Column appearing in the Plaindealer, Week of July 28, 1999

Column appearing in the Plaindealer, Week of Aug 11, 1999

Robert D. JENKINS, Sr., 405 Ricky Drive, Dalton, GA 30721 (home phone:
1-706-259-3158) cannot find the parents of Virginia Lee TOWNLEY who married James Culbyson TRUSSELL.They have a family in rural Choctaw Co in the Beat 4 (he thinks) area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Virginia was born 22 Oct 1878 and died as a younglady in 1906 at the age of 28. According to Ruth Biggers WHITE, it was a terrible, stormy September day when her body was carried to McCurtain's Creek Cemetery with lightning flashing and trees falling. Only a few people were able to attend the service. Virginia had three children: (1) William Kenneth, born 1901; (2) Esther Geneva (James C. TRUSELL, Mr. Jenkins' grandmother), b. 1903; (3) Georgie, born 1905.  later married Mary JENKINS and they had one child James Clyde "J. C.", who was born 24, July 1926. Mary JENKINS was also a sister to my grandfather William Arnold Meredith JENKINS, who later married Esther Geneva TRUSSELL. The TRUSSELLs and JENKINS were neighbors.  Bob writes that his family moved into Choctaw County about 1840. James and Catherine HUTCHISON with their children Andrew Jackson, Cithia, and Julian. Andrew HUTCHISON and his family settled in the Sturgis area. He has not been able to find any information on Cithia and Julian. Mr. HUTCHISON would like to correspond with anyone who may know of these families.  Vicky WHITE  is hunting for any information on the McELVANY family of Winston, Pontotoc and Choctaw Counties, MS. Robert Pickens McELVANY was in Monroe County, MS in 1820 and Pickens Co, AL in 1830. By the time of the 1840 census, he was in Winston Co, MS. Robert P. and wife, Nancy Ann MISSOURI (HARRIS) McELVANY made their home in Winston County until his death in 1849. They had a large family and Ms. WHITE is their ggg-granddaughter from their son, John T. McELVANY. John T. married Malinda (last name unknown) and they made their home in Winston Co until 1880 and they are in Choctaw Co with son: Alexander, William C.; daughters: Mary and Eliza Jane. Ms. WHITE is the great-granddaughter of Eliza Jane. Eliza Jane married Jim SHAW and they had three children before his death. She would like to know more about this family, find out what happened to them and contact some of the descendants of this family. 

Alice Overstreet HILL, 1056 N. Maston St., Porterville, Ca 93257,  is looking for information on William OVERSTREET, born in GA and wife, Elizabeth, born in TN, found in Choctaw Co in the 1860 census, in the Poplar Creek area. Some of their descendants end up, afterformation of county, in SW Montgomery Co. She has not been able to get pastthis brick wall, so any help or clues would be appreciated.  Jan McCHESNEY  is looking for information on Robert CARITHERS/ CARUTHERS who was born 20 Mar 1800 in Abbeville, SC. He was the son of William and Mary (McGOWEN) CARITHERS, who were married 22 June 1779 in SC. Robert CARITHERS married Hannah PARKS of Jackson Co, GA. The 1850 MS census shows Robert's mother, Mary, living with them. Jan needs to locate Mary's burial location and to find out what happened to the rest of the MS family. This family was known to have been in Chickasaw Co in 1842 where Mary McGOWN made a claim for Revolutionary War Pension #6228. Jan will be happy to shareher data on this family.

