Found this site today....pretty interesting stuff here. Hyperlink for those who can use it: <A HREF="http://www.sky.net/~mreed/military/military.htm">Military Records for Genealogy</A> URL for those who can't hyperlink: http://www.sky.net/~mreed/military/military.htm

Looking for ANY information on ANY Hudnalls, firstname isn't important, they all fit in somehow. Looking for information on Mode / Mose JOHNSON who married Dolsa PILGRIM / PILGRAM. She was said to be Cherokee, but I think she may have been Choctaw. They had one child that I am sure of, Dolsa JOHNSON b. 10 November 1863 in Kemper Co. MS, probably DeKalb. That's all I know about JOHNSON. Vickie Carter HUDNALL / JOHNSON / PILGRIM / CARTER / CAVANAUGH / BURKHEAD / TROTTER / PALOMARES / AVILA / GARCIA / ALVARADO / LUGO / RUIZ / MACHADO / SEPULVEDA / RUBIDOUX / SLAUGHTER / YORBA / COSEY (COURSEY , CORSEY)

Hello all, I am posting below a bit of info about about new help desk from Rootsweb. Cindy ******************** My name is Carol Hepburn ([email protected]) and I am coordinating a new project on Rootsweb called the HelpDesk. The HelpDesk is an online web bulletin board that allows users, members, sponsors, and donors of Rootsweb to post questions regarding any of the services they provide. The HelpDesk is staffed by the friendly volunteers with TEAM ROOTSWEB who take turns answering user inquiries. Questions posted to the HelpDesk range from simple how do I do something (unsub from a list) to how do I become a member of Rootsweb to why am I getting this error message. The goal of the Helpdesk is to provide friendly, courteous, and immediate response to user questions! The HelpDesk team fields both technical and non-technical questions and refers users to RootsWeb online resources, faqs and documentation, and specific help mail lists (such as this one). The HelpDesk was designed primiary to offload user email to the following RootsWeb email addresses: [email protected], [email protected], and karen @rootsweb.com. The HelpDesk does not replace any of the established help mail lists! Listowners who post questions to the HelpDesk are immediately referred to [email protected] or to [email protected] The same is true of webmasters. Account holders (whether USGW or WGW) are encouraged to join established help lists and seek reference information from these forums. The HelpDesk URL is: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~help/index.cgi Please feel free to visit the HelpDesk at any time. Your comments are welcome! Thank You, Carol Hepburn RootsWeb HelpDesk Team Coordinator

Dear Sumter List Members, E-mails about this have been going hot and heavy on the USGenWeb-All- List (list for volunteers with the USGenWeb Project.) What appears to have happened is that someone, (Jerry Dill a CPA in Idaho) who had been donating web space, with the server address of USGenWeb.com secretly went and filed incorporation papers for the company USGenWeb.com. He is making an attempt to make money off of the name recognition of USGenWeb. All USGenWeb web masters have abandoned the USGenWeb.com server. The official address for USGenWeb is http://www.usgenweb.org or http://www.usgenweb.net There will be a disclaimer on those main pages that USGenWeb.com is in no way connected with the USGenWeb Project. The USGenWeb Project is a non-profit, run by volunteers movement on the internet as stated on the 3 county pages that I maintain. My county pages are on Rootsweb and this listserve is donated by Rootsweb. There were some mirror sites of some of the main USGenWeb pages on Jerry Dill's server. Basically that's all that was on the .com server. Rootsweb is the backbone of the network of websites in the project. The folks at Rootsweb donate server space for the project. They operate by way of donations or for folks signing up for their services. Fundraisers go on at times for Rootsweb. You can link to Rootsweb at anytime and see what their services are. If you happen to check the USGenWeb.com you will find links for what Jerry Dills is selling. (He did have advertisements on the page, but has hidden them. Last time that I looked (yesterday) you could only see them in his source code. He lurks on the USGenWeb list and was privy to the messages going out about what his pages had etc. and what he was doing.) Everyone within the project is shocked and dismayed by Jerry Dill's actions. He operates something called, Rootsquest. That's all well and good, free enterprise and all that, but he had no right to the name USGenWeb.com. Just remember, we are the USGenWeb Project. It's .net or .org. The project has withdrawn all use of the .com server. Don't worry, the project continues as always. You just need to know about the .com thing. As I said, Rootsweb is our backbone and they have registered the USGenweb.net and .org address as USGenWeb not like Jerry Dill did with the .com, putting his name on in and INC. as part of it too. He made a GREAT error in judgement. Cindy P.S. I have just finished creating the Palmetto State Roots Home Page Award. I have a couple of folks in mind for the award already for March. If any of you has an idea of other home pages deserving of recognition, go to my Palmetto State Roots site and link to the nominate your favorite S.C. home page spot. Only S.C. genealogy homepages are eligible. The March awards go to John Simons (I haven't even let him know yet, but hey John, you are on this list and I have to go and cook supper now. Thanks for the Bible links.) and Shelby Pittman who does the home page for the Catawba Wateree Genealogy Society. (Kershaw/Lancaster Counties.)

Looking for info on MARY MAZINGO. Supposedly came from SC to GA/FL. Born about 1830, possibly of Spanish heritage. Also looking for info on CALEB KIRKLAND, born about 1803 in SC. Married ELIZABETH HOUSE. He may have been the son of CALEB, born about 1775 and the grandson of BENJAMIN born about 1750. Thanks, John

My GG-Grandfather WILLIAM HAMILTON STEPHENSON was born in 1817 in SC. I have not been able to find his parents or siblings. A subscriber recently sent a message that stated Benjamin Rufus purchased land from Jacob H. Whitehead in Claredon on the south side of the Black River SW, on Grog and Stephenson Branches. Where did this branch get its name? Who was it named after? Could it be named after my grandfather's parents? Can anybody help me on these questions? Thanks. Charles R. Stephenson San Antonio, Texas

