Amanuensis Monday~Ordered to 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 an Order to sale in the Stephen Brock Estate.¹

The tombstone of Stephen Brock shows that he was born 22 February 1820 and died 11 September 1867.

His wife (Nancy Smith Brock) was granted Administratrix of the estate. 

On the 25th day of November 1867, R. T. Powell, K. T. Morgan and John H. Thomas made oath the they would that would make a just and true appraisements of all and singular the goods and chattels of Stephen Brock.
 


The appraisement was completed showing a “meager” list of possessions valued at a $70.00. However, not listed on the inventory was a parcel of Land in the town of Cheraw, known as Lot 246. It looks as if Nancy chose to hang onto this lot for a while but her son, Peter Haley had other plans.



The State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
To Hugh Craig, Esq. Judge of Probate
The Petition of Peter H. Brock
Shewth that Stephen Brock late of said County lately died intestate leaving him surviving his Widow, Nancy Brock, P. H. Brock, Ervin S. Brock, Frank Brock & Calhoun Brock, and that the said intestate was seized & possessed in his own right of the one half interests in a certain lot in the town of Cheraw Numbered 246 on Market Street continued__
Your petitioner being desirous of attaining his share of the above property prays that a summons in partition do ifsue [issue] for the division or sale of the same.
Jany 10^th 1870                                                                                     P. H. Brock


An Order to Sale was issued by the Courts and Lot 246 was sold and the proceeds divided among the heirs named above.


Court of Probate
Chesterfield County
P. H. Brock }
vs }
Nancy Brock & others}
Order for the Sale of
Stephen Brock, interest
being the one half in a
Lot No. 246 on Market
Street continued in Cheraw.




 
____________________________________
[1] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19384-41721-51?cc=1911928&wc=MPPR-L29:190567401,190561002,190567402,190646901 : accessed 29 Jun 2014), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > Cases 0088-0152 > image 1040 of 1495.

Sunday’s Obituary~Death of William Lafayette Brown

The State of Mississippi}
Lauderdale County} To the Honorable Jubal B. Hancock Judge of Probate court Lauderdale County and said county. The petition of Martha Brown & John H. Brown residents of said  county respectfully shows that William Brown late of said County departed this life the 19th August and leaving no will so far as your petitioner knows or believes. That said intestate died possessed of real Estate and about 6 negro slaves and a stock of horses, cattle & hogs, some farming utensils, some debts due him. That your petitioners are the Widow and sone <sic> of said deceased. That beside your petitioner the said deceased left nine other heirs, distributes to wit; Catherine Dear wife of John Dear and Sarah Jane Wife of John Warner, William L., Martha, Almira, Emeline, Margaret, Frances, one an infant not named [Dorothy], children of said deceased. Your petitioner therefore prays that letters of administration may be granted then and they offer Arthur Brown and Thomas Hambrick securities on their bond, John Malone, Isaac Luttles and John Gillespie they name as appraisers and again duly bound your petitioner will ever pray & etc.
                                                                                              Martha Brown
                                                                                             John Brown
Sworn to and subscribed Sept. 12, 1853
            J. B. Hancock, Judge of Probate
Filed 12th Sept. 1853, Recorded 13th Sept. 1853
Benj. L. Parke, Clerk

William Brown was born abt 1807 in Georgia after his parents migrated from Chesterfield, South Carolina. He was a son of John H. Brown and his wife Sarah Rivers. He was a big man and said be be a championship boxer.

He married Martha J. Hamrick on December 25, 1828 in Monroe County, Alabama. They had 10 children; 2 sons and 8 daughters. 

William died on 19 August 1853 in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. He is buried at the Goodwater Cemetery, Meehan, Lauderdale County, Mississippi.

William Lafayette Brown is my 1st cousin 5 times removed. 




___________________________
[1] "Mississippi, Probate Records, 1781-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-31039-17777-49?cc=2036959&wc=M7MJ-V6J:344617901,344670201 : accessed 28 Jun 2014), Lauderdale > Probate records 1851-1855 vol D-E > image 136 of 632.

Surname Saturday~James M. Purvis Marriage Times 3

James M. Purvis was born 1 April 1830 in Rankin County, Mississippi, a son of William Purvis and Millie Cook. He was one of nine children with 4 brothers and 4 sisters. 

DNA testing shows that these children are my 2nd to 4th Cousins. However, with that knowledge I still have not connected my “brickwall” – William A. Purvis to this family.

James during his lifetime was married three times. From two of these three marriage eleven (11) known children were produced.

1st Wife
James married his first wife, Martha Caroline Russell, 17 December 1855 in Rankin County, Mississippi. To this union 7 children were born: ¹

• James Buchanan Purvis, b. 24 Nov 1856
• Jerome G. Purvis, b. 17 June 1858
• Laura V. Purvis, b. abt 1860
• Jefferson Davis Purvis, b. abt 1862
• Mary Melinda Purvis, b. 23 May 1863
• William Jerry Purvis, b. abt 1867
• Callie Purvis, b. 20 Jan 1869

Martha Caroline Russell died 15 December 1873 and is buried in Puckett & Purvis, Old Rock Bluff Cemetery, Daniel, Smith County, Mississippi. ²

2nd Wife 
After the death of Martha Caroline, James married Sarah A. Russell Cox.³ Sarah and Caroline are said to be sisters though I haven’t made that connection just yet. Sarah A. Russell married Melephron Cox in November 1852. Melephron went off to War and never returned. By 1880 James Purvis and Sarah A. Cox were married. The question is when did they marry?

