#52 Ancestor Challenge 2019 Week 5, Lawrence Jr. and Rev. John

#52 Ancestor Challenge 2019 Week #5 
Prompt: In the Library

 Lawrence Bankston, Jr. and The Rev. John Bankston

The  Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde

What was the relationship between Lawrence Bankston, Jr. and the Rev. John Bankston?  Was Lawrence, Jr., the son of Lawrence Bankston b. 1704?  Ron Beatty and Cynthia Forde focused on these two questions by researching libraries and courthouses in the counties where they lived.  The following timeline helps to organize the vast volume of information that provides circumstantial evidence that Lawrence Bankston, Jr. was the third son of Lawrence Bankston and Rebecca Hendricks.  The authors believe that Lawrence Bankston, Jr. was a brother or father figure to the Rev. John Bankston.  YDNA has proven they are not related.  (RSB is Ronald S. Beatty's research; CVF is Cynthia Vold Forde's research notes.)

Note Hendricks, Bankston, Cantrells, and Linders families in Guilford, which later became Rockingham County, NC, about 1783,  moved together to Spartanburg, South Carolina, about 1790 where they were associated with the Rev. Isaac Cantrell at Buck Creek Church which his brother John helped to start. This is the same church where John Bankston of Rockingham/Spartanburg was the minister. Isaac Cantrell married John Linder’s daughter. 

Research contributed by Dr. John Scott Davenport (JSD), Ron Beatty and Cynthia Forde (RSB & CVF), and Brent Cantrell. 

1730 – Lawrence Bankston, Jr., birth by estimation in Lancaster, now York County, Pennsylvania, to Lawrence BANKSTON and Rebecca, daughter of Johannes Hendricks and widow Rebeckah Groesbeck Wells (Source: Dr. Peter Craig, Swedish Colonial Society)

1756 Lawrence Bankston first knew Isaac Cantrell Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Court of Common Pleas. Isaac Cantrell Estate Papers--File 736, Spartanburg County, S.C. &. Isaac Cantrell Estate Papers--File 736, Spartanburg County, S.C. 17 February 1806

Note from Brent Cantrell to Cynthia 23 Feb. 2009: I am assuming that the family of Joseph Company parted company with the Bankston's about 1730 and met up again about 1750.  After the 1720's entries in the Holy Trinity records, Joseph next shows up mentioned in a libel lawsuit in 1738 in Orange County, Virginia.  Next, Joseph Cantrell (Joseph Sr. or Joseph Jr.) appears on a 1750 tax list on the Dan River, Granville County, North Carolina.  I am unclear on the family's movements in North Carolina, but the three brothers John, Joseph (Jr., I think), and Isaac, are all on a 1754 deed on Country Line Creek in Orange County (modern Caswell County).  Joseph, Jr. apparently stayed in the modern Caswell County area, and John and Isaac established themselves a short while later on Wolf Island Creek in what is modern Rockingham.  There are also earlier records showing that John was a chain carrier in early 1752 on the Little River, south of modern-day Caswell County.  

So, the Cantrells moved around a lot in the Orange County, NC area from 1750 to 1755, but they were definitely in the modern Caswell County area in 1754. 

Lawrence Bankston, Jr. in Orange County, NC (now Caswell).

Hillsborough District Civil Action Papers Concerning Land, 1778-1806.

D.S.C.R.204.325.51.Hillsborough District Civil Action Papers Concerning Land, 1778-1806.

D.S.C.R.204.325.51.

Source: "Orange County, North Carolina, County Court Minutes 1762-1766, Book II" by Wynette Parks Haun on page 49 of the book. Book F262 07 N67 1991 v.2 at California State Library, Sutro Branch, San Francisco, California.

[718}-163 May Term 1764

Thomas Goforth came into open Court and Delivered up Miles Gooforth (sic) for whom he was bail at the suit of Robert Motheral.  Ordered the Sheriff to take him into custody.

[719}-164 May Term 1764

Robert Kilgore Senr. And Andrew Bankson enters themselves Special Bail for Miles Goforth at the suit of Robert Motheral.

Page 71 of the same book:

[805]-248 November Term 1764

Ordered that a Road be laid out the best and most convenient way to Granville line near David Embrey's old place from Hugh Barmett's that leads to Roster's ferry by the following jury towit:  (names of the jury are omitted here.)

And that the same Jury layout a Nother (sic) Road from that near MAYO's and Lawrence RAMBO's to Hico near John Pryor's Esqr. And that the following hands assist in opening the said Roads towit: ..........

Page 102 of the same book:

[922]-364 May Term 1765

Ordered that William Lea, Zachariah Lea, Peter Bankson, Robert Kilgore Senr., Joseph Sarratt, Neil McCoy, James Lea, John Bratcher, and John Lea, after first qualifying agreeable (sic)to Law, lay out a road from Pinson's Path neigh Thomas Runnold'sfrom thence to Serjeants Road nigh the meeting house the best & most convenient way.

Page 123 of the same book:

[993]-435 August 1765 Term

Nash & McNair agt. Andrew Banckston:  Debt.  This Day came the Defendant by his Attorney and by Virtue of a Power of Attorney to him Given & Specifyed in the Writing Obligatory Confessed Judgment for Five Pounds five shillings and Eight pence Proc. money to be discharged by Payment of Two pounds twelve shillings and fourpence like money with interest from 1st. November 1765 till paid & Costs.  Judgment 2:12:4, Clerk 1:1:6.

Nash & McNair agt. Lawrence Bankson Senr.: Debt.  This Day came the Plaintiff by his Attorney and by Virtue of a Power of Attorney to him given and Specifyed in the writing Obligatory Confessed Judgment for Three Pounds & Eight pence Proc. money to be discharged by Payment of One Pound ten Shillings and four pence Proc. with interest from the first November 1765 til paid & Costs. b Judgment pound sign 1:10:4, Clark, 1:1:6. (RSB & CVF)

Francis Nash Esqr. agt. Lawrence Banckston:  Debt. This Day came the Plaintiff into open Court and by Virtue of a Power of Attorney to him Given & Specifyed in the Writing Obligatory Confessed judgment for Seventeen Pounds Six Shillings and Eight pence Proc., with interest from the first November 1764 til paid & Costs.  Judgment pound sign 17:6:8:, Clerk 1:1:6.

[994]-436 August Term 1765

This is the last record of Lawrence Bankston, Jr. in Orange County (now Caswell). Francis Nash Esqr. agt. Lawrence Banckson Junr.:  Debt. This Day came the Plaintiff by his Attorney and by Virtue of a Power of Attorney to him given and specifyed in the Writing Obligatory Confessed Judgment for Seventeen Pounds fifteen shillings Proc. Money with Interest from 27th February 1765 till paid & Costs. Judgment pound sign 17:15:-., Clerk 1:1:6.

Between August 1765 and 1771 – Lawrence Bankston, Sr., and at least some of his sons moved to Anson County, NC and participated in signing a petition for the formation of Montgomery County, NC.  

Abt. 1771 – Lawrence Bankston b. 1704 died in Anson County, NC (Source: The Deposition of James Lea – see the Blogspot: The Lea Links to Caswell County, NC and James Lea’s relationship to Lawrence Bankston “my bossom friend…” and “I married his daughter.” (RSB & CVF).

Guilford County, NC

At least one man named Lawrence/Laurence Bankson/Bankston is first found in Guilford County, NC in 1772.  Guilford was formed from Rowan, part of the original Orange County.  This may have been Laurence Bankston, Jr., who may not have moved to Anson County, NC, with his father Lawrence and his other brothers.  This Laurence has a close relationship with the Cantrills of Guilford, Rockingham and later moved to Spartanburg, SC. He also had a close relationship with John Bankson/Bankston found in the following records which was also known as The Rev. John Bankston, who married Mary Lanier. 

