Sunday, December 27, 2009

John Stephenson Lee (1847-1948) Feature Article in Florence Morning News 27 July 1947

Florence Morning News, Sunday, July 27, 1947, p. 11, columns 1-5, transcribed by Teresa McVeigh 27 Dec 2009

Thrice-Married 98-Year-Old Confederate Veteran Who Walked Guard At Stockade Still Much Alive
by Leroy Bannerman

A spry old man of 98 sat upright in his straight-back, wooden chair stroked a white beard and said, "The God Almighty has blessed me." John S. Lee, one of only four living Confederate veterans in South Carolina and who up until last year was an ardent fox-hunter, credited the Lord for his unusual good health and long life.

"Uncle John"--as he is known to the people of Coward community of Florence county--has been married three times, proudly possesses two of his original teeth, has never drunk a cup of coffee in his life, likes fox-hunting and visiting a multitude of friends. Moreover, he displays a keen wit and a memory that recalls the hard times of years gone by. As his 68-year old son would say: "There never was a man like him."

His direct descendants are many--estimated over 160--with 121 living today. This family of five generations, includes five children, 38 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, and 13 great great-grandchildren. [Totals 123] And the old man who still rules the roost, quietly maintains of his three wives: "Three better women never were on this earth."

Today the third Mrs. Lee, looking young and beautiful for her sixty years, labors industriously about the house preparing meals and keeping the frame, weather-beaten home tidy in tiptop condition. She is devoted to her 98-year-old husband and answers to his familiar "Ma," his only title for his last two wives.

He first married on February 12, 1874 to a girl named Zilppha who 22 years later [1896] died after bearing twelve children for him, three of whom are living today, including the two oldest sons. They are John T Lee, 72 [b. 1875], and Stephen J. Lee, 67 [b. 1880]. On September 13, 1890, he married the second time to Leslie who died November 1, 1928 after giving birth to three children, two of whom are living today--Mary E R Lee, 46 [b. 1901] , and Oscar C. Lee, 43 [b. 1904]. A short while after the death of his second wife, Mr. Lee married again. This time to his present wife, Eunice, with the present day philosophy: "There are too many women around to live alone."

While still a boy in his teens, John Lee shouldered a musket and took his place among the Confederate ranks that walked guard around the Union stockade, that loomed out of the mud and wilderness just outside Florence. The terrible times of starvation and exposure that the prisoners suffered are still etched in the mind of this old man, who says now, "I've never seen the old stockade since. I never want to see it again."

He remembers the meager rations of one soda cracker and a tumbler of water twice a day to each of the multitude of prisoners. He remembers the bellowing voice of Captain Jim McCall informing the pitiful throng that 'if yuh try to escape, these youngin's (the guards) ain't got any better sense than to shoot you!" He remembers the wallow, the mire, and the moans of the sick and dying. He remembers the heavy musket, which he never fired and his thinking that if a prisoner did get out, he would likely have said: "Get away if you can."

But John Lee remembers, too, the joy of peace, of going home to his "mammy," and the shock of finding the ravaged land that Sherman had left behind. "His soldiers camped under the mulberry trees at home," he said

And it was during these first days of peace that he last heard of his father. His father had fought all through the Civil War up until the seige of Petersburg. It was then that the Union soldiers tunneled under the Confederate lines and dynamited...breaking through...The faltered... and..though for some time confusion reigned. It was during this period of shock that a brother and two other soldiers ran past John's father who was lying behind a log. They stopped long enough to plead with him to come with them, but he merely said, "I won't run another step." That was the last heard of him. The skirmish was known as the Battle of the Crater. [July 30, 1864]

The memories are vivid of the long weary reconstruction days that followed. He recalls the time when they raised their own wheat, the days when one biscuit a week was doled out on Sunday mornings. He likes to tell of the times when women pulled off their shoes and carried them in their hands, putting them on just before entering church. Of that, the says, "You couldn't get shoes every day." But of all the difficult years, he lists '82 at the toughest. "It was awfully dry," he explains. "Why we didn't even make any corn."

The face and beard of old John Lee is known far and wide, but as he puts it: "My name's known farther." His friends are more numerous than his descendants and today, they all know him by the great white beard. With a twinkle in his eye, he says proudly, "Since the third Saturday afternoon in July '81, a razor hasn't touched my face."

He says that his health is "not so good," but he still remains a remarkable man of energy and will-power, fully capable of getting around by himself. He worked his own farm until he was 85. Jokingly he says now that he works his "jaws." Of his place located deep in the sandhills of Coward community, he says, "I bought the first place...and ever since..." and...John Lee reluctantly admits that...Confederate reunion in Columbia...ago. "I'll never go again," is his solemn vow.

He says that he never has been drunk but once in his life, that being before he married for the first time. He lives an upright life in every respect, demands that his children do likewise, for as he firmly states, "When I die, I'm not going to hell if I can help it."

Today he sits on his porch and looks out over a rickety, oft-repaired picket fence at his farms and tobacco beyond viewing a passing era with uncertainty. He has lived to see many changes in the world--from horse and buggies to jet-propelled planes--and will undoubted live to see many more. His grave opinion: "We're living too high."
 

 
Notes:
The ... in the transcriptions are skips in the print, probably due to folding of the paper before micro-filming.
 
John S Lee's wives:
Zilpha S McGEE 5 Sep 1854, SC-29 Apr 1896 SC
Leslie S McALLISTER 16 Jul 1860 SC- 1 Nov 1928 SC
Eunice JOHNSON b. 1888 SC
 
John S. Lee's father, who died in Petersburg VA was Timothy LEE (b. 1826 SC) and his mother was Agnes LEE (b. 1833), dau. of John Alexander LEE and Margaret SMITH
 
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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Marriage of Rev. Wiley P WARWICK and Mrs. Elizabeth BEALL 8 Oct. 1846

Marriage and Death Notices from the Southern Christain Advocate, Vol 1:1837-1860, Brent Holcomb

Pg. 110 Issue of Oct. 30, 1846

Married by the Rev. W. H. Evans, on the 8th inst., the Rev. Wiley Warwick, of the Ga. Conf., to Mrs. Elizabeth Beall of Hall, Ga.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Obituary of Elizabeth PAYNE WARWICK (1763-8143)

Marriage and Death Notices from the Southern Christain Advocate, Vol 1:1837-1860, Brent Holcomb, pg. 80, Issue of January 5, 1844:

Mrs. Elizabeth Warwick, wife of the Rev. Wiley Warwick of the Ga. Conference, departed this life on the 24th of November, 1843, in Habersham Co., Ga., and in the 81st year of her age. She was the daughter of William and Jane Payne, and was born in Charles Co., Maryland. Her parents died when she was very young, and she was brought up by her grandmother. At the age of 17 years she came with her brother Jacob Payne to Brunswick Co., Va. In the year 1787, under the ministry of Rev. John Easter, joined the M.E. Church at Benjamin Johnson's Meeting House, where she remained until the year 1791 when she married her present bereaved husband.... (Josiah Askew)

Rev. Wiley P. WARWICK (1771-1856)

My husband's maternal great grandmother was a Warwick and my husband's middle name is Warwick. The furtherest I have proven back on this line is Wiley P Warwick, an itinerant Methodist Minister in Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Taken from "Methodist Preachers in Georgia 1783-1900", Harold Lawrence, United Methodist Church, pg. 579

WARWICK, WILEY (3-17-1771 - 5-7-1856) (Methodist Episcopal Church)

b. Sussex Co., Va.; converted age 26; on 8-14-1819 he was accused of profane swearing and the Conference judged the said accusation to be malicious slander. On 11-26-1819 he was recommended to the Conference as a preacher of usefulness. His last years were spent in Dahlonega, Ga., in a sad state of decrepitude. He travelled in his ministry 66.849 miles, preached 5,938 sermons, and received in salary $6,392 for 30 years of itinerant labor. m/1791 Elizabeth Payne (1762 - 11-24-1843) b. Charles Co., Md. d. Habersham Co., Ga., dau. of Wm. and Jane Payne; m 2/10-8-1846 Mrs. Elizabeth Beall of Hall Co., Ga.

