Notable Woman: Reumah Anne Wood Tatem

Occasionally I tend to focus on some of the notable women in my family history.  This is one such blog post, as this is the story of Reumah Anne "Annie" Wood Tatem.

First off, I want to state that this particular post is dedicated to the memory of  Annie's descendant, Joan Reumah Evans, who passed away last year.  Without her dedicated and generous research on Annie in particular and the Wood family in general, I would not be as far as I am with my own history.

Reumah Anne Wood Tatem, circa 1909, with granddaughter Willa Farber
Personal photo collection of the blogger

Reumah Anne Wood was born 14 January 1843 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Some sources later give her place of birth as Pittsburgh, but she most likely was born outside of what was then the city's limits in Saint Clair Township, which was south of Pittsburgh.  She was named for her paternal great-grandmother, Reumah Wood, wife of Captain Jonathan Wood.  Her father was Burris Doudney Wood, a justice of the peace and son of Abinah Belford Wood.  Her mother was Julia Anne Blackford.  Burris owned property at the time of  her birth in Saint Clair Township, but it remains to be seen if the family actually lived on the property.  The family did live in East Birmingham on the 1850 census enumeration.  That small town is now the South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Annie, as Reumah went by, was one of seven children.  Her elder brother, John, was my ancestor.  Her young brother, Burris, was the subject of another blog post on my elusive family members, as he disappears after 1893.  She was just nine years old when her father mysteriously vanished in 1854 (one day I will get to blogging about him), leaving her mother a widow with several mouths to feed.  The family lived in a boarding house in Birmingham and then on to Temperanceville by 1860, where the family was enumerated in the federal census.  Brother John was the main source of income at the time, being the eldest, but it is likely Annie did small chores and helped her mother take in laundry to make ends meet.

Thomas Martin Tatem, c. 1861-1864
Personal collection of the blogger

On 6 August 1861, Annie married Thomas Martin Tatem at Smithfield Street Methodist Evangelical Church in Pittsburgh.  Thomas was five years Annie's senior, and the son of Joseph E. Tatem and Achia Norgrave.  Thomas was a friend of elder brother John, and supposedly John introduced the couple.  Shortly after the marriage, Thomas went off to war, as he already was a private in Company A of the Pennsylvania 12th Pennsylvania Volunteers, but had been mustered out the day before the couple wed.  He reenlisted on 22 August 1861, and became a private in company I of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry and was transferred to 147th Pennsylvania Volunteers on 28 October 1862.

Annie and Thomas spent the first three years of their marriage apart as Thomas was away with the Union Army.  Their eldest daughter, Emily Achsah, was born in December of 1861, and Annie likely resided with her in-laws at 22 Cherry Alley between Second and Third Streets in Pittsburgh, as city directories list that as Thomas' address while he was away fighting.   The couple exchanged many letters, according to the aforementioned Joan Evans, and many of Thomas' letters to Annie began "My dear Annie."  Thomas remained in the Union Army for the duration of the war, finally mustering out as a corporal at Paces Ferry, Georgia on 28 August 1864 at the expiration of his term.

Upon his return, the couple took up residence in Pittsburgh for one more year, as Thomas was a letter carrier.  However, he had afflicted a condition during the war that affected his legs, causing him mobility issues, and the job was taxing.  The couple moved to Allegheny City, where the Wood family had taken up residence, and Thomas became the toll keeper at the northern tollbooth on the Sixth Avenue Bridge, where he could sit down all day, as he was relegated to the use of a wheelchair by this time.  The small family first lived at 55 Corry before moving into a rented home at 69 Ann, on the corner of Ann and Isabella Streets in the First Ward of Allegheny City.

Annie was known for helping her husband get up into his chair every morning for work, and for managing the finances so that the family could survive.

By the time the Tatems lived at 69 Ann, they had added two more daughters to their family, Jessie and Julia.  In 1870, son Thomas Martin jr was born.  However, daughter Julia died young, and the next two children, Anne and James, did not survive infancy.

On 28 December 1875, Annie bought the couple's first home at 35 Craig in the First Ward of Allegheny City.  The house was just a few blocks from their rented home, and was bought in a sheriff's sale for $2000 (about $47000 today).  Two more children were born to the couple while they lived here, daughter Edna in 1878, and a son that also did not survive infancy, born in 1879.  While the family lived here, Thomas had switched occupations from toll keeper to the proprietor of a tobacco and news depot located at 21 Federal, just a couple of blocks from his home and across from the Girard Hotel.  He must have become well known in the neighborhood, because in 1885, he was elected as Alderman for Allegheny City's First Ward.

