Dozier-Rivers Connections

Prior to 1840, there lived in Chesterfield County, South Carolina a family of about 4 children with the head of the family known as James DOZIER and his wife Britten [maiden named unknown]. By 1840, the family had moved to Sumter County, Georgia. There they can be found in the 1840 Census for Sumter County, Georgia.

Their migration left an impact on at least one Rivers family in the County. I have documented the 4 children of this family; 3 daughters and one son. Two of those daughters married Rivers men of Chesterfield County.

Nancy A. DOZIER

James and Britten oldest daughter Nancy A. DOZIER, born about June 1832  married  James Rivers, born about 1835, son of William and Elizabeth “Betsy” Rivers. The exact date they were married is unknown but we do know it was after 1850 and before 10 Dec 1858. Nancy Dozier, age 18, can be found in the 1850 Census for Marlboro County with a younger female named Rebecca Dozier, age 16.

In the “Burnt Book” we find a land deed that supports the marriage of James Rivers and Nancy Dozier before 10 Dec 1858.   

“conveyed to me by Wm. A. Rivers, by deed bearing date 10th Dec 1858. Said Tract of land being a portion of the real Estate of Britton Dozier, laid off To Nancy A. Rivers the wife of James Rivers, reference being had to a …”

Nancy Dozier Rivers father James Dozier had passed away before 7 October 1848 in Georgia and the land he stilled owned in Chesterfield County was being partitioned off.

Georgia}
Sumter County}  Know all men by these presents the we Lovett Dozier George W. Varner and Ambrous Powell are held & firmly bound unto Edmund Nunn Clk of the Court of ordinary of Said County and his succcefsors in office in the sum of twenty five hundred dollars to the payment of which well & truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs executors & administrators of us & each of us cismley [severaly] by these presents subscribed with our hands & sealed with our seals this 7th day of October 1848. 

After losing her father, Nancy also lost her husband James Rivers as a causality of the Civil War. James Rivers lost his life in the Civil War sometime before 16 January 1862.  We know this to be so even though I have not found a document stating such.  

After learning of the Death of James Rivers, Nancy A. (Dozier) Rivers joined her Mother and brothers in Sumter County, Georgia.

There she married Noah MEEKS on 16 Jan 1862. This tells us that James Rivers lost his life in the Civil War sometime before 16 January 1862. I have spent a lot of time looking for a death date for James Rivers without success. The National Parks Service (NPS) Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System,- http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/ -- has 4 James Rivers listed but I have been unable to determine if either of these 4 men is our James Rivers.

Before Nancy died and sometime after marrying Noah Meeks in 1862; Nancy married one additional time, 3 marriages total, to Andrew F. Simmons(see her Last Will). Nancy A. (Dozier)(Rivers)(Meeks) Simmons died May 1921 in Geneva County, Alabama.

Eliza Ann DOZIER

James and Britten youngest daughter, Eliza Ann DOZIER, born 8 April 1836  married  Dempsey Rivers, born about 1830, son of William and Elizabeth “Betsy” Rivers. The exact date of their marriage is also unknown; but, believed to have occurred about 1854. Their first and only child, a daughter, Georgia Ann Rivers was born about Dec 1855. Eliza Ann (Dozier) Rivers died 11 December 1856 and Georgia Ann Rivers died 13 December 1856. I think it quite possible that both died from childbirth. The tombstone is unreadable today (See FindAGrave memorial#40202722). 

After losing his wife and daughter, Dempsey Rivers then married Sarah Ann Massey, b. abt 1845, daughter of William Lawrence Massey and Huldah Meadows. Dempsey Rivers died 13 November 1861 of Typhoid Fever shortly after entering the Civil War. His widow, Sarah Ann Massey Rivers, married Leander Sweatt and gave birth to 2 more sons before she died 4 February 1871 leaving 3 sons and a daughter surviving.

Britten [MNU] Dozier died before or about 7 June 1852.

