Weldon Birdwell and Jerry Anderson, I am sending you via slow mail a compendium of Jackson County TN Birdwells that my cousin Jane LeFevre Teal has compiled. It may help in solving the Jackson Co. Birdwells. I think she would be a good one to contact concerning this. Jerry, I need your s-mail address as I can't find it in my stack of Birdwell correspondence. Effie

Hey Gang, These are all from the 1920 Census book, I didn't have the time to go thru the films to verify. Have a great day Rose 1920 Census of Nacogdoches Co., Texas (all Birdwell's listed) Family 2-2 BIRDWELL, Thomas J., HOH, M W, 23, Tx, Tx, Tx, Farmer, Rents Irma, wife, F W, 19, Tx, Tx, Tx Gay, daughter, 11/12, Tx, Tx, Tx Family 3-3 LILLY, William C., HOH, M W, 66, Tx, Al, Al, Farmer, Rents Mary L., wife, F W, 60, Tx, Al, Al Family 30 BIRDWELL, Allen, HOH, M W, 42, Tx, Ga, Ga, Cattleman, Rents Rosilee, Wife, F W, 40, Ga, Ga, Ga Lanham, Son, M W, 15, Tx, Tx, Ga Gwen, Son, M W, 8, Tx, Tx, Ga Family 45-46 BIRDWELL, Henry W., HOH, M W, 55, Tx, Al, Ga, Farmer, Owns/ no Mortgage Allice, wife, W F, 51, Tx, Mo, Ky Link, son, W M, 13, Tx, Tx, Tx Christine, W F, 11, Tx, Tx, Tx Phil, W M, 9, Tx, Tx, Tx Family 58-59 BIRDWELL, Rosana, HOH, F W, 45, widow, Tx, Al, Al, Farmer, Owns/no mortgage Bessie, daughter, F W, 11, Tx, Tx, Tx Family 72-77 WINDER, Peter F., HOH, M W, 34, Tx, Tx, Ms, Farmer, Rents Addie, wife, F W, 29, Tx, Tn, Ar Forest, son, M W, 13, Tx, Tx, Tx Hurbert, son, M W, 9, Tx, Tx, Tx Cates, son, M W, 5, Tx, Tx, Tx BIRDWELL, Robert R., FIL, M W, 79, Tn, Tn, Tn Malinda, MIL, F W, 68, Ar, Tn, Al Von S., BIL, M W, 20, Tx, Tn, Ar, Farmer 100-103 BIRDWELL, Benjamin, HOH, M W, 39, Tx, Ga, Ga, Cattle dealer, rents Mary, wife, F W, 35, Tx, Tx, Tx, Keeps hotel Ben Allen, son, M W, Tx, Tx, Tx WESTFALL, Herman B., boarder, Tx, Tx, Tx, Auto mechanic BLAKE, Willard E., boarder, Ma, Me, Me, Engineer, heating ventilator Elizabeth, boarder, Me, Me, Me 102-119 BIRDWELL, Mary E., HOH, F W, 60, widowed, Tx, Ala, Tn, Owns/ no mortgage, keeps house SUMMERS, William F., Brother, M W, 68, divorced, Tx, Ala, Tn, House carpenter 104-105 BIRDWELL, Oscar, HOH, M W, 43, Tx, Tx, Tx, Farmer, Owns/no mortgage Carra, wife, F W, 36, Tx, Tn, Tx Mary, daughter, F W, 10, Tx, Tx, Tx Monnie, daughter, F W, 8, Tx, Tx, Tx Donald, son, M W, 6, Tx, Tx, Tx Joseph, brother, M W, 26, Tx, Tx, Tx 112-123 BIRDWELL, William, HOH, M W, 46, Tx, Al, Tx, Farmer, Owns/Mortgage Josie, wife, F W, 40, Tx, Tx, Tx Millie, daughter, 19, F W, Tx, Tx, Tx Lillie, daughter, F W, 19, Tx, Tx, Tx Alvin, son, M W, 17, Tx, Tx, Tx Mattie, daughter, F W, Tx, Tx, Tx Ellis, son, M W, Tx, Tx, Tx 131-132 BIRDWELL, Ophelia, HOH, F W, 61, widow, Tx, Ga, Al, owns/no mortgage Luelia, daughter, F W, 25, Tx, Tx, Tx, Teacher Bernice, daughter, F W, 20, Tx, Tx, Tx, Teacher 133-134 Birdwell, John C., HOH, M W, 53, single, Tx, Al, Tn, Farmer, owns/no