Matilda was the daughter of David P. Childers and Elizabeth Jane Hopkins born in Tippah County, Mississippi. David was one of the early pioneers to settle the county arriving around 1836. Matilda married John McElwain in 1860 and he joined Company G, 34th Mississippi appears to have died of illness in the late fall, 1862 and is likely buried in an unmarked or unknown grave in Bardstown, Kentucky, where he had been in the hospital. In 1867, Matilda married William E Turner and relocated from Tippah County to Tipton County between 1880 and 1900. She died of congestion in 1909 and is likely buried in Covington, Tennessee (her husband's death certificate indicates he was buried in Charleston).4684

1860 Census of Tippah Co MS
Household Members Age
David Childers 51
Elizabeth Childers 45
Wm Childers 20
Paralee Childers 13
Nancy J Childers 11
John Childers 8
Amanda E Childers 3
John McIlwain 20
Matilda McIlwain 22

1870 Census of Tippah Co MS
Household Members Age
W Turner 22
Matilda Turner 31

1880 Census of Tippah Co MS
Household Members Age Relationship
W. E. Ternor 35 Self (Head)
Matilda Ternor 39 Wife
Nancy A. Ternor 9 Daughter
Eliza J. Ternor 7 Daughter
John T. Ternor 5 Son
Willis J. Ternor 1 Son
Charity Ternor 50 Mother
Betty Mahrely 20 Niece

1900 Census of Mason, Tipton Co TN
Household Members Age Relationship
Wm E Turnnes 56 Head
Matilda Turnnes 60 Wife
Jesey H Turnnes 18 Son