#Ancestor Challenge 2019, Week 14, Brooks Brick Wall

#Ancestor Challenge 2019 – Week 14, Brooks Brick Wall

BROOKS BRICK WALL

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde

James Brooks, who was your daddy?  A baffling, bewildering brick wall hid the mystery of my fourth great grandfather’s ancestry. The wall was ultimately broken down, but I did not break through the Brooks brick wall myself.  The wall had been impenetrable for generations to several Brooks historians researching our ancestor. The Brooks historians included the Troy, Alabama librarian and genealogist, Karen Bullard.  Karen, who furnished many remarkable records showing strong circumstantial evidence that the several Brooks men living in close proximity were probable brothers of Jacob Rutledge Brooks, Karen’s and my ancestor.  One of those Brooks men was Joseph C. Brooks.  A Bible record of Joseph C. Brooks provided the name of his father, James Brooks, and mother, Falby Brooks, in Pike County, Alabama. But who was James Brooks father? What was Falby’s maiden name?

With the remarkable information from Karen Bullard, I began online research in the late 1990s, through the Family Tree website.   I created an email group of like-minded Brooks researchers with a common interest in Wilkes and Warren Counties in Georgia. We shared our discoveries for a few years, where I was forever batting at that brick wall hiding the ancestry of my James Brooks.  

The trail always led to four or five Brooks families in NE Georgia who hailed from North Carolina, and to the book, Brooks and Kindred Folks, by Ida Brooks Kellam.  The book, published in 1950, was a compilation of information Ms. Kellam gathered about John Brooks, Esq. and his wife Susan/Susannah Narsin of North Carolina.  It became a sort of Brooks Bible!  Now, the book has proven to be a lot of misinformation.  The Brooks were prominent in Chatham County, North Carolina. John Brooks had a son, John Brooks, Jr. who married Jane May; my James Brooks seemed to fit right in there.  But that family already had a James Brooks just the right age, which kept me batting at the brick wall.  

One thing about brick walls, if you can’t go over them, or go under them or go around them, your only choice is to keep batting away at the brick. After much frustration, I located a professional genealogist, Raquel Lindaas, with Heritage Research in Salt Lake City, Utah who broke the brick wall down with the amazing discovery that my James Brooks was indeed the son of John Brooks, Jr. and Jane May.  Ida Brooks Kellam had the wrong James Brooks attached to John Brooks, Jr. and Jane (Jaene) May. 

Heritage Research Reports I-IV

16 March-16 September 2004

It is this researcher's opinion that John Brooks and Jane May may have had a son named James, but that the wrong James has been linked to this couple. The salient points that have come out of these research sessions are:

* There were two James Brooks in early Wilkes County, one in the area that became Oglethorpe County, he being the same who married Elizabeth Traylor in Caswell County, North Carolina in 1782, and who was associated with Middleton Brooks.  Middleton came from Caroline and Halifax Counties, Virginia. Caswell County is on the northern border of North Carolina, adjacent to Halifax County, Virginia. The other James lived near Jane, John, Joab and Micajah, the ancestral Brooks, who came from Chatham County, in central North Carolina.

* This second James Brooks lived in the part of Wilkes County that became Warren County and was most certainly the same who married Falby Cobb.

*Jane Brooks, believed to be the same as Jane May, widow of John Brooks, Jr. was granted land in Wilkes County in her name in 1795. She sold this land in 1808, with James Brooks and Joseph Cobb as witnesses.

*The marks of the ancestor, James Brooks, were compared with one another showing a bold ‘B’ as James' mark. There are obvious similarities between the marks in the deeds ascribed to James of Briar Creek.

*Joseph Cobb and other Cobbs came from Chatham County, the same county from which the family of John Brooks, Jr. and Jane May came.

*The known children of John and Jane are believed to have been born in the 1750s and 1760s. James was probably born about 1769, according to his appearance on the 1791 tax list. This birth year would be within the realm of possibility to fit in that family.

*Research has established that James Brooks, who married Falby Cobb was most likely the son of John Brooks and Jane May, according to strong circumstantial evidence. (Research Report - August 16, 2004 p. 1).

* Re: Brooks and Kindred Families, by Ida Brooks Kellam. While some mistakes are known to be contained in this source, such as Rev. James Brooks as the son of John Brooks and Jane May, there are also many helpful clues. Some intriguing hints of connections to James Brooks, the ancestor, can be gleaned from Ms. Kellam's book. In listing the children of John Brooks and Jane May, she would add the names of Isaac and Balaam, without proof. This is ironic since there is not much more than circumstantial evidence for the other purported sons of John.

The names of Isaac and Balaam were noted in previous research, when in 1822, Joseph Brooks of Walton County sold to Isaac and Jacob Brooks, with Joel and Balaam Brooks witnessing. If Isaac and Balaam were sons of John and were closely associated with Jacob, son of James, then that adds strength to James also being a son of John. It is possible that these men were not the same as the Isaac and Balaam found in earlier records, but their unique names tie them to the ancestral family.

* The fact that Micajah paid James' taxes 1801 strongly suggests that Micajah was his older brother. Taxes paid on 100 acres on Rocky Comfort Creek, originally granted to Bankston Jordan (Daniel N. Crumpton, Warren County, Georgia Land Records, Volume One (Warrenton, GA: p. p. 2002).

* The significance of these records is that Jane Brooks lived very near to the other Brooks, who is known to have come from Chatham County, North Carolina, such as Joab and Micajah (who paid her tax in 1794). She lived near her brother, John May. She is named in the will of John May, Sr. of Columbia County, Georgia, with the spelling ‘Jaene’. Jane also lived near members of the Cobb family, who are known to have come from Chatham County and married in Columbia County, Georgia... (DNA testing confirms the relationship of John May, Sr., John May.)

