Wordy Wednesday

More Coon Hunting Harris C.

Researching the maternal Coon line has been relatively easy given that most of the siblings of Clifton Columbus Coon stayed in the Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Mississippi and surrounding area. Clifton’s father Edward Zachariah Thomas Coon was born in Brookhaven and died in that area. Edward’s father John Lewis Coon was born there and died in Lincoln County. Bits of information discovered while researching the Coons is humorous at times and sad at other times; however, the information gives a glimpse into the lives of the Coon family. 

Analyzing census records and the information for a family reveals information that individual family members most likely didn’t know future generations would be reading. Recently I was looking at the census for Harris C. Coon, brother of Clifton C. Coon. On the 1900 Beat 1, Lincoln County, Mississippi census Harris’ father had remarried after the death of his first wife Jane. His wife was A. Colferna Coward widow. While researching Colferna, the records show she was married to Elijah Coward. Colferna had a fourteen-year-old daughter H. Nancy Coward listed on the 1900 Beat 1 Lincoln County census with Z T Edward Coon and A. Colferna his spouse. After analyzing the information on this census the conclusion is that Harris C. Coon married his step-sister.

Harris and Nancy’s four children were all born in Lincoln County, Mississippi. The death of Nancy is unknown; however, the last record that she was listed on was the 1914 Brookhaven, Mississippi City Directory where she is listed with her spouse Harris C. Coon. Then, by the 1920 census taking Harris is fifty years old, living on Rodgers Road, New Courthouse, Lincoln County with his children Eva M. age seventeen, Ruth age fourteen, Lillian age twelve, and Bernard age ten. It is stated on the census he is married. Where is Nancy? Then by 1940 Harris C. Coon is listed as a widower and is living with his daughter Ruth and her family. Harris' where about for 1930 is unknown at this time, however I continue to look for him.

What happened to Nancy Coward Coon is a mystery that will take more research. For now, her where about and death date are unknown. Harris C. Coon died 18 December 1958 in Lincoln County, Mississippi and is interred in the Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Lincoln County where his father and other Coon family members are interred.

Tombstone Tuesday

More Coon Hunting

Mystery Monday

Who is John Benjamin Lee?

Mysteries abound in genealogical research. Some will be solved others will remain just that - a mystery. The male on the right in this photo is identified as John Benjamin Lee by the Lee family members who have posted the photo on Ancestry. The photo is posted on Ancestry with the Lee family trees. The person on the left is identified as George Washington Lafayette "Fate" Lee, a great grand uncle. He is also identified in another family photo, and I have written a story of Fate for this blog.

Fate is the youngest son of Benjamin Lee and wife Drucilla. The mystery is, how does John Benjamin Lee fit into my Lee family? Fate doesn't have a known son by the name of John Benjamin, but a son named John Robert.  Is John Benjamin Fate's brother that I don't know about? Is he a nephew of Fate? This I do know, while looking at this photo I feel as though I am looking at a photo of my father. My father is a "carbon copy" of this man, John Benjamin Lee. My father's mother was Alice Lee born in Alabama. This person in this photo could be my father in the late 1800s or early 1900s. But is this man on the right in the photo a son of Fate or how does he fit into my Lee family?  Research continues to solve this mystery.

Sentimental Sunday

Christmas Past

Compiled December 2013

By Esther Jones

Each Christmas I remember

The ones of long ago,

I see our Christmas tree decorated,

with lights, all aglow,

And strings of popcorn in a row.

Each Christmas I remember the piles of fruit under the tree,

And there was one just for me.

Yet, there were no toys there,

But, plenty of love to share.

Of Christmas past that used to be,

When presents were scarce,

But, all our family was full of glee.

All the family gathered in our home,

Each Christmas I remember, we were not alone.

The joy in the air as our family would gather to partake

Of Christmas dinner Mother would bake.

Each Christmas finds me longing

of Christmas as the last,

And I look back at my childhood

of memories past.

With joy in my heart,

That I long to last.

Oh, what memories I have of Christmases past.

