Hi folks! Made quite a few changes and additions this weekend <g>! Along with a new look for the site which I believe makes it a little easier to read, I added the following: October 12, 2003 - Added Facts Unravel #6 - by Bruce D. Liddell Also added Expo 1904 Biographies which includes 25 Biographies with Photos to the Expo 1904 Section! Check to see if your family member is here! October 10, 2003 - Added Jefferson County High School and Typical Jefferson County Homes and Fayette Churches to the Expo 1904 Section Ann Allen Geoghegan AKA "AnnieG" Researching Jefferson & Franklin County, MS I wasn't born in MS but I got here as quick as I could!

My thanks to you, Bruce. Eusebius Bushnell and his wife Boridel Latimer had brought their family with them when they left Connectcut. They migrated down thru Tennessee, stopped off for some time (as he wrote letters back to some people in CN, praising the country), and bought and sold land (found in records of TN). His wife died in TN, and he continued on to New Orleans, LA, later remarrying a woman in New Orleans. He ended up in Spanish West Florida, where he died about 1805. His children settled around New Orleans. Ezra, his son, married Clarissa Mills, and they had several children (appears they may have lived around Evangeline Parish near the Rapids Parish line). Through this line came the 2 gr.grandsons of Eusebius Bushnell, who were killed in the Civil War. These 2 Bushnell brothers were born and raised in Louisiana. My gr.grandmother was their sister! Ethel

Ethel - Thank you very much for your kind words. You've helped me realize my goal in writing these essays, sharing what I know so others can use it. But please remember, some of it just my opinion. For example, no source mentioned an ambush at the Church or repeated visits by "Rattler's" crew. But Lt. Allen's cool and polite behavior suggested he expected the Navy men to be in the Church, and if so, any good officer would bring plenty of Army men to surround the building. Ethel >> Eusebius Bushnell, who had a Spanish Land Grant in Spanish West Florida. Some of my Stampley ancestors had Spanish land grants. Their land was measured in "arpents" (1 arpent = about 1 acre) with river frontage in feet, and their city lots were in "toises" (1 toise = 1.949 meters = about 6 feet 4 inches.) Ethel >> Supposedly some of the boats landed in Rodney from other areas (maybe flatboats?) enroute to the Spanish Settlement. I have received a copy of his Land Grant, but much of it is in Spanish, and it states the land grant was around 12 mile Swamp. Rodney, originally called Petit Guelph or Little Gulf (as opposed to Grand Gulf upriver), was the first English-speaking settlement north of Spanish Natchez. Natchez District was an oasis of clear title in a continent of land fraud. I reckon that's what attracted your folks and my folks to the place. Before steamboats came to the Mississippi River in the 1820s, almost all downstream traffic was in flatboats. A small party could build a flatboat in a few days, and sell it for lumber or firewood when they arrived. (Do you remember the flatboat scenes in the movie "How the West Was Won"?) Ethel >> 2 of Eusebius Bushnell's gr. grandsons were killed in the Civil War. One brother was attempting to put the flag back on the flag pole and was shot, the brother climbed up to finish the job and was killed also. My father was a Southerner, but I'm 100% American. So far I've found 5 Civil War ancestors: 2 MS Rebels and 3 IN Yankees -- 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, 3 privates -- 3 early volunteers, 1 late volunteer for the bounty money, 1 religious pacifist drafted -- 2 dead, 1 crippled, 2 survived intact. Almost a cross section of the national experience. Likewise I prefer the title "American Civil War" because most folks don't recognize the proper name, "The War of Damyankee Aggression." Grin. Thank you again for your note. Good luck with your research! Bruce __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com

Where can we find the other 5 Facts Unravel Love this site better than GRITS Thanks Janette Hauck

