The “Aunts & Uncles” series of biographical sketches are Artificial Intelligence (AI) compiled narratives of selected individuals from my Genealogical database. The selected AI will used the RootsMagic Individual Summary from my Genealogical Software, Roots Magic. All genealogical data is my research material acquired over the past 46 years of research. Today's Biography of Edith "Edy" Sellers (1799-1875) was compiled with the assistance of Claude Sonnett 4 and is entitled:
Edith “Edy” Sellers
1799 – 1875
South Carolina • Alabama
Overview
Edith, known to family and friends as “Edy,” was born in 1799 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, at a time when the young United States was still finding its footing as a nation. She lived through some of the most turbulent and transformative decades in American history — the War of 1812, the era of westward expansion, and the Civil War — and she carried her family through all of it with quiet determination. By the time she passed away on October 16, 1875, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at around age 76, she had outlived her first husband and one of her own daughters, and had built a life remarkable in its fullness and resilience.
Edy married twice and raised at least five daughters. She spent her later decades in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, where she was known well enough that her death and estate settlement were announced in the local newspaper. Though she left no grand monument behind — just two cows and calves, some household furniture, and “sundry minor articles” — her descendants spread across Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas, a testament to the family she helped build.
Family Background & Early Life
Edy was born to Philip Sellers Sr. (1774–1835) and Mary [LNU] (1774–1848), both of whom lived long and productive lives. Her father Philip was born just before the American Revolution and lived to see Andrew Jackson in the White House. Her mother Mary outlived him by thirteen years, passing away in 1848. The Sellers family was part of the early settlement of Chesterfield County, South Carolina, a largely rural Piedmont region that had been frontier territory just a generation before Edy’s birth.
Chesterfield County in the late 1700s and early 1800s was a farming community, and families like the Sellers were part of the backbone of that world — working the land, raising children, and building communities in the American South. Edy grew up in this environment, and it would shape the practical, hardworking woman she would become.
The exact number of Philip and Mary’s children is not fully documented here, but Edy grew up as part of a close-knit Chesterfield County community where families like the Sellers were well established across the region.
First Marriage: James David Weaver
The Marriage
Sometime around 1827, Edy married James David Weaver (1797–1868), likely in Alabama, where the couple had apparently settled after leaving South Carolina. James was just two years older than Edy, born in 1797. He may have been from Lexington County, South Carolina (also called the Ninety-Six District), and like many Southern families of that era, the Weavers and Sellers families made the journey west into Alabama as part of the great migration of settlers moving into the newly opened territories of the Deep South.
This was the era of the “Alabama Fever” — the 1810s and 1820s saw tens of thousands of families pouring into Alabama after it became a state in 1819, drawn by fertile land and the promise of a fresh start. Tuscaloosa itself became Alabama’s state capital in 1826, bringing growth and activity to the region where Edy and James would make their home.
Their Children
Edy and James had at least five daughters together, born over a span of about ten years:
• Cassandra D. Weaver (1828–1875) — Born when Edy was around 29, Cassandra sadly died the same year as her mother, in 1875. She married and became Cassandra Marion, living in Itawamba County, Mississippi.
• Louisa Caroline Weaver (1830–1869) — Louisa died young, at around age 39, in 1869. She married a man named West and moved to Texas, where her sons William, George, David, Thomas, and Isaac were living at the time of their grandfather James’s estate settlement.
• Mary Francis Weaver (1832–1910) — Mary lived the longest of the sisters, passing away in 1910. She married William Loggins and remained in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
• Nancy Ann Weaver (1833–1914) — Nancy had a remarkably long life, surviving until 1914. She married John Starkie and settled in Itawamba County, Mississippi.
• Malinda Ann Weaver (1838–1896) — The youngest daughter, Malinda married Asa Wallace and lived in Fayette County, Alabama.
The probate records from James’s estate in 1869 also mention a son, George W. Weaver, who was living in Jefferson County, Alabama at the time — so there may have been additional children not fully documented in this summary.
