The Heart of Downtown Laurel, MS

 One of my favorite shows on TV is “Home Town” where Ben and Erin Napier are restoring Southern homes in Laurel, Mississippi. Call it serendipity or whatever but this week I was reminded on Facebook that Evernote was about to jack their prices sky high and if you didn't want to pay the “High Rent” it was time to back up your Evernote file.

Found among those Evernote files was an article written by Ernest Williams Graves, who from 1992 until 1999, wrote a weekly history column for “The Leader-Call” newspaper of Laurel, Mississippi.

The article doesn’t have a name nor was a specific source given; but, the gist of the article was the founding and building of Laurel, Mississippi.

He begins the article thus:

“John Holifield had seven children – Moses, Zilthine, Sallie, John W., Beckie, Celia and Frederick – after spending several years in the Carolina, eventually arrived in eastern Mississippi and claimed their homesteads in Jones County. One of the earliest settlers was Moses Holifield, Sr. who arrived in 1836 and lived on 160 acres adjacent to Tallahala Creek. Soon after 1840, John Holifield moved the rest of his family to our county. 1

Laurel came into being when Front and Oak Streets were constructed, at which time the Holifields owned the 160 acres surrounding that location. Virtually all of what is now downtown Laurel was a Holifield enclave.”

John Holifield left Chesterfield County, South Carolina between 1830 and 1840. He can be found in Covington County, Mississippi in the 1840 Federal census. Traveling with John and his wife Caley were some of their children.

Moses S. Holifield, Sr., son of John and Caley was born in 1800 and about 1817-1818 had married Amelia (Emily) "Millie" Rivers, daughter of Mark Rivers and Annie Parker. Moses Holifield, Sr. arrived in 1836 and homesteaded a 160 acres parcel adjacent to Tallahala Creek.

Moses’ son John “owned one of the first stores and then built the first grist mill on the corner of Oak and Magnolia Streets. His second grist mill was constructed where Lauren Rogers Museum of Art now stands. The Holifield cows and sheep grazed the acreage where the golf Course was later platted.”2

The Holifield family was actively involved in the early development of the heart of Downtown Laurel and promoted the establishment of several local churches.

Luke Rivers and his wife Selena Johns moved to Jones County, MS between 1850 and 1860 and there his daughter Nancy Elizbeth Rivers married Moses Holifield, Jr. about 1859. John Dryman and his wife Elizabeth Rivers, a sister of Amelia (Rivers) “Milly”  Holifield was also among the new settlement in Jones County along with Milly and Elizabeth brother Mark Rivers and his wife Irena Catherine Hancock. 

The Rivers mentions in this article are all distant cousins. 

_______________________

1. Text from article written by Ernest Graves for The Leader Call. 

2. Text from article written by Ernest Graves for The Leader Call. 

3. Note: Ernest Graves was very active in his community. They lost a dear friend upon his death in 2002.

The Death of Moses Holifield, Sr.

There are 474 on-line trees for Moses Holifield, Sr. born about 1795 in Chesterfield County, SC. Moses married into my lineage when he married Emily Rivers about 1817 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. Moses, Emily and many other Chesterfield families moved from Chesterfield to Jones County, Mississippi after 1830.

It is not known exactly when Moses died but most of the unsourced trees on Ancestry has him passing away on these dates with the majority showing Aug 1870. As far as I can ascertain they are all wrong. Like I said they are unsourced and having a source doesn’t seem to be a criteria for entering a date. 

I looked at about half the trees and these seem to be the prevailing death dates.

• Death    Aug 1870 Jones, Mississippi, USA
  Death    1870 Jones, Mississippi, USA
  Death    1860 Jones, Mississippi, USA
  Death    Aug 1875 Jones, Mississippi, USA
  Death    1875 Jones, Mississippi, USA

I have researched this family for 40 plus years without finding a death date, an obituary or a tombstone. I did once upon the past run across a posting that said “The obituary of Moses Holifield stated he was buried "next to Thomas Lyons." I have not found an obituary for Moses Holifield or Thomas Lyons.

• I do know that Moses Holifield was alive and well on the date that the 1870 Federal census for Jones County, Mississippi was enumerated - 29 July 1870.

I do know that Moses Holifield was alive and well on 3 August 1872 when he appeared before T. C. Bryant an acting Justice of the Peace for Jones County, Mississippi.

