It’s Family Time~5th Great Grandfather~Charles Dry

My paternal 5th Great Grandfather is a man named Charles Dry. Dry is the Americanization of the German surname Dürr/Duerr. I have also seen the surname spelled Derr, Doerr, Dürr and other variations. 

Charles Dry was born about 1735 in Württemberg Germany. He married Christine Muss in 1753 Upper Hanover Township, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
I have yet to find exactly when Charles and Christine migrated to North Carolina but they are in Cabarrus County by the late 1700’s and are enumerated in the 1790 Census. In this census two males and two females were enumerated with their parents in the household. Charles passed away on 16 October 1797 and his estate and Will was probated. Since then his Will has been consumed by fire in the Cabarrus Courthouse burning of 1876.

The known children of Charles Dry and Christina Muss are:
 
i. Owen Ulrich Dry, born 4 Dec 1754, Montgomery, Pennsylvania; married Catherine Polk, 9 Dec 1834, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; died 5 Mar 1840, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
ii. Johann Martin Dry, born 10 Jul 1759, Montgomery County; married Catherine Keppel, 1785/6; died 11 Dec 1836, Cabarrus, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
iii. Phillip Wile Dry, born 10 Jul 1759, Upper Hanover, Montgomery, Pennsylvania; married Catherine ; died 14 Dec 1837, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
iv. Andrew Dry, born 26 Mar 1762, Montgomery, Montgomery, Pennsylvania; married Mary Barbara Teem, 1784; died 9 Apr 1828, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
v. Anna Christina Dry was baptized on 14 Feb 1769 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Baptism, 1769, Febr.14, born Anna Christina, daughter of Carl Doerr. Witnesses Henrich Loppel and wife.
 
This is a works-in-progress so if you have any information about this family I would love to hear from you.
 
 
 
 
 
_________________________
1. Grant #140 - Charles Dry, 9 March 1799, Book: 100, pg: 423; North Carolina State Archives of North Carolina Land Grants, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
2. Grant #645 - Charles Dry, 7 August 1787, Book: 68, pg: 33. North Carolina State Archives of North Carolina Land Grants, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
3. Rev. William John Hinke PH. D., D.D., A History of the Goshenhoppen Reformed Charge,: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (1727-1819) (Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Press of the New Era Printing Company, 1920), page 302, entry [69].
4. Kathleen Marler, Families of Cabarrus County: 1792-1815 (Baltimore, Maryland: Clearfield Publishing Company, 2004), page 44.
5. Pennsylvania German Society, Pennsylvania German Church Records: of Births, Baptisms, Marriage, Burial, Etc. in Three Volumes (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1983), page 119.
6. 1790 U S Census, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, population schedule, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Page: 370; Line 2, Household of Charles DRY; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 February 2016); citing National Archives Microfilm M637, Roll 7.

Wordless Wednesday~Old Equity Court~Cheraw Lyceum, built 1825

_____________________________________
[1] http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/habshaer/sc/sc0000/sc0030/photos/149733pv.jpg

Military Monday~ANZAC DAY~Memorial at Alice Springs

 

Alice Springs War Memorial

Northern Territory

Australia

 

 



_______________________
[1] Personal Photo’s of Charlie Purvis
[2] http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/80023-anzac-hill-memorial
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day

Chesterfield County SC Estates~Estate Folder #326–Joseph Hancock

 
This is a new series of posting, appearing every Sunday, on selected Estate Folders from the Estate files of Chesterfield County. No known estates exist for the period before the Civil War. They were destroyed with the burning of the Courthouse. There are a few “Equity Records” in the State Archives. Do not overlook this valuable resources if you are looking for ancestors in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Today we will be looking at the following Estate folders:
 
Folder #326
Joseph Hancock¹

This estate folder begins at image #1338 and ends with image #1371. (images 1338-1371)

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19383-34359-25?cc=1911928

Joseph Hancock was born in 1808 and died 2 June 1876 at the age of 68. He married  Lucy Autry about 1832. She was the daughter of John and Mary Autry. 