Timeline James Brooks
1769-1770: Birth: James Brooks, approximate year of birth, based on his first appearance in Wilkes County tax lists.

1790: Approximate year of marriage to Falby, probably the daughter of Joseph Cobb and Rachel LNU, Wilkes County, Georgia (Source: Bible Record of Joseph Cobb Brooks and Heritage Research Reports V and VI in the possession of Cynthia Forde).

1790: Tax List District PP - Wilkes area that became Warren: James, Jacob, Jane, Jesse, Joab, John and Micajah Brooks, Zeikall’ Cobb, Rachel Cobb McCullars (notation indicates that James name did appear in 1791).

1791 March 5 - Needham Smith and Margaret his wife, to Richard Story, both planters of Wilkes County for twenty pounds, 200 acres on Briar Creek, adj. east by Richard Smith, vacant on all other sides, surveyed 19 October 1784

1791: Tax list, Wilkes Georgia, Capt. Neal's District, a James Brooks was taxed along with Jane, Jacob, Micajah, John Joab, Jesse Brooks, Balaam May, & Ezekiel Cobb. This area became Warren Co., 1793.

27 Aug 1792: Birth - Joseph Cobb Brooks probably Wilkes Georgia (Source: Bible Record, "son of James and Falby Brooks").

1794: Tax list, Warren Georgia, Capt. Trant's District, Little Briar and Rocky Comfort Creek.
James Brooks - 200 acres
Joab Brooks - 200 acres
John Brooks - Capt. Neal's District
Isaac Brooks - Capt. Neal's District
Micajah Brooks - Capt. Neal's District
Jane or Jean Brooks, Warren, adjacent to Balaam May and James May, Hannah Mays, near Big Briar Creek.  (Tax indexes contain maps showing changing county boundaries).

1801: James Brooks taxes paid by Micajah Brooks. Tax list, Warren Georgia, Capt. Newsom's District, the same district as Joab and Micajah - listed in consecutive order in the original list. This is significant since tax lists are not alphabetized, and the assessments were taking in a house-to-house manner, such as the census. (Heritage Consulting Report I - p. 7 - Document 21 Tax Digests, Warren GA, 1801, p. 14.) (An Index to Georgia Tax Digests, Volume V, 1814-1817 (Spartanburg, SC: The Reprint Company, 1986.)

6 Dec 1806: Birth: Jacob R. Brooks, probably Warren Georgia (Source: a. Obituary, Jacob R. Brooks, Pike County, Alabama, The Standard, Troy, Pike County, Alabama - March 1900; b. Probate, Walton County, GA, Jacob R. Brooks, administrator of the estate of Falby C Brooks Davis).

1807: Land lottery--James Brooks of Newsom's District, Warren County, drew land in Wilkinson County, District 16, Lot # 167 (Heritage Report I, Document 27, The Second or 1807Land Lottery of Georgia, Compiled by The Rev. Silas Emmet Lucas, Jr.). Note: Joab Brooks of Neal’s District - Warren got Lot 293/12 Wilkinson; John Jr. of Newsom Warren Lot 4 7/13 Wilkinson. Balaam of Newsom's District - Warren got Lot 222/14 Wilkinson. Charles of Flournoy's District, Warren got two lots in Wilkinson.

10 Feb 1808: James Brooks witnessed deed of sale with Joseph Cobb from Jean (written as Jean 2x) Brooks to Jesse Story, 200 acres for $320.00 originally granted to Jane Brooks (the name Jane written 4x) July 22, 1795, being p/o 200 ac a tract on waters of Brier Creek. Signed Jane (her mark was a scroll) Brooks (2x). Witness: James "B" (‘B’ mark written upside down) Brooks, Joseph Cobb, test. Wm. Cason. (Warren GA, Will Book ‘D’ p. 323 - Heritage Report I - p. 8).  Note: The reason for the spelling of Jane and Jean on the same documents is because her name is really Jaene.  (Cynthia Forde Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia, courthouse, the will of John May, Planter)

1808: Land Sale: Jasper County, Georgia. James Brooks's grantee to William Kitchens. Brooks, Jas. to Wm. Kitchens deed Jul 27, 1808, Bk.1, p. 187, 1808: Brooks, Jas. Phillip Thurmond Deed on same property. This appears to be an investment (source: Monroe Jones).

***Page 188 - 27 Jul 1808 - State of Georgia (no county) - William Kitchens conveys to James Brooks, both of county and state aforesaid (for $500) tract containing 22 acres, 13th District of Baldwin, Lot 89. Signed William Kitchens. Wit: John Mathews and Jonah (his ‘P’ mark) Cason.

***Page 189 - Warren County, GA - 27 Jul 1808 - James Brooks of Warren County deeds to Phillips Thurmond of Edgefield, SC (for $800) tract containing 202 acres lying in the 13th District of Baldwin Co., Lot 89. Signed James (his ‘B’ mark) Brooks. Wit: John Matheny and Jonah (his ‘B’ mark) Cason. Rec. Jan. 23, 1809

24 Oct 1815: James Brooks, planter, of Warren, to Henry Adams, 100 acres for $200.00 land originally granted to Ezekiel Cobb, 13 Oct 1793, located on Little Briar Creek next to Davis. Joseph Brooks, Wm. Cason, Jeannet Cason witnessed.  James ‘B’ Brooks. (Deeds Warren GA Book D p. 206. - Heritage Report I, p. 8.)

