Hello all, You may want to check this out. . . kemis Those interested in Linwood Cemetery might want to watch this History Detective program as they filmed some in Linwood. Linda Kennedy 7-26-04 FRIENDS- Reminder- My National TV Debut about the Columbus, GA mystery related to the Preston Brooks Riding Crops is as below. slated in GA for GPTV- Public Television - free- not on cable- for next Monday, Aug 2, 2004 at 10 pm. Details below. You can see the riding crop on their website, search HISTORY DETECTIVES. The mystery surrounds the name engraved on the riding crop, to P.S. Brooks of SC from J. E. Davis, of Columbus, GA. The mystery is who is J. E. Davis? my scenes were filmed in April at Columbus State University. As it will be shown nationally, you should be able to see it whereever you are--- if you are in another state, check local listings and time, and adjust . So this is a date and time change, but be prepared. Ken Thomas office email is ken_thomas@dnr.state.ga.us o-404-651-5568, h- 404-377-4943 History Detectives Preston Brook's Riding Crop; Home of Lincoln Assassination Plot; Revolutionary War Cannon Monday, August 2, 10:00pm | E-mail reminder In its second season, this series reveals the historic relevance of buildings, artifacts and legends from cities and towns across the country. In each episode, the detectives — Wesley Cowan, independent appraiser and auctioneer; Elyse Luray-Marx, an independent appraiser and expert in art history; Gwendolyn Wright, professor of architecture, Columbia University; and Tukufu Zuberi, a leader in the field of African-American history — tackle three intriguing and unanswered mysteries, using the best in the fields of forensics, historical research, architecture and archaeology. CC, Stereo, Letterboxed TVG Visit the Web site View more broadcast times for History Detectives

Caroline L. Harris died in Chambers Co., AL in June, 1859. She left behind the foloowing slaves: age Aaron 22 Jacob 25 Will 19 Reuben 11 Wesley 9 John 2 Elizabeth 24 Delpha 19 Bell 16 This data was transcribed by me from the Inventory Books of those people who died intestate. Hope this helps. Cliff Murray ----- Original Message ----- From: <dollharg@dollsgen.com> To: <ALCHAMBE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 12:55 PM Subject: [ALCHAMBE-L] African American Research > Researching slavery of African Americans in Chambers County, AL. Would > like to know if there were any Harris surnamed slaveowners in this county. > Death record information revealed that some descendants were born in > Chambers County. > > Doll Harris-Hargrove > Doll's Genealogy Site > http://www.dollsgen.com > > > ==== ALCHAMBE Mailing List ==== > http://www.rootsweb.com/~alchambe/ >

Researching slavery of African Americans in Chambers County, AL. Would like to know if there were any Harris surnamed slaveowners in this county. Death record information revealed that some descendants were born in Chambers County. Doll Harris-Hargrove Doll's Genealogy Site http://www.dollsgen.com

Hello, I live in Seattle I wish it we're later. I'm coming to reunion in Chambers County,AL but will be staying with cousin there in september. We have a family cemetery 1830's. Was once home of Briskey plantation. My grandfather's family. And we are trying to preserve our cemetery. Family reunion 1st weekend in October. We have decendents from some of the Briskey slaves actually coming this year. I'm very excited about it. First time we've been able to find some of them. Our ancestors actually gave their slaves land in Alabama so many still are there their decendents. Sandel BRISKEY-L@rootsweb.com Seattle Surnames: Briskey,Brisky,Brisque,Demastus,Sutton,Meadows,Hodnett,Moore,McIntosh,Leverett,Mark/Merck (States SC, GA, Chambers County,AL, Washington State, TX and france)