Records on Ancestry says they were married 17 January 1870. This date is suspect. Remember, Caroline was still alive and as far as we know still married to James in 1870. She did not passed away until 15 December 1873.

 Therefore, three of the four children listed here may be Martha Caroline’s children or if the marriage date is correct they could be those of Sarah A. Cox Purvis.  

• Sarah Kathryn Purvis, b. abt 1870
• Hattie Ennis Purvis, b. abt 1872
• Renvah Malissa Purvis, b. abt 1872
• Masura Ennis Purvis, b. abt 1876

1880 CENSUS: Smith County, Mississippi; Roll: 664; Family History Film: 1254664; Enumeration District: 106, Page: 328D(stamped); Line 41, Dwelling NL, Family NL; James PURVIS, male, age 50, Farmer, born in MS; S. N. PURVIS, Wife, age 48, born in MS; J. G. PURVIS, Son, age 21, born in MS; P. J. COCKS [COX] , Step-son, age 19, born in MS; J. D. PURVIS, Son, age 18, born in MS; Malinda PURVIS, Daughter, age 16, born in MS; J. P. PURVIS, Son, age 14, born in MS; Callie PURVIS, Daughter, age 12, born in MS; S. C. PURVIS, Daughter, age 10, born in MS; R. M.  PURVIS, Daughter, age 8, born in SC; Hattie Ennis PURVIS, Daughter, age 8, born in MS and Masura PURVIS, daughter, age 4, born in MS. ⁴

The death date of Sarah A. Cox Purvis is unknown but occurred before 1895.

3rd Wife
The 1900 Census shows that James took another younger wife in 1895. The young lady was known as Sarah E. (LNU) Purvis born May 1844. There are listings on line suggesting that her full name is Sarah Elizabeth Mize. This has not been confirmed with solid evidence. ⁵

They 1900 Census for Rankin County Mississippi shows that they have been married 5 years with no children.



James M. Purvis died at age 78 on 18 January 1909. He is buried in Rock Bluff Cemetery, Daniel, Smith County, Mississippi. ⁶



____________________________
[1] "Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935," digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 25 June 2014), Marriage - James Purvis & Caroline Russell, 17 Dec. 1855, Rankin County, Mississippi.
[2] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 27 June 2014); Memorial page for Caroline Purvis; (4 February 1836–15 December 1873); Find a Grave memorial # 130030270, Citing Puckett & Purvis, Old Rock Bluff Cemetery; Daniel, Smith County, Mississippi, USA.
[3] "Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935," digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 25 June 2014), Marriage - James Purvis & Caroline Russell, 17 Dec. 1855, Rankin County, Mississippi.
[4] 1880 U. S. Census, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 106, Page: 328D(stamped); Line 41, Dwelling NL, Family NL, Household of James PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 27 June 2014); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_664.
[5] 1900 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 0084, Page: 16A/251(stamped); Line 1, Dwelling 280, Family 280, Household of James PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 25 June 2014); citing NARA publication T623_826.
[6] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 January 2011); Memorial page for James [M.] Purvis; (1 April 1830–18 January 1909); Find a Grave memorial # 49563256, Citing Rock Bluff Cemetery; Daniel, Smith County, Mississippi, USA.

Treasure Chest Thursday~William Eddins, Deceased

Pre Civil war records are very scarce for Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Gen. Sherman and his union forces set out to make an example of our little town of Chesterfield, the county seat of Chesterfield County. Not only did they take everything that was edible but they also burned the Courthouse and every public document that they could find.

Yesterday, I received a small booklet that I ordered from Amazon entitled “Cheraw District, South Carolina, Court of Equity, Volume 2: Minutes, 1823-1832” by Lee G. Barrow.

The booklet consist of 152 pages of which 11 & 1/2 pages are indexes.  Two transcripts of records in this book automatically caught my attention.

These two records were found on pages 17 and 29 and are shown below:
Page 208                                                                                                       May 1824

May Term 1824

William Sellars}
Vs }
James Notts adm. } Bill for account partition & discovery
Wm. Edings do}
Mary Edings do } On motion compl. Sol, it is ordered that a writ of partition do issue in the above case directed to Turner [?] Bryan, Peter May, Hardy Sellars, W. McBryde [?] & Lewis Ganey requiring then to divide the estate of the late Wm. Eddings, among his heirs at law – and to allot one third part of the estate both real and personal to Mary Edings the _widow of Wm. Edings Decd. And that the do make a return thereof to the next court.
 
Page 225                                                                                                February 1825

February Term 1825

William Sellers & wife & others}
Vs }
Mary Eddings, Jos. Knotts}
Admr. of W.} On motion of Evans for the Complainants Ordered that the return of the Commissioner to the writ of partition be confirmed & it is further Ordered and decreed that the property allotted the complainant William Sellers & wife be conveyed by said Sellers to some person to be nominated by the Commissioner in terms for the husband & wife during their joint lives then to the survivors for life then to the Children of marriage share & share Alike.

