Tombstone Tuesday~Roxie Carolyn Brock Purvis Reid

Roxie Carolyn Brock Reid

b. Sep. 3, 1895

d. Jan. 17, 1967

bu. Brocks Mill Baptist Church Cemetery

Roxie Carolyn Brock was a daughter of Samuel Stonewall Jackson Brock and Laura Cornelius Teal.

Roxie Carolyn and Oscar Philmore Purvis, Sr. were married on 2 February 1913 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. Roxie and Oscar had four children; three of which lived to adulthood. Their last born, a daughter, died a day after her birth. Oscar Philmore Purvis died on 20 April 1931 leaving Roxie with three young children.

Roxie next married James Thomas ‘Tom’ Reid. There were no children born to this union.
Roxie Carolyn Brock Purvis Reid died on 17 June 1967 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  She was buried at Brocks Mill Baptist Church cemetery, chesterfield, South Carolina.

Roxie Carolyn was my Grand Aunt by marriage to my Grand Uncle Oscar P. Purvis.

Amanuensis Monday~Probate Folder 1161, Guardianship of Mrs. Cora Brock

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 Guardianship of Mrs. Cora Brock.

Probate Folder #1161
Images 371-392

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-N3S6-LH?cc=1911928&wc=MPP5-BZ9%3A190567401%2C190561002%2C190567402%2C192067501


State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}   In Court of Probate
Ex Parte, Cora Brock }
    Petitioner}        Petition
To:
    Hon. J. M. Hough, Judge of Probate for the County of Chesterfield, State of South Carolina:-
    The petition of Mrs. Cora Brock, respectfully presents:-
1.    That she is a resident and citizen of Chesterfield County South Carolina.
2.    That she is entitled to receive from the treasury Department, of the United States, Bureau of War Risk twenty eight and 75/100 dollars per months, insurance payments on the life of her husband, William [Samuel] Brock, deceased, and to an allotment of thirty five dollars per month for her and child.
3.    That your petitioner is advised that guardianship is necessary in order to protect and preserve the interest and estate of your petitioner.
4.    That J. A. Knight is a resident and citizen of Chesterfield County? South Carolina, and is a suitable and competent person to act as guardian of the interest and estate of your petitioner, who is a minor over the age of fourteen.
                                                              Mrs. Cora Brock
I Sarah Jane Lee, Mother  the petitioner resides hereby join in the prayer thereof.
                                                  Sarah Jane X her mark Lee
J. A. Knight
Witness



State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}   In Court of Probate
Ex Parte,
Mrs. Cora Brock, Minor
                Petitioner                    Order
Upon hearing the petition of Mrs. Cora Brock, for the appointment of a guardian of the estate if [of] the petitioner, who is a minor over the age of fourteen years, and with the consent of Sarah Jane Lee, her mother and with whom she resides it is: 
ORDERED, that J. A. Knight, resident of Chesterfield County, South Carolina, be and is hereby appointed guardian of the estate of the petitioner upon entering into a bond with sufficient surety in the penal sum of two thousand dollars, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties and guardianship and thereupon letters of guardianship be duly issued.
Chesterfield? S. C.
July 18th, 1919
            Judge of probate for Chesterfield
            County, South Carolina


William Samuel Brock and Cora Lee were married when he registered for the draft on 5 June 1917.  Their only child, Clarence William Brock was born 22 October 1918. Three weeks later his father William Samuel would  succumb to pneumonia on 10 November 1918 while fighting in  France just a day before the armistice was signed. William Thomas death in France triggered the probate action seen here. His body was returned home and William is buried in the Brock Cemetery.

Between 1930 and 1940, Cora Lee Brock married Lonnie Lee Parks. They had one child – Bernard Harris Parks.



________________
[1] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-N3S6-LH?cc=1911928&wc=MPP5-BZ9%3A190567401%2C190561002%2C190567402%2C192067501 : 21 May 2014), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > image 371 of 1267; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.

Sunday’s Obituary~Levi Franklin Huneycutt

The Western Democrat, Charlotte, NC, April 5, 1864, Image 3 provided by North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC

Fell mortally wounded while gallantly fighting at his post, on the 1^st of July 1963. At Gettysburg, Pa., L. F. Huneycutt of Union County, a member of Co. B, 26^th N. C. Regiment. A better soldier in camp could not be found, and a braver young man the world would never knew. His Colonel remarked his coolness while in the bloody conflict. He performed all his duties manfully and cheerfully, and was among the first to stand forth in defense of the South. He was 22 years of age and a son of D. J. Huneycutt.

He was shot down about thirty paces in front of his regiment, while waving the colors and tell his men to follow him, but died on the 6^th July, 1863. He requested his friend to write too his father and mother that he was willing to die, saying “ I shall go to Heaven, and I want them to meet me there.” He leaves a father and mother, brothers and sisters, and a large circle of friends to mourn their loss. May God soothe the sorrowing of his friends.

