52 Ancestors: #18, Benjamin Franklin Brock

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story To Small has started a challenge of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
From her blog “The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.”
 
The focus of My blog posting today is:
Benjamin Franklin Brock, My Great Grandfather 
 
Benjamin Franklin Brock was born on 17 Jan 1851 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.^{1 2 3 4}
In March 1865, his father, a farmer, was captured by the Northern Army on their march through Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Benjamin was a young lad of 14 years. His father died in Prison at  Point Lookout, Maryland on 12 June 1865. As the oldest child, Benjamin grew up as the “man” of his home. He had five younger brothers and his Mother to care for during his youth. 
 
He is enumerated in Censuses from 1860 until 1920 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.^{5 6 7 8}
Benjamin died on 13 Jul 1924 at the age of 73 and was buried at Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery. ^9 10 11
 
Benjamin Franklin Brock married Louise Ellen Sellers about 1870. The 1900 Census reports that they had been married for 30 years with 7 children of which 5 were living.¹²
 
Louise Ellen Sellers, is the daughter of William Eddins Sellers and Elizabeth Parsons. She was born in Jun 1850 in Madison County, Tennessee, United States.^{13 14 15 16 17 18} She died on 15 Dec 1928 at the age of 78 and was buried at Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, Chesterfield. ^{19 20 21}
 
Benjamin Franklin Brock and Louise Ellen Sellers had five children that survived to adulthood. The 1900 census reports that two children passed away. They have not been identified. The surviving children are:
 
i. Charles Riley Brock, born 21 Apr 1878.
ii. Sarah Annie Brock, born 14 Jul 1881.
iii. John Hezekiah Brock, born 5 May 1884.
iv. Mary Catherine "Mamie" Brock, born 21 Sep 1889.
v. Benjamin Franklin Brock, Jr., born 29 Jan 1894.



_______________________________


1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 20 July 2013); Memorial page for Benjamin Franklin Brock; (17 January 1849–13 July 1924); Find a Grave memorial # 109662534, Citing Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery; Brocks Mill, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
2. 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 21, Page 95B; Line 89, Dwelling 204, Family 209, Household of Benjamin F. BROCK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 16 June 2013 ); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_1523.
3. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 117, Line 18, Dwelling 328, Family 327, Household of "Hugh" BROCK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2000); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.
4. 1870 U. S. Census, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 289A, Line 33, Dwelling 33, family 33, Household of S[arah] BROCK; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2012); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1491.
5. 1880 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 005, Page 325C, Line 29, Dwelling 252, Family # 252, Household of Benj. F. BROCK; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2010); citing National Archive Microfilm T9, Roll 1225.
6. 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, ED 21, Page 95B; Line 89, Dwelling 204, Family 209, Household of Benjamin F. BROCK.
7. 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0037, Page 143B; Line 71, Dwelling 305, Family 305, Household of Benn F. BROCK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 16 June 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm  T624_1455.
8. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 40, Page: 18B/174(stamped), Dwelling 333, Family 43, Household of Benjamin BROCK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 20 July 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.
9. B F {Benjamin Franklin] BROCK, death certificate 012522 (13 July 1924), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
10. Ibid.
11. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Benjamin Franklin Brock (17 January 1849–13 July 1924), Memorial # 109662534.
12. 1850 U. S. Census, Madison County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 10, Madison County, Tennessee, Page 305B; Line 1, Dwelling 244, Family 244, Household of Wm. E. SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 889.
13. 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, ED 21, Page 95B; Line 89, Dwelling 204, Family 209, Household of Benjamin F. BROCK.
14. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Population Schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 130B; Line 28, Dwelling 0522, Family 0521, Household of Elizabeth SELLERS.
15. 1880 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Population Schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, ED 005, Page 325C, Line 29, Dwelling 252, Family # 252, Household of Benj. F. BROCK.
16. 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, ED 21, Page 95B; Line 89, Dwelling 204, Family 209, Household of Benjamin F. BROCK.
17. 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, ED 0037, Page 143B; Line 71, Dwelling 305, Family 305, Household of Benn F. BROCK.
18. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina, ED 40, Page: 18B/174(stamped), Dwelling 333, Family 43, Household of Benjamin BROCK.
19. Lou E Brock, Chesterfield County, South Carolina death certificate 021850 (15 December 1928).
20. Ibid.
21. Interview with a Confederate Veteran obituary, The Chesterfield Advertiser, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, 7 April 1932. Sellers, Confederate Veteran (conducted by Nellie Bristow, Florence Morning News, reprinted Chesterfield Advertiser, April 7, 1932).

Amanuensis Monday~Forced Land Sale

 
Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.
 
His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.
Today’s subject is a Fannin County, Texas 1899 Forced Land Sale.¹

 