Joseph’s probate consists of 34 images including appointment letters, appraisal list and others. Sebra Welsh was named as executor of the estate on 25 July1876I have selected two documents from the file to presents in this blog post. The first is a petition from Lucy Autry Hancock for a homestead. 

Image 1361:


Transcription:
State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
Exparte


                                              }Pet. For Homestead
 
To W. J. Hanna Judge of Probate
The petition of
Showeth that Joseph Hancock the husband of your petitioner lately died intestate, being seized and possessed in his own right, during his lifetime, and at the time of his death of certain real and personal property.
Your petitioner therefore prays that a Homestead be set off to her out of said property.
And your petitioner will ever pray &c
July 25^th 1876
                                                            Lucy X her mark Hancock
                                                                     Mrs. Hancock
                                                                                         Sign her name here
Witnefs
Sebra Welsh

This petition for homestead basically assured that the primary residence, under it protection of the law, is set aside from the remaining estate for the widow. This assures her a place of residence.

The next document is a petitioner by Sebra Welsh for letters of Administration.

 Image 1359:


Transcription:

The State of South Carolina} In the Court
Chesterfield County} of Probate
To W. J. Hanna
Judge of Probate, of and for the
County and State aforesaid.
The petition of Sebra Welsh respectfully showeth that Joseph Hancock late of the County and state aforesaid, departed this life, Intestate, on the 2^nd day of June A. D. 1876, leaving a small personal estate, which it is estimated will not exceed in value the sum, of Three hundred and fifty dollars and that no person had administered on said Estate.
Wherefore your petitioner prays that Letters of Administration on the personal estate of the said Joseph Hancock may be granted to him upon the execution by him of the Bond required by Law.
And your petitioner will ever pray &c
July 22^nd 1876                                 S/Sebra Welsh

As I was browsing through some genealogical documents today I came across an envelop of data that Marie Gulledge Wiggins sent me while I was still living in Utah. As I browsed through the Gulledge, Hancock, Boan and Graves data she had sent, I reminisced over the many good times we shared together. I thought it only fitting that on this day I should write about her 2nd Great Grandfather Joseph Hancock. 

In memory of Eliza Marie Gulledge Wiggins, 2nd great granddaughter of Joseph Hancock.





______________________________
[1]  "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19383-34359-25?cc=1911928 : accessed 23 April 2016), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > Cases 0282-0330 > image 1338 of 1448; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.

It’s Family Time~Carl Marion Johns Sr.

 
Carl Marion Johns Sr. was born on 5 Jul 1913, a son of Julius Johns and Mary Catherine ‘Mamie’ Brock, in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ^{1 2} 

Carl Marion Johns Sr. married Idelle Ivory Hurst were about 1932. Idelle Ivory Hurst, daughter of Edgar Thomas Hurst and Katherine Elizabeth Burr, was born on 29 Jul 1911 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina



Carl Marion Johns and Idelle Ivory Hurst had the following children:
        i.    Bobby Hurst Johns, born 12 Dec 1933, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died 28 Apr 2012, Bolivia, Brunswick, North Carolina.
        ii.    Carl Marion Johns Jr., born 31 May 1936, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 23 Jul 2003, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
        iii.    Shirley Catherine Johns, born 21 May 1938, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died 9 Feb 2012, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
        iv.    Edgar Thomas Johns was born on 19 Nov 1940 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He died on 4 Feb 1941 and was buried on 5 Feb 1941 at Hopewell Baptist Church in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina,

Carl Marion Johns died on 31 Dec 1992 at the age of 79 in Kannapolis, Cabarrus, North Carolina, His wife, Idelle Ivory Hurst, age 89, died 5 August 2000. Both Carl and  Idelle are buried in the Carolina Memorial Park, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina. ^{3 4}

Carl and Idelle are my Uncle and Aunt.