The snow in Unionville in Lincoln Parish about 1960  

Shopping Saturday

Christmas Time Shopping 

Christmas time was an exciting time as I was growing up in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana.  We lived in rural West Carroll where my father was a farmer, and grew the vegetables and raised the meat to provide for our family. There were eight of us children; so, there was plenty of help for daddy to use around the farm. My mother was a homemaker. She took care of the household chores and cooking. Mother was a very good cook and passed down this talent to her daughters. With our family of ten, the gifts were few but we always had a plentiful supply of good, home-cooked food to eat. Our goodies from Santa on Christmas morning was a pile of fruit, nuts, and peppermint candy for each child. Our goodies were always neatly piled there for us.

Mother and Daddy shopped once a month for the basic staples and any other goods they needed to replenish. They shopped Terry’s Grocery that was a “mom and pop” store in Terry, West Carroll Parish. There trip to the store was on Saturdays. On occasion Mother made a trip to the Five and Dime in Oak Grove. Mother made all the girls clothes. She saved her flour sacks until she had enough to make one of us a dress. That was the era where women and girls wore dresses. She also quilted her own quilts and bed covers so she would need supplies periodically for quilting. At the Five and Dime Store Mother purchased sewing supplies or any other goods such as material, lingerie, or hair products such as a comb or brush. The Five and Dime was the only name that I knew for that store. That’s the name Mother gave it so that is the name that I called it.

The groceries and supplies that were purchased during the monthly trip to Terry’s had to last until the next month’s trip. Very rarely was there another trip made to the store. Once a year at Christmas time there was the big event to celebrate – Santa coming to town. There was a parade in Oak Grove and Sana came in on his horse drawn wagon pulled by a team of horses. The children were given croker (burlap) sacks full of goodies such as fruit and nuts. That was the biggest event of the Christmas season – getting to go see Santa.

In November, there were extra special items added to Mother’s shopping list. She had an heirloom fruitcake recipe and she made it for Christmas every year, so she bought the ingredients needed for her fruitcake. Also, she had a fruit salad that she made so she bought the ingredients for her fruit salad.  My family’s favorite holiday dessert was the no bake fruit cake. Mother made the cake in November for the flavors to soak through the cake and froze it until time to serve with the Christmas dinner.  

Mother and Daddy made the monthly shopping trip to the grocery store once a month until Daddy gave up farming and they moved from West Carroll Parish in 1959. Even after the eight children were married and moved away Mother and Daddy continued to grow their own vegetables. They were farmers at heart and just couldn’t give it up.  

  

Christmas at Unionville Colvin and Jones Store a small country 

community store in Lincoln Parish.   Garland Jones, Sr. Jimmy Jones, and 

Ruth Colvin Jones inside the Colvin and Jones Grocery Store. Photo was taken 

Christmas 1960.

Friday's Faces From the Past

Lee Cousins and Best Friends Forever 

Glady Fannie Lee daughter of James William "Jim" Lee and Nancy Matilda Wynn Lee and
Irma Kamile Eley daughter of Alice Lee and John Houston Edwards. James William was the oldest
brother of Alice. Their parents were William Alfred Lee and Emma (Meadows) Lee. Gladys was born 22 May 1910 in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana and Irma was born 03 March 1912 in Eros, Jackson Parish, Louisiana.

Mystery Monday

DNA and Carmack Family Members  

Recently I decided to take another look at my autosomal (atDNA) DNA test results, and I was especially interested in the Carmack surname. The Carmack family is one that isn’t as familiar to me as the Edwards, Baker, Kelly, Lee, Meadows, and Wideman families. The Carmack family seems to be elusive and is a mystery. 

Drucilla Carmack married Benjamin Lee about 1830. Therein lies the problem Drucilla Carmack. The only evidence that is known about Drucilla is Ancestry Family Trees. We all know how reliable those can be when researching families. After DNA testing with all three companies and no Carmacks showing up in the test results, possibly Drucilla wasn’t a Carmack. There are no records that have been located to link Drucilla to her parents. She was born about 1812 in North Carolina per the information on censuses.

