James Lindsey: A Life in Early Kentucky

Early Life and Family Origins

James Lindsey was born around 1775, though his exact birthplace is not specified in the records. From the documentation available, we can see that James lived during a formative period in Kentucky's history, when the state was still developing its identity after being admitted to the Union in 1792.

The records don't provide information about James's parents or siblings. His family appears to have been established in Kentucky by the time he appears in the 1820 census records for Trigg County.

Marriages and Children

First Marriage to Tabitha Cook

James Lindsey married his first wife, Tabitha Cook, on October 18, 1819, in Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky. The marriage was solemnized by Abner Boyd. At the time of this marriage, James would have been about 44 years old according to his estimated birth year. Tabitha was born around 1807 and apparently died around 1825, though the exact circumstances of her death are not recorded.

Records indicate that James and Tabitha had one son:

• Sackfield Sanford Lindsey (1797-1878)

It's worth noting that there appears to be some inconsistency in the records, as Sackfield's birth year (1797) predates the marriage to Tabitha (1819). This suggests either an earlier marriage or an error in the records.

Second Marriage to Eleanor

By November 7, 1825, James had married his second wife, Eleanor (last name unknown), as evidenced by a deed from that date that mentions both of them. Their marriage likely took place sometime between Tabitha's death and this deed recording. No children from this marriage are explicitly mentioned in the provided documents.

Land Ownership and Property Transactions

James Lindsey was a landowner in both Trigg and Christian Counties in Kentucky. The tax records from 1820 show him owning land on Little River, and by 1822, he owned several parcels of land in different locations:

• 200 acres on Little River
• 215½ acres at Flat Lick Christian
• 342 acres on Little Barren
• 300 acres on Cumberland River

On November 7, 1825, James and his wife Eleanor deeded land to his son Sackfield S. Lindsey. This property included a mill and farm on both sides of Little River in Trigg and Christian Counties, totaling 244 acres. The deed mentions that this was done out of "good will and affection" that James bore toward his son.

Later that same month, on November 21, 1825, James sold a tract of land on the south side of the Cumberland River in Trigg County to Ruthy Cook of Stewart County, Tennessee for $200. The land was part of a 666⅔ acre survey originally made for Adam Craig in 1798.

On October 14, 1835, James and Eleanor sold 100 acres on the waters of Little River in Trigg County to Tully Choice for $300. The deed was recorded in June 1836, with Sackfield S. Lindsey being one of the justices who certified Eleanor's relinquishment of her dower rights.

Slaveholding

Like many property owners in Kentucky during this period, James Lindsey owned slaves. The 1820 census shows him with 8 slaves, and tax records from the same year mention 4 blacks over 16 and 9 total blacks in his household. By 1822, tax records indicate he owned 5 blacks over 16 and 8 total blacks. The 1830 census again shows him with 8 slaves.

In his will, James made special provision for a slave named Jim, whom he lent to his wife during her lifetime, with instructions that Jim be freed after her death. This reflects the complex and often contradictory attitudes toward slavery that existed in border states like Kentucky.

Last Will and Testament

James Lindsey drafted his will on March 3, 1837, describing himself as "low in health but strong in mind." In this document, he:

1. Lent to his wife Eleanor all his land, plantation, livestock, tools, furniture, and enslaved people during her lifetime
2. Specifically lent his enslaved man Jim to Eleanor during her life, with instructions that Jim be freed after her death
3. Requested that after Eleanor's death, all his stock, household and kitchen furniture, and working tools be sold on a twelve-month credit
4. Directed that his land be sold either privately or publicly as his executor deemed most advantageous
5. Bequeathed $600 to his daughter Rebecca Cates
6. Bequeathed $300 to his daughter Susan Evans
7. Directed that the residue of his estate be divided equally among all his children except Sackfield Sanford, who had already received his share
8. Named Sackfield Sanford as his sole executor

The will was witnessed by Samuel Northington, John H. Russell, and E.S. Lewis, and was proven in court on February 12, 1838.

Death and Estate Settlement

James Lindsey died sometime between March 3, 1837 (when he signed his will) and February 13, 1838 (when the court appointed appraisers for his estate). Following his death, his son Sackfield S. Lindsey acted as executor of his estate.

On April 26, 1838, Sackfield, as executor, sold a 330-acre tract of land in Trigg County on the waters of Little River to William Rasco for $1,720. This sale was part of the settlement of James's estate, as directed in his will.

