“Aunts & Uncles” ~From Carolina to Texas: The Journey of Timmey Ellen (Parsons) Sellers

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 Timmey Ellen (Parsons} Sellers" (1819-1899) was compiled with the assistance of Claude Sonnett 4 and is entitled:

"From Carolina to Texas: The Journey of Timmey Ellen Parsons Sellers"

Early Life and Family Background

Timmey Ellen Parsons was born on September 2, 1819, in Chesterfield, South Carolina, into a family that would soon face significant challenges. Her father, Abington Parsons (1784-1826), and mother, Mary (1796-1845), had created a life together in the Chesterfield District, but tragedy struck when Timmey was just six years old. Her father passed away on April 13, 1826, leaving Mary to raise their six children alone.

Timmey grew up as one of six siblings: her older sister Ann (born June 27, 1818), who later married Richmond White; her younger brother Raymond (born December 5, 1820); sister Elizabeth (born March 9, 1822), who married William Sellers; and her youngest siblings Thomas (born May 10, 1823) and Mary M. (born April 10, 1825). Growing up in a household headed by a widowed mother in the 1820s and 1830s South Carolina would have presented considerable challenges, though census records show the family maintained some stability, including ownership of enslaved people.

Marriage and Young Family

After spending her youth in her mother's household—the 1840 census still shows her living at home at age 21—Timmey married Noah Sellers (1819-1894) sometime in the latter half of 1840. Though no official marriage record has been found, legal documents from 1843 confirm she was Noah's wife by that time, and the birth of their first child in 1841 helps narrow down the wedding date.

The young couple wasted no time starting their family. Their children came in fairly quick succession:

James Calhoun Sellers (1841-1901)

William A. Sellers Sr. (1842-1932)

Thomas E. Sellers (1844-1918)

Andrew Jackson Sellers (1846-1905)

Susannah Sellers (1848-)

Mary Annettie Sellers (1852-1919)

George Washington Sellers (1855-1859)

Josiah Sellers (1857-1860)

Tragically, Timmey and Noah lost two of their sons in childhood—little George Washington died at just four years old, and Josiah passed away at three.

Land Dealings and Moving On

In September 1846, Timmey and Noah made an important financial decision by selling her inherited land. The deed shows they sold Timmey's distributive share of her father's estate—approximately 30 acres in Anson County, North Carolina, just across the South Carolina line—to Roderick Shaw for $25. This transaction represented Timmey's final connection to her father's property, land that had been divided among Abington Parsons' heirs after his death two decades earlier.

Life in Tennessee

By 1850, the Sellers family had relocated to Tennessee, appearing in the census for District 12, Carroll County. At that time, Noah was 28 and Timmey was 29 (though she was actually 31), and they had five children with them, including newborn Susannah. The family had made the significant decision to leave South Carolina behind and start fresh in Tennessee.

The 1860 census finds them in District 2, Henderson County, Tennessee, with eight children at home. Life continued in Tennessee through the turbulent Civil War years and beyond. By 1880, the census shows Noah and Timmey, now in their early sixties, still in Tennessee (listed as Madison County, District 14), with two adult daughters—Susannah and Mary—still at home, plus a granddaughter named Lillie, age 8.

Final Years in Texas

As Timmey aged and her health declined, her family faced the question of how to care for her. Family memories passed down through the generations tell us that neither her daughter Lillie (actually her half-sister) nor her daughter Mary could adequately care for the elderly woman, and daughter Susannah was dealing with mental illness herself. The solution came from sons James and Andrew, who took their mother to Ellis County, Texas, to stay with their brother William.

Timmey Ellen Parsons Sellers died on December 24, 1899, in Ellis County, Texas, just shy of her 80th birthday. She was laid to rest in Milford Cemetery in Milford, Ellis County, Texas.

Historical Context

Timmey's life spanned nearly the entire 19th century, a period of tremendous change in American history. She was born during the "Era of Good Feelings" under President James Monroe, grew up during the Age of Jackson, married during the early years of westward expansion, raised her family through the turmoil of the Civil War and Reconstruction, and died at the very end of the Victorian era as America stood on the threshold of the 20th century. Her journey from South Carolina to Tennessee and finally to Texas mirrored the westward movement of countless American families seeking new opportunities and better lives on the frontier.