mortgage Addie A, sister, F W, 55, single, Tx, Al, Tn Adaline B., mother, F W, 91, Tn, NC, NC 137-138 Birdwell, M.M., HOH, M W, 29, Tx, Tx, Tx, owns/no mortgage Willie, wife, F W, 27, Tx, Tx, Al Francis M., son, M W, 6, Tx, Tx, Tx E--? M., son, M W, 5, Tx, Tx, Tx Jeter P., son, M W, 4 4/12, Tx, Tx, Tx Estella, daughter, F W, 2 3/12, Tx, Tx, Tx 140-141 Birdwell, T.J., HOH, M W, 38, Tx, Tx, Tx, farmer, owns/mortgage Luvinia, wife, F W, 29, Tx, Tx, Tx David, son, M W, 11, Tx, Tx, Tx Lawrence, son, M W, 9, Tx, Tx, Tx Lake?, son, M W, 7, Tx, Tx, Tx Ruby, daughter, F W, 5, Tx, Tx, Tx Maggie, daughter, F W, 4 6/12, Tx, Tx, Tx T.J., Jr., son, M W, 1 11/12, Tx, Tx, Tx 141-156 BIRDWELL, Jas. T., HOH, M W, 40, Tx, Al, Tx, Farmer, Owns/no mortgage Floy, wife, F W, 37, Ar, Ar, Ar Hoyle, son, M W, 9, Tx, Tx, Ar Fred, son, M W, 7, Tx, Tx, Ar Elsie, daughter, F W, 4, Tx, Tx, Ar Opal, daughter, F W, 1 4/12, Tx, Tx, Ar 165-170 BIRDWELL, Will, HOH, M W, 43, Tx, Tn, Tx, Farmer, Owns w/ mortgage May, wife, F W, 41, Tx, Al, Tx Willie, son, M W, 21, Tx, Tx, Tx Malinda, daughter, F W, 17, Tx, Tx, Tx Carrie, daughter, F W, 14, Tx, Tx, Tx Fairy, daughter, F W, 8, Tx, Tx, Tx 167-191 BIRDWELL, Clarence, HOH, M W, 23, Tx, Tx, Tx, Farmer, Rents Cora, wife, F W, 21, Tx, Tx, Tx Verline, daughter, F W, 10/12, Tx, Tx, Tx Bennie, brother, M W, 20, Tx, Tx, Tx, Farm Laborer 170-175 BIRDWELL, George, HOH, M W, 32, Tx, Tn, Tn, Farmer, Owns w/ mortgage Essie, wife, F W, 31, Tx, Tx, Tx Etho?, son, M W, 11, Tx, Tx, Tx Boyce, son, M W, 8, Tx, Tx, Tx Jewel, daughter, F W, 4 4/12, Tx, Tx, Tx Katherine, daughter, F W, 2 6/12, Tx, Tx, Tx 193-198 BIRDWELL, Joe, HOH, M W, 52, Tx, Tn, Ar, Farmer, Owns/ no mortgage Leanna, wife, F W, 45, Tx, Tx, Al Jodie, daughter, F W, 21, Tx, Tx, Tx Artie, daughter, F W, 17, Tx, Tx, Tx Clarence, son, M W, 13, Tx, Tx, Tx Annice, daughter, F W, 11, Tx, Tx, Tx Minnie, daughter, F W, 8, Tx, Tx, Tx Robbie, daughter, F W, 5, Tx, Tx, Tx Jessie, daughter, F W, 3 8/12, Tx, Tx, Tx Elroy, son, M W, 1 8/12, Tx, Tx, Tx 199-204 BIRDWELL, John A., HOH, M W, 46, Tx, Tx, Tx, Farmer, Owns/no mortgage Georgette, wife, F W, 38, Tx, Tx, Tx Hurshel, son, M W, 18, Tx, Tx, Tx Maggie K., daughter, F W, 15, Tx, Tx, Tx Carl, son, M W, 11, Tx, Tx, Tx Hollis, son, M W, 9, Tx, Tx, Tx Grady, son, M W, 6, Tx, Tx, Tx Searcy L., son, M W, 4 0/12, Tx, Tx, Tx Virgil, son, M W, 2 0/12, Tx, Tx, Tx 268-279 BIRDWELL, Eugene M., HOH, M W, 39, Tx, Ga, US, Farmer, Owns/no mortgage Leila B., wife, F W, 39, Tx, Ga, Al Bama L., daughter, 15, Tx, Tx, Tx Curtis T., son, 11, Tx, Tx, Tx Venora N., daughter, 9, Tx, Tx, Tx Elger E., son, 8, Tx, Tx, Tx Estelle F., daughter, 2 6/12, Tx, Tx, Tx Rose Birdwell To subscribe or unsubscribe: <[email protected]> To send queries or answers: <[email protected]> Problems or opinions: <[email protected]> or <[email protected]>