Chambers County AlArchives Biographies.....Wise, Parham Lindsey 1831 - August 9 1862 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jerry Delezen j.delezen@comcast.net July 28, 2004, 12:28 am Author: Jerry Delezen Parham Lindsey Wise, the only child of Isaiah and Rosanna Smith Wise, was born in late 1830 or early 1831 in Butts County, Georgia. Isaiah Wise was about 22 years old and Rosanna Smith was 19 years old when they were married in Butts County on March 18, 1830. Parham was 5 years old when his father, Isaiah, died in May 1836. Many of the residents of Butts County, Georgia, migrated to Chambers County, Alabama, during the 1830s. Their land had been depleted of nutrients by the continual raising of their “money crop” of cotton. Cotton is extremely hard on the soil, and they were looking for fresh new land. Chambers County, created in 1832 out of the Creek Nation, was subject to an influx of settlers seeking new land and fresh soil. The treaty with the Creeks provided 320 acres of land to each Indian family, but most of them lost their land to white land speculators and were then forced out of Chambers County after the Creek War of 1836-1837. John Johnson Wise, brother of Isaiah Wise, was one of the early settlers in this hostile wilderness area. Rosanna’s parents, William, an Irish immigrant, and Elizabeth Smith, also relocated to this area from Butts County. Widowed at the age of 25, Rosanna and her son, Parham, relocated to Chambers County to be near their family. Rosanna, at the age of 32, remarried to James A. Talbot, aged 26, on September 27, 1842. One of the earliest records of James Talbot living in Chambers County is the purchase of 240 acres on January 5, 1841. James Talbot was appointed by the court as guardian of Parham, age about 14, on January 1, 1845. To protect Parham’s inheritance he received from his father’s estate, a guardianship bond was set at $4,000, but was later increased to $7,000, in August 1847 due to the increase in the value of Parham’s property. Parham had an uncle, John Johnson Wise, who was one of the early settlers in Chambers County and a successful farmer. John had a wife, Nancy, 7 children (2 sons and 5 daughters) and 12 slaves in 1840. Parham probably had very close ties to his Uncle John, Aunt Nancy and Cousins Patton and James. Cousin Patton, who was about 5 years older than Parham, married Martha J. Harris, from the neighboring county of Tallapoosa, in December 1847. Parham became acquainted with Martha’s sister, Susan C. Harris, and married her on May 16, 1849, when she was about 15 years old and Parham was 18. Cousin James was bondsman (a person who knows the groom well and vouched for there being no legal impediment to the marriage) for their wedding in Tallapoosa County. Susan’s parents were Charles W. and Mary E. Harris. Charles died in March 1849. Her father’s death was shortly before Parham and Susan’s marriage in May, leaving speculation that this youthful marriage may have taken place sooner than normal to remove her from the hardships of a fatherless home. In 1850, according to the Census, Parham and Susan were living in Chambers County with real estate valued at $800 and a male slave, age 21, and a female slave, age 16. James and Rosanna Talbot, Parham’s mother and Step-father, were living close by with real estate valued at $640 and 4 slaves. On December 20, 1852, James A. Talbot was granted a license to operate a ferry on the Tallapoosa River. Early land purchases by Parham were in Section 21, Township 23, Range 25: July 1852 160 Acres $600 Sep 1853 80 Acres $400 Sep 1853 160 Acres $800 (purchased from Step-father, James A. Talbot) Parham and Susan’s first child, Charles Isaiah Wise, was born on April 5, 1851. Their second child, Mary Rosanna Wise was born in June 1853, followed by James A. Wise on February 6, 1855, and Eugenia B. Wise on December 20, 1857. Parham was active in their community of Milltown as a school trustee per records dated May 10, 1858. On December 18, 1858, Susan Wise died. Parham was now a widower with 4 children aged 7, 5, 3 and 1. Records from inventory and appraisement of her estate show that Susan owned: 1 Negro Man Edmund about 32 years old $1,200 1 Negro Woman Delcy about 26 years old 1,400 & child Lee about 3 years old 600 1 Negro Girl Sarah about 6 years old 600 Cash from the Estate of C. W. Harris (Susan’s father) 800 All of this property was probably her inheritance from her father, Charles W. Harris. Edmund and Delcy are very likely the slaves referenced in the 1850 Census which showed them as aged 21 and 16. The 1860 Census records Parham as a 30 year old farmer with real estate valued at $2,000 and a personal estate valued at $8,000. Living with Parham are 3 of his children: Charles I. (9), Mary R. (7), and James A. (5). Also living with the household with Parham and his family were an overseer of the farm and his wife. Slave records show that Parham had 7 slaves and 3 slave houses. The slave records show that there were 3 males (ages 30, 16 and 5) and 4 females (ages 35, 24, 17 and 8). Eugenia, Parham’s 2 year old daughter, is found living close by in the household of her grandparents, Rosanna and James Talbot, who were in their mid-40s at this time. One can certainly understand the decision to place a 2 year old daughter under the care of her neighboring grandparents in preference to living in the daily grind of a cotton plantation. Charlotte Susan Clark was probably well known by Parham in their childhood since they were the same age and probably attended school together. Charlotte had lived in Chambers County until her marriage, at age 15, to Hugh L. W. Henry on September 15, 1845. After Charlotte’s marriage to Hugh and the birth of their first child in January 1847, they left Alabama to live in Cherokee County, Texas, where their other 3 children were born. Hugh died in November 1857. Charlotte remained in Texas until she returned to Chambers County, Alabama upon the death of her father, William Clark, on February 13, 1859. Charlotte’s mother, Judith Craddock Clark, was already deceased, having died on November 21, 1856. Charlotte Clark Henry was 1 of 10 children, so she received 1/10 of the estate, including her share of slaves. This property was given free from control by husbands and given for inheritance by the daughter’s children. Living in close proximity to Parham’s home, according to the 1860 Census, was Charlotte S. Henry. The property that Charlotte was living on in 1860 was most likely an inheritance from her father’s estate. Charlotte, a 28 year old widowed farmer, had real estate valued at $500 and a personal estate valued at $4,000. Living with Charlotte were her 4 children: Woodson (12), Judith (female, 10), Clinton (6), and William (4). Charlotte had 4 slaves (2 males aged 50 and 7, and 2 females aged 45 and 13) and one slave house. Charlotte was farming several hundred acres while living near many of her family. Two years after Charlotte returned to Chambers County, Parham and Charlotte were married. This marriage took place on January 10, 1861, just one day before Alabama became the fourth state to secede from the Union. In April 1862, Parham’s Step-father, James A. Talbot, organized and was the Captain of Company I, 37th Regiment, Alabama Volunteer Infantry. With Civil War battles raging, Parham made the decision on May 3, 1862, to enlist at Cussetta, Alabama, as a Private, Company H, 47th Alabama Infantry. Parham’s Cousin, James Wise, also enlisted in Company K, 47th Infantry. It is unknown whether Parham and Charlotte’s son, Parham, Jr. was born before or after Parham enlisted, but Charlotte was left behind with 9 children and a cotton plantation to care for. When the 47th Alabama reached Virginia in June 1862, they served guard duty around Richmond and then moved on to Ashland, Virginia where the were assigned to major General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s division and brigaded under General Taliaferro. At first they were unable to join the fighting because they were unarmed. They were soon equipped with Belgian rifles, which were described as inferior, but eventually equipped themselves with superior Enfield rifles that were salvaged from battle fields. The men of the 47th Alabama had very little training and no combat experience prior to their first battle of Cedar Run on August 9, 1862. The location of this battle was a few miles south of Culpepper Court House, Virginia and close to a creek named Cedar Run, and a mountain named Cedar Mountain. Initially located in the middle of the line of Talliaferros’s Brigade, a series of maneuvers resulted in the 47th Alabama having to defend the left flank, which is a position that was normally held by experienced veteran regiments. While the rookie 47th Alabama was focused on the battle in front of them and distracted by Union artillery shells bursting around them, they were caught off guard when Union troops suddenly came out of the woods and attacked the exposed left flank. Parham Lindsey Wise was among the 12 killed, while another 76 were wounded, reducing the 47th Alabama by nearly a third of its total number of men. The 47th Alabama, along with the other southern regiments regrouped, with the support of arriving reinforcing units, drove the Union forces out of the area during the final minutes of daylight, resulting in a Confederate victory. The 47th Alabama went on to fight in most of the major battles in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. They transferred in January 1863 to the Alabama Brigade of Brigadier General Law, Hoods Division, Longstreet’s Corps and the Army of Northern Virginia. At Gettysburg, Law’s Brigade marched 25 miles on the morning and afternoon of July 2, 1863, and nearly overtook the Union forces at Little Round Top. Parham’s cousin, James Wise, who was his childhood friend, bondsman for his marriage to Susan C. Harris, and a teacher, was killed that day. Charles Isaiah Wise, the oldest son of Parham, remembered the great sorrow and weeping that took place among the family and slaves when word came that his father had been killed during the Battle of Cedar Mountain. Parham’s Step- father, James A. Talbot, resigned his position of Captain of Company I, 37th Alabama. While it is not known that the reason for his resignation was the death of Parham, the timing was such that he and Parham’s wife, Charlotte Wise, were appointed as administrators of the estate on October 28, 1862. Charlotte was left as a widow to care for nine children, ages ranging from 15 to less than one year. A well preserved probate file provides a historical account of the final settlement of Parham’s estate. The first order of business was to inventory and appraise the property. The following inventory was recorded on November 1, 1862: 1 Mouse colored mule horse – Dave $150.00 1 Light colored mare mule – Kit 150.00 1 Sorrel pony horse 75.00 1 Yoke of oxen 100.00 1 White face cow 25.00 1 pided heifer 22.00 1 Black cow 25.00 1 Black and white peided cow 25.00 1 Bell cow and calf (means she was wearing a bell) 30.00 1 Black Heifer with white face 15.00 1 Little Bull yearling 5.00 18 Head of Hogs 75.00 1 Old remnant of a wagon 15.00 1 Buggy 40.00 3 Wooden plow stocks 8.00 3 Iron plow stocks 9.00 1 Wooden plow stock .75 3 Mole moards 4 scrapes (plow gear and plow) 3.00 1 Lot of plows & 2 iron wedges 2.50 1 Lot of Singletrees & old Hames 3 Clevises 2.00 1 Lot of old Hoes & 1 Maddock 2.00 5 Old Axes 2.50 1 Handsaw and square 2.00 3 Augers 2.00 3 Pair of plow gear 4.00 2 Scythes & cradles 10.00 2 old Scythe blades 2.00 1 Coffee parcher 1.00 1 Set of Breast chains & Double tree 2.00 1 Lot of jugs and jars 2.00 1 Side Saddle 6.50 1 Pr of stilyards (scale used for weighing cotton) 1.50 1 Thrasher and Fan 25.00 1 60 saw gin (type of cotton gin) 40.00 1 Gin Band 5.00 1 Hand ax drawing knife and 2 gimblets 2.00 1 Bed stead and furniture 50.00 1 Do Do (Ditto) 30.00 2 Coverlets 10 Bedquilts 28 & County pins (counter panes)38 76.00 1 Book stand 8.00 1 Clothes press (wardrobe) 15.00 1 Chest 4.00 1 Small trunk 2.00 1 Do Do (Ditto) 1.50 1 Dressing table 2.00 1 Do Do (Ditto) 2.00 1 Large looking glass 2.00 1 Clock 5.00 1 Large Table 3.00 1 Do Do (Ditto) 1.50 1 Safe (pie safe for storing food) 7.00 6 Chairs 3.00 1 pair fire dogs .50 each (andirons) 1.00 2 Spinning wheels 3 & 2 5.00 1 Lot of pot wear & boilers & kettle 8.00 1 wash pot (large iron pot) 3.00 1 Negro woman Liser (nickname/slang for Eliza) 40 yrs old 600.00 1 Girl Margret 19 years old 1,100.00 1 Boy Solomon 17 years old 1,200.00 3 Notes on J. R. Phillips due Dec. 25, 1861 $40, 40 & 22 102.00 1 Note on W. C & J. B. Tomlinson due 25th December 1862 65.22 1 Note on Jesse Patterson Due June 1st 1861 10.00 [Total] $4,086.97 Property was to be sold to pay off all debts of the estate. The perishable property (items listed down to Slaves) was sold to the highest bidders at the residence of Parham L. Wise on November 21, 1862, for a total of $639.90. Since this would not pay the debts, a petition was made to sell the slaves on the first Monday in January 1863. James A. Talbot purchased Eliza for $742, and others bidders purchased Margret for $1,540 and Solomon for $1,280. On January 8, 1863, James A. Talbot loaned the estate $1,200 because the estate had $1,200 Confederate Treasury Notes that could not be used to pay the debts of the estate. On August 6, 1863, James A. Talbot made an application with the court to sell certain real estate because the personal property sales had been insufficient to pay the debts of the estate. On November 2, 1863, 440 acres, along with a cotton gin, a gin packing screw and a gin pond were sold for $2,662 to Wm C. McIntosh, a nephew of Charlotte Wise. Parham’s 4 children by Susan (Charles, Mary, James and Eugenia) were recorded as living with Parham’s parents, James and Rosanna Talbot, in August 1863, while Parham, Jr. was living with Charlotte. James A. Talbot filed application and posted bond of $10,000 to become guardian of Parham’s 4 children, whose estate was valued at approximately $5,000 after the sale of assets and payment of debts. It is not known what property Charlotte retained as provision for her support since there is no accounting for this, but it can be assumed that she kept their home since there was no record of the sale in the estate settlement. Also, she probably retained some slaves since Parham owned 7 slaves in 1860, but the Inventory Records and Appraisement only accounted for 3 slaves. In April 1863, Charlotte’s oldest son, Woodson Henry, joined Captain M. P. Medow's Scouts (mounted infantry) at the age of 16. During the war, he received a saber wound to the head and later had his collarbone broken and a shoulder dislocated when a runaway horse fell with him. He was offered a discharge after the second injury, but returned to his unit as a courier. After being captured by the Union forces while with Company A of the 8th Alabama Regiment of Cavalry, he was paroled at Montgomery, Alabama in May, 1865. He returned to Chambers County after the war and is next seen taking the registration oath to the Union (to allow voting) in the 3rd precinct, Chambers County, Alabama in 1868. A letter written in November, 1866 from Dr. John R. Clark in Union Parish, Louisiana to James E. Clark of Cherokee County, Texas (both her brothers) indicated that Charlotte was destitute and in poor health, having been diagnosed as consumptive, and moving her to Union Parish was being considered. John also requested that James look into her business in Texas to try to help her financial situation. Information regarding Charlotte’s life after Parham’s death is limited, but she was still living in Chambers County in February 1868 when her daughter was married at her home. Sometime within the next 2 years Charlotte made the decision to join her brother in Union Parish, Louisiana. The 1870 Louisiana Census shows that Charlotte is living with her sons Woodson (21), Clinton (14), William (12) and Parham (7). Charlotte followed her sons to Arkansas at some date prior to 1880 where she is recorded as living and farming with her 3 youngest sons in Columbia County. Woodson, her oldest son, had married and moved to Calhoun County, Arkansas, where he homesteaded a piece of property containing 160 acres. Charlotte is thought to have died around 1900, but her place of burial has not been located. James and Rosanna Talbot continued to live in Chambers County until their death, at which time they were buried beside each other in the Talbot Cemetery located in Section 29, Township 24N, Range 25E, in Chambers County. • James’ tombstone is inscribed with: Sacred to the Memory of Deacon James A. Talbot, born May 8, 1816. Died June 25, 1878. “Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of His saints.” Psalm CXVI, 15th v. • Rosanna’s tombstone is inscribed with: In Memory of Rosanna Talbot, born July 25, 1810. Died January 12, 1881. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Many of the residents of Chambers County, Alabama, migrated to south Arkansas after the Civil War. The community of Chambersville, Calhoun County, Arkansas, was so named because of the number of people that moved there from Chambers County, Alabama. In 1872, Charles Isaiah Wise, the oldest child of Parham and Susan, followed his step-brother, Woodsen Henry, to Arkansas where they married Grimmet sisters with whom they had been childhood friends back home in Chambers County, Alabama. Charles and his wife, Sophronia Grimmet, were married just over 8 years and without children before her death in 1881. Charles returned to Chambers County, Alabama, where he married Mary Elizabeth Jarrell. He and his bride returned to Chambersville, Arkansas, where they had three children (Maude, Minnie and George Jarrell) before her death in 1889, or about 7 years after they were married. A few months later, Charles married Louella Jane Anderson, a resident of Chambersville. Charles and Louella had nine children during their 39 year marriage: Guy Anderson, Myrtle Eugenia and Charles Roy lived to adulthood, while 6 children died in infancy. The only known picture of Parham Lindsey Wise hung over the bed of his granddaughter and Charles’ daughter, Myrtle Eugenia Wise Russell, for almost 50 years at her home in Camden, Arkansas. This picture was given to her by her Uncle Parham Wise, Jr. according to a letter, dated March 19, 1929, from Parham, Jr. to Myrtle. Myrtle had very little knowledge of her grandfather since her father, Charles Isaiah Wise, was orphaned at 11 years of age when his father was killed in the Civil War battle. Photo: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/chambers/photos/bios/nbs20wise.jpg File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/chambers/bios/nbs20wise.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/alfiles/ File size: 21.4 Kb

