Chambers County AlArchives Bible Records.....Family Bible of LaFayette and Ada Alice (Huguley) Lanier ************************************************ 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: Valerie Freeman vcjfreeman#@aol.com August 6, 2003, 1:11 am Family Bible of LaFayette and Ada Alice (Huguley) Lanier Purchased while on their Honeymoon in New Orleans, Louisiana in February 1874 In possession of Mrs. Jane (Dickson) Lanier of Lanett, Alabama. Transcribed by Valerie (Johnson) Freeman on June 23, 2003. Marriages LaFayette Lanier Ada A. Huguley Son of Reuben and daughter of George Arabella E. Lanier and Gabrella A. Was born in - Huguley was born Tallapoosa Co., Ala in Chambers County, June 21, 1845 Ala Aug 12, 1856 LaFayette Lanier and Ada A. Huguley were married at the Residence of Mr. George Huguley in Chambers Co., Ala by Rev. Rufus Figh Feb'y 12, 1874. Births Gillian LaFayette, our first child, was born at Mr. George Huguley's in Chambers Co., Ala on the 18th of Nov, 1874. Gabriella Elizabeth, our second child, was born at West Point on the 8th of August 1876. Lucy Jennette, our third child, was born at West Point on the 8th of August 1878. George Huguley, our fourth child, was born at West Point on the 22nd of August 1880. LaFayette, our fifth child, was born at West Point on the 7th of January 1882. Marian, our sixth child, was born at West Point on the 20th of December 1884. Alice, our seventh child, was born at our Highland home in Chambers Co., Alabama on the 15th of April 1889. Deaths Marian died at our home in Lanett on January 18, 1895. Our Father, LaFayette Lanier, died at our homeplace in Lanett on the 17th of June 1910. Gillian Lanier, wife of Robert C. Freeman died at home in Lanett on the 16th of August 1918. Robert C. Freeman died in Atlanta hospital in February 1924. LaFayette, Jr., died at his home in Langdale, Ala., on the 16th of September 1930. Robert Bryant Dixon died August 8, 1932. Ada A. Lanier died at her home place in Lanett on December 20, 1939. Lucy Lanier Dixon died in Athens, Ga. on October 5, 1942. George H. Lanier died at his home place Clovernook on September 17, 1948. Marriages Gillian Lanier married R. C. Freeman on October 6, 1904 Gabriella Lanier married Deupree Hunnicutt on April 26, 1912. Lucy Lanier married Bryant Dixon on January 5, 1905. LaFayette Lanier, Jr. married Annie Laurie Jones on the 30th of October 1906. Alice Lanier married Harold Hunter/Hinton in October 1911. This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/alfiles/ File size: 2.8 Kb
Chambers County AlArchives Military Records.....Gay, John William 1850 War of 1812 Bounty Land Warrant ************************************************ 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: Candace Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net August 4, 2003, 12:11 pm John Gay - Bounty Land Warrant #30849-80-55 1814 . Served in Captain William Harvey's & Col. Wemberly's GA Militia. Lived in Chamber Co., AL on 3 Nov 1850, age 62. On 28 Apr 1855, he lives in Randolph Co., AL and was 64 years old. Also obtain Bounty Land Warrant #25727-80-50 . November 1850 State of Alabama, County of Chambers On this twenty third day of November A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty, personally appeared, John Gay, aged sixty two years, a resident of Chambers in the State of Alabama, who being duly sworn according to law declares, that he is the identical John Gay who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain William Harvy in the Batallion commanded by Maj. Carter, in a regiment of a Georgia drafted men Militia, commanded by by Col. Ezekiel Wimberly in the War with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th June A.D. 1812, (One thousand eight hundred and twelve). That he was from Baldwin County in the State of GA, and marched into the service of the United States at Camp Hope? in the State of Georgia on or about the 13th or fourteenth day of December A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fourteen for a term of six months, and continued in actual service in said War for the term of two months and over one half or about three months, and was honorably discharged at Darwin ? City, in the State of Georgia or or about the first day of March A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifteen, soon after the proclamation of Peace. That he took no written discharge; that his service will more fully appear by the Muster and Pay Rolls of said Company. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the Act for Bounty Land to certain offiers and soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States, passed Sept 28, 1850. John Gay. Sworn to and subscribed before me Robert H.J. Wardlaw, Justice of Peace, the day and year above written. Robert H. Wardlaw, J.Peace. And I hereby certify that I believe the aforesaid John Gay to be the identical man who served as aforesaid and of the age therein stated. November 23, 1850. June 1851 Treasury Department, Third Auditor's Office Commissioner of Pensions, Department of Interior It appears from documents in file in this Office, that John Gay, a Private of Captain W. Harvey Company of Georgia Militia entered service on the 12th March 1814 and served til the 8th Noember 1815. J.S. Gallaher, Aud. April 1855 State of Alabama, Randolph County On this 28th day of April A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Five, personally appeared. John Gay, aged sixty four years, a resident of Randolph County in the State of Alabama, who being duly sworn, according to law, declares that he is the identical John Gay who was a private in the company commanded by Captain William Harvey in the regiment of drafted men commanded by Col. Wimberly in the War with Great Britain for a term of six months, and continued in actual service in said War for the term of over three months, that he has heretofore made application for Bounty Land under the Act of September the 28th 1850 and received land warrant No. 10257 for 80 acres for which he has since located in his own name in Randolph County, Alabama upon west half of the northeast quarter of section six ? in fractional township twenty two of range ten, and he makes this declration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which he may be entitled under the Act approved the 3rd day of March 1855. He also declares that he hasn't any other bounty land warrant except the one above mentioned. John Gay We, John McClain and A.P. Hunter, residents of Randolph County in the State of Alabama, upon our Oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by John Gay in our presents and that we believe from the appearance, and statements of the applicant that he is the identical person he represents himself to be. John Mc Clain, A.P. Hunter The foregoing declaration and affadavits ws sworn to and subsribed to before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be creditable persons, that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be and that I have no intterest in this claim. Richmond Noel, Justice of the Peace. The State of Alabama, Randolph County I, Joseph Benton, Judge for said county do certify that Richmond Noel whose genuine signature appears to the above and foregoing declaration and affadavit is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that full faith and credit is due and should be given to all of his official acts. As such, I further certify whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing declaration and affadavit.....Given under my hand and seal of office in Wedowee, this 13th day of June 1855. Joseph Benton, Judge of Probate. Additional Comments: I obtained ths file from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. for John William Gay (soldier) who lived in Chambers County, Alabama in 1850: John William Gay served in the War of 1812. He applied for bounty land while residing in Chambers County , Alabama in 1850, and in Randolph Co., AL in 1855: This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/alfiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb
Montgomery-Chambers County AlArchives Marriages.....Ada Alice HUGULEY - LaFayette LANIER February 12 1874 ************************************************ 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: Valerie (Johnson) Freeman vcjfreeman@aol.com August 2, 2003, 2:36 am "The Montgomery Advertser" Montgomery, AL ~~ Saturday, February 14, 1874 Society News On Thursday night last Mr. LaFayette Lanier was married to Miss Ada Huguley, both of West Point. A grand reception was given the happy couple the next evening at the residence of Mr. E. F. Lanier, and on the next day a royal dinner was spread at the residence of Mr. W. C. Lanier. "Fayette" is an old and much esteemed friend of this establishment and it give us all sincere pleasure to chronicle his happy good fortune. The wedding party passed through this city last night on their way to New Orleans to witness Mardi Gras. We send with them our best wishes. "Fayette" has taken a sensible view of things, and reasons, perhaps that - "Long nights are on us now, And cold, stormy weather; What's the use of going it alone When two can go together." Additional Comments: The marriage license was actually acquired in Lanett, Chambers Co., Alabama -- the border between Lanett and West Point, Troup Co., GA is almost forgotten/overlooked at times. They lived in Lanett after their marriage. LaFayette is the son of Reuben Lanier & Arabella Elizabeth Crockett. His brothers were the hosts of the parties mentioned: Descendants of Reuben Lanier 1 Reuben Lanier b: 28 Apr 1806 in Rockingham Co., North Carolina d: 26 Apr 1860 in West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia +Arabella Elizabeth Crockett b: 3 Nov 1808 in Lancaster Co., South Carolina m: 8 Sep 1829 in Lancaster Co., South Carolina d: 20 Jun 1881 in West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Burial: Pinewood Cemetery, West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Father: John Crockett Mother: Fereby Ward ~ 2 Feraby Lucy E. Lanier b: 10 May 1832 in Lancaster Co., South Carolina d: 18 Mar 1845 in Tallapoosa Co., Alabama Burial: Smith Family Cemetery - SW of Reeltown, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama ~ 2 William Henry Lanier b: 3 Jan 1834 in Lancaster Co., South Carolina d: 30 Jul 1864 in Civil War, near Clinton, Jones Co., Georgia Burial: May 1865 Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia ~~ +Susan L. Lawson b: 1841-1843 in Alabama or Georgia m: 30 Nov 1859 in Griffin, Spalding Co., Georgia d: Aft 1904 Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Father: Mother: ~ 2 Arabella Alberta Lanier b: 27 Aug 1836 in Alabama d: 1 Feb 1903 Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia ~~ +Abner F. Zachry b: 4 Mar 1819 in "of West Point, Georgia" m: 6 Sep 1864 d: 27 Jul 1868 Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Father: Mother: ~ 2 Ward "Pomp" Crockett Lanier b: 23 Sep 1838 in Montgomery Co., Alabama ~~ +Dora Chisholm b: in "of West Point, Georgia" m: 23 Feb 1869 Father: Mother: ~ 2 Reuben Philip Lanier b: 6 Oct 1840 in Montgomery Co., Alabama d: 18 Mar 1889 Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia ~~ +Fannie B. Harrington b: 13 Oct 1849 in "of West Point, Georgia" d: 8 Feb 1869 Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Father: Mother: ~ *2nd Wife of Reuben Philip Lanier: ~~ +Katie J. Anderson b: 28 Feb 1852 in "of Fredonia, Alabama" m: 10 May 1870 in Troup Co., Georgia d: 8 Apr 1895 Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Father: Mother: ~ 2 Elijah Frank Lanier b: 4 May 1843 in Tallapoosa Co., Alabama d: 3 Apr 1921 Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia ~~ +Susan Elizabeth Cherry b: 19 Apr 1846 in Alabama m: 30 Nov 1865 d: 26 Nov 1922 Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Father: James Alvin Cherry Mother: Mary Elizabeth A. Reese ~ 2 LaFayette Lanier, Sr. b: 21 Jun 1845 in Tallapoosa Co., Alabama d: 17 Jun 1910 in West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Burial: Marseilles Cemetery, West Point, Troup Co., Georgia ~~ +Ada Alice Huguley b: 12 Aug 1856 in near Fairfax, Chambers Co., Alabama m: 12 Feb 1874 in Chambers Co., Alabama d: 19 Dec 1939 in West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Burial: Marsailles Cemetery, West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Father: George Whitfield Huguley Mother: Gabriella (Arabella) Alice Dallis ~ 2 Alexander "Cam" Campbell Lanier b: 7 Sep 1848 in Tallapoosa Co., Alabama d: 6 Dec 1884 in Plant City, near Shawmut, Chambers Co., Alabama Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia ~~ +Emma E. Smith b: 29 Aug 1852 in Alabama m: 1 Feb 1869 in Chambers Co., Alabama d: 18 Jun 1922 in Chambers Co., Alabama Burial: Pinewood Cemetery - West Point, Troup Co., Georgia Father: Mother: This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/alfiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb
Chambers County AlArchives Photo place.....First Baptist Church in LaFayette July 22 2003 ************************************************ 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: William Fisher Jr. wefjr7944@hotmail.com August 1, 2003, 1:51 pm Source: William Fisher, Jr. Photo can be seen at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/chambers/photos/ph14firstbap.jpg Image file size: 83.1 Kb First Baptist Church in LaFayette This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/alfiles/ File size: 0.7 Kb