_________________________________
    1. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 40, Page 16B/172B (stamped), Line 83, Dwelling 292, Family 300, Household of Julius JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 20 January 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.
    2. 1930 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 17, Page 16B/57B (stamped), Line 93, Dwelling 274, Family 280, Household of  Juliane [Julius] JOHNS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 20 January 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T626_2192.
3. Carl Marion Johns, Sr., 79, obituary, The Concord (NC) Tribune, Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, 3 January 1993, Pg 10.
4. Idelle Ivory Hurst Johns, obituary, The Independent Tribune, Concord-Kannapolis, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, 6 August 2000, Page A-10.

Treasure Chest Thursday~Affidavits to Obtain Marriage License~Parr & Hall

MARRIAGE LICENSE

AFFIDAVITS TO OBTAIN LICENSE.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA}
County of Chesterfield}
I do solemnly swear that I am legally capacitated to marry; that my full name is Benjamin F. Parr………..that my age is 30 years and……..…months; my place of residence is Chesterfield County, SC….; my race is white; my nationality is American ------My wife is dead----
SWORN to before me this 11^th}                      B. F. Parr
Day of July A.D. 1914 }
(L. S.) M. J. Hough}
Probate Judge

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA}
County of Chesterfield}
I do solemnly swear that I Nettie Hall is legally capacitated to marry; that her full name is Nettie Hall, her age is 24 years and her place of residence is Chesterfield County, SC….; her race is white; her nationality is American.
SWORN to before me this 11^th}                         B. F. Parr
Day of July A.D. 1914 }
(L. S.) M. J. Hough}
Probate Judge

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA}
County of Chesterfield}
WHEREAS, it has been made to appear to me M. J. Hough Judge of Probate for Chesterfield County, upon oath, that Benjamin F. Parr of Chesterfield Co., SC and Nettie Hall of Chesterfield Co., SC are legally capacitated to contract matrimony; and that their age are respectively 30 and [no] months, and 24 years and [no] months; and that their race is white; and their nationality is American.-----

THESE are, therefore, to authorize any person qualified to perform marriage ceremonies to perform the marriage ceremony for the persons above named, and for the so doing this shall be sufficient warrant.

Given under my Hand and Official Seal this 11^th day of July, 1914.
                                                    M. J. Hough
 
Benjamin and Nettie were married and had five children; three daughters and 2 sons.

Tombstone Tuesday~Nellie Isabella Huneycutt Deese

Nellie Isabella Huneycutt Deese

b. 27 Oct 1857

d. 9 May 1938

bu. Morven Cemetery

Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

Nellie Isabelle and Henry Harrison Deese were married 1 February 1875. Nellie was my Great Grandmother's sister. Thus my Great  Grandfather, John Calvin Deese married Louvena Huneycutt, a younger sister of Nellie Isabelle Huneycutt.

Nellie and Louvena are daughters of James W. and Sarah Page Huneycutt.
 
Nellie Isabelle Huneycutt Deese is my Great Grand Aunt.

Amanuensis Monday~Chesterfield District Will of Daniel A. McNair, 1862.

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 the Chesterfield District Will of Daniel A. McNair, 1862.¹

Daniel A. McNair was born  6 May 1826, the first born child of Neil McNair and Mary A, Crawford. In the 1850 Chesterfield Census, Daniel was still living at home. On 13 March 1856, Daniel married Sarah A. McLaurin. They are enumerated in 1860 as a family household with no children. ²

Daniel A. McNair died 29 January 1865 at the age of 38. I could find no record of his widow after the 1860 census and the 1865 probate of his estate.³

Transcription:
State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield District} I do solemnly swear, that the annexed writing contains the last will and Testament of Daniel A. McNair so far as I know or believe’ and that I will well and truly execute the same, by first paying the debts and then the Legacies contained in said will as far as his goods and chattels will extend and the law charge me; And that I will make a true and correct inventory of all such goods and Chattels – so help me God-
Sworn before me}
Feby 7^th 1865}                                                              D. Douglaf
Hugh Craig, Sen
Ordy C. D.
 