The Facts Unravel is a Column by Bruce D. Liddell which can be found here: http://www.rootsweb.com/~msjeffe2/factsunravel.htm You can also find it by searching the mailing lists Archives! Ann Allen Geoghegan List Administrator and Jefferson County Coordinator ----- Original Message ----- From: <Granette76@aol.com> To: <MSJEFFER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2003 11:03 AM Subject: Re: [MSJEFFER-L] The Facts Unravel #6 > Where can we find the other 5 Facts Unravel > > Love this site better than GRITS > > Thanks > Janette Hauck > > > ==== MSJEFFER Mailing List ==== > "In the South, the breeze blows softer...neighbors are friendlier, nosier, and more talkative.- Charles Kuralt in Portrait of a People" >

That is a most worthwhile and wonderful posting. I am printing it out and intend to use some of it in my genealogical research. Only recently, I researched Rodney, Ms- while trying to find information on my ancestor, Eusebius Bushnell, (originally from CN) who had a Spanish Land Grant in Spanish West Florida. Supposedly some of the boats landed in Rodney from other areas (maybe flatboats?) enroute to the Spanish Settlement. I have received a copy of his Land Grant, but much of it is in Spanish, and it states the land grant was around 12 mile Swamp. Incidentally 2 of Eusebius Bushnell's gr. grandsons were killed in the Civil War. One brother was attempting to put the flag back on the flag pole and was shot, the brother climbed up to finish the job and was killed also. True Grit!! Ethel (a proud Southerner).