Forced Sale of Land -- Fannin County, Texas 1899
M. A. Sellers & L. M. Witt}
By Sheriff} The State of Texas}
? { Dud} Fannin County} 
J. R. Mayfield. } Know all men by these presents, that whereas, by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued out of the District Court of the County of Fannin in favor of Wills and Smith vs M. A. Sellers and L. M. Witt on certain Judgement and Decree of Sale, rendered on the 15th day of August 1899, and directed and delivered to me as Sheriff of Fannin County, commanding me to seize and sell the premises described in said Order of Sale, I, W.W. Ridling, Sheriff as aforesaid, did, upon the 6th day of October 1899, levy upon and advertise for sale the said premises as described in said Order of Sale, by giving public notice of the time and place of sale by causing an advertisement thereof to be posted at three public places in the County aforesaid, one of which was the Court House door of said County, for twenty days successively next before the day of said sale, and by Defendant's having waived Notice of Sale. Defendants having no attorney of record and on the first Tuesday in November A.D. 1899, within the hours prescribed by law, sold said property at public venue in the County of Fannin, at the Court House door thereof, and the premises hereinafter described are struck off to J. R. Mayfield for the sum of Three Hundred and One Dollars, he being the highest bidder there for and that being the highest bid for same.
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the premises aforesaid, and of the payment of the sum of Three Hundred and One (301) Dollars, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I, W. W. Ridling, Sheriff as aforesaid, have Granted, Sold and Conveyed, and by these presents do Grant, Sell and Convey, unto the said J. R. Mayfield all of the estate, right, title and interest which the said M. A. Sellers, L. M. Witt, Mrs. Tina Sellers, J. C. Sellers, A. J. Sellers and W. A. Sellers had on the 15th day of August 1899 or at any time afterwards, in and to the following named premises, as described in the order of sale Viz; 48 Acres out of the J. Swagerty survey, in said Fannin County about 21 miles Northeast from Bonham and being the same land conveyed by C. E. Edwards, J. C. and S. A. Denton, H.C. and S. J. Lock and C. M. and M. L. Harrison to S. A. and M. A. Sellers and L. M. Sellers (now Witt) by deed bearing date of November 29th 1893, reference is hereby made to said deed for better description, as against M. A. Sellers, L. M. Witt, Mrs. T. Sellers, J. C. Sellers, A. J. Sellers and W. A. Sellers.
To have and to hold the above described premises, unto the said J. R. Mayfield, his heirs and assigns, forever, as fully and absolutely as I, Sheriff as aforesaid can convey by virtue of said Order of Sale.
In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 8th day of November A.D. 1899, W.W. Ridling, Sheriff
Fannin County, Texas 

 
[Actual Deed obtained by Lou Poole and mailed/E-mailed to Charles L. Purvis on 21 April 2014 at which time Deed was transcribed in it entirely and published here. Deed located in Fannin County Deed Book # 70, pp. 573-575.]

 
The Sellers involved in this lawsuit are all descendants of Noah Sellers and Timmey Parsons. 
 
Noah Sellers - son of of William Sellers and brother to my 2nd Great Grandfather William Eddins Sellers. Noah was born in Chesterfield County, SC; died in Tennessee.
M. A. Sellers - Mary Annettie Sellers, daughter of Noah & Timmey.
L. M. Sellers – Lillie May Sellers, daughter of John Calhoun Sellers. Grand daughter of Noah Sellers. Later known as L. M. Witt. (Lillie May Sellers married William M. Witt 21 October 1894, Fannin County, Texas).
Mrs. T[ina]  Sellers - Christina Caledonia, daughter of Andrew Jackson Sellers; She married James Henry Sellers, James Calhoun's oldest son by first marriage ²
J. C. Sellers - James Calhoun Sellers, son of Noah Sellers
A. J. Sellers - Andrew Jackson Sellers, son of Noah Sellers
W. A. Sellers – William A. Sellers, Sr., son of Noah Sellers

My next plan of action is attempting to secure a copy of the “Order of Sale issued out of the District Court of the County of Fannin” to see how and why my ancestors lost their land.



___________________________
[1] Land Deed - Forced Sale of Land -- Fannin County, Texas 1899; 8 November 1899; Deed Book #70; Page(s) 573-574; Register of Deeds; Bonham, Fannin County, Texas; 21 April 2014.
[2] "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FX3R-DB7 : accessed 25 Apr 2014), William M. Witt and Lillie Sellars, 21 Oct 1894; citing , Fannin, Texas, , reference 2:2CMKK2G; FHL microfilm 1293831.

Sunday’s Obituary~Stephen Purvis

Stephen Purvis was born abt 1818 and was killed on June 1847 at Perote, Veracruz, Mexico as a member of Capt’s Blanding  Company while fighting the Mexican War. ¹

He was a Private, Company F, Palmetto Regiment South Carolina Infantry in the Mexican War.
Note: He was killed in the Mexican War in June 1847 at Perote, Veracruz, Mexico. (Reference: South Carolina in the Mexican War, A History of the Palmetto Regiment of Volunteers 1846-1917 by Jack Allen Meyer, South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 1439 Senate Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29211, page 246. ²

The father of Stephen Purvis is unknown but his mother’s name was Vicey LNU(Last name unknown). He had a brother John “Jack” Purvis who married the Widow “Huggins”. Jack Purvis named his youngest son, Stephen David Purvis, after his brother Stephen.

Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

Stephen is buried on the Purvis Cemetery on the old family homestead in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. ³

____________________________
[1] Mexico; Vera Cruz; John Bold, The Charleston Courier, Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 7 January 1848, page 2, column 2. Stephen Purvis, died at Perote in June.
[2] Jack Allen Meyer, South Carolina in the Mexican War: A History of the Palmetto Regiment of Volunteers 1846-1917 (Columbia, South Carolina, 29211: Department of Archives and History, 1996), Stephen Purvis, page 246.
[3] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 January 2012); Memorial page for Stephen Purvis; (1818–June 1847); Find a Grave memorial # 45726959, Citing Purvis Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

Surname Saturday~McCall

The 1860 Anson County census show my 2nd Great Grandfather’s occupation was as a “shoemaker”. From his home near McFarlan, NC on the North and South Carolina state line to Cheraw is a mere 10 miles.¹

Living in Cheraw was a contemporary of my 2nd Great Grandfather, a local shoemaker, named William A. McCall.  William A. McCall was married to Anna Elizabeth Purvis. Evidence points to a close relationship between these two men. It’s quite possible, but at present unproven, that these two men were related through marriage.² 




About 1879 at the age of 16, William James Purvis the only son of William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves married Mary Hulda Previtte, the oldest daughter of John Washington Previtte and Elizabeth “Bette” Davis.³
 


Meanwhile, in Cheraw, William A. McCall and Anna Elizabeth Purvis youngest son, James Francis “Jack” McCall was coming of age as a young adult. William James Purvis was born in 25 September 1863. Young Jack McCall was born 5 August 1867.  

By 1880 John Washington Previtte and Elizabeth had a large family consisting of 5 daughters and 5 sons. In 1881 their last child, a son, was born. My great Grandfather, William James Purvis, at age 16 had married John and Elizabeth oldest daughter, Mary Hulda and she had left the home.⁴ 



In 1880, young Jack McCall is now thirteen. In 1889, Jack turns 22 and he and Sarah Jane Previtte were married sometime during the year.

Jack and Sarah‘s first born, a daughter, called Willie Mae arrived on 18 December 1892. Two years later, a second daughter, Mary Elizabeth arrived in October 1894. 

Next to join the family was a son, John Alexander, born on 28 July 1896. Jack and Sarah would add two more children to their growing family, Nancy Ross, in October 1900 and James Howard in Jul 1906. 

Sarah Jane lost her lifetime companion, Jack, on 27 November 1943. Jack was 76 years old. They had been married for 54 years. Sarah Jane passed away on  22 February 1945 at the age of 73. Jack and Sarah are buried in the old Saint David's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Cheraw, South Carolina. ^{5 6}

Sarah Jane Previtte McCall is my Great Grand Aunt. While there may be a blood relationship to Jack McCall, it remains unproven. However, by marriage, Jack McCall is my Great Grand Uncle. 








______________________________________
[1] 1860 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 300, line 34, Dwelling 1238, Family 1188, Household of William A. Purvis; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 887.
[2] 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 184, Line 3, Dwelling 1255, Family 1255, Household of William A. McCall; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 5 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.
[3] 1880 U S Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #2, page 350B, line 40, Dwelling 234, Family 253, Household of William J. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archive Microfilm T9-0951.
[4] 1880 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #5, Page: 326B, Line 43,, Dwelling 291, Family 291, Household of John Privott; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 21 July 2011); citing National Archive Microfilm T9, Roll 1225.
[5] James F McCall, death certificate 012931 (27 November 1943), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
[6] Sarah J. McCall, death certificate 006962 (22 February 1945), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

52 Ancestors: #17, Henry Harrison Deese, Sr.

 

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story To Small has started a challenge of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
From her blog “The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.”

The focus of my blog posting today is Henry Harrison Deese, Sr. and his family.  
 
Henry Harrison Deese Sr. was born on 4 Aug 1845 in Anson County, North Carolina.^{1 2} He was the son of Samuel Deese and Sarah “Sallie” Hill. He grew up in a fairly large family consisting of 4 brother and 4 sisters. One of his younger brothers, John Calvin Deese, is my great grandfather. They were close growing up and eventually married sisters that were the daughters of James W. Huneycutt and Sarah Elizabeth “Sallie” Page.^{4 5}
 

Henry Harrison was 7 years older that my great grandfather and was the first to marry. Harrison and Nellie Isabella Huneycutt were married on 1 February 1875 in Anson County, North Carolina.⁶
Nellie Isabella Huneycutt, as stated above, was a daughter of James W. Huneycutt and Sarah Elizabeth Page. She was born on 27 Oct 1857 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.^{7 8 9 10 11 12 13}
 
Harrison and Nellie Isabella are first enumerated in the 1880 Anson County Census.

 
 
Harrison and Isabella had a growing family consisting of a son and two daughters.




Then in 1884, Great Grandfather John Calvin married Isabella sister Louvena Huneycutt. John Calvin and Louvena were married on 9 April 1884.