BENJAMIN RUFUS HODGE 1815-1867 Benjamin Rufus Hodge wa born 1815 in Sumter County, South Carolina. The son of John Hodge and Frances Davis. He first married Miranda Adaline Davis, the daughter of Thomas Davis and his first cousin. They had a son, named for both Fathers, John Thomas. Miranda and John Thomas soon died. Benjamin later married Milbry Davis, the daughter of Joel Davis, and another of his first cousins. Benjamin married Miranda after 3-1-1833 and before 1-10-1837. She was alive February 1836 and died before 8-14-1837.Benjamin was married to Milbry before 11-16-1839. Benjamin Rufus purchased 10-29-1838 from Jacob H. Whitehead 431.5 acres in Clarendon on The South side of the Black River SW, on Grog and Stephenson Branches. 10-29-1838 he also purchased from equity for Joseph (or Joel) Davis deceased 1) 118 acres on Big Branch Waters of The Black River. 2) 102.5 acres adjacent on The Black River. 4-9-1839 he sold to Samuel Harvin 522 acres. He and Milbry sold 11-16-1839 278 acres to Ranson Clark that had been alloted to Milbry by Joel Davis, deceased. In 1842 Adaline Miranda was born to Benjamin and Milbry and named for his first wife. In 1846 Laura was born. Just before 1850 Benjamin and a large group of pioneers left Sumter and moved to Early County, Georgia, which soon became Calhoun County. Some of the families that moved to Georgia together were: Dickey,Davis, Plowden, McFadden, Hayes, Strickland, Lawrence, Thigpen, McClary, Boynton, These people, refered to as the �rice eaters� were educated and purposeful people. Benjamin McCray was the first member of the family to be born in Georgia. He was born in 1853. In 1857 Martha Elizabeth was born. The Inferior Court from May to November 1854 appointed commissioners whose main duty was to select and locate road-hands to work to open new roads in their respective Georgia Militia Districts. Road commissioners for the Town District were George W. Goodson, James A. Scarbrough and Benjamin R. Hodge. 3 November, 1851 Benjamin Rufus bought from William H. Price three lots of land. Lots 355,356, 357. On 31 December, 1851 he also purchased lot 358 from Mr. Price. 14 Feburary, 1852 lot 364 was purchased from Mr. Price. 16 March 1857 lot 363 was purchased from John Colly. Benjamin Rufus was a member of the committee that on 4 June 1861 wrote the following resolution: We, the Committee appointed to draft resolutions and report business for the action of the meeting, beg leave to make the following report: Whereas our county has been and is now invaded by a hostile foe and it becomes necessary to raise volunteer companies in all portions of the State and other Southern States and whereas some of the Patriotic Citizens of Calhoun County have formed themselves into a volunteer company, we find them now ready to march to the seat of war. Resolved, be it therefore that we , the citizens of this county, feel it our duty to furnish and protect said volunteer company while in service and to support and protect their families during their absence(s). Resolved, that we recommend to the Inferior Court to borrow such a sum of money as they deem necessary for the support and equipping of this company, and the support of their needy families, except such articles as may be furnished by the government and levy a tax on the citizens of the county sufficient to pay said sum so borrowed. Resolved, that any citizen of the county who has given money to the company for equipping and supporting, that said citizen be released from taxation as far as they have paid into said company. Resolved, that we recommend the Inferior Court as a committee to receive and disburse said funds as may be proper for the company and their needy families. Committee: George G. West, Chairman W. E. Griffin, Secretary Joseph W. Roberts John Colley R. J. McClary B. R. Hodge W. G. Sheffield The Inferior Court �ordered abd adjudged� deputy clerk W. G. Price be authorized to issue county bonds or script in amounts not to exceed $1,000 made payable to Capt. R. J. McClary. Therefore the first company supplied by Calhoun county with men, uniforms, horses, guns, and food was Calhoun County Repeaters who were assigned to Company L, 25th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry in the Army of Tennessee. On August 4, 1863 Benjamin Rufus joined the Confederate cause. He was in Company B, 12 Batt, Georgia Cav. (State Guards). One of the first schoold in Calhoun County was Whitney Academy in Dickey. The colonists from South Carolina who settled in Dickey brought with them the desire to carve a niche for themselves in the piney woods of what soon became Calhoun County. After the basic tasks of survival were achieved, they turned their efforts next to religion and education. Aome authorities feel that the first Dickey school was built around 1849. Later, a much larger building was built by Mr. C.M. Davis. By the time (1854) that Calhoun County was formed, Whitney had earned the reputation for the best school in this South Georgia area. As found in the old records, the Trustees of the school were Henry Hayes, Benjamin Hodge, Redden Strickland, F. L. Peppers, C. J. Plowden, Dr. J. L. Beanens, and C. M. Davis. Found under Letters of Administration and Guardianship, the first entry, dated 15 May 1873 was B. R. Hodge, dec., estate to be adm. by Charles H. Gee of Calhoun County. Charles Gee was the second husband of Benjamin Rufus� daughter Adeline Marinda. This date was after B. R. died in 1867 and Milbry died in 1873. October 1874 The Calhoun County Commissioners voted to pay the estate of B. R. Hodge $35.00 for building a bridge at �Timmons Crossing�. The grave sites of Benjamin Rufus and his family have not been found. The above was compiled by Faye Dyess [email protected] I would like to share information with anyone with connections to this family or documentation that any of the above information is incorrect. Faye