These two transcriptions may not seem very important but to this genealogist researching in a county where records are so scarce they are priceless.

This William Eddings was born about 1757 in North Carolina. He married first Nancy LNU who passed away about 1816; he then married Mary LNU. William died in 1822 and his death is recorded in a Chesterfield County Bond Book. Gilly Eddings is the wife of William Sellers and daughter of William & Nancy Eddings.

William Sellers and Gilly Eddings are my 3rd Great Grandparents.
________________________
[1] [Cheraw District, South Carolina, Court of Equity, Volume 2: Minutes, 1823-1832, Lee G. Barrow, Bargraphica, Gainesville, GA, 2013, Page 17]
[2] [Cheraw District, South Carolina, Court of Equity, Volume 2: Minutes, 1823-1832, Lee G. Barrow, Bargraphica, Gainesville, GA, 2013, Page 29]
Note: Eddins is spelled – Eddings, Eddins, Edings, Eddens, etc.

52 Ancestors: #26, Sarah Jane Previtte McCall

 


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 today is my Great Grand Aunt – Sarah Jane Previtte McCall.

Sarah Jane Previtte was born on 20 May 1871 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina to John Washington Previtte and Elizabeth “Bette” Davis. Her oldest sister, Mary Hulda, is my Great Grandmother.^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7}

Sarah Jane had 10 siblings growing up as a young lady; 4 sisters and 6 brothers. As she approached her eighteen birthday she must have been madly in love James Francis “Jack” McCall. Jack was the son of William A. McCall and Anna Elizabeth Purvis. Sarah Jane and Jack were married in 1889. Marriage licensees for this period do not exist; this date is based on data reported to the Census Taker in the 1900 census, married 11 years, 3 children, 3 living.⁸ 

James Francis McCall and Sarah Jane Previtte had the following children:

i. Willie May McCall, born 18 Dec 1892, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Joseph B. Harding.
ii. Mary Elizabeth McCall, born 12 Oct 1894, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married William Evander Summerford.
iii. John Alexander McCall, born 28 Jul 1896, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Elizabeth McLeod.
iv. Nancy Ross McCall, born 18 Oct 1900, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Walter Jackson Williamson.
v. James Howard McCall was born on 22 Jul 1906 in Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

Jack died on 24 Nov 1943 and was buried at Old Saint David’s Episcopal Church Cemetery.⁹ His wife, Sarah Jane passed away 15 months later on 22 February 1945. She is buried beside her husband at Saint David’s Episcopal Church Cemetery.^{10 11}





______________________________________
1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 3 June 2012); Memorial page for Sara Jane Previtt McCall; (20 May 1871–22 February 1945); Find a Grave memorial # 66228149, Citing Old Saint David’s Episcopal Church Cemetery; Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
2. 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.
3. 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #18, Page 57A, Line 25, Dwelling 194, Family 205, Household of James McCALL; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 5 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_1523.
4. 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #0033, Page 49, Line 25, Dwelling 25, Family 25, Household of James McCALL; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 5 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T624_1455.
5. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #36, Page 75A, Line 15, Dwelling 276, Family 281, Household of James McCALL; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 5 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.
6. 1930 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #7, Page 200A, Line 30, Dwelling 75, Family 82, Household of James F. McCALL; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 5 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T626_2192.
7. 1940 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 13-7, Page 94B/1B; Line 42, Household #308;, Household of James F. McCALL; digital images, 1940 CENSUS (http://1940census.archives.gov : viewed 1 July 2012); citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 3799.
8. 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #18, Page 57A, Line 25, Dwelling 194, Family 205, Household of James McCALL; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 5 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_1523.
9. James F McCall, Chesterfield County, South Carolina death certificate 012931 (27 November 1943).
10. Sarah J. McCall, death certificate 006962 (22 February 1945), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
11. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Sara Jane Previtt McCall (20 May 1871–22 February 1945), Memorial # 66228149.

Tombstone Tuesday~Joseph Hardy Sellers

b. Aug. 5, 1853

d. Oct. 6, 1878

bu. Gaddy-Sellers Cemetery¹

Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

Note: Weather has taken it’s toil on this tombstone making it almost totally illegible.

Young Joseph Hardy Sellers was only 25 years old when he took his own life. No one today knows what possessed this young man to take the course of action that he chose.
 
Saturday, October 12, 1878, MONROE ENQUIRER (Union County, NC)-We learn that on last Sunday, Mr. Joseph SELLERS, a young man about 24 years old, and living near Chesterfield CH [Courthouse], committed suicide by shooting himself with a pistol...²

Joseph Hardy was born  in August 1853 to Hardy Huntley Sellers and Mary Eliza Sinclair. This was their 3rd child and an older brother and sister preceded him. He also had a twin sister and a younger brother. His father Hardy Huntley Sellers passed away when he was a mere 3 years and 5 months old.  

