<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> HISTORY OF THE HOOKER FAMILY (Here begins the words of Nancy Redley Hooker Evans, 1889, copied and added to by Ruth Eddins Shelton, 1924.) I have promised to give a little history of our ancestors, which I shall endeavor to do to the best of my knowledge. Several years ago, I exerted myself to gather all the information possiblein all directions. But, where a family genealogy has not been made, and the first generations are extinct,the results of such efforts are not altogether satisfactory. The HOOKERs were English. Encyclopedias show they were for the mostpart physicians, ministers, and professors of colleges. The Hookers have always lived on a high planeof honor. They were reticent, philanthropic, and ambitious. They have always been substantial people; and have alwaysheld, and acted, on their own opinions. The Hookers have been a patriotic people. They have always known howto wear arms, and use them as well, but with discretion. There is, by tradition, a little story about the Hookers,which is very pretty and, may be quite true; it is this: Once there were two brothers, who got into a political difficulty inEngland, and were imprisoned. One of them managed to secure a carrier pigeio, and sent a slip of paper out withsomething written on it which enabled him to make a miraculous escape. I do not know who the reigning king was,at the time, but he was pleased with the act of bravery, and had a sword presented to him - in the name of the king- on which was engraved the following inscription; "Who can win it, let him wear it." A grandson of each of the Hooker brothers mentioned above came to America.One of them located in Pennsylvania, his descendants branching out through the North. Theother settled in Maryland, his descendants are the Southern Hookers. My grandfather, who was Benjamin Hooker, was a native of Orange County,North Carolina. He had the misfortune, when a little boy, to lose both parents. He married a frenchwoman in Norfolk, Virginia, Anne Frizelle, who was born in 1769, and who was endowed with intelligence and wealth.(Here I shall say I met, once, in Nashville, Tenn., a Mr. Frizelle, who told me that the Frizelles hadkept a genealogy since the time of King Charles, and that my grandmother - Anne Frizelle Hooker, belonged tothe Frizelles who came to America from England. She lived 93 years, and died the day the battle was foughtat Shiloh. She had grandsons and greatgrandsons in that battle. There were two dozen or more of herdescendants engaged in the Confederate War.) Shortly before her death, she was visited by several of the leadingmen of the country and by lawyers on legal business, who pronounced her wonderfully alert; her intellect and memorywere as fresh and keen as in younger days. She had abandoned the use of eyeglasses; read the Testament agreat deal each day; and knitting was her favorite pastime. My father, JOSHUA, was the eldest son. When he was 8-years old, GrandfatherBENJAMIN HOOKER, moved from North Carolina to middle Tenn., and located fifteen miles fromNashville, in Wilson County. He afterwards returned to N. C. and brought his mother to live with him. It was along trip in those primitive days, when traveling was done by private conveyance over mountains and through valleys.Grandfather accumulated considerable wealth, and made a comfortable home in which they raised a large family;eleven children, in all, as follows: 1. NANNIE (Nancy), who married JOHN EDDINS, and moved to west Tennessee,Fayette County, where they spent their lives. They raised a large family - four sons; SAMUEL,THOMAS, JOSEPH, AND HOOKER, three of whom were physicians. Nancy was born August 22, 1792. 2. CHLOE who married THOMAS PARTLOW. They always lived close to theold home. One of her grandsons was a member of the U. S. army. (see note1) 3. ELIZABETH, who married MATTHEW HANCOCK. They went to Indiana, wherethey spent their lives in plenty of comforts, so I have been told. 4. MARY, who married ROBERT BELL. They lived a short time near the oldhome, died young. They had one child, ERASTUS PORTER BELL. (The Porters and Hookers were connectedin England as well as America.) 