Chambers County AlArchives Photo place.....Allen - Andrews - Garrett House ca1880 ************************************************ 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 Clark donlc_99@yahoo.com July 24, 2003, 5:28 am Source: Don Clark Photo can be seen at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/chambers/photos/ph3allenand.jpg Image file size: 95.8 Kb Allen - Andrews - Garrett House LaFayette, Alabama This Greek Revival house is believed to have been built ca. 1850 by George W. Allen. This photograph from the early 1880s shows the family of Mrs. Sarah E. Andrews (1824-1902, seated in rocking chair) shortly after they purchased the house. The last occupant of the house in the 1950s was the family of W. A. Garrett. Mr. Garrett served as Chief of Police in LaFayette. Demolished ca. 1960. Today a vacant lot just south of First Baptist Church in LaFayette is where this grand old house once proudly stood. This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/alfiles/ File size: 1.2 Kb
Does anyone out there have any specific info about this young woman who is 16 years old on the 1860 census? I cannot find her on the 1850 census with this family. I believe that she is the Eleanor G. WILLIAMS who married James M. ALLEN, MD, in Macon County on 18 January 1867. Her siblings include David, Elizabeth, Samuel, John, William, Avington, James, Tim, Abner, Powell, and Elisha WILLIAMS. I have browsed census records for all WILLIAMSES hoping to find an Eleanor/Ellinor and found her with this family last night. Any info connecting her to James ALLEN would be appreciated. They (James and Eleanor) are my g-g-grandparents, parents of Zulia ALLEN, m. James Norman MASON (I think), had Norman Phelps MASON on 14 Dec 1893 in B'ham, AL. Zulia "left the family" and Norman went to live with his aunt, uncle and his wife in Walker County, GA, on the 1900 census. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
You can get a copy of heritage of chambers county book there is County Line baptist Church on page 26. May 5,1985 celebrated it's 150th anniversary. Email me seperately mention church and page and I will see if I can give you more info. Sandel BRISKEY-L@rootsweb.com Seattle
One good place to contact is historical society for Chambers county at Valley, Alabama library. Wonderful resources. I wish I could have spent more time there when I was there last October for family reunion. Also Heritage book of Chambers County, AL has wonderful resources by Heritage Publishing consultants PO BOX 67 Clanton, AL 35046 1-800-568-1611 When I bought it it was 60.00. You might be able to obtain a copy to look at through your inner library loan dept of your local library. Good luck Sandel BRISKEY-L@rootsweb.com
Hello, My gr gr gr grandmother was Alletha Meadows daughter of Benjamin Franklin Meadows who had a grist mill in Milltown Alabama, Chambers County. Benjamin gave the land for hepzibah Cemtery. And land for Halawakee Academy for girls.. Alletha Married Nicholas Briskey/Brisky II. My gr gr gr grandfather. you might check some info with Faye Ingram (Grandaughter of Dudley Briskey). Briskey's hold reunion 2nd weekend of October this year. In Milltown. You can contact her at: Faye Ingram: countrygirlbama@yahoo.com Sandel BRISKEY-L@rootsweb.com Seattle Surnames; Briskey,Brisky,Brisque,LaBriskey,Demastus,Sutton,Meadows,Hodnett,Moore,McIntosh,Leverett (States, SC,GA, Alabama (Chambers County), Washington, and TX) willing to share and trade
My ancestors lived in Salem when it was in Russell County. Reuben Aldridge died in Salem in 1840. 1830-1850- Has anyone heard of these Mills and were they near one another? Floyd's Mill Jimmerson's Mill Flint's Mill Bill Meadow Mill Anyone have any stories on Moffett Mill in Salem, Alabama, near Smiths , Alabama. Does anyone know the History of County Line Baptist Church? Located on Russell and Chambers County Line Road. Is Shockwell Covered Bridge on County Line Road? The Covered Bridge wasn't built untill 1900. How long has Wire Road been called Wire Road? Was the cut thru road call by another name in the early 1800s.? On the map is written Ridge Road........Route one by 1896, Anyone know where Route One is? Thank each and everyone of you that are answering my questions and sending me maps each and every email has helped me. I am trying to zero in on where my ancestors lived in this area. I would love to see the land where they onece lived and raised their children. Sandra Across the River in Georgia Anyone ever heard of these? Pine Grove Academy Hephziba Primitive Baptist Church Shady Grove Christian Church County Poor Farm.