How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
By all their country’s wishes blest.           A FRIEND

Levi Franklin Huneycutt, b. about 1840 was the second born son of Demsy J. Huneycutt and Tabitha Helms. 

On 1 August 1861, Levi enlisted into Company ’B’, 26th Regiment, NC Troops.  He was Killed in Action at Gettysburg on 1 July 1863 while gallantly carrying his regimental colors.

Now we have a conflict, the obituary/memorial says he was wounded on the 1st and died on the 6th of July 1863. His military records say he was killed while carry the Regimental Colors on 1 July 1863. I’m inclined to believe the military records.

Before posting this article, I decided to take a short drive at to the City Library to see what the 19 Volume “NC Troops” had to say about Levi Franklin Huneycutt. In volume 7 on page 486 we find this entry:
NC Troops, Volume 7, page 486

HONEYCUTT, FRANKLIN L., Private
Resided in Union County where he enlisted on August 1, 1861.Present or accounted for until “shot through the head” and killed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1863, “while gallantly carrying the regimental colors.”

There is no doubt in my mind that Levi Franklin Huneycutt died on 1 July 1863 at the Battle for Gettysburg.


_____________________
Note: Honeycutt/Huneycutt,  spelled with both a “U” and an “O”
[1] Pvt. Levi Franklin Honeycutt obituary, The Western Democrat, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, April 5, 1864, Image 3, http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/. provided by North Carolina at Chapel Kill Library, Chapel Hill, NC.
[2] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 20 January 2017), entry for Franklin Levi Honeycutt, Private; Company 'B', 26th NC Volunteers; Confederate.
[3] Louis H. Manarin, North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster (Raleigh, North Carolina: Office of Archives and History, 2013), Vol. 7, page 486, Franklin L. Honeycutt.
[4] 1850 Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Union County, North Carolina, Page 9B(stamped), Line 14, Dwelling 128, Family 128, Household of Dempsey J. HONEYCUTT; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : Viewed 14 November 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 647.
[5] 1860 Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Union County, North Carolina, Page: 429(stamped); Line 7, Dwelling #469, Family #469, Household of D. J. HUNEYCUTT; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 November 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 915.

It’s Family Time~Siblings in Mississippi

On 22 January 2012, I wrote a blog post entitled “Is Milly Holyfield the Sister of Luke & Mark Rivers? that can be read here:
http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/01/is-milly-holyfield-sister-of-luke-mark.html

Today I am able to answer that question and the answer is that they are proven siblings; children of Mark Rivers and Annie Parker.



Mark S. Rivers, the brother of Amelia “Milly” Holifield married Irena Catherine Hancock in February 1840 and shortly thereafter moved to Jones County, Mississippi to join his sister Milly and brother–in-law, Moses Holifiled. 

MIllie and Mark’s brother Luke and his family remained in Chesterfield, South Carolina until  sometime between 1850 and 1860.

Luke Rivers, born about 1810 was a farmer and part time miner. Luke married Mary Selina John about 1840 and to this union were born 4 children; three daughters and a son.

The children of Luke Rivers and Mary Selina John are:
i. Flavelia Clarilla Levinia Rivers, born 1840, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married John Mattison Musgrove, abt 1858; died 1 Jun 1896, Laurel, Jones County, Mississippi.
ii. Nancy Elizabeth Rivers, born 6 Jun 1845, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Moses Holifield Jr., abt 1859, Jones County, Mississippi; married John J. Holifield, abt 1873, Jones County, Mississippi; died 26 Mar 1913, Jones County, Mississippi.
iii. Sarah Catharine Rivers, born 1844, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married James M. Holifield, abt 1862, Jones County, Mississippi; died 1884.
iv. John C. Rivers, born 1848, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Elizabeth Holifield, abt 1870, MS; married Amanda J. Hill, 21 May 1895, Jones County, Mississippi; died aft 1895, MS.

The exact year that Luke and Mary migrated to Jones County, Mississippi is not yet known. In 1850, Luke and Mary were enumerated in the 1850 census for Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

1850 census, Chesterfield Co., SC

In 1860, Luke and Mary were enumerated in the 1860 census for Jones County, Mississippi. Three of their 4 children married Holifield men and women and the first born married a Musgrove. All were married in Jones County, Mississippi.

1860 Census, Jones co., Mississippi

Mark S. Rivers, the brother of Millie and Luke, was born abt 1808 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. He married in Feb 1840  Irena Catherine Hancock, b. Jan. 1822 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. No children were born of this union. 

Another sibling Elizabeth moved with her brother and sister to Mississippi. Elizabeth was married to John Dryman/Driman. I haven't determined what or when but something happened to them and the children were taken in by the Rivers and Holifield families as evidence in the above 1860 in the Mark Rivers household.

Elizabeth Rivers Dryman, Amelia ‘Milly’ Rivers Holifield, Mark S. Rivers and Luke Rivers are my 4th Great Grand Uncles and Aunts.