5. & 6. REBECCA & FRANCES. Both died when 15 and 16 years old,with fever. When Aunt Frances was dying, she said: "If this is death, it is sweet to die." They were buriedat the same time. 7. JOSHUA FREEMAN, married FANNIE WYNN 8. BENJAMIN, married MARTHA CLEMENS 9. JOHNATHAN, married PEGGY GRIMES 10. MATTHEW, married NANCY SMITH 11. SARAH, the youngest, married WILLIAM EDDINS (Brother of JOHN EDDINS) Sarah and William lived near the old home. One, or two, of their sonswere killed in the Civil War. Her youngest daughter, Mrs. LJAMES WHITE (my father's sister, TOOLIE) lived in Nashville,Tenn. (Scruggs & White) One daughter, FANNY, married Dr. William Eddins. (Note: Dr. Wm. Eddinswas the son of John Eddins and Nancy Hooker; Fanny Eddins was the daughter of William Eddins and Sarah Hooker.Dr. Wm. Eddins and his wife, Fanny Eddins were therefore double first cousins.) Sarah had one son, CharlesBlacknal, who lived in Honey Grove, Texas. JOSHUA FREEMAN HOOKER, whose middle name came by my great grandmotherHooker, further back - I do not know. Joshua Hooker was the father of Colonel Tom Hooker, of Mississippi. BENJAMIN, JOHNATHAN FRIZELLE & MATTHEW HOOKER all married in middleTennesses. Their first homes were near, or in, the neighborhood of the old Homestead, whichhas been in the Hooker family nearly 100 years, at the time of this writing (1899). After my grandfather's death (Benjamin Hooker), Uncle Johnathan boughtthe old homestead, and it is still in the possession of his family. The identical house that my grandfather livedin, with an addition. There are many things about the place which are historical, and are preserved as sacred souvenirs;an old cabin, made of cedar logs, that was on the place when my grandfather purchased the land. A spring thatcame out boldly from between two great rocks, that has never failed, and from which five or six generationshave drunk; a string of fence that grandfather laid more than eighty years ago, made of cedar rails. In the yard nearthe piazza, stands a large walnut tree; Uncle Matthew planted the walnut when he was 4-years old. In the house, thereare books and furniture that date a long way back, more than a hundred years. Uncle Johnathan had one son, ROBERT,who was a Cumberland Presbyterian Minister. (PHYLANDIA is a physician at Russellville, Kentucky.) Uncles Benjamin and Matthew moved to Missouri. Uncle Ben was a ChristianMinister; several of his sons served in the Confederate Army, during the Civil War. Uncle Matthew and familywere Union People. (What a departure for a Southern Hooker.) I once visited Lebanon, one of the daughters,who told me that, during the Civil War, a wounded Yankee came in the house and she dressed his wounds; when hewas leaving he called her a "damned Sesesh!". No other time, while I was there, did I laugh so loud. My father, JOSHUA FREEMAN HOOKER, was born in 1794; was 18 years oldwhen the war of 1812 with England started. Patriotic blood stirred his young bosom, and bucklingon his armor, he responded to the call for volunteers. He was a valiant soldier under General Andrew Jackson,belonging to Colonel Dyes Regiment. Letters from old comrades have told the story of courage and bravery on hispart. While the battle was being fought, rain was falling thick and fast. My father was down with the measles; hisclothing became thoroughly saturated, causing the measles to disappear; the result being a severe cough, with whichhe suffered the rest of his life. After the victory was gained and the soldiers started to their homes, they crossedLake Pontchartrain by boat, except one man - an old soldier, who has passed through the heat of battle likea man of true mettle, but said: "I would rather trust my Creator fifteen miles on land than five miles on water." Hewalked around the lake. Many times, I have heard my father laugh about this little episode. All this delta