Transcription:
In the name of God Amen I Daniel A. McNair of the District of Chesterfield and state of South Carolina being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life do therefore make ordain publish and declare this to be my Last Will and testament to say First after all my debts are paid and discharged the residue of my estate real and personaly <sic> I give bequeath and dispose of as follows to wit To my beloved wife all the property that I now hold own also all my interest in my Fathers estate to be disposed of by her after my death as she may see proper.
Likewise I male constitute and appoint David Douglaf to be execute of this my Last will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
In witnefs whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the fifth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight thousand <sic> and sixty two [1862].
Signed in presence}
of us}                                                                  Dan’l McMair {seal}
Wm. A. Mulloy}
John W. Swinney}
J. F. Swinney}
 













__________________________
[1] “South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19383-23682-16?cc=1911928 : accessed 17 April 2016), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > Cases 0001-0022 > image 374 of 493; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.
[2] 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, , Page: 127 (stamped); Line 30, Dwelling 471, Family 470, Household of Daniel A. McNAIR; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 April 2016); citing National Archives Microfilm M653-1217.
[3] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 April 2016); Memorial page for Daniel A. McNair; (6 May 1826–29 January 1865); Find a Grave memorial # 44702977, Citing McNair Family Cemetery; Ruby, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

Chesterfield County SC Estates~Estate Folder #536–Ida Caroline Perkins

This is a new series of posting, appearing every Sunday, on selected Estate Folders from the Estate files of Chesterfield County. No known estates exist for the period before the Civil War. They were destroyed with the burning of the Courthouse. There are a few “Equity Records” in the State Archives. Do not overlook this valuable resources if you are looking for ancestors in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. 

Today we will be looking at the following Estate folders:
Folder #536
 
Ida Caroline Perkins¹
This estate folder begins at image #1139 and ends with image #1146. (images 1139-1146)

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19388-13451-35?cc=1911928

On 20 June 1887, Ida Caroline Mulloy Perkins wife of William James Perkins passed away leaving her husband with five small children between the ages of 1 1/2 and 11 years. Ida C. was the daughter of William A Mulloy and his wife Mary F. Mulloy. William James and Ida had only been married a short 11 to 12 years most likely marrying about 1875. 

Five years after her death the probate on her estate had not taken place so W. Allen Benton applied for letters on 7 Jan, 1892. This didn't set to well with Ida's husband William James Perkins so he appealed to the probate court and was awarded Letters of administration on his deceased wife’s estate.

Being a farmer and tied down with 5 young children, William definitely needed a new wife and in 1888 he married a young lady named Ardelia, age 23. 














State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield} In probate Court
Ex Parte
W. Allen Benton
The petition of the above petitioner shows to this Court:
1. That Mrs. Ida C. Perkins died intestate in this County about the year 1887 leaving a small personal estate not worth more than fifteen dollars.
2. That no one has taken Letters of Administration on the said estate and there are creditors of the estate who desire that administration should be granted to some one on the estate and petitioner has spoken to those entitled to letters first and they refuse to administer. Wherefore Petitioner demands that letter of demonstration be issued to him on said estate
Jany 7^th 1892                                             Prince & Stevenson
                                                                   Petitioner’s Atty.
 