1799 Licensed to Preach; 1804 Admitted on trial; 1806 Full connection Deacon; 1808 Elder,

S.C. Conference: 1804 Little Pee Dee & ansom (Camden); 1805 Anson; 1806 Bladen and Brunswick;

1807 Santee; 1808 Great Pee Dee (Catawba); 1809 Rocky River; 1810-11 Wateree (Camden);

1812 Santee (Pee Dee); 1813 Santee; 1814 Black River (Broad River); 1815-16 Enoree; 1817

Located; 1821 Readmitted; 1821 Union Cir. (Catawba); 1822 Black Mtn. (Athens); 1823-24 Grove;

1825 Gwinnett; 1826 Broad River; 1827 Habersham; 1828 Gwinnett; 1829 Grove; 1830 Habersham; 1831 Sup.

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Copyright © Teresa McVeigh 2009

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Will of William BURRIS (2 Mar 1792, Darlington District, SC)

Will of William Burris

In the Name of God, Amen. I William Burris of Darlington County, and State of South Carolina, being of sound mind, but by an unforseen Accident much bruised in by Body, and in my own apprehension drawing nigh the end of my Life, do make and constitute this last Will and power, in the Manner following--

First I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Burris one Hundred Acres of Land lying in the Middle of my Tract of Three Hundred acres----Secondly I give unto my son John Burris One Hundred Acres of Land lying at the lower end of my Tract of Three Hundred Acres--Thirdly, I give unto my Son William Burris One Hundred Acres of Land lying at the upper end of my Tract of Three Hundred Acres, which He shall not take into posession during the life of his mother Jane Burris, but by her free will and consent, It is also my desire that the above mentioned tract of Land be run again and an equal division made between my Three Sons above mentioned---

Also I give and bequeath my beloved wife Jane Burris all and every part of my moveable estate during her remaining a Wide [sic], but if she Marries she shall divide equally with all my Children.

In Witness of the within Will I have here unto set my hand and Seal this 2nd Day of March 1789 in the presence of us,

           his
William x Burris (LS)

          mark


Witnises}
J. B. Turner
Daniel Miers
Mary Turner
Robert Nettles


Furthermore I lastly appoint Sam'l Burris my Son and Jane Burris my beloved wife to be my Executors to this my last will and Testament






Transcribed by Teresa McVeigh 7 Dec 2009 from http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/
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Sunday, December 6, 2009

Will of William BURRIS, Sr. (d. c. 1789) Darlington District, South Carolina

Taken from the book "Myers and Neighbors of Jeffries Creek, SC" by Neil O. Myers, 2007, Aiken, SC, p. 29

Soon after Mary and Samuel married, Samuel's father died. His father, William Burris, wrote his will 2 March 1789 and it was probated about 18 Oct 1791 but we don't know the exact date of his death. He stated he had an unforeseen accident and was much bruised in his body. The will was witnessed by J. B. Turner, Daniel Miers, and Robert Nettles. William Burris named his wife as Executrix and his son Samuel as Executor. He specified that his 300 acre plantation was to be run again and an equal division made between his three sons with Samuel to receive the middle 100 acres, son John to receive the lower 100 acres, and son William to receive the upper 100 acres "which he shall not take into possession during the life of his mother Jane Burris, but by her free will and consent." He further stated, "Also I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Jane Burris all and every part of my moveable estate during her remaining a Widow, but if she marries she shall divide equally with all my children." A note of my records from someone said that Jane and Samuel Burris, executors of the will of William Burris stated, "The soul is a precious jewel, so sell it not."

Transcribed by Teresa McVeigh 6 Dec 2009

Available on Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=yyjTmfIcJGQC&dq=%22myers+and+neighbors+of+jeffries+creek,+sc%22+by+neil+o.+myers+(2007)&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=zFUWRKt6a8&sig=jb36fzBwaHFxtnlfNgaB7yGiEZY&hl=en&ei=OiEcS8-SGZGwtgfGh9TiAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CBkQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=&f=false

The Samuel and Mary (MYERS) BURRIS Family by Jesse Stallings BURRIS

Two days ago I heard from a lady named Terri, who is a descendant of Benjamin W. BURRIS. Benjamin is the brother of Sarah Jane BURRIS, mother of Arelia Darnella (TAYLOR) SPORTS. Their father was William BURRIS, Jr.

Previously I had William BURRIS, Jr.'s will and knew his children's names. I knew his first wife was a CHANDLER, daughter of James CHANDLER (who moved to Amite, MS), but I did not know her name. William's second wife was named Jane. Terri sent me information which revealed that William's first wife was named Martha CHANDLER. Terri wrote:

There is a book called "The Samuel and Mary (Myers) Burris Family" by Jesse Stallings Burris, written in 1952. It follows the family of the brother of the William Burris whose will I referenced in my original email. This family moved to Amite Co. MS in the early 1800's. But it had one really interesting nugget of information. It lists the children of Martha Chandler and William Burris. James Chandler was a friend of Samuel Burris who also moved to MS, and in James Chandler's will, he left money "to the children of my deceased daughter Martha Burris, the late wife of William Burris of Darlington District, South Carolina, the number and names of them I do not know, four thousand dollars." Then there were court documents filed in Darlington County and in Amite Co., MS, to establish who those children were. The one cited in the book is from Darlington on Oct. 16, 1832.The children listed are as follows: Benjamin W. Burris, Ira E. Burris, William M. Burris, Emily Burris Fraser, Samuel N. Burris, Elizbeth Burris, John Burris, and Martha Burris.

I have found the book on-line on Google Books and will transcribe the pertinent parts.
 
The Samuel and Mary (MYERS) BURRIS Family
by Jesse Stallings BURRIS, Flora Mae BURRIS, and Mamie Lettie BURRIS-SIMMONS
1952, Pelican Publishing Co., Inc., 1000 Burmaster St., Gretna, LA, 70053, on-line on Google Books
Transcribed by Teresa McVeigh 6 Dec 2009

p. 93 Data on the Samuel and Mary (MYERS) BURRIS Family

One of the first families by the name of Burris and one of the pioneer families to settle Amite County, Mississippi, was doubless the Samuel and Mary (Myers) Burris Family. The migrated there from Darlington District, South Carolina in 1809....

The prior migration to Amite County of close friends may have influenced their migration there. He appears to have migrated to Amite county in 1807, two years prior to Samuel and Mary (Myers) Burris's migration there. According to American State Papers--Lands II, pp. 243-8 --he was granted 320 acres of land on the Amite River in 1807. This place is though to be on the East Fork of Amite River, about seven miles east of Liberty, Miss., and near the place known as Chandler's Hill, which doubtless got its name from James Chandler. This place is also near the place where Samuel and Mary (Myers) Burris settled. According to a nearby resident of Chandler's Hill, there is an old broken-up tombstone near an old grave on this hill, which tombstone has James Chandler's name engraved on it, indicating that he was buried there....

p.96-97 Will of Samuel BURRIS, copied from Amite County Records:

The Last Will and Testament of Samuel Burris as Exhibited by the Executrix, Mary Burris, and James Chandler, Executor

For Probate Record
Mississippi Territory
Amite County}

In the name of God, Amen. I, Samuel Burris, of the territory and county aforesaid, being weak in body, but of sound mind and memory, blessed be to God, do make this my last will and testament, and first give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary Burris, all of my personal estate, consisting of five Negroes, horses, dogs, cattle, household and kitchen furniture, duing her natural life, and, at the same time, what money I have by me and what will arised from the sale of my land in the State of South Carolina, or, at least as much of it as can be conveniently spared from the necessay support of my family, to be laid out for the lands, at the commencement of the sales of the public lands and the land so bought shall be equally divided amongst my children at the death of their mother, together with all my property, whether real or personal; and lastly, I do appoint my beloved wife, Mary Burris, Executrix, together with James Chandler, Executor, to this my last will and testament. I also give and bequeath to my son, John Burris, my shot gun.

In witness, whereof, I have set my hand and affixed my seal this 10th day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven, and in the thirty-sith of the American Independence.

Samuel Burris (L.S.)
John Wilson
Craddock Gober

[There follows an inventory of the estate and other documents regarding the orphaned children and the estate.]

p. 99 The Relationship of Samuel Burris and James Chandle

....In James Chandler's will, James bequeaths "to the children of my deceased daughter, Martha Burris, the late wife of William Burris of Darlington District, South Carolina, the number and names of them I do not know, four thousand dollars." Just who this William Burris was, and what kin, if any to Samuel Burris, is not known. It is thought, though, that he may have been Samuel's brother, or nephew; and that it was for this brother (or nephew) that Samuel named his son, William.

Also, in James Chandler's will, he bequeaths one thousand dollars to his step-son, Sam'l B. Simmons. Samuel Burris's daughter, Harriet Almira, married a man by the same name and it is thought that he was this step-son of James Chandler's that she married.