That same year, the couple sold their Craig Street home for $2150 (over $61000 today) and moved to a home at 40 South Diamond, not too far from where Thomas held office at 40 West Diamond Street. He was known in local papers as "Squire Tatem the Peacemaker." It was at this home that Annie took care of her mother in Julia Wood's final days in October 1888.

By 1890, Thomas' condition became so severe that he was bedridden.  Family stories passed down and retold indicated that it was painful for him to get out of bed.  Annie worked hard to provide for her family during this time,  but still managed to surprise the ones she loved.  On Tuesday night, 16 December 1890, members of the G.A.R. post 88 surprised Thomas with a visit.  Annie helped to organize the event for her husband to be surprised by members of his G.A.R. post, as he had been unable to attend the meetings in some time due to his mobility issues.  It was written up in the paper.

Annie and Thomas moved about a great deal their final years as a married couple, moving from one rented home to another, even living for a time with daughter Jessie and her husband William Smith for a spell.

On 5 July 1903, Thomas Martin Tatem finally succumbed to the effects of  locomotor ataxia, the condition he had contracted as a result of his service in the Civil War.  He was only sixty five years of age, and left Annie as a widow at the age of sixty.  

Annie continued to live her life, being the strong woman she was, and took in her newly single daughters Jessie and Edna (Jessie had recently divorced her husband, and Edna's first husband had passed away) as well as her grandchildren.  They made their living by accepting boarders in their home, and by doing some housekeeping and laundry.

The Extended Tatem family, circa 1909
Personal collection of the blogger

On 29 December 1910, Reumah Anne Wood Tatem passed away from carcinoma of the uterus at the home of her daughter Edna (who had remarried) at 1887 Runnette Street in Pittsburgh.  After a funeral at Edna's home, Annie was laid to rest beside Thomas in Union Dale Cemetery in Division 1, Section S, Range 2.  She had buried her husband and four children, as well as her mother, but continued to be a strong vibrant woman who was admired by her descendants, and is still admired to this day.

Sources Used:

"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 April 2018), Indexed as Thomas Falen on Ancestry but is Thomas Tatem and family, Year: 1870, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 1 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1290, Page: 19B, and Family History Library Film: 552789; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 May 2018), Entry for William J. Smith and household Year: 1900, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 2 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 9, and Enumeration District: 0021; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 May 2018), Entry for Rumah Tatene and "Rumah Tatem" household, Year: 1910, Census Place: Penn Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1296, Page: 9A, Enumeration District: 0194, and FHL microfilm: 1375309; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 353: 61-62, North Star Building Association to Reumah A. Tatem, recorded 21 Jan 1876; FHL microfilm 8092385.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 509: 491-493, Thomas M. Tatem and Ramah Annie Tatem to Mrs. M. S. Price, recorded 4 March 1885; FHL microfilm 8036730.

Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2016), Year: 1850, Census Place: East Birmingham Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_748, Page: 37B, and Image: 80; Entry for Burris D. Wood and family.

Ancestry.com, "1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2016), Year: 1860, Census Place: Temperanceville Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1062, Page: 535, Image: 542, and Family History Library Film: 805062; Entry for Julia Woods and family.

Ancestry.com, "1890 Veterans Schedules," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 May 2018), Entry for Thomas M. Tatum Allegheny, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, The National Archives at Washington, D.C., Washington D.C., Series Number: M123, Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group Number: 15, and Census Year: 1890; citing Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M123, 118 rolls); Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 March 2018), Entry for Thomas M Tatum and family Year: 1880, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1086, Page: 63D, and Enumeration District: 003; citing Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Bates, Samuel P., History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865: prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, 5 Volumes (Harrisburg: B. Singerly, State Printer, 1869), 1, 119 and 476.

ibid, 4, 558

"Comrade Tatem, of Post 88, Surprised," Pittsburgh Dispatch (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 21 December 1890, page 12; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 April 2018).

"The Death Record," The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 6 July 1903, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 2 April 2018).