Transcription:

The State of Mississippi Jones County}
Know all men by these presents that this Deed of Conveyance was made and entered into on this 3rd day of August A. D. 1872 between Moses Holifield of the first part and Mrs. Kitty Sumrall of the 2nd part all citizens of the County and State aforesaid.
Witnesseth that the party of the first part do for the sum of one hundred Dollars the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have bargained granted and sold do by these presents sell the following described tract or parcel of Land lying and being in the County of Jones and sate of Mississippi and designated as follows to wit the NW 1/4 of NE 1/4 and twenty acres of SE 1/4 of SW 1/4 all of Section 11 Township 8 Range 12 west containing Sixty acres subject for correction together with all and singular the rights privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging or in any wise incident or appertaining to have and to hold all and singular the premises above mentioned unto the party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever all and I bind my self my heirs Executors and Administrators to warrant and forever defend the right titles and interest in and to the premises aforesaid from the claim or claims of any person or persons whomsoever Lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. Witness my hand and seal this the 3rd day of August AD 1872. 
                                                               Moses X (his mark) Holifield

            The State of Mississippi Jones County}
On this the 3rd day of August AD 1872 personally came before me T. C. Bryant an acting Justice of the peace for said County and State Moses Holifield and has acknowledged that he signed sealed and delivered the foregoing deed as his act and deed on the day and date therein mentioned for the express purpose therein contained.
Witness my hand and seal this the 3rd day of August AD 1872.
                                                                  T. C. Bryant J.P. (Seal)
I certify that the above is a true and correct copy as appears of record in Deed Book "D" page 736 of the record of Jones County, Mississippi.
Witness my signature this July 21st. 1914 W.H. Bumpkin
Transcriber & Clerk of the Chancery Court

Image 538 of 1254 LDS Film #2131647
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QT-W92T-R?cat=821514

Moses Holifield also appeared on the 1872 Tax List for Jones County, Mississippi. The execution of Land Deed, Deed Book A1, page 571, dated 3 August 1872 is the last known date that Moses appears in any official record to the best of my knowledge. Still, I have no idea when he died; just, that it was after 3 August 1872.

Related Article:

https://renegadesouth.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/part-4-ed-payne-on-jones-county-civil-war-widows/

Millie Rivers, 1st wife of Moses Holifield, is a distant cousin.

____________________________

Tombstone Tuesday~Elizabeth Rivers Holifield

In the 1850 Census¹ for Chesterfield County, SC, Elizabeth is listed as a 5 year old female (daughter) in the household of Luke and Selina Rivers.

A few years earlier, her Aunt Emily Holifield and Uncle Mark Rivers had migrated to Jones County, Mississippi.^{2 3}

It almost certain that Emily and Mark were encouraging their brother Luke to move his young family to Mississippi. 

Sometime in the mid-1850’s, Luke, Selina and the children, Clarilla, Elizabeth, Catherine and John C. Rivers made the move to Mississippi.

We know that Luke was in Mississippi prior to 1859 because he was a witness at his brother’s Mark divorce proceeding against his wife Irena Catherine Hancock Rivers.⁴
In 1860, Luke and his family has settled down in Jones County and daughter Elizabeth was married to Moses Holyfield, Jr. ⁵

Moses Holifield, Jr. was the son of Moses Holifield, Sr. and his wife Emily Rivers, the sister of Luke Rivers. So Elizabeth Rivers and Moses Holifield, Jr were first cousins. Over the next ten (10) years, Moses and Elizabeth had 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters. Tragedy struck the family in Aug 1870 and their Father and provider was stricken and died of Hepatitis.⁶

The young Mother, Elizabeth then married John J. Holifield  about 1873. To this union, 4 sons and a daughter was born.⁷

Elizabeth Rivers Holified had fourteen (14) children with two husbands. She died on 26 March 1913. She was was 67 years old. The birth date on her tombstone is recorded as 6 June 1836. This date is wrong. Elizabeth was a mere 5 year old in the 1850 Census. She was either born in 1845 or 1846. In 1900, the Census taker was told that she was born in 1845 and the mother of 14 children with 9 living. Elizabeth is buried in Springhill Cemetery, Laurel, Jones County, Mississippi.⁸

Elizabeth’s father Luke and his siblings, Emily and Mark were the children of Mark Rivers and Annie Parker of Chesterfield, South Carolina.