Jerry I have a letter (in storage in TX) from a McKaughan descendant. If I remember correctly it was written in the early 70's. This letter speaks of the marriage of a Margaret McKaughan to a Joseph Birdwell. The writer of the letter believed that the two families were associated by traveling from Philadelphia to East TN. My line is: Barbra Myers Alexander >Benjamin Myers >Hattie Lee Birdwell >George W Birdwell >Temple S Birdwell >Joseph + Jane Birdwell. After the Joseph + Jane point I am in total confusion. I am so happy to see this page in progress. Rose is amazing. Barbra

Jerry has posed the “$64,000 Question”, was there another BIRDWELL family besides the descendants of George Birdwell (c.1720 to 1781) ? His question was, “why everyone insists upon tying Jackson Co. Birdwells as offspring of the *known* Sullivan Co. Birdwells”. I think the simple answer is that, at the moment, they are our only candidates. I certainly won’t insist that they must connect, but that theory seems reasonable since we lack evidence for any other viable choice. First of all, I don’t know how thoroughly the Virginia records have been researched. No doubt there is more to be found. Yet at present, what do we know all points to "old" George (c.1720): 1) Deeds show George (c1720) owned his Virginia land from 1751 to 1779. This establishes when George was in the modern Botetourt Co, Virginia area. 2) Virginia tax rolls from this period list only a George and a Robert Birdwell. These were the only two BIRDWELL (Burdwell) listed on the tax rolls. 3) The 9-14-1781 will of George Birdwell (c1720) was recorded in Bedford Co, VA. a. It states that in 1781 George Birdwell was “of Sullivan Co., NC” (Tenn). b. It names his fourteen living children, nine of whom were sons. 4) Since most were young, George’s children probably moved to Sullivan Co with him. Records indicate that Robert may have come slightly later. 5) His eldest son, Robert, was on a 1772 tax list (so at least age 21). This establishes that Robert was born by 1751 or earlier. 6) The family Bible then provides birth dates for the other sons. These dates help us to locate them in the later records. 7) Every one of these male names are found in subsequent records & documents. While not proven that these are George’s sons, it certainly looks likely. 8) These records are found in Tenn., Kentucky, Georgia, & Alabama. This indicates that George’s sons spread far & wide beyond Sullivan Co, TN. So from this, the “Sullivan Co., Tennessee Birdwells” are presumed to be the descendants of George (c1720). Most of his sons survived well into the 1800’s. For the most part, George’s sons did not move on together. They seemed to scatter more like a shotgun pattern and then periodically move back into closer proximity. So finding only one son in a given county does not look unusual. Then finding another Birdwell moved there later on seems to actually fit their pattern. What other BIRDWELL options are out there ? There may have been a family (or families) in New England during the 1700’s. This needs to be researched but for now it is only three names in MA & CT. Then in Virginia, I have heard of only one record which names any BIRDWELL (or Burdwell) old enough to have been a contemporary of George (c1720). Off hand I don’t know what the source was but as I remember, a John Birdwell was assigned to some road work in either Augusta or Botetourt County, Virginia during the 1770’s. So if that information is correct then another BIRDWELL besides George (c1720) may have been found in a document. If so, perhaps he had a family on the Virginia frontier ? To date, in addition to this “John”, very few BIRDWELL men have been found in the early records besides the named children of George Birdwell (c1720). I won’t attempt to name the rest here but I’m aware of about a half dozen. These men could be from a separate family since their parents are not known (perhaps “John” ?). However, it is just as reasonable to assume that they were the sons of Robert Birdwell (c1750). These half dozen BIRDWELL men are all of an appropriate age to have been Robert's children. And they are all found associated with East Tennessee records, or near another “known” descendant of George Birdwell (c1720). So while it is imprecise to “assign” them to Robert (c1750), he is as likely to have been their father as anyone. Robert is shown in numerous documents through the years, while a single reference to a "John" is the only other alternative. I would never insist upon tying the families in Jackson Co, Tenn or any of the other “uncertain” lines to George Birdwell (c1720). Yet this does appear to be the most likely theory as to their origins. George (c1720) and descendants are in the Virginia records, and then in the later records of Tennessee and elsewhere. There may be another original family out there (the John noted above or any other), yet there is a complete absence of records to even support their existence. Further research may change this, yet for now I would like to see some Deeds, Tax Lists, Census Records, or any primary source which name an alternative to George (c1720) and his descendants. This is not conclusive proof of anything. Yet it is a valid working theory until some more evidence is uncovered. I know this is not a definitive answer to Jerry’s question, yet I hope this explains the tendency to always look towards George Birdwell (c.1720 to 1781). Weldon in Montana

two years ago, I purchased the 1830, 1840 and 1850 Tennessee Census' as abstracted by Byron Sistler - I'm sure we've all seen them a 100 times, but .... Jackson County, TN - 1830 ..... (121) Birdwell, Elizabeth ... 010001 - 21010001 (121) Birdwell, James ... 010001 - 10020001 (122) Birdwell, William ... 00100001 - 0031001 (122) Birdwell, Joseph ... 00001 - 00001 (123) Birdwell, Joseph ... 101001 - 1001 (123) Birdwell, Robert ... 100001 - 102001 (123) Birdwell, Margaret ... 00001 - 000110011 Jackson County, TN - 1840 ... J-263 Birdwell, Elijah ... 000101 - 1111010001 J-306 Birdwell, Geo W. ... 1001 - 10001 J-269 Birdwell, James ... 0000000001 - 000000001 J-292 Birdwell, John ... 200021 - 00001 J-294 Birdwell, Joseph .. 201011 - 1300110101 J-296 Birdwell, Joseph ... 100001 - 22001 The two "Josephs" ... I've made comments about them before. I have always believed the Jospeh above in J-296 is my Joseph born circa 1809 and the one in J-294 is the one that married an "Elizabeth J." and was born circa 1803 ... The reason I have made this stand - Elizabeth, wife of(J294) Joseph, was apparently born before 1810 and (J296) Joseph's wife was born after 1810. This fits - (J296) my Joseph was married to Elizabeth Chaffin and she was born 11 Apr 1811 .... Elizabeth Jane was born 12 Mar 1809 according to a descendant. THERFORE - who are these elderly women living with this Joseph Birdwell (J-294) - could one be this "Margaret McKaughan" who evidently married a "Joseph Birdwell" around 1793 ??? And, more importantly, who is Joseph (J-294) - I've asked before. Didn't Robert Birdwell (from old George's first marriage) have a son named Joseph - but didn't he die in Texas or something ... ? Jerry

Well - it's about midnight and I'm tired ... Stopped in to check my email before going to bed ... I received an email from an inquiry I had made sometime ago - the "thing" that Weldon posted yesterday or the day before - concerning this new "Joseph" and his wife Margaret McCoin (McKaughan) BIRDWELL who was in Jackson County early 1800 after removing from Sullivan County - might be true ............. A descendent of this Joseph and Margaret has responded and filled me in on some missing data of John Harvey Birdwell (born 1812) who I have for a very long time suspected to be the brother of my Joseph Birdwell (born 1809) .... both married Chaffins, which also fits Weldon's note (the letter written by Joab Brooks in 1873). At this time, I have at least one doubt ,,, I think Margaret McKaughan's husband was a William and not a Joseph - more later. Jerry