"DIED - TATEM," death notice, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 31 December 1910, page 7; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 May 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 332, “Tatem Thos M., soldier 147th P.V., 22 Cherry ay”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1865-1866 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1865), 346, “Tatem Thomas, letter carrier, Cherry ay bt Second and Third”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1866/1867 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1866), 373, “Tatem Thomas M., toll taker, 55 Corry, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1866/1867 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1866), 416, “Tatem T.M. Collector, 55 Corry, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1869-1870 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1869), 428, “Tatem Thomas M., toll collector, 69 Ann, A(llegheny)” also listed at same address is Annie, wid Thomas M.; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1870/1871 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1870), 457, “Tatem Thomas M., banker, 69 Ann ,A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1873/1874 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1873), 573, "Tatem Thomas M. toll keeper, 69 Ann, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1874/1875 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1874), 597, “Tatem Thomas M. toll collector, 69 Ann, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1876-1877 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1876), 601, “Tatem Thomas M., collector, 35 Craig, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1877-1878 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1877), 585, “Tatem Thos, toll collector, 35 Craig, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1878/1879 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1878), 610, “Tatem Thos N., collector, 35 Craig, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1879-1880 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1879), 604, "Tatem Thos M, toll collector, 35 Craig, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

Evans, Samuel M. Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the war for suppression of the rebellion, 1861-1865: roll of honor, defenders of the flag, attack on Fort Sumter, S.C., April 12, 1861, surrender at Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: s.n, 1924), 466.

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 31 March 2018), memorial page for Thomas M Tatem, Find A Grave Memorial # 8678696, citing Union Dale Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by William Bozic, photograph by texmexfla.

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 4 April 2018), memorial page for Mrs. Ruemah Anne Tatem, Find A Grave Memorial # 63333796, citing Union Dale Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by William Bozic, photograph by texmexfla and William Bozic.

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities 1881/1882 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1881), 738, "Tatem Thos M, tobacco, 21 Federal, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digitial Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1882/1883 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1882), 733, "Tatem Thos M, tobacconist and news depot, 21 Federal, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1883/1884 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1883), 770, "Tatem Thos M., 21 Federal A(llegheny)," also listed on page 969 under Tobacco and Cigars; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digitall Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1884/1885 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1884), 870, "Tatem Thos M,tobacconist, 159 Lacock, h 35 Craig, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1885/1886 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1885), 869, "Tatem Thos M, alderman, 40 W Diamond, A(llegheny), h 40 S Diamond, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1886/1887 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1886), 908, "Tatem Thos M, alderman, 40 W Diamond, A(llegheny), h 40 S Diamond, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1887/1888 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1887), 822, "Tatem Thos M, alderman, 40 W Diamond, A(llegheny), h 40 S Diamond, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1888/1889 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1888), 973, "Tatem Thos M, alderman, 40 W Diamond, A(llegheny), h 40 S Diamond, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1889/1890 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1889), 1025, "Tatem Thos, alderman, 40 W Diamond, A(llegheny), h 40 S Diamond, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pennsylvania, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1890/1891 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1890), 782, "Tatem Thos M, 330 Western av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1895/1896 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1895), 896, "Tatem Thos M, 21 Erie, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1896/1897 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1896), 937, "Tatem Thos M, 65 Alpine av, A(llegheny"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1897/1898 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1897), 952, "Tatem Thos A, 65 Alphine av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, Unversity of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 March 2018), Entry for Rumah Wood Tatem, died 29 Dec 1910, cn 123012; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1901 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1901), 1335, "Tatem Thos M, 33 Observatory av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1902 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1902), 1592, "Tatem Thos M, 33 Observatory av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1903 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1903), 1592, "Tatem Thomas M, 1764 Perrysville av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

Pittsburgh directory, 1909 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley,, 1909), 1499, "Tatem Rumah W, wid Thos, 1321 Sherman av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

Thomas M Tatem entry, Registration of deaths in the city of Allegheny, 1876-1907, volume 12: page 100, Allegheny County City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"Thomas M. Tatem, Sr., Dead.," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 7 July 1903, page 6; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 2 April 2018).

Voucher circular questions for Thomas M. Tatem, certificate number 347156, dated 5 July 1898; Photocopy provided by NARA in the pension file for Thomas Tatem and forwarded from Joan Evans to Kelley Wood-Davis via postal mail April 2011; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.