A Reasonably Exhaustive Research is Never Complete

The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is standard for genealogist and family historian developed in the late 1990’s to ensure credibility in the research process and lineage documentation.

There are 5  elements to the Genealogist Proof Standard. The Standard can be read in it’s entirety at: http://www.bcgcertification.org/resources/standard.html

The first element of the GPS is - a Reasonably exhaustive research

I have been researching my family surnames for 40 years and spent a great amount of this time researching the Davis-Rivers families of South Carolina. Over those 40 years I have collected a massive amount of data and documents on these families and I would say that I have definitely completed a Reasonably exhaustive research of theses families.

Yet after all the effort over the past 40 years, yesterday on-line I found a key document related to the Rivers families and it’s been available for the past 176 years. When I think of the number of individuals doing research on these Chesterfield County families I cannot fathom how this newspaper notice had not been found prior to my find yesterday. It’s just totally unbelievable and why I say: A Reasonably Exhaustive Research is Never Complete. 

A little background and history. In 1975 when I first became interested in my ancestors I had just arrived via the Air Force at the local Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. I had never heard of the LDS Library and knew absolutely nothing about Genealogy. I quickly learned that I had a 3rd Cousin twice removed, a descendant of Mark Rivers, b. 1824 in Chesterfield, South Carolina living in the local area. Betty Lee and I became dear friends until her death in August 2015.

Her researched help jump start my Rivers research and for the next 39 years we shared all our research.
Sometime between 1830 and 1840 several families migrated from Chesterfield to Hinds County, Mississippi.  Among those families with Moses Holifield and his wife Amelia Rivers. Along with Moses and Amelia was her brother Mark S. Rivers and his wife Irena Catherine Hancock.   Also among the group was a Dryman family. Mark, Elizabeth, and Amelia Rivers were joined by their brother Luke Rivers and his family between 1850 and 1860. For years I have known that this family was related to the Rivers families but it wasn’t until yesterday that I learned the Mother of this family was Elizabeth Rivers and her husband John Dryman. Elizabeth Rivers Dryman is the sister of Amelia  and Mark Rivers.

Yesterday, while browsing Chronicling America newspaper I found this newspaper clipping on these families.



SOUTH CAROLINA,
Chesterfield District.
John B. Rivers applicant vs Ann Rivers (Widow), Wm. Rivers and wife Elizabeth, Moses Holifield and wife Amelia, Matthew Rivers, John Dryman and wife Elizabeth, Mark Rivers, Luke Rives and Samuel Rivers Defendants.
It appearing to my satisfaction that Ann Rivers, Moses Holifield and wife Amellia, Matthew Rivers, John Dryman and wife Elizabeth, Mark Rivers, Luke Rivers and Samuel Rivers reside without this State, it is ordered that they do appear and object to the division or sale of the Real Estate of Mark Rivers deceased on or before the 12^th day of April next or their consent, will be entered off record.
T. Bryan
O.C.D.
January 27, 1831
[Farmer Gazette and Cheraw Advertiser, February 03, 1841, page 47, image 3]

SHERRIF’S SALE
By Order of the Court of Ordinary will be sold at Chesterfield Court House on the first Monday in June next within the legal hours the real estate of Mark Rivers deceased, in said District consisting of one tract of land containing forty acres, more or less, lying on Clay Creek, bounded on the North by the state line, west and south by Wm. Carter, and east by lands belonging to the estate of Thomas Horne.
Conditions: - As much cash as will pay the expense of this sale, with a credit until the first day of January next on the balance, purchaser giving bond bearing interest from the day of sale, with good personal security and mortgage, if required to the Ordinary. Purchases paying for necessary papers.
John Evans
Shff. C. D.
Chesterfield C. H. May 11, 1841
[Farmers’ Gazette, and Cheraw Advertiser, May 26, 1841, Page 112, Image 4]

This is the Estate lands of Mark Rivers, b. between 1780-1784 and married 3 times, Sarah Brown, Elizabeth York and Annie Parker.  The children mentioned above are children of Mark Rivers and Annie Parker.

Is this the last piece of information in a lengthly exhaustive search. I think not, there more to be found making a Reasonably exhaustive research never ending. 

___________________
[1] Chronicling America website - http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/
[Farmer Gazette and Cheraw Advertiser, February 03, 1841, page 47, image 3]
[Farmers’ Gazette, and Cheraw Advertiser, May 26, 1841, Page 112, Image 4]

The Estate of Solomon Dry~When Did He Pass Away

 
Solomon Dry son of Phillip Wiley Dry and Catherine Koppel was born about 1798 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

Solomon married Esther Melchor, daughter of Henry Melchor and Nancy Anna Abernathy on 11 December 1821 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

Over the next 19 years, Solomon and Esther would add 9 children to their household; 5 sons and 4 daughters. About 1857, at age 59, Solomon passed away leaving his Widow, Esther and 9 children.
Solomon Dry’s death date is as elusive as his birth date but there are some clues. Because he was a land owner his widow was entitled to dower rights thus triggering probate action within the Probate Court system.

