record: William M. Rice m. Julia Eliabeth Brown on 6/26/1867 in Houston.
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