Elizabeth Rivers Holifield

b. 6 June 1845*

d. 26 March 1913

Photo Courtesy of William Tatum, Jr.

Note: Variant Spelling - Holifield, Holyfield, Hollifield
_________________
[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 168A, Line 6, Family #1065, Dwelling #1065, Household of Luke Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2000); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2] 1850 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 128A; Line 1, Dwelling 186, Family 186, Household of Moses HOLYFIELD; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2009); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 374.
[3] 1850 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 129B, Line 13, Dwelling 3194, Family #194, Household of Mark RIVERS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 374.
[4] Jones County, Mississippi, Volume 1 page 31-35 , Mark Rivers vs. Catherine Rivers, Divorce Case, April Term, 1858; Circuit Court Chancery, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi.
[6] 1860 U. S. Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 705, Line 7, Dwelling #303, Family #303, Household of Luke RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2000); citing National Archives Microfilm M653 Roll 584.
[6] 1870 U. S. Census, Jones County, Mississippi, mortality schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, Moses Holyfield; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 21 January 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm.
[7] 1880, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Pinelville, Jones County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 126, Page: 313D (stamped); Line 41, Dwelling 98, Family 98, Household of J. J. HOLIFIELD; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 January 2013); citing NARA publication T9, Roll: 651.
[8] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, digital image, (http://www.findagrave.com : Accessed on 18 November 2013); Headstone for Elizabeth Holifield; (6 June 1836*-Mar. 26, 1913); Records of the Springhill Cemetery; Laurel, Jones County, Mississippi, USA.
*Note: Birth year on tombstone is not correct. Elizabeth was born in 1845 based on 1850 and 1900 census listings.
Special thanks to William Tatum, Jr. for supplying the tombstone photo for Elizabeth’s burial in Springhill Cemetery. 

Census Sunday~Mark/Martin Rivers, 1870, Choctaw, Alabama

Mark Rivers was born in Chesterfield, SC about 1808 to Mark Rivers and Annie Parker. He married Irena Catherine Hancock in February 1840¹ in Chesterfield County, SC.

Shortly, thereafter Mark and Catherine migrated to Jones County, Mississippi² joining his sister Emilia Rivers Holified and his brother-in-law Moses Holifield.

On 19 April 1859, Catherine and Mark were divorced after Mark charged her with adultery.<sup>3 

By 1860, Mark’s brother Like and his wife Selina had also moved from Chesterfield County to Jones County, Mississippi.</sup>

In 1860, Mark and Catherine can be found living together even though divorced in April 1859. Also in the household is a young lad named J. H. Driman/Dryman. [The “H” is really an  “N”. Jasper Newton Driman/Dryman].⁴

In 1870 Catherine is out of the household and replaced with Amanda. I have not found Catherine in the 1870 census. However, this could be Catherine using a different name.



Also in the household with Martin and Amanda are 4 children – S. Holyfield, female, age 19; M. Holyfield, female, age 13; Robt. Holyfield, male, age 10 and Monroe Holyfield, male, age 8.



A look at Alabama Apprenticeship Records shows that three of these children were;  Milley  Holifield, Ranson Holifield and Miles Holifield . The Apprenticeship action took place on 5 January 1868

January the 5th 1868
The State of Ala Chtaw County
To all hoom this may concern wee the Signed have bound ourselves to have bound to Mark Rivers and his wife Catherine Rivers two of our children Elie and Miley until thay ar 21 years of age the sade Rivers and his wife Dus agree to fernish the children clothing and provishion and 12 month scooling and the Sade Rivers and his Wife Dus further agree when the children is free to give then a starte as same as if tha was than on childring.⁶

Mark or Martin is not found after 1870. It’s the opinion of this author and researcher that even though divorced Mark/Martin and Catherine/Amanda lived together until his death sometime around mid to late 1879.

No death date, obituary or tombstone has been found for Mark/Martin Rivers.