The Facts Unravel #6 After six generations few military traces of the American Civil War 1861-1865 survive in Jefferson County MS. Ravenous armies stripped the land of livestock and food (and presumably fence rails) although no great battles or orgies of destruction occurred there. War and Reconstruction also stripped away the region's cloak of prosperity leaving bare poverty, but that's another issue. One scar remains today for all to see, a Union 24-pound cannonball imbedded in the brick front wall of the Old Presbyterian Church in Rodney MS. Before the Civil War Rodney was the largest town in Jefferson, erstwhile contender for the MS state capital, at one time reckoned the busiest river port between New Orleans and St. Louis. After the War in 1876 the Mississippi River shifted a few miles west, leaving the town high and dry. Today Rodney has all but withered away, leading some to call it a ghost town, though I believe the current resident disputes that. In the summer of 1863 Union forces seized control of the Mississippi River and cut the Confederacy in two. Vicksburg MS surrendered on the Fourth of July (and never again celebrated the holiday until 1944) and Port Hudson LA a few days later, severing the Trans-Mississippi states from the Richmond government. For the next two years Federal warships patrolled the Father of Waters to shut down all Confederate river traffic. During most of this period the "tinclad" gunboat USS "Rattler" enforced Washington's will at Rodney and vicinity. USS "Rattler" was one of 60-odd mixed-bag riverboats purchased and armed by the U.S. Navy, called "tinclads" to distinguish their bullet-proof light armor from the heavier cannon-proof ironclads. Drawing on average only 4 feet of water, the tinclad fleet flaunted the Stars and Stripes with near-impunity along the Mississippi and connected rivers. Named for the poisonous snake, "Rattler" began her career as the smallish 165-ton stern-wheel flat-bottom steamboat "Florence Miller." (One wonders what humorous combinations the sailors made from the boat's names.) Designated Tinclad #1, she boasted two long range Parrott rifles firing 30-pound shot and four 24-pounder smoothbore Napoleons, the equivalent of one and a half Army artillery batteries. (Gunners preferred the reliable Napoleons, as Parrotts had a reputation for bursting.) About 100 feet long and 30 feet wide, in a photograph "Rattler" resembles a two-story flat-roof motel for thirty or forty resident crewmen. Photograph and drawing of USS "Rattler" at the U.S. Naval Historical Center website http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-r/rattler.htm address current autumn 2003. On a quiet Sunday morning in late summer, September 13, 1863, "Rattler" lay stationary near the Rodney town wharf, her crew under Admiral Porter's standing orders to remain in the boat and endure the unremitting boredom of Navy shipboard life. Whether drawn by the desire for spiritual communion with a pro-Union divine, as one source opines, or by the lovely young ladies of Rodney parading in their finery on the way to church, as another suggests, Captain Fentress brought at least half his crew ashore. Playing truant in their Sunday-best uniforms, they quietly entered the Presbyterian Church and took pews. Apparently the men of "Rattler" made a habit of attending Sunday services at Rodney Presbyterian Church, for Confederate cavalrymen laid a trap and silently surrounded the building. (Fentress should have taken a lesson from the Scottish Presbyterian Covenanters, who always posted sentries before worshipping.) In the middle of the second hymn Lieutenant Allen of the Confederate Army interrupted the services with an apology to Rev. Baker and ordered the U.S. Navy men to surrender. A general fracas ensued. One Union man dodged behind a door and fired his pistol at Lt. Allen, the report deafening everyone in the building. Another tried to disappear under the voluminous hooped skirts of his local lady friend (and future wife.) Most of the congregation dived beneath their pews. One strong minded Mississippi matron stood her ground, shouting "Glory to God!" as the Rebels overpowered the Yankees. When the dust settled, 17 sailors including Capt. Fentress were Lt. Allen's prisoners. To their eternal embarrassment, "Rattler's" men were the only Northern sailors captured by Southern horse cavalry in the Civil War. Some sources vary in count and description of "Rattler's" men. 23 men left the boat, the 17 below were taken prisoner, and 6 unnamed sailors evaded capture and rejoined the boat. -- Prisoners of War, Officers: Walter E. H. Fentress, Acting Master (modern Lt. Cdr., boat's captain) Simon H. Strunk, Acting Ensign (probably second or third lieutenant in the boat) (Navy "acting" ranks equated to Army "brevet" ranks, wartime promotion above the peacetime limits set by Congress.) -- Prisoners of War, Enlisted men: Arthur Rodgerson, Gunner's Mate (senior gunner) John A. Roycroft, Ship's Corporal (boat's policeman) C.C. Devinney, Paymaster's Steward (boat's bookkeeper) Noah Parks, Quartermaster (boat's pilot) Oloff Nelson, Quarter Gunner (probably #2 gunner) James Robertson, First Class Fireman (engine room) Edwin Corbett, Thomas Brown, Frederick Plump, John Stark, Thomas Burns, John D. Masten, Walter Keef, Daniel Ryan and Maurice Ivory, Seamen. Alerted by the commotion and by six Federals who escaped the Confederate cordon, the senior lieutenant in "Rattler" assumed command and directed his men to fire into the village. One cannonball struck the Church; other shots damaged four houses. To prevent total destruction of the town, Lt. Allen sent a message to "Rattler" under flag of truce. "The people of Rodney were in no way responsible for what my men have done, and if a solitary shell is thrown into the town, I will proceed to hang my prisoners." The bombardment ceased, the cavalry decamped with their unhappy captives, and Rodney escaped lasting damage. Except for one Union 24-pound cannonball still imbedded in the brick front wall of the Old Presbyterian Church in Rodney MS. See modern photographs of the Church at http://www.civilwaralbum.com/vicksburg/rodney.htm address current autumn 2003. Epilogue. A few weeks later Fentress and his men were exchanged for a like number of Southerners, and resumed their Navy service at other posts. At the end of 1864 USS "Rattler" sank near Grand Gulf MS in a storm, her crew saved but the boat a total loss. In 1930 Gov. Bilbo extinguished the Town of Rodney. In 1966 the United Daughters of the Confederacy took over the Church, and in 1990 dedicated the building as their Official State Shrine. Bruce D. Liddell, BDLiddell@yahoo.com Birmingham AL, 12-Oct-2003 __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com

Hi folks! Couple of great finds this week contributed by Charles Dawkins of Hattiesburg! October 9, 2003 - Added Fayette Presbyterian Church Vacation Bible School Class from the Early 1950's and Jefferson County High School Catalog for 1917-1918 You should read some of the rules and regulations of school in the teens! Our kids today just THINK they have it hard! Ann Allen Geoghegan AKA "AnnieG" Researching Jefferson & Franklin County, MS I wasn't born in MS but I got here as quick as I could!