The Clapp's Factory Cemetery Preservation League, Inc., will hold a membership meeting, beginning at 3 pm on Saturday, August 7, 2004, in Columbus, GA. The site of the meeting will be announced soon. We would like to get an idea of approximately how many people to expect, so please let us know if you will or may attend. The primary matter on the agenda will be discussion of a Master Plan we are devising to guide our project. If you are interested in learning more about the CFCPL and our activities (our mission statement is included at the end of this message) or would like to join, please contact me at the email address below. Some of the group will probably also visit the cemetery to police for trash and assess any new developments at the site. A time of day and more detailed information about this visit will also be posted in the near future. Thanks to all who have supported the project, and we look forward to seeing everyone who can be present. Thank you, John Mallory Land Vice President, CFCPL McKinney, TX retrofit@flash.net Our Mission Statement: The Clapp's Factory Cemetery Preservation League, Inc., is a volunteer, non-profit group dedicated to achieving the restoration, maintenance, and protection of the Clapp's Factory Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia; to making on the cemetery property improvements which are respectful of the deceased, pleasant for the visitor, and informative to the curiosity seeker, while also being mindful of security matters; and to fostering public awareness of the importance of Clapp's Factory and sites like it through continuing research and educational activities. Membership is open to all persons interested in pursuing these objectives, irrespective of race or ethnicity, religion or creed, gender, age, or affiliation.

http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/genealogy/searchunit.asp?

