The William R. Sellers Family

William R. Sellers was born on 26 May 1824 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He was the son of John Sellers and Henrietta Norwood and was the twelfth of fourteen children born to John and Henrietta Sellers. Between 1826 and 1827, John and Henrietta moved their family to Carroll County, Tennessee.

On 16 Jun 1858 when William R. was 34, he first married Priscilla SCOTT, daughter of John L SCOTT Junior (1797-) & Rebecca BRANDON (1804-), in Carroll County, Tennessee. Priscilla was born on 14 Jul 1826 in Carroll County, Tennessee. At the age of 51, Priscilla died in Carroll County, Tennessee on 12 Apr 1878. Buried in 1878 in Sellers Hill Cemetery, Clarksburg, Carroll County, Tennessee.

To this union was borne one child:

i. Nancy Elizabeth "Bettie" Sellers, born May 1864, Carroll County, Tennessee; married Thomas Hampton; died 1 Aug 1935, Carroll County, Tennessee.

After the death of his wife Priscilla in 1878, William R. Sellers remarried in 1882. William R. second married Caladonia SCOTT, daughter of Chronicle F. SCOTT (1801- 1880) & Jane BRANDON (1811-). Born on 26 Jan 1850. At the age of 73, Caladonia died on 27 Jan 1923. Buried in Jan 1923 in Sellers Hill Cemetery, Clarksburg, Carroll County, Tennessee. No known children were borne of this union. 

William R. Sellers died in Carroll County, Tennessee on 28 Sep 1898 at the age of 74. He was buried in 1898 in Sellers Hill Cemetery, Clarksburg, Carroll County, Tennessee with his 1st wife.

William R. Sellers is my 1st Cousin 5X Removed.

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1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 3 March 2019); Memorial page for William R. Sellers; (26 May 1824–28 September 1898); Find a Grave memorial # 35279981, Citing Sellers Hill Cemetery; Clarksburg, Carroll County, Tennessee, USA.

2. 1850 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 13, Carroll, Tennessee, Page 113B(Stamped), Line 11, Dwelling 1502, Family 1502, Household of Henryetta SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2019); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 889.

3. 1860 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 13, Carroll, Tennessee, Page 124(Stamped), Line 35, Dwelling 1657, Family 1634, Household of William SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2019); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1243.

4. 1870 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 12, Carroll, Tennessee, Page 416(Stamped), Line 34, Dwelling 13, Family 13, Household of Wm R. SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2019); citing National Archives Microfilm M593_1517.

5. "Tennessee Marriages, 1780-2002," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2019), Marriage: William R. SELLERS & Priscilla SCOTT; Marriage Date: 16 Jun 1858.

6. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Priscilla Scott Sellers (14 July 1826–12 April 1878), Memorial # 35280085.

7. "Tennessee Marriages, 1780-2002," database, Ancestry, Marriage: William R. SELLERS & Caledonia SCOTT.

8. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Caladonia Irene Scott Sellers (26 January 1850–27 January 1923), Memorial # 35280415.

It’s Family Time~The Joseph C. Sellers Family

Joseph C. Sellers was born about 1825 in Anson County, North Carolina. He is the son of John Sellers and Henrietta Norwood. He had thirteen sibling of which twelve were older. His family moved from Anson County to Carroll County, Tennessee about the year 1827.

Joseph C. Sellers and Sarah Jane Parsons were married on 25 May 1850 in Carroll County, Tennessee. Sarah Jane Parsons was born in May 1835 in Carroll County, Tennessee. Her parents are unknown at this time.

Joseph C. Sellers and Sarah Jane Parsons had the following children:

i. Nancy Emmaline "Lina" Sellers, born 26 Jul 1851, Carroll County, Tennessee; married James Madison Berry, 1869, Arkansas; died 24 Mar 1922, Springfield, Conway, Arkansas.

ii. JoAnn Faulkner Sellers, born 16 Apr 1859, Carroll County, Tennessee; married David Crockett Bridges, 30 Sep 1875, Carroll County, Tennessee; died 22 Aug 1928, Westport, Carroll, Tennessee.

iii. William Ervin Sellers, born 31 July 1861, Carroll County, Tennessee; married Lizzie Cunningham, 29 Apr 1907, Carroll County, Tennessee; married Tiereacy Susan Crider, 27 Dec 1882, Carroll County, Tennessee; died 3 Dec 1936, Westport, Carroll, Tennessee.

iv. John Franklin "Frank" Sellers, born 10 Sep 1864, Carroll County, Tennessee; married Roby Kate Pruitt, 4 Sep 1888; died 27 Jul 1926, Crowell, Foard, Texas.

v. Martha Ellen Sellers was born about Jun 1866 in Carroll County, Tennessee. She died on 9 Jan 1926 at the age of 59 in Lexington, Henderson, Tennessee.

vi. George Sellers was born in Sep 1873 in Carroll County, Tennessee. 