It’s almost certain that without a father, his Mother Mary struggled to raise their family of 5 siblings throughout the war years (1861-1865) and throughout the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877). 

Joseph Hardy Sellers is my 1st cousin 5 times removed.  




_______________________
[1] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 23 June 2013); Memorial page for Joseph Hardy Sellers; (5 August 1853–6 October 1878); Find a Grave memorial # 42742799, Citing Gaddy-Sellers Cemetery; Ruby, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[2] Julie Hampton Ganis, http://www.usgwarchives.net/, CHESTERFIELD CO., SOUTH CAROLINA - Miscellaneous Newspaper Accounts (http://files.usgwarchives.net/sc/chesterfield/newspapers/misc01.txt : viewed 23 Jan 2014), Death of Joseph Sellers, committed suicide by shooting himself with a pistol..., 7 October 1878.

Amanuensis Monday~1808 Land Deed-Phillip Sellers to James Ratliff

 
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 1808 Land Deed between Phillip Sellers and James Ratliff.¹

In 1808 Phillip SELLERS sells a tract of land of 140 acres to James RATLIFF. This land was lying on southwest side of the Pee Dee River, at the head of a spring branch of Rushing's Creek, which was a branch of Thompson's Creek. Phillip's wife Mary SELLERS signed (with her mark) this deed also. The deed states that the land had been patented to George McKAY in 1775, indicating by her signature that Mary may have been the daughter of George McKAY (a very slim possibility). Other possibilities are that she may be either a Gulledge or Huntley. No Will or Land Division has been found for George McKAY.

This is the only known document that names the wife of Phillip Sellers (b. 1774, d. abt 1834), son of Hardy Sellers and Mary Cook. The last name of Phillip’s wife Mary is INKNOWN.

There are many trees on Ancestry that shows Phillips wife listed as Mary Rebecca. As stated above, this Land Deed is the only known document that lists his wife's name and it is signed as Mary X Sellers. Nowhere in the deed can you find the name Rebecca. 



If you have information on Phillip & Mary Sellers, I would love to share information with you.
______________________
[1] North Carolina, Deed Book: Deed Book M, page 214, Phillip Sellers to James Ratliff, M:214; Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

52 Ancestors: #25, Sarah Ann Davis

 


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 post today is Sarah Ann Davis.
 
Sarah Ann Davis was born on 5 Jun 1838 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ¹ She was the second born child of Michael Davis and Hulda Rivers Davis. Her older brother, William Alfred, was a mere baby of 3 years 6 months 25 days. William and Sarah Ann would eventually have 7 additional siblings; 4 sisters and three brothers. ²  

At 24 years of age Sarah Ann Davis would take as her husband, William M. “Bill” Freeman, also age 24. They were married sometime in 1860 most likely the latter part of 1860. It’s very clear that their new marriage was interrupted by the Civil War in 1861. Bill enlisted with Co. E, 21st. Regiment, Infantry.^{3 4}

This delayed the start of their family delaying the birth of their first born, a daughter, to 18 July 1864. Together they would raise 8 children; 6 sons and 2 daughters. ⁵

Their children were:

• Barzilla Freeman, daughter, born 18 Jul 1864
• Mical J. Freeman was born on 30 Sep 1866
• William John Freeman, born 15 Oct 1868
• James Henry Freeman, born 23 Dec 1869
• Elisha Randolph Freeman, born 22 May 1872
• Thomas Benjamin Freeman, born 15 Dec 1874
• Hulda Jane Freeman, daughter, born 12 Jun 1877
• Edgar Clarence Freeman was born in Mar 1884

Sarah Ann Davis Freeman died on 16 Feb 1910 at the age of 71 and was buried at Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery in in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. Her husband, Bill died 12 years later on 27 July 1922.⁶

Sarah Ann Davis Freeman is my 2nd Great Aunt.


 
________________________________
[1] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, page 829. Tombstone of Sarah Ann Davis Freeman; 5 June 1838–16 February 1910, Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[2] 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 94, Line 1, Dwelling/Family 1/1, Household of Michael DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 26 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.
[3] 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #21, Page: 102B, Line 51, Dwelling 329, Family 335, Household of William M. FREEMAN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 29 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_Roll: 1523.
[4] Johnson Hagood, Memoirs of the War of Succession (Camden, SC 29020: Jim Fox Books, 1997 (Reprint)), page 408.
[5] 1880 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #5, Page 326B; Line 28, Dwelling 288, Family 288, Wm. FREEMAN; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 29 August 2011); citing National Archive Microfilm T9, Roll 1225.
[6] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 18 July 2012); Memorial page for William Freeman; (9 August 1836–27 July 1922); Find a Grave memorial # 10852213, Citing Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery; Brocks Mill, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

Military Monday~A Missing Soldier Final Resting Place

 
On 22 May 2014, I wrote an article about Rollin R. Sellers entitled “Vanished”.

That article contained the following comments:
‘Rollen R. Sellers and wife, Sarah, lived in the Morven Township of Anson County, NC, and were listed in the 1850 and 1860 census. In 1850 they were listed with one child. Rollen enlisted in one of Anson County Regiments during the War Between the States. He was discharged from this unit after being wounded and later walked to Brunswick County, NC and enlisted with another group of Ansonians called 'The Okay Boys.' He did not return from the war, and we can only assume he was killed in the Battle of Fort Johnson or died in a prison.' Marie Wiggins.