29 May 1772 Lawrence Bankston first purchased land from William Garrott and Sarah, his wife, Guilford County, Wolf Island Creek, NC2 Bennett, William D., ed. Guilford County, Deed Book One. Raleigh, NC: Bennett, 1990. 17.  

17Jan 1782 - Deed: William Badget, of Rowan County, to James Pulliam, of Caswell County, for L600, 200 acres in Caswell County on Double Creek of Hico, bounding John Dowell, Samuel McMurry's claim, Thomas Bankson... /s/ William Badget. Wit: Philip Hall, Thomas Badget, Thomas Palmer, Jr. (Caswell County deeds A:557) (JSD)

Jan 1783 - Tory Forfeiture: Rutherford County., North Carolina [then bounding Spartansburg County, South Carolina on the north]--among those whose property was adjudged forfeited on failure to answer an Inquisition of Treason, Felony, and Forfeiture found against them by the Grand Jury: John Hendrix, Samuel Hendrix. (Rutherford County Minutes, Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1779-1786) (JSD) 

10 Jan 1783 - Witness: Peter Bankson, Wm "X" Browning, Wm "C" Crabtree witness deed of Thomas Keates to John Marcales, both of Orange County, for 100 acres on Waites and Sowers Creek, down the road to John Mcclane's on River Eno... (Orange County Deeds 2:420)

2 May 1783 Lawrence Bankston a deed from Joseph Curry to William Harrison for 320 acres on Wolf Island Creek; Guilford County, North Carolina 3 Bennett, William D., ed. Guilford County, Deed Book Two, 1779-1784. Raleigh, NC: Bennett, 1993. 106. (Source: Brent Cantrell)

11 Oct 1783 Lawrence Guilford County, NC land Abstracts of Land Entries: Guilford Co., NC 1779-1796 and Rockingham Co., NC 1790-1795 (Cynthia ask Ron for Page no??)   200 acres granted to him

4 Nov 1783 Lawrence Bankston, Guilford County, NC land Abstracts of Land Entries: Guilford Co., NC 1779-1796 and Rockingham Co., NC 1790-1795 (Cynthia ask Ron for Page no??)  entered 150 acres of land in Guilford Co., NC on Wolf Island Creek and another 100 acres on the waters of Wolf Island Creek.

Extra Source: Brent Cantrell’s Research: Land Grant 4 Nov 1783 (age 53) warrant #2284 for 150 acres; Wolf Island Creek, Guilford County, North Carolina4,54 Pruitt, Albert Bruce. Abstracts of Land Warrants: Rockingham County, NC, 1778-1929. [North Carolina?]: A.B. Pruitt, 2001. 1. Brent Cantrell

5 Pruitt, Albert Bruce. Abstracts of Land Entries: Guilford Co., NC, 1779-1796 and Rockingham Co., NC, 1790-1795. Raleigh, N.C.: A.B. Pruitt, 1987. 27.  Brent Cantrell

8 Oct 1784 Lawrence Bankston, Montgomery County, NC neighbor Abstracts of Land Entries: Montgomery Co., NC 1778-1795, p. 29 #425  [#22622] James Gray entered 100 acres on SW side of Deep Creek including improvement formerly the property of Laurence BANKSTON (RSB)

8Nov1784 - Grant: North Carolina to Isham Browder, 168a. In Guilford County, on the north side of Wolf Island Creek, bounding Edward Stubblefield, John Linder, BANKSTON. (Rockingham County Deeds B:142) (JSD)

1785 Lawrence Bankston, Guilford County, NC road crew Old Guilford North Carolina Court Minutes, 1781-1788, p. LL #183   overseer of a section of road from "Central meeting house to Governor's road"  (RSB & CVF)

Brent Cantrell: (Court Record May 1785 (age 55) named as road overseer from Cantrel Meeting House to Governors Road; Guilford County, North Carolina 6 Hill, Jane Smith, transcriber. Guilford County, North Carolina Court Minutes, August term of Court 1781 to May 1788. Greensboro: Guilford County Genealogical Society, 1999. 78. Brent Cantrell

10 Aug 1785 - Deed: Laurance Bankson, wife Sarah, to Talitha Browder, all of Guilford County, for L100 Virginia money, 100 acres on the north side of Wolf Island Creek, beginning on Mill Creek, bounding John Lindner, to north fork called Thrasher's Fork... /s/ Laurance BANKSON, Sarah "X" Bankston. Wit: Nathl Lindner, Charley "X" Gilly. (Rockingham County Deeds C:299)

20  Webb, Thomas G. The Webb families of DeKalb County, Tennessee, and 23 related families. Smithville, Tenn: Bradley Printing Co, 2002. 312. Brent Cantrell

21Sep1785 - Deed: Isham Lanier to John Bankson, both of Guilford County, for L60, 123 acres on Big Troublesome Creek, bdg John Faulconer, Henry Brewer, being part of a grant to John Faulconer in 1782... /s/ Isham Lanier. Wit: A.. Phillips, Cynthia Phillips, Stephen Brown. (Rockingham County Deeds A:301)

22 Dec 1785 (age 55) 300 acres originally issued as a grant to John BANKSTON and purchased from him; Wolf Island Creek, Guilford County, North Carolina 7 Pruitt, Albert Bruce. Abstracts of Land Warrants: Guilford County, NC, 1778-1932. [North Carolina?]: A.B. Pruitt, 2000. 126. "joins Nathaniel Newman, Isaac Cantrell, & runs N with Linder's agreement line ... surveyed Feb. 18, 1785 .. John Linder and Isaac Cantrell, chain carriers.".  8 Pruitt. Abstracts of Land Entries: Guilford Co., NC, 1779-1796 and Rockingham Co., NC, 1790-1795. 27.  Brent Cantrell:

8 Mar 1786 Lawrence Bankston (age 56) warrant #2284 for 150 acres surveyed; Wolf Island Creek, Guilford County, North Carolina 9 Pruitt. Abstracts of Land Warrants, Rockingham County, NC, 1778-1929., 1.  Brent Cantrell:

22 May 1786 - Deed: John Lindner, wife Mary, to Laurance Bankson, all of Guilford County, for L20, 100 acres on the south side of Thrashers Fork, bounding BANKSON's line... /s/ John Lindner, Mary Lindner. Wit: Charles Cantrell, Isaac Cantrell, John Mitchell. (Rockingham County Deeds B:21)

Property 22 May 1786 (age 56) 100 acres purchased from John Linder and his wife Mary; Rockingham County, North Carolina1010 Webster, Irene B, compiler. 1973. Rockingham County North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1785-1800. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press. 15.  Brent Cantrell:

11 Jul 1788 (age 58) warrant #2284 for 150 acres, grant #23 issued; Wolf Island Creek, Guilford County, North Carolina11 Pruitt. Abstracts of Land Warrants, Rockingham County, NC, 1778-1929., 3.  Brent Cantrell:

Note: Wilkes County, Georgia Deeds Filed by three of Lawrence Bankston‘s five sons seems to indicate that Lawrence  Bankston, Jr. was deceased along with Andrew or he would have been required to participate in this filing as well:

27 Nov 1786 - Deed: Peter Bankston, Daniel Bankston, and Jacob Bankston, of Wilkes County, Georgia, to Matthew Wood, of Greene County, Georgia, for L10,000 [Continental Money?], 37.5 acres adjoining Thomas WELLS in the Town "which land was willed to our mother Rebecca BANKSON" and "stands recorded in the State of Pennsylvania... /s/ Peter Bankston, Daniel Bankston, Jacob Bankston, Wit: Hugh Jones, Henry McCoy, John Ogletree. (Wilkes County, GA, Deeds AA:127)

27 Nov 1786 - Deed: Peter Bankston, Daniel Bankston, and Jacob Bankston, of Wilkes County, Georgia, to Matthew Wood, of Greene County, Georgia, for L5000 [Continental Money?], 400 acres in Pennsylvania, three miles above Little York on the Great Road leading to Conewagey (Conewago), being the same tract run from [surveyed for?] our father Lawrence Bankstonby one Thomas Cresap when the [temporary] dividing line was run between the State of Pennsylvania and Maryland... /s/ Peter BANKSTON, Daniel Bankston, Jacob Bankston. Wit: Hugh Jones, Henry McCoy, John Ogletree. (Wilkes County, GA, Deeds BB:114)

28 Dec 1786 Lawrence Bankston (age 56) was chain carrier on a survey of a land grant issued to Isaac Cantrell; Wolf Island Creek, Guilford County, North Carolina1111 Pruitt. Abstracts of Land Warrants, Rockingham County, NC, 1778-1929., 3.  Brent Cantrell:

23   - Marriage Bond: William Hendrix to Nancy Bratcher (as Bradsher) in Caswell County. Bondsman: William Lea. Wit: Alexr Murphy. (Photocopy of original bond, LDS Family Library, Salt Lake City).