JOHN HODGE 1775-1854 John Hodge first appears in South Carolina in the census of 1790. This census taken in Cheraw District shows John Hodge under 16 years old living at home with his Father, John Hodge, 3 females (either Mother and 2 sisters or 3 sisters)and 7 slaves. In the 1800 census he is living in the Sumter District under 25 years of age with a wife under 25 a male child 1-9 and another male under 25 (Possibly a relative or laborer)and 6 slaves. >From this I gather that he and Frances Davis married between the years of 1795-99 and that their first son was born by 1799. I believe this son was John Jr. In 1800 John Hodge signs his name as Sr. In 1807 John Hodge inherits from William Davis 356 acres on the North side, S prong of the Black River and 576 acres on Big Branch that was originally granted to William Davis. The 1810 census shows 2m (1-9) 1m(10-15) 1m(26-44) 1f(1-9) 1f (26-44) and 11 slaves. Our John would have been 36 years old, Frances 33 and John Jr. 10. The 2 m (1-9) and 1f(1-9) would have been children born between 1800-09. This would have been James D. born 1801, Charles born 1807 and Jane Elizabeth born 5 March 1803. (Charles was old enough to be a witness in 1829.) (From the name of his first daughter I believe his Mothers� name was Jane. (Jane for his Mother and Elizabeth for the Mother of Frances.) 8-1-1814 John Hodge inherits from Rosanna Maples (I have made no connection) 150 acres in Clarendon. 1-1818 he bought 387 acres on Cypress and Burnt Bay. 1-26-1819 he bought 116 acres on Bear Creek. 8-23-1820 he sold 356 acres given to him by William Davis. The 1820 census shows 3m(1-9) 1m(10-15) 2m (19-25) 1m (+45) 1f (1-9) 1f (16-25) 1f (25-45). John would have been 46, Frances 43, John Jr. 20, James D. 19, Jane 17. Others would have been born in the past 10 years. I believe these were, Robert born 1810 now 10, John G. born 1813 Now 7,Benjamin Rufus born 1815 now 5 and Harriet T. born 8-13-1817 now 3. I believe John Hodge began his affair with Mary Wise about 1820. On 1-16-1822 he sold the remaining 576 acres given by William Davis and bought 1,270 acres in Claredon on the fork of the Black River/Santee including both sides of Mt. Hope. in 1824 George W. Hodge was born to Mary Wise. In 1825 Gaberial Hodge was born to Mary Wise and John was born in 1830. I believe John Jr. and John G. were both dead by this time. The 1830 census shows John Hodge with 2m (15-20) 2m (20-30) 1m (30-40) 1 m (50-60) 1f (10-15) 1f (20-30) 1f (40-50). John would have been 55, Frances 53 (she lied), James D. 30, Charles 23, Robert 20, Benjamin Rufus 15 and John G. 17. 5-10-1831 John sold 106 acres in Claredon on the fork of the Black River on Juneburn Branch and bought 144 acres on the fork of the Black River at Juneburn Branch. After Andrew Hodge was born to Mary Wise in 1835 and Thomas born in 1837 it was time for he and Frances to seperate. He made his will in 1839 leaving Frances and their children everything except the acres around Mt. Hope. At this time the only sons by Frances still living were James D. and Benjamin Rufus. The 1840 census shows James D. married, 30-40 years old (should be 39), with 2 sons under 5. Next door is Benjamin Rufus living alone 20-30 (should be 25) and Frances Hodge living alone. Nearby is John Hodge 60-70 living with 2 sons 1, 10-15 (Gaberial) and 1, 15-20 (George W.) Next door to him is Mrs. Mary Wise living with small boys 2 under 5, 1 under 10 and 1 under 15. John, Andrew, Thomas and Samuel born in 1840. 11-12-1843 John Hodge devides his remaining land with his sons with Mary Wise. 166 acres each to George W., Gaberial, John and Andrew. 181 acres to Thomas and Samuel. Sumter wasn�t born until 1846 and I find no record of him receiving any land. The 1850 census shows James D. with his family, Frances (now 73) living next door. John was still nearby and next door to Mary Wise. He now had Andrew, Thomas, Samuel and Sumpter living with him and Mary Wise living alone. John was living with James D. and calling himself John Wise. Gaberial was living with William Hodge. I also found Benjamin Rufus living with a laborer and his family. This I questioned, since he and his family were counted in the Georgia census. I then discovered that the census in Georgia was taken11 June 1850 and the one in South Carolina the 27th day of July. If he was clearing up matters in South Carolina he had enough time to get counted in both censuses. In 1860 Frances is still living next door to James (She�s 82). Benjamin Rufus and his family are in Georgia. John Hodge died ca 1854. The map of Sumter by McLaurin dated 1878 but obviously showing much earlier. Shows All our Hodge family living on Manning Road with John Hodge and Mrs. Wise living at crossroad. There are also 2 churches and 2 cemeteries on the road that were active during the time this family lived there. The above was compiled by Faye Dyess [email protected] I would like to share info with anyone with connections to this family and anyone with documentation as to any listed information that is incorrect. Faye