Historical Context

James Lindsey lived during a significant period in Kentucky's development. As a landowner in Trigg and Christian Counties, he would have witnessed the growth of agriculture and commerce in western Kentucky. The Cumberland and Little Rivers, mentioned repeatedly in his land transactions, were important transportation routes for goods and people.

During James's lifetime, Kentucky was transitioning from a frontier society to a more established agricultural economy. The ownership of land and slaves was a mark of status and wealth in this society. James appears to have been a moderately prosperous farmer and mill owner, with significant landholdings and several slaves.

His provision in his will for the eventual freedom of his slave Jim reflects the complex attitudes toward slavery that existed in Kentucky, a border state that remained in the Union during the Civil War but allowed slavery until the 13th Amendment was ratified.

The land transactions and will also show that family relationships were important to James, with special provisions made for his son Sackfield and his daughters Rebecca and Susan.

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT - JAMES LINDSEY

In the name of Almighty God Amen. I James Lindsey of the State of Kentucky and County of Trigg being low in health but strong in mind for which I praise Almighty God make this my last Will and Testament this third day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. I commend my Spirit to Almighty God the giver and my body to the dust and wish to be buried in a plain Christian manner. 

*Item 1st* I lend to my beloved (pg 144) wife Eleanor all and singular my land and Plantation. I lend her also all my stock of any kind all my working tools household and Kitchen furniture. And all my Negroes and their increase. 

*Item 2nd* I lend to my beloved wife, Jim a negro man during her life and after her death to be set Free. 

*Item 3rd.* After my beloved wife’s death I request that all my Stock be sold together with all my household and kitchen furniture and all my working tools on a credit of twelve months. 

*Item 4th* I request that the land be sold either at private or public sale as my Executors shall think the most advantageous. 

*Item 5th* I will and bequeath unto my Daughter Rebecca Cates Six hundred Dollars to be paid out of the property of the estate. 

*Item 6th* I will and bequeath unto my daughter Susan Evans Three hundred Dollars to be paid out of the property of the Estate. 

*Item 7th* All the residue of the Estate I request that it be divided equally among all my children Exception Sackfield Sanford who has received his share and I enjoin it upon him to be my sole Executor without fear or rewards. Signed Sealed in presence of us and we in presence of each other saw the said James Lindsey Sign & Seal the within.

Samuel Northington                                           James Lindsey {Seal}  

John H. Russell

E. S. Lewis

                                      Commonwealth of Kentucky}

                                                          Trigg County} Let

                             I James E. Thompson Clerk of the County Court, for the County aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing last Will and testament of James Lindsey deceased was on this day produced into our Said Trigg County Court and proved according to law by the oaths of John H. Rufsell and Samuel Worthington subscribing witnefses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Whereupon the said last Will and testament together with this certificate hath been duly admitted to record in my office.

Given under my hand this 12th day of February 1838.

                                                                 J. E. Thompson, C.S.C.C.

Trigg County, Kentucky

Will Book “B” (1835-1843); pages 143 & 144; Image 373 of 560 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99DP-LPL?i=372&cc=1875188&cat=431993

Summary:

WILL made by James Lindsay 

Date made not mentioned; Probated February 1838

Kinspeople: Wife, Eleanor Lindsey; Daughter Rebecca, Susan Evans  

Witnesses: John Russell and Samuel Northington

Executor: Sackfield Sanford [Lindsey]

Reseach and data for this article was done by Charlie Purvis. The main article was compiled with the help of Claude,ai.  

 Tabitha Cook Lindsey is my 1st Cousin 6 times Removed. 

_________________________

Records of Wills in Trigg County Kentucky for the period of years 1800 to 1843; Page 17 & 18; Compiled by Annie Walker Burns Bell, Washington, DC. 1935

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/72320?availability=Family%20History%20Library

https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/222069-record-of-wills-in-trigg-county-kentucky-for-the-period-of-years-1800-to-1843?viewer=1&offset=0#page=17&viewer=picture&o=search&n=0&q=cook

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99DP-LPL?i=372&cc=1875188&cat=431993

The Last Will & Testament of Abraham Mastin Cook

The last will and testament of me Abraham Mastin Cook, of the County of Wilcox and State of Alabama, being of sound mind at the time of making and publishing this my last will and testament, I give and devise to my beloved wife, Eliza Cook, the lands known as the McBryde lands together with all appurtenances thereunto belonging, including my present residence; Also one hundred and sixty acres of land, to wit The North east Quarter of Section Eight in Township eleven and range nine, being part of the lands known as the "Daniel tract" to have and to hold the said lands to her separate use for the term of her natural life, and at her death the above described lands to revert to my children hereinafter named, I also give and devise to my said wife, Eliza Cook, the following personal property to wit: All my household and Kitchen furniture, ten head of cattle and two horses, such as she may elect of my stock, and the sum of five hundred dollars  in money, for her separate use and behoof. I also give and devise such family supplies, provisions and provender as she may deem necessary for the support of herself and family for the space of twelve months from the date of the probate of this my last will and testament. The balance of my estate, real and personal monies and choses inaction, whereof I may die seized and possessed, I give and devise to my beloved wife Eliza Cook and to my friend and brother John Miller to have and to hold the same to themselves their heirs and assigns forever upon the uses and trust following namely:

