Mary Elizabeth Ping (1844-1915)

MARY ELIZABETH PING was born 9 March 1944 in Vigo Co., Indiana. She was the daughter of William Ping and Elizabeth Reid. In the 1860 US Census, her family are neighbors to the John Miller family, including son James David Miller, who later became her husband.

On 16 December 1861, Mary and Austin Thomas Higgins marry in Jasper Co., Illinois. They become the parents of 6 children, Emma Jane Higgins, Alwilda Ann Higgins, William T. Higgins, Mina Belle Higgins, Nancy Elizabeth Higgins and William A. Higgins. Austin died on 16 Jun 1869 in Willow Hill, Jasper Co., Illinois. Their last child, William was born after his death. Austin died of black lung disease after the Civil War and was a Union soldier. His best friend was James David Miller, who had been in the Civil War with him.

On 9 November 1871, Mary and James David Miller married in Newton, Jasper Co., Illinois. They become the parents of Albert J. Miller, Alphon M. Miller, Robert William Miller, John Thomas Miller and Margaret Elizabeth Miller. James and Mary move their family to Benton Co., Arkansas around 1884, prior to the birth of son John.

Mary died on 15 April 1915 in Bentonville, Benton, Arkansas. She is buried next to her daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Miller Ping in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Benton Co., Arkansas.
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RECORDS

1860 Census of Willow Hill, Jasper County, Il, found the Ping family living in dwelling #1372. Neighbors included sons Silas (30) and Thomas (27). Another neighbor was John Miller (60) and family, including son James David Miller (20):

William Ping 51 KY - Farmer
Elizabeth 49 KY
William 19 IN - Laborer
Robert 21 IN - Laborer
Mary E. 17 IN
Elisha 13 IN
Margaret J. 10 IL
Zeru E. 6 IL
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25 July 1870 census of Martin (Oblong), Crawford County, IL, found Mary (Ping) Higgins and family living in dwelling #1:

Mary Higgins 25 IN Keeping House
Emma 8 IL
Alwilda 7 IL
Minnie B. 4 IL
Elizabeth 2 IL
William A. 6/12 IL birthdate shown as 4 Jan 1870
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14 June 1880 census of Willow Hill, Jasper County, IL, found the Miller family living in dwelling #215. Also in the household were Mary's three daughter from her first marriage:

James Miller 39 IL OH OH Farmer
Mary 37 IN KY KY
Alwilda Higgins 18 IL KY IN Step-daughter
Minnie Higgins 16 IL KY IN Step-daughter
Nancy Higgins 12 IL KY IN Step-daughter
Albert Miller 7 IL IL IN
Alphon 3 IL IL IN
Robert 7/12 IL IL IN
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James and Mary Miller moved their family to Arkansas around 1884, prior to the birth of son John.
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22 June 1900 census of Dickson, Benton County, AR, found the Miller family living in dwelling #177. James and Mary said that they had been married 29 years and 8 of their 12 children were still living:

James D. Miller 12/1839 60 IL OH IL Farmer
Mary E. 3/1844 56 IN KY KY
Alphon 1/1877 23 IL IL IN Farm laborer
Robert W. 11/1879 20 IL IL IN Farm laborer
John 9/1884 15 AR IL IN Farm laborer
Maggie 10/1896 13 AR IL IN
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22 April 1910 census of Garland, Benton County, AR, found the Miller family living in dwelling #79. James and Mary said that they had been married 39 years and 7 of their 11 children were still living:

James T. Miller 70 IL OH IL - No employment
Mary E. 66 IN KY KY
Blanche Ping 3 IL IL AR - Granddaughter

SOURCES
www.millerinfo.net/genealogy