William here is believed to be the eldest son of James Bankson, Jr., and the grandson of JamesBankson, Sr., both of whom relocated from Double Creek waters of South Hico in Orange (later Caswell, now Person) County, North Carolina, to Two Mile Creek waters in South Carolina (now Spartanburg County) in the mid-1760s. His mother was Frances Lea, daughter of William Lea, Sr.  Whatever William's ancestry, this couple moved to Tennessee from Spartanburg County before 1830.

7 May 1787 - Deed: Mary Elliot to Lawrence Bankston, both of Rockingham County, for L40, 100 acres on Little Rockhouse Creek, a draught of Dan River, bdg David Loveless' claim, Charles Galloway, William Elliot, Stephen Lephew?... /s/ Mary Elliot. With: Edward Robison, Andrew Robison. (Rockingham County Deeds B:22)

1784-1787Census North Carolina,  page 101 - Montgomery County, 1787 – District 5 – James Bankstonenumerated (RSB &CVF)

16 May1787 - Grant: North Carolina to John Bankson, 350 acres in Guilford [now Rockingham] County, on both sides of Little Rockhouse Creek, beginning below the mouth of Cedar branch, bounding Rev. David Caldwell, Bell... No. 1201. (Rockingham County Deeds B:112)

16 May 1787 - Grant: North Carolina to John Bankston, 300 a. in Guilford [now Rockingham] County, bounding Widow [of Isham] Browder, Charles Harris, Nathaniel Newman, Isaac Cantrill, John Lindner...No. 1478. (Rockingham County C:5)

(also Rockingham CNC Deed Abstracts, p. 29,: Book C, page 5)

19 Nov 1787 - Deed: William Dick to Henry Hendrix, both of Guilford County, for L80, 161.5 acres on Alamance Creek part of a grant to said Dick dated 1778, bounding the Bridge branch, David Wiley, Beaver Creek, James Dick... /s/ William Dick. Wit: Tho. Dick, Tho. Whitely. (Guilford County NC Deeds 4:380)

13 Feb 1788 - Deed: John Bankson to Robert Cumming, both of Rockingham County, for L50, 123 acres of a 640-acre tract granted to John Faulconer on 20Oct1782, said Faulconer having conveyed to Isham Lanier, who conveyed to said Bankson, on waters of Troublesome Creek, bdg James Mulloy (formerly Faulkner), Henry Brewer, James Lanier, Decd... /s/ John Bankson. Wit: A.Phillips, Isham Lanier, Cynthia Phillips. (Rockingham County Deeds C:159) (also RCNCDeed Abstracts, pg. 39  “Book C, page 159)

1 Jul 1788 - Grant: North Carolina to Jacob Cantrill, 200 acres in Rockingham County, on Waters of Wolf Island Creek, bounding said Cantrill, John Granger, Isaac Cantrill, Sr., Bankson, and James Wardlow...No. 15. (Rockingham County Deeds C:286)

11 Jul 1788 - Grant: North Carolina to James Grant, 250 acres in Rockingham County, on Waters of Wolf Island Creek and Town Creek, bounding John Bankson, William Mobley, Lurrie...No. 24. (Rockingham County Deeds B:115)

11 Jul 1788 - Grant: North Carolina to Robert Cummings, 100 acres in Rockingham County, on Great Troublesome Creek, bounding Samuel Lanier, John Bankson, Francis McBride... (Rockingham County Deeds C:87) (also RCNC Deed Abstracts, pg. 34, “Book C, p. 87, “ 

11 Jul 1788 - Grant: North Carolina to Jacob Cantrell, 170 acres in Rockingham County, on waters of Wolf Island Creek, bounding Henry Bankson, Luke Bernett... (Rockingham County Deeds D:183)

18 Jul 1788 - Grant: North Carolina to Isaac Cantrell, 220 acres in Rockingham County, on waters of Wolf Island Creek, bounding John Bankson, John Linder... (Rockingham County Deeds B:106) (also noted in Rockingham County North Carolina Deed Abstracts, page 21: Book B, page 106, the State of NC to Isaac Cantrell 220 on Wolf Island Cr adj. John Linder, John Bankson. July 18, 1788.

22 Jul 1788 - Virginia Land Grant: Thomas Bankson, 100 acres in the Elks Garden, waters of Cedar Creek of Clinch River. (Virginia Grants 17:432)

4 Feb 1789 - Witness: Abraham "X" Bankson, A. Phillips, Thomas "X" King witness deed of Nathaniel Lindner, wife Mary, to Thomas Larkin, all of Rockingham County, for L50, 100 acres of 300-acre grant to sd Lindner, on Waters of Great Rockhouse Creek... (Rockingham County Deeds B:182) 

4 Feb 1789 - Witness: Abraham "X" Bankson, A. Phillips, Thomas "X" King witness deed of Nathaniel Lindner, wife Mary, to Thomas Larkin, all of Rockingham County, for L10, 50 acres of the 150-acre tract on Great Rockhouse Creek, bdg Thomas Pound, John Granger, James Sipple.  (Rockingham County Deeds C:5)

28 Mar 1789 - Survey: Henry Bankson, 50 acres on both sides of Little Rockhouse Creek in Rockingham County, by warrant dated 13Jan1789, bdg David Caldwell and Cornelius Mabery. Chains carried by John Bankson, Isham Farguson...No. 54. (NC Land Grants 76:204)

25 Mar 1790 - Heir and Executor: Grandson James Hendrick, son of Mary Bankson, named as a grandson in Will of James Kirkman, of Guilford County, North Carolina, and devised 60 acres, which sd James Kirkman purchased from William Dick, bounding William Forbis, John Forbis' Creek, and slave girl Levah... Executors: wife Mary Kirkman, Henry Bankson, Robert Hanna. (Guilford County Wills A:208)

13 Nov 1790 - Deed: Robert Walker to Laurance Bankston, both of Rockingham County, for L100, 250 acres on waters of Big Rockhouse, bounding Thomas Pound, Mitchell... /s/ Robert "X" Walker. Wit: John Lindner, Sol Mitchell. (Rockingham County Deeds F:129)

17 Nov 1790 - Grant: North Carolina to Henry Bankson, 50 acres in Rockingham County, on both sides of Little Rockhouse Creek, bounding David Caldwell, Cornelius Mabry.. No. 98. (Rockingham County Deeds C:165)

9 Dec 1790 - Deed: John Bankson to Laurance Bankson, both of Rockingham County, for L60, 300 acres on both sides of Wolf Island Creek, bounding Widow Browder, Charles Harris, Nathaniel Newman, Isaac Cantrell, John Lindner... /s/ John BANKSON. Wit: John Lindner, John Cantrell. (Rockingham County Deeds C:213) Property 9 Dec 1790 (age 60) 300 acres purchased from John Bankston and adjacent to John Linder, Isaac Cantrell, and others; Wolf Island Creek, Rockingham County,13 Webster, Irene B, compiler. 1973. Rockingham County North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1785-1800. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press. 43.  Brent Cantrell