Is there anyone living in the Lanett/Valley area who is available to do some paid research related to Chambers County? This would relate specifically to newspaper research at the Chambers County Library. If interested, please contact me directly and we can discuss terms. Thanks, David

Does anyone have any connection to the dozier family who ran a taver probably either late 1800's or early 1900's with a Nicholas Briskey (My gr gr grandfather?). Lanett didn't start keeping records I found out until around 1929. Amazing. Any help in this direction appreciated. Trying to see if anyone would have a picture of it. Not there of course anymore. Sandel BRISKEY-L@rootsweb.com Seattle Surnames: Briskey,Brisky,Brisque,Demastus,Sutton,Meadows,Hodnett,Moore,McIntosh,Leverett,Mark/Merck (States SC, GA, Chambers County,AL, Washington State, TX and france)

Does anyone have information concerning the old store that use to stand on the corner where Charles Aaron's Law office is now located (on the corner of South Eight Street and Eigth Avenue)? Growing up I recall the store being referred as "Mrs. Meriwether's Store" but I also know that Mr. Lecroy owned the store and ran it for some years. I am interested in knowing the period during which the Meriwether family owned the building. I am also interested in any picture of the building from circa 1930-1935. Thanks, David

Chambers County AlArchives News.....Ol' Man River on Langdale June 28 2004 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ron Williams hopewellroad@yahoo.com July 18, 2004, 9:46 pm Vaqlley Times News: Past Times Ol’ Man River on Langdale "Ol’ Man River" says... was an article that appeared in the Chattahoochee Valley Times in the late 1940's. It was sponsored by the Friendly Half Hour, a local Sunday afternoon radio program put on by Valley people. Floyd Tillery organized the radio program and wrote interesting articles about the people of the valley for the paper. He is believed to be the voice behind "Ol’ Man River", which took a look at local history from the Chattahoochee River’s point of view, and they are written as though the river itself is speaking. A few of the articles that I located from 1949, as well as one article written by Tillery about Pat McGarvin and George H. Lanier, offer a few interesting facts about the Langdale Community. With the recent opening of the cornerstone in the courthouse at Lafayette and the recently published book which lists and preserves its contents, I thought that it was interesting that Ol’ Man River recorded the contents of the Langdale Mill cornerstone which, according to the articles, was opened in 1947 by Mr. George Lanier and some of his friends.. Langdale Mill was built in the mid-1860's and re-built in the late 1880's after a terrible fire. Ol’ Man River says that the people of the sixties and eighties placed a Holy Bible, a Masonic handbook, a West hymn book, a West Point newspaper, a dime, a nickel, a "coppy" (which I am supposing is a copper penny), and three little glass vials of samples of the building materials used in constructing the mill. The flood waters of the river and most likely Moore’s Creek had pretty much destroyed the paper documents but enough fragments were left to distinguish the contents. Another of the interesting facts that Ol’ Man River left us involves pioneer, Mirandy Hines. Mrs. Hines planted the first weeping willows along the bank of Moore’s Creek. Those trees eventually led to the community being nicknamed "Willow Town", but Mrs. Hines wasn’t only interested in willows. As the Bible and hymn book from the cornerstone indicate, the people of Langdale were concerned about spiritual matters. Mirandy Hines is the person responsible for the first church services in the village. She instigated the need for a building and sent the men and boys into the pine thickets of the area to gather limbs to build a brush arbor for Sunday School and church services. The brush arbor stood where the present-day Langdale Methodist church stands. You will remember that the village of Langdale was named after the beloved superintendent, Tom Lang, an Englishman. Well, it was Mr. Lang who arranged with Lafayette Lanier to build a real church building in 1885. "‘N do you know one thing", says Ol’ Man River, "De Langdale folkses like to all been ‘Piscopalaians! For Mr. Lang had dat kind of religion, ‘n he brung a "Piscopalian preacher from Atlanta down dar once a month to hold services, ‘n dat was all de kind of Gospel dey had for a while." "But de Langdale folkses, dey didn’t like dat so much, specially de way de ‘Piscopalian preacher wore he collar hind part before. So, purty soon, de Methodist and ‘n de Baptist got busy, ‘n got ‘em some religion like what dey was used to. De Baptist, dey got Preacher Brannon, from Roanoke, to come down ‘n Gospelize to dem once a month; ‘n de Methodist, de got old Brother Dowling to s’ply fer dem twell the de conference could send ‘em a circuit-rider named Mr. Culver." Going back to the founding of the mills, Ol’ Man River tells us that the mills in the Valley would not have been possible if had not been for Mrs. George Huguley and a former slave. George Huguley had stored more than 200 bales of cotton in a warehouse in Huguley, the community named for him, and he also had some cotton hidden "down in the swamps". The bales had been in storage since the year just before the Civil War had started. It was just after the war that the Federal Government sent agents into the South to confiscate anything made with slave labor, and the 200 prized bales of Huguley cotton fell into that category. Mr. Huguley was away on business when the agents arrived at the Huguley Plantation and were greeted by Mrs. Huguley. Even though the war was over, many of the former slaves remained loyal to their former "owners", and Mrs. Huguley summoned the "head man mongst the slaves" to pick up an axe and follow her. She then went down to the gin house to greet the agents and inform them that if they so much as touched one bale of that cotton that the axe would be used for purposes that it had not been intended for. She also told them to get off of her property "in a hurry" and not to ever come back. Being the understanding gentlemen that they were they did just what she said. When Mr. George Huguley returned and heard the news, he loaded all the cotton in wagons and headed for Augusta, where he sold the cotton to British buyers for more than a dollar a pound in solid gold. This money was used to build the first cotton mill in the Valley (at Riverview). Speaking of money, the wages of the employees was also discussed in an article by Tillery. Mr. Pat McGarvin, whose father came originally to the Valley with John Parnell, the peach grower, started working in the mill when he was 8 years old and was still employed 60 years later. McGarvin’s first job came when he was eight when he cleaned bricks for the building of the new Langdale Mill. He made thirty-five cents a day, and that was BIG money for a boy. The next year he started in the mill in the spinning room making ten cents for a twelve hour day. By 1900, McGarvin was in the Weave Room, working sixty-six hours a week, and bringing home nine to twelve dollars for two weeks work. In 1949, he was "bossing a sanding-machine gang" and made about twelve dollars a day. Today, just over 50 years later, the few workers remaining in the mills average making in one hour what Mr. McGarvin made in one day. Finally, Ol’ Man River reminds us that he was the key to the success of the Valley and her cotton mill heritage: "In 1870, Ol’ Man River done all de work of turning de water-wheels of de mills. Today, he does the job in a different way, jes by turning de turbines dat makes de power to turn de machinery in de mills. So don’t never forget dat Ol’ Man River is how come all dis is here today makin’ textile stuff for de whole world." Thanks for the memories, Ol’ Man! File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/chambers/newspapers/gnw86olmanriv.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 7.0 Kb