The following are descendants of George and Elizabeth A. Russell Birdwell from Rose's list of November 3. The page numbers are those in Hazie Davis LeFevre's "The Birdwell Family" which is a history of the George Birdwell Family. Rose has a copy of the book. This is to help her tie it into the family.. Robert "Marion" Barton husband of Mary Birdwell, dau. of Henderson, son of George, son of Joseph (p. 8) Alfred Preston "Cotton" Birdwell, son of Frank, son Andrew, son of George, son of Joseph ( p. 11) Augusta Ann "Sue" Birdwell, dau of George Jr, son of George, son of Joseph. p. 13 Rusk Co. Texas "B" Benjamin Franklin Birdwell m. Martha Ann Dunwoody. This is my great grandfather. He was the son of George, son of Joseph. (p. 40) Benjamin Franklin Birdwell m. Lura F. is not my Benjamin Franklin - any one else?? Bennie "Denver" Birdwell m. Clyde Amburn was dau of Andrew, son of George, son of Joseph (p. 11) Bernice L. Birdwell m. Hugo Hartsfield was dau. of W. Clifford Birdwelll, son of Ernest Birdwell (this is wjb's line) (p. 17a) Bonnie Birdie Birdwell m. Thomas A. Flannery dau of George Birdwell Jr, son of George, son of Joseph. Rusk Co. Texas "C:" Cynthia Jane Birdwell, m Jasper Newton Ogletree, dau of George, son of Joseph (p. 34) Rusk Co Texas "D" , "E", & "F" Eliza Jane Clifford m. Nasa Meek Clifford, dau of George, son of Joseph (Wjb's line) (p 17) Ellen J. Birdwell m. R. L. Barnett, dau of George Jr, son of George, son of Joseph Emma Ann Birdwell dau of George Thomas, son of Andrew, son of George, son of Joseph (p 10) Emma Jane Birdwell m. Robert Lyle, dau of George Jr, son of George, son of Joseph (p. 10) Rusk Co. Texas "G" George Andrew/Andrews Birdwell m. Arlyn Harper, son of Robert Russell, son of Andrew (first marriage), son of George, son of Joseph (p. 10). Family book shows him George A. but would guess it is Andrew after his grandfather. George R. Birdwell m. Francis "Delia" Draper, son of Henderson, son of George, son of Joseph (p. 9) George (Washington - delete this) Birdwell Jr m. Sarah H. Ball, son of George, son of Joseph. (p. 12) George Preston Birdwell is not my line, but I have some correspondence from another branch of my family telling about him coming to her Kilgore ancestor's home after he escaped from Camp Douglas in Chicago. He married Rebecca Adaline Kilgore. If anyone in that family is interested, I will dig it out and if possible get in contact with that person for additional information. Effie Rusk Co. Texas "H" & "I" Henderson Birdwell, son of George, son of Joseph (p. 8) Henry Verlon (Verlin) Birdwell m. Bessie Mabel Hill, son of Andrew, son of George, son of Joseph. (p. 11) Isabel (Twin) Birdwell, dau of George Jr, son of George, son of Joseph (p. 14)

Hi Weldon: I clicked on the following: http://www.familytreemaker.com/cgi-bin/iff and it came on in red you must specify at least given name or surname. click on NEW SEARCH & boxes will come on to fill in-- fill in with TOMMIE BROWN not Thomas & click search and the Descendants of Thomas "Tommie" Brown comes on. It is 9 pages long and says he was born abt. 1773 in Botetourt Cty., VA & died in Jackson Co. TN, On the 2nd page there is a paragraph about a sale of land & mentions John Birdwell & William Birdwell & Flynns Creek. I have not had time to read it & see if it will help. Velma

Weldon - I wrote the group a note on Oct 29th where I said I was having trouble understanding why everyone insists on tying the Jackson County Birdwells as offspring of the *known* Sullivan Co. Birdwells. The Jackson County Birdwell lines are interTwined with the Huffs Chaffins, Browns, Kirbys, McCoins, Foxes, Pharris', Billingsleys, etc. An old friend of mine, Don McCoin (who was born in Jackson County) as well as his sister are working on these lines. They are not real active - they told me their connection to both the Birdwell and the Pharris lines came about during the first migrations into Jackson. They may have some info on this Margaret McCoin-Joseph Birdwell. Most of the above names came down the Cumberland River from Kentucky into Jackson County. My first cousin's wife has also been into this search - she has a theory that our Birdwells may have come from the BRIDWELL group who came from VA to KY about the same time Old George went to Sullivan County ... <shrug> ... She mentions the COPASS line. Flynn Creek is where my folks lived (Birdwells, Pharris' etc) - from there to Granville which is close to the Smith County line. Jerry