State of South Carolina} Court of
County of Chesterfield} Probate
Ex Parte
In the matter }
of
The estate of Ida }
C. Perkins deceased|
W. J. Perkins answering the petition of W. Allen Benton who has made application for letters of administration upon said Estate of Ida C. Perkins shows for cause why he should not be granted letters of administration upon said estate the following:
1. That the said W. J. Perkins was in the lifetime of the said Ida C. Perkins her husband and was so up to the time of her decease and as such is first entitled to administration upon said estate if there be any and he therefore demands that Said letters be granted upon said estate to him.
Jany 23rd 1892                                                 W. J. Perkins
 
 

 











State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}
I do Solemnly swear that Ida C. Perkins died without any will as far as I know or believe and that I will well and truly administer all and singular the goods and chattles rights and credits of the said deceased and pay all her just debts as for as the Same will extend and the law require me and that I will make a true and perfect inventory of all the said goods and chattles rights and credits and return a just account thereof when thereunto required so help me God.
Sworn to before me}                                              W. J. Perkins
This 7 day of March 1892}
H. D. Tiller
Judge of Probate









 
________________________
[1] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19388-13451-35?cc=1911928 : accessed 16 April 2016), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > Cases 0470-0553A > image 1139 of 1550; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.

It’s Family Time~Samuel Rufus Brock

In our family the Purvis surname is my Paternal line and the Brock surname is my Maternal line. My grandmother on Mama’s side of the family was Mary Catherine “Mamie’ Brock Johns. 

This blog post is dedicated to a very special friend, fellow genealogist and distance cousin now living in New York. 

Ancestry of Samuel Rufus Brock


Generation 1
1. Samuel Rufus Brock: born 14 Oct 1914; died 5 Dec 1989.
Generation 2

2. Franklin Benjamin Brock: born 14 Jan 1881 in Pike County, Mississippi, United States; married abt 1910; died 27 Jul 1947.

3. Carolyn "Callie" Perkins: born 22 May 1891; died Feb 1985 in Mobile, Mobile, Alabama, United States.
Generation 3

4. William Brock: born 5 Apr 1840 in Pike County, Mississippi, United States; married 15 Dec 1858; died 14 Jan 1896 in Pike County, Mississippi, United States.

5. Clara Ann Smith: born 11 Jan 1843 in Pike County, Mississippi, United States; died Sep 1905.
Generation 4

8. James L. Brock: born abt 1793 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married abt 1819 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; died 19 Mar 1871 in Pike County, Mississippi, United States.

9. Elizabeth Purvis: born 1806 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; died 1 Apr 1873 in Lexie, Walthall Co.,MS.
Generation 5

16. Valentine Brock II: born abt 1756 in Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States.

18. James F. Purvis Sr.: born abt 1760 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married; died bef Nov 1836 in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. Wife unknown.
Generation 6

32. Johan Valentine Brock: born abt 1712 in Oberhochstadt, Germany; married 11 Nov 1760 in Germantown, Lancaster County, PA..
33. Susanna Blaester: born abt 1740.

36. John Purvis: born 24 Mar 1711 in Christ Church Parish, Virginia, British America; married 2 Apr 1746 in Prince Frederick, Craven Co.,SC.

37. Sarah Johnson: born abt 1727 in Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight, Virginia.

The Brock line goes back to an immigrant named Johan Valentine Brach/Brack/Brock that immigrated from Oberhochstadt, Germany to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1751. ¹


Vallentin [sic] BROCK arrived in Philadelphia onboard the ship Queen of Denmark, George Parish commander, from Rotterdam via Cowes, England, and took the oaths with the other 98 adult [age 16 and older]male passengers at the  [old] courthouse on Friday 4 Oct 1751. 

Vallentine first wife died and he married Susanna Blaester on 11 November 1760. ²



By 1790, Valentine has migrated with his family to Richmond County, North Carolina. ³









All the Brock in Chesterfield County are related. There are Brocks in Western South Carolina that have not been connected to the Chesterfield set. Brocks from the Chesterfield set migrated to Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. 

Though many Chesterfield County records were destroyed during the Civil War research suggests that Samuel Rufus Brock is my 4th cousin twice removed.
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
_____________________________
[1] Germany, Select Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898," database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 15 April 2016), Johan Valentine Brock; Baptism Date: 2 Mrz 1712.
[2] Pennsylvania Church Records, "Pennsylvania Church Records - Adams, Berks, and Lancaster Counties, 1729-1881," database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed ), Valentine Brauch & Susanna Blaester; Marriage - Nov 11, 1760.
[3] 1790 U S Census, Richmond County, North Carolina, population schedule, Fayette District, Richmond County, NC, Page: 173, Line 2, Household of Valentine Brock; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 7 June 2014); citing National Archives Microfilm M637, Roll 7.