The following document, which was drawn up and executed in Darlington District, S.C., and copied from the Amite County, Miss., records, distinguishes this William Burris of Darlington District, S.C., husband of Martha Chandler, late daughter of James Chandler

p. 100

whom James Chandler mentions in his will, and to whose children he bequeaths some of his estate, from Samuel and Mary (Myers) Burris's William:

State of South Carolina
Darlington District}

Personally appeared before me, Hugh E. Cannon, who being first duly sworn, says that he has been acquainted with William Burris and Martha Burris as man and wife since the time that Ira E. Burris was born, who was the second child of said William and Martha--that Benjamin W. Burris was at that time reputed to be the first child of said William and Martha and always contained in the family of said Martha and William as one of their children--further deponent says that the lawful heirs or children of said Martha Burris are eight in number, to-wit: Benjamin W. Burris, Ira E. Burris, William M. Burris, Emily Burris (now Fraser), Samuel N. Burris, Elizabeth Burris, John Burris, and Martha Burris.

Hugh E. Cannon
Sworn to before me this 16th day o
Oct., 1832, Alex D. Sims, J. Q.

On-line on GOOGLE Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=3_g-d8SCkqIC&dq=jesse+stallings+burris&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=OYbqwS4IY8&sig=7Ua-I8cww3xx_Sl0DdJPibwDRZg&hl=en&ei=gbAbS7_AKYm1tgf54IjRAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBAQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
 
 
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Copyright © Teresa McVeigh 2009

Will of William BURRIS (c 1770-1840), 17 Oct 1840 Darlington District, South Carolina

I haven't posted in over a month, but I have been busy. I traced my friend Sandra's tree back about 4 generations. I found out more about my friend Ben's family. I just have not blogged about the research. When I find data, I add it to my Ancestry trees, my genealogy database, and back it up on at least two external drives. Adding it to a blog is yet one more place to enter the data. That can be tedious, and I did not feel like devoting the time to these other lines, but today I have some great discoveries in my BURRIS lines to share with anyone out there who might be searching. 

I was contacted two nights ago by a lady named Terri who is the descendant of Benjamin W. BURRIS. Benjamin turns out to be the brother of Sarah Jane BURRIS, mother of Arelia Darnella SPORTS. She has shared some wonderful information, but first I need to share with you the will of Benjamin and Sarah's father, William BURRIS, Jr. Jane is his second wife and mother of Robert Lenn, George and Sarah Jane. The other children were the children of Martha CHANDLER, daughter of James CHANDLER.

Will of William Burris (c 1770-1840), 17 Oct 1840 Darlington District, South Carolina


Will is on file at the Darlington County [SC] Historical Society


State of South Carolina, Darlington District.


Know all men by these presence that I William Burris of the State and District aforesaide, being weak (?) in body but sound in minde and of a disposing disposition do make and do make and do ? and ordain this my last will and Testament. ? it is my wish and will that all my just debts should be paid.


Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Jane Burris all the land lying on the east side of the road from Jefferies Creek to Black Creek Bridge or with a line from Jefferies Creek on to the back line laid off for my son Ira E. Burris. I also give her one of my horses which she can chose, one feather bed ? and furniture and ten head of hogs, One hundred bushels of corn and in the event of my wifes marrying the land is to be taken from her by my Executors for the benefit of my three youngest children namely Robert Lenn, George & Sarah Jane..I give to my son Robert Lenn Burris a negro Boy by the name of Tom, and my shot gun. I give unto my son George Burris a negro boy named Dawson..I give unto my Daughter Sarah Jane Burris a negro Boy named Lisbon, one feather bed and furniture. I also give unto my sons Lenn & George and my Daughter Sarah Jane one cow and calf ? to be chosen out of the stock by themselves..After my just debts are all paid, then it is my will that the balance of my estate shall be equally divided among all my children that are hereafter named...Namily..Ira E. Burris, William Wilson Burris, Emily Fraser..Samuel Burris..Jane Elizabeth Burris, John Burris, Martha Salmonds, Robert Lenn Burris, George Burris & Sarah Jane Burrris..I give unto Benjamin Burris two dollars which is to be all that he is to have and the hole of my estate. I do hereby nominate and appoint Ira E. Burris & James Cole as my lawful Executors.....I do hereby make and ordain this my last will & Testament revolking all other wills.


In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and this the Seventeenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty and in the Ninety fifth year of American Independence of the United States of America.


William Burris (Seal)

Thos. Stanly

Angus Gilchrist

Wm. L. Moye


Will probated Jan. 18, 1841. William died in December 1840.

Transcribed by Teresa McVeigh

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Sunday, November 1, 2009

Rebecca WRIGHT McVEIGH Obituary

This is the obituary of my great-grandmother.

Florence Morning News, Monday, July 18, 1932, page 4, column 8, transcribed by Teresa McVeigh 1 Nov 2009:

MRS. REBECCA WRIGHT MCVEIGH

Mrs. Rebecca Wright McVeigh, widow of the late James L. McVeigh, died at her home in Waynesville, Ga., Brantley County, Friday morning July 8th in her 64th year. Mrs. McVeigh was born in Cumberland county, North Carolina, the daughter of Henry J Wright and Mary Shaw Wright. She moved to Georgia in her youth and has lived practically all of her life in South Georgia, where by her splendid qualities of character, she endeared herself to numberless friends. Mrs. McVeigh is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Scotia Harrison, Waynesville, Ga., Mrs. Leo Johnson, Florence, S.C., and Mrs. Isaiah Gibson of Waynesville, Ga.; four sons, Henry, Norman, and Leland McVeigh, Waynesville, Ga., and John McVeigh of Florence, S. C. Funeral services were conducted at the Highsmith Cemetery by Rev. R. F. Owen, pastor of the local Methodist church of which Mrs. McVeigh was a member. Mr. Owen was assisted by Rev. Milton McCool of Hoboken, and Rev. O. E. Graves of Waynesville. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful.






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Ora McVEIGH JOHNSON Obituary

My great aunt Ora Lee McVeigh Johnson's obiturary.:

Florence Morning News, Sat. 2 Aug, 1975, p. A, column 3, transcribed by Teresa McVeigh 1 Nov. 2009:

Deaths and Funerals
Mrs. Ora M Johnson

Mrs. Ora McVeigh Johnson, 94, wife of O. Leo Johnson, 706 S. McQueen St., died early Friday morning in a local nursing home after a long illness.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 4 p.m. in Waters Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Mrs. Johnson was born in Waycross, Ga., a daughter of the late James L. and Rebecca Wright McVeigh. She had been a resident of Florence since 1913. She was a member of First Southern Methodist Church, the Katie Elton Bible Class, Kings Daughters, American Legion Auxillary, Shrine Club Auxillary, White shrine of Jerusalem, and Wisteria Garden Club.

Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter, Mrs. Norma Crumblin of Florence; a sister, Mrs. Julia Gibson, fo Waynesville, Ga.; two brothers, Norman S. McVeigh of Waynesville, Ga., L. A. McVeigh of Rincon, Ga.; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

                                           


A few additons and corrections. Aunt Ora's husband's name was Obed Leo Johnson, Jr. She was born at Braganza, which was a turpentine camp outside Waycross, the nearest town. Her brother "L. A" should be L. U. for Leland Urquhart McVeigh. She was actually age 84, born 6 Apr 1891.
 
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McVEIGH-SPORTS marriage


This is the wedding announcement for my parents' wedding.



Florence Morning News, Sun. May 12 1946, p. 5, column 2, transcribed by Teresa MeVEIGH, 1 nov. 2009:

McVeigh-Sports Wedding Performed at Brunswick, Ga.

Mr. and Mrs. O.N. Jeffords annouce the marriage of their daughter, Dorothy Mae Sports. to Sergeant Norman Shaw McVeigh, Jr., U. S. M. C. of Waynesville, Ga., which took place in the First Methodist Church of Brunswick, Ga. April 23, 1946. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Leland Moore of Brunswick.

The bride wore a powder blue suit with white accessories and her corsage was a white orchid. The church was decorated with white Easter lillies and gladioli.

Immediately after the ceremony the bride and groom left for Florida where they spent their honeymoon.

Mrs. McVeigh is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O.N. Jeffords, of Florence, and attends McClenaghen high school. Sgt. McVeigh is the son of Mr. and Mrs. N. S. McVeigh of Waynesville. He is a graduate of Nahunta high school and attended Emory and Mercer universities in Georgia.

Sgt. McVeigh is the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. L. U. McVeigh, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. McVeigh, and Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Johnson of Florence.

Mrs. McVeigh is making her home at 320 South Gaillard street until Sgt. McVeigh receives his discharge from the Marines in July.

