From: Helen Austin [email protected] Subject: JOHN HILL AUSTIN, b NC 1823-1878 AL, a fine haberdashery on Bank St. in Old Decatur, AL (1860 cenus and genealogy below) Some time ago I had a query about this Austin and could not lay my hands on my file. Today I found it by accident when I was looking for something else. I do not know if this family was connected to the "Austinville" Austins, whose progenitor, Samuel was also from NC. They did not live nearby and were in different professions. Genealogy from ALABAMA RECORDS Vol 105, by Kathleen Jones and Gandrud, Morgan Co, Marriage book record and notes: John H. Austin m Mary Eliza Parker - license18 Apr 1849, return dated 14th by M. P. Parham MG (from letter to Gandrud by Miss Jane Austin, 2022 Columbia Rd., Washington DC, dated sometime before the book publication.) Mary Eliza Parker b Triana, Madison Co, AL 1827, d 1905, gdau of Edward W. Parker and Eliza Parker (1802-1847). This Ed.W.Parker left Huntsville, AL to come to Old Decatur, AL in Morgan Co, and was cashier of the Old State Bank (which still remains on Bank St. Decatur). He went bankrupt (as did the bank) and went to TN. <John Hill Austin moved to Decatur. His father was Bennett May AUSTIN 1793-1873. His mother was Margaret CORWIN 1794-1873. Grandfather of John Hill was Samuel AUSTIN who died 1836. Wife of Samuel was Gret WOOD who d 1825. > 1860 CENSUS, June 14, 1860, NW Division (Bank Street Stores), Decatur, Morgan Co,AL, p 16; Line 21, Dwelling 99, Fam 99; John H. Austin 37, M, Taylor, $300.00 Real Estate, $1800.00 personal property, b NC Mary E. 30, F, W, Housewife, b AL; John C., 9, m, AL [No, not my John Calhoun] Laura 7, F, AL; Charlie C. 5, M, AL; Dickey 2, M, AL; Reta S. 7/12 mo. F, AL; M. Sensabaugh 47, M, occupation not clear-Pr-cer?, $450,00 RE, $1500.00 pp,TN; James D. Shocken(ey?), 24, M, W, Taylor, KY; next door at Dw 98 is Ayer Mayer a grocer from Poland. Dw 97 is James Segars a watchmaker from PA who employed W.B. Cain a silversmith. This is all I have on this family today. I might have the 1850 census somewhere. Also, John Hill AUSTIN was an active union sympathizer. Records can be found in the History of Morgan Co, by John Knox. Somewhere I read that the house of J.H.A. was used to house the union officers during the occupation of Decatur .A Claim for property damage to the Federal Goverment was filed after the civil war. Other records I have seen are many deeds for Decatur city property in the names of his children, John C. and Charles. On later census, it shows values of property owned by John C. Also, the later census show how John H. prospered and hired european tailors for his clothing store after the civil war. There is a very interesting story in this family for t hose who want to search.