Clovis Dempsey Rivers~Spanish-American War Veteran

Clovis Dempsey Rivers

b. 12 February 1867

d. 27 Mar 1953

Spanish-American War Veteran

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=155974908

Clovis Dempsey Rivers was born 12 February 1867 in Ft. Deposit, Lowndes, Alabama, a son of John Wesley Rivers and Eliza Jane Thurman. He was a grandson of Dempsey Rivers, born 13 December 1797 in Chesterfield District, South Carolina. His grandfather, Dempsey migrated with his brother Michael to Chattooga County, Georgia in the early 1830’s. ¹
The Spanish-American War broke out on April 25, 1898. War was declared against Spain for the sinking Battleship Maine in Havana harbor. Clovis joined the military enlisting into the U. S. Army. He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Regiment, Texas Volunteer Infantry. The war ended without him seeing any action and he returned to his farm in Texas where he was discharged from the military. ²



“Colonel Rivers up to the age of nineteen lived at home, did farm work and attended the public schools. He then took up the study of law under Judge John and Col. J. D. Taylor of Summerville,and in 1880 was admitted to practice by Hon. John W. Maddox, judge of the Superior Court of the Rome circuit. As a lawyer he began his work in Summerville and remained there until 1890. In that year he moved out to Texas and did a law practice at Hempstead from 1894 until 1898. Colonel Rivers in 1898 enlisted in Company C of the Second Texas Volunteer Infantry for service in the Spanish American war, and at the termination of his term of enlistment he returned to Texas and took up farming in the southeastern part of that state in Newton County”.³

Clovis Dempsey Rivers never married. He died on 27 March 1953 in Chattooga County, Georgia. ⁴












__________________________
[1] Knight, Lucian Lamar. (2013). pp. 369-70. A Standard History of Georgia and Georgians (Vol. 4). London: Forgotten Books. (Original work published 1917)
[2] Texas State Library and Archives Commission, "Spanish American War Rolls," database, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 April 2016), Clovis G. RIVERS; citing Texas, Muster Roll Index Cards, 1838-1900; Enlistment Date: 3 May 1898.
[3]  Knight, Lucian Lamar. (2013). pp. 369-70. A Standard History of Georgia and Georgians (Vol. 4). London: Forgotten Books. (Original work published 1917)
[4] Indexes of Vital Records for Georgia: Deaths, 1919-1998, Images. Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com: 3 March 2013), State of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, Clovis D. RIVERS; Certificate number 8094, 27 March 1953.

Treasure Chest Thursday~Sarah Rivers Claims Her Deceased Husband's Pay

 
On 13 November 1861, just weeks after enlisting into Company B of the 8th SC Infantry, Dempsey Rivers died from Typhoid Fever at Petersburg, Virginia. As of today, I have found no record that points to the location of his burial. His military service records contains 31 images. I will present several of those images in which his widow exerts an effort to obtain all pay due her husband Dempsey Rivers for his service.  
 
Back home in Chesterfield County, South Carolina his widow, Sarah Massey Rivers, hires a local lawyer Thomas F. Mulloy to contact the Confederate States of America officials and obtain any moneys or pay due her husband. for his services. She received $55 dollars  and Seventy six cents.    
 













Transcription:

State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield District}
Personally appeared Sarah Rivers before me who says on oath that she is the Widow of Dempsey Rivers late a private in Capt. M. J. Hough s Co 8^th Regt S. C. V. who died in the service in Virginia and that she is the only person legally entitled to claim the arrears of pay due the said Dempsey Rivers for service in this War.
Sworn and subscribed}                                                               Sarah Rivers
Before me this Nov. 21^st 1862.}
D. Douglafs, Mag. 
 
