about 1800-1860's or so. then the family moved down to MO. Here is a story on James "tennessee Jim" Massey that was given to me from another researcher and a little of the family outline. Rachell History and Families of Laclede County (2000) first one MASSEY - James S. "Tennessee Jim" Massey (Nov. 15, 1815, NC-Sep. 30, 1885, Laclede County, MO) was called "Tennessee Jim" because he walked from TN. He married Charolotte Snow (1815, TN-May 11, 1897, MO). Jime's family farmed in Roane County, TN. Jim was a handyman, great sportsman; was physically very strong. He went to town every Saturday and entered boxing, wrestling and relay matches. For a long time, he was the local champion. One farmer wanted the championship title for his son; he set up a boxing match with Jim. The son used brass knuckles to increase his chances of winning. Although injured during the bout, Jim fought back and the other person was killed during the fight. The farmer was a friend of the sheriff, the fight was uncalled unfair, and they wanted to hang Jim for murder. Jim broke out of jail and headed for MO, where he had relatives. When he arrived at the mile-wide Mississippi River, he started to swim to the other side. Two sheriffs who had followed him, picked him up in a boat. On their way to shore, Jim fought the sheriffs and capsized the boat. He swam back in handcuffs across the Mississippi River to MO. Part of the boat was later found, and people in TN thought Jim and the sheriffs had drowned. Jim continued to Wright County, MO, where his relatives lived. By using flint rocks, he was able to saw off the hancuff chain, which held his wrists together. He slept during the day and walked at night, using the North Star for navigation. He was in constant fear of being pursued by sheriffs and was concerned about getting food. Another problem was the constant presence of wild animals. There were many Indian tribes in that area. Some were friendly, but Jim avoided all of them. One morning he came upon a farmhouse with children playing in the yard. He was friendly with the children; the farmer helped remove the handcuffs. He gave Jim a job in the blacksmith shop. Jim left a few days later. The farmer gave him food, a gun and knife for protection and hunting. After many exhausting days, he arrived at a stream and could go no farther. A 12-year old boy found him; Jim swore the boy to secrecy. The boy steal food from his parents. With the boy's help, Jim was able to rest a few days. He slept in a hollow tree at night. It was truly a miracle that he survived and lived a normal life for many years afterward. He got to Wright County and his relatives. They sent a message to his wife in TN, who was sick with worry over him. She was overjoyed to that he was alive and well. She and her nine children traveled from Roane County, TN to MO in a covered wagon to join him. They homesteaded a farm and raised their children close to Cobbs Creek in Wright County near McBride Cemetery. Submitted by Lacy (Massey) Cantrell ------------- Second one ----------- MASSEY - The nine children of James S. "Tennessee Jim" and Charlotte (Snow) Massey were all born in TN and are listed below: 1) John Oliver "Coober" Massey (oct 15, 1832-Mar 6 1902, Wright County, MO). He was married to Sarah Ann Massey. Their children were James, Martha C., Amanda Caroline, Tennesee A., Virginia Ann, and Henry Isaac Massey. 2) Martha C. Massey (December 1834-Aug 4, 1917). Her first marriage was to Marcus Massey in 1852. Their children were Isabelle Jane and Elizabeth Massey. Her second marriage was to Lewis Thomas McBride on Aug 15, 1859. Their children were Mary F., James M., Rebecca Charolotte, Nancy Eva, John Adam, William, Oliver, Isaac "Ike", and Joseph McBride. 3) Caroline Massey was born in 1836 and died in Wright County, MO. Her first marriage was to Jacob Massey. They had one son, James Joseph "Big Jim" Massey. Her second marriage was to Aaron Durbin. They had one daughter, Mary Margaret Durbin. Her third marriage was to Joseph P. Daniel. They had one son, Joseph P. Daniel II. 4) Nancy Massey (oCT 10, 1840-nOV 7, 1913). She was married on Mar 11, 1860 to Joseph Thomas Simmons. Their children were: Nancy Charlotte married Robert Chambers; John married Lottie Williams, Sarah married Dan Daniels; Joseph Thomas married Nancy, daughter of Zachariah and Harriet Fincher. Harriet Missouri Hadulah Carolina Simmons married Andrew Jackson Chambers, a nephew to Robert Chambers. Andrew and Robert Chambers married sisters. 5) Elizabeth Massey (1842-Jun 12, 1922). She was married to Daniel Vance on Apr 21, 1899. They had no children. 6) Harriet Massey (1846-1920) married Nathan Daniel on Aug 9, 1866. Their children were James L., Mary Elizabeth, William, Isaac, Bertha L., Charles A., Nettie Jane, Rebecca S. and Louisa Daniel. 7) Isaac Massey (Mar 25, 1848-Jun 25, 1884) was married to Mary Adeline Colclasure on Dec 25, 1876. Their children were J. W., Florence Myrtle, Bertha May, Pleasant Haiz, Lenora Jane, Elijah Jacob and Ivey E. Massey. 8) Louisa Massey was born in 1848. She was married to William S. McBride on Jan 4, 1866. Their children were William Joseph, Sarah M., Rebecca, Isaac Jesse and Eliza B. McBride. 9) Sarah Ann "Sally" Massey was born in 1850. She married Samuel Nelson on Feb 7, 1878. Their children were John Oliver "Obb" Massey, James Anderson Nelson, Charlotte Nelson, William, Frank, and Carolina Nelson. Jim, his wife, and most of their children are buried at McBride Cemetery. Sumbitted by Lacy (Massey) Cantrell, Great Great-Granddaughter of Tennessee Jim and Charlotte Snow Massey. Rick Williams wrote: >What time frame are you looking at? That makes it easier to help you. >Rick >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Chad & Rachell Lindley" <chadl@gorge.net> >To: <TNROANE-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2003 2:06 PM >Subject: [TNROANE] Massey/ Snow/Blake families > > > > >>Looking for any and all inforamtion on the Massey, Snow, and Blake >>famillies in and around Roane Co. TNN. >> >>James S. Massey M: Charlotte Snow >> >>James parents were Henry Massey and Rebecca Blake. the family was also >>in Wake co. NC. >> >>Thanks. >>Rachell Lindley >> >> >>==== TNROANE Mailing List ==== >>Post surnames in capital letters so they are easy to find. >> >>============================== >>To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, >> >> >go to: > > >>http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >> >> >> >> > > > >==== TNROANE Mailing List ==== >Please do not post virus warnings to this list! > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > >