The following relates to the family of Benjamin and Rebecca (Mason) Oliver who moved from Campbell Co, Virginia to Lincoln Co TN about 1831. Prepared by the late Jane Warren Waller and stored in a Microsoft Word document dated 4 Oct 1992it is here converted to ASCII for storage on the web by her son George A. Waller. ORA BELL SMITH WARREN, mother of the compiler, JANE WARREN WALLER, remembered that her father, ROBERT PLEASANT SMITH had been named PLEASANT for his grandmother, JEANNETTA OLIVER SMITH'S brother, PLEASANT OLIVER, who had moved to Arkansas. ORA had been fascinated with the fact that three of the OLIVER siblings had married three SMITH siblings. JEANNETTA P. OLIVER married ISOM HOSEA SMITH PLEASANT OLIVER married LUCINDA SMITH ELIZABETH OLIVER married (2) ANDREW JACKSON SMITH .GEORGE ANTHONY WALLER, son of the compiler, found the name of PLEASANT OLIVER in the 1860 Census of Fulton co., AR. On February 3, 1969 I got the telephone number from Information of a MRS. PLEASANT OLIVER of Salem, Fulton co., AR, who most graciously gave me the names of relatives who might know more of the family than she did: BRYAN OLIVER, VIOLA AR and MRS. W.O. OLIVER, Viola, AR LETTER: From MRS. W.O. OLIVER dated Feb. 23, 1969, Salem, Ark. Dear MRS. WALLER Please excuse me for not writing for I waited to see BRYAN OLIVER and ERMA OLIVER KELTON. I gave those questions to BRYAN OLIVER he can answer them better than I can. SANFORD OLIVER was W.O. OLIVER father his first wife was MARY KELTON she died and he married MARY MAYNARD. BRYAN & ERMA are UNCLE BOB OLIVER'S children. Their address is Viola Ark. I think BRYAN can give you quite a bit of information. (signed) MRS. W.O. OLIVER, Salem, Ark. 72676 * * * CORRESPONDENCE: BRYAN OLIVER, VIOLA, AR 72583 LETTER: From BRYAN OLIVER to JANE WARREN WALLER Viola, Ark Feb 26-1969 Dear MRS. WALLER I have rec'd your good letter that you mailed to MRS. W.O. OLIVER in regard to your tracing the line of the OLIVER family. The record that sent us us from Tenn. seems to be almost correct so far as i am able to know. The PLEASANT OLIVER that was born in Va. in 1810 was my grand- Father he passed away before i was born in 1896. My Father was ROBERT and you have his family record correct as far as you go. There were two Girls younger than MARVIN. SADIE AND CORA. CORA had a twin sister. She died in infancy their Mother passed away also. And then ROBERT married my Mother about 1892 their first Son died in infancy. I was second Born Oct. 17-1896. (p.2)ERMA a sister of mine Born - 1898. so ERMA (OLIVER) KELTON and I are all of the ROBERT OLIVER family living. The PLEASANT OLIVER that passed away in Oklahoma was my brother he passed away in Sallisaw Okla on the 26 of Aug 1858. The MARY and WILLIAM of our family are buried in Okla. also. BAXTER at Lees Summit Mo. My Father and Mother in Flint Springs Cemetary here close to where I live. My wife passed away in Aug. 1965. So I am living alone. I have CORA a Daughter and her family that live close by. One Son CLIFFORD is Columbia Mo. My Father passed away in 1927. UNCLE SANFORD suffered the (p.3) Death with a just say a crazy nut taking a 16 guage shot gun and blowing a hole through his neck from behind him on Sept 11-1934. UNCLE SANFORD'S first wife was MARY KELTON. You have the spelling of his second wife correct. My UNCLE PLEASANT OLIVER, passed away at Viola Ark in 1918. He has two Son's living, one Daughter LOUISE NOELL. ELMER OLIVER, Huntsville Ark. J.W. OLIVER, 3011 |Rollins Ave., Datona Beach, Florida 32018. MRS. LOUISE (OLIVER) NOELL, Lincoln Ark. I made a copy of your letter and mailed to J.W. OLIVER and I am almost sure you will be hearing from him for he is interested in (p.4) finding all the information he can on the OLIVER family and I think what you have sent us it may help some. UNCLE PLEASANT was the one that was blind. He was almost a wizzard when it came to arithmetic and ELMER OLIVER and My Brother PLEASANT were real artist. They could paint real beutiful pictures UNCLE SANFORD had one Girl (MATTIE) that had Eye glasses with real thick lenses and She was almost blind to. I see I have made some blunders in my writing. I hope you can get by with it so I will be glad to help in any way of finding more if possible. As far as I can understand this would be from your Cousin (signed) BRYAN OLIVER * * * March 14, 1969 Dear Cousin. I rec'd your good letter a few days ago. Was glad to hear from you. I am indeed happy to hear of you and your family. I hope some of that snow is gone by now. We have had a long cold wet winter here this time, and not very much sun shine. I have a grandaughter at Bainbridge that married a Soldier Boy. I wrote her about you writing me. She may call you if not already. My cousin J.W. OLIVER that is in Florida I am sure will call on you or write you. And I have written MRS. LOUISE NOELL of Lincoln, Ark which is also a cousin. A Sister of J.W. OLIVER. She was 95 years old the 15th of Feb. And she writes a good letter. I also mailed her your address. (p.2) She will probably be able to help you some in tracing the line of the OLIVER family. My family has taken a great interest in their Horses and livestock raising. I have always lived on a Farm. I can not tell where the ELLIS family came from here at present. I may find out if I do I will write you. I am almost sure that Lynchburg VA is a town close to where our older OLIVERS were, it just may be in the county where they were born. Although I would not know. I doubt if there is a marker at the grave of PLEASANT OLIVER although I will check some time I know one man that can go to the grave with me. My cousin W.O. OLIVER that Passed away last spring was 84 yers old. I have heard (p.3) him say that he could remember sitting on Grandpa OLIVER's lap when he was a small boy. That is as close as I can answer what year he passed away. so it would have to be somewhee near 80 yrs ago. The A in ROBERT OLIVER'S name stands for ALEXANDER. I am wondering if the HOSEA SMITH you mentioned was a brother to the LUCINDA SMITH I have heard my Father say that she had a brother Uncle CARROL SMITH and that he could play violin real well. J.W. OLIVER has been a successful business man he has nurserie in Fairfield Conn. May God richly bless you and your family. And write me when you can. Just keep the picture I sent you will be allright. (signed) BRYAN OLIVER (Address on back of letter) JANET SANNER, Trailer #40, Bainbridge Village, Bainbridge, MD 21905. Dec. 22, 1969 Dear Cousin, I was glad to get your nice greeting and hope you and your family are well. We are getting __ very well. I have married since I wrote you last. I married a woman that grew up on joining farms when we were children. A good Christian woman. I am sending our wedding picture. I will have to ask you to send it back to us. I just thought you might like to see our picture. The girl standing by Lottie is one of her Girls and Her Husband. the one you see behind Myself is My Daughter Cora and her Husband. and the Preacher on the extreme right. We got a snow yesterday look as if we may have a white Christmas so May God bless you and yours. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As Ever your cousins. (signed) Bryan and Lottie Oliver * * * CORRESPONDENCE: M.E. OLIVER, Box 27, Huntsville, AR 72740 March 28, 1969 Mrs. Jane W. Waller Route 2 Lebanon, NJ 08833 Dear Mrs. Waller: Thanks for your very fine letter and other information relative to the OLIVER family. I read your letter with great interest which was very informative to me. I made copies of your letter and research information and sent to my sister, MRS. LOUISE NOELL and my brother JOHN WESLEY OLIVER. I later contacted my sister and learned that you had written to them also. My sister, LOUISE, age 95 years has a wonderful memory and is mentally alert. She can probably give you a much information as any one of the OLIVERS now living. My brother, JOHN WESLEY, age 78, the youngest of the family I believe is qualified to give you more information than I so I will not attempt to answer your questions as I am sure they have already written you. The MR. VESTER WILLIAMS you asked about was the feature writer for the Salem headlight and I think you could get in touch with him by writing him in care of the Salem Headlight, Salem, Ark. The statement in it about my being an artist of note is probably overdrawn and the only library where any of my paintings are on permanent display is the Public Library, Little Rock, Arkansas. My biography is in the Dictionary of International Biography, fourth edition, published in London, England and in the Marquis Who's Who in the South and South West in the 8th, 9th and 10th edition. Also listed in Arkansas Lives, The Opportunity Land, Who's Who. This reference book can be found in most public libraries in Arkansas. I do not know of any one of the OLIVER relatives who qualify for Daughters or Sons of the American Revolution. If you should establish that we are, I would be very glad for that information. Again thanking you, I am, Your cousin, M.E. OLIVER (written in script) M.E. OLIVER (hand printed) * * * CORRESPONDENCE: LOUISE NOELL, Box 57, Lincoln, Ark. March 11, 1969 Dear Mrs. Wallers:- I was glad to get your letter and learn that I once had a great aunt by the name of JEANETTA SMITH. Was ISOM HOSEA SMITH related to LUCINDA SMITH? I am as much interested in the SMITHS as I am in the OLIVERS. LUCINDA SMITH had a brother CARROLL SMITH and a sister LOUISA. CARROLL SMITH moved to Farmington Ark & lived there until he died. I know nothing about VESTER WILLIAMS. Yes PLEASANT OLIVER had a brother BEN who was accidently shot & killed a few years after he moved to Ark., and the daughters of UNCLE BEN married the men you spoke of in your letter. I do not know the address of their decendants. PLEASANT OLIVER also had a brother WILLIAM, who went to some state N. of Tenn. The OLIVERS evidently lived near Lynchburg. I heard PLEASANT C. OLIVER (my father) speak of hearing his father speak of going to Lynchburg to sell his tobacco. (p.2) PLEASANT OLIVER'S mother's was REBECCA MASON before she married & LUCINDA SMITH OLIVER'S maiden name was CAMPBELL or may be CAMEL. PLEASANT & LUCINDA had 7 children. 1-MARTHA JANE OLIVER and 2- PLEASANT CARROLL & 3-THOMAS OLIVER & 4-SARAH 5-ROBERT, 6-SANFORD and 7- NANCY. SANFORD & NANCY were twins. I suppose THOMAS' name was WILLIAM THOMAS but my father always spoke of him as his brother TOM. The OLIVERS came from England. So far as I know they were Baptist. My parents were Baptist at first but in the 1870's they became Methodists & still later they were Seventh Day Adventists. PLEASANT OLIVER died in Fulton Co. in 1890's & LUCINDA OLIVER passed away sometime between 1861 & 1865. My parents moved away from Fulton Co. in 1883 when I was 9 years old and I do not know about the grave being marked but think BRYAN can tell you. I would like so much to know if ISOM HOSEA SMITH & LUCINDA were related if you can tell me it will be appreciated. - Sincerely - LOUISE NOELL (Insert in letter. Dated Feb. 14, which should be Mar. 14) Just a little that I failed to put in my letter. I do not know that any of the OLIVERS were in the Revolution but they must have been. If I have it straight there was a THOMAS OLIVER who came to Mass. in 1633. He staid there a few years then came to Va. Some of the OLIVERS doubtless was in the Revolution. I can not trace any ancestors back to him but I believe we are the same OLIVERS. (Signed) L.N. THOMAS OLIVER came from England. * * * (Enclosure in Christmas card received 1969 from MRS. LOUISE NOELL) I do not know that I have learned anything that you did not know about the OLIVERS but one of my brothers read a letter written by a cousin of mine who is deceased. This letter stated that BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OLIVER was born on July 4, 1776 and that the MISS MASON he married was related to the CHARLES MASON who was one of the parties that established the MASON DIXON line. If all this is true it makes the date July 4, 1776 mean more to us than just Indepence Day. Any way it is an important date. Would be glad to hear from you. (signed) .L.N. * * * March 24, 1969 Letter from LOUISE NOELL, Lincoln, AR Dear Cousin Jane: I will tell you all I can about the Smiths. I am afraid it will not help you much. Lucinda SMITH OLIVER'S mother's name was CAMPBELL. My father said she married a man by the name of CAMPBELL and had two daughters. March-27-'69 I was so nervous the other day that I decided to stop writing. So will try to finish my letter today. LUCINDA SMITH OLIVER had a brother CARROLL SMITH who was living in Farmington Ark. some 80 years ago UNCLE CARROLL had a son WILLIS SMITH who had a family & lived in Farmington (p.2) there are so many SMITHS in the U.S. it will be dificult to find them. From the papers you sent me I have learned about some of my relatives that I