About four months ago, I connected with a new-found cousin through my blog. She stumbled across my blog while looking for her relatives. After going through the blog articles, she decided to contact me and find out about the familiar surname connection. We shared stories over a period of a month. She shared that she married a descendant of Drucilla and Benjamin Lee. Their daughter married. They had a son and married and had a son. Then he married, and his wife is the new-found cousin who contacted me. This new-found cousin married her cousin.

The first thing that I did when the DNA relatives came up in the search was to look for Carmack surnames. The search results had one Carmack name that came up. When looking through the DNA matches on 23andMe this match was one that piqued my interest. Not being familiar with the new 23andMe I poked around trying to figure out if there were surnames or any information that would give me clues as to the Carmack DNA cousin’s location. Well, that was unsuccessful. Therefore, I messaged the new-found cousin. First, I introduced myself and gave a little information being careful not to say anything that would scare this new-found cousin away. He responded with a cordial message and in the end, gave me a tidbit of information to allow me to do research on that Carmack line. You can read the article here.

After researching using the names and death dates provided by my new-found cousin, I found a common ancestor on the Wideman familial lineage. Researching the new-found cousins Carmack line on Ancestry was easy given the time. Censuses, city directory, school year book, Findagrave Information, and marriage records were available. The grandparents, great grandparents, and second great grandparents were found; however, research is ongoing to find the mystery Carmack that connects to this new-found cousin. How does this Carmack connect to William R. Carmack? Now the research is on the collateral family members of the William R. Carmack family to determine if there is a link to this Carmack family. This will be a long tedious process.

The Carmack family is still a mystery; however, I am working to solve the mystery.

Sunday’s Tales

The Black Fuzzy Woolly Worm is Gone

It's gone! Friday morning about 10:15 I was going out the front door to go to great granddaughter's Christmas play and noticed the bristled black fuzzy woolly worm was gone. Thinking that it had moved again I looked on the door, in the cracks in the brick wall, and on the frame of the door. Black fuzzy worm was nowhere to be found. Where did it go?

Photo taken on wall outside front door on Wednesday before
the black fuzzy woolly worm was discovered gone. 

On Saturday morning, thinking about the black fuzzy caterpillar and what could have happened to it, I looked for it. I looked at the front door and on the brick wall. Not a trace of black fuzzy worm. Was it a bird's meal? Possibly. Did black fuzzy worm fall off the wall into the leaves below? It could have. Did the cold blustery wind blow it away? Maybe. I looked all around – under the leaves, on the bushes, in the Christmas wreath on the front door, and in the Christmas tree nearby. However, I couldn't find black bristled fuzzy woolly worm.

After doing an exhaustive search for the black fuzzy woolly caterpillar (worm) my thoughts were it had gone maybe to hibernate. After determining that the evidence was reliable, had been skillfully correlated, and interpreted that the black bristled fuzzy woolly caterpillar was gone, then I would have to accept it. There was no evidence to contradict that and I wouldn't get to see black woolly caterpillar transform into the pretty moth that it would become in the spring.

I will keep an eye out though just in case it does return. ■

Saturday’s Siblings

Wideman Sibling

Six months ago, I put my DNA test results aside and I hadn’t looked at it since. I was burned out. It was overwhelming working with so many matches, and there seemed to be changes happening very fast, so I took a break. During this break, I have been writing about my ancestors and took another look at second great grandmother Drucilla Carmack. The Carmack lineage has been a bit of a challenge since my parents didn’t share any family information before they died, leaving me to use the minuscule of information I had on the families.

Match on the chromosome browser

I began writing an article about my second great grandmother Drucilla Carmack, and decided to look at my DNA results. After looking at DNA test results from all three testing companies I only have three matches connecting to the Carmack family. The Carmack family apparently isn’t into genealogical research and DNA testing.  I went to my DNA test results on 23andMe put in a search for Carmack and one match came up in the results. The next thing that I did was look at the results and check to see if my match had a family tree and I couldn’t find one. Therefore, my conclusion was the new found relative isn’t a family historian or into genealogical research. After pondering the situation, I decided to contact the person. I explained who I was and the reason for contacting him. I also explained after looking at his results, that he may not be into genealogical research and possibly he DNA tested for the health information. That was fine if he wasn’t and I understand that. I told him that I wouldn’t bother him with more messages. To my surprise, he responded back the next day.