24 Nov 1815: Sold one hundred acres to Samuel Story, land originally granted
To Ezekiel Cobb, 13 Oct 1793, located on Little Briar Creek. Josiah Brooks witnessed. James "B" (backward ‘B’) Brooks. (Deeds, Warren GA, Book D, p. 277 - Heritage Report I, p. 8.

7 August 1816: Witnessed Deed - Joseph Brooks to Balaam Brooks - $300.00 consideration for 300 acres between Richmond and Wilkes-103/27 Warren County, GA Superior Court Book X 1844-1849, pp. 127-128. 20 July 1989 (Lindy Hard) James ‘B’ Brooks.

1820: U. S. Federal Census 1820, Columbia Georgia, p. 44., 212210/00110 James Brooks, between 26-45 years old, as was his wife. He was the head of a large and growing family and not an old man.

23 Oct 1821: James Brooks of Columbia County to Henry Burnley, 306 acres for $620.00 on the north side of Big Briar Creek in Columbia Co. This area is in present-day McDuffie Co. James ‘B’ Brooks. Registered September 16, 1822. John Adkins and L.W. Burnley, J. P. witnesses. (Deeds, Columbia GA, Book X, p. 129, Heritage Report I, p. 8 - Document 26.).

1821, Columbia County, Georgia Courthouse, - Probate Record,  Brooks, James Grantor Grantee Index From 1791, James Brooks, Grantee to Henry Burnley, dated 23 October 1821 and recorded 16 September 1822 Book ‘X’ page 129

This is the proof that it is the ancestor James Brooks who is listed on the 1820 U.S. Federal Census Columbia County, GA. The ‘B’ mark is the same. Ages in 1820 census correspond to family ages.

1822-1827 - Death, James Brooks (Source: Marriage of Falby Brooks to Arthur Davis. Walton County Marriages1828)

1827: Land lottery--James Brooks’ orphans of Davis' District, Walton Co., drew land in Lee County, Section 1, District 16, Lot #174. (James A. Brooks, son of James Brooks appears in Lee County 1840)

4 Oct 1828: Marriage - Phalbia Brooks to Arthur Davis (Source: Walton County, Georgia Marriages).

1830 U.S. Federal Census - Walton Georgia; ‘Arter’ Davis household: one female 50-60 years old - indicates a birth age of 1770-1780 and one male 60-70 years old. Name: Davis, Arter
Township: Not Stated
County: Walton
State: Georgia
Year: 1830
Roll: 21
Page: 156

23 June 1831: Death, Phalbia ‘Falby’ Brooks Davis. Legal Notice: “Whereas Jacob Brooks applies to me for letters of administration on the estate of Phelby Davis, late of said county deceased. Given under my hand, this 13th day of June 1831.  Jesse Mitchell. June 23. [The Federal Union, 10 July 1830-July 1833] newspaper published Milledgeville, Georgia. Legal notice: Walton County, Georgia.

15 Sept 1831: Legal Notice: Four months after date application will be made to Inferior Court for leave to sell the real estate lying in Walton County, of Phalbey Davis, late of said county, deceased; also at same time like application will be made to sell a Negro woman named Phillis, belonging to said estate. Jacob Brooks, Adm'r Sept 15. [The Federal Union]

7 March 1832  Deed - Jacob Brooks sold 100 acres of Lot number 30 to Caleb Sappington for $300.00, it was bordered by Lot Twenty-nine, by the part belonging to the estate of Phalby Brooks, deceased. (Land Records, Walton GA, Book K, p. 429).

1832: Deed - Jacob R. Brooks sold to William G. Bullock 100 acres, part of Lot Number twenty-nine - 1st district - originally granted to Joseph Brooks and one hundred acres more or less of lot # 30 belonging to said Jacob R. Brooks for the consideration (sum) of $400.00. Caleb Sappington served as one of the witnesses. (Land Records, Walton GA, Book L, p. 238) Recorded 28 March 1836.

1833: Estate Settlement of ‘Phelby’ Davis, Jacob R. Brooks, administrator (Probate Records, Walton, GA, Book D, p. 108, 217, 349, & 403).

1833: Probate  Phalbia Cobb Brooks Davis, estate administered by Jacob
Rutledge Brooks, Walton County. (Probate Records, Walton Georgia, Book ‘D’ 1834-1838, p. 108.) The land was purchased by Jacob R. Brooks from his brother, Joseph C. Brooks, Witnesses, Joel N. Brooks. Isaac Brooks, Balaam Brooks.

Summary:

YDNA was the final blow to the Brooks Kellam brick wall/mystery. Two male descendants of James Brooks who married Falby have proven their match to John Brooks Jr. and Jaene May via other descendants.   In addition, descendants of the other James Brooks, wrongly identified as the son of that couple do not match YDNA.

Autosomal DNA matches to descendants of Ezekiel Cobb have proven Falby’s relationship to the Rachel and Joseph Cobb family.  

Ancestor Challenge 2019, Week 13, Norwegian In the Paper

#52 Ancestor Challenge 2019, Week 13, Norwegian In the Paper

That All Important Paper

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde

The best record for Norwegian genealogy, better than a newspaper, is the parish record.  The Lutheran church records are the primary source for genealogical research in Norway.  Church records provide excellent information on names, dates, and places of births, marriages, and deaths. Almost everyone who lived in Norway was recorded in a church record. 

Records of births, marriages, and deaths are commonly called vital records because critical events in a person's life are recorded in them. Church records are vital records made by the pastor or his assistant. They are often referred to as parish registers or church books and include records of christenings, marriages, and burials. In addition, church records may include lists of members, confirmations, marriage banns, and accounts of people moving in our out of the area.  