The year 1790 - U.S. Federal Census, South Carolina, Camden Dist., Chester County – no Bankston's or Banksons - enumerates Bankton, Elish, page 16: 2 free males over 16, 1 free male under 16 and 3 females (RSB & CVF)

The year 1790 - Census: First Federal Census, North Carolina (Enumeration done in First Quarter, 1791): Selected Listings--

Caswell County

St. Lawrence District: No Bankstonenumerated

Guilford County

BANKSON, Henry 1 1 2 0 1

Kirkman, James 3 0 1 0 10

17

Randolph County

BANKSON, Joseph 1 1 1 0 0

BANKSON, Samuel 2 1 5 0 0

BANKSON, Tobias 1 2 1 0 0

Hendrix, Edward 1 3 2 0 0

Montgomery County

Bankston, Andrew 1 3 3 0 1

Extracted from Heads of Families, United States Census, North Carolina, 1790 (Washington,

D.C.: GPO, 1908)

24 Dec 1791– John Bankson moved to Spartanburg, SC - Research notes 25 August 2008 – Spartanburg, SC Deed Book “C” p. 94: Isaac Young grantor to John Bankson both of Spartanburgh, SC – L (pounds) 110 – 200 acres granted to Hugh Warren on 23 August 1774 on “North side of Paccolete River beginning at a post oak on said Pacolat River…” in the presence of Larkin Bethel Richard Cox (or Cantrell?), John Morris. Recorded on 24 December 1791) (RSB & CVF)

29Dec1791 - Deed: Lawrence Bankson to John Linder, both of Rockingham County, for L100, 150 acres on Mills Creek, bounding Widow Browder, Isaac Cantrell... /s/ Lawrence Bankson. Wit: John Mitchell, James Mitchell. (Rockingham County Deeds C:209)

29 Dec 1791 (age 61) 150 acres on Mills Creek adjacent to Widow Browder and Isaac Cantrell, which he sold to John Linder; Rockingham County, North Carolina14 Webster, Irene B, compiler. 1973. Rockingham County North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1785-1800. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press. 43.  Brent Cantrell

25Feb1792 - Deed: Laurance BANKSON to Robert Walker, both of Rockingham County, for L40, 121 acres on Waters of Little Rockhouse Creek of Dan River, bounding David Lovell, Charles Gallaway, William Eliot, Andrew Roberson, John Abbit... /s/ Laurance Bankson. Wit: John Lindner, Elexander "X" Brown (Rockingham County Deeds D:197) 

Property 25 Feb 1792 (age 62) 121 acres which he sold to Robert Walker; Rockingham County, North Carolina15 Brent Cantrell

1 Mar 1792 - Witness: Henry Bankson, James Brown, Thomas Pound witness deed of Thomas "X" King, Jr., to Sutton McAllister, both of Rockingham County, for 200 acres on Jacobs Creek, bounding Joseph Cunningham, James Brown... (Rockingham County Deeds C:140)

28 Aug 1792 - Witness: Henry Bankson, Peter Watson witness deed of John Simmons, of Rockingham County, to William Standard, of Caswell County, for 100 acres on Burches Creek (per description in Guilford County records). (Rockingham County Deeds D:52)

24 Nov 1792 - Deed: Laurance Bankson, wife Sarah, to Aaron Cantrill, all of Rockingham County, for L100 —acres on both sides of Wolf Island Creek, bounding sd Bankson, Isaac Cantrill, Bankson‘s claim... /s/ Laurance Bankson, Sarah Bankson. Wit: John Cantrill, John Martin.(Rockingham County Deeds D:77)

Property 1792 (age 62) 100 acres he sold to Isaac Cantrell; Wolf Island Creek, Rockingham County, North Carolina1621 Webster, Irene B, compiler. 1973. Rockingham County North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1785-1800. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press. 58.  Brent Cantrell

29 Dec 1792 - Deed: Laurance Bankston to Isaac Cantrill, both of Rockingham County, for L50, 100 acres on Wolf Island Creek, [description all survey]... /s/ Laurance BANKSON. Wit: A. Phillips, Robert Brown. (Rockingham County C:174)

29 Dec1792 - Deed: Laurance Bankson to John Lindner, both of Rockingham County, for L100, 150 acres on both sides of Mill Creek, bounding Widow Browder, head of North Branch, Isaac Cantrill, said Lindner... /s/ Laurance Bankson. Wit: John Mitchell, Jane Mitchell. (Rockingham County Deeds C:209)

16 Feb 1793– Adjoining landowner to Lawrence Bankson and John Bankson:

Spartanburgh County Deed Book “C” page 151 - John Hightower grantor to Lawrence Bankson16 February 1793 both of Spartanburgh, SC for 100 pounds sterling, Lawrence Banckson420 acres originally granted to Reuben Dickson on 21 January 1785 “ situate on both sides of Pacolate River beginning at a black gum tree on the Northside of the River running past on John Bankson’sline…” to a pine on Edward Stubblefield’s line. John Hightower, Christean Hightower (her mark) witnessed by Sampson Bethel, John Cantrell, James Turner). (RSB & CVF)

1792 (age 62) 100 acres which he sold to Isaac Cantrell; Wolf Island Creek, Rockingham County, North Carolina16  Webster, Irene B, compiler. 1973. Rockingham County North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1785-1800. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press. 43. Brent Cantrell  

26Feb1793 - Deed: John Harper to Abraham Hendrixson, both of Rockingham County, for L30, 166 acres on waters of Little Buffalo Creek, [description all survey]... /s/ John "X" Harper. Wit: Nathaniel Lindner, Nathaniel Tatum, Robert Small. (Rockingham County Deeds D:32)18

27Aug1793 - Witness: HenryBankson, Elisha Bernard witness deed of Jacob Cantrill to Isaac Cantrill for 100 acres on Waters of Wolf Island Creek, bounding Bankson, said Jacob Cantrill, James Wardlow... (Rockingham County Deeds C:306)

1794 – Research notes 25 August 2008 – Spartanburgh Deed Book “D” page 151-   William Garrett Sen. Grantor to Laurence Bankson20 August 1794 both of Spartanburgh County for 112 pounds sterling – 150 acres granted by the state on 20 August 1784 situate on the Southside of Pacolate River beginning at stake at said river… on Charleston old road, then running up said road…” William Garrett (mark) Sarah Garrett (mark) in the presence of Bethel, John Bankson, John Mitchell; recorded 23 September 1794  (signatures implied). (RSB & CVF)

4Dec1794 - Deed: Laurance Bankson, wife Sarah, to Aaron Cantrill, all of Rockingham County, for L40, 34 acres on both sides of Thrasher's Fork of Wolf Island Creek, bounding the South Fork, Talitha Browder, John Lindner... /s/ Laurance Bankson  Sarah Bankson  Wit: Jacob Cantrill, John Martin. (Rockingham County D:78)

7 Oct 1796 - Deed: Laurance Bankson to Edward Woolen, both of Rockingham County, for L100, 175 acres on both sides of Wolf Island Creek, bdg William Daniels, Cummings, Henry Kilman, Isaac Cantrill... /s/ Laurance "L" Bankson With Jacob Cantrill, Henry "G" Kilman "H." (Rockingham County Deeds E:27) Property 7 Oct 1796 (age 66) 175 acres adjacent to Isaac Cantrell and others which he sold to Edward Woolen; Wolf Island Creek, Rockingham County, North CarolinaWebster, Irene B, compiler. 1973. Rockingham County North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1785-1800. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press. 43.  17

Property 7 Oct 1796 (age 66) 175 acres adjacent to Isaac Cantrell and others which he sold to Edward Woolen; Wolf Island Creek, Rockingham County, North Carolina17 Brent Cantrell