Georgia}
Sumter County} Know all men by these presents; that we Lovett R. Dozier and William Johnson, Security, acknowledge ourselves jointly and severally boun[d] <sic> unto Louis Bruner, Ordinary of said County and his succefsors and afsigns in the just and full sum of Four Hundred & fifty dollars, to the true payment of which, will and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, and heirs, executors, and administrators of us, and each of us, jointly and severally, by these presents. Sealed with our seals, and dated this 7th day of June 1852.
The condition of the bond or obligation is such; that if the above bound Lovett R. Dozier, who is this day appointed Guardian of the persons or property of Nancy, Rebecca, Eliza Ann and James W. Dozier, Orphan children of Britten Dozier, deceased, he acknowledging the same by his acceptance of said appointment, and Letters of Guardianship of this date, shall, well and truly maintain, clothe and educate said orphans according  to their circumstances, and shall take good and lawful care of their persons and property, according to the laws of this State,and  shall annually make a just and true return of all his actings and doings herein, unto the said Ordinary, an pay over all afsets that may remain in his hands when said Guardianship shall legally terminate, then this Obligation to be void, else to remain in full force. In Witnefs whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals, this day and year above written.
Attest:                                                                                  L. R. Dozier {LS}
L. Bruner, Ord’y                                                                Wm. Johnson {LS}

Postscript:

Rebecca H. DOZIER, middle daughter, married George C. Felts on 22 Dec. 1852 in Sumter County, Georgia.

James W. DOZIER married Hulda Rebecca Alexander. He died in the Civil War, 22 Oct. 1862 and is buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina. He had one son, John W. Dozier, b. abt May 1860 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

James and Dempsey Rivers are my 3rd Great Grand Uncles.

____________________

1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40202722/georgia-ann-rivers

2. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Page 179B, Line 16, family 1242, dwelling 1242, Household of William Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.

3. National Park Service, "Soldiers" database, Civil War Soldiers & Sailor System (http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers.htm : accessed 6 June 2018), entry for James Rivers, Pvt.; unknown; Confederate.

4. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, BURNT DEED BOOK: page 50, Land Deed between John C. Davis to Thomas C. Davis Deed; 22 December 1859, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

5. 1850 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Marlboro, South Carolina, page 149, Line 25, Dwelling 397, Family 397, Household of Miss N. DOZIER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 856.

6. 1880 U. S. Census, Geneva County, Alabama, population schedule, Geneva, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) 078, Page: 639A(stamped); Line 18, Dwelling NL, Family 138, Household of Noah MEEKS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 24 May 2015); citing NARA publication T9, Roll: 13.

7. 1900 U. S. Census, Geneva County, Alabama, population schedule, Piney Grove, Geneva, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) 080, Page 10B/179(Stamped), Line 99, Dwelling 188, Family 188, Household of Nancy SIMMONS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 11 October 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_17.

8. 1910 U. S. Census, Geneva County, Alabama, population schedule, Piney Grove, Geneva, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) 109, Page 9A/151 (Stamped), Line 11, Dwelling 157, Family 158, Household of Nancy Ann SIMMONS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 11 October 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm T624_14.

9. Geneva County, Alabama, Probate Files & Loose papers, Nancy A Simmons; "Barbour County Court Minutes-1889 to 1897," digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: viewed 11 October 2018); WILL BOOK A_B, Page 313.

10. [MNU] Maiden Name unknown

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.  


 


_________________________
[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.

Tombstone Tuesday~ Eliza A. Rivers and Daughter Georgia

Yesterday, I spent some time at the Kite cemetery with several cousins who had driven quite some distance to meet, visit the cemetery, share information and socialize. It was a beautiful afternoon, made more beautiful when I saw the ‘major’ improvements including a fence made by the Shiloh United Methodist Church and it’s members. Thank you Shiloh. 