During the past week I was scanning through the monumental (163 pages) estate file of Sarah Sellers, nee Pratt, wife of Rollen Sellers.

While viewing this file I stopped to read page 89 of the file. ¹

Transcription:
The plaintiff then introduced evidence to show the relationship of the parties to Sarah Sellers, stating facts of relation as above set out, and also that Sarah Brooks first married a Brooks and after his death, she married Roland R. Sellers and also that Roland R. Sellers died during the War and that Sarah died in 1871, and that Phillip Sellers and wife Martha have been in the exclusive possession of the land since the death of said Sarah died in 1871, and that...{ Document dated May 15, 1886, Image 89 of 163}

This document sent me off on  another search for Rollen R. Sellers death date and this time I was successful.
 
My first stop was Fold3.com where I had been many time before looking for this elusive death date. Roland enlisted twice during the Civil War. His first enlistment occurred on 1 July 1861 when he enlisted into Company "K", 26th NC Regiment. He was discharged on 5 July 1862.

After his discharge in July 1862, Roland was enlisted into Company "G", 3rd Artillery (40th State Troops) on 14 Aug 1863 at Fort Branch by Capt. Holland for the duration of the War.

Fold3 has record from both the 3^rd Regiment and 26^th Regiment. His first enlistment (26^th Reg’t) consists of 10 images; his second enlistment (3^rd Reg’t) consists of 10 images. Nowhere with these 20 images is there any mention of injury or death to Rollin R. Sellers. ^{2 3}

So while Fold3 had two sets of records consisting of 20 images it was a total bust as to the demise of Rollin R. Sellers in the Civil War.

After the War, Sarah is found living in Morven, NC in the 1870 Census with her daughter [Sarah] Elizabeth Sellers, age 18.


1870 CENSUS: Morven, Anson County, North Carolina; Roll: M593_1122;  Image: 208; Family History Library Film: 552621, Page: 395B(stamped); Line 15, Dwelling 83, Family 83; S. [Sarah] SELLARS, female, age 64, born in NC and Elizabeth SELLARS, female, age 18, born in NC. ⁴

For NC soldier you would be remiss if you didn't peruse the series entitled “NC State Troop, 1861-1865: A Roster”. ⁵ This entire series consists of 18 volumes. Coincidentally, an index of these volumes has just been completed and posted on line. This index can be assessed at: http://cwroster.ncdcr.gov/

A search for Rollin R. Sellers turned up 4 mentions of his name; all in Volume 1 of the series. ⁶



A call to the local Library confirmed that all 18 volumes were available at the Library. Pages 311, 403 and 463 was just general enlistment info and somewhat disappointing; but, with page 716 I hit the jackpot with answers to Where, When and How. ⁷



SELLERS, ROLLIN R., Private
Page 403. Wounded in the intestines near Savannah, Georgia, December 10, 1864. Died prior to December 20, 1864. Place of death not reported.
Louis H. Manarin, North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster, Volume 1 (Raleigh, North, South Carolina: North Carolina State Archives, 1966), page 716, Column 2.

So, I now have Rollin Sellers death date narrowed down to a 10 day period, 10-20 December 1864. At this point my next step was to “google” the name Rollin Sellers. Several pages came up during this search that proved helpful and eventually led to the tombstone of R. Sellers, in the Laurel Grove Cemetery (North), Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. The two most notable leads came from The North Carolina in the Civil War Message Board and Surry Cousins. ^{8 9}

40 N.C.
Sellers, R.; 13 Dec 64; Confederate, Laurel Grove, Savannah

How I would love to tell my dear friend and fellow researcher Marie Wiggins about this find. I bet she’s looking down from Heaven and smiling right about now.

Roland R. Sellers ¹⁰

b. 1821

d. 13 October 1864

bu. Laurel Grove Cemetery (North), Savannah, Ga.

Click to View Tombstone

 

Roland R. Sellers is my 1st Cousin 4 times removed.

________________________
AKA: Rolin, Rollin, Rolen, Rollen, Roland
[1] Anson County, North Carolina, North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979, Sarah PRATT SELLERS; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: viewed 14 June 2015); NC Estate File -Sarah Sellers, nee Brooks.
[2] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 19 May 2014), entry for Rolen R. SELLERS, Private; Company "K", 26th NC Regiment; Confederate.
[3] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 19 May 2014), entry for Rolen R. SELLERS, Private; Co. "C", 3rd Artillery (40th State Troops); Confederate.
[4] 1870 U S Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, Page: 395B (stamped); Line 15, Dwelling 83, Family 83, Household of S. [Sarah] SELLARS; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 19 May 2012); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1122.
[5] Louis H. Manarin, North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster, Volume 1 (Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina State Archives, 1966), page 716, Column 2.
[6] http://cwroster.ncdcr.gov/
[7] Louis H. Manarin, North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster, Volume 1 (Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina State Archives, 1966), page 716, Column 2.
[8] http://www.history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs62x/nccwmb/webbbs_config.pl?md=read;id=700
[9] http://www.genealogy.mountainscape.com/surrycousins/Civil_War_Vet_Pics_List.htm
[10] Find A Grave Memorial# 37497140