              Intrust to pay all my debts and funeral expenses.
Secondly, the balance of my said estate equally to divide between my four children to wit: Albert, Elizabeth Knox, Tabitha Jane, and Mary Caroline. If either of my children shall have died before such division leaving lawful issue, such issue to receive the parents share but if there be no issue then such share to fall into the general fund to be divided among the survivors in the manner before directed.
       And I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said Trustees Eliza Cook and John Miller, Executrix and Executor of this my last will and testament confiding fully and firmly in the full integrity and honesty of my said Executrix and Executor I do hereby direct that they be not required to give bond or held responsible to any Court for the correct and proper performance of their duties as said Executrix and Executor of this my last will and testament.
              In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seals this the thirtieth day of November A.D. Eighteen hundred and sixty-seven.    
                                                                                           A. M. Cook {Seal}
 
Signed sealed and published and declared by the said A. M. Cook (page 372) as and far his last will and testament in the presence of us who at the request of the said A. M. Cook, and in his presence and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. This the 30th day of Nov. A. D. 1867.
                                                                                           E.D. M. Daniel
                                                                                           Jas H. Pressly
                                                                                           F. A. Dulany
 
State of Alabama}  Probate Court of said County.
Wilcox County}
 
In the matter of Probate} 

of the last will and Testament} 

 of A. M. Cook, deceased} Before me J. H. Burdick Judge of the said Court, personally appeared in open Court, E.D.M. Daniel and F. A. Dulany who having been by me first respectively sworn and examined, did and do depose and say on oath that they are each subscribing witnesses to the instrument of writing now shown to them and which purports to be the last will and testament of A. M. Cook deceased, late an inhabitant of this county that said A. M. Cook since deceased, signed and executed said instrument on the day the same bears date, and declared the same to be his last will and testament, and that affiant set their signature thereto, on the day the same bears date as subscribing witnesses to the same in the presence of said testator; That said testator was of sound mind and disposing memory, and, in opinion of deponent, fully capable of making his last will at the time the same was so made, as aforesaid. Affiant further state that said testator was, on the day of said date of said will of the full age of twenty-one years and upwards.-----

Subscribed and sworn to before me}                         E.D.M. Daniel
on this the 25th day of March 1868}                           F. A. Dulany
                     J. H. Burdick
                     Judge of Probate
 

Abraham Mastin Cook was born 16 April 1812 in Chesterfield, SC, a son of Daniel Cook and Ruth Moultrie. He married Eliza Pressly on 20 May 1846 in Abbeville County, South Carolina. Abraham and Eliza had four children. He died 16 January 1868 in Wilcox County, Alabama.  

 Abraham Mastin Cook is my 1st Cousin 6X Removed. 

_____________________________ 
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8799/images/007651228_00396?usePUB=true&_phsrc=Iou211&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=2686789

Will Book 5, Pages 371 & 372; Wilcox County. Alabama

Treasure Chest Thursday~Equity Suit #178~James Moultrie vs Jno. McNeill & Wife Luvicey, Page 1

Back in 2006, Joan Sellers Johnson posted information on GenForum listing the heirs of Joseph Moultrie that were given in an equity court petition. Since that time GenForum has been decimated and remnants of their posting can be found on www.genealogy.com

See posting here:
https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/moultrie/20/

Earlier this year I tracked down the original source documents pertaining to the Equity suit and received 3 documents.  Today, we will look at Document #1 from this Equity Suit.