Buried in this cemetery is Rolin Kite, a local farmer and businessman, who gave an acre of land to build the first Shiloh Church. Thanks to cousin Betty I now have an 8x10 photo of Rolin Kite. Thank you, Betty.

This is a very old cemetery and has several of my kinfolk buried within it’s boundaries. The cemetery also contained a surprise for me and that surprise is the focus of this Tombstone Tuesday blog.

Also buried within this cemetery is a very young Mother and her first born, a daughter. Eliza Ann Dozier Rivers was a little past her 20th birthday when she and his daughter Georgia Rivers passed away in December 1856. ^{1 2}

Eliza Ann Dozier Rivers

b. 8 April 1836

d. 11 Dec 1856

Georgia A. Rivers

b. abt 1855

d. 13 Dec 1856

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=40202633

When Jim Pigg surveyed this cemetery in 1998; he found tombstones, that now no longer exist, for both Eliza Ann and Georgia A. and made this notation in his survey - Georgia A. RIVERS, age 1 year daughter of D. R. and E. A. Rivers; died Dec. 13, 1856. ³

Eliza Ann Dozier was the first wife of Dempsey Rivers (1830-13 Nov. 1861).  After the death of Eliza and their daughter Georgia, Dempsey married Sarah Ann Massey daughter of William Lawrence and Huldah Meadows Massey.⁴ 

Eliza Ann Dozier was the daughter of James Dozier and his wife Britten [LNU]. It is not known when Eliza Ann parents passed away but in 1850 Chesterfield census, Eliza Ann was living in the household of John Isaac Huntley. ⁵

On 7 June 1852, the Georgia Courts gave Lovett R. Dozier guardianship over Nancy, Rebecca, Eliza Ann and James W. Dozier, Orphan children of Britten Dozier. ⁶   

severally, by these presents. Sealed with our seals, and dated this 7th day of June 1852.
The condition of the bond or obligation is such; that if the above bound Lovett R. Dozier, who is this day appointed Guardian of the persons or property of Nancy, Rebecca, Eliza Ann and James W. Dozier, Orphan children of Britten Dozier, deceased, he acknowledging the same by his acceptance of said appointment, and Letters of Guardianship of this date,

Dempsey married Eliza Ann Dozier sometime about 1854-1855. Dempsey died  while serving in the Civil War on 13 Nov 1861 from typhoid fever.<sup>7






________________________________
[1] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 5 June 2012); Memorial page for Eliza A. Rivers; (8 April 1836–11 December 1856); Find a Grave memorial # 40202633, Citing Kite Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[2] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 5 June 2012); Memorial page for Georgia A. Rivers; (Unk. - Dec. 13, 1856); Find a Grave memorial # 40202722, Citing Kite Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[3] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, page 1129. Tombstone of Georgia A. RIVERS; Unk. - Dec. 13, 1856., Kite Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[4] 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page: 115 (stamped); Line 27, Dwelling 299, Family 299, Household of Duncan RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.
[5] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 175B; Line 11, Dwelling 1182, Family 1182, Household of John HUNTLY; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 February 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[6] "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990," images,FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-30448-1595-78?cc=1999178&wc=9SB9-FMH:267781801,267875801: accessed 26 May 2015), Sumter > Wills, administration and guardian bonds1838-1855 vol 00 > image 124-125 of 208; county probate courthouses, Georgia.
[7] 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.</sup>

Amanuensis Monday~Guardian Appointment for Sarah Elizabeth Rivers Tucker

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 Appointment of a Guardian for Sarah Elizabeth Rivers Tucker. ¹

On 13 November 1861, Dempsey Rivers age 31 died of typhoid fever while serving his country in the Civil War. He left behind a widow, Sarah Ann Massey Rivers, and two children, a son and daughter.
The daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Rivers, born 4 September 1861 was just two months old when her Father died. Ten years later, in February 1871 her Mother Sarah Ann Massey Rivers passed away.
In Probate File #81, Sarah Elizabeth Tucker petitions the Courts to assign Phillip Rivers as her Guardian. T. P. Davis witnessed her request.









