We need information on any of the subject names having been born or living in the 1700's, 1800's or 1900's in North or South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, or Alabama. Please, HELP. Thanks, Dorothy Durden ________________________________________________________ NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html

I am searching for the parents of James Madison HARVEY, born March 3, 1842 in Dallas Co.,Alabama. He died April 20, 1894 in Wood Co.,Texas. His wife was Martha Jane Paralee KITE (her surname may have been SYKES or SIKES). She was born July 7,1843 in Alabama or possibly Florida or Georgia She died about 1921 in Wood Co., Texas. His father may have been born in Georgia; his mother may have born in North Carolina. I have a list of the descendants of James and Martha. If anyone knows their parents please E-Mail me. Thanks,

Dorothy: Which KELLEYs? I am researching SC KELLYs who immigrated from Germany to South Carolina to Dallas Co., AL to Monroe Co., AL. Kathryn

sorry to intrude on this, but is there any mention of a Reddick Sims in any of your references? Reddick was in the Dallas AL area at about that time. Ann Blakely Ginger Murphy wrote: > > ok i have a question on this Institute.....how would one find out if > their relative had been in this school in say 1850??? My one Grandfather > William L. (Leonard) Sims and his brother H.F. Sims were boarding with a > Minister possibly Baptist...in Selma when the 1850 Census was > taken....attending a school in the area.....Later William was a Captain > for Arkansas in the CSA.....William married a Matilda Louise Hardy, also > known as M.L. Hardy.....possibly the sister to Amelia A. Hardy they were > possibly the daughters of James and Eliza Hardy > > it is believed that James Hardy was born in S.C. around 1814 and that > their children were born either in AL or MS > > William is believed to have been born in GA or AL > his children were born in AR the first being Mariah born in 1851, in the > 1860 census they all show up in AR... > > now if someone has the 1850 census for Dallas county on page 305 would > show William ( or WL Sims) and HF Sims in a baptist ministers > house...tho i dont know the name....in Selma...so if someone could do a > lookup for me i would highly appreciate it..... > > this has been a brick wall for 30+ years for my one cousin....so i am > putting this out to you all so you can possibly tell me or help me find > the right family and the siblings and parents of William and HF > > -- > > HUGS..... > > Ginger > > ICQ #1487139 > http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/6969 > http://nisland.signwave.com > telnet://nisland.signwave.com:6969 > http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Resort/1577

Could you check you list of female students at the Centenary Institute. I am searching for Martha Jane Paralee KITE. I am not certain about the surname. Some family records show it as KITE. Other family records list her surname as SYKES or SIKES. She was born July 7, 1843 in Dallas CO. Alabama. Thank you

Oops! My apologies to the list!

Ginger: I have lists of female students at the Centenary Institute from the late 1840s to the 1870s, but I do not have any lists of male students. Suich lists may exist, but I don't know where. If the individual you are looking for was living in Selma and boarding there, it seems unlikely to me that he would be attending the Centenary Institute which was in Summerfield, 6-7 miles to the north. That's just a conjecture. Best wishes, Bob Parrott.

I found your H.F. Sims and W.L. Sims living in Selma and recorded on page 305 of the census in 1850. Listed below are all of the other people recorded on that same page 3305. Maybe among them is the preacher for whom you are looking. Maybe, the census taker just recorded a whole dormitory of young men. This information is sent to you privately because of copyright laws, so please don't "air" these on the maillist, accidentally or otherwise. I hope this helps you in some way. It seems to me that you need a copy of the entire page 305. Good luck! Kathryn Census Index: U.S. Selected Counties, 1850 Bonner, M. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Cox, M. L. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Cunningham, E. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Dubose, M. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Etheridge, W. W. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Faughn, G. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Goodwin, J. K. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Grover, E. L. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Hamilton, J. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Hayes, A. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Hill, G. L. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Huggins, J. A. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Hunter, C. P. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Johnson, William State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Jones, E. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Jones, J. A. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Jones, M. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Kimble, R. R. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 King, B. F. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Lloyd, D. M. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Maples, Sarah State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Martin, J. W. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Mc Grath, John State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Mc Lean, S. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Mc Nair, Edward State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Norwood, D. H. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 O Neal, M. A. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Packer, A. M. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Perry, M. F. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Shearer, M. A. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Shelton, L. R. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Sims, H. F. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Sims, W. L. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Street, T. M. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Thomas, Jaine M. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Trudwell, E. B. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Underwood, J. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Underwood, M. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Young, Martha State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305 Youngblood, J. State : AL County : Dallas Co. Location : Selma Town Year : 1850 Page # : 305