Amanuensis Monday-1820 Anson County Marriage Contract

 
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 1820 Anson County Marriage Contract.¹


Transcription:

Christopher McRae and Patsy Cooley Marriage ContractThis indenture made this 14th day of December 1820 Between Christopher McRae Sen. Of the first part and Patsy Cooley of the Second part and Alexander Little the third part. Witnessth That where as a marriage is shortly intended to be had and solemnized Between the said Christopher McRae and Patsy Cooley- and he being desirous to secure to the said Patsy Cooley an adequate support and maintenance which the said Patsy Cooley agrees to accept in full satisfaction for her claim to dower and distributive share of said Christopher McRae personal estate which is significant by the said Patsy Cooley becoming a party to this deed. He the said Christopher McRae in consideration of the premises and of the sum off five schillings to him in hand paid by the Alexander Little doth here by Give Grant Bargain sell convey and deliver to the said Alexander Little his heirs Exec and adms under the following conditions limitations restrictions & bounds. One fifth part of the tract of land the said Christopher McRae now lives on to be laid off so as to include the Buildings and lying next and adjoining to the lands of John Rogers and also two negro Slaves, viz. Peter and Caty with the increase of the said Caty to & for the use of the said Christopher McRae until the said Marriage is had & solemnized & then to & for the separate use & support of the said Patsy Cooley for life and after her death to and for the use of her children which she may have by the said Christopher McRae and in case she should have no children by the said Christopher McRae nor the lawful issue of such being at the time of her death then the said lands and Negroes are to go to the said Christopher McRae if living and in case he should be dead to his children and their Issues or lawful heirs and it is further agreed by the said Christopher McRae that should the said Patsy Cooley survive him that she shall have at his death one fifth part of all his stock of horses hogs cattle and sheep and one fifth of the money he shall then leave on hand and also all his household furniture and the said Patsy Cooley doth by these presents absolutely relinquish all further claim to dower and a distributive share of the said Christopher McRae’s Estate. In witness whereof the said Christopher McRae sen Patsy Cooley and the said Alexander Little hath here unto set their hands and affixed their seals the day and date first above written.
                                                                                   Christopher X McRae {seal}
Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of}                 Patsy X Cooley {seal}
Hugh McKenzie                                                                               A. Little {seal}
Wm. Douglas to the signature of C. McRae &Patsy Cooley}
Joseph Pickett to the Execution of A. Little}

Anson Jany- term 1821. Then the within instrument of writing was duly by Hugh McKenzie and William Douglass who attested the signatures of Christopher McRae and Patsy Cooley and by the acknowledgement of A. Little one of the parties concerned and named in said instrument. and ordered to be Registered.






_________________________
[1] Anson County, North Carolina, Book “Z”: pages 374-375, Christopher McRae and Patsy Cooley Marriage Contract; 14 December 1820, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina. 

Census Surprise~Unknown Wife Revealed

This past week I did some census work of several allied lines in my extended family. 

One of the lines I worked on was the family of William Washington Davis.  William is my 3rd cousin twice removed. It was time to fill in some blanks. For years I have had William family in my database with his wife and four children, one of which was deceased. 
The family looked like this:

• William Washington Davis, b. 12 Jan 1874
• Hattie Eugenia [Teal] Davis, b. 10 Oct 1879
• Minnie Allie Davis, b. 19 Oct 1893
• Iva Davis, b. 22 June 1896, d, 22 Oct 1896
• Clara Grace Davis, b. 1 May 1900 
• Dewey Thurman Davis. b.  22 Aug 1905

Just looking at the family composition no red flags stand out. Yes, Hattie was a mere 14 years of age in this picture but it’s not a big issue for this area and this time period. 

So I wanted to take a look at the census and get solid sources for the data I already had and just tidy everything up with real facts and sources.  

Taking a look at the 1910 census it showed the family thus.  



The family is just as depicted above with little Iva Davis missing and two elderly Thurman Aunts living in the household. 

But there is a red flag here. 1910 Census shows you how long a couple have been married; how many children they have produced plus how many of those children are still living.  Hattie, I presumed, told the Census taker she had been married 12 years  with 2 children and 2 living. The other Red flag is that William states that he this is his second marriage.



The 1900 census reinforce what we learned from the 1910 Census.



In this census it shows marriage of 3 years with 1 child with one child living and at this point it’s unnamed. 

Based on these facts we know that William and Hattie were married about 1897 and that the two youngest children are of this marriage. 

So who is the mother of Minnie Allie Davis and William Washington Davis’ first wife.
The passage of the Social Security Acts in 1935 results in the creation of documents that will aid us in determining the name of the mother of Minnie Allie Davis and William Washington Davis‘ fist wife.

Searching on Ancestry using Minnie Allie Davis name and  date of birth I found a delayed birth certificate for Minnie Allie Davis. 




This certificate shows that Minnie Allie Davis was born 19 October 1893 , a child of Willie Washington Davis and Albinie Sellers in Chesterfield, South Carolina.