There are many on-line trees most showing that Solomon Dry passed away in 1855. None of these contains sources and thus should not be considered serious research so use these dates and data at your own peril.

Solomon’s probate folder dated 1858 is located on Cabarrus County, North Carolina and on line at Ancestry and FamilySearch. The file can be found on Family Search at: ¹

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRNF-RD8?cc=1911121&wc=Q6W5-5F7%3A183206701%2C183258601%2C185527201

The probate folder consists of 4 pages and contains one pertinent documents dated 24 June 1858.


Transcription:

State of North Carolina}
Cabarrus County} In pursuance of an order of Court made at April Sessions 1858 we whose names are here unto annexed being duly summoned and sworn as Jurors to lay off and allot to Esther Dry Such dower as the lands of her late husband Solomon Dry that he was possess of at the time of his death and we being duly summoned and sworn proceeded to <illegible> and divide and put her the Said Esther Dry in the possession of the same Including the mansion house & spring and other necessary out building which her late dwelt next husband dwelt and next before his death beginning at a n. o. Abraham Dry corner then N. 57 W. 200 poles to a P. O. Centfas then N. 62 W. 23 ½ poles to a stake then S. 40 W. 27 poles to a P. O. Moses Barrier corner, thence S. 51 E. 120 poles to a W. O. then S. 83 ½ poles to a R. O. near a road then S. 83 E. 34 poles to a Willow Oak then N, 23 E. 51 poles to a stake then S. 51 E. 51 poles to a pine Knot A. dry line then N. 20 E. 61 poles to the beginning containing 80 Acres.
Given under our hands and Seals this the 24^th day of Jane 1858.
J. W. Eudy {seal}
Jacob Barrier {seal}
John Eudy {seal}

With this document we can surely state that Solomon Dry died before 24 June 1858. It’s a probate record. Probate records are generated by the Court system when a person is deceased. So we know that Solomon died sometime before this date.

My next stop when finding a probate record is too look at the Court minutes for this time period. Some Court minutes for Cabarrus County, NC are on-line.

FamilySearch has on-line court minutes and settlement for Cabarrus County. In a Volume entitled “Settlements” 1846-1858, Vol. I, pages 595 and 596 you will find an inventory of the Solomon Dry estate. Here is the Heading on Page 595: ²



The inventory was presented to the probate Court, Cabarrus County Court October Term 1857 and the next line reads: A True Inventory of the Estate of Solomon Dry dec’d Sold on the 13^th of August, 1857 on a credit of nine months.

With this document we can revise our unknown death date and now we can definitely say:
Solomon Dry died sometime before 13 August 1857.

I have found no Will and no tombstone for Solomon Dry. I have done some additional searching in the above volume for Solomon Dry name in pages before page 595 and found no additional entries. At this moment until something new is found we can say that Solomon Dry died before 13 August 1857.








_____________________
[1] "North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-22995-22871-34?cc=1911121 : accessed 6 May 2016), Cabarrus County > D > Dry, Soloman (1858) > image 1 of 4; State Archives, Raleigh.
[2] "North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1940-1206172-1-0?cc=1867501 : accessed 6 May 2016), Cabarrus > Settlements, 1846-1858, Vol. I > image 335 of 375; county courthouses, North Carolina.

Wordless Wednesday~Ruins at Pompeii, July 2008

Tombstone Tuesday~John Rufus Dry

John Rufus Dry

b. Jul. 6, 1861

d. Oct. 26, 1946

bu. Palestine Methodist Church Cemetery

 

Tombstone Photo Courtesy of William Poplin

John Rufus Dry was a son of Adam Dry and Elizabeth ‘Bettie’ Layton. He married Lucy Victoria Sides on 29 December 1886 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

John Rufus Dry is my 2nd Cousin 3 times removed.


_______________
[1] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 June 2016); Memorial page for John Rufus Dry; (6 July 1861–26 October 1946); Find a Grave memorial # 62256113, Citing Palestine Methodist Church Cemetery; Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, USA.

Mappy Monday~Acme Mapper 2.1

As genealogist we use maps to find and plot our ancestral lands from time to time. I have looked at a lot of maps and use several different type of maps in my research. 

Recently, I have been using Acme mapper 2.1. Their webpage states that  Acme Mapper is “a high-precision general purpose mapping application, based on Google Maps with a bunch of things added on.”¹ 

Go to http://mapper.acme.com to launch the map







The mapper will load with the search widget in the bottom right corner. Type in a town, city, county or place that you want to see. 

Let’s look at Yellowstone National Park.  We enter Yellowstone National park in the find block and click on Find. 









We received this image but the scale on the image is too large. Use the scroll button on your mouse and reduce the scale of the displayed map. 




Adjust it to your desirable scale. 




When the map is displayed,  Mapper will give you the location GPS Coordinates and  location information in the two blocks above the Find block as shown by the two blue check marks in this image.