Rmjtracker@aol.com wrote: > Hi list: > > We will be visiting Selma Ala for a few days and wondered if there were really good places to do research. In particular, we are looking for any information on RUFUS COCHRAN born in 1858 and was orphaned at an early age and went to live with kin. Family stories are his parents were killed by indians. Other than old newspapers, is there any other source where we might prove or disprove this story. Also, any other information or direction would be greatly appreciated. > > Many thanks, Roseanna Jenkins, Fresno, Ca. Dear Roseanna, The library in Selma was a lot of help to me back a number of years ago. Also, the Court House might have records if the child was legally made a ward of someone else when his parents died. Good luck, Suzanne Coats -- Suzanne Coats Greetings from Forest, Mississippi!

Roseanna, As Selma is the county seat of Dallas Co. go to the Courthouse. Also the library. The people are very helpful. Kay

ok i have a question on this Institute.....how would one find out if their relative had been in this school in say 1850??? My one Grandfather William L. (Leonard) Sims and his brother H.F. Sims were boarding with a Minister possibly Baptist...in Selma when the 1850 Census was taken....attending a school in the area.....Later William was a Captain for Arkansas in the CSA.....William married a Matilda Louise Hardy, also known as M.L. Hardy.....possibly the sister to Amelia A. Hardy they were possibly the daughters of James and Eliza Hardy it is believed that James Hardy was born in S.C. around 1814 and that their children were born either in AL or MS William is believed to have been born in GA or AL his children were born in AR the first being Mariah born in 1851, in the 1860 census they all show up in AR... now if someone has the 1850 census for Dallas county on page 305 would show William ( or WL Sims) and HF Sims in a baptist ministers house...tho i dont know the name....in Selma...so if someone could do a lookup for me i would highly appreciate it..... this has been a brick wall for 30+ years for my one cousin....so i am putting this out to you all so you can possibly tell me or help me find the right family and the siblings and parents of William and HF -- HUGS..... Ginger ICQ #1487139 http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/6969 http://nisland.signwave.com telnet://nisland.signwave.com:6969 http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Resort/1577

Roseanna: I couldn't help but notice the spelling of your name, Roseanna. My g-g-g-grandmother's name was, at times, spelled that way. She was born in Orangeburgh District, SC and moved with her family in the 1830s to Dallas County, AL, then on to Monroe County. You are not, by chance, related to KELLYs who came from SC, are you? Kathryn

Hi list: We will be visiting Selma Ala for a few days and wondered if there were really good places to do research. In particular, we are looking for any information on RUFUS COCHRAN born in 1858 and was orphaned at an early age and went to live with kin. Family stories are his parents were killed by indians. Other than old newspapers, is there any other source where we might prove or disprove this story. Also, any other information or direction would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Roseanna Jenkins, Fresno, Ca.