Thinking to myself that I didn’t want to scare this person off, I very carefully composed my wording in my message to him, and I gave him a little more information. Again, he responded and he only had information back to his grandparents, but if I thought that information would be useful he would be happy to share. I am getting excited now.  I responded back to him, again being careful not say anything that would stop him from responding. I gave him more information on my Carmack family, that I would love to have the information for his grandparents, and if I find anything on his family I would let him know. He sent me the names and death dates of his grandparents. When I saw that information my first thought was how is this going to help me?

My go-to place is Ancestry when searching for family, so I put the grandparents’ full names in the search boxes and the death dates, and when the search results came up I was surprised. Censuses from 1920 – 1940, Findagrave memorial information, a city directory with his name and his wife’s name, and a telephone directory came up in the search results.  The information that I received back from my new-found cousin was helpful in researching the Carmack familial lineage. With the tidbit of information provided by my new-found cousin, I found his grandparents, great grandparents and great great grandparents and will be of help in finding our most recent common ancestor. I sent the information that I found about his Carmack family to him and again thanked him for responding to my messages.

While looking for clues to determine our most recent common ancestor there wasn’t a link to my Carmack family; however, the research is ongoing for this information. But I noticed the parents of the wife of my new-found cousin’s second great grandfather, and there is a connection to her. Her parents were Henry Wideman and Penelope “Penny” Teal paternal third great grandparents. If 23andMe’s calculation is correct then my new found Carmack cousin is a fourth cousin. We share .39% DNA on two segments. The research continues to determine if there is a connection to the Carmack linage or the Wideman is the link.

I now have a new-found cousin to add to my family tree. The break has given me the much needed time to refocus. Now I am ready to jump back into looking at my DNA tests results and find new cousins. ■

Friday’s Tales

More on the Black Fuzzy Worm (Caterpillar)

Tuesday the story of the black fuzzy worm began. Tuesday morning as I was preparing to get in my car to leave the house I noticed the black fuzzy worm hanging out on the wall near the bedroom window. The black fuzzy looking woolly worm is actually a moth in larva stage. The black fuzzy worm (or caterpillar) made its place of abode on the brick wall instead of under the leaves in the shrubs. Probably looking for a place to hibernate. Thankfully the bedroom window was secure and the caterpillar couldn’t get in the house. Flashback of cotton picking days! The cotton-picking days were when I was a child of eleven to about sixteen years old living on the farm with my family in West Carroll Parish. The black fuzzy worm was a pest to me; it interfered with me picking cotton and carrying on with the task at hand. If you missed the first post about the Black Fuzzy Worm you can read about it here.

On closer observation of the worm, after putting on my best eye glasses with bifocals, and standing at a safe distance of about six inches from the bristled fuzzy worm, the best that I could tell the black fuzzy worm (caterpillar) is two and half inches long, has five feet (best I can see), and an orange band in the middle under the hairy bristled black fuzzy spikes. And resting comfortably on the brick wall. I dare not touch for fear it would roll up and fall off the wall.

Some folks say these critters stand out as cute and appealing and they are safe to handle and observe. If that is true, then I will keep telling myself that. And I will eventually believe it and flashbacks from those cotton-picking days will be happy memories. Apparently, the black fuzzy worms are among the few nonpest caterpillars, so they are harmless to watch transform and do their thing. This worm can stand extreme cold temperatures.

Wednesday, the worm moved from the wall near the bedroom to the wall near the bathroom. I was curious how the worm moved on the bricks. Observing it on the brick wall, its feet probably hold it to the bricks. Now I am really getting brave, and may overcome my fears of this critter. You can read about Wednesday’s Tales of the Black Fuzzy Worm Hanging Out here.

Thursday, the fuzzy black worm (caterpillar) moved over near the front door. Apparently worm or caterpillar becomes active at night. They eat at night and sleep during the day so that explains why it was in a different location.

Friday, the black fuzzy woolly is hanging out in the same place. It hasn’t moved since Wednesday. When it moves, it may be molting, could just be resting or sleeping when motionless for this period of time. Could be just hanging out to protect itself from a predator. Maybe it had a busy night. Only the caterpillar knows for sure.

These stages will take place if it isn’t a food for the day of a predator. The location of the black woolly at this time is a concern, because it in an open place, not under the leaves or shrubs. Their food supply is leaves so it has plenty of food nearby. Also, if it falls off the wall it will fall into the leaves a safer place for it. If the black fuzzy woolly isn’t a bird’s meal and it survives, it will eventually become a moth in the spring. It will begin to spin a silk cocoon. Later, it will become a moth.

Caterpillars, such as the black fuzzy woolly, transform themselves into a completely new critter after a period of cycles, incubation and time. Wow! Transforming themselves. That would be great if a change would transform me. Just renew myself and evolve into a whole new being.

Will black fuzzy worm be there tomorrow or until spring? I’ll keep watch. You keep coming back to find out. ■ 

Thankful Thursday

Volunteers

Genealogical research has been a fascinating adventure. When I began researching family fifteen years ago, I began journey by traveling to courthouses, libraries, Family History Centers, Museums, walking cemeteries, visiting family members in other cities or towns, visiting sanitariums gathering information on my family members, joining the local genealogy society, and traveling to family history conferences. That was a great experience and I believe made me a better family historian. Researching family has been made easier because of all the volunteers who have taken their time to go into repositories to copy, digitalize, and index records to be placed online. This is a painstaking task for those volunteers and they may assume that no one is thankful; however, this genealogist is very thankful for their efforts in volunteering for the monumental tasks at hand. Researching family members is made easier by accessing available records online. Thank you volunteers for a job well done.

Wednesday's Tales

The Black Fuzzy Worm Hanging Out

I called my sister today and asked her if she knew why I posted that picture of the black fuzzy worm. To my amazement she didn’t know why I posted it. She had never heard the story of me not being able to pick cotton because I was terrified of those black fuzzy worms. But she also didn’t know there was the story of looking for snakes too. Another critter that I do not to this day, well really, I don’t see the need for snakes in the balance of nature. Yes, I know they are important for that reason only. 

The picture was taken outside with the camera on IPhones 6s

 on the bricks by the bathroom window. 

In Tuesday's Tales post on 13 December 2014, the black fuzzy worm was on the brick wall outside the bedroom window. This morning I went out to check on it and the worm had moved over to the wall near the bathroom window. Thank goodness, I hadn’t decide to raise the bathroom window. He probably would have found a crack someplace to come into the bathroom. Then Jimmy would have had to rescue me. A little while ago when I checked, the worm is hanging out in the same place. Just hanging out waiting for the cycle to continue. 

There is very little information on the internet about the black fuzzy worm, but the couple of brief articles that I found stated they are harmless. Don’t know if I believe that because just sight of them gives me the shivers. Flashback of picking cotton in West Carroll!

Therefore, I have decided I will let the black fuzzy worm hang out where it is, and most likely a bird will come by and have it for dinner tonight. 

Wordless Wednesday

Will of John Rains Fifth Patrilineal Great Grandfather 

Note:  The bottom part is a Codicil for the will. 

The top part continues on the next page.

Tuesday's Tales

The Black Fuzzy Critter – Worm

The black fuzzy caterpillar photo taken 13 Dec 2016 outside the bedroom 

window on the bricks of  the house.

The black fuzzy worm is a critter that I shall never forget. There are memories of living with my parents and siblings on the farm in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana and picking cotton in the cotton fields. Our job when it was time to gather the cotton crops was to put that cotton sack over our shoulders, pick a row, pick the cotton out of the bolls, and place the cotton bolls in the sack. We were leaning over to reach the cotton stalks and dragging the cotton sack behind us. The cotton crop was important to our family because it was a cash crop and it provided for us financially. 

My older siblings were good at picking cotton. They were fast and knew how to drag that sack on their backs throwing the cotton in there in a proficient manner. They were experienced cotton pickers. They were not slackers; unlike the younger (me) of the siblings.