For maps of Alabama of all sorts you might try the site: http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/ Lots of maps. Franklin -----Original Message----- From: Quasi358@aol.com [mailto:Quasi358@aol.com] Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 5:27 PM To: ALCHAMBE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ALCHAMBE-L] Aldridge in Lee and Chamber Counties Sandra, I've been looking for a copy of that map. Any chance I could get a copy from you? I think that you are looking for Ben Meadows Mill. Benjamin F Meadows was my ggggrandfather. Priscilla ==== ALCHAMBE Mailing List ==== Post your cemetery records to the list! http://www.rootsweb.com/~alchambe/
Sandra, I've been looking for a copy of that map. Any chance I could get a copy from you? I think that you are looking for Ben Meadows Mill. Benjamin F Meadows was my ggggrandfather. Priscilla
Thanks for letting me know. Sandra. I''ve gotten an older map and it is new to me names of the Counties and roads. Sandra
The only Flint Hill I know of is in Tallapoosa County. > > From: Scalawag1867@aol.com > Date: 2003/07/07 Mon PM 01:34:28 EDT > To: ALCHAMBE-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [ALCHAMBE-L] Aldridge in Lee and Chamber Counties > > Does anyone know where Flint Hill is and Bem Meadows Mill is in Chambers > County, > Alabama? > > Is the Columbus Cussetta Road anywhere near the Shotwell Covered Bridge. > > If not, does anyone know where I could find it? > > Also looking for Salem Road. Deliah wrote it might be a road leading to > Columbus. > > The map I have has my Aldridges living on the Chamber County, Al. side and > not the > Lee side. Plus it has Chambers/Russell County Line and not Lee where I > thought > my Aldridge lived near the County Line Baptist Church. > > The map I have is Eary Setlers 1830-1850 > > Reuben and Sara Liverman Aldridge were there at that time. > > The Aldridge Cemetery is on the same Road that the Shotwell Covered Bridge > is. > > Thanks for any help. > > Sandra > maiden name Waldrop > Georgia > > > ==== ALCHAMBE Mailing List ==== > Who is your MOST WANTED? > Visit the USGenWeb Archives for Alabama > http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/al/alfiles.htm > >
Does anyone know where Flint Hill is and Bem Meadows Mill is in Chambers County, Alabama? Is the Columbus Cussetta Road anywhere near the Shotwell Covered Bridge. If not, does anyone know where I could find it? Also looking for Salem Road. Deliah wrote it might be a road leading to Columbus. The map I have has my Aldridges living on the Chamber County, Al. side and not the Lee side. Plus it has Chambers/Russell County Line and not Lee where I thought my Aldridge lived near the County Line Baptist Church. The map I have is Eary Setlers 1830-1850 Reuben and Sara Liverman Aldridge were there at that time. The Aldridge Cemetery is on the same Road that the Shotwell Covered Bridge is. Thanks for any help. Sandra maiden name Waldrop Georgia
Hi Debra, How is it going? I have been so busy that I haven't had much time for genealogy lately. Glad you are still getting things on line. Keep up the great work your doing. Hope your feeling ok. I'm going through rough time with predisone (Cortison). sandel BRISKEY-L@rootsweb.com seattle
Need help in finding additional information about the following WYATTS: (1) MICAJAH NICOLL WYATT Born Mar. 7, 1770 in Prince William Co, VA. Parents: William Edward WYATT (II) & Frances NEWTON. Married (wife's name unknown) abt. 1794 in Halifax Co, VA. Fathered: Moses WYATT (b. 1795 / m. Catherine GEORGE & Mary L. VERNON); Silas WYATT (b. abt. 1796); Mildred WYATT (b. abt. 1798 / m. Thomas BARBER); and Mary L.Wyatt (b. abt. 1800 / m. David BARBER). Appeared on Halifax Co, VA censuses from 1820 to 1850. AKA: CAJAH WYATT. Died 1855 in Halifax Co, VA. (2) MOSES WYATT Son of Micajah Nicoll WYATT. Born Mar. 26, 1795 in Halifax Co, VA. Fought in War of 1812 in VA Militia. Married (1st) to Catherine GEORGE on Oct. 16, 1818 in Halifax Co, VA. Fathered: William Austin WYATT (b. 1819); Edwin Henry WYATT (b. 1821); Mary Crews WYATT (b. 1827 / m. John A. RATCHFORD); and Susan Frances WYATT (b. 1830). Married (2nd) to Mary L. VERNON on May 9, 1844 in Chambers Co, AL. Fathered: Elizabeth Hutron WYATT (b. 1845), Silas Moses WYATT (b. 1847 / m. Rosa Willie CLANAHAN); and Martha Isabel Rebecca WYATT (b. 1852 / m. John WHEELER). Appeared on these censuses: 1820 Pittsylvania Co, VA / 1830 Henry Co, VA / 1840, 1850, 1860, and 1870 Chambers Co, AL. Died 1875 in Chambers Co, AL. It is my primary goal to find more sources that prove that MOSES WYATT (my husband's great-great-grandfather) is the son of MICAJAH NICOLL WYATT. Any corrections, additions, and suggestions are welcomed. Glenda Rodgers Wyatt Baytown, TX REWyatt@juno.com