Joseph C. Sellers died on 19 Aug 1890 at the age of 65 in Carroll County, Tennessee. Joseph was buried on 20 Aug 1890 at Sellers Hill Cemetery in Clarksburg, Carroll, Tennessee. No death date has been found for his wife; but, in the 1900 Census she can be found in the household of her son John Franklin “Frank” Sellers.

Joseph C. Sellers is my 1st Cousin 5X Removed.

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1. 1850 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 13, Carroll, Tennessee, Page 109, Line 29;, Dwelling 1441; Family 1441, Household of Joseph SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 889.

2. 1860 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, Huntington, District 12, Carroll, Tennessee, Page 2B/112 (Stamped), Line 1, Dwelling #1483; Family #1462, Household of Joseph SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1243.

3. 1870 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 12, Carroll, Tennessee, Page 417, Line 29, Dwelling 26; Family 26, Household of Joseph SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm M593_1517.

4. 1880 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 24, Carroll, Tennessee, enumeration district (ED) 17, Page 145B(Stamped), Line 1, Dwelling 42, Family 47, Household of Joseph SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_1247.

5. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 3 May 2020); Memorial page for Joseph C. Sellers; (1825–August 1890); Find a Grave memorial # 35283592, Citing Sellers Hill Cemetery; Clarksburg, Carroll County, Tennessee, USA.

6. "Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2020), Marriage: Joseph C. Sellers & Sarah Jane Parsons, Marriage Date: 25 May 1850; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/24538:1169.

It’s Family Time~The Hardy S. Sellers Family

Hardy S. Sellers, son of John Sellers and Henrietta Norwood, was born  Feb 1817 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

Sometime before 22 August 1837, John Sellers and wife Henrietta moved their large family (7 sons and 7 daughters) to Carroll County, Tennessee. We know they left Chesterfield prior to the death of John’s father Hardy Sellers. Hardy Sellers died 12 Jan 1835 and an estate notice dated 22 August 1837 in the local newspaper indicates that John was absent and resided without the limits of this State. 

On 2 June 1840, Hardy S. Sellers, son of John and Henrietta, married  Sarah Ann Scott in Carroll County, Tennessee. Sarah Ann Scott was born on 2 Feb 1822 in TN. 

Hardy S. Sellers and Sarah Ann Scott had the following children:

        i.    Nancy C. Sellers, born 1841, Carroll County, Tennessee; married Hosea Springer, 8 Nov 1865, Carroll, Tennessee; died aft 1880.
         ii.    Mary E. Sellers, born abt 1845, Carroll County, Tennessee; married John Orr; died 1944.
         iii.    John M. Sellers was born on 15 Sep 1850 in Clarksburg, Carroll, Tennessee. He died on 8 Sep 1851 at the age of 0 in Clarksburg, Carroll, Tennessee.
         iv.    Martha C. Sellers was born on 8 Mar 1857 in Carroll County, Tennessee. She died on 30 Sep 1857 at the age of 0 in Carroll County, Tennessee.
         v.    Viola J. Sellers, born abt 1861, Carroll County, Tennessee; married Robert P. Carnal.
         vi.    Sarah Henrietta Sellers, born 1 Dec 1865, Carroll County, Tennessee; married Wiley Carnal; died 4 Mar 1955, Carroll, Tennessee.


Sarah Ann Scott, the wife of Hardy S. Sellers, died on 30 Jan 1880 at the age of 57 in District 13, Carroll County, Tennessee. Hardy never remarried. In 1900, he is enumerated in the Household of his daughter Henrietta and her husband Wiley Carnal. He died sometime after this census was taken. No exact date has been found, of yet, for Hardy S. Sellers. 

Hardy S. Sellers is my 1st Cousin 5 times removed.