1797 – Research notes 25 August 2008 – Spartanburg, SC Deed Book  “E” page 82 - Laurence Bankson to Isaac Cantrell – 20 December 1796 both of Spartanburgh County to Isaac Cantrell 70 pounds sterling – for 426 acres.  Signed Laurence Bankson (his “B” mark) in the presence of Mary Burgess, Joseph Turner (mark), John Bankson, - recorded 13 January 1797.  Purchased Book “C” page 151 1793).(RSB & CVF) 

1798– Research notes 25 August 2008 – Spartanburg, SC Deed Book “F” page 192, James Sanders to Lawrence Bankson, 14 July 1798, both of Spartanburgh, ten pounds – part of a tract granted to James Philips dated 25 November 1771 then  North Carolina, but now in South Carolina situate on the Southside of Packolet River beginning at a Turkey Oak on the bank of the river on J. Bankson's line…”  13 acres, James Sanders (mark) in the presence of James Turner, William Abbott June, Isaac Young (mark) recorded 17 July 1796.) (RSB & CVF) 

17 Oct1798 - Witness: John Bankson, Patrick "X" Wardlow, Jno, Martin witness deed of Isaac Cantrill, of Spartansburg County, South Carolina, to Clement Whittemore, of Rockingham County, North Carolina, for 550 acres on waters of Wolf Island Creek in Rockingham County, North Carolina, being three tracts: (1) 350acres on Thrasher's Fork granted Nathaniel Hart on 20Feb1756; (2) 100 acres bounding Laurance Bankson; (3) 100 acres granted Jacob Cantril, bounding Bankson, James Ward... (Rockingham County F:36)

17 Jan1799 - Deed: Laurance Bankson to Absalom Goosetree, both of Rockingham County, for $166, 259 acres on Waters of Big Rockhouse Creek, bounding Thomas Pound and crossing Mitchell's Creek... /s/Laurance "L" Bankson. Wit: Thos Pound, John Granger, James Sipple. (Rockingham County Deeds F:17)

14Sep1799 - Deed: Luke Barnard to James Bankson, both of Rockingham County, for L30, 50 acres on Waters of Big Rockhouse Creek, bounding Claburn Wall, Clark, John W. Jones... /s/ Luke Bernard. Wit: A. Phillips, Wm Moberly, John "X" Wall. (Rockingham County Deeds F:83)

5Oct1799 - Survey: Abraham Hendrix, 67 acres on waters of Matrominy Creek in Rockingham County, on warrants dated 8 Apr1799 (60 acres) and 15 Oct 1799 (7 acres), bounding Henry Grogan, Frederick Coblar, and Jesse Hinton... Chain carriers George Kimbel, Samuel Kimbell...Nos. 557, 575. (NC Land Grants 112:252)

25Nov1799 - Deed: James Bankson to Claiborne Walls, both of Rockingham County, for L45, 50 acres on Big Rockhouse Creek, bounding said Claiborne Walls, John W. Jones... /s/ James "X" BANKSON. Wit: A? Charter, Louis Winston. (Rockingham County Deeds F:86)

17 March 1800– Research notes 25 August 2008 – Spartanburgh County, SC Deed Book “G” 228- Larrance Bankston of Spartanburgh County, SC for five pounds sterling, 270 acres granted to Samson Bethel by states office 3 September 1790 on the waters of Buck Creek and Sand Creek.  Samson Bethel, witnesses Leo Peacock, Jeremiah Nichols, William Adcock (mark); State of South Carolina, Spartanburgh Dist., personally came before me Leonard Adcock, and duly made oath that he saw John Bankstonsign the name of Samson Bethel to the within the deed of conveyances an attorney for said Bethel to Laurence Bankston, recorded 17 April 1801 (RSB & CVF)

1800 –U.S. Federal Census Spartansburg County, Spartansburg Dist., SC (page 60)

John Bankston 3 2 0 1 0 – 1 1 1 0 0 

Laurence Banckston  0 0 0 0 1 – 0 0 1 0 1

(There is only one Laurence/Lawrence Bankston despite the use of a B mark and the use of a signature.)

1800 – Samson Bethel, Power of Attorney to John Bankstonfor 270 acres of land situate on the Maple Swamp certified 1795; witness – Abraham Cantrell – recorded 19 April 1801) (Spartanburgh County Deed Book…?? Cynthia ask Ron for book # and page)

19 September 1801– James Saunders to Lawrence Bankston19 September 1801, both of Spartanburgh District - $133.00 for a tract of land granted 25 November 1771 to James Philips “situate on the Northside of Pacolate River beginning on a cherry tree on the bank of said river….” Isaac Young’s line to Buck Creek – 50 acres. James Saunders (mark) in the presence of Abraham Cantrell, John Brookshire, William Shed, recorded 4 1802. Spartanburgh County Deed Book “H” page 143 (RSB & CVF)

17 March 1801 – Book “I” page 192 – (1802) Laurence Banckston to Jeremiah Nickles 17 March 1801 both of Spartanburgh County – 8 pounds for 100 acres granted by the state to Samson Bethel dated 3 September 1794 on the branch of Little Buck Creek beginning on a conditional line made between Abraham Cantrell and Leonard Adcock … along the road to Stedman's land….”  Laurence Banckston in the presence of “Le Adcock, Andrew Rea, recorded 19 April 1801 (part of purchase 1800, Spartanburgh County Deed Book “G” page 228) (RSB & CVF)

1803 Spartanburgh County Deed Book“I” page 194– 100 acres Laurence Bankson to Ephraim Elder – 1803. Cherokee Creek (RSB & CVF) 

Court Record 17 Feb 1806 (age 76) and John Bankston making a deposition in the probate hearing of Isaac Cantrell18 Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Court of Common Pleas. Isaac Cantrell Estate Papers--File 736, Spartanburg County, S.C. &. Isaac Cantrell Estate Papers--File 736, Spartanburg County, S.C., 17 Feb. 1806. Brent Cantrell

16 March 1805– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “M” page 273 – Lawrence Banckstonto Abraham Cantrell both of the Dist. Of Spartanburgh,  $28.00 for 100 acres “situate on Little Buck Creek”  Signed Laurence “B” Bankston, witness: Reuben Warren, Isham Foster. Recorded 2 July 1810.

5 June 1806– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “N” page 156 - Laurence Bankston to John Martin 5 June 1806 both of Spartanburgh – $5.00 for 75 acres granted to said Bankstonby state dated 7 January 1799 (?) both sides of Cases Creek Road… made between Isaac Cantrell late deceased and said Bankstoncrossing Templen and Branch… said Martin’s corner….”  Laurence Bankson in the presence of Samson Cantrell, and John Bankston. Recorded 18 April 1812.  John Bankston, before Justice Leonard Adcock. (RSB &  CVF)

(use Joan’s title – my research page 352:

p. 106-107 Jan 13, 1807, James Morris (Edgefield Dist) to Abraham Cantrell (Spartanburgh); for $127.00 sold 170 ac on S side of Buck Cr of Pacolate R; border: Schoolhouse for Br. Bankston, and John Borris; grant May 10, 1788 States Office to William Morris sr who sold to James Morris. Witness James Bankston, John Morris, and John Bankston.  Signed James Morris’ mark. Wit. Oath Nov. 5, 1807, John Morris to Leonard Adcock, Rec. Nov 9, 1807. 