At the top right corner of the map you can choose between 4 different modes:
Map > Satellite > Typo > NexRad

The left corner of the map has the scaling bar to Zoom in and out on a location. 

All maps can be printed or e-mailed by selecting the proper action on the top of the Find Widget in bottom right corner. 

I have found Acme Mapper 2.1 to be a valuable resource in my genealogy tool kit.








_______________________
[1] http://mapper.acme.com/about.html

Census Sunday~U.S. Special Census on Deaf Family Marriages and Hearing Relatives, 1888-1895

U.S. Special Census on Deaf Family Marriages and Hearing Relatives, 1888-1895 

H > Ho > Honeycutt, Sarah Jane

The US Special Census for Deaf Family Marriage and Hearing Relatives, 1888-1895 was a  4-page documents that the family had to complete.

Page 1:

Item 1: This page contains the marriage record and Family composition. 

John Wiseman Clontz and Sarah Jane Honeycutt were married June 1881 in Charlotte, NC. They were nor related prior to marriage and in Item 2, they had two children, Lizzie, b. March 1882 and Clara , b. June 1885. 

Page 2:

Item 1. Parentage Jacob Clontz and Susan J. Wiseman
Item 2. Brother and Sisters in order of Birth - John Wiseman C. Mary A, George F., James, Jeff D., David W. Rosa B., Sallie E. (In order of birth except Joh who followed Mary.)
How many of these (yourself included) are or were born deaf? = 9
How many died young?
Susie died at 4
Rosa died at 21 Childbirth
James died at 4 1/2
Item 3. Other relatives
Both parents & fraternal Uncle & 2 maternal uncles and 1 maternal aunt
4. Note: Are you deaf or hearing – deaf
Age when deafness occurred – B
Attended what school or institution: – NC
Residence when admitted: Buncombe Co., NC 33011
Present Residence: Buncombe Co., NC
Occupation: Farmer & Shoemaker

Page 3:

Item 2. Brothers and Sisters
Sarah Jane Honeycutt; 2 brothers, 4 sisters
How many of these (yourself included) are or were born deaf? = 1 How many hearing?  6
Item 4.
Note: Are you deaf or hearing – deaf
Age when deafness occurred – B
Attended what school or institution: – NC
Residence when admitted: Charlotte, NC
Present Residence: Buncombe Co., NC
Occupation: 

Page 4:

Date of information: 1890
S/ D. R. Tillinghast

















Sarah Jane Honeycutt Clontz is my 1st Cousin 3 times removed. 












_______________________________
[1]https://goo.gl/NbFefi

It's Family Time~Zechariah T. Deese

 Zechariah T. Deese was the youngest of four sons born to Samuel Deese and Sarah 'Sallie' Deese. If you believe the birth date on his tombstone and as recorded in the 1900 census for Anson County; Zechariah was born in October 1854. However this does not explain how he came to be included in the 1850 Census as a two year old. 

At age 42, Zechariah married Clara W. Gathings daughter of William W. Gathings and Charlotte Jones, on 22 December 1890 in Morven, Anson County, North Carolina. To this union was born five children; two sons and three daughters.

 Zechariah T. Deese and Clara W. Gathings had the following children:


  i.   Lillie Ross Deese, born 11 May 1892, Anson County, North Carolina; married Daniel Robert Wright Sr., 21 Nov 1912, Anson County, North Carolina; died 24 Dec 1982, Rockingham, Richmond, North Carolina.
 ii.   Mary B. Deese was born about 1894 in Anson County, North Carolina. She died before 1910 at the age of 16.
iii.   William Bernard Deese was born on 10 Feb 1896 in Anson County, North Carolina. He died on 12 Feb 1953 at the age of 57 in Richmond County, North Carolina, He was buried in the Morven Cemetery, Morven, North Carolina.
 iv.   Samuel Taylor Deese Sr., born 2 Aug 1898, Morven, Anson, North Carolina; married Lucy Wyatt Atkinson, abt 1932; died 5 Dec 1969, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
  v.   Martha Ellen Deese, born 18 Oct 1901, Morven, Anson, North Carolina; married Carl Wilburn Atkinson, 24 Dec 1924, Anson County, North Carolina; died 20 Aug 1986.



 Zechariah T. Deese is my Great Grand Uncle. 