On 8 September 1879, Irena Catherine Hancock Rivers married George S. Fagan in Choctaw County, Alabama.⁷

___________________
[1] Jones County, Mississippi, Volume 1 page 31-35 , Mark Rivers vs. Catherine Rivers, Divorce Case, April Term, 1858; Circuit Court Chancery, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi.
[2] 1850 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 129B, Line 13, Dwelling 3194, Family #194, Household of Mark RIVERS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com:viewed 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 374.
[3] Jones County, Mississippi, Volume 1 page 31-35 , Mark Rivers vs. Catherine Rivers, Divorce Case, April Term, 1858; Circuit Court Chancery, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi.
[4] 1860 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 705, Line 11, Dwelling 304, Family 304, Household of Mark RIVERS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2009); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 584.
[5] 1870 U. S. Census, Choctaw County, Alabama, population schedule, Township 10, Choctaw, Alabama, Page: 412B; Line 27, Dwelling 162, Family 163, Household of Martin RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 June 2011); citing NARA publication M593_7.
[6] Choctaw County, Alabama, Volume 1 page 31-35 Roll# S2005-0347, "Apprenticeship Records (1823-1924), Index - Adams, Judge - Young, Mattie", Minors for Apprenticeship-Milley, Ransom, Miles Holifield, 5 January 1868; Clerk of Probate, Butler, Choctaw County, Alabama.
[7] Choctaw County, Alabama, Marriage Licensee, Book 1, Page 263, FHL Film #1788198., George S Fagan & Catherine Rivers, 8 September 1879; Probate Court, Butler, Choctaw County, Alabama.

Amanuensis Monday~Divorce Decree, Mark Rivers vs Catherine 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 posting is the Divorce Decree of Mark and Catherine Rivers; but, first some background. 

Mark Rivers was born abt 1808 in Chesterfield, South Carolina, a son of Mark Rivers and Annie Parker.[1] His divorce decree states that he married Irena Catherine Hancock in Feb 1840 in Chesterfield, SC.[2]

Sometime prior to 1840, his sister Milly and her husband Moses Holifield had migrated from Anson County to Jones County, Mississippi. Shortly after marrying, Mark and Catherine joined his sister and brother-in-law in Jones county, Mississippi.

In 1850 Chesterfield County, brother Luke Rivers and his wife Mary Selina were struggling to make a living and Luke was listed as a Miner.[3] Between 1850 and 1860, Luke decides to join his siblings, Brother Mark and Sister Milly in Mississippi. We know they arrived before January 1859 because Luke Rivers is a key witness at his brother divorce hearing.[4]

On April 19, 1859 Mark and Catherine were granted a divorce.

Decree
The State of Mississippi } Chancery Court
Jones County} April Term 1859
Mark Rivers}
              Vs }                                          Bill for divorce
Catherine Rivers}
This cause having been submitted for final hearing as Bill and proof and being fully understood by the court and it appearing that the allegations of adultery in said bill contained are fully sustained by the testimony It is therefore ordered adjudged and decreed by the Chancelor that the bonds of matrimony existing between the said complaint and defendant be and they are hereby dissolved and the said complaint is fully and entirely released from all obligations and liabilities contracted by said marriage It is further decreed that the complainant pay all costs herein expensed
Decreed the 19^th day of April A.D. 1859
                                                                                          W. M. Hancock
                                                                                          Chancelor
Decree recorded May 6^th 1859
D M Strong Clk

The entire text of the hearing can be found on FamilySearch by clicking on this link –> Mark & Catherine Rivers[5]

The hearing consists of 4 pages Images 22-24 or pages 31-35 of the Mississippi, Jones County Chancery Court, Volume 1, pages 31-35. Some portions of the text are somewhat explicit.

Epilogue:
Even though this divorce was granted on April 19, 1859 there is some indication that Mark and Catherine continued to live as husband and wife. They can be found together in the 1860 Census for Jones County.[6]

1860 CENSUS: Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi; Roll: M653_584;  Image: 127;  Family History Library Film: 803584, 17 Oct 1860, Page 705, Line 11; Dwelling 304, Family 304; Mark RIVERS, age 52, Farmer, born in SC (1808); Arena C. RIVERS, age 46, born in SC (1814); J. H. DRIMAN, age 17, born in MS (1843).