Life During the Civil War Era
Edy and James raised their family through one of the most defining and devastating periods in American history. Alabama was deeply affected by the Civil War (1861–1865). Tuscaloosa County, where the family lived, saw Union forces raid the area in April 1865, just weeks before the war ended. Many families in the region lost property, livestock, and loved ones. By the time the war ended, Edy would have been in her mid-sixties — an older woman navigating the chaos of Reconstruction alongside her family.
James David Weaver died in 1868, leaving Edy a widow at around age 69. She stepped up immediately, serving as the administrator of his estate — no small task. In December 1869, she petitioned the Tuscaloosa Probate Court for her dower rights (her legal share of her deceased husband’s land), and the probate records show her navigating a complex legal process involving heirs scattered across Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas.
Second Marriage: Hilliard George Sellers
Just weeks after James’s death — on January 6, 1868 — Edy married for the second time. Her new husband was Hilliard George Sellers (1805–1886). Though they share the Sellers surname, Edy and Hilliard were not related — Edy simply took his surname upon their marriage, as was the custom of the time.
The marriage record from the Alabama Select Marriage Indexes lists her as “Eda Weaver” marrying “Hiliard Sellars” in Tuscaloosa County — confirming that Edy took her first husband’s surname after his death, as was common, and then remarried. Hilliard outlived Edy by eleven years, dying in 1886.
Edy and Hilliard were enumerated together in the 1870 U.S. Census for Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, recorded on August 15, 1870, showing them living as a household in their final years together.
Later Life, Death & Estate
Final Years
Edy lived out her final years in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, likely at or near the home of her son-in-law L. B. Battle (husband of her daughter Belinda/Malinda). Alabama in the 1870s was deep in the Reconstruction era — a time of significant social and political upheaval in the South. For an elderly widow like Edy, day-to-day life would have centered around family, her small household, and the rhythms of rural Alabama life.
Death
Edith “Edy” Sellers passed away on October 16, 1875, at approximately age 76, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She left no last will or testament. The petition filed for Letters of Administration noted that she “respectfully departed this life” at the residence of L. B. Battle, approximately 18 miles east of Tuscaloosa.
Estate Settlement
Following Edy’s death, L. B. Battle was granted Letters of Administration over her estate on January 7, 1876, by Judge Newbern H. Browne of the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court. The administration of the estate was announced publicly in the Tuscaloosa Weekly Times on February 2, 1876.
On March 15, 1876, Battle placed a notice in the Tuscaloosa Weekly Times advertising a sale of Edy’s personal property, to be held on Friday, March 31, 1876, at his residence 18 miles east of Tuscaloosa. The estate’s assets were modest but practical: two cows and calves, household and kitchen furniture, and various smaller items. The sale terms were cash.
"Administrator's Sale of PERSONAL PROPERTY... the following described property, belonging to the Estate of Edy Sellers, dec, to-wit: TWO COWS AND CALVES, HOUSEHOLD & KITCHEN FURNITURE, together with sundry minor articles, too numerous to specify." — Tuscaloosa Weekly Times, March 15, 1876
A second notice appeared in the Tuscaloosa Weekly Times on April 12, 1876, reminding any creditors or debtors of the estate to come forward promptly, or risk being forever barred from making claims.
Historical Context: Edy’s World (1799–1875)
To truly appreciate Edy’s life, it helps to consider the world she lived in. She was born the same year George Washington died (1799), and she lived long enough to see the aftermath of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction. Here are some of the major events that shaped the world around her:
• 1803: The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States, opening the continent to westward expansion.
• 1812–1815: The War of 1812 was fought while Edy was a teenager in South Carolina.
• 1819: Alabama became the 22nd state, the same territory Edy would call home for most of her adult life.
• 1826: Tuscaloosa became Alabama’s state capital (it held that status until 1846).
• 1830s–1840s: The forced removal of Native American tribes (the Trail of Tears) opened vast new lands in Alabama and beyond.
• 1861–1865: The Civil War tore through the South. Alabama seceded in January 1861. Tuscaloosa was raided by Union forces in April 1865, just weeks before the war’s end.
• 1865–1877: Reconstruction brought significant political and social change to Alabama and the South. Edy lived through the entire Reconstruction period before her death in 1875.