did not know anything about and i am so glad to learn about them. If I learn anything that I think will help you any way I will let you know and if you learn anything more I would be so glad if you let me know. Thank you so much. I never heard my father say anything about any of the OLIVERS or SMITHS only the ones I have mentioned. Sincerely (signed) LOUISE NOELL CORRESPONDENCE: JOHN WESLEY OLIVER, 3011 ROLLINS AVE., DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32018 Feb. 28, 1969 Dear Cousin: My first cousin, BRYAN OLIVER of Viola, Ark., sent me a copy of a portion of your recent letter to MRS. LIZZIE OLIVER (wife of the late W.O. OLIVER). I have a nursery at Fairfield, Conn. but live here in Florida during the winter months. I, like you, have been trying to gather information of the OLIVER family but unfortunately my file on the subject is in Fairfield,. If I had it I could answer several of your questions. I do not know where Lebanon N.J. (my home from 1965-69. jww) is but I imagine it is only a short drive to the southwestern part of Conn. where I will be from about Apr. 5 to November 1, 1969. I have just mailed a catalog to you - not to try to get business from you but because I think you might enjoy seeing it. The PLEASANT OLIVER who was the brother of JEANNETTA OLIVER was my grandfather. He was born in Lynchburg Virginia about 1810 and moved to Tennessee where my father (also a PLEASANT OLIVER was born in 1843) was born in a little town just over the Tennessee line north of Huntsville, Alabama about 1835?. You say they were married in Lincoln County, Tenn. in 1840. I do not know the location of Lincoln County but they probably went there to live. My father with several other OLIVERS moved to Fulton County, Ark. about 1860. (p.2) My father, PLEASANT C., served in the Civil War as a confederate soldier. He was injured (not permanently) in the battle of Pea Ridge Arkansas which I believe was fought near the close of the Civil War. I do not recall ever having heard that grandfather and grandmother were ever divorced. However this may interest you - - my grandfather used to say that whenever his father had had too much hard cider to drink he invariably boasted of being a direct descendant of POCAHONTAS who married ROLF and went back to England to live where they had one son born who returned to Virginia and raised a large family. It would seem that a granddaughter of POCAHONTAS married an OLIVER. I do not know why the name PLEASANT was used throughout the OLIVER history. I have often wondered. The PLEASANT OLIVER you refer to as having died near Fort Smith, Ark. was a son of UNCLE SANFORD OLIVER and a brother of W.O. OLIVER (husband of LIZZIE). This PLEASANT OLIVER actually died on Aug. 26, 1958 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He was one of my first cousins about 15 years older than I. You asked about religion of the OLIVERS - My father was once a babtist and later became a Methodist country preacher. Either UNCLE ROBERT (born in 1850) or UNCLE SANFORD (born in 1855) was likewise a country preacher but he started as a Methodist and changed to Babtist. My one sister that is still living just had her 95th birthday on Feb. 14. Her name is MRS. LOUISE NOEL, C/O MRS. MARY MIX, Lincoln, Arkansas 72744. She would like to receive a letter from you. She was born in Fulton County, Ark. and I believe that she remembers more about the Fulton County OLIVERS than anyone now living in Fulton County. (p.3)BRYAN OLIVER is sending your letter (copy) to me did not say if he or his sister-in-law was going to try to answer your questions. He did suggest that I get in touch with you. But I presume you will get some information from him. If you still have some further questions please write me. With the help of my sister perhaps we can answer most of them. I hope I can find time within the next few years to visit the courthouse in Lynchburg Virginia to find out if our great great grandfather served in the Revolutionary war. The PLEASANT OLIVER who died in Oklahoma in 1958 thought that he (our great great grandfather) did serve in the Revolutionary War but his son recently told me that he had heard stories that our ancesters were Tories. The OLIVER from whom we are descended came from England and landed in Boston Mass. about 1730 (I think) and he or his offspring moved to Virginia about the time of the Revolution and his descendents continued to move southwestardly to Lynchburg, (sic) Tennessee and Arkansas. Let me hear from you. Sincerely (signed) JOHN WESLEY OLIVER (address) * * * LETTER: Dated March 10, 1969 (Florida address) Dear Cousin: Your letter of March 4 came while my son and his family wee spending a short vacation with us. I had written to you only a few days before and, as the saying goes, the two letters crossed in the mails. I can not answer all your questions and, as I wrote you, I would like to review my file which is in my office at Fairfield, Conn. Meantime, I would appreciate your sending a duplicate of what you sent to me to my sister MRS. LOUISE NOELL C/O MRS. CLYDE MIX Box 57 Lincoln, Arkansas 72744 There seems to be a mistake in the information about my grandmother. I think I recall my sister saying that grandmother's maiden name was SMITH and that she came from (p.2) Northern Mississippi and that they were actually married in Huntsville Alabama. If he (my grandfather) at the time of marriage and returned there to live (despite the wedding actually at Huntsville, Ala.) the census reports would probably have shown them to have been married at his residence. As for the article that appeared in the Salem Headlight, my sister wrote me that there were errors in it--whether the OLIVER that supplied the information was in error or the editorial writer made mistakes, I do not know. The article listed children as CARROLL, PLEASANT, THOMAS etc. Actually the CARROL and PLEASANT is one person-my father whose full name was PLEASANT CARROLL OLIVER. I have written to BRYAN OLIVER to let me know what questions he is unable to answer so that I, with (p.3) possible help from my sister, would write you further with regard to them. However I now feel it would be better that you save time by writing my sister immediately. I hope my sister will feel able to write. I know she would welcome a letter from you. Meantime, I should appreciate a letter from you telling me more about yourself--what you do in New Jersey, just where Lebanon is situated in