State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield District}
Personally appeared John Purvis & William Hurst, before me who says on oath that the Statements contained in the above affidavit are true to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Sworn before me }                                         John Purvis
This Nov 21^st 1862}                                      William Hurst
D. Douglafs, Mag.

I, D. Douglafs, Magistrate in and for the District and state aforesaid do certify that the above witnefses are respectable witnefes and that there is no doubt of the facts as above stated.
D. Douglafs



Transcription:

96
State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield District}
Know all men by these presents that I Sarah [Massey] Rivers w9idow of Dempsey Rivers late a private in Company B, (Capt. Hough’s) 8^th Regt So Ca Volunteers have nominated, constituted and appointed and do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint Thomas F. Mulloy of said district my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to ask demand and receive of and from any officer or officers whose duty it is to pay over moneys due to soldiers families, any and all sum or sums of money due or owing or in any manner coming to my said deceased Husband Dempsey Rivers at the time of his death, and receipts, and acquittances & other discharges for me & in my name to make, execute and deliver for the same—hereby satisfying & confirming whatsoever my said attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of January A. D. 1864.
In presence of}                                                           Sarah Rivers {seal}
Hugh Craig, Sen
Dy Clk. C. D.

State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield District}
Personally appeared Mrs. Sarah Rivers before me and says on oath that she is the Widow of Dempsey Rivers late a private in Capt. M. J. Hough s Co 8^th Regt SC V who died in the service in Virginia and that there is no other person entitled to claim the arrears of pay due him for services rendered the Confederate States
Sworn & subscribed before}                                                       Sarah Rivers
A. Austin }
Magst}


We can see that between the dates of the 1st letter (21 Nov 1862) and the date of this letter (13 Jan 1864) Sarah [Massey] Rivers has not been very successful in her efforts to acquire the pay due her husband Dempsey Rivers. 

Notice also that Sarah personally signed each and every one of these requested/responses. She was a smart and very persistent individual and in the end she did prevail.



Partial Transcription

Confederate States of America,

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Second Auditor’s Office

May 3, 1864

I certify that I have examined the claim of Sarah Rivers widow of Dempsey Rivers, deceased , late private of Captain Hough’s Co B, 8^th Regiment So. Carolina, and find that there is due to the said claimant the sum of fifty-five dollars and seventy six cents, ($55.76), being for the services of said deceased from September 1861, the date to which he was last paid, to November 13, 1861, the date of his death, inclusive, 2 months and 23 days at 11 per month, ($26.76) for use and risk of horse at 40 cents per day, ($ ), bounty ($ ), and 6 months and balance days communtation for clothing ($29 )-less $ stoppage.
Payable to T. F. Mulloy, attorney for Sarah Rivers, widow of deceased, Chesterfield Post Office
Chesterfield District, S.C.
W. H. S. Taylor
Auditor.

Dempsey Rivers actual date of death (13 Nov. 1861) is documented in the above document.  


 


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[1] All Images from the Civil War Service Record of Dempsey Rivers - Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 31 July 2013), entry for Dempsey RIVERS, Private; Co. B, 8th Infantry, South Carolina Volunteers; Confederate.
[2] Randolph W. Kirkland Jr., Broken Fortunes: South Carolina Soldiers, Sailors and Citizens Who Died in the Service of Their Country and State in the War for Southern Independence, 1861-1865 (Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina, 1997), page 298.
[3] William J. Rivers, Roll of the Dead: South Carolina troops, Confederate States service (Columbia, South Carolina: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 1994), Dempsey Rivers, alphabetical.

Wordless Wednesday~The Killdeer at Kite Cemetery

This little lady was sitting on a nest of eggs and was not happy with our presence.



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[1] The killdeer is a medium-sized plover. The adults have a brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with two black bands. The rump is tawny orange. The face and cap are brown with a white forehead. The eyering is orange-red. Wikipedia