Henry Harrison Deese and Nellie Isabella Huneycutt had the following children:
i. Andrew Jackson Deese, born 17 Dec 1875, Anson County, North Carolina; married Azaline Honeycutt, 5 Nov 1936, Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina; married Louise Morgan, 8 Oct 1899, Lilesville, Anson, North Carolina; married Emma Tarlton, 5 Jun 1903, Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina; died 4 Jan 1943, Litaker, Rowan, North Carolina.
ii. Lola E. Deese was born on 15 Oct 1877 in Anson County, North Carolina. ¹⁷
iii. Ida Lillie Deese, born 2 Oct 1879, Morven, Anson, North Carolina; married Noah Carpenter; died 17 Mar 1940, Rowan County, North Carolina.
iv. James Calvin Deese, born 24 Aug 1882, Anson County, North Carolina; married Pearl Cornelia Drye; died 25 Feb 1952, Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina.
v. Harvey Frank Deese, born 3 Oct 1884, Morven, Anson, North Carolina; married Mary Carpenter, 18 Feb 1905, Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina; died 17 Jul 1957, Badin, Stanly, North Carolina.
vi. Henry Harrison Deese, born 28 Sep 1888, Morven, Anson, North Carolina; married Minnie Skidmore, 20 Oct 1912, ,Anson Co.,NC; died 14 Jul 1938, Morven, Anson, North Carolina.
vii. Ollie Washington Deese was born on 7 Jan 1891 at NC DEATH CERTIFICATE #2713. He was born on 7 Jan 1892 in Morven, Anson, North Carolina. ¹⁸ He appeared in the census in 1900. Ollie died on 13 Jan 1969 at the age of 77 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina. He was buried on 15 Jan 1969 at Morven Cemetery in Morven, Anson, North Carolina.
viii. Martin Lester Deese, born 27 Mar 1894, Anson County, North Carolina; married Bertie Troutman; died 18 Jan 1948, Landis, Rowan, North Carolina.
ix. Stella Deese, born 11 Mar 1895, Anson County, North Carolina; married Abraham Key, 11 Mar 1916, Lexington, Davidson, North Carolina; died 19 Aug 1990, Mecklenburg, North Carolina.
x. Lany C. Deese was born in Mar 1896. ¹⁹
xi. Matthew Samuel Deese was born on 4 Apr 1899 in Anson County, North Carolina. He died on 4 Apr 1900 at the age of 1 in Morven, Anson, North Carolina. He was buried on 4 Apr 1900 in Morven, Anson, North Carolina.
Henry Harrison Deese, age 67, died on 21 June 1913. No record exists for his death except his tombstone in the Morven cemetery. Nellie Isabella lived an additional 24 years 10 months 18 days. She died on 9 May 1938 at the age of 79 in Landis, Rowan Co., NC.¹⁴ Harrison and Nellie Isabella are buried at the Morven Cemetery, Morven, Anson, North Carolina.^{15 16}
 
Henry Harrison Deese is my 1st cousin twice removed.





_______________________________
1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 10 January 2010); Memorial page for Henry Harrison Deese; (4 August 1845–21 June 1913); Find a Grave memorial # 37948994, Citing Morven Cemetery; Morven, Anson County, North Carolina. 
2. 1870 U S Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Gulledge, Anson County, North Carolina, Page 337B; Line 15, Dwelling 97, Family 97, Household of Sam DEES; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 29 March 2013); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1122.
3. 1880 US Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 002, Page: 358B (stamped); Line 5, Dwelling 376, Family 400, Household of Harrison DEESE; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 April 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.
4. 1910 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 007, Page: 6A/132 (stamped); Line 1, Dwelling 96, Family 96, Household of Harrison DEESE; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 April 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1096.
5. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Henry Harrison Deese (4 August 1845–21 June 1913), Memorial # 37948994.
6. Anson County, North Carolina, Anson County Marriages, GS FILM #296689, page 47, LDS FHL, Salt Lake City, Utah, Harrison Deese and Isabella Huneycutt, 1 February 1875; Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, North Carolina.
7. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Nellie Isabella Honeycutt Deese (27 October 1857–11 May 1938), Memorial # 37949116.
8. State of North Carolina, death certificate no. 173 (9 May 1938), Mrs. Millie J Duse [Mrs. Nellie I. Deese]; https://www.ancestry.com, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
9. 1860 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Subdivision East of NC RR, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page: 88; Line xx, Page 118/88B(stamped), Line 17, Dwelling #902, Family #902, Household of James Hunycut; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 28 May 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 890.
10. 1870 U S Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, population schedule, Big Lick, Stanly County, North Carolina, Page 38A(stamped), Line 34, Dwelling 159, Family 160, Household of James HUNEYCUTT; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 28 May 2013); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1160.
11. 1880 US Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, ED 002, Page 352A(stamped), Line 39, Dwelling #264, Family #282, Household of James Hunicutt.
12. 1880 US Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, ED 002, Page: 358B (stamped); Line 5, Dwelling 376, Family 400, Household of Harrison DEESE.
13. 1910 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, ED 007, Page: 6A/132 (stamped); Line 1, Dwelling 96, Family 96, Household of Harrison DEESE.
14. State of North Carolina, death certificate no. 173, (9 May 1938), Mrs. Millie J Duse [Mrs. Nellie I. Deese].
15. Ibid.
16. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Nellie Isabella Honeycutt Deese (27 October 1857–11 May 1938), Memorial # 37949116.
17. 1880 US Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, ED 002, Page: 358B (stamped); Line 5, Dwelling 376, Family 400, Household of Harrison DEESE.
18. 1910 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, ED 007, Page: 6A/132 (stamped); Line 1, Dwelling 96, Family 96, Household of Harrison DEESE.
19. Ibid.

Tombstone Tuesday~Thomas and Nancy Davis

Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

Thomas Davis was born 22 March 1760 and died 20 March 1845. He was a son of David Davis and Jane Miles. He was a Farmer and Revolutionary Soldier. ^{1 2}

Special Note: For those that insist that Thomas Davis’ middle name is “Lloyd” please make note that Thomas has no middle name and Lloyd’s is the militia outfit that he was assigned to, not his middle name.





  

Thomas married Nancy Rivers in 1787/1788 ³

Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

Nancy Rivers was born 15 Dec 1767 and died 15 Dec 1853. After 38 years of researching there’s still is no known original source that names her parents. Thus, her parents are unknown.^{4 5}

Thomas and Nancy are buried in Davis Cemetery, near Zoar United Methodist Church in Chesterfield, South Carolina. ^{6 7}

Thomas and Nancy had 11 children; 6 sons and 5 daughters.
 
Thomas and Nancy Rivers Davis are my 4th Great Grandparents.