As I reflect on growing up on the farm and picking cotton, I remember my older siblings how they took care of me. My older siblings Ruby, Buddy, Polly, and Mary were ten, eight, seven, and four years older than me so they had a few cotton-picking years’ experience on me.Jean was two years younger so she worked at about the same pace. Kathryn the next to the youngest was a water carrier. Don’t get me wrong now. This sibling carried her “weight” on the farm. When chores were to be done, they were done. However, cotton picking presented a problem for me.

There were these critters called “black fuzzy” worms that I was terrified of. Picking cotton was just difficult for me because I was busy looking for those “black fuzzy” worms. Those critters seemed to be on the row that I chose to pick cotton on. Once I found one, then I was too scared to continue with the job at hand. My siblings always made it to the end of the cotton row; and usually they came back and helped me. They didn’t “tattle” on me. The best I can recall, Daddy never scolded me for not picking my quota. My siblings were there to the rescue again and again.

When I saw that black fuzzy critter today resting comfortably on the bricks outside the bedroom window I had flashbacks of long ago on the farm in West Carroll Parish. The critter was safe from me though. I left it to continue its cycle, and I also found out they are harmless. But that doesn’t matter to me they are still “fuzzy black worms.” But I have matured and I am not terrified of them, but I will leave them in their habitat.

Tuesday’s Tips

Who are You Looking for When DNA Testing? 

DNA Testing has become popular in genealogical research and family history. There are three types of DNA test to choose from when you decide to DNA test. Those three tests are YDNA, Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and Autosomal DNA (atDNA). Males have both YDNA, mtDNA, and atDNA. Females have mitochondrial DNA and no YDNA. All three DNA tests are different in what they test. To help you decide which test to take you ask yourself what is it you want to know? What are you trying to prove by DNA testing? Do you want to prove the male surname? Tracing the male lineage has been a great help in identifying the male surname lineage. In some cases, surprising results have been revealed. The YDNA traces the direct paternal line, and only men take this test. The Haplogroup and the migration patterns of the Haplogroup are provided with the test results. If a female wants to trace the male surname line then she would have a brother, uncle, or male cousin with the surname that she is interested in tracing tested.

Do you want to trace the maternal line back many generations? The mitochondrial DNA is passed from the mother to her children; both males and females can take an mtDNA test. All the children from the same mother have her mitochondrial DNA. That is, my sisters and brothers would have the same mtDNA because we have the same mother. Only the female passed down the mtDNA. The maternal line would be your mother to daughter to granddaughter, on and on. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing traces your maternal direct line. The mtDNA test results provide the Haplogroup and migration routes of the maternal line ancestors. The mtDNA test shows the origin of your maternal ancestors.

The autosomal DNA (atDNA) testing is the most popular tests of the three offered by the testing companies. Autosomal DNA is the random combination of all genetic information passed down to us from our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and great great grandparents. Autosomal DNA includes both your maternal and paternal family lines. Autosomal DNA test results give your ethnicity estimates. All three testing companies provide you with a list people who have tested and share common ancestry with you. Autosomal test results provide matches who share a common ancestry in the last five generations; in some cases, six generations. The results show how closely related your matches are to you.

Ethnicity from atDNA is an estimate based on reference populations and testing company’s algorithms which are different with each testing company. Usually, the results from each testing company is different.This is important but not so much for genealogical research purposes. What is important to me is to find genetic cousins, how much atDNA they share with me and our genetic degree of relationship and our genealogical cousin relationship.

Ethnic Makeup from FTDNA testing Company

Matches on the chromosome browser from FTDNA

What has DNA testing done for me? I have put a family story to rest by YDNA testing my brother. Living cousins have been found through DNA testing. The Coon/Kuhn family line has been proven by genealogical research and working with cousins to find a common ancestor. A new-found Meadows cousin was found and we share information and our most recent common ancestor is John Calvin Meadows. That cousin was the first Meadows cousin to contact me when I first tested with FTDNA. Since then, there are other Meadows’ matches and new-found cousins on all three testing companies, and we all share a most recent common ancestor. The Edwards familial lineage is proven with YDNA testing and there are also new found Edwards cousins who autosomal tested. Family connections between families have been confirmed. Family names that were unfamiliar have been proven. Autosomal DNA testing has allowed me to identify cousin relationships. DNA testing has given me thoughts on further research of an ancestral line. Our Lee and Meadows cousins’ stories were that Native American ancestry or Cherokee Indian was their ancestry. That theory was disproved.