To Mr. Rolin Kite Judge of Probate
I respectfully ask that Phillip Rivers be appointed as my Guardian to receive what may be due me of my Father’s Estate, the Estate of Dempsey Rivers
                                                                                                          her
                                                                                                  { S. E. X Tucker
T. P. Davis                                                                                        mark
Then on 18 Feb. 1881, Probate Judge Rolin Kite issued letters appointing Philip Rivers as the Guardian for Sarah Elizabeth Rivers Tucker.





The State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
By Rolin Kite Esquire, Probate Judge
To Mr. Phillip Rivers
Whereas, Sarah Elizabeth Tucker a child of Dempsey Rivers
Late of the County and state aforesaid
deceased
a minor, entitled to a Small estate
applied to me, to appoint Phillip Rivers to be her Guardian.
For better securing the said small estate for the benefit of the said minor, and
For her more careful maintenance and education, I do hereby commit the tuition,
Guardianship, and education, of said Sarah Elizabeth Tucker
to you, the said Philip Rivers charging you to
maintain her in meat, drink, washing, lodging, clothing, and such good education
as may be fitting, according to the circumstances of interest of the said
Sarah Elizabeth Tucker during her minority, take charge
Of her estate, do such things as a Guardian should, and render
A true and faithful account of the said estate, and of your management thereof,
when thereunto duly required.
GIVEN under my hand and Seal this 18
day of Feb 1881 in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and and in the 115
year of the Independence of the United States of America.
Probate Court}
Recorded
Nook…………..} Rolin Kite
Page……………} Judge of Probate
 
If this is your relative, the entire file can be freely accessed at:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19383-30121-15?cc=1911928
 







 
_______________________________
[1] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19383-30121-15?cc=1911928 : accessed 11 April 2016), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > Cases 0065-0087 > image 371 of 482; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.

Amanuensis Monday~Estate of Dempsey Rivers

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 Estate of Dempsey Rivers.
Dempsey Rivers
Estate Folder #11
URL: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19383-21372-31?cc=1911928

Dempsey Rivers, son of  William Rivers and Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Rivers Rivers, was born about 1830. This is based on his reported age of 20 and 30 years of age in the 1850-1860 Chesterfield County, SC census. 

Dempsey was twice married; first to Eliza Ann Dozier, about 1854. Eliza Ann was the daughter of James Dozier and his wife Britten LNU. Eliza Ann, age 20, died on 11 Dec 1856; a year earlier she had given birth to a daughter Georgia A. Rivers. 

Dempsey next married Sarah Ann Massey, age 14, about 1858. Sarah Ann was the daughter of  William Lawrence and Hulda Meadows Massey. 

1860 Chesterfield Co., SC Census

Dempsey and Sarah Ann has two children before the start of the Civil War. Their first born, John William Thomas ‘Catfish’ Rivers was born 19 November 1859. Their next child, a daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Rivers was born 4 September 1861.  

It’s likely that Sarah Elizabeth never saw her dad and if she did she would not have remembered him.

Dempsey enlisted into the Southern Army on 13 April 1861, he was admitted to hospital with chronic dysentery, 29 October 1861. Transferred to Union Hills, on 1 November 1861.

Dempsey Rivers died from typhoid fever on 13 November 1861. His death is documented in the South Carolina “Roll of The Dead” and in “Broken Fortunes”, a book by Randolph W. Kirkland, Jr..

After Dempsey’ death, his widow, Sarah Ann Massey Rivers married Leander Sweatt between 1861 and 1867.  To this union was born two sons, Henry and William Sweatt. 