 

____________________________________
[1] Thomas DAVIS and W-8655, compiled military record (1779-1783), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), NARA microfilm publication M804, Roll 766.
[2] Family data, John C. Davis Family Bible, Holy Bible, (New York: n.p., 1844); original owned in 2004 by Old Darlington District Genealogy Archives, [address for private use].
[3] Thomas DAVIS and W-8655, compiled military record (1779-1783), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), NARA microfilm publication M804, Roll 766.
[4] Family data, John C. Davis Family Bible Family Bible, Holy Bible, (New York: n.p., 1844); original owned in 2004 by Old Darlington District Genealogy Archives, [address for private use], Hartsville, Darlington County, South Carolina.
[5] Family data, John C. Davis Family Bible Family Bible, Holy Bible, (New York: n.p., 1844); original owned in 2004 by Old Darlington District Genealogy Archives, [address for private use], Hartsville, Darlington County, South Carolina.
[6] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 1 January 2010); Memorial page for Thomas Davis; (26 March 1760–20 March 1845); Find a Grave memorial # 45431028, Citing Davis Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[7] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 5 June 2012); Memorial page for Nancy Rivers Davis; (15 December 1767–15 December 1853); Find a Grave memorial # 45431454, Citing Davis Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

Amanuensis Monday~1785 Indent to Gilbert Purvis

 
Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.
 
His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.
Today’s subject is an Indent dated 5 July 1785, owned by Gilbert Purvis and passed off to Francis Vanlandingham. This Indent was most likely a government payment for services during the Revolutionary War.¹ 
 


Gentlemen,
                  Please deliver my Indent with on years Interest thereon, to the Bearer, Francis Van Langingham, and you will oblige,
                                                               Gentlemen,
Cheraw, 5^th July 1785                                    Your obed.^t Serv.^t
Edward Blake &}                                                     his
Peter Boequett} Esq.^rs Treasureres.--           Gilbert X Purvis
                                                                                    Mark
I do certify that I saw Gilbert Purvis sign this above Order. –
                                                                              Calvin Spencer, J. P.
                                                                               5^th July 1785

1790 Census: Cheraw, Francis Vanlandingham is listed as head of household, with 1 male under 16 and 3 females in household.²     



                                                                       
 
__________________________
[1] Spencer Family Papers, Spencer Family Papers, 1700-1900; privately held by Matheson Library, [address for private use], Cheraw, South Carolina, 2014. Digitized collection of family papers from the Spencer Family circa 1780s-1910s.
[2] Year: 1790; Census Place: St Thomas, Cheraws District, South Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 11; Page: 379; Image: 231; Family History Library Film: 0568151

Backing up your Evernote Database

 
Do you back up your Evernote notebooks? I do.

Some say there is no reason to back this information up because it’s already available in the clouds. It may be in the clouds but for me; my Genealogy data is very important and I want a copy readily available on a local backup drive.

Basically there are 3 ways to back up your Evernote Notebooks.

The first is built into the software and while it is not a real backup; it is an export of the data.
If you highlight your notebook and right click on it you will see the following:



In the above we see the “Choices” that can be made when we right click on a specific notebook; in this case my GENEALOGY Notebook.

We have:

• Create a Notebook in “GENEALOGY”
• Rename
• Delete
• Export Notes
• Add to Shortcuts

In our case we want to “EXPORT NOTES”

When you click on export notes your will see this Window:



Several choices are available including Evernote’s ENEX format. I chose the default ENEX format and export my entire Genealogy Notebook, 237 notes, to “My Documents” folder on my computer.
Individual notes can be exported using the same procedures.
 
You can also manually back up the Evernote database
 
The database can be found at the following locations:
Windows: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Evernote\Evernote\Databases¹

On my machine this location is actually:
C:\Users\Charlie\AppData\Local\Evernote\Evernote\Databases
Note: Once you locate this folder, right Click it and send a shortcut to your desktop. The next time you want to go to the folder just click on your shortcut and it will instantly take you there (no searching).
 
Note that the only change I made was inserting “Charlie” in place of [Your Username]

Your can find this on your computer by clicking on “Start”, “Computer” and then  “Users” and following the rest of the string.

I’m using Windows 7 Home Premium on my system.

OS X: /Users/[Your Username]/Library/Application Support/Evernote²
 
I am not an “Apple user” so this location has not been verified.

Another way to back up your Notebooks is Automated Backups:

Simply include the proper locations above (highlighted in Blue) into your daily/weekly/monthly backup using the backup software of your choice. I use “GoodSync” and backup weekly all important file to two external hard drives.

These procedures are very simple once you get into a routine. A very good article on this subject can be found at:

http://www.howtogeek.com/163349/how-to-backup-your-evernote-notebooks-just-in-case/

Other articles can be found by simply Googling “Evernote backup”

The ultimate goal is to ensure that your Evernote notebooks are reliably backed up should a failure occur. If you are skeptical about the necessity of backing up your Evernote Notebooks you might consider this comments for the staff over at How to Geek:

“The only way you can ever be absolutely beyond-a-doubt certain that your Evernote notebooks are really safe is if you back them up yourself.” ⁴






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[1] http://www.howtogeek.com/163349/how-to-backup-your-evernote-notebooks-just-in-case/
[2] Ibid. 
[2] http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-ways-to-backup-evernote-and-do-you-need-to/
[4] http://lifehacker.com/back-up-your-evernote-notebooks-and-keep-that-importan-509835257

Surname Saturday~Graves

Sarah Jane Graves is my 2nd Great Grandmother. She married William A. Purvis sometime before 1860. Sarah and William A. were living as a couple in 1860  Anson County. My Great Grandfather, their only child had not yet been born or conceived.
 