countrywas then a wilderness. The soldiers occasionally reached an Indian settlement, and bartered tobacco formeat, each man receiving one pound. They did not cook it, for fear of losing some of the grease, but sucked themeat until it was gone, then chewed the rind. It was so sweet to the weary, hungry men that they thought the Indians hadused honey in preserving the meat. Soon after my father returned to middle Tennessee, he married Fannie Ridley Wynn. CAROLINE CHLOE HOOKER, sister of Colonel Thomas Hooker, of Mississippi,and daughter of Joshua and Fannie Wynn (My half-sister), married a Mr. Eddins - the third Hookerwoman to marry an Eddins. There were nine children from this union. THOMAS BENJAMIN HOOKER, oldest son of Joshua and Fannie Wynn, livedin the Mississippi Delta, Fryerspoint at one time. He was always noted for perseverance and energy;was Lieutenant in Lyles' 23rd, Arkansas Regiment; he was a gallant soldier, and received a mark ofhonor, while in charge of a company in Port Hudson. After returning home, he married Mattie Halton. Only one childof this union lived. (There were eight). THOMAS B. HOOKER, now of Memphis, Tenn., is prominent in business. MarriedSarah Patterson, daughter of exgovernor Malcolm (Ham) Patterson. They have three sons: Thomas Benjamin,Jr., whose wife was a Miss Marshall of Missippi. (This was his second marriage.) They also hadone girl, Berta Hamilton, who married Paul Naylor, now living in Leon, N. J. (1924); they have three children:Hamilton, Berta and Paul. There is nothing remarkable to say about my immediate family (JOSHUAHOOKER'S child). We have had pleasures, and sorrows, prosperity and poverty, no especial distinction,and no disgrace. My sister, REBECCA ANN, was 15 years old when she married Mr. Baxter,who was highly esteemed by my parents. He died when she was 26, leaving her with five children, andlimited means. She, by the rearing of her children, reflected great honor on herself. Her (REBECCA ANN) only daughter was a woman of refinement and elegance.Three sons went to serve in the Confederate Army; one, however, was afflicted from childhood, and notbeing able for duty, was self-educated, was a student and well advanced in the study of Law. But, death loves ashining mark and claimed him young and fair for a brighter sphere. The other two sons served through the CivilWar with honors. JOHN BAXTER was a Captain. Afterward, they served their State of Arkansas in the Legislatureand Senate. GEORGE, the Senator and only surviving one now lives in New York, with his family. His son,GEORGE BAXTER, JR., is a playwriter; and his daughter, ALICE BAXTER, is an actress on the stage in New York(1924). ELIZABETH HOOKER, the 2nd child, married Mr. Hengley, and lived in Nashville,Tenn. She is past 80 years old (1889). She had eleven children, six of whom are living. One of hersons fought in the Civil War, returned home, and died of tuberculosis. MARY HOOKER, the 3rd child, married Mr. Ammen. They had four children,two sons who were soldiers. One with the PORTER RIFLES of Memphis, Tenn.; the other with Gen. BedfordForrest. Both are now dead. One daughter lives in Chattanoogo, Tenn. JOSEPH AMMON (AMMEN), first son, married Fannie Jones, of Raleigh, Tennessee.They had seven children, three of whom are now living. He served in the Civil War. JUDITH FRANCES HOOKER, married Mr. Richardson, they had five children,two still living; EMMA PARKER, Chicago, Ill.; WILLIAM, Greenville, Miss.; ROBERT BURTON diedwhen 22 years old; he was endowed with a mind of high order, nobleness of soul. Was reading medicinewhen he fell a victim to typhoid fever. His death was the first break in the family chain (JOSEPH HOOKER family.) MARTHA BURTON, was a woman of superiority of mind, commandingin appearance, a devoted Christian. She married Capt. Kinman,lived fourteen months, left one child, Mattie Wynn, in Greenville, Miss. published for Donna Walker Eddins, 05 Jan 1999, by Nancy P. Goodman. LINE OF DESCENT OF THE FREEMAN AND HOOKER FAMILIES OF NORTH CAROLINA Submitted (exactly as written) in 1999 by Donna Walker Eddins, of Grapevine,Texas. Written in 1924 by Ruth Eddins Shelton, of Covington, Tennessee. (See copyright notice above) 1. JOSHUA FREEMAN was a member of the North Carolina State Militia,1754 (vol. xxii, Pg.357.) 