Church records are crucial for Norwegian research. The Evangelical Lutheran Church became the state church or national church, after the Reformation in 1536. As such, it is an arm of the national government. The church keeps vital records for the government. 

Christianity came to Norway around 1152 to 1153 in the form of the Catholic church.  From the time of the Reformation in 1536, Norway became a Lutheran nation.  The Norwegian government recognized only the state church prior to 1845 when it became legal to organize churches of other denominations.  The earliest parish record dates from 1623. Church records for the state church are available in most areas beginning about 1700.

Before 1876 there was no form of civil registration, but that year a law was passed to send all information about births, death, and marriage to the Bureau of Central Statistics for statistical purposes, and in 1905 a law was passed that a copy of the ministers records of birth, death, and marriages should be sent to the bureau. 

Because most ministers were educated in Copenhagen, the written Norwegian language was closer to Danish. The script was Gothic due to German influence. The dates are recorded according to the church calendar, with Latin names on Sundays and Feast days.  The quality of the record depends on the minister who kept the records.

At first, the record-keeping requirement was limited to baptisms, marriages, and burials. Confirmation registers of many parishes date from as early as 1736. Until a standard form was established in 1814, no directions were given on how to keep church records, so the records before that date vary greatly.  The records are thorough, to include the christening date which was usually within a few days of birth.  

The records included names of parents, their Godparents, farm name, whether or not a child was illegitimate, or baptized at home, the spelling to be determined by the minister or recorder.   

While there are many online sources for genealogists, I prefer using https://vesterheim.org   The Vesterheim genealogists are excellent; they can read the Gothic script and decipher the different dialects and old Norse.  

A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:

Norway Marriages, (FamilySearch Historical Records)/  Digital images of the church books are available for browsing at the Digitalarkivet Website. Searchable databases of church records are being added regularly to the Digitalarkivet website.

•  The following link will bring you to the main page of the Digital Archives (Digitalarkivet) of Norway.  Here you will find most records for Norway. https://media.digitalarkivet.no/

Parish Records for My 2^ndGreat Grandfather

The following parish records are from Vesterheim, thanks, to Diane Maurer, genealogist, beginning with the christening of my 2^ndgreat grandfather Halgrim Syverson Wold.  Halgrim was the son of Syver, living on the Wold farm, his mother was Ragnild, from the Lie farm.  Witness included Embret Ganderud, the future grandfather of Brynhild, the woman Halgrim’s son, Ole, would marry one day. Syver and Gunild Wold were Halgrim's paternal grandparents.

         Halgrim Syversen Wold was christened 1790, September 26.  Parents: Syver and Ragnild Lie Wold.  Test: Ragnild and Embret Genderud, Gunild and Syver Wold, Levor Olsen. (Parish record 5/57 Nes and Flaa).

Now comes Halgrim’s marriage record: Halgrim Syvertson Vold/Wold (the V is pronounced W in Norwegian), is being married to Anne Olsdatter (the oldest daughter of Ole Sefre.  

         ENTRY #20 is the 17 March 1816 marriage of Halgrim Syvertson Vold /Wold (age 27) and his Anne Olsdatter Sefre / Savre / Sævre (age 23):

         Buskerud county, Nes, Parish register (official) nr. 7 (1815-1823),Marriage records 1816, page 394-395.

         http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=3052&i...

         http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:NBN:no-a1450-kb20060130010052....

Now comes the birth records of their children, Syver, Ragnild, Margit, Truls and Ole, who became my great grandfather. 

         ENTRY #69, 30 June 1818, SYVER; witnesses were Ingeborg, Guri       Olsdatter, Narve & Elling Wold.

         Buskerud county, Nes, Parish register (official) nr. 7 (1815-1823),Birth and     baptism records 1818, page 128-129.

         http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=3052&i..

         http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:NBN:no-a1450-kb20060127050666..

         Right page (329), ENTRY #109, 12 August 1821, RAGNILD, born to    HALGRIMSYVERSEN and ANNE OLSDATTER VOLD; witnesses Elli    Syversdatter, Hans Endresen Hellemud, Guri Syversdatter, Lovi(?)      Hansdatter Vold.

         Buskerud county, Nes, Parish register (official) nr. 5 (1787-1807),Birth and     baptism records 1790, page 56-57.

         http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=3050&idx_id=3050&    uid=ny&idx_side=-33

         http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:NBN:no-a1450-kb20060127050226.jpg

       1832 ;witnesses were Ingeborg, Ole, Barbro & Ole Vold, Ole     Wiig (Vik):

         Buskerud county, Nes, Parish register (official) nr. 8 (1824-        1834),Birth and         baptism records 1832, page 418-419.

         http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=3053&idx           _id=3053&     uid=ny&idx_side=-215

         http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:NBN:no-a1450-         kb20060130010417.jpg

In 1880, The Digitalarkivet kept track of the Norwegians living in the US with its own census records showing my great grandfather Ole Halgrimson and his wife, Brenile (Brynhild) with those children remaining at home. 

         1880 Federal Census: Digitalarkivet: Norwegians living in Iowa  according to 1880 census.  Ole H. m 49; Brenile 43, Anna O.,18,Halgrim, 16, Albert 14,   Truls, 12, Gunnill 10, Malina 8, S  Severt 6,Carl 4. Knud 2, 486 Brookfield Township, Worth County, Iowa

         Immigration and Naturalization: Minnesota Naturalization         Index: Location:        Nicolet Reel 1, Code 2, Volume C Page 270:Vold, O.H.

And there you have it, the all-important-paper, the parish record!  Now, why don’t we have complete records like that in the US?

#52 Ancestor Challenge 2019, Week 12, William Miller Twelve

#52 Ancestor Challenge 2019,  Week 12  William Miller Twelve!