What's New? October 7, 2003 - Added The Chisholm Murder to Tales and Legends compiled and contributed by Christy Wheeler. http://www.rootsweb.com/~msfrank2/Chisholm_murder.htm On the night of December 15th, 1899, two brothers, Pearl and Horace Wallace, went to the home of William Chisholm at the hour of midnight, called him out of his bed and out to his yard and shot him. He lived for one hour. He was 24 years old. What's the story behind the murder of Bill Chisholm? If you can shed any light on this mystery, please let me know! Ann Allen Geoghegan AKA "AnnieG" Researching Jefferson & Franklin County, MS I wasn't born in MS but I got here as quick as I could!

I really enjoyed reading that obit. It was like I knew Aunt Debby. Just a lovely sendoff. Rebecca

The complete 1830 Census is now online! Thanks to Janice Rice! She is working on 1840 now! ftp://ftp.us-census.org/pub/usgenweb/census/ms/jefferson/1830/ Ann Allen Geoghegan AKA "AnnieG" Researching Jefferson & Franklin County, MS I wasn't born in MS but I got here as quick as I could!

Obituary of Deborah Spence Baldridge Johnson, sister of my 3-g-grandfather, James Baldridge. James' daughter, Mary Jane Baldridge (my 2-g-grandmother), married William Osborn; and Deborah Baldridge Johnson's son, William Baldridge Johnson, married William Osborn's sister, Mary Ann Osborn. Both Mary Ann Osborn and her niece, my g-grandmother, Ella Osborn Dawkins, were said to have been born across the river in Waterproof, LA, though Mary Ann Osborn Hamilton lived out her life in Copiah County, MS and my g-grandmother, Ella, in Jefferson County, MS. I thought this was interesting enough to post. They certainly don't write obituaries the way they used to. Nancy "Fayette, MS; November 17, 1885 Mrs. Deborah S. Johnson, long known hereabouts as Aunt Debby and then as Grandma Johnson, has laid down the cross. She was born in Orange County, NC, October, 1788, of Francis Baldridge (a Revolutionary soldier) and Elizabeth Turrentine, his wife. These, with several other children, came to Jefferson County, MS, about the year 1800 and settled at the mouth of Cole's Creek. The family were Presbyterians, but finding no organization of that church here, became Baptist. They taught their children religious truth. Miss Deborah was of a very gay disposition, fond of dress, of dancing and other worldly amusements. Soon after marriage, she joined the Methodist Church at old Spring Hill, under the ministry of Rev. Miles Harper, the gifted pioneer. She was converted about the same time, simultaneously with young Tommie Owens, who became so famous for his sanctified eccentricities. Her marriage to Mr. John Clem Johnson took place December 24, 1807, and resulted most happi! ly. He afterward became a preacher, serving most of the time as an itinerant local; but at the time of his death was a member of the Mississippi Methodist Conference. He found a helpmeet for him---just such a wife as a preacher needs---industrious, frugal, cheerful, fond of company and of church going. She no longer engaged in frivolous pleasures, having far nobler joys and occupation helpful. She was not very demonstrative, but very firm in her religious principles; not naturally amiable, but so kind and loving as to win many friends. She bore eleven children, of whom eight grew to maturity and three of whom are still alive to bless her memory, besides very many descendants---twenty or thirty to the fifth generation. Her husband died thirty-two years ago, and she ever after lived with her oldest son, Rev. W. B. Johnson, near Fayette. He and his did all that could be done to lighten the labor and sorrow of her protracted old age. She was very active till she reache! d seventy-five years. Living to so great an age, her hearing partly failed and her eyesight wholly. For more than four years, she was scarcely able to leave her bed. Her constant prayer was for patience to endure the nervous suffering of her intense weakness and her enforced idleness. This was indeed a sore trial to one so energetic by nature. Toward the last, she prayed earnestly to be released. As the portals of morning opened October 7, 1885, her spirit sped away to the realms of endless day. She spent on earth ninety-seven years and one day. In heaven henceforth and forever. J. P. Drake Fayette, Miss." Nancy, researching: Baldridge, Cain, Carmichael, Courtney, Curtis, Dawkins, Doty, Garmon, Garrett, Hanon, Jackson, McCormick, Matthews, Osborne, Sharp, Stampley, Stringer, Warren and many more! Wesbites: www.geocities.com/twincousin2334 www.thepastwhispers.com