1 March 1809- Spartanburgh County Deed Book “M” page 62 – Recorded 20 April 1809 Thomas Warren of Franklin County, Georgia to John Bankson of Dist. Of Spartanburgh.  $21.50  for 276 acres – Pacolate River; Witness: James Bankston, Reuben Warren, Samuel Waters (RSB &  CVF)

15 March 1809 -  Spartanburgh County Deed Book “M” page 110 - George McDowell to John Bankson–15 March 1809 - $400.00 for 240 on Lawson Fork; original grantee Robert Prince; Laurence Bankston, John Foster, Mary McDowell witnesses.  Recorded 4 September 1809. (RSB & CVF)

2 May 1809– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “Q” page 295 –Spartanburgh District: Elizabeth Demsey, widow to Laurence BANKSTON $30.00 for 40 acres on the east side of Caseys Creek bordering on the east side by James Turner land and John Martin land. Witnesses: Peter Cantrell, Middleton Turner. Recorded (?) June 1819. (RSB & CVF)

20 April 1810– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “M” page 301 (see also page 308; Willaim (sic) Foster to John Bankston, both of Spartanburg Dist. $606.00 for 204 acres originally granted to Samuel Nesbitt in 1770 and to William Ford on the waters of the North Tygar River. Witnesses: James Young, James White, Edmond Fowler, Nancy Foster (RSB & CVF)

29 May 1810– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “P” page 95 -  Spartanburg Dist. - John Cantrell to Isaac Cantrell - $400.00 for 94 acres where son now lives bounded by Bankston land on the North – witnesses Isaac Cantrell and Jacob Cantrell. Recorded 19 May 1810 (RSB & CVF)

1810U.S Federal Census – Spartanburg Dist. Spartanburg County, South Carolina

            John Bankston  2 0 3 0 1 – 1 1 1 0 0

            Laurence Bankston 0 0 0 0 1 – 0 0 0 0 1

(Note: There is one Laurence/Lawrence Bankstonhead of household in Spartanburg 

1800 and 1810; this Laurence/Lawrence Bankston probably died between 1810 and 1820; the younger Lawrence found in deeds is likely the son of John Barkley Bankston ).

19 September 1812– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “P” page 96 - Laurens. Bankstonto Isaac Cantrell – both of Spartanburg Dist., $20 for 60 acres near the Broad River and? Swamp- (Laurens appears abbreviated or run together – spelled Laurence in the rest of the document and signed Laurence Bankstonwith his B mark) Henry Turner and Leor. Adcock witnesses; Recorded 1816. (RSB & CVF)

12 January 1813– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “O” page 149-150 – Spartanburgh: Mary Cantrell to Abraham Cantrell $100 for 75 acres on Cases Creek near the Pacolate River; Witness: John Bankston, Richard R. Morris.  (RSB & CVF)

23 August 1814– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “O” page 149-150 – Spartanburg: Abraham Cantrell to Laurence Bankston$100.00 for 8 acres on 23 August 1814 on Cases Creek Pacolate River originally granted to William Garrett. Witness: James Turner (RSB & CVF)

3 September 1814– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “O” page 106 – Spartanburg: John Ballenger and others (David Lewis, Edward, Francis, Elijah Ballenger) to James Ballenger; Ballengers sign that they say Laurence Bankston witness himself. – recorded 5 September 1814.            (RSB & CVF)

12 August 1815(recorded) – Spartanburgh County Deed Book “O” page 85 – Spartanburg: Laurence Bankstonto Luke Demsey - $85.00 for 85 acres on Pacolet River, Laurence “B” Bankston (his mark) witness: Stephen Grover, (?) Demsey (RSB & CVF)

1817 – Spartanburgh County Deed Book “P” page 304– Spartanburg: Lawrence BankstonTo James Turner 150 acres on Buck Creek – recorded in 

1817(RSB & CVF)

17 June 1819– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “T” page 149 – Spartanburg: Laurence Bankstonto Middleton Turner for $34.50 – 40 acres on the east side of Cases Creek adjoining James Turner, John Martin being part of Widow Dancy’s tract of land – recorded 29 October 1825. (RSB & CVF)

1819– Lawrence Bankston was received by experience in John Bankston’s congregation 

1820 U. S. Federal Census, Spartanburg, SC, Spartanburg Dist., 

               John Bankston0 1 0 1 1 1 –  0 0 1 2 0 1

               Nathan Bankston0 0 0 0 1 – 0 0 0 0 0 0

              Was Laurence  been living with John?????)(RSB & CVF)

 

19 July 1821– Spartanburgh County Deed Book “S” page 138 - John Bankstonto Thomas Wingo both of Spartanburgh District #600.00 for 119  ½ acres originally granted to Samuel Nesbett 9 April 1770 and granted to William Ford 4 March 1793 on the waters of N Fork of Tyger River… til it empties on Bankston‘s spring branch… to the spring.  Signed John Bankston; witness Laurence Bankston, Joseph Pearson, Joseph Barrett; recorded 6 January 1823.  (RSB & CVF)

# Ancestor Challenge 2019 Week 4, Rebecca McDonald, 75 Young

# Ancestor Challenge 2019, Week 

Prompt: I Would Like to Meet 

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS YOUNG

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Vold Forde

I would love to meet my maternal great-grandmother Rebecca Jarrett McDonald Johnston Miller House, who rode up the Arkansas River on a raft at age 14, married three times, and lived a long life.  I imagine Rebecca on her 75^thbirthday:

I am in the adolescence of old age, says Rebecca Jarrett McDonald Johnston Miller House on the dawn of her seventy-fifth birthday. She considers the milestone with an innate optimism: The difference between other stages of adolescence and this one is a little more fatigue.

Age is relative, she decides. You are as young as you feel. Considering this new stage of life, she realizes that it was not so long ago that she hid her true age. Surely, telling the truth about my age means I have reached a milestone. Now, I can simply say that I am seventy-five years young!

Her children and their families surprise her with a party. She doesn’t really know how they manage to catch her off guard year after year. One would think I would finally catch on, she thinks, with a deep inner joy that is intensified by not catching on. Instead, it is surprising to see familiar faces, beaming with love and joy, crowded onto her daughter’s wraparound farmhouse porch. Grandchildren of all ages leap onto the lawn with open arms, shouting, “Happy Birthday, Little Grandma!” She is forever surprised, and she always cries.

Returning to her home that evening, Rebecca peeks into the mirror over her dresser to check her cheeks for the remains of dried tears. Drawing the pins from the black felt hat still perched squarely on her head, she pauses to admire her reflection, then places the hat on the tall dresser, one hand returning to guide stray strands of snow-white hair smoothly back from her face. The reflection in the mirror has long been an attraction. She has enjoyed being uncommonly attractive. Looking at her reflection intently, she is struck by guilt; she should be mindful of pride. Isn’t it time to stop gazing at my reflection like Narcissus?

Rebecca finds it uncomfortable to look at her familiar hazel eyes in the face of an old woman.  Who is that wrinkled old woman, so tiny, so frail?  She examines her lined parchment skin for some sign of the lovely thirteen-year-old Becky McDonald. Where is that flirty, feisty adventuress who journeyed with her family from Alabama to Fort Smith up the Arkansas River on a raft?

Remembering that fateful trip always made her sad. No one in the family had realized the extent of her mother’s illness; if they had, they would not have left Alabama. They were not prepared for Martha’s death or for a loss of such magnitude. Rebecca could not have imagined the tumultuous changes that awaited her. It was not the way her life was supposed to turn out.

When the war ended, the world just wasn’t the same. The South had been devastated, the economy was shattered, and the people were depressed. The idea of moving west to find new land, away from the disappointment of defeat, had stirred hope in McDonald’s hearts. How quickly the hope had turned to heartbreak after Martha Bankston Brooks McDonald’s death. She had slipped away in her sleep, leaving the family to continue life without her.

Rebecca does not like to think of the darkness of those days. She is surprised that they seem to surface on this, her birthday. Her memories of adolescence had grown dim with time. Images of herself as a young girl flood her mind now, her childhood ending abruptly with Mama’s death. She could not have imagined a life so altered—a life that included separation from her siblings.

She realizes now that she must have been too dazed to argue when her father, Elijah, found lodging with a widower, Will Johnston, and his sister, Martha Elizabeth, called Mattie. She strongly objected to Laura and Baby Caleb staying with a neighbor. She had not been so disoriented from shock and grief. Her soul could only utter a sigh too deep for words. Six-year-old Laura and two-year-old Caleb could not comprehend separation from the rest of the family. But Rebecca understood.

