She was born Josephine Belle Weems in Rains County, Texas to William L. Weems, Texas 1852, and his second wife, Sarah "Sallie" Weems, Alabama 1858. Of William's ten children, seven survived infancy. Josie was the fourth child and second daughter to reach adulthood. Birth order and names of these siblings are:
1. Alonzo F. "Lon" Weems, b: 1877 Texas, d: 1941 Texas (Son of Winnie May Patrick and Wm. L. Weems)
2. Eva Mae Weems (Blair), b: 1883 Texas, d: Texas
3. Charley Weems, b: 1886 Texas, d: 1932 Texas
4. (Josephine Belle Weems, b: 1889 Texas, d: 1923 Texas)
5. Vann D. Weems, b: 1890 Texas, d: Unknown
6. Minerva Z. Weems (Sayle), b: 1895 Texas, d: Arizona
7. J. Odis Weems, b: 1899, Texas, d: Louisiana
As an adult, Josephine was of very slight build and stood barely five feet tall with shoes on. She had pale skin, dark wavy hair and very dark blue eyes. Because of her petite physical stature and unusual coloring, she was schooled at home by her mother Sallie, who spoke only French. Josephine was devoutly Nazarene in faith and refused to cut her hair or to bare her arms or legs in public. Sallie Weems died before 1910 and as the eldest unmarried daughter, Josephine assumed homemaking duties for the family. In 1913 she married William Vining Boone "Bill" Slater, Texas 1893, as a well-dowried bride. Their fathers were men of integrity and friends who trusted each other. William Weems asked Daniel Boone Slater to serve as his bondsman. Daniel accepted the responsibility and pledged traditional dower as well.
Josephine and Bill Slater settled in Nolan County, Texas near his parents, Daniel Boone Slater and Nannie Elizabeth Bell Slater. Bill worked for the Roscoe, Snyder and Pacific Railroad and Josephine kept house. Five children were born of this marriage. Birth order and names of those offspring are as follows:
1. Twin boy, b: 1915 Texas, d: 1918 Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
2. Twin boy, b: 1915 Texas, d: 1918 Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
3. Willie Orlean "Willene" Slater, b: January 10, 1917 d: May 11, 1957 in Texas
4. Charles A. Slater, b: August 12, 1918, d: June 30, 1920 in Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
5. George Vining Slater, b: July 25, 1921, d: May 18, 1933 in Texas
In April of 1915, Josie gave birth to healthy twin boys, in January of 1917 she delivered a healthy daughter, Willene, and in August of 1918 son Charles, also healthy, was born. All four children thrived in early childhood, but shortly after Charles' birth, the three year old twins died suddenly of food poisoning. Then, in June of 1920, Charles also died of food poisoning.
Josie delivered a fourth healthy son, George*, in July, 1921; but during the year of 1922 Josie developed severe gastroenterological and neurological symptoms and died of massive organ failure on her thirty-fourth birthday, January 31, 1923. (Records remain sealed by State of Texas.) After inquest and autopsy, her remains were interred in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan County, Texas where son Charles had been buried two and a half years earlier.
She was survived by her husband Bill, son "G.V.", daughter Willene, father William L. Weems, six siblings, many nephews and neices and a very large extended family of Wemyss/Weems.
*Note: Josie's fourth, and only surviving son, George Vining "G.V." Slater, died on May 18, 1933 at the age of eleven years of toxic shock caused by food poisoning. Daughter Willene survived to adulthood, married and bore two children, one of whom is still living.
Sources:
United States Federal Census 1870
United States Federal Census 1880
United States Federal Census 1900
State of Texas vital statistics
Cemetery Records
Family Bible
Letters and Journals
* * * * * * *
My sincere thanks to Janie Healer Davis for constructing this memorial page for my grandmother, Josephine B. Weems Slater, and graciously transferring its management to me.
1. Alonzo F. "Lon" Weems, b: 1877 Texas, d: 1941 Texas (Son of Winnie May Patrick and Wm. L. Weems)
2. Eva Mae Weems (Blair), b: 1883 Texas, d: Texas
3. Charley Weems, b: 1886 Texas, d: 1932 Texas
4. (Josephine Belle Weems, b: 1889 Texas, d: 1923 Texas)
5. Vann D. Weems, b: 1890 Texas, d: Unknown
6. Minerva Z. Weems (Sayle), b: 1895 Texas, d: Arizona
7. J. Odis Weems, b: 1899, Texas, d: Louisiana
As an adult, Josephine was of very slight build and stood barely five feet tall with shoes on. She had pale skin, dark wavy hair and very dark blue eyes. Because of her petite physical stature and unusual coloring, she was schooled at home by her mother Sallie, who spoke only French. Josephine was devoutly Nazarene in faith and refused to cut her hair or to bare her arms or legs in public. Sallie Weems died before 1910 and as the eldest unmarried daughter, Josephine assumed homemaking duties for the family. In 1913 she married William Vining Boone "Bill" Slater, Texas 1893, as a well-dowried bride. Their fathers were men of integrity and friends who trusted each other. William Weems asked Daniel Boone Slater to serve as his bondsman. Daniel accepted the responsibility and pledged traditional dower as well.
