Victoria Elizabeth Cunningham Bailey

Victoria Elizabeth Cunningham, March 18, 1842 – March 27, 1896, was the daughter of William Cunningham, Jr. and Mary “Polly” Montgomery Cunningham. She was next-to-youngest of 6 siblings: Maj. John William Cunningham, 1804–1879; Benjamin Franklin Cunningham, 1831–1853; Nancy Margaret Cunningham, 1835–1916; Michael M. Cunningham, 1836–1862; Victoria, 1842-1896; and August Belton Cunningham, c.1853–unknown.

In the 1850 census, Victoria is listed as age 8 and attending school. Head of household is her father, age 45, a farmer; his real estate is valued at $2,000. Her mother is 42. Living at the home are J. W. Cunningham, listed as a school teacher; Benjamin, age 19, listed with occupation as "student;" Nancy, age 15, and Michael, age 12, both in school.

In the 1860 census, Victoria is listed as age 16, not going to school, and working as a seamstress. Her father, age 55, is listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $7,800 and personal estate valued at $1,975. Living at the home is also her mother, age 51; brother Michael, age 21; and her sister "Margaret Prince," age 25. Margaret had married Baylis Prince at age 16; he died in 1859. Apparently, she moved back home after his death.

She became the second wife of William Clark Bailey, a school teacher and retailer; they were married September 19, 1865.

Victoria and William Bailey had five children: Henrietta “Etta” Bailey, October 9, 1866 – November 9, 1944, who married W. W. Burgiss; M. Estelle Bailey, July 2, 1869-1876, who died in a fire at age 6; Edgar W. Bailey, 1872-?, who worked at Cannon Mills in Charlotte, NC; his twin Edwin “E.C.” or "Eece" Bailey, 1872-1944, who became president of Greer Bank & Trust; Fannie B. Bailey Smith, 1875-?, who married Thomas Edward “T.E.” Smith; and Victoria E. “Bettie” Bailey Watson, 1878-1940, who married William Norman Watson.

In the Greenville News May 7, 1996, descendant Jean Bailey said she was known as “Miss Vic,” and she was a “brilliant woman” and “fabulous businesswoman.”