Ransome, Elie, Miles and Miley Holifield, four minor children, were apprentice to Mark and Catherine Rivers in Choctaw County, Alabama. [7]



[Spelling left as found in original document]
January the 5th 1868
The State of Ala Chtaw County
To all hoom this may concern wee the Signed have bound ourselves to have bound to Mark Rivers and his wife Catherine Rivers two of our children Elie and Miley until thay ar 21 years of age the sade Rivers and his wife Dus agree to fernish the children clothing and provishion and 12 month scooling and the Sade Rivers and his Wife Dus further agree when the children is free to give then a starte as same as if tha was than on childring.[8]
                                                                                        James X Holifield
                                                                                        LuSindy X Holifield
[Spelling left as found in original document]




It is not known when or where Mark Rivers died; but, on Sept 8, 1879, his widower Irene Catherine married George S. Fagan in Choctaw County, Alabama. She moved to Robertson County, Texas to live with her nephew, Jasper N. Dryman and his family and died sometime before 1903.

---

[1] 1860 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 705, Line 11, Dwelling 304, Family 304, Household of Mark RIVERS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2009); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 584.
[2] Jones County, Mississippi, Volume 1 page 31-35, Mark Rivers vs. Catherine Rivers, Divorce Case, April Term, 1858; <http://www.FamilySearch.org>, Circuit Court Chancery, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi; LDS Family History Microfilm #903686.
[3] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 168A, Line 6, Family #1065, Dwelling #1065, Household of Luke Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2000); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[4] Jones County, Mississippi, Volume 1 page 31-35, Mark Rivers vs. Catherine Rivers, Divorce Case, April Term, 1858; <http://www.FamilySearch.org>, Circuit Court Chancery, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi; LDS Family History Microfilm #903686.
[5] Jones County, Mississippi, Volume 1 page 31-35, Mark Rivers vs. Catherine Rivers, Divorce Case, April Term, 1858; <http://www.FamilySearch.org>, Circuit Court Chancery, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi; LDS Family History Microfilm #903686.
[6] 1860 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 705, Line 11, Dwelling 304, Family 304, Household of Mark RIVERS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2009); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 584.
[7] http://www.whitesstore.com/ChoctawCoRecords.htm
[8] Choctaw County, Alabama, Volume 1 page 31-35 Roll# S2005-0347, "Apprenticeship Records (1823-1924), Index - Adams, Judge - Young, Mattie", Minors for Apprenticeship-Milley, Ransom, Miles Holifield, 5 January 1868; Clerk of Probate, Butler, Choctaw County, Alabama.

Moses, Milly and the Children

 Moses Holifield was born between 1795 and 1800 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.¹ He is enumerated in Census for 1820 Anson County, North Carolina, and 1830 Chesterfield South Carolina. ^{2 3} Sometime after 1830, probably around 1832-1833, Moses moved his family to Mississippi where he can be found in the US Population Census and State Censuses from 1840-1870. ^{4 5 6 7 9 11}

Moses served in the military during the Civil War in 1861–1865. He enlisted on May 4, 1861 in the 8th Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers at Ellisville and traveled 57 miles to the rendezvous point at Enterprise.  Upon ascertaining that Moses was 65 years old, the officers doubtlessly saluted his determination and vigor, but sent him home.

Moses received 3 patents for land totaling 328 acres in the St. Stephens Meridian, Jones County Mississippi. ^{8 12}

Moses died sometime after 1870 and before 1880 at the age of 70+ years in Jones County, Mississippi.

Moses Holifield and Emilla "Milly" Rivers were married about 1817 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.¹³ Emilla "Milly" Rivers, daughter of Mark Rivers and Annie Parker, was born about 1800 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.^{14 15} She died before 1867 at the age of 67 in Jones County, Mississippi.

Moses Holifield and Emilla Rivers had the following children:

          2          i.   Joshua Holifield, born 15 Mar 1814, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Mary Ann Craft, about 1840, Jones County, Mississippi; died 29 Jan 1894, Jones County, Mississippi.

                     ii.   Ray Holifield was born about 1822 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

          3        iii.   Charlotte Holifield, born 4 Mar 1826, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Robert Cooper; died 14 Jun 1902, Jones County, Mississippi.