12, Twelve, T.W.E.L.V.E.

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde

On this, the 12^thday of March, in the 12^thweek of 2019, this week’s essay prompt is ‘Twelve.’ Hmm!  My eyes fell on an address, Post Office Box 12, Polk County Genealogical Society, Hatfield. Arkansas, 71945.  Serendipity!  I was staring at a recently received envelope of old, yellowed letters and research from cousin Connie Harris. Her mother, Bobbie Lou Ringgold Long, and cousin Dorothy Ellison Miller shared a passion for genealogy.  It was a delight to read their correspondence!  Both ladies are deceased.  Dorothy and Bobbie Lou must be nudging me from heaven to write about the Millers.  This is for you two ladies:

In December of 1988, the front page of the Polk County Genealogy Society was an article about my great grandfather, Willam “Bill” Anderson Miller, whose grandson, Aaron Miller, placed a Confederate Army Veteran grave marker at Cherry Hill Cemetery.  

The article was first published in the Mena Star, Mena, Arkansas on Thursday, 8 September 1988, thanks to the hard work of Dorothy and Aaron Miller in obtaining the grave marker.

“One hundred and twenty-four years after he was mustered out of the service and 73 years after his death, Confederate Army Veteran William Anderson Miller will finally get his grave marker testifying that he did indeed serve in the Confederate States of America during the civil war.

Anderson’s grave at Cherry Hill has been without a marker since his death in 1915 at the age of 73.

It all came about through the efforts of his grandson, Aaron Miller of 17 Meadowbrook Lane in Mena, while he and his wife were researching their family histories.  

A letter to the National Archives and Record Services in Washington, D. C., brought them William Anderson Miller’s service record and the necessary forms to fill out for the grave marker.  

The record shows that Miller, who was living in Polk County, apparently joined the Eighth Field Artillery of Arkansas on June 1, 1863, at the age of 21.  He later served with a company of the Tennessee Light Artillery commanded by a Capt. Scott.  He was discharged as a sergeant on September 18, 1864, because of physical disability. 

Born in 1842 in Georgia, Miller moved to the Cherry Hill area with his family when he was 16.  Following his discharge from the Confederate army, he came back to Cherry Hill and lived there, and at Board Camp, until his death.

Miller was not the only member of his family to serve with the confederates.  He had four brothers in the service.  One of them was captured and apparently killed while being held prisoner at the Johnson Island prisoner of war camp in Ohio.  Aaron Miller said he has been unable to find out more exact details of the death.”

William Anderson Miller was born 25 Feb. 1842, Dade County, GA, and his first wife, Manerva Bell Fleming (1846-1884), daughter of Alfred Fleming and Nancy Hitchcock had 10 children.  Their son, Roland Douglas Miller, born 2 December 1875, died 26 June 1939, Polk County, Arkansas, married 1897 to Mae Atrice Spears (1883-1955), daughter of Thomas P. Spears and Millie F. Russell;  They had twelve children!  All twelve children were born at Board Camp,  Polk Polk County, Arkansas from 1898 to 1926, including Aaron Russell Miller whose photo appears on the cover of the Polk County Genealogical Society, PO Box 12.  Serendipity.

Thank you, Connie, Bobbie Lou Ringgold Long, and Dorothy Ellison Miller!  Bobbie and Dorothy did indeed nudge me to write about the Millers.  In heaven,  they are getting all of their genealogy questions answered.  Rest in Peace, ladies!

Aaron Miller with Grave Marker 

Dorothy Ellison Miller, wife of Aaron Miller

# 52 Ancestor Challenge 2019, Week 11, Georgia Sappington Family

# 52 Ancestor Challenge 2019, Week 11
Prompt: Large Family

The Parents of All Georgia Born Sappingtons

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Vold Forde

Richard Sappington had a very large family!  He and his wife, Rebecca Jarrett, were parents of all Georgia born Sappingtons at least to the year 1880.  My line descends through their son, Caleb Sappington who married Martha, daughter of Lawrence and Nancy Henderson Bankston.  The line from Caleb and Martha continues: 

Rebecca Jarrett Isabella Sappington married Jacob Rutledge Brooks

Martha Brooks married Elijah McDonald

Rebecca Jarrett McDonald married William Anderson Miller

Coy Clifton Miller married Ruby Anna King

Rose Miller married Ervin Gelnor Vold 

AND HERE I AM!

Timeline Richard Sappington

July 25, 1763 - Friday, Richard Sappington was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland to John Sappington Jr. and Ann Everett.

1763: Death of his father—John Sappington, Jr.

17 October 1765:

Maryland Hall of Records filed in Anne Arundel County, in 1765, Prerogative Court, Box 5, fld. 14

"17 October 1765 - John Sappington of Anne Arundel County, deceased made a deed of gift to his son, Richard.

Gleanings from Maryland News Papers: 1727-1775 by Robert Barnes, 1976.

Annapolis, Maryland Gazette

1764: Richard’s Mother remarried—"Ann, mother of Richard and his three siblings, married Nicholas Ridgely of Baltimore, Maryland."

(Gleanings from Maryland News Papers: 1727-1775 by Robert Barnes, 1976. Annapolis, Maryland Gazette).

11 March 1773: Estate settlement for John Sappington, Jr.

John Richard, and Margaret executors. John Sappington, Jr. was the first-born son of John Sappington, Sr. and his wife, the former Sarah Sherbert of Anne Arundel County, Virginia. John Jr. was born into this world on February 6, 1734; he departed on February 13, in the Year of Our Lord, 1765.  John was thirty-one years and one week. John was the 2nd great-grandson of Nathaniel Sappington, the immigrant.  Citations: From Linda Starr, a descendant of The Rev. Joshua Starr, on July 3, 2000.