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Monday, October 26, 2009

John Angus McVEIGH and Nellie Sue (GRIMSLEY) MCVEIGH Obituaries

John Angus McVEIGH and his wife Nellie Sue GRIMSLEY McVEIGH were my great aunt and uncle. They were great favorites and we loved when they came to visit. They were killed in a car accident in Williamsburg County, SC.




Florence Morning News, Sunday, 25 May 1975, page 2, Column 1, transcribed by Teresa McVeigh, 25 Oct. 2009:
DEATHS AND FUNERALS

Mrs. Nellie McVEIGH

Mrs. Nellie Sue Grimsley Childers McVeigh, 63, of 310 S. Covington, died Friday in Georgetown County from a car-truck accident.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at First Southern Methodist Church, with burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery, directed by Waters Funeral Home.

Mrs. McVeigh was born in Florence, the daughter of Mrs. Leila David Grimsley and the late John W. Grimsley. She was a member of the First Southern Methodist Church, the Marie Dennis Missionary Circle, and a teacher of the Nettie Ellison Sunday School Class, WWI Barracks, Daughters of the American Revolution, V.F.W. Auxillary, Kings Daughters DAR, U.T.U. Auxillary.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Thomas L. Howle, Jr. of Roxboro, N.C.; one son, Franklin Edward Childers of Brunswick, Ga.; her mother, of Florence; three sisters, Mrs. Louise Fogle, Newport News, Va., Mrs. Marion A. Brown and Mrs. Leila Jean Smith, both of Charleston, S.C.; five brothers, Ernest E. Grimsley of Portsmouth, Va., George T. Grimsley and John E. Grimsley, both of Newport News, Va., Richard J. Grimsley of Charleston, and Allen E. Grimsley of Atlanta, Ga.; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

John A. L. McVeigh

John Angus Lawrence McVeigh, 76, of 310 S. Covington, died Friday in Williamsburg County as a result of a car accident.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at First Southern Methodist Church, with burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery, directed by Waters Funeral Home.

Mr. McVeigh was born in Waynesville, Ga., the son of the late James L. McVeigh and Rebecca Wright McVeigh. He was a retired trainman and a member of the First Southern Methodist Church. He was a veteran of World War I. He was a member of World War I Barracks, U.T.U. V.F.W. and the Willard Bible Sunday School Class.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Thomas L. Howle, Jr. of Roxboro, N.C.; one son, Franklin Edward Childers of Brunswick, Ga.; two sisters, Mrs. O. L. Johnson of Florence, Mrs. Julia Gibson of Waynesville, Ga.; two brothers, Mr. Norman McVeigh of Waynesville, Ga., Mr. Leland McVeigh of Rincon, Ga.; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

HOWLES-CHILDERS Wedding



Transcription by Teresa McVeigh 25 Oct 2009

Florence Morning News, Sunday, July 25, 1948, page 6, columns 1-4:
Howle-Childers Wedding
Solemnized Tuesday Evening

Miss Betsy Marie Childers, of this city, became the bride of Thomas Laverne Howle Jr., also of Florence, at the Southern Methodist Church. Tuesday evening, the Rev. C. M. Pullin officiating.

Cathedral candles in tall standing candelabra and floor baskets of white gladioli and greenery, with a background of Southern smilax and ivy, on white, formed an effective setting for the nuptials.

J.H.P. Bass, organist, rendered a number of selections, including "Liebestraum," and Miss Mary Kemp Griffin, vocalist, sang "Because," "I Love you Truely" and "Ce este" (a prayer), sung as a benediction after the vows were spoken. The traditional wedding marches were used.

Serving as ushers were Howard Howle of Florence, brother of the bridegroom, and Franklin Childers, of this city, brother of the bride.

Groomsmen were Perry Elliott Taylor, Harry Howle, uncle of the bridegroom, Burnes? Howle, brother of the bridegroom, Chick Garrison, Howard Howle, and Franklin Childers, all of Florence.

Thomas Laverne Howle, Sr., father of the bridegroom, was best man.

Bridesmaids were Mrs. Perry Elliott Taylor and Mrs. Linwood Hutchinson of this city, Mrs. Paul McCutcheon, Dillon, Miss Hettie Pitts, Sumter, cousin of the bridegroom, Miss Barbara Howle, cousin of the bridegroom, and Miss Pat Barefoot, both of Florence. Their gowns of pastel colored organdy, two in yellow, two in green, and two in pink, were fashioned with low ruffled necklines and circular skirts with bias peplum flounces. They wore matching organdy mitts and bouquets of pastel colored gladioli tied with orchid ribbon bows and streamers.

Mrs. Jimmy Whitehurst, Jr. of Florence was dame of honor. She wore a dress of deep pink organdy patterned after those of the bridesmaids, with matching mitts and carried a crescent bouquet of yellow gladioli tied with green ribbon.

The bride's maid of honor was Mrs. Joyce Sunsbury of this city, wearing blue organdy made like the others, with matching mitts and carrying a crescent bouquet of orchid gladioli tied with yellow ribbon.
Little Sallie Howle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Howle, was the flower girl. She wore white organdy made like the others and carried a small white basket filled with rose petals.

The ring bearer was Clarkie Howle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Howle, wearing a white suit and carrying the rings on a white satin pillow.

The bride entered with her stepfather, John Angus McVeigh, who gave her in marriage. Her wedding gown of traditional bridal satin was fashioned with sweetheart neckline outlined with a double row of seed pearls, leg-o-mutton sleeves pointed over the hands, form-fitting bodice and full skirt extending to a long train. Her three-tiered veil of filmy white net fell from a tiara of seed pearls and was worn over the face during the ceremony. She carried a bridal bouquet of white gladioli and tuberoses tied with satin ribbon. For ornaments she wore pearl eardrops and her paternal grandmother's wedding ring.

The bride's mother wore shell pink chiffon and a corsage of pink roses and carnations.
The bridegroom's mother wore yellow chiffon with a corsage of pink carnations.

Immediately after the ceremony, the bride's parents entertained at a wedding reception at Pineland Lodge on Cherokee Road. The entire wedding party formed the receiving line. During the evening pictures were taken of the bride and bridegroom cutting the wedding cake.

Mrs. Ben Kafer, assisted by a number of the bride's young friends, served the cake, and serving the punch were Mrs. O. L. Johnson, aunt of the bride, Mrs. R. A. McVeigh, and Mrs. Jim Street?. Green and white mints were passed.

Mrs. Ben Maynard presided over the bride's register.

The couple left for a wedding trip to the seashore, and on their return will be here, with the bride's parents, until September, when the bridgegroom will resume his studies at Clemson College. For travelling the bride wore a white gaberdine suit with white accessories and a corsage of yellow rosebuds.

Mrs. Howle is the daughter of Mrs. John Angus McVeigh of this city and the late John Franklin Childers, Jr. She is a graduate of Florence High School and is a graduate cosmetologist.

Mr. Howle is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Laverne Howle, Sr. of Florence. He served in the U.S. Army for a year and is attending Clemson College.

Among out of town guests at the wedding were Mrs. Martin Pitts of Sumter and Mrs. paul McCutcheon of Dillon.

All Rights Reserved
Copyright © Teresa McVeigh 2009

Friday, October 23, 2009

Morgan Harbin LOONEY (Part 1)

Professor MORGAN HARBIN LOONEY by Teresa McVeigh                     


Morgan Harbin LOONEY was a famous educator, author, and Chautauqua lecturer in the 19th Century. Before public schools became popular, he started schools in Georgia, Texas and Arkansas.

Morgan LOONEY was born 27 October 1827 in Fairplay, Oconee County, South Carolina. He was the son of Noah LOONEY (1799-1876) and Sarah Frances CLEVELAND MCNEIL (1802-1889), daughter of John McNEIL and Frances CLEVELAND. Noah was the son of Robert LOONEY (bef. 1749-1824), son of Adam LOONEY (1725-bef 1770), son of Robert LOONEY (bef 1692-1770) who probably emigrated from the Isle of Man about 1731 to Pennsylvania, then later settled in Augusta County, Virginia. He was named Morgan for Nancy MORGAN HART, a famous Revolutionary War heroine.

By the 1830 Census Noah LOONEY had moved to Carnesville in Franklin County, Georgia, where Morgan started school. “His education in Carnesville, GA was first under his cousin, Dr. Claud BARTON, then for about 5 years under Prof. Cecil HAMMOND, a Yale graduate. He learned elocution, mathematics, Latin, Greek, rhetoric, and composition.” He began teaching Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Math in Hartwell, Georgia when he was age fourteen.