______________________

    1. 1850 Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Sandy Point, Anson County, North Carolina, Page 188A; Line 8, Dwelling 428, Family 428, Household of Mary DEAS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 16 June 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 619.
    2. 1850 Census, Anson County, North Carolina, Population Schedule, Sandy Point, Anson County, North Carolina, Page 188A (stamped); Line 8, Dwelling 428, Family 428, Household of Mary DEAS.
    3. State of North Carolina, death no. Book 10, Page 131 (22 June 1923), Zack Deese; https://www.ancestry.com, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
    4. 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.
    5. 1880 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #2, Page 345C; Line 11, Dwelling 127, Family 140, Household of Samuel DEESE; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 October 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 0951.
    6. 1900 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0008, Page: 4A/152(stamped); Line 20, Dwelling #50, Family #50, Household of Zachariah DEES; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 15 July 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1181.
    7. 1910  U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lilesville, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0009, Page: 4B/115B & 116 (stamped); Line 99, Dwelling 62, Family 62, Household of Zack DEES; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 15 July 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1096.
    8. 1920  U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lilesville, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0010, Page 11B/147(stamped), Line 98, Dwelling #209, Family #211, Household of Daniel WRIGHT; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 15 July 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm Series: T625, Roll: 1283.
    9. State of North Carolina, death no. Book 10, Page 131, (22 June 1923), Zack Deese.
    10. Complied by A. Haynes Dunlap & Steve Bailey, Cemeteries of Anson County, Volume II; Anson County Historical Society, 2000, . Tombstone of Zachariah T. Deese; born Oct. 1854, died Jun 1923, Morven Cemetery, Anson County, North Carolina.
    11. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed  10 June 2012); Memorial page for Zechariah T Deese; (October 1854–22 June 1923); Find a Grave memorial # 38280274, Citing Morven Cemetery; Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, USA.
    12. State of North Carolina, marriage (22 December 1890), Zachariah Dees and Clara Gathings; https://www.ancestry.com, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
    13. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Carrie W Gathings Deese (19 February 1861–9 July 1909), Memorial # 38280303.
    14. 1900 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, ED 0008, Page: 4A/152(stamped); Line 20, Dwelling #50, Family #50, Household of Zachariah DEES.
    15. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Carrie W Gathings Deese (19 February 1861–9 July 1909), Memorial # 38280303.
    16. 1900 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, ED 0008, Page: 4A/152(stamped); Line 20, Dwelling #50, Family #50, Household of Zachariah DEES.
    17. Ibid.
    18. 1910  U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lilesville, Anson County, North Carolina, ED 0009, Page: 4B/115B & 116 (stamped); Line 99, Dwelling 62, Family 62, Household of Zack DEES.
    19. 1920  U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lilesville, Anson County, North Carolina, ED 0010, Page 11B/147(stamped), Line 98, Dwelling #209, Family #211, Household of Daniel WRIGHT.

What is a Mortuary Warrant?

I have researched my families for forty years but never have I encountered a document like the one I found this past week. The document was an Application for a Mortuary Warrant. I had no idea what a mortuary warrant was so my first step was to see exactly what was the purpose of a Mortuary Warrant?

Data on-line was very meager on the Texas Mortuary Warrant so the definition here is my interpretation of it’s purpose based on two documents listed in the footnotes. 

Mortuary Warrant – was a Texas Document used to document the death of Civil War pensioners and to assist in their funeral expenses. 
 
A Texas record Book shows that "The First Mortuary Warrant to Confederate Pensioners was issued on May 10, 1917. Warrant # for $30 was issued on account of the death of J. M. Sharp  File #10606 Cherokee [County]." ¹

In a PDF from the Texas Historical Commission on “How to Use Confederate Pension Records“ they had this comment concerning the Mortuary Warrant: 

"Confederate Mortuary Warrant: This document should contain the veteran’s date of death, place of death (city or county), where the death occurred (home, clinic, etc.), relation of person in whose home the veteran died, relationship of the applicant, and the physician’s and undertaker’s certifications.² Claimants included relatives and undertakers. 

Texas changed their laws and starting in 1917 mortuary warrants were used to help pay for burial expenses.³
 

















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[1] http://austintxgensoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/1972.4.pdf
[2] ttp://www.thc.texas.gov/public/upload/publications/Confederate.pdf
[3] Ibid.

Wordless Wednesday~The Russ House, Marianna, Florida

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[1] http://rootsweb.ancestry.com/~fljackso/RussHouse/RussIntro.html

Tombstone Tuesday~Thomas Hardy Sellers

Thomas Hardy Sellers

b. Jun. 25, 1820

d. Mar. 9, 1865

bu. Gulledge Cemetery

CO. K 6TH SOUTH CAROLINA CAV. CSA 

 

Tombstone Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

 

Tombstone Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

Thomas Hardy Sellers parents are unknown. He married Elizabeth Hancock about 1839 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. 

Thomas and Elizabeth had 11 known children. Thomas died on 9 March 1865 before the war ended on 9 April 1865. There’s nothing in his records documenting his death but he was hospitalized several times with chronic diarrhea. His burial in his home county suggests that he most likely died at home as a result of these illness.






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[1] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 June 2014); Memorial page for Thomas H. Sellers; (25 June 1820–9 March 1865); Find a Grave memorial # 36017240, Citing Gulledge Family Cemetery; Ruby, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

Amanuensis Monday~Last Will and Testament of John B. Dry.

 
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 Last Will and Testament of John B. Dry.


