Although the source for the popularity of the name "Silas" at any given time is still unknown, there are three particular men of that name that drew my interest. Historically, it is believed to be Latin meaning "wood or forest" and stems from the name Silvanus (who accompanied St. Paul).
Three Silas Hudson men include a man from Rappahannock Co., Virginia, one from Culpeper Co., Virginia and one who hailed from a family in Franklin Co., Virginia. The first two are believed to be related and the third appears to hail from an entirely different Hudson group.
Silas B. Hudson, born ca1834, Culpeper Co., Virginia
This man is found on the 1850 census of that county in the home of Moses and Lucy White Hudson. Moses was a son of David Hudson Jr. and wife Elizabeth Gentry Hudson. He is found there as well in the 1860 amid apparent siblings: Lucy D., Valentine, Angeline, Herbert W., Victoria T. and in 1860 a possible wife named Helen. There are records of a Silas Hudson involved in the Civil War and it may be that he used his middle name (Beverly, Burrell, Barnett, Benjamin, and others have been suggested based on other names found in the broader Hudson tree). It is possible he was a causality of that conflict but again, no clear record brings into focus what happened post the 1860 census.
Spouse: Based on the 1860 census possibly a woman named Helene or Helen.
Silas B. Hudson, born July 1834, Rappahannock Co., Virginia
This man is listed on the 1850 census of the county with a Thomas Hudson and a much younger woman (implied wife) named Sarah Hudson. Also, in the home, is a sister named Tennessee E. Hudson This man is in a record for a marriage in Culpeper Co., Virginia (just next door to Rappahannock Co.) to a daughter of a local minister, Martha Ann Read. On the 1860 census, this couple is found in Boone Co., Missouri as a young family including Silas B., Marth, Ida, and Virginia Hudson. Note this 1860 census shows no more Silas in Rappahannock Co., Va but the Silas in Culepper Co., Va is still with the Moses Hudson group. In 1870, an aged Thomas will be found in the home of a married daughter in the county. In 1870 in Howard Co., Missouri the Civil War is over and the family had grown to include Silas, Martha, Lilly, Mary M, and Willie. The family is found the same location in 1880 and 1900 census records. Although no grave has been found for Silas, there is one for Martha in Howard Co., Mo and this line affirms a 1908 death date for Silas B. Hudson.
Spouse: Martha Ann READ
, daughter of Rev. Howard C. Read
Silas S. Hudson , born ca 1823-1827 (records vary), Franklin Co., Virginia
This man was born to James Hudson, son of Grief Hudson, son of Peter and Mourning Griffin Hudson (primarily the Halifax Co., Va areas). Most records indicate all ten children of James Hudson were born in Franklin Co., Va. He is found on the 1860 Calloway Co., Missouri census and marries there 23 Nov 1869 Ann Alexandria Collier (?). He remains on the census for 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 when he dies on Oct. 6. His children include Ledru Dean Hudson,, Carl E. Hudson, Mattie Hudson, Stella Hudson, Wm T. Hudson, Lee C. Hudson, E.V. Hudson, Mary Hudson, Albert S. Hudson... The "S" in the middle name is derived from a death certificate of one of his children. It serves to designate this man among the other Silas Hudson's.
Spouse: Possibly a first wife in the time from 1850 to 1869. 22 Nov. 1869 md Ann Alexandria CALLISON.