On 26 December 1849 he married Sarah E PARKER, daughter of John D and Nancy (MERRITT) PARKER. Morgan’s brother George later wrote a letter to the editor of The Sun (30 Oct 1933, College Park, GA) about the wedding:

"...my brother, Morgan H. Looney had boarded at John D. Parker's to teach a school at Parker's Store--my sister Sarah Ann Looney was a pupil. B.B. Parker and Sarah Ann Parker were also students. At the close of the session, Miss Sarah Ann Looney became Mrs. Sarah Ann Parker, and Miss Sarah Ann Parker had changed her name to Sarah Ann Looney. The marriages had been consummated on successive nights as weddings and infaires as was the custom in those days. Mr. Parker went to Elbert Co. to teach. Mr. Looney to Palmetto where his wife had many relatives among the Redwines and Hearnes. Both became famous teachers."

By the 1850 Census Morgan and Sarah LOONEY had moved to Coweta County, Georgia. Sarah Parker LOONEY died there 28 Mar 1851. Her tombstone tombstone is in New Hope Methodist Church Cemetery, 5 miles north of Palmetto (Coweta County), GA.

Sacred
To the Memory of
Mrs. Sarah E. Looney
Who died in Coweta Co. on the 28t
of March 1851
She was the kind and obedient daughter,
The gentle and loving wife, the patient
and pious Christain.
At the hour of death she was perfectly
resigned and happy.
An Early flower ere the glory of its
summer, has faded away from earth
But it blooms again in heaven, to fade
and wither no more.
Lo soft remembrance drops the pious tear,
And Holy Love stands yet a mourner here.


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Copyright © Teresa McVeigh 2009

Monday, October 19, 2009

Cora and Hayden Elope

Evidently Cora A TALIAFERRO and Edgar Hayden LOONEY eloped. A lawsuit was later brought by the State of Arkansas against the Baptist minister, J W SIKES, who performed the marriage without proper consent of the parents, C D and Jane TALIAFERRO. Cora lied about her age--she was 17 and not the legal 18. The court record has many errors, including at least three different dates for the marriage.

Supreme Court of Arkansas, Vol. 30, May to Nov. Terms, 1875, Cases decided by by John M Moore, Adams and Blocher, Little Rock, 1877, p. 500-5, Abstracted by Teresa McVeigh 18 Oct 2009

Sikes vs. The State

Appeal from Benton Circuit Court, Hon. J M Pittman, Circuit Judge

Two Counts in indictment:

1. Defendant, J W Sikes, minister of the Gospel, in Benton county on 10th Mar. 1875, did solemnize a marriage contract between Hayden Looney and Cora A. Taliaferro, she being a minor between age 17 and 18, without first obtaining parents' consent.

2. The said J W Sikes minister of the Gospel in said county on 10 Mar 1875, did unlawfully perform a marriage ceremony between Hayden Looney (age 17-21) and Cora A. Taliaferro (female age 17-18), without the consent in person or writing of parents.

Defendant was tried upon the pleas of not guilty, convicted, and fined $100. He filed a motion for a new trial and appealed.

C D Taliaferro proved that he was the father of Cora A, she was over age 17 and under age 18 years at the time of her marriage to Hayden Looney, that he had never given his consent in person or in writing to the marriage and that he resided in Benton County.

Jane Taliaferro testified that the was the mother of Cora A, and that she was on the 24th day of Mar 1875, the time of the marriage, over 17 and under 18 years of age, and that the witness did not give her consent in person or writing.

The State proved that Mr. and Mrs. Looney were married 14 Mar 1875 and that Mr. Looney told the appellant that they were on a "runaway expedition or match."

"The State introduced the marriage certificate given by appellant, in which he certified that he was an ordained minister of the gospel, of the Baptist denomination ; that his credentials were recorded in the clerk's office of Benton county on 1st May, 1866, and that he solemnized the rites of matrimony on the 24th March, 1875, between Hayden Looney, age twenty-one years the 1st May, 1875, and Cora A. Taliaferro, age eighteen years the 9th November, 1874, both of Benton county. Dated 20th March, 1875."

"Mrs. Looney, on behalf of appellant, testified that in the evening of the 24th of March, 1875, and before the marriage, she told appellant she was eighteen years old on the 9th of March, 1874, and offered to give him a certificate to that effect. Other witnesses testified that she made such statement to appellant."

"Hayden Looney also testified that before appellant saw Cora A., she told him twice that she was eighteen years old."

A new trial was awarded, allowing for a new trial on the first count and "sustain the demurrer on the second count."

The entire trial transcript is located at http://books.google.com/books?id=c1QaAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA500&lpg=PA500&dq=hayden+looney&source=bl&ots=jr5_3Zuezw&sig=9grWRekpbTDvoCmSx5XtTxFWiEg&hl=en&ei=9GfWStqGI5GINvaJqd0D&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=hayden%20looney&f=false

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Obituary of Edgar Hayden LOONEY

Transcription by Teresa McVeigh 15 Oct 2009

Obituaries of Benton County, Arkansas, Volume Three, 1905-1909 by Barbara P. Easley, Verla P. McAnelly, Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD, Copyright 1995, ISBN: 0-7884-0196-3

Benton County Democrat 6 Jul 1905

Looney, E. Hayden--Word was received her last Monday that E. Hayden Looney, formerly of this place, had passed away at St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis on Sunday. Mr. Looney had been employed at Piedmont, Mo. for some time where he was taken sick and was removed to St. Louis Friday, the 30th ult. He never rallied after his arrival and death ensued on Saturday. A general collapse was the cause of death. Hayden was well known here and was postmaster for several years. In later years he had been in poor health and travelled much. For some time he was employed in Rogers as prescription clerk in a drug store. He was an excellent druggist and at one time was proprietor of one of the leading drugstores in Bentonville. He leaves a wife and two children to mourn their loss, to whom the Democrat joins with friends in tendering sympathy.

http://books.google.com/books?id=kVYdHtkywW4C&pg=PA42&lpg=PA42&dq=hayden+looney&source=bl&ots=eqPYWFPzet&sig=sq_Wp8phhGI8aN8mq7FXyd4BRYI&hl=en&ei=ZRjVStugDomoMcHnwZQD&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBYQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=hayden%20looney&f=false

Edgar Hayden Looney Death Record

Transcription of Edgar Hayden Looney death Record from Missouri Death Records, 1834-1910, on-line microfilm record on www.ancestry.com, by Teresa McVeigh 17 Oct 2009

                                                                                                                         


4 17 1905
Name: Looney, E Hayden                                                         
Place of Death: St. Luke's Hospital, Piedmont, Mo. [St. Louis area]
Date of Birth: 1863, 42
Place of birth: US
Occupation: Druggist
Date of Death: 2
Cause of Death: Military Tuberculosis
Name of Physician: A E. Faussig
Cemetery: Wesleyan
Undertaker: Waggoner and Co.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

GOODMAN or GOODWIN?

I love the World War I Draft Cards. Not only do they contain a lot of important information, but they give a description of the person and are signed by them, so you have their own signature verifying that it is true. Since the information is provided by the person themselves (as opposed to death certificates where someone else gives the information) and it is an official government document, I usually give it my genealogy program's highest surety rating.

Of course, I know that they sometimes did not tell the truth, especially about their age. They might be underage lie to get to join service (like my uncle did), or they might lie to avoid the draft. I am not sure what is going on here with Edwin G HUDSON’s middle name.

On his death certificate and his obituaries Edwin’s middle name is GOODMAN. He is GOODMAN on several trees I have found, but perhaps they just used the data on the Death Certificate and the obituaries. On his World War I Draft Card it is GOODWIN, written and signed in his own hand. Since this is probably a family name, someone who researches this family will probably have to decide which is correct. A Bible record or a Birth Certificate would settle it.




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Copyright © Teresa McVeigh 2009

Edwin G HUDSON (1900-1953)

Edwin G HUDSON married Mattie TAYLOR, daughter of Robert Gary and Mattie MOORE TAYLOR. He died from injuries received in an automobile accident.



Florence Morning News, Fri. Mar 6, 1953, page 2A, column 3

Edwin Hudson, Wreck Victim, Succumbs Here

Edwin Goodman Hudson, 53, of 305 South Jarrott Street, died at McLeod Infirmary yesterday afternoon of injuries he received in an automobile accident near Lake City February 8.

Mr. Hudson was a resident of Florence for the past 31 years. He was a native of New Zion, Clarendon County. He worked for the Home Furniture Company for the past 21? years and was a salesman and route superintendent at the time of his death.