The 1st wife and Mother of Minnie Allie Davis is – Albinie Sellers. 

Little Iva Davis was delivered in June 1896 and passed away in October 1896. I feel certain Albinie Sellers Davis passed away during this same time period. 

A search for Albinie Sellers revealed no results. I do have a Albany F. Sellers, born abt 1874 in my database. She is a daughter of Samuel Joseph Sellers and Mary Elizabeth “Betty Hurst. I suspect that Albany and Albinie Sellers are the same person. 

Pay attention to the small detailed about marriages and children contained within the 1900 and 1910 censuses and you may find some surprises in your family research. 

______________________
[1] 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0020, Page: 2A/74(stamped); Line 26, Dwelling 26, Family 26, Household of William W. DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2014); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_1523.
[2] 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina;, enumeration district (ED) 0036, Page: 19B/122 (stamped); Line 79, Dwelling 339, Family 342, Household of William W. DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2014); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1455.

52 Ancestors: #24, Mary Cook Sellers

 

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 the First Wife of Hardy Sellers - MARY COOK. 
 
Hardy Sellers is my 5th Great Grandfather; thus, his wife is my my 5^th Great Grandmother. For years we knew that Hardy was twice married and that his second wife was Levinia Gulledge, daughter of Rev. Joel Gulledge and Zilpha Huntley. Hardy and Levinia had two children:
 
{#25} Evans, John Exer. vs. H. H. Sellers & others - Bill for partition & c 1851
See Will of Hardy Sellers. Hardy Sellers died testate on or about 17th January 1835, leaving widow, Levinia Sellers and children: Hardy Huntley Sellers and Zylpha Ann Sellers and the children & grandchildren from a former marriage, John Sellers; Abraham Sellers; Philip Sellers; Richard Sellers; Mary who intermarried with Thomas Gaddy; Elijah Gulledge, James Gulledge, & Pheobe Gulledge the children of Pheobe, a deceased daughter of Hardy Sellers who predeceased her father; and, Iverson L. Briley, the son of Jane, a deceased daughter of Hardy Sellers who predeceased her father. ¹
 
The name of Hardy’s first wife went undocumented for years until James C. Pigg published his book entitled “Some Descendants of Hardy Sellers of Chesterfield County, South Carolina” in 2001.² Prior to the revealing of Hardy first wife a large group of Sellers researchers were compiling data on the various Sellers Lines that can be found here: http://www.sellers-sellars-sollars-zellars.net/ ³
 
Among those involved were Marie Gulledge Wiggins, myself, Jim Pigg, Belinda Guerette and many others. If you browse the above website you will see the names of various contributors to this effort. 
 
Hardy Sellers first wife was revealed to be Mary Cook, daughter of Abram Cook and Feebe Mastin. This information was found in a Book entitled “The Book of Cooks" Some Descendants of Daniel & Ruth Moultrie Cook who married in South Carolina about 1785, by Virginia James Cook and Leacy Elizabeth Newell, Camden, Wilcox County, Alabama, 1978, Page 7. The information was provided to Jim by a “COOK” researcher in the state of Georgia. Her name is being withheld for privacy concerned but we chatted about the book just a couple days ago and she is sending me some additional pages from the Book. ⁴
 
MARY COOK, 1^st Wife of HARDY SELLERS
 
Mary Cook is my 5^th Great Grandmother. Very little is currently known about Mary Cook. She is said to be the daughter of Abram Cook and Feebe Mastin. I believe this to be partially right but a Quaker Meeting minute’s shows that Abraham Cook married Phebe MILLS not Feebe Mastin on 25 September 1756.
 


Abraham’s son, Daniel who married Ruth Moultrie had a son named Abraham Mastin Cook. It possible someone in the past assumed that this middle name “Mastin” was the surname of Daniel’s Mother and thus the reason Abraham was named Abraham Mastin Cook.
On the other hand we could be looking at two different Abraham Cook’s with wives named Phebe or Feebe. 
 
What is known about Mary Cook is based on data contained within ”The Book of Cook”.⁵ She married Hardy Sellers in Chesterfield County, South Carolina about 1771. This date is calculated based on their first born son John Sellers birth date of 19 June 1772. 
 
Hardy and Mary had 7 known children listed in the above equity record – 4 sons and 3 daughters. Census records indicate the possibilities of 2 additional daughters not named above. Hardy married Levinia Gulledge about 1827. Hardy and Mary are listed in the 1790-1820 censuses for Chesterfield County, SC. Mary’s date of birth is unknown. However, based on these 4 censuses Mary’s birth date calculates to be between 1756 and 1765. She died between 1820 and 1827. ^{6 7 8 9}