Transcription:

Equity_178_Document #1
South Carolina} In Equity
Cheraw District} To the Honorable Hugh Rutledge, Wm. James, Waddy Thompson, William H. Dessaussure & Theodore Gaillard Esquires Judges of the Court of Equity of the said State.
Humbling complaining sheweth unto your honor your Orator James Moultrie of Edenton, of in the State of Georgia that your Orator some time in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety two bargained with on William Sellers of Chesterfield District State aforesaid for a certain Tract of land situates and lying near Chesterfield Court House in the district aforesaid containing two hundred acres for which tract of land your Orator agreed to give the said William two hundred & fifty dollars and your orator afterwards made several payments to the said William which on the whole amounted to two hundred and Twenty Dollars and the said William had never executed to your Orator any deed of conveyance of the said land; and your Orator further sheweth to your honor that sometime in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six he moved from the State into the State of Georgia and left Joseph Moultrie your Orators father his agent to settle up his businefs in Chesterfield district aforesaid, and the said Joseph soon afterwards did as agent of your Orator pay out of your Orators money which had come into his hands the balance of the two hundred and fifty dollars which remained unpaid to the said William the said William <sic> did at that time execute a deed of the said land to the said Joseph which deed purported to be a conveyance of the said land to the said Joseph in his own right Nevertheless it was fully understood between the said Joseph and your Orator that the said Joseph was to have no beneficial interest in the said land and that the said Joseph was to be but a mere trustee for your orator; & the said deed was so taken by the said Joseph to himself for the special purpose to enable him in behalf of your Orator the more conveniently to make sale of the said land and to enable him to give an indisputable Title for the Same to a purchaser; and your Orator further sheweth unto your honor that some time in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and four the said Joseph your Orator father departed this life without ever having procured a purchaser for the said land and left your Orator and your Orators three sisters his heirs at law to wit: Ruth Cook the wife of Daniel Cook, Luvicey McNeill the wife of John McNeil, Margaret McNeil the wife of Neill McNeill (who hath since died) of Chesterfield District and state aforesaid and Sarah Walker wife of ____ Walker of the state of Georgia who hath since died and left Nancy Cook the wife of Daniel Cook, Polly Howard the wife of Samuel [Howard]. Bracketed surname added by the author of this blog.

[the remainder of this document is lost to time]

I have 3 additional pages from this Equity Record but none of those pages are a continuation of the above document.


I do hereby certify that this Sheet does contain a true and perfect copy of a Bill filed in the Court of Equity for Cheraw District wherein James Joseph Moultrie is complainant and Jno. McNeill and Luvicey his wife and other defendants.
22 January 1810                                                         James R. Ervin
                                                                                    Comr in Equity

List of Joseph Moultrie heirs that Joan Sellers Johnson named within her GenForum post:

Son - James Moultrie
Daughter - Ruth Cook, wife of Daniel Cook
Daughter - Luvicey McNeill, wife of John McNeill
Daughter - Margaret McNeill, wife of Neill McNeill
Children of Deceased Daughter, Sarah Walker, wife of Nelson/Nedom Walker: Nancy Cook, wife of David Cook; Polly Howard, wife of Samuel Howard; Peter Walker.
Next week, Thursday, we will look at document number two.

Daniel Cook and his wife Ruth Moultrie are my 5th Great Grand Uncle and Aunt.


_______________________
[1] SC Equity Record #178, SC State Archives, Columbia, South Carolina.
[2] GenForum posting by Joan Sellers Johnson naming heirs of Joseph Moultrie.

It’s Family Time~The Daniel Cook, Sr. Family

From “Notable Men of Alabama” we find Samael Calvin Cook, son of Daniel Cook, Jr. stating that the Cook arrived in Charleston, SC in 1776 from Virginia.

"...in Darlington county, SC. The name Daniel has been a family name for several generations, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Daniel Cook, coming from Ireland, and his wife from Wales, they settled in Virginia.  Daniel the second mentioned above, moved from Virginia in 1776 and settled in South Carolina, near Charleston, entering the Revolutionary War and serving under Gen. Francis Marion.  After the war he married the sister of General Moultrie, and the family have the powder gourd belonging to that officer; Joseph Norwood, the maternal great-grandfather,..."

After the War, Daniel Cook, Sr. married Ruth Moultrie. I have found nor record of their marriage but their first-born child, a daughter called Alice “Allie Cook, was born on 23 June 1788 in Chesterfield District, South Carolina.

On 5 March 1793, a plat for 200 Acres On Wallaces Prong And Camp Branch, Chesterfield County, Cheraw District, Surveyed By Alexander Craig was allotted to Daniel Cook. This was most likely related to his service during the Revolutionary War.

His service during the Revolutionary War is very sketchy but I haven’t expended all avenues of research as of yet. Two documents in the SC Archives relate to his service during the Revolutionary War.