I'm sending out many special thanks to Linda Brewer who has just offered to do lookups from several Chambers Co. resources as well as shared a photo of Anna Jane Germany Higgins. Thank you Linda!! http://www.rootsweb.com/~alchambe/chamlook.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~alchambe/photos.html Debra Crosby
Parents of Stephen Daniel Sims (1855-1892) and William Hampton Sims (1857-1907), Chambers County AL Francis Marion Sims (1829-after 1900) and his wife, Sarah, (1828-after 1900) are presumed to be the parents of Stephen Daniel Sims (1855-1892) and Charles William Hampton Sims (1857-1907), but there is no irrefutable proof of my presumption and both the 1860 and the 1880 censuses present some difficulties for my claim. Francis Marion is F. M. Sims in the 1860 and 1900 censuses, but Francis Sims in the 1880 Census. His wife is Sarah in all three censuses, and the enumerations of other events are very consistent across the three censuses so that there is a high level of confidence that they all represent the same individual as head of household. The name Marion for M. is based on an unexamined family bible record in Stephen Daniel Sims line that has Marion recorded as the father of Stephen Daniel Sims. The 1880 and 1900 censuses are consistent in stating that F. M. Sims father was born in South Carolina. Couple this with the fact that Francis Marion was a larger-than-life South Carolina Revolutionary War hero and it is plausible to speculate that F. M. Sims was named Francis Marion in honor of The Swamp Fox. Or, perhaps, he was named for a relative who had been named Francis Marion in honor of the Swamp Fox. The following known pieces of evidence are integral to my assertion that Francis Marion Sims and his wife, Sarah, were the parents of Stephen Daniel Sims and Charles William Hampton Sims (the name on his 1878 Chambers County Marriage License): First, Probate Court Records, Chambers County AL, 5 Sep 1892, document that Wm. H. Sims, brother of the deceased [S. D. Sims], petitioned the Court to be appointed Administrator of the Estate of Stephen Daniel Sims. This is positive proof that these two were brothers. Second, a family bible in the W. H. Sims line records his place of birth as Opelika, AL. Third, W. H. Hamp Sims year of birth is in question, although a 4 Mar day and month of birth is consistent. A marked-over entry in the family bible has his date of birth as 4 Mar 1857 as does his tombstone erected some years after his death and inscribed based on the marked-over bible record. However, he, himself, claimed to have been 22 on his Jan 1878 Marriage license and that indicates a Mar 1855 date of birth. Also the 1900 Census has his date of birth as Mar 1855. Of course, the marriage license also has Elizabeth M. McDowells age as 22 and we know that she was 24 at the time based on a 4 Oct 1853 date of birth recorded both in the family bible and in the 1900 Census. In addition, a 4 Mar 1855 date of birth is impossible given his brothers more reliable 18 May 1855 date of birth. Fourth, W. H. Sims older brother, S. D. Sims, was born 18 May 1855, although I have not personally examined the evidence for this assertion. Taken together this evidence would make Hamp age 3-5 in the 1860 Census and S. D. age 5. They would be 13-15 and 15 in the 1870 Census and 23-25 and 25 in the 1880 Census. Following this evidence, I found F. M. Sims enumerated in the Town of Opelika, County of Russell, Alabama, in the 1860 Census (p. 1078) with a son aged 4 and a son aged 5. F. M., himself, was 29, a mechanic, and born in AL. In his household were: Sarah, 31, and born in GA; E., female, age 6, born about 1854 in AL; S. [presumed to be Stephen Daniel], male, age 