Remarks on the 1850 Mortality Schedule of Sumter District, South Carolina. Certified on December 23, 1850. Remarks: The Map of So Carolina exhibits Sumter District in nearly the Centre of the State - Large in Territory - of irregular shape, & contained by the state survey made in 1821 (1985) Nineteen Hundred & Eighty five square miles - Its population in 1850 is 33.262 Free ["Whites" scratched out] 10.197 Slaves 23.065 It is bounded on the North by Kershaw District - on the East by Lynches Creek or River on the South by Williamsburg & Charleston Districts - on the West by the Santee & Wateree Rivers - A large portion of this District is occupied by the heads of Black River This pertion of the Territory is very level, & affects very little descent, so that the water goes off sluggishly - The same remark is true of the territory bordering on the Santee It is very level & flat, & the branches running into the Santee carry off the water slowly The same is the case with the lower part of Lynches River. The Santee & Wateree Rivers, have an alluvion Swamp of from 1 to 5 miles wide of amazing fertility, but subject to innundation from the Rain Water & melting of Snows towards the Heads of the River in North Carolina so that comparatively little of it is cultivated - The remainder of the District is high & broken - Mostly Sand Hills - with salubrious atmosphere - fine (gusting ?) Springs of the purest Water - & as "healthy as the mountains" The inhabitants of the Flat Lands use Well Water - of the broken county Spring Water - The Climate in Winter is not often as low as 25 - Seldom affording ice an inch thick, & that for a very few days. It is often up to 70 in Winter - In Summer it varies from 70 to 95 - The Soil is generally Sandy - covering a fine Clay at irregular depths, from a few inches to many feet - on the margins of the Creeks & some places on the Rivers, tracts of Oak & Hickory Lands prevail - very fertile - The largest portion of the District is covered with a splendid growth of Yellow & Pitch Pines on most of the Heads of Black River, Marl has been discovered since the geological surveys under the authority of the State in 1843 by W Ruffin & in 1844 by W Tumey - The Marl is in some places near the surface, & elsewhere deeper. But few & small experiments have as yet been made by the farmers of that portion of the District - The Water of Some few Springs & Branches, are known to be impregnated with Lime - In some places it is impregnated with Iron - But generally the water is called "Free Stone Water" The larger portion of this District is not healthy. A great deal of Miasma is generated in the Summer from the stagnant Waters - & especially after the Ponds & Streams have dried in all the flat regions & in the River Swamps - Bilious & Longestive Fevers are numerous - often followed by Dropsy - Diseases of the liver are very common at (all ?) ages - The Medical Profession find very remunerating pationage in full 3/4 of the District - The Hilly portion of the District however possesses very fine Health - The "High Hills of Santee" are situated in Sumter District, commencing about 200 feet Bluff on the Wateree Swamp near Manchester & extending North East across the District - This name is confined to 10 or (1?) miles of the Range nearest to the River - beyond it is called the Bradford Spring Range - The High Hills of Santee have been famed for their Health Wealth & Refinement - This region is extensively underlaid by what is vulgarly called "(Fullers ?) Earth". Ruffin & Tumey call it "Infusorial Clay" - It is in most places soft - easily cut with the Pick Axe & grubbing hoe - It resists the action of Water entirely yet where exposed to the air it decomposes & breaks, or rather splits with a fracture nearly lonchoidal It seems to be imperfectly crystalized A (?ge) piece will on exposure to the air, scale off in successive layers, down to a very small piece; which is generally hard & Silicious - It comes out to the day in a vast number of places on the Hill sides: is decomposed by the action of the air - is then absorbed by the Rains, & carried down & fertilizes the lower grounds & vallies - The attention of farmers is now being drawn to it, as a natural fertilizer & it is thought more worthy of Scientific examination than it has yet received in this District - Bradford Spring (or Rather Springs) situated about 25 miles from the River, following the course of the Range; & is noted for the great Salubrity of the atmosphere - its pure Water besides some of the Springs (?ing ?) (Qualities unknown) - A large amount of Rock comes out to the day in the Hilly portion (perhaps River Deposits) and along the Banks of the Water Courses & in the Beds of the Streams - In many places on the High Hills of Santee, the Rocks bear unmistakable evidence of the action of fire - The upper portion of Lynches Creek in Sumter District is supposed to be within the Gold Region. Profitable mines are in operation on Lynches Creek, above the Sumter Line. - There is supposed to be a great deal of Iron Ore in Sumter District. Specimens were sent from the waters of Green Swamp to a Furnace in North Carolina & pronounced to be very rich. Lynches River is Boatable for Pole Boats & the Santee & Wateree are navigated by Steam Boats - The Camden Branch of the So Carolina Rail Road passes thro Sumter District from North to South about 25 miles - The Wilmington & Manchester Rail Road is laid out from East to West thro Sumter District & finds its Western Farmers near Manchester - Cotton is the Staple Product of the Plantations - and Indian Corn - Rice Peas & Sweet Potatoes is the principal food of the inhabitants - The summer of 1850 was until August, remarkably Dry, occaisioning the Provision crop of every description to fail fully one half - Cotton being a tougher lived & a Hardier Plant recovered in a great measure after the Drought ceased, & has made in this District a tolerably fair crop - The Cotton Crop probably would have been a large one, but the extensive Storms of the last of August passed over this District doing immense Damages - This District is named after General Thomas Sumter of the Revolution - an officer of great merit & Bravery - The seat of Justice is named Sumterville - a small town containing Whites 500 - Slaves 330 - Free Negroes 10 = Total 840 - J. W. Stuckey Assistant Marshal -=-=-=-=-=-=-=- General Notes: 1. Transcribed in 1983 by Steven James Coker based on a copy made from microfilm at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. 2. Writing shown inside parentheses () with a question mark indicates the transcriber is not certain as to the correct reading of the word or words. Writing in parentheses witb no question mark is as shown in the document. 3. Words shown inside brackets [] have been inserted by the transcriber and are not found in the document. 4. For this presentation, little attempt has been made to layout the text identical to that shown in the document. In particular, words per line and line breaks may vary. 5. This is not offered as a true and exact transcription. Although the transcriber has attempted to be accurate in making the work. Examination of the original document should be done if a more accurate version is wanted or required.

Hello everyone, The genealogy society applications have been going like hotcakes. I have sent out at least a dozen via e-mail already. Think of all the postage that I saved. I am going to figure out a place to put it on the web. Probably Angel Fire which lets you put up things "for sale." The gen. soc. is non profit of course but I want to be sure not to step on any toes anywhere. Oh, to those that I just sent out the form to without a message, here is how to get it so that you can just print the form. Use your right mouse button to save the graphic. (For us educator type Mac folk, the only button does it.) Save the graphic in a folder, where you can find it..... Then open up the grapic in your browser; you go to file to find the the file and then open file, then go to your file manager and find the thing. Oh, it's called application.jpg You might have to shorten that name up some when you save as. Seems like I recall that PCs don't like file names longer than 8 letters. I just realized that application is longer. (See, I can do PC too.) Then just print it out. I did it on mine and it printed out fine. One page. I know that it works. One person already wrote back to me and told me that her application is in the mail already. Help, I just realized that the Clarendon County reference page had gone South. For some unknown reason (hah, a big boo boo on my part when loading at some point) the Clarendon County reference page was the Sumter County one. So, two copies of Sumter up and Clarendon has vanished. I spent some time this evening working on recreating one exclusivly for Clarendon. (It's a clone of Sumter, with a twist.) Anyway, the volunteers who had sent me their names and books for the Clarendon page aren't there anymore. The only things not directly from the Sumter page are the 2 Clarendon references that I own and I put my cousin Dee on for the Clarendon cemetery book too. So, who wants to volunteer to be listed on the Clarendon reference page along with their Clarendon County book ? I will be happy to add any new ones to Sumter and Lee too. I just need to remember to work on one page at a time so I don't get them crossed up again. (Ya'll, sometimes I do these pages very, very early in the morning before I go to work. I am a morning person, but I really function best after I have been up a while.) Cindy