1. Legislative Papers Filed in Accounts Audited of Claims Growing Out of the Revolution (S108092) Daniel Cook, Accounts Audited (File No. 1434A)
2. Committee On Claims, Report On The Petition Of Daniel Cook And The Report Of The Comptroller General Concerning Payment For Revolutionary Service. (4 Frames)
   People in this record: Cook, Daniel; Also: Mays, Samuel

After their marriage, Daniel and Ruth settled down and begin to grow a rather large family of about 11 known children. First to arrive was Alice in 1788 and one of the youngest of the Children was Abraham Mastin Cook on 26 April 1812.  There are three children for which I have no birth dates that are believed to also be the children of Daniel and Ruth.

Family lore says that Daniel Cook died in 1812 as a result of injuries during the War of 1812.  As of today, this is just “folklore” as no death date has been found for Daniel Cook. Daniel was over 45 years old in the 1810 Census. Based on the two censuses (1810 &1820) that Daniel Sr is listed in his birth date calculates to be between 1756 and 1765.

The Accounts Audited document “Legislative Papers Filed in Accounts Audited of Claims Growing Out of the Revolution (S108092) is dated 17 December 1812 so that will be my next avenue of research.

Daniel Cook and Ruth Moultrie had the following children:

i. Alice "Allie" Cook, born 23 Jun 1788, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married Samuel Sellers; died 7 Feb 1847, Wilcox County, Alabama.
ii. Joseph Moultrie Cook, born abt 1790; married Martha Lindsey, 10 Aug 1816, Christian Co., KY; died bef 22 Mar 1830, Hinds County, Mississippi.
iii. Daniel Cook Jr., born 14 Feb 1795, Chesterfield County, South Carolina Carolina; married Martha Warren Norwood, 28 Jan 1818, Darlington, Darlington, South Carolina; married Caroline McMillan, 19 Sep 1843, Clarke County, Alabama; died 16 Jan 1878, Possum Bend, Wilcox, Alabama.
iv. Margaret Cook, born 1797; married Holden Barrett; died Jul 1867, Russellville, Franklin, Alabama.
v. Mary Susan Cook, born abt 1800, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married Blount Alsobrook, bef 1830; died Oct 1879, Colbert County., Alabama.
vi. Levica Cook, born 5 Mar 1805, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married Isaac Futrell, 21 Apr 1824, Christian Co., Kentucky; died 16 Sep 1869, Stewart County., Tennessee.
vii. William Ervin Cook, born Dec 1809, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married Levisa Downs, 20 Apr 1840; married Naomi Calhoun, 12 Jul 1845; died 5 Jun 1892, Calloway County, Kentucky.
viii. Abraham Mastin Cook, born 26 Apr 1812, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married Eliza Pressly, 20 May 1846; died 16 Jan 1868, Wilcox County, Alabama.
ix. Tillitha Cook married James Lindsey on 18 Oct 1819 in Hopkinsville, Christian, Kentucky.
x. James Cook died. NEVER MARRIED
xi. John Cook married Ann Witty on 29 Nov 1817 in Christian County, Kentucky.

Daniel and Ruth (Moultrie) Cook are my 5th Great Grand Uncle and Aunt.


________________________________
    1. Joel Campbell DuBose, Notable Men of Alabama:: Personal and Genealogical, Volume 2 (Atlanta, Georgia: Southern Historical assoc., 1904), 405-407.
     2. "Online Records Index", SC Department of Archives and History, SC Archives Database (http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/search.aspx : Viewed 3 December 2018), Land Plats, Daniel Cook,  "Plat For 200 Acres On Wallaces Prong And Camp Branch, Chesterfield County, Cheraw District, Surveyed By Alexander Craig.," ; ID: Series: S213190 Volume: 0031 Page: 00226 Item: 001.
     3. 1800 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page: 101; Line 05, Household of Daniel COOK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 December 2018); citing NARA microfilm publication M32, Roll 47.
     4. "Online Records Index," SC Archives Database, Daniel Cook, "Officers Of The 39Th Regt Of Infantry, Petition Asking For Amendments To The Militia Law.," .
     5. 1810 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, Page: 578; Line 07, Household of Daniel COOK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 December 2018); citing  National Archives Microfilm M252_60.
     6. "Online Records Index," SC Archives Database, Daniel Cook, "Payment For Revolutionary Service," .
     7. Land Deed - RUTH COOK TO JOHN COOK AND OTHERS DEED OF GIFT; 30 September 1824; Deed Book #7; Page(s) 216; Register of Deeds; Dover, Stewart County, TN; 10 August 2019.
     8. Land Deed - JAMES LINDSEY to RUTH COOK; 21 November 1825; Deed Book #B; Page(s) 276; Register of Deeds; Cadiz, Trigg County, KY; 10 August 2019.