the state, and something about your immediate family. I have one son and two daughters with ten grandchildren. My oldest daughter )five children_ lives in England but is now spending a winter vacation in Austria at a ski resort. Her husband is a Pan American Pilot. My other daughter (three children) lives in Pittsburgh Pa. Her husband is (p.4) Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. My son, the youngest, (two children) lives in Fairfield, Conn. whee he manages my nursery. I say "my nursery". I started it but it is now a corporation with much of the stock being held by other members of my family and some by outsiders. In Fairfield, I live in a large house on the nursery land that was built in 1783. The historical Society lists that house as one of the eighty oldest homes still in use in Fairfield County. We have decided to remain here at my Florida home until April 8. Sincerely (signed) JW OLIVER * * * LETTER: Dated Mar 10 - afternoon (year not shown but received 1969. jww) Dear COUSIN JANE: Just a note to say that only a few minutes after sending you a letter earlier today I received your long letter of March 5. All the information is of interest and I think you have drawn a pretty good picture of that which is subsequent to the era of JEANNETTA OLIVER - I. HOSEA SMITH and LUCINDA SMITH-PLEASANT OLIVER. Now let us hope we can establish the correct data prior to that era. I have just written my sister telling her much about what you have written and stating that she may hear directly from you. I would suggest that you do not burden her with many of the official statistics but rather state certain facts that will lead up to the question you will ask her. Sincerely (signed) JW OLIVER * * * Mar. 18 (year not shown, but received 1969) Dear Cousin, Just a brief note to acknowledge your interesting letter of Mar. 13. I am the baby of our family but I am a year older than your mother. My family broke up when I was very young, my mother having died when I was only three. We were primitive hill billie's from about the poorest section of the Arkansas Ozarks where Job's turkey would not have lingered to pick up scraps. My life has been interesting, having started as an Oklahoma country school teacher shortly after the state was admitted to the union - Then to Panama Canal for a couple of years after which I went to New York City - expecting only to see the sights and then (p.2) to return to my boyhood grounds. But I got a job in New York - was in World War one - getting my Devil Dog training at Paris Island. When I went into the Marines there was no training base at Beaufort, S.C. - but as I recall it was only a short boat ride to P.I. After the war I went into public accounting profession and later became connected with The Linen Thread Co. from whence I retired as senior vice president in 1955. Throughout that period I spent much time in Europe, South America, and the Orient. My oldest daughter lived in Brazil for some time and two of her sons were born in Rio - then two more children born in Florida and her youngest in England. That part of my family at one time spoke Portuguese fairly well. (p.3) Tomorrow (Mar 19) my daughter is arriving from Pittsburgh for a few days. Then my daughter (with husband and one child) who lives in England will arrive after having spent the winter in Kitchbuhl Austria. They will spend a few days after which they will go to Antiqua and we will leave for Fairfield. So, if we could ever get together, I think we would have lots to talk about. I haven't heard from my sister nor BRYAN OLIVER since you first wrote to me. Until I hear further from them I will attempt no more comments on OLIVER history. Right now I must stop and help my wife get ready for the impending company. Sincerely (signed) J W OLIVER P.S. over (p.4) P.S. Before I retired my office was at 60 East 42nd St. I knew many of the then officers of Union Carbide whose office was at 30 East 42nd St. I used to have lunch with them occasionally at the Uptown Club. Perhaps your husband has been there. A Questionnaire enclosed that I had sent: Mrs. George F. Waller, Route 2, Lebanon, NJ 08833 Questions regarding the PLEASANT OLIVER family of Fulton co., Ark. The Salem Headlight article was written by VESTER WILLIAMS. Is this writer a part of the OLIVER family? (Ans.) "I believe the information was supplied by BRYAN OLIVER." PLEASANT OLIVER had a brother BENJAMIN, who came to Fulton co., also and that he had 2 daughters. One daughter married a MR. PADEN. The other daughter married a MR. COCHRAN. Are there descendants of these families that you have an address. (Ans.) "Don't know." MILLIE, a sister of PLEASANT married a MR. TORRENCE and had two sons: C.C. and WILLIAM TORRENCE. Address of descendants? (Ans.) "No" The article named PLEASANT OLIVER'S wife as MARY SMITH of Northern Mississippi, but the census records of both Lincoln County and Fulton co. show that PLEASANT'S wife was LUCINDA. Is MARY and LUCINDA the same person? (Ans.) Perhaps it was MARY LUCINDA or LUCINDA MARY. I think my sister will know. What nationality were the OLIVERS? (Ans.) "English" What religion were the OLIVERS? (Ans.) "various" Do you have a family Bible? (Ans.) "No" Do you know of any old letters or family histories? (Ans.) "No" PLEASANT C. OLIVER was son of PLEASANT. What did the "C" stand for? (Ans.) "My father's name was PLEASANT CARROLL. I think the THOMAS (in the VESTER WILLIAMS' article. jww) was only part of one other names." Was there a THOMAS? (Ans.) "Yes" The Lincoln co., Tenn. 1850 census mentions a son WILLIAM that does not appear in the 1860 census. Have you heard of him? (Ans.) "Ask my sister." Were SANFORD and NANCY twins? (Ans.) "Yes - NANCY died young." Where in Virginia was PLEASANT OLIVER born? (Ans.) Lynchburg Is PLEASANT OLIVER'S grave marked? When did he die? (Ans.) "I don't know. Possibly my sister will. Is there a tradition that the OLIVER ancestor fought in the Revolutionary War? (Ans.) "Not that I know of." Do you know anyone of the OLIVER family in the D.A.R. or S.A.R. on the OLIVER line? (Ans.) "No" LETTER: From JOHN WESLEY OLIVER to JANE WARREN WALLER November 23, 1969 Dear COUSIN JANE: The last letter I received from you was in March when you stated you were "heading for Chicago to house hunt". We have just returned to our home in Florida after an extremely busy summer. I hope this letter will be forwarded to you as I do not know your Chicago address. I wonder if you have done any more searching for family history. You wanted to establish whether or not the BENJAMIN OLIVER, who married REBECCA MASON on Feb 12, 1805 was the BENJAMIN OLIVER in our line of ancestry. According data I have receive from the wife of the late CHARLES ROBT. OLIVER (son of PLEASANT A. OLIVER - born June 21, 1875) his great great grandfather (my great grandfather was (p.2) BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OLIVER born July 4, 1776. (What a birthday!) His data showed that this BENJ F. OLIVER married a MASON but he only had a question mark for her given name. He had a notation that this person was of the MASON family that later had to do with establishing the 'MASON-DIXON Line" between northern and southern states. According to gossip I heard when quite young this BENJAMIN OLIVER liked his hard drinks and when he had embibed freely he would boast that his grandmother (I don't know how many greats) was POCAHONTAS. Have you ever checked the POCAHONTAS line of descend_nts? My cousin PLEAS OLIVER (father of CHARLES to whom I refer above) thought that if we could find the proper census record it would show that BENJAMIN'S father fought in the Revolution. However CHARLES (I don't know where he got his information) (p.3) stated to me (before he died last early summer) that he thought that BENJAMIN was a Tory and the one of that family that refused to fight against the British. Even so, I presume you would be entitled to be called a Daughter of the American Revolution. Have you been to Cades Cove? I enclose a post card showing the picture of the home of JOHN OLIVER who settled in Cades Cove in 1818. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. Some of my relatives think this JOHN OLIVER was an older brother of the BENJAMIN F OLIVER who was born on July 4, 1776. Can you throw any light on this phase of history? I hope this letter is forwarded to you and that you will find it convenient to continue this study. Sincerely, (signed) J.W. OLIVER * * * LETTER: from JOHN WESLEY OLIVER to MRS. BURTON CLARK, P.O. BOX 276, Winooski, Vermont July 3, 1970 Dear MRS. CLARK: I am JOHN WESLEY OLIVER youngest son of PLEASANT CAROLL OLIVER who was born in 1842 (1843?) near Fayetteville, Tennessee. My grandfather PLEASANT OLIVER was born in Lynchburg Va in June 1810. Members of my family - Sister 96 years of age and some of my cousins are certain that my great grandfather was BENJAMIN OLIVER born in Virginia on July 4, 1776. This date is questionable and MRS. WALLER thinks he was born about 1782. Members of my family remember having been told that our great grandmother's maiden name was REBECCA MASON. My cousin's search of records indicates that REBECCA MASON was of the family that established the MASON and DIXON Line. My cousin PLEASANT A. OLIVER, now dead, felt certain that the census records, if the right town could be established, would have shown that the father of BENJAMIN OLIVER fought in the Revolutionary War, but his son (also dead now) who had started a search of his own, expressed the opinion that the father of BENJAMIN was a Tory who avoided service in the army. If you can find a record of the MASON family you can probably trace the ancestry back to POCAHONTAS. It was CHARLES MASON and JEREMIAH DIXON that established the line named after them. My father was a Civil War (rebel) veteran and he died while I was serving in the Marines during World War I. But I remember my father on several occasions saying that his father had told him that somewhere not too far back a descendant of POCAHONTAS had married into our OLIVER ancestors. Thus, it may be said that POCAHONTAS is my grandmother--how many "greats" that precede grandmother is a question. The CHARLES MASON was born 1730 and died 1787 according to Encyclopedia Britannica. POCAHONTAS married JOHN ROLFE and they had only one son but his offspring spread throughout many prominent families. For information on this the encyclopedia refers to "Lincoln Library of Facts and America Antiquarian Society Teans. Vol. IV p. 40." I do not have this publication. I rather suspect that the CHARLES MASON was a brother of GEORGE MASON (1725-1792) who was born in Fairfax co., Va., and in his political life was closely associated with GEORGE WASHINGTON. JOHN OLIVER, a veteran of the war of 1812 was the first white man to settle in Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains. From his great grandson JUDGE WAYNE OLIVER, I have learned that he came to Cade's Cove from Lynchburg, Virginia. If so, could he not have been the older brother of BENJAMIN OLIVER? I am afraid that I have failed to give you much positive information but I think I have given you leads that could help you. It is a matter of who has time and money to continue the search. I read your query in JANE WALLER'S Lincoln County Tennessee Pioneers. I take that you are a descendant of BENJAMIN OLIVER and you are, therefore one of my cousins. I was born in Madison county, Arkansas, on July 14, 1892 only a short time after my parents had moved there from Fulton county, Arkansas. I was the youngest of seven children. I now have one sister age 96 and one brother age 82 both living in Arkansas. My sister still writes good letters, logical thoughts well expressed in good handwriting. I should be much pleased to learn about you and the reason for the query. I am the President of OLIVER Nurseries of Fairfield Conn. where I spend much of my time, but I own a home here in Daytona Beach, Fla. We have just returned from Conn. where we, our children and ten grandchildren had a real reunion on the occasion of our 50th wedding anniversary. Sincerely, (signed) J. WESLEY OLIVER NOTE: This is a copy of the letter loaned to me by MRS. CLARK. Copied 4 August 1970 and the original returned to MRS. CLARK. * * * LETTER: To JOHN WESLEY OLIVER from JUDGE W.WAYNE OLIVER. This is a handwritten copy of the letter sent to me by JOHN WESLEY OLIVER. Court of Criminal Appeals State of Tennessee (P.O. Box 444) Knoxille, Tenn. 37901 Mr. JOHN WESLEY OLIVER 1159 Bronson Road Fairfiled, Conn. Dear MR. OLIVER, When you and your wife visited with us on April 8, 1968 I promised that I would send some additional information about the OLIVER family history. I can give some information from notes which my father has compiled over the years of his own research. The immigration records show that THOMAS OLIVER came from England to Boston in 1632; his deescendants moved down the