Hi, If anyone ever needs a membership application for the Sumter County Genealogical Society, I have created one that is in graphics format. (I have been asked so many times for applications and mailing copies of one takes time and a stamp. After a while, 32 cents a stamp adds up.) This way the form can be sentv at the touch of my mouse, attached to an e-mail, then opened up in your browser and then printed out to be snail mailed in. If you want one, just let me know. Cindy

Cokers Of South Carolina Part 3 of 3 By Steven James Coker Published 1986 in "The Lavender Line" Vol. 4, No. 4 To proceed now with the genealogy from Whitley Coker to the present. From the James Myers Coker Family Bible we have that Whitley Coker, Junior, was born September 25,1783, and died January 1, 1832. The Family Bible also gives us that Whitley, Jr. married Ann Ingram. These facts are confirmed by census records, estate papers and other documents. Whitley, Jr., and Ann had at least nine children. These were Jane Warin Coker b. Dec. 17, 1814 d. 1815 John S. Coker Sept. 8, 1817 Dec. 1864 Rebecca Bradley Smith Coker Jan. 27, 1819 Dec. 4, 1901 Mary Gill Coker July 10, 1820 ? William David Coker Mar. 6, 1821 Mar. 3, 1900 Margaret Magdalen Coker Apr. 3, 1824 Aug. 31, 1893 James Myers Coker Aug. 25, 1827 May 18, 1908 Leanorah Ann Coker Apr. 4, 1832 Apr. 9, 1906 Unknown son ca 1829 ? Whitley Coker, Jr., died intestate, and for unknown reasons the family waited a number of years before filing for administration of the estate. Widow Ann Coker was appointed as Administrix and annual returns were filed by her until her death around 1849. William D. Coker then sued for division of the estate which was accomplished in 1851. William D. Coker is buried at the old cemetery site near Puddin Swamp along with several other family members. Sadly, I've been told that some headstones were destroyed, so we may never know the names of all those buried there. The three brothers, James M., John S., and William D. are known to have served the Confederacy during the Civil War; James and William in the 4th S.C. Cavalry and John with the 25th S.C. Regiment. John was captured at Trevillion Station and later died while a P.O.W. in New York. Rebecca Coker's husband, William Hitch Price, also served as a sergeant in the Confederacy. Rebecca's granddaughter, Mrs. Ruby Price Gardner, wrote an article about Sgt. Price which was published in the CHARLESTON NEWS & COURIER newspaper for the Civil War Centennial Edition. She based the article on her father's writings and recollections of oral histories told to her. Mrs. Gardner is 75 and living in Society Hill, South Carolina at the time of my writing. In the newspaper article she told of a letter that arrived as the soldiers sat around a campfire and was delivered to Sgt. William H. Price. The letter was from his sister, Mary, asking him to come home to see Rebecca, his wife, who was gravely ill. No passes were being granted at the time, but the commanding officer was understanding and said in a tired voice, "Your company is moving out at dawn. No horses, not even yours, can be spared." Sgt. Price replied, "I would walk, Sir, and I give you my word of honor that I'll rejoin my company." He was granted the pass and started a cold, long and weary walk home. Rebecca was restless that night, and moaned, "William, William." Mary gave her water and a pill, then they heard a click at the gate, and steps of a man who had been slightly crippled from birth. "It's William," Rebecca cried, "I'd know that step even in eternity." A crippled soldier had walked 60 miles. His homecoming seemed to be the turning point for Rebecca who then recovered from her illness. (Rosa Eugenia Price, a sister of Ruby Price Gardner, died Feb.11, 1985 in Society Hill, S.C. She was 76, a nurse who counted President Herbert Hoover among her patients. She was born in Lee County, S.C., a daughter of John Ervin and Alice Stuckey Price, both deceased. She attended Columbia College and graduated from the School of Nursing at Medical College of South Carolina. She did graduate work at the University of Chicago, Ill. During WWII she was a captain at West Point Academy and a hospital ship nurse, serving in the Atlantic and Pacific. Surviving sisters are Ruby Gardner, Mrs. J.O. Hamilton and Miss Henrietta Price.) As for Whitley and Ann Coker's children's marriages, we know that Magdalen married a Solomon McClam; Leanorah Ann wed Ervin McBride Smith; John married P.M. Scurry; William married (1) Hazeltine, and (2) S.A.G. (Gibbons?), and my ancestor, James M. Coker wed Susan Ann Buddin. Susan Ann Buddin (b. May 30 1834, died Jan. 2, 1909) was the daughter of William Buddin and Martha McIntosh, also of Sumter District, S.C. The said William Buddin was descended from John Buddin and Elizabeth Robinson, known to have been in South Carolina by 1720. Children of Susan and James M. Coker: Robert J. Coker b. Oct. 7, 1850 d. Sept. 22, 1855 Margaret Drusilla Coker Oct. 19, 1852 Oct. 19, 1900 Ida Nelson Coker Mar. 15, 1855 Mar. 15, 1922 James Myers (Moss) Coker, Jr. Aug. 12, 1857 Nov. 24, 1925 Joseph Cunningham (Little Shug) Coker May 9, 1859 Jan. 18, 1889 William Buddin Coker Mar. 18, 1862 May 20, 1927 Martha Jane Coker Aug. 11, 1864 Dec. 14, 1865 Hartmon N. Coker Oct. 6, 1866 Sept. 15, 1876 Susan Emma Coker Aug. 6, 1869 June 23, 1965 Andrew Ellison Coker Feb. 26, 1872 Feb. 6, 1931 Daniel Hayward Coker Oct. 5, 1874 Sept. 10, 1876 John Edward Coker Mar. 6, 1877 Feb. 15, 1961 Of these, Margaret D. married David Nelson Gamble; Joseph "Little Shug" Cunningham wed Camilla Ervin Smith (Camilla was his first cousin and daughter of Leanorah and Ervin McBride Smith); William Buddin married twice, his second wife being Oliva Weaver; Susan Emma took Joe L. Gowdy as husband; Andrew wed Elizabeth Belle Thomas, and John Edward married Maud McKnight. James Myers Coker, Jr., and his sister Ida chose as marriage partners Elizabeth Ann DuBose and John Thaddeus DuBose. These two were children of Addison and Harriet DuBose. The said Addison was son of Zachariah DuBose and descendant of Isaac DuBose and Susanne Couillandeau, a French Huguenot couple, known to have settled in South Carolina by 1686. More information can be found on these Huguenot ancestors in the