From that moment forward, Rebecca grasped with amazing clarity that her childhood was over. Knowing what had to be done, she had reached for her mother’s black letterbox, untied the blue ribbon, and removed pen and writing paper to undertake the first responsibility of her new adulthood with bold sweeps of black ink in the perfect script:

Dear Granny and Granddaddy,

Our beautiful Mama has passed away. Mama became very sick and slipped away near Fort Smith. We are very sad, but please do not worry about us. You have lost your daughter.

We hurt for you, we cry for you, we pray for you, with our deepest love,

Rebecca, Laura, Caleb, and Daddy

Writing that letter was a turning point in her life. Her family continued to call her Becky, but in her heart and mind, she became Mama’s “Rebecca.”

On her seventy-fifth birthday, Rebecca recalls hot, stinging tears, an ache in her heart, and the darkness of night that did not depart with the dawn. It is easy to understand why she felt so happy when Will Johnston’s eyes followed her, hoping to catch a smile. Will could stop her tears, dull the pain, and make the darkness disappear. Of course, she could say yes when he proposed marriage. It did not matter that she was fifteen and one-half years old; he brought the sunshine back into her life.

The marriage had meant that she could give her grief-stricken Daddy, Laura, and Caleb a home once again. She thought the marriage would bring a comfortable future for all of them. Will was forty-nine years old, older than her father, with a heart so good and kind. He brought her flowers from the woods and trinkets from town, washed dishes when she was tired, and held her tight at night, safe from harm.

Shortly after her marriage to Will, Rebecca was very surprised when Daddy came to visit right in the middle of the day. He had pulled a chair up close, took her hand, and told her he was so proud of her. He asked her permission to marry Will’s sister, Mattie.

In July of 1874, The Rev. Samuel Peninger performed the marriage ceremony of her parents.  The Scotsmen in the community played bagpipes at the wedding, and the feast that followed; country dancing, Scots-Irish clogging, laughter, and joyous tears ushered in a new era for both families.

Rebecca was happy in their new world at last. Positive changes resulted. She and her stepmother talked endlessly of their pregnancies and birthing, and they helped each other when it was time for birthing to take place. Mattie and Elijah blessed her with three new brothers—James, Frank, and William Oscar—who brought delight to her eyes as they grew from toddlers playing in the dirt to grown men working on the earth.

Rebecca looks at a picture of her four children, whom Will had cradled close to his heart. If only Will could have lived to see them grow, he would have been so proud. If Will had lived, she thinks, why, we would have celebrated our fifty-ninth anniversary in January.

Will died without warning one month after their eleventh wedding anniversary. Bang—the door to happiness had slammed shut again. Rebecca sighs at the memory of being a widow with four very small children; no one was there to help her when the babies cried with fever or for their daddy.

It must have been fate when she met William Anderson Miller, she decides. She was still young when she met Bill. He had lost his wife and five of their twelve children from a mosquito-related fever while living near the Ouachita River. Bill had told her he was captivated by her youth and vitality. They had married quietly in December 1886, combining the two households into one on her farm near Greenwood in Sebastian County. Together, they had two more children: Fannie Reatha and Coy Clifton. The marriage was evidently not built to hold a very large household of children, however. Facing insurmountable difficulties as a blended family, Rebecca and Bill divorced quietly in 1897.

Rebecca remembers the pain and shame of such a bold step. In retrospect, she reminisces, “it had to be done. There was no alternative. I was still a young woman of thirty-eight years, in the adolescence of midlife. I discovered I could meet life’s challenges with faith, laughter, and hard work.”

Laughter and the Lord had been her medicine. She had been blessed with the exuberance of youth; her newfound energy was invested in caring for the farm and the children remaining at home.  She and the boys cleared larger plots of cropland, removing smaller trees and bushes for firewood. They were then free to plant more corn, yams, beans, sunflowers, and even vines that produced pumpkins, squash, gourds, and peanuts. The crops were planted for their own consumption. They were combined with roots and leaves from edible wild plants, meat, and fish that the boys brought home from hunting trips. They had a milk cow and some sows and raised prize chickens. The eggs were Rebecca’s cash crop. On Saturday mornings, the wagon was loaded with eggs, hitched to the horse, and driven into town. The eggs were exchanged for cash or sundries at the general store, and her head was held high.

She has enjoyed her life. Moving to Montgomery County in 1915 was a good idea, too. Her small house was painted a cheery white; bright red geraniums added a festive note to the wraparound porch. The interior was nice. The wood floors were covered with rugs she made herself. The furniture was old and fine. The pump over the sink brought in fresh, cold spring water from the mountains. She especially enjoyed hitching up the wagon for marketing trips to nearby Sims, where she could visit with neighbors. It was a peaceful life.

Suddenly, startled by a noise on the porch and a knock at the front door, Rebecca realizes that she is still staring into the mirror. Sam calls her name. While she’d spent the day at Reatha’s, a neighbor had taken care of him. Poor Sam; I have been negligent. She thanks the neighbor for taking good care of her third husband, Samuel House, who has been senile for the past three years.

After feeding him, bathing him, and putting him to bed, she takes her usual seat on the porch. She enjoys the nocturnal symphony of whispering pine trees and critters. And she likes to smoke a cigar from time to time. She cannot help laughing aloud at the image of herself smoking. A star streaks through the night sky. If only Sam could enjoy the night music more, she wishes on the falling star. Our thirty-third wedding anniversary will be in October; he will never know.

She thinks of those happy days when she and Sam fell in love. They were married in 1900. It was a joyous way to begin a new century. On their twenty-fifth anniversary, Sam liked to tell people, “We have been happily married for twenty years. Out of twenty-five, that isn’t too bad.” She told folks, “We have been divorced and remarried a thousand times.” They were together because they genuinely liked each other.

 She wonders at the sparkling, star-studded sky, remembering the day’s surprise party. It had indeed been a good day.

Yes, I have good memories, she contemplates. I am blessed with children and grandchildren. I have reached a great age. God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. There can be no doubt that I am a woman of independent means, a woman of substance who can drive an automobile and vote!

Rebecca is grateful to be married to Sam, despite his illness, and to be this age, especially considering the alternative. I’ve lived twice as long as Mama and twenty years longer than Daddy; Granny has been gone since ’88, and Granddaddy has been gone for thirty-three years. Doscia, Frank, and Jenny are with the Lord, too, and I have survived. I have survived!

God looms large in all the chapters of her life. She sees herself as a woman of sorrows acquainted with grief. I understand suffering, but there is a positive side to suffering. God is present while suffering, allowing us to see God; indeed, He turns all things to good for those who love Him. Why seventy-five years young is simply another new beginning.

REBECCA’S EARLY YEARS

By The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Vold Forde

Pike County, Alabama, was unusually hot on 24 August 1858. Rebecca Jarrett McDonald was born blissfully unaware of the heat or the tumultuous times that would follow her birth.

Elijah and Martha McDonald rejoiced at the birth of Rebecca, convinced she hung the moon. Rebecca sucked in the August heat and exhaled with a howl. Elijah marveled as his daughter’s newborn flesh turned from blue to rosy pink; he later confided to Rebecca that it was his happiest moment in life. The proud parents congratulated themselves on producing the prettiest baby in Pike County.

Elijah, a Scotsman by descent, was fiercely proud of Rebecca, boasting often to friends and family that she walked and talked earlier than any child he had known. Martha, a descendant of a well-known colonial family, had often reminded Rebecca of the goodly heritage of her name; she was named in honor of beloved grandmothers, but she preferred the nickname “Becky.”

Becky became a big sister to baby William in 1859. Their young lives began with promise until the War Between the States intervened. It must have been frightening for the children to eavesdrop on passionate arguments about the impending war.

In 1861, Elijah penned a promise to join thousands of proud men fighting with a passion for the Southern cause. Four years later, tasting bitter defeat, Elijah was one of the thousands straggling home.