In response to several inquiries and questions about the Centenary Institute in Summerfield (Valley Creek), here's a few more details: In 1829, the 20th Congress passed a bill authorizing the establishment of a school in Valley Creek; 10 years later, in 1839 (in the centennial year iof Methodism) , the people of Valley Creek voted $9,000 for the project, and Valley Creek was officially selected as the site of the new school, Centenary Institute. It was chartered on January 2, 1841. An older academy, the Valley Creek Academy, was closed, but became the germ of the new Institute. (Original value of the property was $60,000, not including value of the library, etc.) In 1845, the name of the community was changed from Valley Creek to Summerfield, honoring John Summerfield, a well-known English-born clergyman, and to correct the false idea that the location was in a valley on a sluggish creek. In 1843, Dr Archelaus H Mitchell became president of the school; he served in this capacity until 1851, and was known in the community as the "king of Summerfield." In 1843, 60-70 boys and girls were enrolled with three or four "commodious" buildings ready for use. The buildings had Greek Revival and Colonial styling. From 1844-1865, as many as 500 students were enrolled each year -- "the most noted institution in all Central Alabama." A library was established, as well as buildings for two literary societies, the Pierian and the Castalian, both for female students, each of which had their own buildings. (The Pierian building was still standing in 1934, "marred considerably by neglect and the passage of the years."). There were two male literary societies, the Franklin and the Literary Male independent. Summerfield was a center of culture, and the home of wealthy planters who lived in a section of town known as "Athens." The finest home was that of L C Harrison, a trustee of the Institute -- a brick home of fourteen rooms, with a colonaded gallery which surrounded the house on four sides, offering a "mile-long constitutional" if paced seven times around." The Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church appointed to the Institute some of its best trained clergy as teachers and administrators, including Dr R H Rivers as president in 1861. . The head of the male department, Dr C B Connerly, left the Institute in 1862 to join the Confederate Army; he was followed by Dr John S Moore. The number of pupils declined during the War, and by 1865 buildings were badly in need of repair. The problems of Reconstruction also exacted a toll -- in 1867 there were only three graduates. (All fees had to be paid in gold.) The financial panic of 1873 caused the enrollment to drop (in 1874-1875) to 26 girls and 24 boys. By 1880, the Methodist Alabama Conference could no longer afford to keep the school open -- it was reported in 1885 the "the buildings are in a lamentable state of dilapidation, and it is a question of only a short time when it will be utterly uninhabitable and must be turned over to the bats and owls." By 1885 it existed only as a local school, for a time used as an Orphanage and finally sold to the Selma-Summerfield College. Today the site of the Institute can be found near College Street, and not far from the Methodist Church. Remaining is a set of steps near the home of Miss Eugenie Middlebrooks. An interesting "sidelight": a resident of Summerfield (from 1854-1858), near the Institute's campus, was Bishop James Osgood Andrew (a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, beginning in 1832), born in 1794 in Wilkes Co, Goergia. He married a wife in 1844 who owned two slaves. Due to this marriage, Northern members of the Church (who supported the Abolitionist cause) requested that he resign his office; when Andrew left the Church, Methodists in the South followed him, and their title became the "Methodist Episcopal Church, South." Andrew was a member of the board of the Institute in 1861 when R H Rivers was named president. Good sources of information on the Centenary Institute: "A History of Centenary Institute, Selma, Alabama," by Lynda F Worley (the Wesleyan Quarterly Review, February 1965.) Reminiscences, by John Massey (Nashville, 1861). A History of Methodism in Alabama and West Florida, by Marion Elias Lazenby, edited by Franklin S Mosely (Montgomery, 1960). Bob Parrott.

My great grandfather, Elias Fort Harrell, operated Fortune's Ferry across the Cahaba River at about the location of US 80. I believe he operated the ferry until about 1890 when it was probably replaced by a bridge. Does anyone have any specific information about this ferry and when it ceased operation? I believe someone in the late 1800s, perhaps E.F. Harrell, contributed a column to the Selma paper with the heading, "From Fortune's Ferry" containing local news from Harrell's Crossroads and Marion Junction (formerly Forts). Does anyone have clippings of this column or other information? I would also like to correspond with other descendants of Elias Fort Harrell, as well as descendants of his father, Hardiman Israel Harrell, and grandfather, Gabriel Holmes Harrell. William Glenn "Bill" Hayes My middle name comes from Elias Glenn Harrell (called Glenn), my grandmother Tennessee Harrell's brother.

I am trying to find my cousin, Samuel CUNNINGHAM, His mother was Oda VAY. His father was Samuel CUNNINGHAM. My cousin was born in Selma, Alabama in 1919. He served in WW II. I have lost track of him -- the last contact I had with him was in 1945 in Birmingham, Alabama. He was home on leave or being released from the service. If any one knows of this man, please contact me!

Hey Bernice I have lost your e-mail address. fcirby@mindspring.com Cleve

Very interesting writeup on Summerfield/Valley Creek and Centenary Institute. It all tied it together for me. Have seen Centenary Institute on maps. Was Centenary just for boys? Methodist???Have you seen any lists of students for it or "writeups?" Seems like there was a Valley Creek Academy also. Thanks, Katherine -----Original Message----- From: BOPARROTT@aol.com <BOPARROTT@aol.com> To: ALDALLAS-L@rootsweb.com <ALDALLAS-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Saturday, September 25, 1999 9:06 AM Subject: Re: [ALDALLAS-L] Need info about town of Summerfield >Hello: > >The original name of the town of Summerfield was Valley Creek, and weas the >site of a rather well-known 19th century academy/school called the Centenary >Institute. Around 1850 the name was changed to Summerfield, in honor of John >Summerfield, when the town wanted to upgrade its image -- that is, it was not >located in a valley which then signified disease, etc. Summerfield is >still there, and the remains of the old college are still evident. At one >time, it was a rather aristocratic, moneyed little town. > >Bob Parrott boparrott@aol.com

Katherine: Yes, there are lists of students who attended the Institute. I have one such list for the years 1869-1870. Valley Creek Academy became the Centenary Institute, often called the College. And it was a Methodist institution. Best wishes, Bob Parrott.