Page 267
In the name of God, Amen!. I, John B. Dry of the County of Cabarrus and state of North Carolina being in feeble health but of sound and exposing mind and memory , and considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say.
1^st My will is that my hereinafter Executors shall provide for my body a decent Christian burial suitable to the wishes of my relatives and friends and pay all burial expenses, together with all my just debts, howsoever and to whomsoever owing out of the monies that may first come into their hands as a part or parcel of my estate.
Item 1^st. I give and devise to my oldest son Moses Dry five hundred dollars in cash, to be paid to him by my Executors out of my estate and no more.
Item 2^nd. I give and devise to my daughter Catherine Rheinhardt, wife of Paul Rheinhardt, all that tract of land whereon they now live by her paying to the Executors eight hundred dollars in cash, to have and hold to her and her heirs in fee simple forever.
Item 3^rd. I give and devise to my daughter Lydia Barrier, wife of Ed B. Barrier, all that tract of land containing one hundred and five acres lying on Lick Branch adjoining Absalom Hahn, Jno. Culp and others, to have and to hold to her and her heirs in fee simple forever and six hundred dollars in cash to be paid to her by my Executors out of my Estate.
Item 4^th. I give and devise to my son Paul Dry all that tract of land he now live on known as the Hartsell Tract by him, the said Paul Dry, paying to the Executors of my estate the sum of seven hundred dollars in cash to have and to hold to him and his heirs in fee simple forever.
Item 5^th. I give and devise to my daughter Leah Dry, wife of John Dry, all that tract of land known as the Tobias Furr Tract containing one hundred and twenty acres to have and to hold, to her and her heirs in fee simple forever, and three hundred dollars in cash to be paid to her by my Executors out of my Estate.
Item 6^th. I give and devise to my sons Charles Dry and Jacob W. Dry and my step-son Daniel M. Fisher all that tract of land whereon I now live, containing six hundred acres more or less with the mills included; the land to be equally divided between the three last names legatees, Charles Dry, Jacob W. Dry and Daniel M. Fisher. The land is to be titled off as follows: Charles Dry to have his lot at the North end of the plantation, Jacob W. Dry to have the lot I now live on and Daniel M. Fisher is to have the South lot of the plantation; the mills to be owned in three equal shares by the said Charles Dry, Jacob W. Dry and Daniel M. Fisher by each of the three last legatees Charles Dry, Jacob W. Dry and Daniel M. Fisher paying each five hundred dollars in cash to the Executors of my Estate to have and to hold, to them and their heirs in fee simple forever.
Item 7^th. My will is that all the residue of my estate (if any) after taking out all the devises and legacies above mentioned and shall be sold at public auction on a credit of twelve months and the debts owing to me collected and if there should be any surplus over and above the payments of debts, expenses and legacies such surplus shall be equally divided and paid over to the hereinafter named heirs, Catherine Rhienhardt wife of Paul Rhienhardt, Lydia Barrier, wife of Edm. Barrier, Paul Dry, Leah Dry, wife of John Dry, Charles Dry, Jacob W. Dry and Daniel M. Fisher in equal portions, share and share alike, to them and each and every of them heirs, executors, administrators and assigns absolutely forever.
Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my son Paul Dry. Edmund B. Barrier and Paul Rhienhardt my lawful Executors to all intent and purposes to execute this my last Will and testament according to the true intent and purposes of the same and every part thereof, hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and Testaments by me heretofore made.
I witness whereof I, the said John B. Dry do hereby set my hand and seal this the 9^th day of April 1855.
Signed, sealed and delivered by the}                         John B. Dry {seal}
said John B. Dry to be his last Will}
and Testament in the presence of us}
who, at his request and in his presence,}
do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.}
N. Lefler
Daniel Barrier
Martin H. Carter

State of North Carolina} Court of Pleas and Quarter Sefsions,
Cabarrus County} October Term 1855
I, Joseph M. Scott, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sefsions for the County of Cabarrus, do hereby certify that at the term aforesaid the execution of the foregoing last Will and testament of John B. Dry was duly proven in open court by N. Lefler, Daniel Barrier and Martin H. Carter the subscribing witnefses thereto upon oath and the same ordered to be recorded and filed.
                                                                            Joseph M. Scott, Clerk
 
John B. Dry is my 1st Cousin 5 times removed.
 
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[1] Probate Office, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; Will Book #1, pages 267, 268 and 269. Short URL: goo.gl/2HIe3I
[2] "North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-JDB3-8?cc=1867501&wc=32LN-L2W%3A169768201%2C170899401 : 21 May 2014), Cabarrus > image 138 of 150; county courthouses, North Carolina.

Guardianship and Apprenticeship of the Teeter’s Minor Children

Sarah Jane ‘Sallie’ Petray Teeter wife of Martin Archibald Teeter is reported to have passed away in 1853 from complication after the birth of her son, George Washington Teeter. Her death left her husband, Martin Archibald a widow with 7 children under the age of twenty-one. Their oldest daughter, Susannah Elvina was 22 years of age and had married two years earlier a young man named Patrick H. Talley.  