Timmey Ellen (Parsons) Sellers is my 2nd Great GrandAunt

Amanuensis Monday~Land Deed, John H. Wadsworth to John C. Martin

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 a Chesterfield County (SC) Land Deed, John H. Wadsworth to John C. Martin.



Transcription:

John H. Wadsworth to John C. Martin Deed
State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}
Whereas I John H. Wadsworth of the County of Chesterfield State aforesaid, are getting old and infirm and unable to Support myself and wife Susannah and Whereas my Grandson John C. Martin of the Said County and State aforesaid has agreed to comfortably support protect and take care of myself and wife Susannah for and During the Natural Life of both Jointly and for the Life of the Survivor of us. Now Know all men by these presents that I John H. Wadsworth of the County of Chesterfield State aforesaid for and in consideration of the premises and for the additional consideration that John C. Martin of the aforesaid County and State shall comfortably support protect and take care of myself and wife Susannah for and During our Joint Lives and the Life of the Survivor of us have Bargained Sold and released and by these presents do grant bargain Sell and release unto my Grandson John C. Martin of ?? certain Piece Parcel or Tract of Land Situate and Being in the County of Chesterfield State of South Carolina Containing One Hundred and Seventy Three acres be the same more or less and bounded on the North and East by lands owned by my son Lewis Wadsworth on the North and West buy Lands known as the Moss Land on the South and West by Land owned by John C. Martin and adjoining the Lands of Howell Hay on the South East by Lands owned by Jacob Davis with all of my Stock of Cattle, Hogs Household and Kitchen Furniture Farming implements carts, wagons &c. with crop of corn cotton Peas and Potatoes made present year. Together with all and Singular the rights members and Hereditaments and appurtenances to the said premises belonging or in anywise incident or appertaining. To have and to hold all and Singular the premises before mentioned with all of the personal property herein and hereby conveyed unto the said John C. Martin his Heirs and assigns forever. And I do hereby bind myself My heirs Executors and Administrators to warrant and forever defend all and Singular the said premises and all the personal property herein and hereby conveyed unto the said John C. Martin his heirs and assigns against myself and my heirs and against every person whomsoever Lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. Witness my hand and Seal this 13th day of October one thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Five and in the one Hundredth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
Signed, Sealed and Delivered}                                           John H. Wadsworth {L.S.}
in the presence of }
A. A. Pollack}
F. Turner}

State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}
Personally appeared before me A. A. Pollock and made oath that he saw the within named John H. Wadsworth sign seal and as his Deed Deliver the within written Deed and that he with F. Turner witnessed the Execution thereof.
Sworn to before me this}                                                            A. A. Pollock
13th day of Oct. AD 1875
D. Matherson {LS} Notary Public}

Files in office of County Auditor of Chesterfield Co. this 25th of October AD 1875 and recorded in Vol 1 Page 78.
                                                                     W. A. Mulloy
                                                                     Dept. Auditor

Recorded 25 Oct 1875

Orin'l Delv. to J. C. Martin

My research of John H. Wadsworth revealed that he was born about 1793 and twice married. His first wife, Susannah Davis was born about 1794. To this union was born two known Children:

• Lewis H. Wadsworth, b. 13 Sept 1832
• Mary Elizabeth Wadsworth, b. abt 1835

We see by the above land deed that both John H. and Susannah were alive but feeble when this deed was executed on 13 October 1875. 

We also see by this deed that John and Susannah's grandson John C. Martin has agreed to take care of his Grandparents for the remainder of their lifetime in exchange for the farm and all its implements and premises.

By 1880, Susannah has passed away (date unknown); John H. is not being cared for by his Grandson, John C. Martin but he is being cared for by a ’young’ lady named Mary, age 28,  [LNU]. his new wife.

Note: the middle snippet shows John H. Wadsworth age as 31. This age is wrong, his age is 81 as you can see in snippet #3. Click on image for larger view.  

John H. Wadsworth remarried after the death of Susannah between Oct 1875 (DB 4, page 738-739) and June 1880 (Census) and had a 9 month old daughter. So, if Sarah C. Wadsworth, daughter, age 9 month was in fact born in Sept 1879 as shown in the 1880 censuses we can calculate that John and Mary were married about Jany 1879 and that Susannah died between Oct 1875 and Dec 1878. 