1860 CENSUS: Morven, Anson County, North Carolina; Roll: M653_887;  Image: 160; Family History Library Film: 803887; Page: 300; Line 34, Dwelling 1238, Family 1188; William A. PURVIS, age 34, Shoemaker, born in NC; Sarah PURVIS, female, age 26, born in SC; Joseph WHITE, age 33, Cooper, born in NC and Laura WHITE, age 30, born in NC. ¹

Sarah first appeared in the 1850 Chesterfield County Census as a 16 year old female in the household of Mary Graves, age 55, born in SC.
 
1850 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Roll: M432_851; Image: 216, Film #0444814, Page 106A, Line 8, Dwelling 110, Family 110; Mary GRAVES, age 55, born in SC; David W. GRAVES, age 32, Tailor, born in SC; Sarah J. GRAVES, age 16, born in SC and Thomas GRAVES, age 14, born in SC. ²

The composition of this household is:
Mary Graves, age 55, born in SC  (Born 1795)
David W. Graves, male, age 32 (born 1818)
Sarah J. Graves, female, age 16 (born 1834)
[William] Thomas Graves, male, age 14 (born 1836)

I have studied, pondered, agonized and struggled over this family composition for many years with one thought in mind – Who are the parents of Sarah J.. Graves?.

Is this Grandma Mary Graves with her son David W and two grand children?
or
Is Mary the Mother of the the three living with her?

Another cog in this conundrum is the correct age of David W. Graves. His tombstone in the Old St. Mary’s Presbyterian Church shows that he was born 22 January 1812. If this date is correct and if Mary was also born as stated in 1795 then Mary would be 17 years old when her son David W. Graves was born.³

My thoughts are that Mary is Mother of David W. Graves and Sarah J. and William Thomas are her grandchildren. I also believed that David W. Graves is the father of Sarah J. and William Thomas Graves. Now I just need a way to proved or disproved this information. 

After the death of Mary Graves, David W. Graves married Mary Ann Gulledge about 1872. To this union 5 children were born 2 sons and 3 daughters.  David reported his age as 42 in 1860 and age 55 in 1880.

What do you think with the facts as presented here: Was David previously married and the Father of Sarah Jane and William Thomas Graves or is there inadequate evidence to draw a conclusion?





_____________________
[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 106A, Line 8, Dwelling 110, Family 110, Household of Mary GRAVES; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2] 1860 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 300, line 34, Dwelling 1238, Family 1188, Household of William A. Purvis; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 887.
[3] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, digital image, (http://www.findagrave.com : Accessed on 1 January 2008); Headstone for David W. Graves; (22 January 1812–21 November 1898); Records of the Saint Mary's Presbyterian Church Cemetery (old); Patrick, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

Friday’s Faces From the Past~William Luke Rivers

Photo Courtesy of T. Sharp

William Luke Rivers
b. 22 June 1849, Alabama
d. 16 Jul. 1930, Red River County, Texas
Son of Matthew Rivers and Mary Prince

52 Ancestors: #16, Nancy J. Davis Ross

 

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story To Small has started a challenge of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
From her blog “The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.”
 
The focus of my blog posting today is Nancy J. Davis Ross. Nancy is my 2nd Great Grand Aunt. Nancy is an enigma that refuses to relinquish her secrets.  
 
Nancy was born 25 June 1844, the fifth child of nine to Michael Davis and Hulda Rivers. A scarcity of records due to burning of the Courthouse and its  records during the Civil War presents a challenge for any researcher or genealogists.^{1 2}   

Publication of misinformation that seems to grow exponentially presents another problem. For instance:

Info: Harry Alexander Davis in his book "The Davis Family in Wales and America" made the following statement: "Nancy J. b 1845 md 1865 David Richard son of Eliza Davis and Benjamin Teal, 1st cousins: had 2 children in 1870." ³

This is not TRUE.

David Richard son of Eliza Davis and Benjamin Teal, did in fact marry Nancy J. Davis. The Nancy J. Davis that he married was born 17 March 1839 and was the daughter of John Calvin Davis and Charlotte Hurst. John Calvin is the uncle of Nancy J. Davis, b. 25 Jun 1844 to Michael Davis and Hulda Rivers. Nancy, b. 25 Jun 1844 married James Ross abt 1870.^{4 5}

Nancy’s late marriage is another puzzle. I don’t believe a young lady waited until she was 26 years old to marry.

Some researcher say NANCY J. DAVIS was married to GEORGE PARKER had 1 son----- d. young. Before marrying (M #2) 17 Jul 1870, James Ross. B abt. 1850. ⁶

This is not true; but may be partially right.

There are two PARKER'S listed in the 1860 Census with wives named NANCY. George A. PARKER, age 24 and his wife Nancy PARKER, age 27 and James K. Parker, age 23 and his wife Nancy PARKER, age 16.

I believe the 16-year of wife of James K. Parker was in fact Nancy J. DAVIS PARKER, b. 25 June 1844. James K. PARKER, Private, Co. E. 21st SC Volunteers, Infantry died 14 April 1862 at Georgetown, SC.