book DUBOSE GENEALOGY by Dorothy McDowell (published 1972 by R.L. Bryan) and THE HUGUENOTS OF COLONIAL SOUTH CAROLINA by A.H. Hirsch (published by Archon Books 1962). If the theories of connections shown in MacDowell's work-are reliable, then this DuBose line is traceable back to 1360 France's Martin du Bose. To continue to the present, James Myers Coker, Jr., and Elizabeth DuBose had children named: Rosa Ann Coker b. Sept. 10, 1878 d. Dec. 10, 1910 Joseph Ingram Coker June 15, 1880 Sept. 12, 1932 William Addison Coker June 21, 1884 Dec. 20, 1958 Archie Oliver Coker Sept. 23, 1887 Aug. 17, 1960 Fred T. Coker (Sr.) Apr. 5, 1889 Apr. 15, 1971 Mabel Florence Coker Jan. 23, 1893 May 17, 1951 James Mood Coker Mar. 24, 1895 Sept. 1916 Fred T. Coker (Sr.), the writer's grandfather, was born in the Hebron-Cades Community of South Carolina. He served as a carpenter stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C., during World War I. Following the service, he returned to Hebron-Cades where he met and married Nettie Elnora Stewart (wed June 19, 1920). They farmed for about a year then moved to Columbia, S.C., where Fred went to work in Pacific Mills. They lived in Olympia Village in Columbia where they raised three sons. Grandmother has a picture of Grandfather as a young man which she tells us was the key to their meeting. It happened this way. One day while visiting a girl friend's home, Nettie noticed a picture on the mantel of a handsome young man. The friend informed her that the man was her older brother and promised to introduce Nettie to him when he returned home. She did so and the two fell in love and married. Nettie Stewart (b. Nov. 28, 1901) is the daughter of James Wesley Stewart and Mattie L. Bonner. Her family moved to Cades, S.C. when Nettie was four years of age from Escambia County, FL. Her grandparents in Florida were Thomas Calvin Stewart and wife, Rachel, and also Franklin Challis Bonner and his wife Susan Long. Nettie Elnora Stewart Coker, my grandmother, age 84, plays piano for her Sunday School every week as she has for many, many years. My grandfather, Fred T. Coker, Sr., loved to smoke cigars and listen to baseball games on the radio. During his years at the Mill, he belonged to and supported the worker's Union. [Nettie died October 9, 1996] Fred and Nettie raised three sons during their fifty-two years of marriage. All three sons graduated from Olympia High School in Columbia, served in the military during WWII, and went on to further study at Carolina colleges following the war. These three sons were Arnell Myers Coker (b. June 6, 1921, died December 8, 1973); James Frances Coker (b. April 3. 1923) and Fred T. Coker, Jr. (b. April 20, 1924). Arnell finished the University of South Carolina in 1949 with a B.A. in Business Administration. Having served his country during WWII, he continued his military career by giving 25 years of additional service to the South Carolina National Guard. He retired with the rank of Colonel. Arnell began work with the South Carolina Tax Commission upon graduation from USC. He advanced from auditor to the position of Director of the Corporate and Private Income Division during a twenty year career. He was active in his Masonic Lodge and the Rotary Club until his untimely death due to surgical complications. Arnell and his wife, Helen Brazell, had three children: Arnell Myers Coker, Jr., b. August 8, 1943; Barbara Regina Coker, b. November 2, 1950; Walter Richard Coker, b. February 9, 1954. J. F. Coker, the writer's father, studied accounting at the University of South Carolina from 1946-1949. He worked at the South Carolina National Bank during these school years and began his family with his first son born in 1947. Following the University he began a thirty year career in the construction business. This began with the position of Office Manager of Savannah River Plant Operations for Kolinski Concrete Company. He moved on to Wilhoit Steel Erectors as Comptroller, then to Higbe Concrete Co. and Touchstone & Little, Inc. as principle stockholder and Secretary/Treasurer He has been active in the American Legion, Jamil Shrine, USC Gamecock Club, and Resurrection Lutheran Church. Francis is currently retired and living in Columbia, S.C. with his wife of some forty years, Mellie Rae Ramsay. She is a descendant of Andrew Ramsay (b. 1820), carriagemaker, who came to South Carolina from Edinburgh, Scotland. James Francis Coker played guard on the Olympia High School State Championship Football Team. He was selected to, and played in the North Carolina vs South Carolina All Star Shrine Football Game. Military service and raising a family prevented his pursuing an athletic career in college. Dad was a good athlete. My parents gave issue to 4 sons: Francis Gregory Coker, b. April 6, 1947; Steven James Coker, b. December 29, 1951; David Preston Coker, born and died May 9, 1954, and Mark Thomas Coker, b. June 18, 1956. [Francis died April 6, 1988] Fred T. Coker, Jr. (b. April 20, 1924) is the youngest of the three brothers. He graduated in Engineering from Clemson University and has had a long and distinguished career in Engineering and management. He began as a technician with Pacific Mills in Columbia, moved on to eventually become Chief Manufacturing Engineer with Yale & Towne Manufacturing, then later an Associate Partner with Booze Allen & Hamilton in New York, and still later President of Rice Barton Corporation and President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for U.S. Dielectric, Inc. After a period of semi-retirement he is at it again as President of a small, growing business called FTC Industries in Hemingway, S.C. He and his wife,, Marcia Lorraine Straite, live in Myrtle Beach,S.C. They have three children who are Fred T. Coker., III, John Randolph Coker, and Marcia Joris Coker. Their eldest son, F.T. Coker, III,, is a graduate of Clark University and North Eastern University. John R. Coker graduated from Emory University in Mathematics and is now Vice President of Data Processing with a large Boston Bank. Young Marcia graduated from Skidmore University. Information for this writing was contributed by J.F. Coker, F.T. Coker, Jr., Nettie S. Coker, S.J. Coker, W.A. Buddin, W.R. Coker, Ruby P. Gardner and others.