Josephine and Bill Slater settled in Nolan County, Texas near his parents, Daniel Boone Slater and Nannie Elizabeth Bell Slater. Bill worked for the Roscoe, Snyder and Pacific Railroad and Josephine kept house. Five children were born of this marriage. Birth order and names of those offspring are as follows:
1. Twin boy, b: 1915 Texas, d: 1918 Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
2. Twin boy, b: 1915 Texas, d: 1918 Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
3. Willie Orlean "Willene" Slater, b: January 10, 1917 d: May 11, 1957 in Texas
4. Charles A. Slater, b: August 12, 1918, d: June 30, 1920 in Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
5. George Vining Slater, b: July 25, 1921, d: May 18, 1933 in Texas
In April of 1915, Josie gave birth to healthy twin boys, in January of 1917 she delivered a healthy daughter, Willene, and in August of 1918 son Charles, also healthy, was born. All four children thrived in early childhood, but shortly after Charles' birth, the three year old twins died suddenly of food poisoning. Then, in June of 1920, Charles also died of food poisoning.
Josie delivered a fourth healthy son, George*, in July, 1921; but during the year of 1922 Josie developed severe gastroenterological and neurological symptoms and died of massive organ failure on her thirty-fourth birthday, January 31, 1923. (Records remain sealed by State of Texas.) After inquest and autopsy, her remains were interred in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan County, Texas where son Charles had been buried two and a half years earlier.
She was survived by her husband Bill, son "G.V.", daughter Willene, father William L. Weems, six siblings, many nephews and neices and a very large extended family of Wemyss/Weems.
*Note: Josie's fourth, and only surviving son, George Vining "G.V." Slater, died on May 18, 1933 at the age of eleven years of toxic shock caused by food poisoning. Daughter Willene survived to adulthood, married and bore two children, one of whom is still living.
Sources:
United States Federal Census 1870
United States Federal Census 1880
United States Federal Census 1900
State of Texas vital statistics
Cemetery Records
Family Bible
Letters and Journals
* * * * * * *
My sincere thanks to Janie Healer Davis for constructing this memorial page for my grandmother, Josephine B. Weems Slater, and graciously transferring its management to me.
She was born Josephine Belle Weems in Rains County, Texas to William L. Weems, Texas 1852, and his second wife, Sarah "Sallie" Weems, Alabama 1858. Of William's ten children, seven survived infancy. Josie was the fourth child and second daughter to reach adulthood. Birth order and names of these siblings are:
1. Alonzo F. "Lon" Weems, b: 1877 Texas, d: 1941 Texas (Son of Winnie May Patrick and Wm. L. Weems)
2. Eva Mae Weems (Blair), b: 1883 Texas, d: Texas
3. Charley Weems, b: 1886 Texas, d: 1932 Texas
4. (Josephine Belle Weems, b: 1889 Texas, d: 1923 Texas)
5. Vann D. Weems, b: 1890 Texas, d: Unknown
6. Minerva Z. Weems (Sayle), b: 1895 Texas, d: Arizona
7. J. Odis Weems, b: 1899, Texas, d: Louisiana
As an adult, Josephine was of very slight build and stood barely five feet tall with shoes on. She had pale skin, dark wavy hair and very dark blue eyes. Because of her petite physical stature and unusual coloring, she was schooled at home by her mother Sallie, who spoke only French. Josephine was devoutly Nazarene in faith and refused to cut her hair or to bare her arms or legs in public. Sallie Weems died before 1910 and as the eldest unmarried daughter, Josephine assumed homemaking duties for the family. In 1913 she married William Vining Boone "Bill" Slater, Texas 1893, as a well-dowried bride. Their fathers were men of integrity and friends who trusted each other. William Weems asked Daniel Boone Slater to serve as his bondsman. Daniel accepted the responsibility and pledged traditional dower as well.
Josephine and Bill Slater settled in Nolan County, Texas near his parents, Daniel Boone Slater and Nannie Elizabeth Bell Slater. Bill worked for the Roscoe, Snyder and Pacific Railroad and Josephine kept house. Five children were born of this marriage. Birth order and names of those offspring are as follows:
1. Twin boy, b: 1915 Texas, d: 1918 Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
2. Twin boy, b: 1915 Texas, d: 1918 Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
3. Willie Orlean "Willene" Slater, b: January 10, 1917 d: May 11, 1957 in Texas
4. Charles A. Slater, b: August 12, 1918, d: June 30, 1920 in Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
5. George Vining Slater, b: July 25, 1921, d: May 18, 1933 in Texas
In April of 1915, Josie gave birth to healthy twin boys, in January of 1917 she delivered a healthy daughter, Willene, and in August of 1918 son Charles, also healthy, was born. All four children thrived in early childhood, but shortly after Charles' birth, the three year old twins died suddenly of food poisoning. Then, in June of 1920, Charles also died of food poisoning.