The family struggled to make sense of war, defeat, death, and devastation. During the war years, baby William became ill and died. The young family cried out to God in grief and joy that Elijah was alive. Perhaps in a rush to bring life back to earth, Laura Belle was born nine months later, followed by Caleb Sappington McDonald in 1870.

Family tradition says Elijah wanted to move to a quiet place, away from the memories of war, disease, and death. His wife, Martha, was very ill; some say she was depressed and became ill. They may have been en route to Texas or Indian Territory when Martha died near Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Rebecca was thirteen years old at the time, according to family histories. Assuming the birthdate on her death certificate is correct, the move to Arkansas would have occurred in 1872. Rebecca married William Tillman Johnston on 11 January 1874 at the age of fifteen, four months, and eighteen days in Greenwood, Sebastian County, Arkansas.

Memories of Rebecca

Thanks to Reatha Miller Looney, Rose Miller Vold, Betty Miller Francis, JoAnn Miller Eid, June McDonald, Retha Frisbie, Linda McDonald Miller, and Barbara Joan Tisher LeRoy for correspondence with memories of Rebecca.

Retha Miller Looney, Rebecca’s daughter, wrote to me in 1974:

My mother was thirteen when she and her parents came up the Arkansas River on a raft from Montgomery County, Alabama, to Fort Smith, Arkansas. My grandmother died on the way, and she is buried at Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood, Arkansas. My mother was taken in by the Johnston family when they first came to Greenwood. She married widower William Johnston, and they had four children: Jennie D. Johnston Wright, Doscia B. Johnston McCord, Frank Tillman Johnston, and James “Jimmy” Johnston, who were my half-brothers and sisters. William Johnston died when the children were very small. Two years later, Mother married my father, widower William Anderson Miller. I was their first child, and your grandfather, Coy, was their second child. After my father died, she married a third time to Samuel House. After Sam House died, she came to live with me in Mena, Arkansas, until she died in 1938. She was buried at Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood, Arkansas, next to her first husband under the name House.

Linda McDonald Miller, Rebecca McDonald’s second-great-niece, shared the following insight: “Each story I have been told about Becky relates a very jolly person!” Nieces June McDonald and Retha Frisbie offer another glimpse into the life of Aunt Becky. Retha would have been about fourteen to sixteen years of age, and the time 1927–1929, when the following took place:

Retha Frisbie recalls going to visit Aunt Becky when she was a teenager. Her dad took her to Mena for a revival meeting, and she asked if June McDonald could come along (Oscar and Mary’s daughter). “My grandfather took both girls to Mena to stay with Aunt Becky during the meeting,” Retha recalls. “She was a tiny woman but jolly and teasing all the time. She let June, and I do just about anything we wanted to do. Aunt Becky had a really good-looking male schoolteacher boarding with her at the time, so June decided she’d make him a really special dinner. She went out to the chicken coop, killed a chicken, and the two spent all day preparing a fancy dinner unbeknownst to the school teacher, who called shortly before the dinner hour to let Aunt Becky know that he wouldn’t be coming home for dinner that night. Aunt Becky had the most fun teasing June about that for a long time.”

A granddaughter, Betty Miller Francis, recalls fond memories of visiting her “Grandma House” in Arkansas:

I remember going to visit Grandma House (Rebecca) on vacation. It was before my mother (Ruby King) died when I was eight years old. We took a train to Board Camp. Uncle Jim (Judge Jim Looney) picked us up at the train depot around 5:00 P.M.in a touring car. The car was open on both sides with pull-downs to protect us from the rain. We drove way out into the country, into the woods, to their house. Her husband, Sam House, must have had dementia, although I did not realize it until I was an adult. She had to care for him like he was a child.

Grandma House had a good sense of humor. She told crazy ghost stories. One of the stories I remember clearly. Back in the old days of horse and buggy, people rode along when they heard the panthers howling; the panthers were chasing them! They started going faster and faster and faster and faster—the panther was gaining ground! FASTER AND FASTER… FASTER AND FASTER!… THE PANTHER WAS CATCHING UP… AND THEY THREW THE BABY OUT TO THE PANTHER!

It scared the hell out of me!

I remember the very next day, we went out in the field to hoe cotton, heard a howl, dropped our hoes, and ran to the house as fast as we could. Now that I think about it, it was probably a wildcat and not a panther. Do you think so?

I also remember being surprised that the adults ate their meals first. After the adults finished, the children sat down to eat. That was just backward from our house. After dinner, Grandma House would sit on the porch and smoke a cigar. I remember that as well.

When I go up in the mountains and smell pine in the fresh air, I am reminded of my visits to Grandma House. Once, she showed us how to chew the ends of pine twigs to create a “toothbrush.” She was a wonderful, loving grandma.

The role of education loomed large in adult discussions in Arkansas. Everybody talked about going to university. I supposed that to mean the university in Little Rock. Education was an important dream for the future of the Miller children.

Grandma House was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Everybody was Methodist Episcopal. So was my grandpa, William Miller, Scots-Irish by descent. Many of the Miller brothers were ministers and farmers, but of course, they were dead before we came along.

I remember that we went to someone’s house, possibly the home of Ruby Little (Retha Looney’s stepdaughter). They had a stillborn baby. They could not afford to embalm the baby, so it laid on a table by the window for a Wake. That baby on the table affected me greatly; I can still see that baby in my mind.  Aunt Retha Looney married Uncle Jim Looney. He had been married and had two daughters, Mildred Looney Dowden and Ruby Little. Gertrude was Aunt Retha’s daughter in her first marriage. Jim and Retha Miller Looney were parents of two daughters: Eloise Embry and Helen Tisher.  I also remember going to see Aunt Doscia in Dallas. Oh! How I loved her. She was so good to my sisters, Rose (Miller Vold) and JoAnn (Miller Eid). She would make pallets for us to sleep on.

Rebecca Jarrett McDonald (Johnston Miller House) was survived by three of her six children. Jimmy Johnston, Coy Miller, and Retha Miller Looney lived decades beyond their mother. She was preceded in death by Doscia Johnston (Mrs. Fred McCord), Frank Tillman Johnston, and Jennie D. Johnston Blair Wright.

Rose (Mrs., E.G., Vold), Betty (Mrs. George Francis), and JoAnn (Mrs. Otto Eid) were the daughters of Coy Clifton Miller and his wife, Ruby Anna King Miller. Ruby died in 1932. After her death, the three girls moved from Ennis, Texas, to live with “Aunt Retha” and “Uncle Jim” Looney in Mena, Arkansas, for a year. The girls moved from Arkansas to Iowa and lived with their maternal grandparents. They did not get to see  Grandma  House again. She died in 1938.

“Grandma House” died long before my father, Ervin “Paul” Vold, captured the heart of her granddaughter, Rose Miller. I got to know her through delightful stories of her adventurous raft ride on the Arkansas River and her smoking a cigar or pipe and by looking at photos of the tiny woman with a giant-sized sense of humor who lived a very long life.

Family legends ascribe Rebecca’s longevity to spirit, spunk, and Southern courage. She aged with grace. I loved hearing the humorous, touching tales told to me by aunts, cousins, and a very old man in Rocky, Sims, Arkansas, in April of 2001. The man, purportedly a hundred years old, said: “Miss Becky? Why I do remember her. Yes, I certainly do. She was such a tiny lady driving such a big horse and buggy. She hitched up that horse and buggy and brought her eggs to Sims every Saturday. You could set the clock by Miss Becky’s buggy. She was just about the sweetest woman you could ever meet. She was a real fine lady.”

My favorite Grandma House legend came from my mother, Rose Vold:

Grandma House was a strong Southern woman. She lived through two major wars, the Depression, and tremendous change. She witnessed the discovery of electricity, the invention of gasoline-powered engines, automobiles, airplanes, and the empowerment and employment of women in politics and the workforce. Her strength of character and attitude helped her live to eighty years old. I will outlive her; I will live to two hundred!

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