The genetic cousin relationship provides supporting evidence of my genealogical research. The degree of relationship is the amount of DNA shared with the cousin. Collaborating with the new-found genetic cousins allows us to share genealogical information, determine how we are related, and find the most recent common ancestor we share.

Genetic genealogy is used in combination with traditional genealogical research. Traditional genealogical research is the use of historical records, and taking those records and using them as documented evidence of our ancestors to infer the relationship between individuals. Genetic genealogy is a means for genealogists and family historians to use in their genealogy toolbox that can be used to supplement and prove their traditional genealogical research information. ■

Mappy Monday

Tallapoosa and Elmore Counties, Alabama 

This great find came from the United States Digital Map Collection a USGenWeb Archives Project. My  ancestors migrated from Virginia and North Carolina through Georgia into to Alabama. 

http://usgwarchives.net/maps/

1891 Alabama Counties

Wordy Wednesday

Isham Meadows, the First Son of Daniel 

Researching the Meadows familial linage has taken me to the records of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and the final migration path, Alabama. Emma Meadows paternal great grandmother was an unknown until fifteen years ago. Emma Meadows’ name came up in a family history discussion with Mother when I asked her, “Who are yours and Daddy’s parents and what do you know about them?” As a matter of fact, all the ancestors were unknowns until family history research became a hobby back in the year 1997. The first trip to the local library to research the names that Mother had provided was a complete failure.

On a Saturday in 1997, with the names of grandparents and great grandparents the decision was to start with the microfilm and look for the names of the folks that Mother had provided. The first family to research were the paternal grandparents Jack Eley and Alice. Sister Ruby told me that Jack Eley was born in Arkansas and his father’s name was Joe Eley. That search was fruitless. The experience at the local library that day was not a good one. So, I went home and didn’t attempt to research family until 2001. I began to read how-to books about genealogical research, attend genealogy conferences/seminars, and joined a local genealogy society. Then, when webinars were presented signed up for webinars from various societies. As I became better equipped to research family, another trip to the library was more fruitful, and the genealogy venture has continued to this day. And I became the self-appointed family historian; only because no other family members were interested in family history research and learning about their ancestors.

The Meadows family has become a household name now and the direct line paternal ancestors are well known back to Daniel, the progenitor of the Meadows family, and his birth either in England or Virginia about 1685. His son Isham the first was born in Bristol Parish, Prince George County, Virginia about 1740/41. Isham was baptized 3 January 1741/42 in Bristol Parish. Isham is the youngest son of Daniel and his wife Jane. When Daniel died in 1755 Isham was an orphan. He was then bound to Colonel William Person to learn the cooper’s trade or a barrel maker. Included in this agreement was two years schooling. Isham would have been about fourteen or fifteen years old when his father died. Daniel Meadows moved his family to Granville County, North Carolina before 1755.

Thomas Owens, Histories and Genealogies of Old Granville Co., N. C. 1746-1800, p. 190

The years from 1755 to Isham marries about 1762 are silent. He marries in Granville County, North Carolina. His wife's name hasn't been proven; however, some folks say she was France Goode, but there is no marriage record found yet to prove that assertion.

In 1790 Isham Meadows Sr. was living in Warren County, North Carolina. Living in the household with Isham as the head of the house were seven males under sixteen, three males over sixteen, two white females, with twelve people in the household. Isham had sons John born about 1763, Isham born about 1765, James born about 1770. Isham Meadows the first had sons William born about 1778, Daniel born 1 March 1779, and Edward born about 1783. Naming pattern of the children in continues in each generation in the Meadows.