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1. 1860 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 13, Carroll, Tennessee, Page: 124 (stamped); Line 30, Dwelling 1656, Family 1633, Household of and Hardy SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 April 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1243.
     2. 1870 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 13, Carroll, Tennessee, Page: 428A(stamped); Line 11, Dwelling 59, Family 58, Household of Hardy SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 April 2118); citing National Archives Microfilm M593_1517.
     3. 1880 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 13, Carroll, Tennessee, enumeration district (ED) 018, Page: 167C(stamped); Line 1, Dwelling 204, Family 219, Household of Hardy SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 April 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_1247.
     4. 1900 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Tennessee, population schedule, Civil District 13, Carroll, Tennessee, enumeration district (ED) 0132, Page: 17/167 (stamped); Line 50, Dwelling 304, Family 307, Household of  Wiley CARNA; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed3 Apr 2018 ); citing National Archives Microfilm T623.
     5. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed  ); Memorial page for Hardy S. Sellers; (Feb. 1817-Unknown); Find a Grave memorial # 35278210, Citing Sellers Hill Cemetery; Clarksburg, Carroll County, Tennessee, USA.

Treasure Chest Thursday~The Death of John Sellers

Most of the “Sellers” of Chesterfield County, South Carolina are descendants of Hardy Sellers and Mary Cook.

Among the list is a John M. Sellers son of Phillip Sellers and Mary, his wife. This makes John M. Sellers the grandson of Hardy Sellers. John’s father Phillip Sellers, Sr. is my 4th great Grandfather thus John M. Sellers is my 3rd Great grand uncle.

Many say that the “M” in John’s name is Matthew but I have found no proof that this is so. It is known that John M. Sellers married Jerusha Ann Smith, daughter of Rilah Smith and Timmey Spencer. Based on the age of their first born Riley Sellers in 1831 it is believed that John and Jerusha were married shortly before the 1830 Chesterfield County census was taken because they are enumerated in that census.

1830 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina; Series: M19; Roll: 172; Family History Library Film: 0022506, Page: 262; Line 14, Household of Jno. Sellers, male, age 20-29 and his wife [Jerusha], age 15-19.

John and Jerusha had 8 children the last born in 1843-44. In 1850 he is missing from the home and Jerusha is listed as a widow.  I have heard many stories about the demise of John over the past 40 years with the most prevalent one being that he was stabbed to death sometime shortly before 1850.
Recently I found an newspaper article that I think is the reality of what killed John Sellers husband of Jerusha Ann Smith and it wasn’t a knife.

The below document shows that John Sellers died on 23 August 1845 after blacking out and falling backwards into the family well. 


JOHN SELLERS
Melancholy Accident. –It has been our unpleasant duty to record more painful occurrences within the last few weeks, than usually falls to the lot of a country newspaper, and still we have another to lay before our readers. On Saturday Inst, Mr. John Sellers, a worthy and respectable citizen of this District residing within about four miles of Chesterfield C. H. , was called suddenly from this world to appear before his Maker. The particulars of this melancholy event which terminated his existence, have been related to us, and are, in substance, as follows: the well on Mr. Sellers’ premises had for some time required cleaning out, but it having been ascertained that there was much foul air in it, none were willing to risk the descent. Yet aware of this fact, on Saturday evening last, Mr. S. very imprudently made the attempt, and has paid for his temerity with his life. Calling to his aid only his little son, about ten or twelve years of age, and a negro girl, he went down with a basket, which he filled either once or twice with rotten wood, &c., which being hauled up, he attempted to ascend by climbing up the sides of the well. This he had nearly effected, having reached within a few feet of the upper curb, when he called for the rope. At this moment his little son looked down the well, and saw his father in the act of falling backwards, having let go his hold with his hands, his feet being still braced against the sides of the well. There is little doubt that he was over-come by the foul air, and fainted immediately after calling for the rope. His death was almost instantaneous, he never have spoken after the fall. A Coroner’s inquest was held on the body, but no surgical examination took place. Mr. S. was about 40 years of age, in very moderate circumstances, and has left behind him a wife and seven or eight children. He was an economical, industrious man, a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and possessed the confidence and respect of his neighbors. His loss will be felt in the community, but to his family it is irreparable. To his wife, the shock of his death came with peculiar severity in her present delicate situation. But a few hours before, he left her to attend to his farming operations, full of health and vigor, she was not aware of his return until he brought to her a corpse! Let the eye of pity shed one sympathizing tear for the lone one in her distress.------Ibid.
Charleston Courier, 28 August 1845, Page 2, Column 7

Mr. S. was about 40 years of age, in very moderate circumstances, and has left behind him a wife and seven or eight children.