[#114] Davis, Thomas P. Adm. & wife vs. Stephen Jackson & others - Bill for marshaling assets, injunction & c 1867
William L. Massey died intestate in May 1862, leaving his widow, Hulda Massey and his children: Nancy intermarried with Thomas P. Davis; Allston H. Massey; Mary Ann intermarried with Phillip Rivers; Lydia intermarried with William J. Rivers; Ellen, widow [William] Isaac Hurst died after the death of Wm. L. Massey; Pleasant W. Massey; Sarah, widow of Demsy Rivers, died prior to death of Wm. L. Massey and has since remarried to Leander Sweatt; Rosa intermarried with Thomas F. Davis; Rueben Massey; Hulda (Jr) intermarried with Hugh M. Massey; and James Massey, the last three infants under the age of 21.

William L. Massey, father of Sarah Ann Massey Rivers, was granted Letters of Administration on the Dempsey Rivers estate.  

William L. Massey died in May 1862. Thomas P. Davis, made suit to be granted Letters of Administration of the estate. He was named administrator de bonis non¹ of the estate of Dempsey Rivers on 10 August 1866

Dempsey’ estate was finally settled in December 1880 (see Image 161).  Dempsey lived a very short life. He was twice married, father 3 children; two daughters and a son and went off to war to protect his family. A true patriot.
















__________________________
[1] De bonis non administratis, Latin for "of goods not administered," is a legal term for assets remaining in an estate after the death or removal of the estate administrator. The second administrator is called the administrator de bonis non and distributes the remaining assets. In the Uniform Probate Code, these titles have been replaced by successor personal representative.

ENDNOTES for REFERENCE
1. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Page 179B, Line 16, family 1242, dwelling 1242, Household of William Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
2. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page: 115 (stamped); Line 27, Dwelling 299, Family 299, Household of Duncan RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. James C. Pigg, Cheraw/Chesterfield District Wills, 1750-1865: Abstracts from the Court of Common Pleas 1823-1869 (Tega Cay, South Carolina: Self-published, 1995), page 133.
6. "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/ : viewed 3 August 2011), images, "Dempsey RIVERS, Probate Folder #11," Images 159-172.
7. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 175B; Line 11, Dwelling 1182, Family 1182, Household of John HUNTLY; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 February 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
8. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 5 June 2012); Memorial page for Eliza A. Rivers; (8 April 1836–11 December 1856); Find a Grave memorial # 40202633, Citing Kite Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
9. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Population Schedule, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page: 115 (stamped); Line 27, Dwelling 299, Family 299, Household of Duncan RIVERS.
10. 1870 U. S. Census, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page 30/302B(stamped); Line 5, Dwelling 294, Family 294, Household of S. SWEET; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2013); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1491.
11. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Estate Folder #535, Sarah [Massey Rivers] Sweat; SC Archives & History, Columbia, South Carolina.
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19388-13447-13?cc=1911928

It’s Family Time~ The Dempsey Rivers Family

Dempsey Rivers was born in 1830 in Chesterfield County, SC, a son of William Rivers and Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Rivers.^{1 2}
 
Dempsey married Eliza Ann Dozier about 1854 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Eliza Ann Dozier, daughter of James Dozier and Britten, was born on 8 Apr 1836 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. ^{3 4} 
 
Dempsey Rivers and Eliza Ann Dozier had the following child:
i. Georgia A. Rivers was born about Dec 1855 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. She died on 13 Dec 1856 at the age of 1and was buried at Kite Cemetery in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. Her tombstone reads: Georgia A. RIVERS, age 1 year daughter of D. R. and E. A. Rivers; died Dec. 13, 1856.
 
Eliza Ann Dozier Rivers died on 11 December 1856. After her unexpected death Dempsey married Sarah Ann Massey.
 
Dempsey Rivers and Sarah Ann Massey were married about 1858 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Sarah Ann Massey, daughter of William Lawrence Massey and Huldah Meadows, was born in 1845 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.^{5 6 7}  
 
Dempsey Rivers and Sarah Ann Massey had the following children:
i. James William Thomas "Catfish" Rivers, born 19 Nov 1859, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married Mary Eliza Davis, 23 Mar 1879, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died 7 Dec 1931, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
ii. Sarah Elizabeth Rivers, born 4 Sep 1861, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married James Hampton Tucker, 1878, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died 28 Jun 1926, Union Parish, Louisiana.
 
