Scan of the page with William and Elizabeth Mackey's Hair.
One of the wreaths was hair that belonged to Ruth Mackey - she
and her husband, Abram Felter, are buried in Greeneville Cemetery. The
booklet belonged to her sister, Emily.
Emily Mackey’s Hair Book (b. 6 May 1813; d. 28 April 1900; m.
George Turner). The booklet was hand-stitched together from sheets of
paper, folded down the middle and stitched by hand.
Note: All of the hair locks were braided into wreaths and tied with a ribbon.
All of them are a medium to dark brown unless otherwise noted. A number of
Mackey’s origins are in Greene County (Athens, Cairo, Greeneville, Coxsackie)
and environs
Mr William H. Mackey’s Hair My Father: It is true this flickering
pulse may cease, This frame sink down before me; Then may thine eyes be
closed in peace, but thou wilt n’er be forgotten by me (note: Will of Wm.
H. Mackey, executed by Orrin Mackey and Abram Felter, was contested by his
daughter, Sally Ann Mackey Ten Eyck – all three of the Mackeys have hair
wreaths in this book, as does Abram’s wife) [b. 1786; d. 1864]
Mrs Elizabeth Mackey’s Hair My Mother: That almighty power above
– has ordered with the kindest care – That an untiring mother’s love
– shall all our wants, our sorrows share. [b. 1796; d 1864]
Miss Sally Kelsey’s Hair My Grandmother (white locks)
Miss Sally Ann Ten Eyck’s Hair My Sister (dark strawberry blond;
note: b. 2 Nov 1817)
Miss Lovisa Mackey’s Hair My Sister Who departed this life April
the 11th, 1842 (very dark brunette) [b. 1826]
Miss Eliza Mackey’s Hair My Sister Who Departed this life January
the 23rd, 1844 (dark strawberry blond) (b. 1822; d. 1844)
Miss Ruth Mackey’s Hair My Sister (note: Ruth Mackey [1820-1896]
married [1847] Abram Felter [1820-1899] and is buried in the
Greenville Cemetery)
Miss Elmina Mackey’s Hair (ash blond)
Mr Charles Mackey’s Hair My Uncle who departed this life January
the 16th 1850
Miss Lucinda Mackey’s Hair My Sister (dark brunette) (b. 1824; d.
1853; m. Peter Edwards)
Mr Orrin Mackey’s Hair My Brother (b. 1829; d. 1894; m. 1859
Sarah Turner)
Mr Reuben Mackey’s Hair My Brother (b. 1837, d. 1895; m. 1866
Emma Peasley)
Miss Desire Holme’s Hair My Cousin (strawberry blond)
Mr William Kelsey’s Hair My Cousin (strawberry blond)