Joan, I have a copy of a Civil War requisition slip from Company A, 12th MS (whose men were from Union Church, Jefferson Co. & Copiah Co.) that's signed by a Captain J. J. McLean. Since you have a John J. McLean, I thought perhaps you'd like to have it. I'll be happy to send it via e-mail attachment. Just let me know. I have the roster of this company at: http://www.geocities.com/twincousin2334/Members_of_Charlie_Clarks_Rifles.html If memory serves, there are other McLeans listed. There are, also, McLeans in the survey of Union Church Cemetery: http://www.geocities.com/twincousin2334/Union_Church_Cemetery.html Nancy, researching: Baldridge, Cain, Carmichael, Courtney, Curtis, Dawkins, Doty, Garmon, Garrett, Hanon, Jackson, McCormick, Matthews, Osborne, Sharp, Stampley, Stringer, Warren and many more! www.geocities.com/twincousin2334 ; www.thepastwhispers.com Linda, Thanks for the additional information! It's very helpful in reconstructing these families. These McLeans were from Robeson Co. NC. The first member of the family to immigrate to America was John who was born in 1775 on the Isle of Jura and who came to America in 1790. He was a school master. He married Mary Ferguson and they were the parents of : Margaret b. 1800, Catherine b. 1802, Charles b. 1804, John b. 1806, Marion b. 1808, Allen b. 1810, Lauchlin b. 1811, Christian b. 1812 (my ancestor), Daniel b. 1813, and James b. 1820. After Mary's death in 1834, he married Mary McLauchlin; their child was Nancy who married Elias Daniel. About half of John and Mary's children stayed in NC but, according to a family history of Allen McLean written by one of his descendents, the brothers Allen, Charles, Daniel, and James moved to Copiah Co., MS, where they were merchants. It says that Allen latter moved to Hinds Co., MS and died there in 1838. Also, Charles and Daniel married sisters with the surname Watson, but James never married. I have confirmed some of this information from government records, but have lots more work to do towards this effort. Jane P. McLean listed in the church records was Daniel's wife, and Charles McLean was Daniel's brother. John J. McLean was their sister's Catherine's son. Catherine married Neill McLean (no relation to Catherine other than by marriage). Their three children were born in NC: John J., Eliza Catherine, and Albert William. Eliza Catherine married Angus David Brown and remained in NC, but Catherine, Neill, John J., and Albert William moved to Appling Co., GA. From there, John J. moved to Jefferson Co., MS. Thanks very much for helping me with this research. Joan