Atlantic Coast into Virginia, and from Virginia some of them came to upper East Tennessee. My great-great grandfather, JOHN OLIVER moved with his wife and baby from Carter County, Tennessee to Cades Cove, in Blount County, Tennessee, in 1818 , and was the first permanent white settler in that community. He was born at Elizabethton, Tennessee in 1793 and was with ANDREW JACKSON at New Orleans in the War of 1812. Our Virginia ancester was ISAAC. Running only one name in each family all the way down, our line runs as follows: THOMAS begat PETER; PETER begat NATHANIEL; NATHANIEL begat JAMES; JAMES begat ISAAC; ISAAC begat WILLIAM; WILLIAM begat JOHN; JOHN begat ELIJAH; ELIJAH begat WILLIAM H.; WILLIAM H. begat JOHN W.; JOHN W. is my father. That is only a meager outline but I hope it will be of some help. Sincerely Yours (signed) W. WAYNE OLIVER P.S. We trust both of you are well. Come to see us again when you can. We enjoyed seeing you. W.W.O LETTER: July 23, 1970 Dear Cousin Jane I like the way we call one another cousins. Can you figure out whether we are fourth or fourteenth cousins? Anyway, thank you for your letter of July 7. Yes, it is true that the CHARLES MASON who helped DIXON form the MASON-DIXON line lived and died in England but I believe you will find that GEORGE MASON (1725-1792) came from the same family of MASONS in England (in Staffordshire England) where the Gunston Hall home was located. If you will look up the record of GEORGE MASON you will find that there was a dispute between Virginia and the Federal Government over certain land lying North and Northwest of the Ohio River and that Virginia conceded that land in 1780 on the basis of a plan and survey worked out by GEORGE MASON. So, this MASON may have come by his surveying knowledge by family relationship. There must be some Virginia history that gives the names of his relatives-father, brothers, uncles, cousins etc. If BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OLIVER'S father was a Tory it could be that such is the (p.2) the reason for the obscurity in family history--maybe he was imprisoned or had to live away from the old homestead for a long period of time. If you or your son can find time to check the records in Fairfax County Va it may be that there will be enough stories of prominent families in the period say 1750 to 1780 for you to find some lead on OLIVERS or MASONS that may have moved to the Campbell and Charlotte counties by Feb. 14, 1805 when BENJAMIN OLIVER married REBECCA MASON (of the MASON family that had to do with the MASON-DIXON Lines??) If you can find in some reference library the "Life and Writings of GEORGE MASON" by KATE MASON ROWLAND published in 1892 you might get some good leads. Now if POCAHONTAS' mother-in-law's maiden name was DOROTHEA MASON could it not have been that some distant relative offspring married back into the offspring of THOMAS ROLFE the only son of POCAHONTAS. So, if it is convenient to look up, here is another reference given by Encyclopedia Britannica that deals with the offspring JOHN R. and POCAHONTAS: (See Lincoln Library of Facts and American Antiquarian Society Trans., vol. IV p. 40) I do not know where and when published. (p.3) I enclose a copy of a letter from JUDGE W. WAYNE OLIVER which I received only a few days ago. I think you have already looked up the census records on JAMES OLIVER but you may have to go back to JAMES' father NATHANIEL to find an offspring by the name of BENJAMIN - (our BENJAMIN). Right now I am unable to get away and do research but some day I would like to spend some time in Virginia making inquiry and looking at all pertinent records that I could find. Perhaps though, you will have unravelled the entire story before I find such time. It is always a joy to hear from you and I hope you will find time to write again soon. Sincerely (signed) JOHN WESLEY OLIVER * * * LETTER: July 3, 1970 Dear Cousin Jane, I had begun to wonder if you had gotten settled in Illinois when I received your first copy of "Lincoln Co. Tennessee Pioneers": which was sent to me in Connecticut just about the time I was there celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary with a reunion of all our children and ten grandchildren and one grand daughter-in-law who is soon to have a baby. We have just returned to Florida and I hope we will not have to return to Connecticut until the Spring of 1971. I have just written a long letter to MRS. BURTON CLARK in Vermont giving as much information as I could about our great grandfather BENJAMIN OLIVER. There seems little doubt that REBECCA MASON our great grandmother was the daughter of CHARLES MASON who with JEREMIAH DIXON established the MASON & DIXON line. Also, I think this CHARLES MASON was the younger brother of GEORGE MASON a neighbor and lifelong friend of GEORGE WASHINGTON and also closely associated with PATRICK HENRY. Also, I told MRS. CLARK that my grandfather boasted of being a descendent of POCAHONTAS. I would be glad to hear from you Sincerely (signed) J.W. OLIVER * * * LETTER: Feb 1- (date not shown. Received 1971. jww) Dear COUSIN JANE: That which is enclosed came from ELIZABETH E. RAMSEY. It is Greek to me! Who is ELIZABETH E. RAMSEY? Miss or Mrs.? I know nothing about MARY PARDUE nor a DAVID STEWART OLIVER. Any connection with our great grandfather BENJAMIN? Was this sent to me as authentic or is it something ELIZABETH RAMSEY wants me to verify. I would like to hear if you have come up with any information dating back of that you sent me. Are we still entitled to call POCAHONTAS grandma? I have just returned from Connecticut where the weather was less than desireable but I understand it was worse in your neck of the woods. We have had more than normal cold spells here in Florida this winter but in relative terms I should say the weather here is fine. Your cousin (signed) JOHN WESLEY OLIVER The enclosure referred to above was from: ELIZABETH E. RAMSEY, 218 Thayer Drive, Richland, WA 99352 asking about her ancestor: DAVID STEWART OLIVER b. 26 Aug. 1819 and died 9 Apr 1908 Habersham co., GA. (Not copied here, as no known connection with our OLIVER line. jww) * * * LETTER: August 13, 1971 Dear COUSIN JANE: It has been a long time since I have heard from you but it appears to be my fault - I did not acknowledge your last letter. We are wondering if you are still in Illinois or have you been transferred again. Among my business acquaintances it is the unusual to