2. SAMUEL FREEMAN was a member of the Safety Committee, Surrey County,North Carolina, Aug. 25, 1775 (Vol. x. Pg. 228; Vol. x, Pg. 251.) (The Freeman and Hooker families have, since very early times, beenlarge and prominent in North Carolina, and were closely allied by blood. There are now two towns named in theirhonor: - Hookerton, or Hookerville, in Green County; and Freeman, in Columbus County,) Samuel Freeman and John Freeman, Johnathan and Nathan Hooker were membersof the Assembly for years. Both these lines entitle their descendants to be eligible for the ColonialDames Society, and the D. A. R.'s. (The wills of the Freeman and Hookers are on file at the Historical Association,Raleigh, N. C., and copies may be obtained for two dollars each. 1924) William Freeman, and wife: Mary. Chowan County, 1737 Samuel Freeman, and wife: Elizabeth. Surrey County, 1796 Joshua Freeman, I, and wife: Mary. Bertie County, 1794 Joshua Freeman, II. Orange County William Hooker, Chowan County, 1717 Godfrey Hooker, and wife: Elizabeth. Bertie County, 1729 Ann Freeman married Benjamin Hooker, I. Bertie County, 1774 Benjamin Hooker, II, and wife: Anne Frizelle, moved to Tennessee in1808. a. Nancy Hooker, Born 1792. Married John Eddins, June 26, 1815 b. Joshua Freeman Hooker, Born 1792. Married Frances Ridley Wynne,in Wilson County, Tenn., Oct. 17, 1816 THE FREEMAN FAMILY RECORD WILLIAM FREEMAN, and wife: Mary Chowan County, N. C. a. John b. William c. Thomas d. Richard e. Avon f. Samuel a-1. John, Sr. and Wife: Tabitha 1. Richard 2. Datherine (sic) 3. Sarah 4. William 5. Jacob 6. John, Jr. 7. Ailpah 8. Outlaw 9. Tabitha Manfield 10. Priscilla Vinton d-1: Richard, and Wife: Ruth 1. Amos 2. Demsay 3. Mary Rontree 4. Christian Rontree f-1: Samuel, and Wife: Elizabeth Surrey County, N. C. a. Joshua b. James c. Aaron d. Rachel Joshua Freeman, I, and Wife: Mary Bertie County, N. C. a. William b. Joshua c. Jacob d. James (Samuel Freeman of Surrey County, as a Justice of the Peace but toolate for Colonial Service. He was also a member of the North Carolins (sic) Assembly for years, but this wasafter the Revolution.) THE HOOKER FAMILY RECORD WILLIAM HOOKER, (Died 1717) and wife: Chowan County, N. C. a. William b. Godfrey c. Ann Evans d. Bridget Mann e. Margaret Lewis f. Jane Brown g. Elizabeth Sizemore b-1 GODFREY (Died 1729), and wife: Elizabeth, Bertie County, N. C. a. Benjamin, I b. Elizabeth b-1a. Benjamin, I (Died 1774) and wife: Anne, Bertie County, N. C. a. Hardy b. John c. James d. Elisha e. Benjamin Freeman f. David g. Cora b-1a-e: Benjamin Hooker, II and wife: Anne Frizelle Moved to Tennessee is 1808. 1. Joshua (married: Fannie Wynn) 2. Ben (Married: Martha Clemens) 3. Johnathan (married: Peggy Guinn) 4. Matthew (married: Nancy Smith) 5. Nancy (married: John Eddins) 6. Betty (married: John Mills, who died 4-weeks after wedding. Shelater married Matthew Hancock. 7. Chloe (married: Thomas Partlow Eddins) (see note 1 correction, please) 7a. Albert 7b. Thomas 7c. Jim 7d. Eddins 7e. Nancy 8. Polly (married: Robert Bell) 8a. Erastus Porter Bell 9. Sally (Sarah) (married: William Eddins) Note: This record by Ruth Eddins Shelton. SOURCE The North Carolina Historical Society, Raleigh, N. C. Commissioner of Pensions (Pension Statement) Washington, D. C. State Librarian, Nashville, Tennessee and North Carolina. War Department, Washington, D. C. Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. The Journal of American History 3 West 42nd Street, New York, N. Y. (Published by Frank Allaben Genealogical Co.) The McClure Newspaper Syndicate, Attn: Frances Cowles (1924) 45 W. 34th Street, New York, N. Y. Joel Munsell's Sons Albany, N. Y. Note1 correction: Chloe HOOKER married Thomas PARTLOW (Correct in 1889letter, incorrect in 1924 letter.)