Cokers Of South Carolina Part 2 By Steven James Coker Published 1986 in "The Lavender Line" Vol. 4, No. 3 Allow me to begin the second part of this report by relating to you an intriguing story. It was told to me by my Uncle Fred T. Coker Jr. This is the story or legend of the Coker Coat of Arms. It is said that before the beginning of the current millennium, the Coker families lived in France. By or about the beginning of the millennium they removed across the channel to the country of the Angles, also known as England. Whether this move to the island was an expansion into new territories or a return to an old homeland, the legend does not say. With time, they came to control certain lands to the east, adjacent to the channel. This strategic positioning allowed them to play a significant role in William the Conqueror's invasion and conquest of England. In that conflict, the Cokers are said to have sided with and fought for William. The favorable location of friendly forces by the channel allowed William to gain uncontested entry into England and thus greatly aided his victory. As recognition for their assistance, William bestowed upon the Cokers a Coat of Arms, showing three Leopard's faces, signifying "Third in the Kingdom." This story is offered only for general interest and is not intended to be taken as documented fact. No other stories or legends are known to me regarding the Coker families of the old world. We have been informed that the true motto is "Riht, Fiat, Justitia" instead of "Fiat Justitia" as shown, meaning "Let it be right, just and lawful." [note: Coat of Arms with motto in 1986 article not shown here] Our first period of speculation, study and interest on Coker matters in the New World is that of 17th century Virginia. It is in that time and place we find Coker colonials believed to be the direct ancestors of the Whitley and Benjamin Coker lines. Much research and data gathering has been done on these early Virginia Cokers. However, the direct connections have yet to be proven, and it shall be left for future writers to elaborate on the theorized lineages. Let it suffice for now that our general theory holds that Virginia Cokers of the 17th century spread into North Carolina by the mid 18th century and thence to South Carolina by 1800. Of course, these migrations were sporadic and specific dates vary for different lines and branches. As we covered in our treatment in the last issue, Whitley Coker was settled and raising a large family in Sumter District, South Carolina by the time of the 1800 census. Around that time, also, several heirs of Benjamin Coker came to be living in Sumter District. These things we know to be a fact. We have reason to suspect that both Whitley and Benjamin fought in the Carolinas during the Revolutionary War, quite likely serving with Frances Marion, "The swamp Fox." Possibly even seeing action with Thomas Sumter, "The Gamecock." The following brief sketch of Revolutionary War events in 1780, South Carolina is based on the writings of David Ramsay in his HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, published 1858 (preface dated 1808). It is more than possible that the Cokers saw action in the conflicts described. By the spring of 1780, the British had generally defeated the colonists in South Carolina. The capitol city of Charlestown had been captured following a siege and the American forces had been defeated, dispersed, or driven into North Carolina. Of those driven into North Carolina was Colonel Thomas Sumter, who had commanded one of the continental regiments. Upon his retreat into North Carolina, the British burned his home and all the possessions it contained. This proved to be an unwise action on their part. Sumter was chosen to serve as leader by a band of those exiled South Carolinians. In the summer of 1780, this small band of free men returned to take the field against the British. Sumter and his men had no supplies of arms, ammunition, clothing or food on which to draw and depend. They worked farming tools into rude weapons and formed pewter utensils into bullets. At times they went into battle with less than three rounds to a man and some had to wait for others to fall before they were supplied with arms. Sumter began these offensives at a time when the population had given up its resistance. The conquering British had even sent dispatches to England, declaring that "The inhabitants from every quarter had repaired ... to Charlestown, to declare their allegiance to the King, and to offer their services ... and that there were few men in South Carolina that were not either their prisoners or in arms with them." It soon became evident to the British that they had declared victory too soon. Not only the heroic actions taken by Sumter, but the vengeful and dastardly deeds committed by the British served to rouse the people to continue the fight. Leading 133 men on July 12, 1780, Sumter defeated a detachment of British troops and a group of Tories at Williams' Plantation. By July 30, 1780, he commanded 600 men against the British at Rocky Mount. This attack met with no success. However, eight days later he thoroughly defeated the Prince of Wales regiment together with a large party of Tories led by Colonel Brian. Soon, other bands of free men were forming and turning out to harass and fight the British and the Royal Militia. Among these were Colonel Williams of Ninety-Six and of course, Frances Marion the "Swamp Fox." Because of his spirited pursuit of the British and his fight for freedom as long as you breathe attitude, Thomas Sumter has been called the "Fighting Gamecock." Very possibly Whitley Coker knew these men and may well have fought with them. Whitley's plantation as shown on Mill's Atlas is approximately 15 miles from both Sumterville and Statesburgh. It is easy to imagine his greeting and speaking to General Sumter while in town for business. We know Whitley lived in Sumter District at least from 1800 to 1820, and possibly from 1783 to 1829. (Note: Genealogy from Whitley Coker to the present (continued from Part I in LL4-2, pages 29-30) will be continued in the next issue.) TO BE CONTINUED ... -- + ------------------------------------------------------------------ + | Steven J. Coker [email protected] | | Home: PO Box 359, Charleston, SC 29402 [email protected] | | Work: PO Box 919, Charleston, SC 29402 [email protected] | | Home: 803-571-4586 http://www.wp.com/Coker | | Work: 803-727-4330 http://www.geocities.com/Paris/2780 | | Work: 800-208-2054 http://www.awod.com/gallery/rwav/cokers | + ------------------------------------------------------------------ +

Hello all, The 1820 Sumter District Census is now up in its complete and final form. (Unless some typos are found.) I can hear those printer humming already. Cindy