Chambers County AlArchives News.....Remembering the fallen of WWII May 31 2004 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ron Williams hopewellroad@yahoo.com July 18, 2004, 9:42 pm Valley Times News: Past Times Remembering the fallen of WWII Three thousand five hundred fifteen men and women of the Valley served in World War II. Of those, seventy two men from the Valley gave their lives. This weekend the World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington DC. The memorial features 56 granite pillars, each 17 feet high and representing the states, territories of that time, and the District of Columbia, and two arches more than twice that height–Atlantic and Pacific–symbolizing the two theaters of the war. A wall with 4,000 gold stars commemorates the more than 400,000 Americans killed in the war. "These were modest sons of a peaceful country," said President Bush. "They gave the best of their lives to the greatest mission their country ever accepted." The men from the Valley who gave their lives to preserve the freedom that we enjoy today are, according the book, The Valley in World War II, listed below: Thomas Alford, Langdale, son of Mr. & Mrs. Clarence E. Alford; Louie C. Backstrom, Lanett, son of John and Nora Backstrom; Wilma M. Bassett, Langdale, son of Monroe and Annie Bassett; Raymond J. Bence, Lanett, son of James and Elizabeth Bence, husband of Hazel F. Bence; Ulysses H. Bishop, Lanett, son of Ulysses and Alverta Bishop; Cloyd M. Brown, Lanett, son of L. W. And Annie Brown, husband of Sarah Floyd Brown, and father of Gerald Brown. William Brown, Alex City, son of R.M. and Frances Brown; Cecil C. Butler, Shawmutt\Lanett, son of Lonnie and Elizabeth Butler; David E. Butler, Lanett, son of Mr. & Mrs. J.B. Butler; Ralph W. Carver, Lanett, son of Robert and Susie Carver; Floyd Cheatham, Fairfax, son of Fred and Martha Bray Cheatham; Robert L. Crowder, Fairfax, son of Otis and Opal Moore Crowder; Charles W. Davis, Lanett, son of Mr. & Mrs. L.T. Davis; Jesse B. Davis, Lanett, son of Stephen and Rippie Davis; Wallace L. Davis, Lanett, son of Cliff and Ray Davis, husband of Louise Gilpper Davis; William DeLee, Lanett, husband of Beula DeLee. Hugh B. Disharoon, Shawmut, son of Mrs. Martha and the late Dr. H. B. Disharoon, husband of Virginia Evans, and father of Martha Helen and Virginia; Elmer B. Freeman, Jr., Fairfax, son of E.B. and Pearl Walker Freeman, husband of Ruth Coggins Freeman; Marvin G. Gilmore, Lanett, son of M.Z. and Cora Gilmore, husband of Mary Gilmore, father of Ronnie Gilmore; Ben L. Greene, Lanett, son of Thomas and Leila Greene; James H. Gresham, Fairfax, son of James and Josephine Hale Gresham; Ellis Hawkins, Jr., Fairfax, son of Ellis and Gertrude Williams Hawkins, husband of Geneva Reese Hawkins, father of Gwendoline Penelope Hawkins. John H. Hayes, Shawmut, son of Oliver and Mabel Hayes; Robert A. Heard, Lanett, son of Stell and Laney Heard, husband of Mary Smallwood Heard, and father of Jo Ann; James J. Hunt, Lanett, son of Mr. And Mrs. V.D. Hunt, husband of Helen L. Hunt, and father of James M. Hunt; James S. Johnson, Shawmut, son of Tommie and Mary Lou Johnson; James Y. Jones, Jr., Lanett, son of Mr. And Mrs. James Y. Jones, Sr.; William T. Kirby, Lanett, son of John S. and Bertha Kirby; John H. Langley, Lanett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Langley; Ceral J. Looser, son of Mr. And Mrs. Edgar J. Looser; Garland T. Manley, Lanett, son of Mr. And Mrs. S.O. Manley, his wife, and father of Garland Jr., and Miriam. Thomas B. Mathews, Lanett, son of Thomas and Bessie Mathews; Dave Meadows, Lanett\Lafayette, son of Primas and Millie Meadows, husband of Odessa Meadows; Carlton W. Moore, Lanett, son of Winston and Ella Moore; John T. Morgan, Fairfax, son of Ben and Lila Greenwood Morgan, husband of Johnnie Neal Morgan; Elmo L. McGinty, Riverview, Mr. And Mrs. Basil B. McGinty, husband of Catheryn, father of Jeanette and Maxine; Lamar McWhorter, Langdale, son of W.W. and Arrie McWhorter; Hoyt D. Neal, Lanett, son of Mr. And Mrs. J.W. Neal; Jack Nealey, Langdale, son of Ethan and Eula Nealy; Robert J. Newton, Langdale, son of Mr. And Mrs. W. C. Newton; William B. Osborne, Lanett, son of Mr. And Mrs. Boser Osborne; Robert M. Overby, Fairfax, son of George and Effie Sherman Overby, husband of Lonnie Tomlinson Overby. George Pace, Fairfax, son of Lucius and Mattie Harris Pace; Charlie W. Parker, Fairfax, son of Monroe and Sallie Benton Parker, husband of Tommy Strong Parker; Dan Parkman, Langdale, son of W.H. and Stella Parkman; Larkus A. Perters, Langdale, son of Mr. And Mrs. I..E. Peters; James A. Potts, Lanett, nephew of Florence Jackson; Henry O. Prather, Lanett, son of Mr. And Mrs. Henry N. Prather; Charlie M. Price, Shawmut, son of Jordan M. And Mary Price; William T. Redmond, Lanett, son of Mr. And Mrs. Pervin Redmond; John T. Shockley, Lanett, son of Mr. And Mrs. Allen Shockley, husband of Mary Will Shockley, and father of Jimmie Shockley; Arnold J. Sims, Lanett, son of Rich and Flora Sims, husband of Doris Byeis Simms. Thomas E. Simms, Lafayette, son of Floyd and Annie Simms; Charles A. Smith, Langdale, son of Sam and Addie Mae Smith; William L. Sorrell, Lanett, son of Forney and the late, Mrs. Sorrell, husband of Frances Golden Sorrell; Marvin E. Stafford, Fairfax, son of Clarence and Annie Thrpwer Stafford; Charles E. Strother, Shawmut, son of Mrs. I.D. and the late Mr. Strother; Bishop w. Terrell, Lanett, son of mr. And Mrs. George Terrell. John D. Terry, Shawmut, son of William H. And Lillian Terry; Crawford M. Tidwell, Lanett, son of James and Mittie Tidwell; Herbert L. Walker, Langdale, son of Olin and Beulah Walker; Milford G. Ward, Lanett, son of Mrs. Mary P. Ward and the late Mr. Ward; Herman L. Waters, Langdale, son of Flecther L. And Minnie Waters; Robert L. West, Fairfax, son of M. B. And Mary Kent West, husband of Betty Sheets West; Julius E. Whitley, Fairfax, son of J.R. and Fannie Mitchell Whitley; William P. Whitlow, Shawmut, son of Mrs. Ola May Whitlow; Willie W. Wilkerson, Lanett, son of Mr. And Mrs. Willie W. Wilkerson, Sr.; Larue O. Williams, Riverview, son of W.O. and Mattie Williams; Willie C. Williams, Fairfax\Riverview, son of Willie and Alda Bennett Williams, husband of Alma Rochelle Williams; Fred M. Yarbrough, Lanett, son of Solon and Emilie Yarbrough. "These men were the boys we couldn’t realize had grown up," wrote one. "It doesn’t seem more than a summer or so ago that they were fishing in the river, playing baseball in the parks, or camping at Pine Mountain. How many Christmases ago was it that they glowed with the pride of a new bicycle? They sat with us on the pew at church and they worked by our sides in the mills or in the store. These men were a part of the Valley and its people. For the seventy-two families that they left, for all of us who knew them, they will remain in our memories a part of the Valley." File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/chambers/newspapers/gnw85remember.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 7.3 Kb

Chambers County AlArchives News.....Locals are Member of First Family May 24 2004 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ron Williams hopewellroad@yahoo.com July 18, 2004, 9:38 pm Valley Times News: Past Times Locals are members of First Family Oral family history, stories passed down from one generation to the next for centuries, is an interesting and debated part of genealogy. There are those who think that proven facts are the only things that belong in a family’s history, but wills, census records, and court documents don’t always make for good reading. That is why the oral family traditions are so important; they make the history come alive. Stick figures from our past leap to life. The descendants of Francis Marion Hanson, who came to the Valley (Chambers County, Alabama) in the years just after the Civil War, claim an interesting piece of oral history. It is a piece that has been confounding researchers all over the nation for many years. They claim to be descendants of the first President of the United States. Francis, or Frank, as he was called, was the son of Enoch Hanson and the grandson of William Hanson, pioneers of Monroe County, Georgia, where they enjoyed a pampered life. The old plantation home, where the Hanson’s lived, still stands just outside of Forsythe on a red-dirt road overlooking rolling hills. Tucked just inside the tree line is the family cemetery where generations of the Hansons are buried. Thousands of descendants of William Hanson are spread across the nation. In fairly recent years, as genealogy has become more popular, the descendants of this pioneer are making contact again. Families that had drifted apart almost two hundred years ago were again making contact, and it was discovered that one story had survived in many of the family lines---We are members of the family of John Hanson, the first President of the United States. “John Hanson,” you question. “The first President?” Yes, John Hanson, sometimes called “the Forgotten American”, is argued by some to be the nation’s first “Chief of State”. If fact, some radical historians argue, even today, that George Washington was indeed the eighth President rather than the first that history books record. Frank Hanson also brought this story with him as he crossed the Chattahoochee in the post war days. The Civil War had robbed the Hanson’s of their wealth, and Frank reportedly came to the Valley in search of gold, of which he found none. While here he taught at the school in Langdale, where he was known as Professor Hanson at the little school on Cemetery Hill. Frank finally returned to his native Forsythe, but he left three things here: Frank, Jr.(of Lagrange), Carrie Breedlove (of Langdale), and Kate Crowder (of Shawmut), three grown children who had followed their father to the Valley, who remained, and who leave many hundreds of descendants of the first “First Family” scattered all over the Valley today. John Hanson was a man who loved the idea of Freedom and who wholeheartedly supported the effort of the American Revolution. He was born on April 3, 1721, at Charles County, Maryland, to the state’s most prominent family. His forgotten claim to fame is that he was the First President of the First Continental Congress in the U.S. Assembled. He was also a signer of the Articles Of Confederation. During Hanson’s term as President peace was negotiated with England. Hanson ordered all foreign troops off American soil. He also established the first Treasury Department, the first Secretary of War, and the first Foreign Affairs Department. Hanson also left his mark each November. It was Hanson who declared the fourth Thursday of that month as Thanksgiving Day. “The Great Seal of the United States was first used on September 16, 1782, by President Hanson when he signed the orders for an exchange of military prisoners,” wrote Harry V. Martin, historian, arguing the most powerful point in Hanson’s defense. “In 1803, the U.S. Supreme Court discussed the legality of the Great Seal, ruling that it was created by the first President of the United States and has been used ever since. The Supreme Court ruled that the signature of the President and stamp of the Great Seal are necessary to consummate law. It was President Hanson who recommended the creation of the Seal and there have been no changes in it since it was created under the Hanson Administration…On July 24, 1789, President Washington requested the delivery of the Great Seal, recognizing that he was not technically President of the United States without it. In fact, the absence of the Seal created a need to call an emergency session of Congress. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson introduced a resolution that stated that ‘Washington accepts every condition, law, rule, and authority, under the Great Seal and the first President of the United States John Hanson.’” “On the 200th Anniversary of the surrender of Cornwallis,” continued Martin, “the Congress of the United States struck a bronze medallion showing Washington reviewing the troops. On the reverse side of that medallion is a commemorative to John Hanson, ‘First President under the Articles of Confederation’. John Hanson was more than a presiding officer of Congress; he was the first President of the United States and established traditions and institutions that are still preserved in the American Presidency. His name may be forgotten, but his work established the foundation of this nation.” The only thing harder than proving that John Hanson was the first President is proving that William Hanson descends from that famous Hanson family. It is known that the Monroe County William was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, which is just across the bay from Charles County, Maryland, and John Hanson’s beautiful home. Modern researchers agree that William is probably the son of Fauquier County’s Robert Hanson, even though William wasn’t mentioned in Robert’s will. Another family story states that William left Virginia for his wife’s health, a move that removed him from his father’s good graces and the family inheritance. One other fact that tends to support this theory is that Williams’ daughter named her son Robert Hanson. The tie to Robert is important in this story because he is the son of Samuel Hanson, of Maryland, brother of the forgotten John. And so the web is weaved. Descendants all over the country are trying to prove the connection to Robert and Samuel, which would prove for all of time that we descend from the family of the America’s forgotten hero, but don’t try to join the Son’s of the American Revolution with just a story. They will laugh you back across the Potomac. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/chambers/newspapers/gnw84localsar.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 7.1 Kb

Chambers County AlArchives News.....Rousseau's Raid May 17 2004 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ron Williams hopewellroad@yahoo.com July 18, 2004, 9:31 pm Valley Times News: Past Times Rousseau's Raid In 1864, General Grant met with General Sherman to discuss the plan that would "pierce the South's heart", which ended with Atlanta in ashes and Sherman's infamous "March to the Sea". A smaller part of that plan included a swift raid led by General Lovell H. Rousseau into Central Alabama to destroy the railroad from Montgomery to Atlanta to cut off all supplies and food. "Rousseau's Raid", which occurred nine months before the Battle of West Point and the end of the Civil War, was fought in the heat of July, 1864. Rousseau was ordered to avoid battle if at all possible and to destroy as much of the railroad as he could. "The rails and timbers from one side of the road were placed upon those on the other," reported General Rousseau, "and fence rails and other combustible materials piled on them, and fire applied. The dry pine burned so readily and produced such an intense heat that the iron was warped and rendered worthless, and the ties burned off where the track rested on them, making the destruction complete." This Roussea did as he headed seemingly toward Auburn, Opelika, through Chambers County, and into West Point, GA. In preparation, the Chambers County Militia was summoned, and among those brave men was Wilton Burton, who recorded for us a humorous account of the preparations to meet the enemy. "At the first news of the raid," wrote Burton, "all persons subject to military duty within the county of Chambers were ordered to report forth with at Bluffton (today's Lanett). This included all able bodied men between the ages of sixteen and seventeen and fifty and sixty years, who constituted the county militia" "I received my orders one morning at two o'clock, and by sunrise was on my way to Bluffton, with several friends and neighbors. We traveled in a two-horse wagon and were provided with cooked rations for a week and an amount of baggage that would have provoked the ridicule of any experienced soldier. We even had mattresses." "At noon we reached Bluffton, where in a shady grove, we found a motley assemblage of old men and boys and mules and horses. This was the camp of the Chambers County Militia, and as we entered in the noisy salutations of acquaintances and the neighing of horses and braying of mules nearly deafened us." "'What's the news from the Yankees?' was on every man's lips. But the latest intelligence we could impart was that Rousseau had crossed the Tallapoosa River and was advancing in the direction of West Point. This much we had learned from a man who, the day before, had returned from a voluntary reconnaissance expedition." At once the commanding officer of the militia issued orders that a scouting party should be sent out to determine the size of the enemy, location, and possible route. Burton and a man named, Dalton, were given charge of the two best horses in the outfit and two double-barreled shotguns. They were stationed on a road about two miles from town on a hill which would would afford a good view of the enemy if they headed that way. Their mission was to spot the Yankees. If this happened, Dalton was to fire his weapon and flee with breakneck speed back to camp, while Burton was to retreat more slowly keeping an ever-watchful eye on the enemy so that he could provide a more detailed report of the enemy if and when he made it back to camp. Several hours into the watch, just as the men expected, blue uniforms rounded the top of a distant hill, and Dalton prepared to fire. He hesitated to make sure that these men were enemy and that pause was worthwhile. At a second look, it was discovered that most of the uniforms were gray. This was a group of Confederates bringing in some Yankee Prisoners from North Alabama. "(Upon returning) We found our camp in a state of utter confusion," continued Burton. "Raw troops were taking their first lesson in guard mounting. They were assisted, or impeded, rather, by an officious Englishman, who pretended to have seen service in the Crimea, but who was really as ignorant of military exercises as those whom he affected to instruct." "'Heyes right! Horder arms! 'Old your 'eads up and don't look so sheepish. Forward, march! 'Alt! You don't hanythink right.'" "In the midst of the disorder, one of the shotguns, with which the guards were armed, was accidentally discharged. No more serious effect resulted than to nearly frighten the Englishman out of his wits." Later, other scouts returned to report that Rousseau was destroying the railroad at Auburn, just 28 miles away. This seemed to indicate that he was indeed bound for West Point, and a rumor began to spread throughout the camp that the militia should be sent to Opelike to meet the enemy. This excited the youth among the group, but the old men swore not to step one foot across the Chambers County Line. They were after all the "Chambers County" Militia. The next day it was learned that the raiders had left the railroad and were moving North, supposedly toward West Point. "...The town was ransacked to find arms for us, and from an old armory, or, more correctly, a hospital of disabled muskets, 25 stands were obtained and issued. I got none," related Burton. "'If you want a gun,' said one of my friends, 'just apply to any of these old men.' I approached a group and quietly remarked that I should like very much to have a gun. In an instant all the guns were thrust at me. I selected the best one of the lot and returned to my companions. Others following my example, the boys were soon in possession of all the muskets. We received five rounds of cartridges apiece--the whole stock and store." The 25 boys, under the command of Captain Phillips, took their positions behind a half mile of breastworks ready to defend their country. Looking death in the face, the gallant captain encouraged them, "Feller soldiers: The news has come that three thousand Yankees air matchin' onto us by this road. They can't be more'n three miles off, and they'll be right here in less'n a hour. The Georgia Militia air on the other side of the river, but they refuse to come across the state line to help us. I want you to realize how much depends on your courage. I'm sorry your good captain can't stay with you; they want me back thar in the r'ar. But you do your duty like men. Never let it be said that the Chambers County Militia flinched from danger. Stand to the rack, fodder or no fodder." Little did this brave band, with the Chattahoochee behind them, realize that Rousseau had turned north about a mile south of Opelika with intentions of reaching Marietta, Georgia. As the boys stood guard behind the breastworks that long night, Rousseau's men camped in Lafayette and continued their way north the next day, leaving a 30 mile path of the railroad in ruins. They never reached Blufton. In the night Ferguson's Calvary and the Georgia Militia joined the tiny band behind the breastworks. Burton felt that "Rousseau, sniffing danger from afar, bivouacked that night at Lafayette." Burton and his comrades fell asleep at their post late in the night. "The tramp of horses awoke us next morning, and we sprang to arms. But it was Ferguson's cavalry. One jeeringly cried, 'Lie down, melish, I'm going to pop a cap.'" And so ended the account of the Chambers County Militia and Rousseau's Raiders. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/chambers/newspapers/gnw83rousseau.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 8.0 Kb

