Sarah (Holtzclaw) Adams Groom's second husband, Abraham Groom, died in late 1834 or early 1835. On February 4, 1836, Sarah married a widower, Moses McMahan, in Clinton County, Missouri. Abraham Enyart, Minister of the Gospel, performed the ceremony. Moses' daughter, Nancy had married Sarah's son, Feathergill, January 28, of that same year. Sarah's daughter, Rebecca, married James Groom, Abraham's son (and Sarah's stepson), on April 7, 1836.Legal actions resulting from Abraham's death included having a son-in-law assume guardianship of the Adams children for a brief time. Moses McMahan was appointed the guardian of Abraham and Sarah's two sons in December of 1836 (they were about five or six years of age by then). But for some reason, on June 5, 1837, James Groom, Sarah's stepson, was appointed guardian of Abraham's "infant heirs," Jacob Mitchell Groom and Joseph Groom, with Moses McMahan and Abraham Groom as his securities. James also assumed guardianship of the Adams children.
Moses and Sarah were very active in their community. From the history of the county, it appears that many of the early church meetings were held in the home of Moses and Sarah, and both were members of the Castile Church. The School and cemetery were also on their property.
What caused the terrible tragedy that happened in 1848, we will never know. Both Jacob Mitchell and Joseph Groom died. Family history related that they may have been poisoned. Jacob Mitchell Groom's estate was settled in Clinton County on April 19, 1848. There is no record that an inquest was ever held about the deaths of Jacob and Joseph.
Moses's health apparently failed in the years between 1860-1864. In February of 1864, Sarah went to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and James Groom. Apparently the families had decided that it would be simpler for them if they divided the responsibilities of their elderly parents.
The 1870 census shows Moses, age 79, living in the home of his son, David, in Hardin Township, Clinton County, Missouri. Sarah, age 76, is also living in Hardin Township, but with her son-in-law (and stepson) and daughter, James and Rebecca (Adams) Groom and their family. Also living with James is Elijah Adams, son of Feathergill and Nancy Adams.
The records of the old "Castile Regular Baptist Church," show that Sarah (Holtzclaw) Adams Groom McMahan died in 1871, and Moses in 1872. The burial site of Moses and Sarah is not known. One can only wonder if they are among the "one hundred grass grown and scarcely remembered graves" at the McMahan Cemetery. The life of our ancestress, Sarah, was truly one of a pioneer woman. She withstood childbirth, and the loss of two husbands. She made a home for her children, wherever circumstances led them. She married a third time, and carried on, raising her children and stepchildren. At least five of her ten children preceded her in death. She remained strong in her faith and commitment to God and her Church. We must thank her for her strength and dedication to family.
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