While surfing the web a year ago I found this item which I just recently followed up on. This quote is from a letter dated 1873 written by a man living in Arkansas, it stated: “My mothers aunt, Margaret (McKaughan), married Joseph Birdwell in East Tennessee about the year 1793 ... The family Bible, I expect is in the possession of the Birdwell family who resided in Jackson Co, Tennessee, the last I knew.” The “mystery” is that the only Joseph Birdwell born prior to 1800 whom I’m aware of was the son of “old” George (c.1720) that is Joseph Birdwell (2-19-1767). However, he was not the “Joseph” refered to in this 1873 letter; 1) His marriage during the 1780’s / 1790’s to Rachel RUSSELL is certain. 2) Joseph (1767) died in Knox Co, Tenn. in 1801. Neither he nor his surviving children are known to have lived in Jackson Co, Tennesse. Perhaps the “facts” in the 1873 letter are a little mixed up, or perhaps not. The author did accurately state that Birdwells were in “east Tenn” circa 1793, and as we know several Birdwell families lived in Jackson Co., Tenn. later on. So the author must of had some basis to believe a Margaret McKaughan married a Birdwell in east Tennessee during the 1790’s. So who was he ? In order to learn more about this, I recently contacted the person who posted this 1873 letter to a web site < http://members.tripod.com/~McCoin_Geneology/ >. I quizzed her on a few point including if the first name might be wrong. She provided a little more information yet she saw no reason to doubt the accuracy of “Joseph” Birdwell. A) The author of the letter was born about 1794. In 1816 his “g-grandmother was near 100 when she told him about this”. Fifty seven years later, the author was about 80 when he wrote the 1873 letter with this account of what he remembered. B) Margaret McKaughan was said to be born in Pennsylvania between 1747 & 1770. C) In Jackson Co, TN she spoke with a “Judge’s mother who was a Birdwell and the banker but neither know about their ancestory ... knew nothing about the old Bible but both told me about hearing about a cabin fire”. D) “Margaret & Joseph Birdwell settled on Flynn Creek, about 5 miles SW of Gainesboro”. “A Birdwell who lived outside Gainesboro took me to Flynn Creek to search for graves”. E) “spoke with Encil Chaffin of Ohio ... who descends from one of their daughters who married a Chaffin. He said his name (Margaret’s husband) was Joseph”. F) In 1988 a “Rev. Bruce McLarty, of Cookeville, TN” sent her his direct lineage from them (Margaret & Joseph Birdwell) to himself. I tried an internet search for the Rev. McLarty. While I didn’t reach him, another McLarty said the Rev. Bruce McLarty was the son of “Johnnie Sue Birdwell of Memphis, TN” and that their Birdwell lineage is shown on the FTM website. Reportedly this is listed under the genealogy of Thomas “Tommie” BROWN. Would one of you please access the FTM site and see what lineage is shown for them ? In sum, this whole matter raises some very interesting questions; 1) Could this be the Margaret Birdwell listed on the 1820 census in Jackson Co, TN ? Perhaps the same Margaret in Montgomery Co, TN in 1850 (shown age 85 born in MD) ? 2) If so, she did not show a spouse in 1820, had a “new” Joseph Birdwell died before 1820 ? Does anyone have another Joseph who could marry by 1793 besides Geo’s son (1767) ? 3) If there was another Joseph born before 1780 who were his parents ? Should we pick on Robert again ? Or did our George (c.1720) have a nephew out there ? 4) Would “another” Joseph born prior to 1775 provide us with the father of one of the two younger men named Joseph Birdwell (c.1803 & c.1809) who lived in Jackson Co, TN ? There are plenty of other suspects yet an older Joseph would be a “handy” answer. 5) Was the 1873 letter simply wrong about the first name of Margaret’s spouse ? This is quite possible since it was “second hand” knowledge, and written so much after the fact. In fact, I’m sure I saw where it was William Birdwell who owned the Flynn (or Glynn) Creek property in Jackson County, TN. So does this indicate that the 1873 letter’s author was wrong about the first name ? Or was this merely an incorrect assumption by a modern Jackson Co. resident as to which Birdwell lived on Flynn (or Glynn) Creek ? Well in summary it sure looks like a "Margaret McKaughan" married a Birdwell. So here are some open questions to all of you out there: Can you add to this information, or determine who he was ? Can you identify the Margaret on the 1820 & 1830 census in Jackson Co, Tenn ? Can you state with certainty which Birdwell lived on Flynn (or Glynn) Creek ? Can you provide the name and identity of a Birdwell woman who married a CHAFFIN ? Do you know an Encil Chaffin of Ohio ? Do you know “Johnnie Sue Birdwell” who married a McLarty and lives near Memphis ? I don’t want to keep coming up with an endless list of additional “mystery” people. Yet since so many of you have roots in Jackson Co., TN I’m sure you would want to see this. If you can answer any of these questions please post them to the “list”. Thanks, Weldon J. Birdwell

I second Weldon's thank you to Rose. I have been working with her since she came to Texas and it is a pleasure to do so. Rose, I found a five volume set of a cemetery survey for Nacogdoches County in our library today. Do you want me to send you the data? Many of the listings include "children of" or "wife of" and will probably help close the gap between what you have listed for Nacogdoches and the earlier generations. Thanks for the story on George Birdwell. He is Weldon and my great, great grandfather. He was appointed the first County Judge in Cherokee County, Alabama upon its formation and later was Justice of the Peace there before coming to Texas. Exact dates for birth, full names, and other data for them and their descendants are in Hazie's book. Effie

Hattie BIRDWELL, b Unknown, Of Rusk Co., Texas, TOLER, James, "Marshall Morning News, 1916-1919", Marshall, Harrison Co., Texas, 19 November 1919, Mr. James Toler and Miss Hattie Birdwell, of Rusk Co., were united in marriage at the courthouse in Marshall Tuesday afternoon, Judge J.W. Pace, officiating Henderson BIRDWELL, b Bet. 1818 - 1819, Davidson Co., Tennessee, d Bet. 1850 - 1853, Rusk Co., Texas, WOOD, Margaret, m 8 July 1845, Rusk Co., 1850 Census (age 31), Rusk Co. Henry H. BIRDWELL, b 1850, Rusk Co., Texas, d Bef. 1942, San Angelo, Texas, 1850 Census (age 1/12), 1880 Census (age 25), Rusk Co. Henry Verlon BIRDWELL, b 01 August, 1890, Rusk Co., Texas, PBR# 1214835, d 25 March, 1988, Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas 76116, 451-10-2336, iss in Texas, HILL, Bessie Mabel Infant BIRDWELL, b 08 August, 1924, Rusk Co., Texas, BC# 54345, c/o Frank Birdwell Infant BIRDWELL, b 30 August, 1924, Rusk Co., Texas, BC# 54348, c/o George Birdwell Infant Son BIRDWELL, b 17 September, 1913, Henderson Co., Texas, d 17 September, 1913, Henderson Co., Texas, burial Overton Cemetery, Rusk Co., s/o Joseph A. and Ada Dawson Birdwell Isabel (Twin) BIRDWELL, b 14 January, 1883, Rusk Co., Texas, d 26 June, 1943 Rose Birdwell To subscribe or unsubscribe: <[email protected]> To send queries or answers: <[email protected]> Problems or opinions: <[email protected]> or <[email protected]>