11 December 1785 Sunday, Richard Sappington, Marriage, Richard was 22 years, 4 months and 19 days.  Source: Bible Records of William Jarrett Sappington

18 December 1787: Birth—Caleb Sappington, son.

14 November 1788: Deed—Purchase 99 acres on Kettle Creek

21 March 1789: Birth Daughter, Margaret “Peggy” Sappington

10 October 1790: Birth Daughter—Nancy Jarrett Sappington

22 July 1792: Birth Daughter—Mary Elizabeth Sappington

2 December 1803: Birth Son—Henry Thomas Sappington

29 February 1804: Death of Richard’s mother, Ann Everett Sappington Ridgely in Baltimore, Maryland, Ridgely exocusus from Anne Arundel Gentry., Vol. III,.

Ann had three children by Nicholas Ridgely:

Lot Ridgely, d.s.p., 1804

Nicholas Orrick Ridgely married Ann Croxall

Anne Ridgely married William Wellmore.  license Balto November 16, 1797

See Nicholas Ridgely (1743-1830 Anne Arundel Gentry) Maryland Court of Appeals Library, p. 159, printed in 1979.

Nicholas Ridgely, one of the children of William and Mary (Orrick) Ridgely, was born about 1743 in Anne Arundel County.  By the will of his father in 1780, his legacy was negligible, but at that time it is believed that he was established in Baltimore Town.  Before September 8, 1767, he married Anne, the widow of John Sappington, with at least two chidren: Anne and Caleb. On the foregoing date they filed an account with the court reporting an inventory appraised a #163/4/6 and after all obligations against the estate were met, a balance of #161/14/11 remained for the heirs.  Richard Sappington and Thomas Sappington were sureties for the administrators.

6 June 1805: Birth Son—Richard Thadeus Sappington

10 September 1806: Birth Daughter—Sarah Jarrett Sappington

28 Dec. 1814: Estate Settlement of Fadda Jarrett. Early Records of Georgia: Wilkes County Deed Book "OO" Sales for 28 December 1814, Estate settlement of Fadda Jarrett, Richard Sappington, two slaves, 1 negro boy Daniel, 1 Negro boy Sealy.

27 December 1815: Administrator Weaver Estate

Deed Book CCC, 1815-1819, Wilkes County, Georgia; microcopy RH 406-7; Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia

1820 U.S. Federal Census, Wilkes County, Georgia,

Richard Sappington.

Ancestry.com 1820 U.S. Federal Census online. Provo, Utah; MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Original data; the United States, 1820 United States Federal Census, M33, 142 rolls. National Archives and Records Administrations, Washington, D.C.

1821, District 13 – Capt. Beniah B. Reeves District

1818-1823 Tax Digests, Wilkes County, Georgia; microcopy RHS 378-79; Georgia Department of Archives and History, Atlanta, Georgia.

-Sappington, Richd – 7 slaves, 677 acres 3rd class land in Wilkes County, adjoining ____, originally granted to _ Darden; 250 acres pine land in Early County, district 21, lot 263; 250 acres pine land in Early County, district 16, lot 239.

1821 Land Lottery Explanatory

The land disposed of in this lottery was obtained by treaty with the Creek Indians at Indian Springs Jan 8, 1821.  Covered by five original counties at the time of the survey, namely Dooly, Houston, Monroe, Henry and Fayette counties since divided into twenty-one counties.

A list of names entitled to draw for land in the 164th District or Capt. David P. Hilllhouse's County, in Major Thomas Gordon's Batt. in Wilkes County, Georgia,

Richard Sappington: 2 draws

Caleb Sappington: 2 draws

Richard purchased and sold a great deal of property in Wilkes County, Georgia and in Henry County, Georgia; some of the deed listings are included in the timeline to assist the reader to follow the migration from Wilkes County to Henry County. But the full listing of the deeds will be found in the folder labeled Richard Sappington located on the CD-ROM of the book, The Spirit in the South (Volume II).

1818-1823 Tax Digests, Wilkes County, Georgia;

microcopy RHS 378-79; Georgia Department of Archives and History, Atlanta, Georgia.

1825-1833 Tax Digest, Wilkes County, Georgia; microcopy RHS 379-80; Georgia Department of Archives and History, Atlanta, Georgia.

1825, District 9 – Capt. James W. C. Luker’s District

-Sappington, Caleb – poll only, no slaves or land.

1825, District 14 – Capt. Beniah B. Reeve’s District

-Sappington, Henry T. – poll only, no land or slaves.

-Sappington, Richard – 8 slaves, 677 acres 3rd class land in Wilkes County on Long Creek adjoining B. Moore, originally granted G. Darden; 500 acres pine land in Early County, 21st & 16th districts, lots 363 & 239; one four-wheel carriage, one stud-horse young M__sk

-Sappington, John, no slaves or land, poll only

-Sappington, William J. – no slaves, 68 acres 3rd class land in Wilkes County on Long Creek adjoining R. Sappington, one two-wheel carriage.

-Sappington, Caleb – 111 ½ acres 3rd class land in Wilkes County on Long Creek adjoining R. Sappington, originally granted to G. Darden.

-Sappington, Thdies – poll only, no slaves or land

1826, Tax Digests, Ibid.,

District 12 – Capt. Reeves’ District

-Sappington, William J. – no slaves; 104 acres 3rd class land in Wilkes County on Long Creek, adjoining Albert.

-Sappington, Caleb – 117 acres 3rd class land in Wilkes County on Long creek, originally granted to G. Darden.