Chambers County AlArchives History .....Chambers Murders ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ron Williams hopewellroad@yahoo.com July 18, 2004, 9:26 pm The Chambers Murders The murders of Jefferson Chambers, 73, and his daughter, Nella Jean, 46, in mid-December of 1959, shocked the Valley, and brought an end to an innocence that the towns had previously enjoyed. On Sunday, December 13, 1959, Nella Jean Chambers did not show up to teach her Sunday School class at Hopewell Methodist Church. This was unusual, but the members of the class were not worried. They took advantage of her unexpected absence to take up money for her Christmas present. Later that morning, no doubt, they opened their hymn books to sing Christmas carols: Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men, and perhaps as they read the announcements they mentioned the Christmas play practice that was scheduled that evening. Ms. Nella was in charge of the play. That afternoon a young boy walked to the Chambers' home. He wondered if the practice was still on, but as he noticed that the Chambers' car was not in the yard, he assumed, like everyone else, that they had gone on one of their frequent Sunday afternoon drives. He didn't go on to the house. Had the car been in the yard, the boy would have clamored up the front steps and boldly into the house, as he was always welcome, and he would have discovered the ugly truth. Ms. Chambers did not show up for work on Monday morning at Fairfax Mill, and her father did not drive up to the mill to let her boss know that she was not going to be there, as was his custom. When it was noted that her car had been parked in front of the Fairfax Drug Store for two days, her boss drove out to her home to see what was the matter. He found a loaf of bread tucked inside the screen door, the key still in the lock, and Jefferson Chambers dead on the kitchen floor. "The Chambers' had always seemed unlikely as murder victims," wrote columnist Albert Edwards. "The elderly Chambers, a respected farmer, enjoyed talking with friends, meeting at the country store near his home for talks about about local and state affairs. History of the county and Alabama probably also crept into the conversation for one friend said that he enjoyed studying the past as much as did his daughter." "Their is no doubt, however, about Miss Chambers' love for history," continued Edwards. "An active member of the Chattahoochee Valley Historical Society, she and her father compiled the material for Chambers County Cemeteries, which was to be one of the first publications of the local historical group." Miss Chambers was found dead in her bedroom. Don Brown, columnist, wrote, " She apparently was surprised in her room. Authorities said she was raped on her large feather bed and choked with facial tissue and her pajama pants knotted around her neck. She was then beaten over the head and placed in a red chair facing her fireplace." It is believed that they had been killed on Saturday night, December 12. That day they had driven out to Salem to deliver a Christmas present and they arrived home late. It is unknown if the killers were already hiding in the house or if they broke in later. The Chambers enjoyed a light supper, and Mr. Chambers went out back of the house, while his daughter prepared for bed. It is unclear if the the father was murdered first or if the crime was already underway in Miss Chambers' bedroom when the criminals heard the elder Chambers enter the kitchen. Some believe that at this time the man or men left the bedroom, stabbed the father in the stomach and bludgeoned him with an axe kept near the stove. While this was happening, it is believed that his daughter made an unsuccessful attempt to flee as her shoes were on the wrong feet when her body was found. A few days later, the Chambers were at rest in Hopewell Cemetery, oblivious to the furor that their deaths had caused. Doors that had previously been kept unlocked were now bolted shut. Guns were kept easily at hand, and many feared travel after dark. Hopewell Church offered $100.00 for a reward. The local paper did the same, bringing the total amount offered to nearly $3,000.00. No one knows what the motive behind such a vicious crime would be. The Chambers' had recently sold $10,000.00 worth of pulpwood off their land, but that money was deposited in the bank at West Point. The soiled condition of Miss Chambers clothes, however, led some to believe that the murderer was probably a pulpwood worker. Almost immediately one man disappeared. His abandoned car was found near Osanippa Creek in Cussetta, and his body was found snagged on a limb in the creek on January, 16, 1960, just over a month after the murders. No one was ever charged with the crime. It is believed that someone who knew the Chambers' habits was involved. It was possibly someone who knew that if the car was not in the yard on Sunday and Monday that it would be at least 2 days before the crime was discovered. It was vowed that the front porch light of the Chambers' home would burn until the killer was found. Many rode by at night to see the light burning on the old, creaking, wooden house, the same house that Jefferson Chambers had been born in. The house where he and his daughter met their deaths. Today, the house is gone. If it were possible that front porch light would have been burning now for 44 years. The crime remains unsolved. Two graves at Hopewell Cemetery leave a question in the passerby's mind: What happened on December 12, 1959? Additional Comments: This article appeared in the Valley Times News in May, 2004, in a column by Ron Williams called "Past Times". File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/chambers/history/other/gms51chambers.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb

I would love to talk with any one researching this fellow, I'm a descendant of one of his siblings. K McGee At 07:27 AM 7/15/2004 -0400, AlArchives wrote: >Chambers County AlArchives Photo place.....Allen, R. W. [House & Letterhead] >************************************************ >Copyright. All rights reserved. >http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm >http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm >************************************************ <snip>