Surviving are his widow; two sons, Earl and Walter A Hudson, Mrs. Jim Williams, Florence, and Mrs. D R McLeod, Sumter; three brothers, James C, W K, and O D (Jack) Hudson, all of Florence.

Funeral services will be be conducted tomorrow afternoon a1 o'cl Home. [sic] Officiating will be Dr. E E Colvin, pastor of Emanuel Baptist Church. Burial will be made in Mount Hope Cemetery.

His actual obituary was in the next day's paper:

Florence Morning News, Sat. Mar. 7, 1953, page 7, column 6:
Deaths and Funerals
Edwin G Hudson

Funeral services for Edwin Goodman Hudson, 53, of 305 South Jarrott Street, who died suddenly in a local hospital Thursday afternoon as a result of an automobile accident near Lake City February 8, will be conducted this afternoon at 3 o'clock at Waters Funeral Home by Dr. E. E. Colvin, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, and the Rev. A. C. Parker, pastor of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Mr. Hudson was the son of the late Ashby Orr and Lou Dennis Hudson of Sardis and New Zion. He was born at New Zion, Clarendon County, March 23, 1900, and had been a resident of Florence for the past 31 years. At the time of his death Mr. Hudson was a salesman and route superintendent for the Home Furniture Company of this city. He had held a position with this firm for 24 years and with the Jones Furniture Company for three years.

Surviving are his widow, the former Miss Mattie Taylor of Florence; two sons, Earl and Walter A Hudson, both of Florence; three sisters, Mrs. Bell Williams of Lake City, Mrs. Jim Williams of Florence, Mrs. D. R. McLeod of Sumter; three brothers, James C., W. K. and O. D. (Jack) Williams all of Florence; and several nieces and nephews.                                                                      


Serving as active pallbearers will be M.L. Love, J.E. Hutto, B.W. Horne, Madison Rainwater, W.E. Jeffords and W.C. Poston.

His Death Certificate has him listed as Edward, but all other records, including Censuses, list him as Edwin.

South Carolina Death Records, 1821-1955
Name: Edward Goodman Hudson
Death Date: 5 Mar 1953
Age at Death: 52
Born: 23 Mar 1900
County of Death: Florence
Certificate Number: 006149






 






 




Transcribed by Teresa McVeigh 14 October 2009
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © Teresa McVeigh 2009

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Thomas M TAYLOR Obituary (1915-1958)

Florence Morning News, Wed. 22 Jan 1958, column 7: Deaths and Funerals
Thomas M Taylor

Funeral services for Thomas M. Taylor, 42, will be conducted at 2 p.m. in The Church of God by the Rev. E? W. Black, pastor, and Dr. E. E. Colvin, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. Burial will be at St. David's Cemetery in Cheraw.

Active pallbearers will be Ralph M. Bailey, Lonnie Taylor, Charlie Carter, A. M. Weatherford, Muldrow Moore and Jerome Moore. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Lundy, Robert J. Thornton, Leo Matthews, Bright Howell, D. D. Hudson, James Williams and Johnny Foster.

Mr. Taylor died Monday enroute to a local hospital. He made his home at 610 Rose Ave.
A native of Florence, Mr. Taylor was born February 2, 1915, a son of the late Gary and Madie Moore Taylor of Evergreen. At the time of his death he was employed by Tom Lundy Floor Covering Co. He previously worked with Florence Dehydration Plant and as a saleman for the Rainwater Furniture Co., Cheraw.

Mr. Taylor was twice married. His first marriage was to the former Geneva Wilson of Cheraw who died 17 years ago. From this marriage survives a daughter, Mrs. J. W. Cassidy of Cheraw. His second marriage was to the former Ena [Eva?] Bass of Florence who died in 1949. Surviving in addition to his daughter are a sister, Mrs. G. E. Hudson, and a brother, Girlie L Taylor, Florence; three half-sisters, Mrs. Robert J. Bryant of Jewitt City, Conn., Mrs. Ralph Cox and Miss Maria Taylor, Florence; three half-brothers, Gary D. Taylor, Brantley Victor Taylor, Barney D. Taylor, Florence, and his step-mother, Mrs. Allie T. Sanders, Florence.


The body will remain at the residence until it is taken to the church. Waters Funeral Home is in charge.

Transcribed by Teresa McVeigh


All Rights Reserved


Copyright © Teresa McVeigh 2009

Monday, October 12, 2009

Cyrus BLACK family

For many years Cyrus BLACK was one of my brick walls. I knew little except that Amy Melissa BLACK (1835-1871), wife of Morgan Harbin LOONEY (1821-1901), was said to be the daughter of Cyrus BLACK and Elizabeth HARKEY and that the BLACKs were said to be Scottish.

I have not posted to this blog since last Thursday (today is Monday), but I have been very, very busy researching all weekend. Last week a LOONEY related cousin named Katy contacted me and I started researching Amy and Morgan LOONEY's son Edgar Hayden LOONEY's line. In the process I also discovered more about the BLACKS, which was very exciting to me, since they have long been a blank page in my research.

About six months ago I was very excited to finally find Cyrus BLACK on a census record. The family was living in Coweta County, Georgia and there was little Amy Melissa BLACK, age 11. This was the first documented proof I had found of Amy's parentage and I now also had dates, ages, birth places and siblings for the family.

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Cyrus Black
Age: 42
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1808
Birth Place: North Carolina
Gender: Male
Home in 1850(City,County,State): Division 19, Coweta, Georgia
Family Number: 613
Household Members: Name Age
Cyrus Black 42 NC
Elizabeth Black 38 NC
Eliza E Black 16 NC
Amy M Black 11 GA
Nancy C Black 4 GA

I also found Cyrus and family on the 1840 Census:

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: Cyrus Black
Township: Cedar Creek
County: Coweta
State: Georgia
Males:
age 30-40: 1 [Cyrus]
Females:
<5:1 [Amy]
5-10: 1 [Eliza]
20-30:1 Elizabeth]

Previously I had found a Cyrus BLACK in Texas, but he was 20 years too young, so I thought he might be a son. Then this weekend, searching for children of Edgar Hayden LOONEY, I found Elizabeth BLACK with a previously unknown daughter.

What was even more exciting for me is I found Earl Mortimer "Mort" LOONEY also in the household. I have spent many hours searching for Mortimer, son of Morgan and Amy, and his siblings. After Amy's death Mort and his siblings were split up. Two of his children told me he went to live with his "old maiden aunts" and I also searched for them. It turns out he was living with his grandmother, Elizabeth (HARKEY) BLACK and his Aunt Lavantia BLACK HICKMAN, Amy's sister.

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Lewis J. Hickman
Home in 1880: Fayetteville, Washington, Arkansas
Age: 41
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1839
Birthplace: Indiana
Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head)
Spouse's Name: Lavantia C.
Father's birthplace: Virginia
Mother's birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Druggist
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
House Number: 11713665
Household Members: Name Age
Lewis J. Hickman 41 IN (parents b. VA)
Lavantia C. Hickman 30 GA (parents b. NC) wife
Gussie Hickman 5 AR dau
Homer H. Hickman 3 AR son
Elizabeth Black 68 NC mother-in-law, widow
Mortimer Looney 9 boarder AR (father b. SC, mother b. GA)
Emma Sohns 19 W Servant OH
Laura Sohns 13 W Servant OH
John Forest 23 B Porter AR
Adaline Mellette 63 Aunt VA (parents VA)

I feel certain that this is the correct Elizabeth BLACK since Mort is living with her. Lavantia must be her daughter since she is listed as Lewis Hickman's mother-in-law. They are living in Fayetteville, AR, which is where Amy died in 1871.

So from this information I am concluding that the previously found Texas Census is in fact Cyrus and Elizabeth BLACK, parents of Amy. Maybe when they moved to Texas, they decided to pass for twenty years younger than they really were. Or perhaps someone just unknowingly gave the wrong information. They were living in the Gilmer, Upshur, Texas area where Morgan, Amy, and other family members were teaching at the LOONEY School.

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Cyrus Black
Age in 1860: 32
Birth Year: abt 1828
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1860: Western District, Upshur, Texas
Gender: Male
Post Office: Cypress
Household Members: Name Age
Cyrus Black 32 NC
Elizabeth Black 28 NC
Levantia Black 14 GA

Cyrus also shows up on the Texas State Census Slave Schedules in 1860 with 16 slaves ages 28-2.