George "Preston" BIRDWELL, b 29 November, 1887, Trawick, Nacogdoches, Co., Texas, d 28 December, 1945, Tyler, Smith Co., Texas, BRANCH, Bertie, burial Overton Cemetery, Rusk Co. George Andrew/Andrews BIRDWELL, b 27 September, 1894, Cooke Co., Texas, BC# 504093, d 30 November, 1955, Rusk Co., Texas, DC# 57166, HARPER, Arlyn George Preston BIRDWELL, b 1837 Lawrence Co. Alabama, d 18 August, 1916, Cherokee Co., Texas, DC# 18344, KILGORE, Rebecca Addie, 1850 Census (age 13) Rusk Co. George R. BIRDWELL, b Bet. 1848 - 1849, Rusk Co., Texas, DRAPER, Francis "Delia", 1850 Census (age 1), 1880 Census (age 29), Rusk Co. George Thomas BIRDWELL, b 15 May, 1852, Rusk Co., Texas, d Bet. 30 September 1905 - 1925, ROUSSEAU, Sarah Elizabeth "Babe" George Thomas BIRDWELL, Jr., b 12 October, 1892, Menden, Rusk Co., Texas, d 01 April, 1975, Good Springs, Rusk Co., Texas 75652, 452-24-8748, iss in Texas, JONES, Minnie O. George Washington BIRDWELL, b 11 October, 1794, Knox Co., Tennessee, d May 1847, Mt. Enterprise, Rusk Co., Texas, RUSSELL, Elizabeth Armstrong "Betsy/Eliza", burial Rhodes Cemetery or Old Campground Cemetery, Rusk Co., Texas George Washington BIRDWELL, Jr., b 11 November, 1823, Hamilton Co., Tennessee, d August 1900, Rusk Co., Texas, BALL, Sarah H., 1850 Census (age 23-24), Rusk Co., m 5 Jan 1854, Rusk Co. Glenn Dawson BIRDWELL, b 09 September, 1897, Rusk Co., Texas, d 07 June, 1987, Rosenburg/Richmond, Ft. Bend Co., Texas 77469, 454-58-5467, iss in Texas, RICH, Lucille, burial Morton Cemetery, Ft. Bend Co., Texas, Mayor of Richmond, Ft. Bend Co. Gregory Todd BIRDWELL, b 13 July, 1966, Rusk Co., Texas, BC# 106921, d 16 July, 1966, Smith Co., Texas, DC# 048165 Rose Birdwell To subscribe or unsubscribe: <[email protected]> To send queries or answers: <[email protected]> Problems or opinions: <[email protected]> or <[email protected]>

Hey Gang, Correction on the Cherokee part of the family. And thanks to Barbara Mann for correcting this for us. So I guess that we keep on looking!!! :-) Have a great day Rose ----- Original Message ----- From: Velma <[email protected]> To: Rose Birdwell <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 1999 9:22 PM Subject: Moses & Sarah > Hi--Boy did I pull a boo-boo. I did type in the wrong b. date. I have it > the same way b. 11-12-1798 & m. 9-8-1815. I have also found > on the 1851 Census of Cherokee's east of Mississippi for Cherokee County, > Ga. family #12 listed with Charles Duncan, age 41, mixed, > m to 2nd wife since treaty. It also listed his 8 children (including a > Sarah, age 4) and they are all listed as, mixed. So it looks like there > have been a lot of Sarah's. I will keep looking & maybe I'll find one that > fits out dates & times. Sorry > Love > Velma > > >

David "Edwin/Edward" "Eddie" BIRDWELL, b 06 January, 1871, Pinehill, Rusk Co., Texas, d October 1912, FLANAGAN, Phebe David Scott BIRDWELL, b 23 February, 1965, Rusk Co., Texas, BC# 45347, d 08 May, 1981, burial McKnight Cemetery, Nac. Co., per tombstone s/o Bobby Joe and Nelwyn Birdwell Delia (Mrs.?) BIRDWELL, b Unknown, d 19 January, 1923, Rusk Co., Texas, DC# 2868 Dora Alice BIRDWELL, b 28 November, 1876, Pinehill, Rusk Co., Texas or Beckville, Panola Co., Texas, d 30 July, 1971, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., Texas 75169, 452-88-0976 , iss in Texas, HOLLISTER, Benjamin Franklin "Frank", burial White Rose Cemetery, Van Zandt Co., Texas Earl Allen BIRDWELL, b 14 June, 1915, Rusk Co., Texas, PBR# 1235326 Eliza Jane BIRDWELL, b 20 September, 1828, Hamilton Co., Tennessee, d 07 July, 1893, Tarrant Co., Texas, CLIFFORD, Nasay/Nasa Meek, 25-26 Apr 1848, Fayette or Rusk Co., Texas (Texas Marriage Vol. I, A-L 1824-1850 Elizabeth BIRDWELL, b unknown, COATS, Charles, m 26 Aug 1856, Rusk Co., Texas Ellen J. BIRDWELL, b 12 February, 1859, Rusk Co., Texas, d 08 March, 1908, BARNETT, R.L. Emma Ann BIRDWELL, b 24 July, 1882, Menden, Rusk Co., Texas, d 26 June, 1952, DC# 30377, burial Zion Hill Cemetery, Minden, Rusk Co., Texas, fact: Never married Emma George BIRDWELL, b 17 May, 1863, Rusk Co., Texas, d 25 April, 1919, CYPHER, Jesse Emma Jane BIRDWELL, b 01 June, 1861, Rusk Co., Texas, d 02 August, 1962, LYLE, Robert Ernest Eugene BIRDWELL, b 05 November, 1895, Rusk Co., Texas, d 22 August, 1973, Mt. Enterprise, Rusk Co., Texas 75681, 457-38-5642, iss in Texas, BIRDWELL, Francis (Mrs.) Eugene Rupert "Gene" BIRDWELL, b 15 June, 1873, Texas, d 15 October, 1935, Rusk Co., Texas, DC# 48494, AIKENS, Emma Fairy Margene BIRDWELL, b 22 March, 1917, Rusk Co., Texas, PBR# 1147140, GILBERT, Hillary Florence "Alma" BIRDWELL, b 14 November, 1891, Mt. Enterprise, Rusk Co., Texas, d 22 June, 1962, Rusk Co., Texas, BEDDINGFIELD, Walter "Scott", m 12 Nov 1912, Mt. Enterprise, Rusk Co. Rose Birdwell To subscribe or unsubscribe: <[email protected]> To send queries or answers: <[email protected]> Problems or opinions: <[email protected]> or <[email protected]>