Dempsey enlisted to serve in the Civil War on 13 April 1861. He died from typhoid fever on 13 Nov 1861 at the age of 31.^{8 9 10 11}
 
He was buried at Massey Cemetery in Mt. Croghan, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He had his estate probated at Chesterfield County Estate Records, Folder #11, in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. ¹²
 
Sarah Ann died on 4 Feb 1871 at the age of 26 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. <sup>13
 

Dempsey Rivers is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.  He is also the brother of my 3rd Great Grandmother, Hulda Rivers.
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
_____________________________________</sup>
1. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Page 179B, Line 16, family 1242, dwelling 1242, Household of William Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
2. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page: 115 (stamped); Line 27, Dwelling 299, Family 299, Household of Duncan RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.
3. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 175B; Line 11, Dwelling 1182, Family 1182, Household of John HUNTLY; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 February 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
4. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 5 June 2012); Memorial page for Eliza A. Rivers; (8 April 1836–11 December 1856); Find a Grave memorial # 40202633, Citing Kite Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
5. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Population Schedule, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page: 115 (stamped); Line 27, Dwelling 299, Family 299, Household of Duncan RIVERS.
6. Pigg, Cheraw/Chesterfield District Wills, 1750-1865, page 133.
7. 1870 U. S. Census, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page 30/302B(stamped); Line 5, Dwelling 294, Family 294, Household of S. SWEET; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2013); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1491.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Kirkland, Broken Fortunes, page 298.
11. James C. Pigg, Cheraw/Chesterfield District Wills, 1750-1865: Abstracts from the Court of Common Pleas 1823-1869 (Tega Cay, South Carolina: Self-published, 1995), page 133.
12. "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/ : viewed 3 August 2011), images, "Dempsey RIVERS, Probate Folder #11," Images 159-172.
13. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Estate Folder #535, Sarah [Massey Rivers] Sweat; SC Archives & History, Columbia, South Carolina.

The Dempsey Rivers Family

“Dempsey Rivers was born in Cheraw District, S.C. Dec. 13, 1797. He was the son of William Rivers, however, the name of his mother is unknown. He is known to have had one brother, Michael Rivers, who lived in Chattooga County at one time.”^1.

So began the story of the Dempsey Rivers family found in "CHATTOOGA: The Story of a County and its People", by Robert S. Baker.

Mr. Baker went on to say that Dempsey Rivers married Nancy McDuffie whose mother was the former Flora McFarlane about 1818. 

Dempsey and Nancy migrated from Chesterfield County in 1826 and moved to DeKalb County, Georgia where they had relatives. These relatives were most likely Thurman’s that had also migrated from Chesterfield County. 

During the Cherokee Land Lottery, Dempsey purchased a parcel of land allocated to another man in the lottery. The land was located in Floyd County along the Chattooga River.  He was actually living among the Indians of that area. 

Dempsey Rivers and Nancy McDuffie had the following children:
 