1790 Warren County, North Carolina United States Federal Census Isham Meadows

Isham moved to George after the 1790 census was taken. He died in Harris County, Georgia 4 April 1829. There is announcement of his death in an Extant Georgia Newspaper; however, the age at death is incorrect; the numbers were reversed. He would have been eighty-nine years old when he died.

Tombstone Tuesday

Zady Lee Daughter of Jordan Lee and Wife Lydia

Zady was the daughter of Jordan and Lydia Lee. Zady was married to William Spates 9 January 1847. She was born in Richland County,  South Carolina. She was born about 1819/20. The 1900 Tallapoosa County, Alabama census stated she was born in July 1819; however, this headstone information states another date.There is no evidence to prove the date on the headstone. Until further evidence about a birth date the date of birth will be 1819/20. 

Findagrave.com

Monday’s Meadows

Isham, Jr. son of Isham Meadows the First

The patriarch of the Meadows family Daniel Meadows was from Virginia and was born about 1685. It isn’t known if he was born in Virginia or England; however, what is known is that he had all sons. Isham Meadows the second is his grandson and the son of Isham the first, Daniel’s youngest son. The Meadows men Daniel, Isham, Isham, William, and John Calvin, are the direct line to Emma Meadows then her daughter Alice Lee. The familial line of Meadows has been proven with YDNA testing and autosomal (atDNA). This line apparently at a time in the past were originally were from England.

Isham the second was born about 1765 in Bute County, North Carolina. He was married first to Frances Acree daughter of William Acree and Frances Shearin. He married a second time after Frances died about 1815. Isham was the father of fourteen children. At some point in time Isham moved his family to Georgia.

There is an Isham Meadows on the 1790 Warren County, North Carolina census; however, there isn't another census with the younger Isham listed for North Carolina.

Isham Meadows the second died testate and named children and his wife Martha in the will. Martha is his second wife; however, her maiden name is unknown. He only names his wife as Martha in the will. There isn’t a record of this marriage found as of this date. There could be one in a courthouse; but there has not been one found in the databases online to prove the marriage. Research continues for this familial lineage though.

Isham Meadows moved to Alabama after December 6, 1815, when he paid taxes in Willis’s District, Greene County, Georgia, and 1820. On the 1830 Lowndes County, Alabama census is an Isham Meadows, Benjamin Meadows and Ransom Meadows. Benjamin and Ransom are sons of Isham. There was a male listed in the 60 and under 70 age categories. Isham would have been about 65 years old at that time.

The will for Isham Meadows was made 22 November 1844 and was registered 25 February 1845 in Lowndes County, Alabama. The will was proven 10 February 1845, and his wife Martha was named in the will as the executrix. Isham Meadows also named all his children in his will. First, he named Ransom, he willed the mill seat to him, and that was to include all land covered by the mill pond, about three acres more or less. Martha his wife received all land and property during her life. Then at her death the land would be equally divided among his children, Priscilla, William, Nancy, Isham, Susanna, Elizabeth, Jane, and Asa. His wife Martha received all slaves during her life. Then when Martha died his children would receive specifically named slaves. The children he named for those were, his sons Asa, Benjamin, Edward, and Daniel, and his daughter Martha. Martha his wife would receive everything else, and when she died then all other property was to be equally divided between his children, Martha, James, Daniel, Edward and Benjamin. The will of Isham Meadows the second has been posted in a previous post.

Isham Meadows died 16 December 1844 in Lowndesboro, Lowndes County, Alabama.

Friday's Find

The Will of: Isham Meadows the Second Son of Isham the First

Page 1 of Will for Isham Meadows the second son of Isham the first

Page 2 of Will for Isham Meadows the second son of Isham the first

Thursday's Tip

Record of Death:  John Calvin Meadows

Record of death for John C. Meadows, 2nd great grandfather: He died 1 Sep 1886 in Dadeville, Tallapoosa County, Alabama. The cause of death for John C. Meadows was Brights Disease. John was born in Georgia and he was 68 years old when he died. 

When you find a record for an ancestor on Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org save that record to your computer. This is a record that has been saved for a while and was filed in the Meadows genealogy. When searching on Ancestry and Family Search the record wasn’t to be found. The record of death verifies the death date for John C. Meadows.