>From "Judges of the Republic of Texas, 1836-1846", compiled and written by Joe E. Ericson: Birdwell, George A son of Joseph Birdwell, George was born in 1794 in Knox County, Tennessee. He married Elizabeth A. Russell (born about 1798 in Tennessee) on July 31, 1815. They remained in Tennessee until 1835 when they moved on to Alabama, finally settling in Nacogdoches County in 1842 when George Birdwell was elected to a term as a Justice of the Peace. After Rusk County was cut away from Nacogdoches, he continued to serve until 1845 as a Justice of the Peace. He died in Rusk County sometime after 1846 and before the 1850 Census. Children of George and Elizabewth A. Russell Birdwell were: Matthew (born about 1817 in Tennessee); George (born about 1826 in Tennessee); John (born about 1827 in Tennessee); Mary (born about 1833 in Tennessee); Robert (born about 1835 in Tennessee); Cynthia (born about 1836 in Alabama); Sarah (born about 1838 in Alabama); Henry (born about 1840 in Alabama); William (born about 1842 in Alabama); and Benjamin Franklin (born about 1843 in Texas) who married Martha Ann Dunwoody October 21, 1869. Sources: "Founders and Patriots of the Republic of Texas", 1850 Census of the State of Texas, "Republic of Texas: Poll Lists for 1846" and Mrs. Carolyn R. Ericson. Rose Birdwell To subscribe or unsubscribe: <[email protected]> To send queries or answers: <[email protected]> Problems or opinions: <[email protected]> or <[email protected]>

>From "Van Zandt Co., Texas Biographies" Vol 2, 1848-1991, page 273 & 274: HOLLISTER-BIRDWELL Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Hollister was born 13 November 1874 in the bustling river port city of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the son of William Benjamin Chester Hollister and Aby Matilda Cory. When barely out of his teens, Frank left home to work as a fireman on the railroad. His travels brought him to Gregg Co., Texas, where he met and married Dora Alice Birdwell on 6 November 1898. Dora was the daughter of William Ezekiel Birdwell and Dora Alice Flanagan. She was born 28 November 1876 near Beckville, Panola Co., Texas. Soon after their marriage Frank and Dora moved from the piney woods of East Texas to the rolling plains of Wills Point, Texas. Around 1906, Frank and Dora moved back to Gregg County. There, Frank contracted to farm north of Longview, out near the Big Woods, a wild tract of virgin forest. A dinky railroad track ran by the Hollister home. Its function was to haul the huge logs from Big Woods to the sawmill in Longview. In the fall of 1916 the family moved back to Van Zandt County. They rented a boxcar from the Texas and Pacific Railroad and loaded furniture, milk cow and the family dogs into the boxcar, which brought them to Edgewood, Texas. This time the family settled on "Huckleberry Farm" at Highland Lake near Myrtle Springs. This was the Birdwell farm. In the fall of 1919, the family moved to the Elwood Community between Wills Point and Edgewood. The Frank Perry farm at Elwood boasted a large pecan orchard whose autumn crop of huge paper-shell pecans provided work for the Hollister kids as "pecan picker-uppers". Mr. Perry paid the kids 5 cents a pound for picking pecans. The kids, while hoeing in the prairie fields, often found Indian arrowheads. The abundance of these arrowheads testified to the wealth of wild game once so plentiful on the rich prairie lands around the town of Wills Point. In December 1926, the Hollisters moved to the Enterprise Community (north of Wills Point) for a stint on the Felix Anderson farm. That was the year of the wild dick. Literally thousands of the web-foots wintered that rainy season on the flat stubble fields which were turned to lakes by the constant rains. 1927 was a bad crop year, so the family moved to the Bob Howell farm in the Board Community. It was there that Frank died on 28 June 1928 as the result of a farm accident. He is buried in the Myrtle Springs Cemetery. After Frank's death, Dora worked hard to keep her family together. She died 30 July 1971 and is buried at White Rose Cemetery. Frank and Dora had eleven children: William Chester, born May 1899 and died 23 May 1901; Andrew Jackson, born 23 November 1902. Married Lula Sanders. He died 29 December 1977. Gertie Pearl, born 19 March 1904, married Fred Phipps; Clarence Franklin, born 19 December 1907, married Lucille Kennedy. He died 13 February 1986; Stella Virginia, born 4 September 1909, m/1 Sherman Johnson, m/2 Earl Ellis. Mattie Matilda, born 8 September 1911, married Grady McFarland. Gladys May, born 10 October 1913, married Darwin Folmar; Tennessee Alice, born 2 February 1916, married Angus Hines; Fred Marion, born 1 August 1917, married Maxine Blasingame; Odis Rudolph, born 1 July 1922, married Katie Folmar. Frank and Dora Hollister had 29 grandchildren, 26 of whom are living in 1989. Twenty of these graduated from Wills Point High School, several with top honors. Frank and Dora are survived by close to 100 descendants. by Nell McFarland Carter Rose Birdwell To subscribe or unsubscribe: <[email protected]> To send queries or answers: <[email protected]> Problems or opinions: <[email protected]> or <[email protected]>