          4        iv.   John C. Holifield, born about 1827, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Mary A. Brown, about 1843; married Rachel Lee, about 1867; died 4 Apr 1892.

                     v.   Mark Holifield was born about 1830 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ^{16 17}

                    vi.   Jonathan Holifield, born about 1833, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Sarah F. Musgrove, about 1854, Jones County, Mississippi.

                   vii.   James Holifield, born about 1835, Greene County, Alabama; married Lucinda Sims, about 1852, Jones County, , MS; died before 1880.

                  viii.   Moses Holifield Jr., born about 1837, Jones County, Mississippi; married Nancy Elizabeth Rivers, about 1860, Jones County, , Mississippi; died Aug 1870, Jones County, Mississippi.

Moses Holifield and Nancy M. McCary were married about 1867 in Jones County, MS. Nancy M. McCary, daughter of Tandy McCary and Cloah, was born about 1837 in Alabama.

Moses Holifield and Nancy M. McCary had the following children:

                      i.   William Martin Holifield was born on 15 Jan 1868 in Jones County, , MS. He died on 27 Sep 1915 at the age of 47 in Jones County, Mississippi.

                     ii.   Charles H. Holifield, born Nov 1870, Jones County, Mississippi; married May Addeline Walters, 19 Mar 1893, Jones County, , MS; died 1943, Jones County, Mississippi.

                    iii.   Mary Elizabeth Holifield was born in Jan 1872 in Jones County, Mississippi.