[email protected],Dwight David Dennis,March 16,1998,DENNIS, 1014 Ski Lodge 3,Birmingham,Al.35209, http://www.concentric.net/~Dddennis/surnames.htm I am searching for Gower Dennis who appered,1830 census Sumter Co.Served S.C. Militia War of 1812,b.abt.1785,had children William,Sarah and Mariah Louisa(b. abt. 1823 SC)Also James R.Dennis,bro. of Gower,b.abt 1790 in SC,served in same Militia unit,And a third probably a brother, Henry Dennis,b. 1773 SC

Cokers Of South Carolina Introduction By Steven James Coker Published 1985 in "The Lavender Line" Vol. 4, No. 2 The various Coker families throughout early South Carolina left difficult trails for today's historians to follow. This is compounded by the sad truth that some South Carolina records were lost by fires and the ravages of the Civil War. In this discussion, I shall attempt to relate certain facts and theories concerning two Coker family lines found in early Sumter District, South Carolina. I shall then follow one of these lines to the present day to show what it brought forth. For convenience, allow me to refer to these as the Benjamin Coker Line and the Whitley Coker Line. The main focus shall be on the line of Whitley Coker as this is my ancestral line and the one with which I am most familiar. Current theory has it that Benjamin and Whitley Coker were closely related, possibly brothers or cousins. It has even been suggested that Benjamin may have been Whitley's father. We first find mention of the two men in the records of Northampton, North Carolina. Benjamin and Whitley Coker are both found on the 1780 Tax List for Northampton, North Carolina. Benjamin Coker is shown with a value of $1212.00 and a tax of $93.10, while Whitley Coker is shown with only $100.00 for a tax of $7.10. This discrepancy in wealth combined with the facts that Whitley outlived Benjamin by at least sixteen years, and that Whitley's children were generally much younger than Benjamin's children, allows us to assume that Benjamin was perhaps fifteen or more years Whitley's senior. Whitley Coker shows up again on November 3rd 1781, as witness to the will of James Clark in Northampton, NC. From this date until the Sumter census of 1800, we find no record of Whitley or his whereabouts. We therefore conclude that he moved from Northampton, NC to Sumter District, SC sometime between 1782 and 1800. Benjamin's will of September 20, 1805, in Northampton, NC lists as his heirs, wife Silvie, sons Sugars, Daniel, Thomas, Willie (also spelled Wiley) and John, as well as daughters Polly, Mason, Sally (Caple), Betsy (Smith), and Patsy (Tarver). Some researchers have used this will to support the theory that Benjamin was Whitley's father. In doing so, they read Willie and Wiley as two different names with Willie being a misspelling of Whitley. I rather believe that it is just a variation of Wiley and that if Whitley was a son of Benjamin he had left Northampton long before the writing of the will and thus was not included in it. We eventually find most of these heirs of Benjamin Coker in Sumter District, South Carolina. Wiley Coker's will of January 24, 1809, shows that he, his mother Silvy and brother Thomas were already established in Sumter District by that time. However, Sugars and Daniel are found in Northampton as late as November 26, 1811, at which time they sold land valued at $1,604.00 to Edward Delany. We know that Sugars did come to Sumter District eventually, as his estate papers dated October 28, 1814, show. These papers list his Administrix to be Elizabeth Coker and his Administrator to be Thomas Coker. In these estate papers of Sugars we find that his sister Mason had married Reddin Bird, and is also now in Sumter District. This explains how the name Reddin Coker came into use in later generations. As previously stated, Whitley and Benjamin were thought to be closely related. One theory to support this is based on the 1781 will of James Clark which Whitley witnessed. The will gives James Clark's daughters as Silviah Cook, Mary Cook, Charrity Fennil, Sarah Jordan, Angeline Clark, Nancy Clark, Patsy Clark, and Elizabeth Clark. The theory is that Silviah Cook is actually Silvie Coker the wife of Benjamin Coker and that Mary Cook is actually Mary Coker the wife of Jonathan Coker. Jonathan Coker was the son of Henry Coker of Northampton, NC. The will of Henry Coker dated August 14, 1789, mentions his daughter-in-law Mary, the widow of his son Jonathan. Further, the theory would have it that Nancy Clark became Nancy Coker the wife of Whitley Coker. It is of the same interest to note that a Clark Coker, son of Joshua Coker, is found on the Sumter District census of 1810. Of course, this theory awaits further research and cannot be presented as facts. We know that Whitley Coker Senior and his wife Nancy had at least eight boys and four girls born before 1806. It is reasonable to assume that there were more of which we have found no records, It is also conceivable that Whitley Senior had more than one wife, although no evidence for this has been discovered. From land sale records we know that four of Whitley's sons were Noah, Philip, Henry, and Whitley Junior. We believe that two other sons were Turner and John. We do not have any clues at this time regarding the names of the four daughters. TO BE CONTINUED ...

Hello, I am pleased to announce that a new Civil War roster has been added to the Clarendon County Web page. http://www.rootsweb.com/~scclaren/23rdI.html Company I of the 23rd Regiment a.k.a. as Sprott's Guard Another of my gg grandfathers appears on this roster, David Oscar Brunson of Davis Station. There may be some more that I need to decipher due to initials being used but just doing a quick lookup in my database, I knew that D.O. was David Oscar. Have fun, and be sure to thank Nelson for sending this to me. This was one that I didn't have to transcribe and type.He sent it to me as a Word Perfect file and I was able to copy and paste the text and create a web page around that. A fantastic time saver. If anyone else has anything that would be a good addition to our web sites, please let me know.

Looking for ANY Hudnalls or Pilgrims.....ANY first name. I am establishing a list of where folks with these surnames lived. I know my Hudnalls were carpetbaggers. Not sure about Pilgrims, but I'm working on it. If someone has Dolsa or Endolsa PILGRIM I'd sure like to hear from you!! JOHNSON is either Mode Henry or Mose Henry. He married Dolsa Pilgrim. Don't know a thing about him other than that, and that for sure he had one child, Dolsa Johnson b. 10 November 1863 in Kemper Co. MS. Mode was said to have been from Alabama, but he could have been from MS or SC, possibly around the Sumter Co. area....Dolsa Pilgrim too. Thanks.... Vickie