I just want to publicly thank Rose for taking on the monumental task of posting this Texas data to the "list". For those of you who are unaware, there are over 250 counties in Texas. So we may need to send bandaids for her typing fingers before she is done. Rose, thank you for sharing this information with us ! Weldon

Hey Barbie, You're right. So this couldn't have been our Sarah, since she was already married and widowed by the time the Trail of Tears started. She then lived in Marion Co., Tennessee, until she went west with her dau Amanda Clepper, selling her property to one of her SIL's brothers. Thank you for pointing all of this out to us. So now it's back to square 1..... Have a great day Rose P.S. Yes, your dates are correct ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 1999 4:49 PM Subject: Moses Birdwell and Sarah Duncan > Velma and Rose: > > My information says that the "Trail of Tears" began on October 1, 1838, and > ended on March 25, 1839. The journey took 139 days. Sad. Carl has an > ancestor (another line) who marched with the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears, > then went back to Georgia to settle on indian land. Sorry about that. > > Also, I show Sarah Duncan born November 12, 1798, married on September 8, > 1815. Is this incorrect? > > Barbara Mann > >

Hey Gang, Some of you might or might not know that Velma and my Pete are distant cousins, thru Moses and Sarah Duncan Birdwell. Yesterday (and with her permission), she sent me this little goodie. Under this correspondence, is the letter that she sent me today. If any of you have the "Trail of Tears" book, can you look up this info. Also below are the websites that Velma found, with this information. Have a great day!! Rose Hi Rose--I am still working on this and probably will be 100 years from now. > However I have heard from a Cherokee group who say they are trying to set up > a Cherokee group in TN. I had sent them my ancestors from George down to > me. They said they found a Charles Duncan in the Cherokee list. So I > started checking. On the Cherokee Citizenship Commission Docket Books > 1880-1884---1887 to 1889 I found: > Charles Duncan; Charles R. Duncan; Charles Duncan Jr.; Eddie Duncan; Hannah > Duncan; JudaDuncan; Richard W. Duncan & Sarah Duncan. On the surname index > for Dr. Emmett Starr book on Cherokee Genealogy I found 98 Duncans listed - > not by name-but by number. > We have a Sarah Duncan daughter of Charles Duncan married to Moses Birdwell. > Moses was born 1790-1800 in Sullivan Co., TN & d 1831 in Moulton, AL. Sarah > Duncan was born 9-8-1815 in Madison Co. AL. d/o Charles Duncan & Margaret > Woods. Moses & Sarah Birdwell had a son Charles Duncan Birdwell b abt 1816 > in TN & > married Aley Gaines. They had a son Edward Thomas Birdwell, who was my > mother's father. He told my mother that he was part Cherokee and he had a > brother who had sold his land in TN to the govt. & moved out west because he > was part Indian. The only one I could figure out it may be would be John > Brown Birdwell/ > I am going to check back with the Cherokee group again. Will let you know > what they say. I have not had time to go to the library to look up anyone > on the Trail of Tears to see if there was a Birdwell listed. >Love >Velma > Hi Rose--All of the information I have copied so far is from the following 2 > URL's: > http://www.tngenweb.usit.com/cherokee_by_blood/bits.htm > http://www.tngenweb.usit.com/cherokee_by_blood/index.htm > there are many links after you pull these 2 up. I have gotten most of the > info from the second URL. On there I found: > Cherokee Citizenship Comm.Docket Books 1880-84--1887-9 and > that listed the 8 Duncan's that I sent you > Then under surname index for Dr. Emmett Starr book on Cherokee Genealogy I > found the Duncan name with (98) behind it--meaning there were 98 Duncan's > listed & then it listed 28 pages they could be found on. > As far as the Duncan in the Birdwell line: > Moses Birdwell b 1790-1800, gr son of old George, married Sarah Duncan who > was born 9-8-1815 & she was the d/o Charles Duncan & Margaret Woods. They > had a son named Charles Duncan Birdwell, who married Alley Gaines & they > lived in Marion County, TN & was in the 1840 Census. They had a son Edweard > Thomas Birdwell, my grandfather born in Comfort, TN. > I had found a query on the Cherokee asking anyone if they were from the > Cumberland Gap area of TN & thought they had Cherokee blood to contact them. > That was James H & Evelyn Meeks: > mailto:[email protected] > So I wrote & told them my grandfather had told my mother he was part > Cherokee but wouldn't say too much else about it. He had said he was 1/4. > He also said one of his brothers had sold his land in TN to the govt & went > west. I think that was John Brown Birdwell who ended up in ARkansas. > So this is all I know right now. I don't know when I will get to the > library to do double checking. Also when/what year was the Trail of Tears? > If you want to send it to the list--goodluck--it might start a lot of people > searching and some denying. > Love > Velma Rose Birdwell To subscribe or unsubscribe: <[email protected]> To send queries or answers: <[email protected]> Problems or opinions: <[email protected]> or <[email protected]>