 _________________________________________________
        1. Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 11 June 2011), entry for MOSES HOLIFIELD, Sr., Private; 8th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry; Confederate. BIRTH YEAR: Based on census data; His Civil War Record, page 2 shows he enlisted August 21, 1861 and although the page is undated Moses Holifield, Sr. age is reported as 65 years old. http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|73257757.
        2. 1820 U S Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Huntley, Anson County, North Carolina, page 33, Line 22, Household of Moses Holyfield; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 2011); citing  National Archives Microfilm M33, Roll 80.
        3. 1830 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, page 244, Line 19, Household of Moses Holifield; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2009); citing  National Archives Microfilm M19_172. 1830 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina; NARA Series: M19; Roll Number: 172; Family History Film: 0022506, Page: 244; Line 19; Moses HOLIFIELD, male, age 30-39; 2 Male under 5 years [Ray & John]; 1 Male, age 5-9 [Joshua]; 1 Female less than 5 years [Charlotte] ; 1 Female, age 30-39 [Milly].
        4. 1840, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, page 305, Line 1, Household of Moses Holyfield; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.om : viewed 2009); Family History Library Film: 0014840, Roll 214.. 1840 CENSUS: Jones County, Mississippi; Roll: 214; Image: 620; Family History Library Film: 0014840, Page: 305; Line 1;  1 Male, Under age 5 [James]; 1 Male, age 6-9 [Moses, Jr. & Jonathan]; 1 Male, age 10-14 [Mark]; 2 Males, age 15-19 [John C, Ray]; 1 Male, age 20-29 [Joshua]; 1 Male, age 40-49 [Moses]; 1 Female, age 10-14 [Charlotte] and 1 Females, age 40-49 [Milly].
        5. 1841, Jones County, Mississippi, state census, No Township Listed, Moses Holyfield; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.om : viewed 20 June 2011).
        6. 1850 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 128A; Line 1, Dwelling 186, Family 186, Household of Moses HOLYFIELD; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2009); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 374.         
    7. 1853, Jones County, Mississippi, Mississippi state and territorial census collection, 1792-1866, , Line: 88, Moses Holifield; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.om : viewed 11 June 2012); Microfilm V229. 3 rolls. Heritage Quest .Roll : v229_2.
    8. Bureau of Land Management, Mississippi Pre-1908 Patents: Homesteads, Cash Entry, Choctaw Indian Scrip and Chickasaw Cession Lands, on-line database (: The Generations Network, Inc.,, 1997), Moses Holifield.
        9. 1860 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, page 709, Line 10, Dwelling 329, Family 329, Household of Moses Holifield; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2009); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 584. 1860 CENSUS: Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi;  Roll: M653_584;  Image 131;  Family History Library Film: 803584; page 709, Line 10, Dwelling 329, Family 329, Moses Holifield, age 70, farmer, born in MS; Millie Holifield, female, age 80, born in AL and Mark HOLIFIELD, Male, age 33, born in MS.  .
        10. National Park Service, "Soldiers" database, Civil War Soldiers & Sailor System (http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers.htm : accessed 11 June 2011), entry for Moses Holifield Sr., Private; 8 Mississippi Infantry; Confederate
On May 4, 1861 he enlisted in the 8th Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers at Ellisville and traveled 57 miles to the rendezvous point at Enterprise.  Upon ascertaining that Moses was 65 years old, the officers doubtlessly saluted his determination and vigor, but sent him home.
        11. 1870 US Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Township 8,  Jones County , Mississippi, Page 204B; Line 15, Dwelling 84, Family 86, Household of  Moses HOLYFIELD; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 June 2011); citing NARA publication M593_733.
        12. Ed Payne, "Ed Payne on Jones County Civil War Widows: Part 4: Ed Payne on Jones County Civil War Widows," Victoria Bynum, Renegade South, 7 April 2010 (https://renegadesouth.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/part-4-ed-payne-on-jones-county-civil-war-widows/ : viewed 11 June 2011), Moses Holifield sold 40 acres to Kitty Sumrall, 1871. 3) It is very likely that there were other connections between the Sumrall and McCary families. After all, this was the Piney Woods. For example, I found a land deed from 1871 in which Moses Holyfield sold a 60 acre parcel near Pinelville to "Mrs. Kitty Sumrall" for $100. This is a further suggestion of a connection between Kitty and Nancy, who I suspect were sisters–my assumption being that Kitty was the Catherine McCary, age 16, on the 1850 census report Tim cited.
It is interesting the land was sold to Kitty rather than to her husband, Carney. This property (near Pinelville) seems to be where the couple resided in 1880. Carney later homesteaded 160 acres near Soso. His property there adjoined that of widow Elizabeth Hinton Coats, whom he married in 1889.
https://renegadesouth.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/part-4-ed-payne-on-jones-county-civil-war-widows/.
        13. Patricia N. Edwards & Jean Strickland, Who Married Whom (Ashdown Arkansas 71822: Strickland Books, 1986), page 68.
        14. 1850 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, Population Schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 128A; Line 1, Dwelling 186, Family 186, Household of Moses HOLYFIELD. 1850 CENSUS:  Jones County, Mississippi; Roll: M432_374; Image: 260, Page 128A; Line 1, Dwelling 186, Family 186; Moses HOLYFIELD, Male, age 50, born in SC; Milly HOLYFIELD, Female, age 50, born in SC; Mark HOLYFIELD, Male, age 20, born in AL; Jonathan HOLYFIELD, Male, age 15, born in MS; Moses HOLYFIELD, Male, age 12, born in MS; Ann DRIMAN, Female, age 17, born in AR and Louisa DRIMAN, Female, age 11, born in MS. .
        15. 1860 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, Population Schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, page 709, Line 10, Dwelling 329, Family 329, Household of Moses Holifield. 1860 CENSUS: Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi;  Roll: M653_584;  Image 131;  Family History Library Film: 803584; page 709, Line 10, Dwelling 329, Family 329, Moses Holifield, age 70, farmer, born in MS; Millie Holifield, female, age 80, born in AL and Mark HOLIFIELD, Male, age 33, born in MS.  .
        16. 1850 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, Population Schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 128A; Line 1, Dwelling 186, Family 186, Household of Moses HOLYFIELD. 1850 CENSUS:  Jones County, Mississippi; Roll: M432_374; Image: 260, Page 128A; Line 1, Dwelling 186, Family 186; Moses HOLYFIELD, Male, age 50, born in SC; Milly HOLYFIELD, Female, age 50, born in SC; Mark HOLYFIELD, Male, age 20, born in AL; Jonathan HOLYFIELD, Male, age 15, born in MS; Moses HOLYFIELD, Male, age 12, born in MS; Ann DRIMAN, Female, age 17, born in AR and Louisa DRIMAN, Female, age 11, born in MS. .
        17. 1860 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, Population Schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, page 709, Line 10, Dwelling 329, Family 329, Household of Moses Holifield. 1860 CENSUS: Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi;  Roll: M653_584;  Image 131;  Family History Library Film: 803584; page 709, Line 10, Dwelling 329, Family 329, Moses Holifield, age 70, farmer, born in MS; Millie Holifield, female, age 80, born in AL and Mark HOLIFIELD, Male, age 33, born in MS.  .