The age of John Sellers in the article matched the approximate age of the husband of Jerusha Ann Smith Sellers.

The number of children in the family, seven or eight, matched the number of children belonging to John and Jerusha Sellers.

The little son in the family matches either his first born Riley (age 14) or his 2nd son, Samuel Joseph (age 10).  I think Samuel Joseph witnessed the death of his father.

John Sellers died 23 August 1845 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

John Sellers is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.







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"Melancholy Accident.–," Accidental Death, The Charleston Courier, Charleston, SC, 28 August 1845, Page 2, Column 7, Accidental Death of John SellersJohn Sellers died on 23 August 1845 in a Well.

Treasure Chest Thursday~Eye Witness Account of the Death of John Sellers

John Sellers was born about 1825, the last born child of Philip Sellers (1774-abt 1834) and Mary LNU (1774-bef 1850). John married Mary LNU before 1850 and in their short marriage had 3 children; one son and two daughters. On Sept. 8. 1863, John enlisted into Co. "B", 31st Regiment, also known as the O-K BOYS. Eight month later, on 14 May 1864, John was killed in action during a skirmish at Drewry’s Bluff, Virginia.

In 1883, Mary his wife submitted necessary paperwork for a “widow” pension for the service of her husband John Sellers to his country. Mary Sellers pension is on file in the NC state Archive in Raleigh, NC. The information below is a transcription of 3 of these page from her 5 page pension application.¹



North Carolina}
Anson County}
Mary Sellers being duly sworn says on oath that she is the widow of John Sellers, who served as a private in Co. B. 31^st Regiment North Carolina Troops, and that her husband according to information derived from his comrades at or about that time, was killed in battle at or near Drewry’s Bluff in the month of May 1864.
Sworn to and Subscribed }                                                               Mary her X mark Sellers
Before me Sept. 7^th 1883}
John C. McLanchlin}
Clerk of Superior Court}

North Carolina}
Anson County}
Benjamin P. Liles being duly sworn says on his oath that he served as a private on Co. B 31^st Regiment, N. C. Troops that on the ___day of May 1864 the said company was engaged as skirmishes near Drewry’s Bluff in Virginia and that while so engages John Sellers was a few paces to the right of this affiant, we were firing upon the enemy and receiving as very destructive fire from them, in the midst of which John Sellers was shot in the head and killed instantly. We were lying down loading and firing and this affiant distinctly heard the thud of the ball when it struck Sellers. We advanced, drove the enemy from our front and afterwards fell back over the same ground, and while so doing this affiant saw the dead body of John Sellers lying upon the spot where he heard the thud of the ball which stuck him.
Sworn and Subscribed}                                                                             B. P. Liles
Before me Sept. 7^th 1883}
John C. McLanchlin}
Clerk of Superior Court}

North Carolina}
Anson County}
James T. Bradley being duly sworn says on his oath that he was captain of Co. B 31^st N. C. Troops from May 1863 until the close of the War, that on or about the 14^th day of May 1864, said company he being in command of is, was engaged as skirmishes near Drewry’s Bluff in Virginia and exposed to a destructive fire from the enemy during the engagement this affiant was himself wounded, and came off the field, while being carried off the field or soon thereafter he was informed of the casualties that occurred in his company and among others that John Sellers was killed. Saw John Sellers enlisted in this company some time in the year 1863, and sworn in as a private up to the day of his death.
Sworn and Subscribed}                                                                             J. T. Bradley
Before me Sept. 7^th 1883}
John C. McLanchlin}
Clerk of Superior Court}

North Carolina}
Anson County} I, John C. McLanchlin, Clerk of Superior Court for said county of Anson hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Benj. P. Liles and James T. Bradley the above named affiants and know them to be men of good character and entirely trustworthy, and that they have no interest in this claim. Witness my hand and official seal.
At office in Wadesborough, this the 8^th day of September 1885.
John C. McLanchlin
Clerk of Superior Court

John Sellers is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.






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[1] State Archives of North Carolina .., NC Manuscript and Archives Reference System (http://mars.archives.ncdcr.gov/ : viewed 2 August 2014), digital Image of Pension Application, "Pension Bureau: Act of 1885 Pension Applications - John Sellers," MARS Id: 5.21.49.61 (Folder); Call Number: Box 6:162.