Through all of this, Edy raised her family, buried a husband, married again, navigated probate courts, and managed a household. She was, in every sense, a woman of her time — tough, practical, and deeply rooted in her family.
Family at a Glance
Parents
Philip Sellers Sr. (1774–1835) and Mary [LNU] (1774–1848), Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
First Husband
James David Weaver (1797–1868). Married approximately 1827 in Alabama. Died 1868.
Children with James David Weaver
1. Cassandra D. Weaver (1828–1875) — married John Marion; lived in Itawamba County, Mississippi.
2. Louisa Caroline Weaver (1830–1869) — married David West; lived in Texas.
3. Mary Francis Weaver (1832–1910) — married William Loggins; lived in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
4. Nancy Ann Weaver (1833–1914) — married John Starkie; lived in Itawamba County, Mississippi.
5. Malinda Ann Weaver (1838–1896) — married Asa Wallace; lived in Fayette County, Alabama.
Second Husband
Hilliard George Sellers (1805–1886). Married January 6, 1868, in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He outlived Edy by 11 years.
Sources & Further Research
The information in this biography is drawn from the following primary sources:
• Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Probate Files — Tuscaloosa County Probate Court (via FamilySearch.org)
• Tuscaloosa Weekly Times newspaper notices (February 2, 1876; March 15, 1876; April 12, 1876) via Newspapers.com
• Alabama, Select Marriage Indexes, 1816–1942 (via Ancestry.com)
• 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
• FamilySearch.org — Edy Sellers Probate File
For those wishing to explore further, the WikiTree profile (Weaver-11697) and Ancestry.com family tree (Tree #180210056) contain additional linked records and researcher notes.
Edith "Edy" Sellers is my 3rd Great GrandAunt.
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1. Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Probate Files & Loose papers, ; "Tuscaloosa County Court Minutes," digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: online May 2025).
2. Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Death date Edy Sellers died on 16 Oct 1875, Estate of Edy Sellers -.
3. Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Letters of Administration, Estate of Edy Sellers.
4. Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Administrator's Sale of Personal Property, Estate of Edy Sellers.
5. "Administrator's Notice.," Estate, Tuscaloosa Weekly Times, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 2 February 1876, Page 3, Column 6; Digital On-Line Archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/ : online May 2025); https://www.newspapers.com/.
6. 1820 U S Census, Lexington County, South Carolina, population schedule, Lexington, Lexington, South Carolina, 1820; Microfilm M33; Page#41 (Stamped), Line#9, Household of David WEAVER; digital images, HeritageQuest Online (http://persi.heritagequestonline.com : viewed 1 October 2023); citing National Archives Microfilm M33.
7. 1840 U. S. Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, population schedule, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Page#239B (Stamped), Line#11,, Household of David WEAVER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed October 2023); citing National Archives Microfilm M704.
8. 1850 U. S. Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, population schedule, District 2, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Page#260 (Stamped), Line#1, Dwelling#967; Family#967, Household of James WEAVER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed October 2023); citing NARA publication M432_.
9. 1855 Alabama State Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, state census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, page#62, Line#9, David Weaver; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed October 2023); citing NARA publication M432_.
10. 1850 U. S. Census, Non=Population, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, agricultural schedule, District 1, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration Date 15 Jan 1850, Page#883; Line#18, Household of David WEAVER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed October 2023); citing National Archives Microfilm.
11. 1855 Alabama State Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, State Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, page#1, Line#5, , David Weaver.
12. 1860 U. S. Census, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, population schedule, Pitchers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Page#96/530B(Stamped); Line#4, Dwelling#1250, Family#1169, David WEAVER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed October 2023); citing National Archives Microfilm M653.
13. "Legal Notice," Notice to creditors, The Daily Selma Reporter, Selma, Alabama, 9 February 1839, Page 1, column 3; Digital On-Line Archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/:On-line October 2023); https://www.newspapers.com/.
14. "Alabama, Select Marriage Indexes, 1816-1942," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : online February 2025), Marriage: Eda Weaver & Hillard Sellars, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/29647:60000.
Biography compiled from genealogical records • March 2026
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