 
_______________________
[1] James C. Pigg, Cheraw/Chesterfield District Wills, 1750-1865: Abstracts from the Court of Common Pleas 1823-1869 (Tega Cay, South Carolina: Self-published, 1995), page 118.
[2] Pigg James C., Some Descendants of Hardy Sellers of Chesterfield County, South Carolina (Tega Cay, SC 29708: James C. Pigg, 2001), page 1.
[3] http://www.sellers-sellars-sollars-zellars.net/
[4] Virginia James Cox & Leacy Elizabeth Newell, The Book of Cooks: Some descendants' of Daniel & Ruth Moultrie Cook who married in South Carolina about 1785 (Camden, Wilcox County, Alabama: n.p., 1978), page 7.
[5] Ibid.
[6] 1790 U. S. Census, Cheraw District, South Carolina, population schedule, St Thomas, Cheraws District, South Carolina, Page: 373; Line 939, Household of Hardy SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 11 January 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M637_11.
[7] 1800 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 106; Line 16, Household of Hardy SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 January 2012); citing NARA microfilm publication M32, Roll 47.
[8] 1810 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 578; Line 23, Household of Hardy SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 January 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M252_60.
[9] 1820 Census of the United States, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 128; Line 5th from bottom of page, Household of Hardy SELLERS; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 January 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M 33_119.

Tombstone Tuesday~Sarah Ellen White Lee

Sarah Ellen White Lee

b. 16 July 1857

d. 20 July 1927

bu. Union Grove Cemetery, Marion Co., AL

Tombstone Photo Courtesy of Virginia Fitzhugh-Lee

Sarah Ellen White was the daughter of Richmond White and Ann Parsons. She was the baby of the family with 5 older brothers and 2 older sisters. 

Sarah married W. H. White according to her Civil War pension (Alabama) application and to that union one son, Thomas Anson White was born.  

No information on this marriage and union exists beyond what Sarah Ellen revealed in her Widow’s pension application. ²

Sarah Ellen married Samuel William Lee about 1888 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Shortly after their marriage Samuel and Sarah Ellen migrated to Alabama.

To this union 2 additional children were born:

• Mary Addie Lee, b. 24 June 1890
• Samuel Homer Lee, b. Jan 1899

Her husband, Samuel William passed away on 17 June 1915 at age 74 and Sarah moved in with her son. Sarah died 20 July 1927.*

*Note: tombstone shows death date for Sarah Ellen as 20 July 1927; Alabama death index shows she died 20 August 1927.

  

________________________________

[1] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed June 20014); Memorial page for Sarah Ellen White Lee; (16 July 1857–20 July 1927); Find a Grave memorial # 53044686, Citing Union Grove Cemetery; Marion County, Alabama, USA.
[2] State of Alabama, "Confederate Pension Applications, 1880-1940" database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 June 2014), entry for Ellen Lee, Widow of Private Samuel William Lee; Co. A. 4th Battalion, SCVI; Confederate.

Military Monday~Civil War Causality Report–Isaac Hurst

Isaac Hurst
Birth: Jan. 15, 1837
Death: Jul. 2, 1862
Wounded June 15, 1862 at Secessionville, James Island, S.C. from which he never recovered.¹

Isaac was the son of Isaac Hurst (1804-1884) and Henrietta Rivers (1805-1865).

                                                                                                                           95
                                                                                     Secessionville, James Island
                                                                                                          June 19, 1862
The Col Lamar—
The following is a correct list of the causalities in my command in the engagement of 15 inst.

Company A Capt Smart

Killed None Wounded Seriously – Privates Henry Cooper
And Alexander Brown – Wounded Slightly – Sergt. W. T. Smith
Lieut T Sarvis and Privates Wm Russ and F. M.
Jordan were captured on Picket

Company B Capt, Evans

Killed Private Duncan Deas
Wounded Seriously Sergt W. L. McFarland (since died)
Private Jesse Pierce - Slightly Privates R. D. Moore
Jno. R. Threat – and Isaac Hurst

Company C Capt Davis

Killed None Wounded Seriously Privates Wm. Cole
and Thos Driggers - Slightly Privates Lemard Oxendien -
Corporal John Roller arm shot off

Company D Capt Best

Killed – Private J. T. Alford – and J. H. Lay
Wounded Seriously 1^st Lieut J. G. Beaty - Slightly - Privates
S. Jones and M. Stalvey –

Company F Capt Carter

Killed None – Wounded Seriously Private C. C. Anderson –
Slightly Corporal S. F. Sandebury and
Privates W. D. Rollins and J. E. P. Hickson

Company G Capt Graham

Killed None Wounded Seriously Privates L. Stricklen
And Wm Eliot – Slightly Orderly Sergt John H.
Williamson and Private J. W. Fripps

Recapitulation

Killed 3 – Since died 1 - Wounded 22
Captured 3 -- Total 29
                                                                                       Your Obt Servt
                                                                                       A. D. Smith
                                                                                       Lt Col Cdb Smiths’ Battn’ ²





__________________________________
[1] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 6 June 2014); Memorial page for Isaac HURST; (15 January 1837–2 July 1862); Find a Grave memorial # 43479224, Citing Hurst Family Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

[2] Records of the Adjutant and Inspector General's Department, "U.S., Confederate Army Casualty Lists and Reports, 1861-1865," digital images, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (Http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 7 June 2014), Military Engagement at Secessionville, James Island, South Carolina; citing Microfilm publication M836, 7 rolls. ARC ID: 653994; Isaac Hurst. <http://goo.gl/0E9N7I>