I still have not found them in 1870, but it looks as if Cyrus took out land grants in Arkansas in that year, so he was still alive then. There are a number of General Land Office (GLO) land grants for a Cyrus BLACK and I am not sure if they are all for this Cyrus.

10 Mar 1852 Huntsville, Lauderdale, AL 40.04 acres
1 Sep 1856 Jackson, AR 40 acres [Cancelled]
1 Dec 1859 Huntsville, Lauderdale, AL 80.1 acres
20 July 1870 Jackson, AR 40 acres

He shows up on 1860 Arkansas State Censuses in Randolph and Jackson Counties, I assume for land taxes. They probably thought about moving to Arkansas (and maybe did), but then definitely moved to Texas. Then they later moved to Arkansas when Morgan and Amy went there.
By 1885 the HICKMANS, Elizabeth BLACK, and Mort LOONEY had moved to Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas.

Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925
Name: Lewis J Hickman
Census Date: 1 Mar 1885
Residence County: Crawford
Residence State: Kansas
Locality: Pittsburg
Birth Location: Indiana
Family Number: 240
Marital Status: Married
Gender: Male
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1840
Race: White
Line: 14
Roll: KS1885_31
Household Member(s): Name Age
Lewis J Hickman 45 IN
Lovanta J Hickman 37 GA
Gussie Hickman 10 AR
Hemer H Hickman 8 AR
Clifton G Hickman 3 AR
Elizabeth Black 73 NC
Morton Looney 14 NC [This should be Mortimer and AR, but I still think this is Mort.]

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Copyright © Teresa McVeigh 2009

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Edgar Hayden LOONEY Monograph

Edgar Hayden Looney (b. May 1856 Hart County, Georgia) was the son of Morgan Harbin and Amy Melissa (BLACK) LOONEY. [Edgar 6, Morgan 5, Noah 4, Robert 3, Adam 2, Robert 1]

History of Benton...Counties, AK

BENTON COUNTY.

page 860-1

[p.860] Edgar H. Looney, postmaster at Bentonville, and druggist, is a native of Hart County, Ga., born in 1856, and the son of Morgan H. and Emma M. (Black) Looney. The father was born in Georgia, was of English-Irish lineage, and was a teacher and attorney by profession. He was educated at the State University of Georgia, at Athens, and graduated from the same. For the last forty years he has devoted his time and attention to teaching. He was instrumental in securing the location of the State University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and was offered a position as teacher. From 1872 to 1875 he was principal of the Bentonville High-school, having 400 pupils in attendance. For the past four years he has resided at Bowman, Elbert Co., Ga., where he is now engaged in teaching, being principal of the high-school. He is also an attorney by profession, is a man of eminent ability, is a first-class criminal lawyer, and one of the leading educators of the South. His wife, Emma M. (Black) Looney, was born in Georgia, and died in 1871. She was the mother of four children: Edgar H., Charles E. (printer and editor, of Georgia), Mirtie and Mortimer B. Edgar H. was educated in Gilmore, Tex., and at the age of seventeen began clerking in a dry goods store at Sulphur Springs, Tex. In 1875 he located at Bentonville, and in March of the same year he married Miss Cora Taliaferro, a native of Bentonville, Ark., and the daughter of C. D. Taliaferro. They are the parents of three children: Charles, Amy and Lowrey. In 1876 Mr. Looney engaged in [p.861] the dry goods business at Bentonville with W. H. Cloe, and sold out three years later, but soon resumed the same line of business. In 1883 Mr. Looney purchased his partner's share, and has since then conducted the business alone. He is a young man of good business capacity and a first-class citizen. In 1877 he was appointed postmaster at Bentonville, Ark., and served three and a half years. March 1885, he was re-appointed to the same position. He was treasurer of the city of Bentonville two terms, is a life-long Democrat in politics, is a member of the K. of P. and K. of H., and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas, Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889, Chicago

There are several mistakes in this. Morgan LOONEY did not attend the University of Georgia, but a private academy in Hart County, Georgia. His wife's name was Amy, not Emma, BLACK.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

SPORTS Historical Marker location

This is the location of the historical marker located in Sports, Brantley County, AL which was shown in a previous post. This Google Earth map was created by cousin Steve Etheridge.


Jonathan and William SPORT Land Map

This Google Earth map of Jonathan SPORT's (1790-1856) and his son William SPORT's (1822-1892) properties in Crenshaw County, Alabama was created by cousin Steve Etheridge.


Jonathan SPORT

Jonathan SPORT (1790-1856) is the son of William SPORT (bef 1756-c 1820), the earliest known ancestor in the family. I included a "Monograph" on a previous post which is the only real proof I know of that Jonathan was William's son. It was taken from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 794-795, published by Brant & Fuller (1893), Madison, WI.

William SPORT, b. before 1756 possibly in Scotland, d. c 1820 South Carolina, m. Elizabeth (b. bef 1774)

Jonathan SPORT b. c 1790 NC d. 8 Mar 1856 Crenshaw, Covington, AL
Married c. 1821 Marion District, SC Margaret BAILEY, b. 1810, Marion District, SC d. 1858 Crenshaw, Covington, AL

Children:

William (BAILEY?) SPORT b. 1822 Marion District, SC d. 17 Apr 1892 Dozier, Crenshaw, AL m. 1847 AL Sarah Jane SINGLETON (May 1824-c. 1904), dau. of Solomon and Elizabeth SINGLETON

Female SPORT b. 1825-1830 Marion District SC

Mary Amanda SPORT b. 1831 Marion District, SC d. after the 1900 Census

Sarah Anne SPORT b. 1832 Marion District, SC d. c 1893 [probably in Crenshaw County, AL] m. Joseph BOYKIN (1837 AL-1861), son of Burrell BOYKIN

Frances Elizabeth Thaney SPORT b. 1834 Marion District, SC d. bef 1893 [probably in Crenshaw County, AL] m. Abel BOYKIN (1824 NC), son of Burrell BOYKIN

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Historic SPORTS Marker Installation


Historic marker placed at Sports, Brantley County, Alabama through the efforts of Jean Sport Brunner [pictured in purple blouse on the right] September 26, 2009. In the photo the marker is surrounded by attending Sport descendants.

Transcription 6 October 2009 by Teresa McVeigh:

SPORTS

The area known as Sports was settled by Jonathan Sport and his son, William, who migrated from South Carolina in 1842. Jonathan and William owned 600 acres of land in the area at one time, farming and operating a grist mill. William's sons John Solomon, William Garmon, Thomas Benjamin, Malachai, Daniel Webster, and Joseph Nathaniel have descendants living in the area in 2009.

Originally called "Piney Woods," Sports first appeared on an official railroad map in 1900.             

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Grady E SPORTS Obituaries

Obituaries of Grady E SPORTS, son of Elisha Lite SPORTS and Julia Howell WILKES.

Florence Morning News, Florence, SC, Tues., 28 Aug 1973, page 2A. Virtually the same obituary appeared in the State, Columbia, SC paper.


Tuesday August 28 1973

The State, Columbia, SC pg 15a col 1

Grady E Sports

Blenheim--Grady E Sports, 61, died in Marlboro County General Hospital Hospital Sunday after a long illness.

Born in Marlboro County, he was a son of Mrs. Julia Wilkes and the late E L Sports. Mr. Sports was the operator of a filling station.

Surviving are his mother: three sons, Grady E Sports, Jr. and William E Sports of Augusta, Ga., and Randy Sports of Florence; five daughters, Mrs. Shirley Herring of Latta, Mrs. Betty Clark and Mrs. Barbara Bryant of Augusta, Ga., and Mrs. Frances Jones and Mrs. Linda Frierson of Florence; four brothers, Tracy Sports of Phoenix City, Ala., and Marvin, Delton and Prentice Sports of Blenheim; three sisters, Miss Louise Sports of Latta, Mrs. Hattie S Daniels of Bennettsville and Miss Bessie Sports of Columbia; and 20 grandchildren.

Services will be 4:30pm today in Bristow's Chapel Church.

Whitner Funeral Home in Bennettsville is in charge.

Transcribed by Carolyn Klear, Jan. 2007

Friday, October 2, 2009

A Soldier Writes Home





Portsmouth Herald, 12 Jul 1944, pg. 4, transcribed by Teresa McVeigh 2 Oct 2009:

A Soldier Writes Home

Second Lt. Harry Mouton and Pvt. Francis Roark, who live only three-quarters of a mile apart on Manson road, Kittery, met recently in England where they are stationed with a U.S. Army air force unit. They hadn't seen each other for two years.