see anyone stay put for any length of time. Transfers and new assignments seem to be order of the day. I enclose a copy of a letter from MISS RUBY OLIVER, one of your Illinois neighbors and quite possibly one of your relatives. I also enclose a stamped and addressed envelope for you to use. I hope you can shed some light in the path of her search for ancestral information. And, when you find a little time, I would appreciate hearing what success you have had in trying to unravel the line of our background. In one of your letters you said that you were going to write to the Society of Descendents of Pocahontas (or some such name) to see if you could learn whether the OLIVER name ever found its way into that line of descendents. If you haven't written but can tell me to whom and where to write, I shall be pleased to follow-up. We took a long trip to visit OLIVERS in Arkansas this last spring. We then drove to Connecticut stopping at Mammoth Cave, Kentucky - where I helped out with the nursery business for several weeks. So. I have been fairly busy this year. Kind regards' Sincerely, (signed) JOHN JOHN WESLEY The enclosed letter from RUBY M. OLIVER, 1800 Main St., Alton, IL 62002 states she received his address from JUDGE WAYNE OLIVER, Supreme Court Bldg., Knoxville, TN. She asks about THOMAS OLIVER, who grew up in the home of MICHAEL RANCH, somewhere in Western VA. THOMAS married SOVINA AUMILLEN and lived in Parkersburg, VA, where her grandfather MICHAEL was born Mar. 31, 1835. (Not copied here, as it does not seem to connect with our OLIVER line. jww) Copy of Letter from JOHN WESLEY OLIVER to RUBY M. OLIVER enclosed in letter dated August 13, 1971 Dear MISS OLIVER: Thank you for your letter of July 22. I rather imagine that we are related, but, unfortunately, I can not supply the definite information to prove it. My father, PLEASANT CARROLL OLIVER, was born in Fayetteville, Tenn.. on Feb. 14, 1843; his father, PLEASANT OLIVER, was born in Lynchburg. (?) Thus we get back to my great grandfather, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OLIVER, and memoranda among my relatives indicate the birth date as 1776 and we think he was born in Lynchburg. I have made copies of your letter and I am sending one to my sister MRS. LOUIS OLIVER NOELL, C/O MARY MIX, P.O. BOX 57, Lincoln Ark. 72744 and another copy to a distant cousin MRS. JANE WARREN WALLER, Horseshoe Drive, Batavia, IL 50510. Of all those interested, I think MRS. WALLER has done the most extensive research. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OLIVER is the great great grandfather of MRS. WALLER. She has quite well verified the fact that this BENJAMIN F. OLIVER is the one from whom we are descended and that the wife of BENJAMIN was REBECCA (MASON) OLIVER. But here we are stymied. Our grandparents seem to have passed the word on down that the first American OLIVER (from whom we are descended) came from England to Boston long before the Revolutionary War and that his offspring later moved to Virginia. The studies made by MRS. WALLER tend to indicate that BENJAMIN OLIVER was born a few years later than the date 1776 and we are unable to establish "the missing link" - we can not find who were the parents of either BENJAMIN OLIVER or REBECCA MASON. (A paragraph referring to her THOMAS OLIVER not copied here. jww) THOMAS is a very common name among my immediate relatives; so is SARAH. My oldest sister was named SARAH ELIZABETH and my father's sister was also named SARAH. I was born July 14, 1892 and since your father was born only 22 years earlier, I take it that you are considerably younger than I. I presume that you are familiar with JUDGE WAYNE OLIVER'S family history. His great great grandfather JOHN OLIVER was the first white settler in Cades Cove, Tenn.. Tracing that OLIVER back three generations we find a JAMES OLIVER who left a will that was probated in Amelia County, Virginia. That will named a grandson BENJAMIN OLIVER to share in the estate but it would seem that that BENJAMIN would have been too young to be the BENJAMIN that is my great grandfather. However, MRS. WALLER thinks that our BENJAMIN came from that same line of OLIVERS further back. (sic. jww) (A personal paragraph not copied here. jww) Sincerely, (signed) J.W. OLIVER (Script) John Wesley * * * LETTER: MR. J.W. OLIVER, (Florida address) from MRS. DOROTHY DECK dated 24 July 1972 Dear MR. OLIVER: A few weeks ago I went with a cousin, MRS. HANAN, to Huntsville (AR. jww) to buy one of your brother's interesting books on Old Mills of the Ozarks. I was surprised when your brother said that his family was from Lincoln County, Tennessee. I also have OLIVER ancestors of Lincoln County, Tennessee and I have been trying to locate information on them. Your brother said that you have the records on your family and gave us your address, and I wonder if our families could have been related or if you have found some information on my group in your search - and if you will be willing to share it with me. (The letter outlines the FREDERICK OLIVER and ROSANNA (OLIVER) OLIVER family of Lincoln co. TN. jww) Sincerely, DOROTHY MCKINNEY DECK (address as shown below) LETTER: July 31, 1972 (Florida address shown above. jww) MRS. DOROTHY M. DECK 924 East Elm Street, Springfield, Missouri 65806 Dear MRS DECK: Thank you for your letter of July 24. I am of the opinion that all of the OLIVERS in Lincoln County, Tennessee were related. All the stories I heard, and what I have read, seems to indicate that our branch of OLIVERS migrated from England to Massachusetts about the beginning of the 18th century and shortly thereafter some of them moved to Virginia. My great grandfather, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OLIVER, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia (sic. jww). Some say he was born July 4, 1776 and some records tend to indicate that he was born a few years after 1776. My sister (who will be 99 on her next birthday), thinks that the JOHN OLIVER who settled Cades Cove in the Smokies in 1818 was an older brother of BENJAMIN OLIVER. Anyway, the group of OLIVERS that settled in Cades Cove also settled in and around Knoxville - probably Knox County, and I believe some went on west Davidson County. My grandfather (PLEASANT OLIVER) moved to Fayetteville, Tenn.. and I think many of his relatives had arrived in that part of Tenn.. a few years prior. Now my guess is that FREDERICK OLIVER was among the earlier