i. Eliza Rivers, born abt 1820, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Richardson Stanton, abt 1853, GA; died 17 Nov 1888, Porter Springs, Houston, Texas.
ii. Elizabeth Jane Rivers, born abt 1821, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Hales R. Rice, 15 Dec 1844, Chattooga County, Georgia, United States; died Chattooga County, Georgia.
iii. William Rivers was born in 1822 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He died in 1824 at the age of 2.
iv. Mary Alice Rivers, born abt 1826, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Joseph Kellett, 28 Oct 1845, Chatham Co., GA; died aft 1910.
v. Nancy Rivers, born abt 1828, Dekalb County, Georgia; married Norman M. Ford, Dekalb County, Georgia.
vi. Sarah A Rivers, born abt 1827, Dekalb County, Georgia; married John White Thurman; died 1909.
vii. Dempsey James Rivers, born abt 1832, Dekalb County, Georgia; married Ann A. Sherling, 9 Oct 1860, Lowndes, Alabama; died abt 1879, Alabama.
viii. John Wesley Rivers, born 24 Nov 1834, Floyd County, Georgia; married Eliza Jane Thurman, 1866, GA; died bet 1910 and 1920, Summerville, Chattooga, Georgia.
ix. Martha Rivers was born about 1836 in Floyd County, Georgia. She died in 1855 at the age of 19 in Summerville, Chattooga, Georgia.
x. Jane Rivers was born about 1838 in Chattooga County, Georgia, United States.

Nancy McDuffie Rivers died in 1855, her husband, Dempsey Rivers died on 14 April 1870 when he drown while crossing a swollen river. Dempsey Rivers and his wife, Nancy M. Rivers are buried in the South Carolina Campground Cemetery located at the intersection of Poplar Springs road and state road 100 in Chattooga Co., GA south and west of Summerville headed toward Holland, GA.
 
______________________________
[1] Robert S. Baker, CHATTOOGA: The Story of a County and its People (Roswell, Georgia: WH Wolfe Associates, Historical Publications Division,, 1988), pages 1120-1123.

[2] 1850 U. S. Census, Chattooga County, Georgia, population schedule, Summerville, Chattooga County, Georgia, Page 361A(stamped), Line 27, Dwelling 7, Family 7, Dempsey RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2 May 2012); citing NARA publication Roll: M432_64.
[3] 1860 U. S. Census, Chattooga County, Georgia, population schedule, Chattooga Valley, Chattooga County, Georgia, Page: 556(stamped); Line 2, Dwelling 199, Family 199, Household of Dempsey RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : Viewed 2 February 2012); citing NARA publication Roll: M653_116.

Sarah Massey~A Short Life, Filled with Tragedy

Dempsey Rivers was a young man, age 20, living with his father, William Rivers in 1850 Chesterfield County, South Carolina.[1]

About 1855, Dempsey marries Elizabeth “Eliza” Ann Dozier. On December 11, 1856, Eliza Ann passed away, from childbirth complication of their first born daughter, Georgia Rivers. The new born daughter passed away two days later.[2]

In 1857, Dempsey married a very young Sarah Ann Massey. Their first born a son, called James was born on November 19, 1859. Sarah Ann is listed as age 16 in the 1860 Census and her new born son is listed as James W. T. Rivers [James William Thomas “Catfish” Rivers].[3]

In January 1861, Fort Sumter was fired upon, Sarah Ann was pregnant and the baby was due in late August or early September. I have no way of knowing what was going through this young couple thoughts but I’m suspect that it was troublesome. 

On April 13, 1861, Dempsey enlisted into Company “B” 8th SC Infantry.[4] His military records shows that he spent quite some time in the hospital with chronic diarrhea. The book “Broken Fortunes” by Randolph W. Kirkland, Jr. shows that Dempsey died from Typhoid fever.[5]

On September 4, 1861, Sarah Elizabeth Rivers was born to Sarah and Dempsey.[6] It is not known whether he was told or not but on November 13, 1861, Dempsey is reported as deceased.[7] His death date is reported as November 13, 1861 on pages 11 and 26 of his Civil War file.[8]

His widow, Sarah petition the court for the pay due him by the Confederate States for services render. Dempsey’s military record shows that the petition was received on March 3, 1862.[9]



On 11 March 1862 they documented the following personal effects



Sarah received $55.76 pay due Dempsey; $26.76 pay due for 2 months and 13 days and $29.00 for clothing allowance.