Josie delivered a fourth healthy son, George*, in July, 1921; but during the year of 1922 Josie developed severe gastroenterological and neurological symptoms and died of massive organ failure on her thirty-fourth birthday, January 31, 1923. (Records remain sealed by State of Texas.) After inquest and autopsy, her remains were interred in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan County, Texas where son Charles had been buried two and a half years earlier.
She was survived by her husband Bill, son "G.V.", daughter Willene, father William L. Weems, six siblings, many nephews and neices and a very large extended family of Wemyss/Weems.
*Note: Josie's fourth, and only surviving son, George Vining "G.V." Slater, died on May 18, 1933 at the age of eleven years of toxic shock caused by food poisoning. Daughter Willene survived to adulthood, married and bore two children, one of whom is still living.
Sources:
United States Federal Census 1870
United States Federal Census 1880
United States Federal Census 1900
State of Texas vital statistics
Cemetery Records
Family Bible
Letters and Journals
* * * * * * *
My sincere thanks to Janie Healer Davis for constructing this memorial page for my grandmother, Josephine B. Weems Slater, and graciously transferring its management to me.
1. Alonzo F. "Lon" Weems, b: 1877 Texas, d: 1941 Texas (Son of Winnie May Patrick and Wm. L. Weems)
2. Eva Mae Weems (Blair), b: 1883 Texas, d: Texas
3. Charley Weems, b: 1886 Texas, d: 1932 Texas
4. (Josephine Belle Weems, b: 1889 Texas, d: 1923 Texas)
5. Vann D. Weems, b: 1890 Texas, d: Unknown
6. Minerva Z. Weems (Sayle), b: 1895 Texas, d: Arizona
7. J. Odis Weems, b: 1899, Texas, d: Louisiana
As an adult, Josephine was of very slight build and stood barely five feet tall with shoes on. She had pale skin, dark wavy hair and very dark blue eyes. Because of her petite physical stature and unusual coloring, she was schooled at home by her mother Sallie, who spoke only French. Josephine was devoutly Nazarene in faith and refused to cut her hair or to bare her arms or legs in public. Sallie Weems died before 1910 and as the eldest unmarried daughter, Josephine assumed homemaking duties for the family. In 1913 she married William Vining Boone "Bill" Slater, Texas 1893, as a well-dowried bride. Their fathers were men of integrity and friends who trusted each other. William Weems asked Daniel Boone Slater to serve as his bondsman. Daniel accepted the responsibility and pledged traditional dower as well.
Josephine and Bill Slater settled in Nolan County, Texas near his parents, Daniel Boone Slater and Nannie Elizabeth Bell Slater. Bill worked for the Roscoe, Snyder and Pacific Railroad and Josephine kept house. Five children were born of this marriage. Birth order and names of those offspring are as follows:
1. Twin boy, b: 1915 Texas, d: 1918 Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
2. Twin boy, b: 1915 Texas, d: 1918 Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
3. Willie Orlean "Willene" Slater, b: January 10, 1917 d: May 11, 1957 in Texas
4. Charles A. Slater, b: August 12, 1918, d: June 30, 1920 in Texas (Records sealed by State of Texas)
5. George Vining Slater, b: July 25, 1921, d: May 18, 1933 in Texas
In April of 1915, Josie gave birth to healthy twin boys, in January of 1917 she delivered a healthy daughter, Willene, and in August of 1918 son Charles, also healthy, was born. All four children thrived in early childhood, but shortly after Charles' birth, the three year old twins died suddenly of food poisoning. Then, in June of 1920, Charles also died of food poisoning.
Josie delivered a fourth healthy son, George*, in July, 1921; but during the year of 1922 Josie developed severe gastroenterological and neurological symptoms and died of massive organ failure on her thirty-fourth birthday, January 31, 1923. (Records remain sealed by State of Texas.) After inquest and autopsy, her remains were interred in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan County, Texas where son Charles had been buried two and a half years earlier.
She was survived by her husband Bill, son "G.V.", daughter Willene, father William L. Weems, six siblings, many nephews and neices and a very large extended family of Wemyss/Weems.
*Note: Josie's fourth, and only surviving son, George Vining "G.V." Slater, died on May 18, 1933 at the age of eleven years of toxic shock caused by food poisoning. Daughter Willene survived to adulthood, married and bore two children, one of whom is still living.
Sources:
United States Federal Census 1870
United States Federal Census 1880
United States Federal Census 1900
State of Texas vital statistics
Cemetery Records
Family Bible
Letters and Journals
* * * * * * *
My sincere thanks to Janie Healer Davis for constructing this memorial page for my grandmother, Josephine B. Weems Slater, and graciously transferring its management to me.
Gravesite Details
Josephine's grave marker shows her birthyear as 1890, but notes written by her daughter Willene show the year to have been 1889.