5, born May 1855 in AL; C. [presumed to be Charles William Hampton], male, age 4, born Mar 1855-57 in AL; and J. A., female, 2 months, born 1860 in AL. There were also two Hurd females (R. A. and ??, ages 17 and 16, and both born in GA. This same Francis or F. M. Sims and Sarah Sims were in the 1880 (Milltown, Chambers Co AL, p 23 D) and the 1900 (Milltown, Chambers Co AL (p. 53 A) censuses. These two census records together show that: F. M. worked in a gristmill in Milltown, AL, was born in AL in Aug 1829, and Sarah was born in GA in Dec 1828. Francis M.s father was born in SC and his mother in GA. Sarahs father was born in GA and her mother in KY. The 1900 Census places their marriage in 1851 with 5 children born to Sarah with 3 still living in 1900. At least 4 of these children reached maturity because we know that Stephen Daniel was one of the 2 deceased children. However, only Stephen Daniel (d. 1892) and Charles William Hampton (d. 1907) have been identified. In addition, we know that there was a daughter, E., born about 1854 and a daughter, J. A., born in 1860. [Note that the initials of the two daughters were difficult to decipher and therefore may be in error.] The fifth child is unaccounted for but would have died before 1860 or been born after 1860. We need to find this household in the 1870 Census to solve the mystery. The 1900 Census enumerates both F. M. and Sarah Sims as being able to read and write English. There was also a merchant, J. D. Harris, living in the household. He was 67 and born in GA, but no relation is given. The F. M. Sims Household has not been found in the 1870 Census when both Hamp Sims and S. D. Sims would have still been present. Also, I have found neither Charles William Hampton nor Stephen Daniel Sims in their own households in the 1880 Census although both married before 1880. Charles William Hampton Sims married Elizabeth M. McDowell 6 Jan 1878 in Chambers Co AL, and Stephen Daniel Sims married Elizabeths younger sister, Frances Missouri McDowell, 16 Mar 1879 in Chambers Co AL. Although my belief is far from proven at this time, I believe that Stephen Daniel was still in his fathers household in the 1880 Census and that his wife, Francis Missouri, may also have been enumerated in the same household as Lula or Lulu, age 17 and born in AL. Francis Sims was enumerated in the 1880 Milltown, Chambers Co AL Census, age 51 and working in a gristmill. His wife, Sarah, was also 51. Puzzling is the fact that a son named Stephen, age 26, born in AL, a widow, and farming was also in the household. The only other person in the household was Lula or Lulu, age 17, single, and born in AL. She was enumerated as the daughter of Francis Sims. Age 26 is one year off from the exact right age for Stephen Daniels May 1855 date of birth. More troubling however is that he was enumerated as a widow when we have Marriage License proof that he married Frances Missouri McDowell in 1879 and that they had a child born 22 Feb 1880 who is not enumerated. Could Lula be Francis Missouri McDowell, the wife of Stephen, and not the daughter of Francis Sims? She was enumerated as age 8 in the 1870 Census and as age 38 in the 1900 Census. Therefore, age 17 in the 1880 Census is possibly one year off, but it would be the right age for a June birth that came after 3 June when this household was enumerated for the 1860 Census. Some competing interpretations of the record are: (1) Lula is the missing 5th child; or, (2) Lula is Francis Missouri. If she is not Francis Missouri, we have a real puzzle. Where is Francis Missouri? And why was this Stephen enumerated as a widow if he is, in fact, the husband of Francis Missouri? And, if he is married, why is he still at home with his father unless Lula is, in fact, his wife? Either I have the wrong household or some of the census enumerations are in error for this household. Franklin W. Ingram, June 27, 2003, Raleigh, NC, f_w_i@msn.com
I have the Chambers Co. Al hertiage book. Will help anyone. I'm hunting John Henry Colson in Valley, West Point, Lanett area. He drawn in the "Back Water" Was married to Nonnie Pearl Mason. They had 8 children 4 buried in house fire. They all are buried in Oakwood Cem. But can't find his parents. Deborah=debraie@aol.com