In May 1862, William Lawrence Massey, the Father of Sarah Ann Massey Rivers, passed away.[10]
At home Sarah moves forward and has Dempsey estate probated. [Estate Folder 11, Chesterfield County, SC].[11] Thomas P. Davis was granted letters of Administration August 10, 1866. With two very small children, a war raging, Sarah needed a husband and sometime between 1861 and 1867 Sarah married Leander SWEAT.  Leander and Sarah's first born son, Henry, was born in 1867.[12]

By 1870, Sarah is a widow again with three children in the household and she is again pregnant and expecting a child.[13] Destruction of local records in Chesterfield has greatly hampered research in this county. In the household are James W. T. RIVERS, Sarah Elizabeth RIVERS and Henry SWEAT [Note all the listed children have the SWEET/SWEAT surname].

On February 4th, 1875, Sarah Massey Rivers Sweet dies; she was 26 years old.[14] Phillip Rivers was assigned administrator of the estate [Estate Folder #535].[15] On 25 April 1884, the estate had been settled and he was relieved of his duties as administrator. 

The death of Sarah Massey Rivers Sweat resulted in children, under the age of 21, without any guardian.
On February 18, 1881, Philip Rivers was assigned Guardian of Sarah Elizabeth Rivers Tucker [Probate Folder #81].[16] She was just shy of being 21, the age of majority, married and with no known children. She had married James Hampton Tucker in 1878.

I have found no record of the two boys, Henry and William; the children of Leander and Sarah Massey Rivers Sweat. 

James William Thomas Rivers married Mary Eliza Davis and raised their family in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Between 1900 and 1910,[17] James Hampton Tucker and Sarah Elizabeth Rivers took their family and migrated to Union Parish, Louisiana. They are both buried in the Brantley Cemetery, Union Parish, Louisiana.[18]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

---

[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Page 179B, Line 16, family 1242, dwelling 1242, Household of William Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2] Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for Eliza A. Rivers; (8 April 1836–11 December 1856); Memorial # 40202633; Record of the Kite Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA; Accessed on 5 June 2012.
[3] 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page: 115 (stamped); Line 27, Dwelling 299, Family 299, Household of Duncan RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.
[4] 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.
[5] 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: Univ of South Carolina, 1997), page 298.
[6] Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for Sarah Elizabeth Tucker; (4 September 1861–26 January 1926); Memorial # 25748786; Record of the Brantley Cemetery; Union Parish, Louisiana, USA; Accessed on 5 October 2011.
[7] 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.
[8] Ibid.
[9] 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.
[10] James C. Pigg, Cheraw/Chesterfield District Wills, 1750-1865: Abstracts from the Court of Common Pleas 1823-1869 (Tega Cay, South Carolina: Self-published, 1995), page 133.
[11] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/ : viewed 3 August 2011), images, "Dempsey RIVERS, Probate Folder #11," Images 159-172.
[12] 1870 U. S. Census, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page 30/302B(stamped); Line 5, Dwelling 294, Family 294, Household of S. SWEET; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2013); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1491.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Estate Folder #535, Sarah [Massey Rivers] Sweat; SC Archives & History, Columbia, South Carolina.
[15] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Estate Folder #535, Sarah [Massey Rivers] Sweat; SC Archives & History, Columbia, South Carolina.
[16] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Chesterfield County Estate Papers, Sarah Elizabeth [Rivers] Tucker; "Chesterfield County Estate Papers," digital images, LDS Church, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/: viewed, downloaded 4 October 2011); S. E. Tucker, daughter of Dempsey Rivers.
[17] 1910 U. S. Census, Union Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Police Jury Ward 3, Union Parish, Louisiana, enumeration district (ED) #0133, Page 65B; Line 61, Dwelling 145, Family 155, Household of James TUCKER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 4 October 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T624_533.
[18] Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for Sarah Elizabeth Tucker; (4 September 1861–26 January 1926); Memorial # 25748786; Record of the Brantley Cemetery; Union Parish, Louisiana, USA; Accessed on 5 October 2011.