Census and Land Deeds show that John H. Wadsworth and his 2nd wife, Mary, had two daughters:

• Sarah Christian Wadsworth, b. Sept. 1879
• Susannah Wadsworth, b. aft 1880

Another Land Deed found in Chesterfield County, SC (DB 8, page 536-537) shows that John C. Martin died before 24 January 1886 and his father Alexander Martin, Marion County, SC, inherited the land mentioned in the above deed. And on that date, Alexander Martin is conveying 97 acres of land to Sarah & Susannah for $5.00.

Transcription:

“they now Reside being a part of a track of land containing (97) ninety Seven Acres more or less purchase by John H.Wadsworth from Harrison Parker about the year 1850 and thence conveyed by Jno. H. Wadsworth to Jno. C Martin the 13th day of October 1875 and and being land belonging to me by inheritance of this Est. of my son Jno. C Martin &c  containing (53) fifty three acres more or less bounded by lands of L. C. Parker…”

Also from this deed

Transcription:

“these Presents by Sarah Christian Wadsworth and Susannah Wadsworth (daughters of Jno. H. Wadsworth Deceased) of the county…”

Clearly, these two land deeds contain a tremendous amount of genealogical data relating to the Wadsworth and Martin families. But, there are also many unanswered questions, such as:

1. What was the maiden name of John’s 2^nd wife Mary?
2. Who was the wife of John C. Martin? Was he the husband of Mary Elizabeth Wadsworth the only known daughter of John H. by his 1st wife Susannah Davis? 
3. What happened to the two daughters,  Sarah Christian Wadsworth and Susannah Wadsworth, by the 2nd wife Mary?
4. Who took possession of the land in 1886; the two girls were minors under the age of 12.
5. When did John H. Wadsworth pass away?

If you have any pertinent information about John H. Wadsworth and his two families please contact me through this blog.

Susannah Davis Wadsworth is my 3rd Great Grand Aunt and John H. Wadsworth by marriage is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.








____________________________

        1. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 130A, Line 16, Dwelling 488, Family 488, Household of John H. WADSWORTH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 June 2012); citing  National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.

        2. 1820 Census of the United States, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina;, page 129, Line 23, Household of John WADSWORTH; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 8 July 2012); citing  National Archives Microfilm M 33_119.

        3. 1830 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, page 268, line 4, Household of John WADSWORTH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 9 July 2101); citing  National Archives Microfilm M19_172.

        4. 1839 Election Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, election census, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, John H. WADSWORTH; printed booklet,  (: viewed 7 July 2012).

        5. 1840 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 372, Line 15, John WADSWORTH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2012); citing  National Archives Microfilm M740_Roll 510.

        6. 1850 Agriculture Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, agriculture census, Chesterfield, Darlington, South Carolina, Page: 441; Line: 11, John H. Wadsworth; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 June 2012); citing  National Archives Microfilm AD259 Roll 1.

        7. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 115;  Line 37, Dwelling 302, Family 302, .Household of John H. WADSWORTH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 June 2012); citing  National Archives Microfilm M653-1217.

        8. 1870 U. S. Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cole Hill, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 287A; Line 10, Dwelling 210, Family 210, Household of John H. WADSWORTH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 June 2012); citing  National Archives Microfilm M593_1491.

        9. 1880 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cole Hill, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0004, Page 307A Line 25, Dwelling 107, Family 107, Household of Jno. H. WADSWORTH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 June 2012); citing  National Archives Microfilm T9-1225.

        10. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Deed Book 8: pages 536 & 537, Alexander Martin to Sarah C. Wadsworth & Susannah Wadsworth; 4 January 1886, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

        11. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Deed Book 4: pages 738 & 739, John H. Wadsworth to John C. Martin Deed; 13 October 1875, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina

        14. 1810 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 554; Line 22, Household of Thomas DAVIS, Household of Thomas DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2 January 2012); citing  National Archives Microfilm M252_60.

        19. Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis Family (Davies and David) in Wales and America: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: n.p., 1927), page 125.