Linda, Thanks for the additional information! It's very helpful in reconstructing these families. These McLeans were from Robeson Co. NC. The first member of the family to immigrate to America was John who was born in 1775 on the Isle of Jura and who came to America in 1790. He was a school master. He married Mary Ferguson and they were the parents of : Margaret b. 1800, Catherine b. 1802, Charles b. 1804, John b. 1806, Marion b. 1808, Allen b. 1810, Lauchlin b. 1811, Christian b. 1812 (my ancestor), Daniel b. 1813, and James b. 1820. After Mary's death in 1834, he married Mary McLauchlin; their child was Nancy who married Elias Daniel. About half of John and Mary's children stayed in NC but, according to a family history of Allen McLean written by one of his descendents, the brothers Allen, Charles, Daniel, and James moved to Copiah Co., MS, where they were merchants. It says that Allen latter moved to Hinds Co., MS and died there in 1838. Also, Charles and Daniel married sisters with the surname Watson, but James never married. I have confirmed some of this information from government records, but have lots more work to do towards this effort. Jane P. McLean listed in the church records was Daniel's wife, and Charles McLean was Daniel's brother. John J. McLean was their sister's Catherine's son. Catherine married Neill McLean (no relation to Catherine other than by marriage). Their three children were born in NC: John J., Eliza Catherine, and Albert William. Eliza Catherine married Angus David Brown and remained in NC, but Catherine, Neill, John J., and Albert William moved to Appling Co., GA. From there, John J. moved to Jefferson Co., MS. Thanks very much for helping me with this research. Joan Allen McLean moved to LRudd@aol.com wrote: >Joan, > >The children of Mrs. Jane P. McLean who were baptized on September 30, 1859, >were: John W. McLean b. February 07, 1844, Eliza Ann McLean b. May 05, 1846, >William b. July 08, 1850, and James Madison b. March 22, 1856. > >Dr. J. J. McLean was received as a member of Union Church Presbyterian Church >on November 01, 1859, and Nancy C. McLean was received August 28, 1859. > >C. McLean's servant Hannah was received as a member October 09, 1853. > >Linda > > >==== MSJEFFER Mailing List ==== >"I collect dead relatives! And sometimes a LIVE cousin! > > > >

Joan, The children of Mrs. Jane P. McLean who were baptized on September 30, 1859, were: John W. McLean b. February 07, 1844, Eliza Ann McLean b. May 05, 1846, William b. July 08, 1850, and James Madison b. March 22, 1856. Dr. J. J. McLean was received as a member of Union Church Presbyterian Church on November 01, 1859, and Nancy C. McLean was received August 28, 1859. C. McLean's servant Hannah was received as a member October 09, 1853. Linda

Linda, Thank you; your information does help! Charles McLean is probably C. F. McLean; so now I have church membership as well as place and date of death for him. Jane P. McLean could be the wife of another of Charles' brothers, Daniel, who married Jane P. Watson. Mariah McLean, however, is a mystery. Do church baptismal records give the names of the children of Jane P. McLean? With best regards, Joan LRudd@aol.com wrote: >There are bits of pieces concerning the McLean family in the old church >records of Union Church Presbyterian Church. > >Three McLeans are listed on the 1849 church membership list. >Charles McLean, Jane P. McLean and Maria McLean. > >The children of Mrs. Jane McLean were baptized on September 30, 1859. > >C. F. McLean died May 29, 1859 > >I hope this is helpful. > >Linda Durr Rudd > > >==== MSJEFFER Mailing List ==== >"The South--where roots, place, family, and tradition are the essence of identity." >--Social historian Carl N. Degler > > > >

Toni, Yes, there were African Americans listed as members of Union Church Presbyterian Church. They were referred to as servants and were in most cases listed with the name of the owner. A few are listed with no owner which could mean free person or was an oversight in the records. The servant members were received as members as early as 1827. The last servant to be accepted as a member was in 1864. A list of these members along with acceptance and baptismal date may be seen at the site listed below. <A HREF="http://www.angelfire.com/folk/gljmr/ServantsUC.html/">Union Church Presbyterian Church's List of Servant Members</A> Linda

I am curious...were there African American families listed in the church records either as slaves or free persons? Thanks Toni

There are bits of pieces concerning the McLean family in the old church records of Union Church Presbyterian Church. Three McLeans are listed on the 1849 church membership list. Charles McLean, Jane P. McLean and Maria McLean. The children of Mrs. Jane McLean were baptized on September 30, 1859. C. F. McLean died May 29, 1859 I hope this is helpful. Linda Durr Rudd

I'm interested in information on the following McLean families who lived in Jefferson County some time ago and their descendents. Any information will be appreciated. Dr. John James McLean 1827-1905, wife Sarah J. McLean 1834-1912, and children: N. Duncan McLean 1859-1889, Hugh McLean 1863-1915, Cora McLean 1868-unk, Mary Ivey McLean 1869-1890, and Gertie McLean 1876-unk. Charles Ferguson McLean b. 1804. Charles was the uncle of Dr. John James McLean. Both Charles and John James were born in Robeson County, NC.