settlers in Lincoln County. And I would speculate that ROSANNA OLIVER was a distant cousin living in Davidson County and after their marriage they settled in Davidson County. JOHN OLIVER who settled Cades cove in 1818 served in the war of 1812 and it was because of some war service that he was given the chance to settle such a choice piece of land (many square miles). If you could find the war records, do you not think that FREDERICK and JOHN were related (possibly brothers) and that they enlisted in the Tenn. volunteers of the war of 1812 together? I am sending your letter and a copy of mine to my cousin: MRS. JANE WARREN WALLER (Batavia, IL address. jww) MRS. WALLER has made a more complete study than I, and I hope that my conjecturing will not confuse her too much. Sincerely, (signed) JOHN WESLEY OLIVER (At the end of the copy of this letter to MRS. DECK is the following: Dear COUSIN JANE: Rescue please! I enclose a letter and an addressed envelope. In your letter of Sept. 12, 1971 you mention that a FREDERICK OLIVER was in Lincoln County very early and left a will there in 1815. It seems that he died in the War of 1812 and possibly the date you mention is the date the will was probated. Anyway, if you can help our "cousin" DOROTHY, I will appreciate it. Sincerely, (signed script)JOHN WESLEY * * * CORRESPONDENCE FROM CORA (OLIVER) SANDERS, VIOLA, AR Sun. Env. June 14, 92 Dear JANE: So glad to get all the information & I have racked my brain trying to rem things my Father told me. Great grandpa & Grandma OLIVER are buried in the Harmony Cem but I don't know where it is Papa had been there WALTER NESBITT - always went with Papa. WALTER'S wife is in the rest home in Salem. I'll try to visit her & see if she can tell me. His colored slave was buried with him. I rem. Papa talking about that. I found your letter you had written to Papa in 69 from NJ I will look for some more inf. I have saved it but I have to go thru some things. Shame I didn't do this long ago but I had Papa for so long & I guess I thought I'd always have him, but it doesn't work the way. I do have the Old mills of the Ozarks sketches by M.E. OLIVER. (p. 2) ELMER sent it of Papa. My Dad & Stepmother came by Springdale & Lincoln & visited in 70 I think, MARY & CLYDE then came to see Papa a yr or more before he passed away. ELMER was Eighty-one when he compiled the book. They all seem to live to a ripe old age. My Dad's half bro - MARVIN was never married - UNCLE BAXTER, wife lives in lee's Summit, MO, where UNCLE BAXTER died. She was younger than he was. After they lost a baby they adopted GRACIE OLIVER'S boy JOHN born - SANFORD had (EDWARD, EDWARD) twins - FRANK that never married - PLEAS married CECIL (SCOTT) I don't know if she has collected any information or not. GRACIE lived close to Ft. Smith - take me awhile to think of the place. HUBERT HARBOR wrote Papa a letter about great grandpa & when I find the letter I'll pass this on to you - EULA BERNICE 1919-1921 CORA LAVENA 1921 - (One writing letter. jww) ROBERT CLIFFORD 1925-1974 This was my family - I will also have a copy made of the page in ELMERS Book he was associated with the South Western Ad Agency in Dallas, TX. Wish I had a copy machine. But it doesn't tell who printed Copyright 1969 by M.E. OLIVER When U write MARY she can give U the inf. about WESLEY & ELMER - Love, CORA If U.R. confused when U read this - I get the same way. ha. (enclosure) CORA LAVENA OLIVER SANDERS Aug. 30, 1920 married (CLESTON DOYLE SANDERS 5-3-1919) April 4, 1944 JANET LOUISE (SANDERS) SANNER born Oct 11, 1947 KENNETH RAY SANDERS born Nov 18, 1949 JANET married ALAN SANNER (no children) KENNETH married PATSY LYNN CROPPER 2 children SCOTT DAVID SANDERS June 22, Sebring, Fla. married DENISE STATIN GREGORY ALAN SANDERS Nov. 22, Viola, Ark. KENNETH lives by us came home from Fla. 3 yrs ago he taught school in Fla. 19 yrs. 1 yr in Mtn Home & now this will make 4 yrs in Viola. JANET lives in Summerville, SC. She is Language & Art Coordinator for Berkely County school. She taught at Goose Creek High school (English) for several yrs. We are so glad to have KENNETH home-since I don't have my Dad anymore. Guess I am sinning I grieve so much for my Dad he has been gone 7 yrs Nov. 19th but he was the last of my family & I miss him so much. My bro has a daughter. She has moved from Columbia, MO to Seattle WA She is Dean of the college there. Her husband has a job there now also. Her name is BARBARA FAYE OLIVER KORNER. We call her BOBBIE FAYE. I will send any inf. I know about. It takes me awhile to think of all these things. (End of letter of CORA OLIVER SANDERS) * * * CORRESPONDENCE OF MARY R. MIX, 1920 Halsell Rd., Fayetteville AR 72701 Sept. 14, 1992 Dear MRS. WALLER, I know you have decided that you will never hear from me, but i shall get some of my family record to you soon. I do not know as much about the OLIVERS as the cousins in Fulton Co as I have not lived near any of the OLIVERS families. My sister HAZEL HUDSPETH has had a massive stroke and is paralized on her right side. Sbe cannot walk or talk. We have three of our immediate family in the hospital or rest home now. JOHN WESLEY OLIVER was my Mothers youngest brother. He and wife RUTH are both dead. Their older daughter ELIZABETH ANN (called LAN) and husband FRANK HARTONG, who lived in England are both dead and I know very little about this family.(p.2) I know that one of the daughters lived in Arabia and the other girl lived in England. - One son lived in one of the northern states (probably Minnesota or Michigan) One son was a pilot stationed in California. Since JOHN WESLEY'S death we get little infomation about the family. My oldest brother SEARLES celebrated his 99th birthday last Sunday Sept 6th. - he is in the hospital along with my only sister, HAZEL. i live with my baby brother who is 83 and I am 89 so you can see we are an older generation. LOUISE OLIVER NOELL lived with me the last twelve years of her life. She was 92 when her husband died and she lived twelve years after his death (104 yrs.) My grandmother was MARY ANN COOK a cousin of UNCLE ROBERT OLIVER'S wife who was also named MARY ANN (p.3) COOK. AUNT LOUISE called her AUNT MAY. My Grandmother died young. She was only 45 She died Jan 26th 1896 I must get this in the mail Our carrier is due any time Sincerely, (signed) MARY MIX (MRS. CLYDE MIX) 1920 Halsell Rd Fayetteville, AR 72701 * * * CORRESPONDENCE with MRS. HETTIE ASBILL (or ASHILL),