On 20 April 1856, Martin Archibald Teeter married as his second wife a young lady by the name of Josephine Woods. Sadly , this was to become a short-lived marriage when  Martin Archibald suddenly passed away sometime before 18 January 1859 at the age of 46. Martin left surviving him 8 children and his new bride; five (5) of these children were under the age of majority. 

Two of these children were found in the 1860 Census living with their maternal grandparents, John and Martha Petray. 

1860 CENSUS: Illinois, Pope, Arkansas; Roll: M653_48; Image: 192; Family History Library Film: 803048; Page: 722; Line 15, Dwelling 128, Family 130; John PETRAY, male, age 55, born in NC; Martha PETRAY, female, age 55, born in NC; Sarah S. PETRAY, female, age 15, born in NC; Ransom A. TEETER, male, age 12, born in AR and James TEETER, male, age 10, born in AR.

Research within the un-indexed probate books of Pope County Arkansas led me to several court proceedings related to the guardianship and apprenticeship of the four (4) youngest children. The fifth and oldest was a daughter, Sarah Jane Teeter. Sarah Jane married Francis Marion Reed on 13 October 1859 in Pope County, Arkansas. 

The four boys, Jonah Allen, Ransom Alexander, James Lawson and  George Washington Teeter were found with the Probate Court proceedings recorded in Volume “D” for Pope County, Arkansas. 

The first entry, I found was dated  18 Jan 1859.



Brice McEver
Vs } Petition for Guardian
Ransom A. Teater &
Jas L. Teater
At this day comes Brice McEver and files his petition, the object and prayer of which are, for the appointment of a guardian for said minors, in the place of said petition the present guardian of said minors, and this promises being seen and by the court fully understood by the court, he is ordered by the Court that the prayer of said petitioner be granted and John Petray appointed as such guardian upon his entering into bond to said minors in the sum of one dollar which he is accordingly does, with Brice McEver as his security.
[Probate Records 1844-1860, Volume “D”, page 394, Image 595, Page dated January 18^th 1859 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99W3-2Q6T?cc=2061549&wc=M7QZ-SP8%3A353223101%2C353240401]

With the death of Sarah in 1853 and Martin Archibald in 1858/1859 no one was around to purchase a stone to mark their graves so no actual death date or tombstones  has been found for Martin Archibald  or his wife. But, it's certain that Martin Archibald Teeter died sometime before 18 January 1859, the date of the Court Document above.  

Martin Archibald Teeter died  before 18 January 1859

Our next entry dealt with Jonah Allen and George Washington Teeter and was dated February. 13^th 1859.

 

John Petray Gud^n
of
Jonah A. Teater &
Geo. W. Teator minors
At this day the Court approves the binding of Sd minors to Brice McEver by their guardian John Petry and doth order that the same be recorded.
[Probate Records 1844-1860, Volume “D”, page 410, Image 603, Page dated Feb. 13^th 1859----https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89W3-2Q4M?cc=2061549&wc=M7QZ-SP8%3A353223101%2C353240401]

And the last document found was dated 20 April 1858 but should read 1859. The proceeding page had 1859. 



B. McEver Guardian
of} Apprentice of Wards
R. A. Teter &
J. L. Teter
At this day the Court approved and confirmed the apprentices of his said wards to John Petry, and ordered that the instrument (?) be recorded in the recorder’s office.
[Probate Records 1844-1860, Volume “D”, page 431, Image 613, Page dated April 20^th 1858 should be 1859 as on proceeding page 430
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9W3-2Q67?cc=2061549&wc=M7QZ-SP8%3A353223101%2C353240401
 
These children are my 2nd Cousins 3 times removed.






 
 
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[1] Probate Records 1844-1860, Volume  “D”, page 394, Image 595, Page dated January 18th 1859 on FamilySearch.org----"Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99W3-2Q6T?cc=2061549&wc=M7QZ-SP8%3A353223101%2C353240401 : 12 January 2017), Pope > image 595 of 719; county courthouses, Arkansas.
[2] Probate Records 1844-1860, Volume  “D”, page 410, Image 603, Page dated Feb. 13th 1859---- "Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89W3-2Q4M?cc=2061549&wc=M7QZ-SP8%3A353223101%2C353240401 : 12 January 2017), Pope > image 603 of 719; county courthouses, Arkansas.
[3] Probate Records 1844-1860, Volume “D”, page 431, Image 613, Page dated April 20^th 1858 should be 1850 as on proceeding page 430----"Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9W3-2Q67?cc=2061549&wc=M7QZ-SP8%3A353223101%2C353240401 : 12 January 2017), Pope > image 613 of 719; county courthouses, Arkansas.
[4] 1860 U. S. Census, Pope County, Arkansas, population schedule, Illinois, Pope, Arkansas, Page: 722; Line 15, Dwelling 128, Family 130, Household of John PETRAY; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 12 January 2017); citing NARA publication Roll: M653_48.