Private Roark, son of Mrs. Sybel Borgkvist, has been stationed with a military police division in England since October. The 21-year-old soldier, a bus driver in civilian life, entered the Army Jan 20, 1943, and took his basic training in Atlantic City, N.J.

Lieutenant Moulton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Moulton, is a graduate of Traip academy and worked as an apprentice at the Portsmouth Navy yard before his induction into the army two years ago. He went to England about a month ago.

Private Roark recently wrote the following letter to his mother from "somewhere in England:"

I got a big surprise yesterday. Harry Moulton is in the next barracks from me for a while. Boy! I was sure glad to see him. I guess he was the same. He hasn't been home for quite a while either. He said when he was coming over he flew over his house and saw it for the first time in two years. That's nearer than I got anyway. He won't be here very long.

How is everyone at home? I guess Joe Borgkvist must be somewhere neat Rome by now. What do you think of the news now? Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

The weather is pretty good now. It is still a little chilly once in a while though. Well, mom, I can't seem to think of any more that I can write, so I guess I will close, hoping to hear from all soon.

Private Borgkvist referred to in the letter is stationed with a medical corps unit in Italy. His wife, Mrs. Virginia Borgkvist of Manson Road, Kittery, recently received word from the war department that he had been slightly wounded in action. She says, however, that he has made no mention of his wounds in his letters home.

A chipper and caulker at the navy yard before his induction Aug 25 1942, Private Borgkvist received Army training at Camp Pickett, Va. and Camp Edwards, Mass. before he was sent overseas about a year ago.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Herman Waldermar BORGKVIST



Herman M BORGKVIST was my friend Ben's step-grandfather. He married Ben's grandmother Sybel DAVENPORT. They lived on a farm outside Kittery, Maine. Ben says Herman "taught him the way of the world with the toe of his boot." Herman didn't talk much, but he was a strict discipinarian. Herman was good at making things and had his own blacksmith shop as a hobby. He made bells in different sizes which he would tune with a tuning fork, boat propellers, and custom engraved swords for West Point graduates. He handmade Ben a pair of wooded skis.

According to his passport application in 1920, Herman was born 7 Jan 1892 in Malmo, Skane, Sweden, the son of N H BORGKVIST of Sweden. He immigrated to the US in 1910, coming on a ship from Rosario, Argentina. Ben says he was a Merchant Marine. Soon after he arrived he must have met a woman from Canada because the 1930 Census says he was first married in 1910. His son Joseph BORGKVIST was born in Boston, MA 27 Apr 1911 and his daughter Eva BORGKVIST was born 21 Feb 1917 in Boston, MA.

On 2 Oct 1913 Herman applied for naturalization in the Western District of New York.

Selected U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1822-1855 and 1906-1966 (Indexed in World Archives Project) On-line database on Ancestry.com.
Name: Herman Waldermar Borgkvist
Place of Residence: New York
Date of Action: 2 Oct 1913
Collection Title: Index, 1906-1966 Petitions for Naturalization, U.S. District Court, Western Dist. of New York, M1677
NARA Series #: M1677
Roll #: 2
Roll Description: Bakewell, Elizabeth to Borvsiuk, Michael

Then he enlisted in the Marine Corps. According to US Marine Corps Muster Rolls, Herman enlisted as a private on 20 Oct 1913 in Buffalo, NY and was transferred to Norfolk, VA. He was assigned to serve on the USS New Jersey. On 23 Mar 1915 he qualified as Sharpshooter and won a $3.00 prize on the 31st. By April 1917 he was transferred to Port Royal, Beauford County, SC where he worked as "mechanic in charge of the laundry." By Aug 1917 he had been promoted to  Sergeant at the Naval Prison, Navy Yard, Portsmouth, NH.

Herman must have left the Marine Corps in 1917 because the next record I find for him is his World War I Draft Card 31 Dec 1917 where he says he has a wife and 2 children and served 4 years in the Marine Corps. He is described as medium tall, stout, brown eyes, brown hair, not bald, and no disabilites.





On 14 Mar 1918 in Portland Maine at the US District court, Herman became a naturalized citizen of the USA.

By the 1920 Census on Jan 16 Herman's first wife had died and he was listed as widowed with his two children. He was working as a "Clipper Caulker" at the Navy Yard in Kittery, ME.

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Herman W Borgkvist
Home in 1920: Kittery, York, Maine
Age: 28 years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1892
Birthplace: Sweden
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Sweden
Mother's Birth Place: Sweden
Marital Status: Widow
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Year of Immigration: 1910
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Image: 428
Household Members: Name Age
Herman W Borgkeist 28 Swede
Eva Borgkeist 6 MA
Joseph Borgkeist 8 MA

By August Herman had decided to take the children to see his mother and applied for a passport. The passport contains a picture of him and his two children. [First picture, Herman's information ins on the right; second picture Herman is on the left.]








They returned to Boston 16 Feb 1921 from Copenhagen on the ship United States.

Boston Passenger Lists, 1820-1943
Name: Herman Borgkvist
Arrival Date: 16 Feb 1921
Age: 28 Years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1893
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Copenhagen, Denmark
Ship Name: United States
Port of Arrival: Boston, Massachusetts
Microfilm Roll Number: 259
Also
Joseph Borgkvist age 9 b. abt 1912 Boston, MA
Eva Borgkvist age 4 b. abt 1917 Boston, MA
Departure Feb 4, 1928

By the 1930 Census Herman had remarried. He is listed with Pearle M. and the children. Pearl is listed as age 34 and first marriage age 34, so they must have been newly weds when the census  was taken on April 4th.

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Herman M Borgkvist
Home in 1930: Kittery, York, Maine
Age: 39
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1891
Birthplace: Sweden
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Pearle M
Race: White
Occupation: Chauffeur. Retail Coal Co.
Age at first marriage: 18
Parents' birthplace: Sweden
Household Members: Name Age
Herman M Borgkvist 39 Sweden
Pearle M Borgkvist 34 NH
Joseph Borgkvist 18 MA
Eva E Borgkvish 13 MA

I have not found out yet what happened to Pearle.
18 July 1936 Eva married Francis A DOUGLAS in Maine.
2 Jun 1941 Joseph married Virginia M Moulton in Maine

At some point after the 1930 Census Herman met Sybel DAVENPORT. They had two daughters: Annet H and Ebba L BORGKVIST.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Sybel DAVENPORT ROARK BORGKVIST Genealogy

My friend Ben asked me to help him with his genealogy. His grandmother, Sybel, was "the most remarkable woman." She was the first Passamaquoddy Indian to finish college. Ben said that Teddy Roosevelt had an initiative to educate the Indians. Sybel took advantage of it, went to college, and became a school teacher in Barre, Vermont. Ben said the school house was heated by a coal stove and one time Sybel had to chase a bear out with a broom. When Ben knew her she was retired and never left the farm, but she would know everything that was going on by telephone. She would go out in the fields and collect herbs, weeds, and barks to make teas--clover, birch bark, and sumac root. She would bake "green chocolate cakes" from honey and roots. She would make sumac root porridge. In the winter she would find ants frozen under the bark in the maple trees and "eat them like candy." There is a book somewhere written about her named "Sybel", but Ben has been unable to find it, so I'm helping him with the research. I set up a tree on Ancestry named Sybel's Family Tree and started searching.

This is an interesting and challenging bit of research. Ben did not know his grandmother's maiden name and had a number of things incorrect. Her maiden name turned out to be DAVENPORT. He knew the name, but he thought that had been a first husband's name before his grandfather. Ben's grandfather was not talked about in the family and they were forbidden to ask about him. By the time Ben came along Sybel was married to Herman BORGKVIST, a Swede (Ben thought he was Norwegian and did not know how to spell the name).

Ben gave me Sybel's children's names, but got some wrong. At first I thought some of them were named Davenport, but they turned out to be ROARK and BORGKVIST. So far the BORGKVISTs have been the easiest to find.

I have been working on this a couple of weeks now. I think this is the first record I found, Herman in the SSDI:

Social Security Death Index
Name: Herman Borgkvist
SSN: 005-36-1966
Last Residence: 03904 Kittery, York, Maine, United States of America
Born: 7 Jan 1892
Died: Aug 1967
State (Year) SSN issued: Maine (1954)

Then I found Sybel in the SSDI:

Social Security Death Index
Name: Sybel Borgkvist
SSN: 004-64-9505
Last Residence: 03904 Kittery, York, Maine, United States of America
Born: 28 Sep 1894
Died: Apr 1973
State (Year) SSN issued: Maine (1973)

A wonderful start! I now had some dates and a last name for Sybel.