Chambers County AlArchives Photo group.....Johnson, Charles A. Family & Newman - Johnson House ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Don L. Clark donlc_99@yahoo.com July 15, 2004, 7:56 am Source: Don L. Clark Photo can be seen at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/chambers/photos/gph526johnsonc.jpg Image file size: 88.1 Kb Newman - Johnson House Built ca. 1840s When the Chambers County Census of 1850 was taken, the family of Greenberry Wilkinson (Wikerson on Deed) was living in this house. Greenberry was 48, born in South Carolina, and listed his Real Estate Value at $1,000. His wife Charlsey was 43, and also born in South Carolina. The census shows eight children ranging in ages from 20 years to 1 year. Also living here was Littleberry Wilkinson/Wilkerson, Jr., age 23. The Wilkerson house was located directly across the road from Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church on a slight elevation. The main body of Greenberry Wilkerson's house consisted of two large rooms divided by a central hall. Both rooms had a large fireplace. A porch extended across the front supported by wooden columns on independent brick piers. Shed rooms were at the rear with a porch in between. On the west side was a dining room and kitchen. Another large fireplace was in the kitchen. These rooms were separated from the main body by a dogtrot. A porch extended across this wing as well, with a pantry on the west end. The well was conveniently located on this porch near the kitchen. Overall the house was of good design and craftsmanship of the period. On September 5, 1854, Greenberry Wilkerson sold his plantation to Samuel Newman for the consideration of $1,072.50. The legal description of the property is the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4; and the East 1/2 of the SW 1/4 except 5 acres for Macedonia Church privileges; and the West 1/2 of the SE 1/4; all in Section 30, Township 23, Range 26, consisting of 195 acres. Samuel Newman continued to buy property and soon his plantation boasted over 500 acres. Samuel Newman (1797 - 1872) and 2nd wife Judith Armstrong Newman (1799 - 1876) had been residents of Chambers County since at least 1838. It is in this year that both are received by letter on February 10, into the membership of Mount Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church near Stroud. Previous to this they had resided in Harris County, Georgia. The Newmans at some point moved into the southern part of Chambers County and in 1847 are found on the membership roll of Friendship Baptist Church. Also on the Friendship roll are two slaves named Tonny and Aggy, property of S. Newman. On January 20, 1855, the Newmans joined the Rock Spring Baptist Church which was less than two miles east of their new home at Marcoot. The Rock Spring record also shows that Brother Toney a coloured brother, and wife Aggy, property of Bro. S. Newman joined by letter the following month on February 17. The Newmans prospered and sons James M., William Henry and George W., established productive farms nearby. The mortal remains of all these Newmans are at Rock Spring Cemetery. After Judith Newman's death in 1876, it is unknown how the lands were first divided and sold. By 1900, R. M. Boazman owns this house and in the September 26 issue of "The LaFayette Sun", he advertises his cotton gin and states that he is buying cotton seed at Marcoot. The following summer Boazman had his farm for sale and advertised in the July 10, 1901 issue of "The LaFayette Sun": Bargains in Farm Property. I have the following for sale at reasonable figures and easy terms: Fifty five acres good farm land, good buildings and excellent water. Also three yoke fine oxen, weight of one 2100 and the other 2600 and another 3000. Two good Mitchell Wagons, good as new. One 2 ¾ and another 3 ¼. One Good Jersey cow – will give milk in September. One Fine Jersey Bull – young. One Gin House, suitable for good barn, 80 x 20 feet. Covered with 12000 good shingles. Price $50. One Seed House – built new last fall. $15. For future particulars call on or write, R. M. Boazman, Marcoot, Ala. And one month later in the August 7, 1901 issue of "The LaFayette Sun": "Mr. Bob Boazman has moved his family down from Marcoot and is occupying the Baird house in the southwest part of town." The November 27, 1901 issue of "The LaFayette Sun" states that " Chas. Johnson has moved into the residence formerly occupied by R. M. Boazman." Charles A. Johnson was the son of Oliver Johnson and wife Mary Heath Johnson. On December 27, 1885, he had married Miss Mary Hart, daughter of Benjamin & Sarah F. Daniel Hart. The Johnsons, Heaths and Harts were all pioneer settlers of the community. Before the move to Marcoot the Johnsons had lived in the Chapell Hill area. In the December 11 issue of "The LaFayette Sun" this notice appeared: Milch Cows for Sale. I have a good lot of fine milch cows for sale or trade for dry cattle. I am located in Marcoot, Ala C. A. Johnson. It is unknown how long the Johnsons lived here, but presumably a number of years. The house and property was eventually bought by Tommie and Pauline Belcher Lindsey. Possibly during the 1950s this old house burned and a modern brick house now occupies the site. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/chambers/photos/gph526johnsonc.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb

Chambers County AlArchives Photo place.....Allen, R. W. [House & Letterhead] ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Don L. Clark donlc_99@yahoo.com July 15, 2004, 7:27 am Source: Don L. Clark Photo can be seen at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/chambers/photos/gph525allenrwh.jpg Image file size: 55.0 Kb R. W. Allen House LaFayette, Alabama Photo ca. 1890 Richard Wesley Allen (1821 - 1898), son of Thomas and Mary Cole Allen of Oak Bowery, was a prominent merchant in the early days of LaFayette. In 1860, he married Elizabeth H. Wheat (1824 - 1888), daughter of Moses and Artemesia Jemison Wheat. R. W. Allen served in the Confederate Army during the War Between the States as 1st. Lt. in Company "F" 61st AL Inf. Reg. His LaFayette residence was located on the south side of Magnolia Street (now called Avenue A) on the elevation adjacent to LaFayette Cemetery. This fine old house burned in 1919. 1st Photo is a Letterhead from R. W. Allen's store in LaFayette. 2nd Photo is R. W. Allen in front of his residence about 1890. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/chambers/photos/gph525allenrwh.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 1.5 Kb

Chambers County AlArchives Biographies.....Williams, David Sherrill c1803 - 1889 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ron Williams hopewellroad@yahoo.com July 14, 2004, 11:54 am Author: Ron Williams David Sherrill Williams was born c1803 in Georgia. He is the son of Aaron Williams. David moved with his father to Chambers County, Alabama, in 1832, the year the county was opened for settlement. In April 1838, he married Nancy Woodall, the daughter of John Woodall, who later moved to Texas. They were the parents of 12 children: David Jackson, Elleanor (Hunt), Elizabeth, Georgia Ann (Williamson) (Reid), Samuel, Avington B. "Ab", Timothy Powell "Babe", William W. "Duck", Elisha Burton "Doc", James Buchanan "Buck",John Williams, and an infant. Their marriage spanned over 50 years. David and Nancy built a home on an Indian trail that led from the Chattahoochee River to the Tallapoosa River. This trail later became known as the Collins Ferry Road, the Houston Ferry-Oak Bowery Road, and finally the Hopewell Road. They built the farm house in 1839. It is still in the family. David farmed and served as Justice of the Peace for Beat 13 of Chambers County most of his life. He was called "Squire". He died in 1889. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/chambers/bios/gbs701williams.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 1.6 Kb

Chambers County AlArchives Photo group.....Harmon, Elias & Family 1909 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Don L. Clark donlc_99@yahoo.com July 14, 2004, 7:23 am Source: Don Clark Photo can be seen at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/chambers/photos/ph363harmonel.jpg Image file size: 59.4 Kb Elias Harmon House - Marcoot Photographed 1909 Left to right: Elias Harmon (seated), Susie Harmon Christian, Herbert Jackson Harmon, Nancy Jackson Harmon (seated), Gillie Belle Harmon House, Mollie Lett Harmon, Clera Harmon Tomlinson, Morgan Harmon (on horse). Additional Comments: Another photo of this house & family can be seen at the following link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/chambers/photos/ph360eliashar.jpg File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/chambers/photos/ph363harmonel.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/alfiles/ File size: 1.1 Kb