I submit these three comments as circumstantial evidence that Nancy was twice married;
1) During the Civil War, one deed book was snatched from the pile of books burned by Gen. Sherman’s army in March 1865. That book is on file in the Probate office of the Chesterfield County Courthouse. Within that book is a burnt land deed between George A. Parker to James K. Parker dated February 1861, named within the Deed is Nancy Parker. ⁷
 

2) Some researcher say NANCY J. DAVIS was married to GEORGE PARKER had 1 son----- d. young. Before marrying (M #2) 17 Jul 1870, James Ross. B abt. 1850. This is not true; but may be partially right. I believe she married a PARKER; not George but James K. Parker.

3) Nancy is not listed in her parents household in 1860 Chesterfield Census.

1860 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina; Roll: M653_1217;  Image: 191; Family History Library Film: 805217; Page 94, Line 1, Dwelling/Family 1/1. Michael DAVIS, Farmer, age 54, born SC; Hulda DAVIS, Wife, age 45, born SC; William DAVIS, Son, age 26, born SC; Sarah DAVIS, Daughter, age 21, born SC; Thomas DAVIS, Son, age 20, born SC; Charles DAVIS, Son, age 18, born SC; Elisha DAVIS, Son, age 12, born SC; Jane DAVIS, Daughter, age 10, born SC; Mary Eliza DAVIS, Daughter, age 07, born SC. Film #0805217. Living with Michael & Hulda is Mary DAVIS, age 50 [Michael's sister].

Nancy is not with her parents confirming my theory that she is married and based on her age and the land deed is the Nancy Parker listed in James K. Parker household. 

1860 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina; Roll: M653_1217;Image: 254; Family History Library Film: 805217, Page: 125; Line 14, Dwelling 449, Family 448; Jas. K. PARKER, age 23, Labourer, Born in SC; Nancy PARKER, age 16, Born in SC and Elizabeth BRITT, age 20 Born in SC.

Nancy absence for her parents household in 1860, her birth year of 1844 (age 6 in 1850 census) and age 16 in the household of James K. Parker in 1860  are all strong circumstantial evidence  that she was married.

Nancy’s obituary provides no information on a previous marriage. 

Obituary - Mrs. James Ross died at her home on Green Street last Tuesday morning at 6:30 o'clock after a long illness, which she had borne with Christian resignation. Mrs. Ross had attained the age of 75 years and had been a life long member of Zoar church. Before her marriage she was Miss Nancy Davis, and was raised in the Zoar section. She is survived by her husband and a large family connection. The body was laid to rest in the Zoar cemetery Wednesday afternoon. Many beautiful floral tributes attested the love and esteem in which this good woman was held by her friends. ⁸

Nancy D. Ross died 5 November 1918 and was buried beside her husband in Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ⁹

If you have any information on Nancy J. Davis and her marriage please contact me by e-mail.










_______________________
[1] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, page 849. Tombstone of Nancy Davis ROSS; 25 June 1844–5 November 1918, Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[2] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, Page 179B, Line 3, Dwelling/Family 1240/1240, Household of Michael DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 21 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[3] Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis Family (Davies and David) in Wales and America: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: n.p., 1927), page 222.
[4] 1850 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 178A, Line 19, Dwelling 1221, Family 1221, Household of John C. DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 June 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[5] 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #21, Page 108B, Line 75, Dwelling 455, Family 463, .Household of James ROSS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 28 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_Roll: 1523.
[6] Minnie Sanders Rivers, A Rivers Family (Chesterfield, South Carolina: self-Published, 1926), Item 95.
[7] Land Deed - George A. Parker to James K. Parker Deed; February 1861; Deed Book #BURNT BOOK; Page(s) 22; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; 5 July 1997.
[8] Mrs. James Ross obituary, The Chesterfield Advertiser, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, 7 November 1918, page 1, col. 3:
[9] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, page 849. Tombstone of Nancy Davis ROSS; 25 June 1844–5 November 1918, Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Amanuensis Monday~Civil War Recollection of William Benjamin Davis

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.

His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.
 
Today’s subject is a letter written by William Benjamin Davis documenting his time in the Civil war and return home. ¹

William Benjamin Davis.
I, W. B. Davis, volunteered in April 1863, enlisted in Company E, 21st S.C. (South Carolina) Regiment on Morris Island. In less than a month (I) was wounded by a shell on Battery Wagener (Wagner); it was a fifteen inch shell. I was sent to Summerville Hospital. It took two doctors two and one half hours to get the powder out of my face.

When able for service (I) was returned to Battery Wagener (Wagner), (and) from Battery Wagener (Wagner) to Fort Sumter. We whipped the Union army ten to one. From Charleston we were transferred to the Northern Army of Virginia. during the battle of Warhaul (Port Walthal) Junction I was detailed to the rear to guard a lot of baggage, (and) for three days and nights I had only a small piece of bread and a glass of milk for each meal. From there I carried the baggage about two miles back carrying as much as I could at a time for a short distance until I had covered the distance of two miles; at this place I had only wild onions to eat for three days and nights. some Cavalry-men (cavalrymen) passed and gave me a piece of bread and meat for some stationery to write to their homefolks.

From Warhaul (Port Walthal) Junction we went to Cold Harbor, from Cold Harbor to Drewery’s (Drury’s) Bluff, from Drewery’s (Drury’s) Bluff to Gaines (Gaines’) Mill and then to Bermuda Hundred. There I lost my uncle (,) Capt. (Captain) Benjamin Thomas Davis; he was wounded in the thigh and died from the wound. My Uncle Alfred W. Davis was made captain of Company E in his place.