-Sappington, Richard (old) – 8 slaves, 477 acres 3rd class land in Wilkes County on Long Creek adjoining B. Moore, originally granted to G. Darden; 260 acres pine land in Early County, 16th district, lot 239; 250 acres pine land in Early County, 21st district, lot 363.

-Sappington, Henry – 50 acres 2nd class land & 152 ½ acres 3rd class land in Henry County, 11th district, lot 167.

-Sappington, Thaddius – no slaves; 111 ½ acres 3rd class land in Wilkes County on Long Creek adjoining R. Sappington, originally granted to Darden.

1826, District 14 – Capt. Thompson’s District

-Sappington, Caleb – poll only, no slaves or land.

1828, District 12 – Capt. Reeves’ District

-Sappington, William J. – 1 slave; 104 acres 3rd class land in Wilkes County on Long Creek adjoining J. Albert, originally granted to Darden.

-Sappington, Richard Jr. – 3 slaves; 202 ½ acres 3rd class land in Henry County, 11th district, lot 154, originally granted to M. Ward.

-Sappington, Richard old – 10 slaves; 880 acres 3rd class land in Wilkes County on Long Creek adjoining B. More, originally granted to Dardin; 250 acres pine land in Early County, 21st district, lot 363; 250 acres pine land in Early County, 21 district, lot 239.

27 January 1830: Deed Sale 41 ¾ acres

Pages 408-409

Dated 27 Jan 1830

Richard Sappington to Ephraim S. Sappington of Wilkes County, Georgia

1830 U.S. Federal Census: Henry County, Georgia, p. 227

Ancestry.com 1830 U.S. Federal Census online.  Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc. 2004. Original data: 1830 United States Federal Census, M33, 142 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

Richard Sappington, 1 male 20-30; 1 male, 60-70; 1 female 60-70.  (the male could have been John Sappington, son.)

1831 Tax Digest, Henry County, Georgia; microcopy RHS 21-22; Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia.

Capt House District – Brushby Knob

Richard T. Sappington, 0 polls, 10 slaves, 202a, 2nd & 3rd class land, Lot 184, Dt 184 [error, should be district 11], waters of South River, Henry County

Richard T. Sappington for Vines Owens, 1 poll, 0 slaves, 92 acres 3rd class land

Henry T. Sappington, 1 poll, 204 acres 3rd class land, lot 167, 11th Dt,, waters of South River, Henry Co

Notes: Lot 167 was later sold by the heirs of Richard Sappington, Sr.

1832 Gold Lottery Henry County - Richard Sappington 2 - 40 acres lots

February 1832: Deed of land to erect church

Freda Reid Turner, Henry Land Records 1824-1838, Deed Books C/D, F, G, H, Vol. II (Roswell, Georgia: WH Wolfe Associates, 1993).

Page 109 of the published source

Deed Book F, page 93

Solomon Grace of Bibb County to Henry T. Sappington, Richard Sappington and others, all Trustees of Methodist Episcopal Church, 2 ½ acres to erect a church in the 11th district on Northern line of lot 122, recorded 18 Feb 1832.

Notes: Evidence of family’s Methodist Church affiliation.  Also, some family burials may be in the cemetery in the area of the church.

19 August 1833 – Deed Purchase Lot # 185 202 ½ acres District 11, South River.

Page 165 of the published source

Deed Book F, page 395

Peter Lamar of Lincoln County to Richard Sappington of Henry, 19 Aug 1833, $200, lot 185, district 11, 202 ½ acres on waters of South River, wit: Charles L. Powell and Thomas Albert, recorded 7 Oct 1833.

31 October 1833 – Deed Sale ½ Lot 185

Page 169 of the published source

Deed Book F, page 479

Richard Sappington to Thomas Albert, both of Henry, 31 Oct 1833, $200, South half lot 185, district 11, 202 ½ acres drawn by Samuel Coulter and deeded by him to Peter Lamon & by him to Richard Sappington.  Wit: B. K. Stansell, Jesse Wade J.P., recorded 4 Feb 1834.

3 October 1836: Deed Sale Lot 204 8th District

Page 310 of the published source

Deed Book H, page 75

Richard T. Sappington to James W. Crockett, both of Henry County, 3 Oct 1836, $40, undivided interest in lot 204, 8th district, wit: O. W. Cox, John T. Bentley J.I.C., recorded 5 Oct 1836.

13 December 1836: Deed Sale by Son Henry T.Sappington

Page 360 of the published source

Deed Book H, page 308

Henry T. Sappington to Silas Mosely, both of Henry County, dated 13 Dec 1836, $700, 293 acres, lot 167, District 11, Wit: Robert Cable, William Camp, recorded 20 Jul 1837.

16 December 1836: Deed Purchase—Lot 167—2 acres 11th district

Page 339 of the published source

Deed Book H, page 205

Henry T. Sappington to Richard Sappington, 16 Dec 1836, $200, 2 acres of lot 167, 11th district, wit: Glen Owen and Seaborn J. Clark J.P., recorded 2 Mar 1837.

Page 407 of the published source

Deed Book H, page 532

Photocopied from microfilm of original and appears transcribed elsewhere in this report.

1837 Tax Digest, Henry County, Georgia; microcopy RHS 21-22; Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia.

Capt Posey District - Knob

Richard Sappington, overage, 0 polls, 11 slaves, 212 acres land, 2nd & 3rd quality land, lot 184,11th Dt, waters of South River, Henry Co

40 acres 3rd class land, Cherokee Co [gold lot]

40 acres, 3rd class land, lot 340 2nd Dt, sec 1, Cherokee Co [gold lot]

John Sappington, Rev. Soldier, overage, 0 poll, 0 slaves, 160 acres, 3rd class land, lot 229, 10th Dt

Notes: By John Sappington’s entry is the notation that he was a Revolutionary War soldier.  Both John and Richard Sappington were over the age of 60 and therefore paid no poll tax. In 1837 Richard Sappington still had the 2-40 acre lots that he won in the 1832 Gold Lottery.