From Bermuda Hundred we went back to Cold Harbor, from there to Malvernrs’ (Malvern) Hill, from there to East Petersburg. On June 18th we fought two hard battles. In one of these battles William A. Davis was wounded in (the) right chest. On June the 24th (in a battle between the Appomattox River and City point Road) I was wounded in the left side by a minnie ball (and) was carried to the rear to a Field Hospital, from there to City Point, put on the old New York boat and sent to Fortress Monroe, from there to Hampton Virginia (Prison) Hospital. Was there seven months with my bowels discharging through the wound partly(.) The first time I left my bunk, I slid on my hands and back to the ward masters (wardmaster’s) office and begged him for a piece of tobacco and he put me on his feather bed and let me rest all the afternoon.

(I) was sent from (the) hospital to Butlers (Butler’s) Bull-pen on (the) 23rd day of Jan. (January,) 1865(,) I was given (a) furlough and transportation home, but on the night of the 22nd Wilmington was captured and I was turned back at Greensboro, and sent to Charlotte and my transportation taken away from me. I stayed in Wayside Hospital one night and started home on foot(,) walked two and rode three miles the first day, second day walked half mile and rode eight, was too weak to travel, begged a man to let me spend the night or sleep in his horse stable but he refused, but later hitched a yoke of oxen to his carriage and brought me two miles towards Monroe, N.C. (North Carolina) to the next house(.) There I found a noble man and woman who took me in and cared for me (for) a week.
From there I rode on a wagon loaded with corn and meat to within two and one half miles of State line between Monroe and Chesterfield(.) The wagon broke down in a creek and there came a rider saying the Yanks were coming, so the driver said he could bring me no further(.) He jumped on the best mule and told me to take the other and follow(.) I rode from about two hour of sun ‘till 9 o’clock that February night in my shirt sleeves and my wound discharging nearly all the time. Had not a bite to eat all day, about nine o’clock we saw a fire, found it was a captain’s camp fire, he gave me all I could eat.

The next day (Sunday) I rode all day on a wagon, night found us about eighteen miles north of Wadesboro(.) There the captain (seeing my condition) went to a Widow Ladies (widow lady’s) house (and) asked her to keep me till Monday morning and he gave me $25.00 and a doctor gave me $20.00 The widows (widow’s) overseer said he would bring me to Wadesboro (,) so he went off for a horse and buggy and I haven’t seen him since. I stayed there a week, had a severe cough, couldn’t sleep, so the lady treated my cold and cured the cough.

After waiting a week for the man (Stevenson) to come back I wanted to get home, so the lady let me ride her horse across a creek, then turn him back to her on the other side.

I walked half a mile in a half day to a Mr. Hancocks (Hancock’s) and he brought me to Wadesboro(.) From there Mr. Tom Little brought me to Alfred Baucom’s place, by night I had walked on to the William Jerman place near Bethel Church and stayed with him a day and night(.) He sent me on an oxcart to Squire John Ratliff and he (with a good horse and buggy) refused to bring me home. So the cart brought me on to Peter Jones, he had picked up an old mule and pulled an old buggy out of Jones Creek, so then he borrowed a pair of plow lines and sent me to my Grandfathers (grandfather’s) for I had no father and mother, each having died during the war.

My father served during the first year of the war, but his health failed and he was sent home and died soon afterwards. I reached home on March the 8th 1865.

That was the end of my militery (military) career.

W. B. Davis
Co. E. 21st S. C. Regt., of Volunteers


 W. B. Davis' father was Carroll Washington Davis. He served with Company C, 2nd Battalion South Carolina Sharp Shooters CSA. He died in February 1863. ²



_________________________
[1] Source: Transcribed by me from original letter in possession of The Stonewall Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Chesterfield South Carolina
[2] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/ : Viewed January 2012), images, "Carroll W. Davis, Probate File #66," images 23-158; South Carolina Archives and History.

Sunday's Obituary~He Was 113 Years Old

Jeremiah Polson

b. 2 July 1789

d. 4 July 1902

bu. Haskew Cemetery

HE WAS 113 YEARS OLD
Remarkable Case of Longevity in Marlboro County
Special to The State.
Bennettsville, July 8. Jeremiah Polson, the oldest man ever known in this section, died at his home ten miles southeast of Bennettsville last Friday and was buried at the Haskew cemetery, near Clio Saturday. He claimed to be 113 years old, and the claim is not doubted by those who knew him. The oldest citizens of this place remember him as an old man in their boyhood. He had a numerous progeny, and some of his grand children are now old men and women.  Mr. Polson celebrated his 113th birthday on July 2, and told his family to prepare a good dinner and hold a prayer meeting at night, as he was about to finish his earthly career. He could remember events of three centuries, and talked sanely till the last. ¹

Jeremiah Polson is my 3rd Great Grandfather. My Great Grandmother, Laura Driggers, is Jeremiah‘s grand daughter.
 
Jeremiah was married 3 times. His first wife was Nancy Gandy. In 1870 Census, his wife is listed as Ausby, age 63 and in 1880 Census, his wife is listed as Sarah J. Polson age 21. Her oldest child is age 3 resulting in a most likely 1876 marriage year. 

Jeremiah Polson had 21 children with his first wife, Nancy Gandy. No children have been found from his second marriage. From his third marriage to Sarah J. there were two boys born to this union for a total of 23 known children.


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[1] Jeremiah Polson obituary, The State, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, 8 July 1902, page 2, column 3. HE WAS 113 YEARS OLD.