20 May 1837: Richard's Letter to Brother, Caleb Sappington in Maryland:

The state of Georgia in Henry County

8 January 1838 Monday,  Richard Sappington died at the age of 74 years, five months and 17 days.

Richard's death was preceded by the death of four children: Margaret "Peggy", John, 
Nicholas, and James Thadeus. He was survived by Caleb (Walton County) Rebecca Collins (Walton County) Henry (Monroe County) William J. (Troup County) Elizabeth Williams (Lumpkin County) Richard T. (Henry County) Nancy Albert (Henry County) Sarah Thomas (Rockdale County, Alabama) and fifty-seven grandchildren. Richard and Rebecca Jarrett Sappington are the ancestors of all Georgia born Sappingtons pre-1880.  

Source: Henry County, Book "h", P. 532, Early Records Of Georgia. Wills And Deeds, Georgia,
Written: February 12 1838
February 12, 1838, Richard Sappington, Sr., deceased. Henry County, BOOK "H' , 
PAGE 532, Early Records of Georgia. Wills and Deeds, Georgia, Henry County :  
Richard Sappington Estate Settlement:
Know all men by these present that I, Rebecca Sappington, widow of 
Richard Sappington, late of the county and state aforesaid deceased, and 
Caleb Sappington and Timothy Collins of the county of Walton, Henry Sappington 
of the county of Monroe, William J.Sappington of the county of Troup, Thaddeus 
Sappington of the county of Newton, William R. Williams of the county of Lumpkin, 
and Thomas Albert of the county of Henry and all of the state aforesaid being 
lawful legatees of the estate of said Richard Sappington, deceased, for 
divers good causes and considerations we hereunto moving have made ordained 
and appointed and by these presents do make ordain and appoint John Albert of 
the county of Henry and State of Georgia and Richard T. Sappington of the 
county of Newton and state aforesaid and legatees of said estate our true and 
lawful attorneys for us and in our names and for our own proper use and 
benefit to sell and dispose of absolutely and in fee simple all and singular 
the goods, chattels, lands and tenements both real and personal belonging or 
appertaining to the estate of said Richard Sappington deceased. at public our 
cry on the premises of said deceased. In the county of Henry and commencing 
on the 13th day of February, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, then 
continuing from day to day until all is sold to the highest bidder as may be 
agreed upon. Then to make equal distribution of the remaining balances among 
legatees of such notes as ten remain. In witness we here of the said, Rebecca 
Sappington, Caleb Sappington, Timothy Collins, Henry Sappington, William J. 
Sappington, Thaddeus Sappington, William R. Williams, Thomas Albert, have 
hereunto set our hands and seals this the 12th day of February 1838.
Witness; Wiley E. Wood Signed:
Widow: Rebecca Jarrett Sappington
Caleb Sappington (married Martha Bankston) 
Timothy Collins (m. Rebecca Sappington)
Henry Thomas Sappington (m. Sarah Owens)
William Jarrett Sappington (m. Martha Hardwick Starr)
Thaddeus Sappington (m. Jerely Turner
William R, Williams (m. Elizabeth Sappington)
Thomas Albert (m. Sarah Sappington)

Documentation Marriage:

a.).)Faddy Jarrett transferred ownership of a Negro girl, Lucy, "unto my son in law, Richard Sappington," dated 21 November. 1793.  County of Wilkes, Georgia, reference: Will Book Volume  KK, Box 33, Georgia Archives.

b.) Links II, by Elizabeth Ramsey: p. 244:  Henry County settlement of Richard's estate: Record books 'H', p. 532 and 'J', p.  145-147. Richard was the administrator of Fadda Jarrett's estate and a legatee. p. 271, "Transfer of sale of the personal estate of John Weaver, widower of Elizabeth Weaver (nee Jarrett).  It states that "Richard Sappington, brother-in-law of John Weaver, made a return on the personal estate of John Weaver for $1,987.00 and three tracts of land."   (Copies of original documents attached)

c.) Early Records of Georgia, Vol I & II, Wilkes County Will Book 1818 - 1819 p.86

Notes for William Partridge:  Executors, signed 31 Jan 1814. Probated 7 July 1817, Richard Sappington, Rebecca Sappington, James Rutledge, Testator.  listed as Testator. to the will of  William Partridge.

d.)Bankston Cousins 1656-1996, by Anne Martin Haigler, Hardbound, Inc. 737A, N. Highway 67, Florissant, Missouri, 63031

e.) Looking Back II, Edwin Donovan Kuykendall 1985, Vol, II;    A copy is in the Dallas, Tx.  library, and the East Point, Georgia. Archives.  Volume 2 tells about the Sappingtons of Maryland & Georgia. "Descendants of Richard Sappington b. July 25, 1763, Md. moved to Wilkes County, Georgia about 1787/88 married Rebecca Jarrett.  ) on pg 156 ---" sets forth an abstract of a will signed 31 Jan. 1814 by William Partridge, probated, 1817, and shows witnesses to that will were Richard Sappington, Rebecca Sappington, and James Rutledge.  Other documents have shown, hereinafter, in this chapter, identify Richard Sappington's widow as Rebecca Sappington, following his death in 1838 in Henry Co, Georgia.  I, therefore, have concluded Richard's wife, before her marriage, was Rebecca Jarrett, daughter of Fadde."