Column appearing in the Plaindealer, Week of Aug 18, 1999

Patricia's mother was Myrtle KING STEELE, born 5 Sep 1910, daughter of William Allen KING and Laura May BIGGERS KING.  Her mother, like her brothers and sisters, were born and grew up in Chester.  Her mother's oldest sister, Edrie KING CUTTS, who recently passed away, was well-known in the area. Patricia's father was Sanford Alton STEELE, son of Stephen Charles STEELE and Ella Blanche HUGHSTON STEELE.  Her father was born in McCool and grew up in that area.  Her grandmother, Ella B. HUGHSTON STEELE, died in 1959 in the home of her daughter, Inez POWER, who is well-known in the Weir area.  Mrs. RYLEY would love to hear from anyone in the area who is either related to her or knew any of these two families.  She has been doing family research for a number of years and has a lot of facts---names, dates, etc.  What she would like to do is find some information on the people--personalities, stories, etc.  She has information on her grandfather William Allen KING's brothers and sisters, even some pictures that were given to her by Thelma SANDERS, a cousin, some years ago.  She would like to share these with anyone who is interested.  Patricia has been able to find very little information on her grandmother Laura May BIGGER's family (BIGGERS /TENNYSON) except a picture of Dr. TENNYSON and Laura May's parents.  She has a picture of her grandfather, Stephen Charles STEELE, as a young man.  She is looking for a picture of her grandmother, Ella Blanche HUGHSTON STEELE, as a young woman or a girl.  She would like to correspond and share information with anyone connected to these families.

Margie is searching for information on the Abner HORTON line. Abner was born in SC ca 1800 and married Ester (we think her last name was JOHNSON) around 1824 in SC.  Their children were Mary, born ca 1841, SC., Jane A., born ca 1843, SC., Tarrissie "Tarza" born ca 1845, SC., Jessie W., born ca 1842-50, SC., Harisona, born in SC., Rebecca, born ca 1856, SC., Nancy, born ca 1858, SC.  The 1841 early census of Choctaw Co lists Abner HORTON.  The 1850 census of Choctaw Co does not have this family listed at all.  The 1860 census shows the entire family.  The 1880 Choctaw Co census shows Jessie W. HORTON as head of household and his sisters, Rebecca and Nancy living with them.  Rebecca was not married and had a child age 10, born ca 1870, named John, listed as Jessie's nephew.  The 1870 census of Choctaw Co lists Tarrz and Ester Harrisona living in the household of Phelin H. FLETCHER, age 43, farmer, and Permelia A., age 39, as his wife.  Above the FLETCHERs are the William B. JOHNSON family with a Permelia A. or (R) HORTON, age 16, at home.  She is not sure how this family is connected. Ester Harrisona HORTON married Amon FLETCHER on 20 Dec 1874. Ester's brother, Jessie, married Mary Etta WILLIAMS on 30 Feb 1884.  Since there are only 28 days in February, why would this date have been given as 30 February?  Mrs. SCOGIN has the original license, signed by E. A. FANT, Minister of the Gospel, which was recorded 22 May 1884 in Choctaw Co.  She would like to contact anyone working on these lines.

The following is the beginning of a list of the 2ND MS INFANTRY, COMPANY C that served in the MEXICAN WAR from Choctaw Co:
All soldiers were privates unless otherwise noted by their name. William B. ACEE; Jasper N., ALDREIDGE, Cpl.; Elias AVERSION; William F. BARFIELD; William BARNETT; Ezekiel BARRON; Henry BAYS, Sgt.; James M. BAYS; Jacob BENEDICT; Ananias O. BENION; John BOWEN, Cpl.; James BOYD; James S. CAPERTON; William G. CAPERTON; James T. CHILDERS; Robert S. CHILDERS; William F. COCHRAN; William F. COOK; George W. COOPER, Allen COX; Cornelius M. CRENSHAW; Nathaniel W. CRENSHAW; Richard S. CROMER, 2nd Lt.
This list of Mexican War Veterans will be continued next week.

Column appearing in the Plaindealer, Week of Sept 1, 1999

Fred KIMBRELL, 706 Bay Court, Old Hickory, TN 27138 is searching for information on the following families:  KIMBRELL, GILLON, PHILLIPS, TALLEY, and WELCH.  Z. Taylor KIMBRELL was born 30 Apr 1847 in KY and died 23 April 1917 in Webster Co, MS married Nancy A. "Nannie" PHILLLIPS WELCH was born11 Dec 1846 in MS and married 8 Sep 1876 in Grenada Co, MS, died 11 April 1923 at Bellefontaine, Webster CO, MS.  She was the daughter of Levi and Amanda A. MULLEN PHILLIPS. Nannie's first husband was Thomas Coleman WELCH, M. D.  Children: Levi Thomas WELCH, (stepson), Mary Amanada WELCH (stepdaughter), Elizabeth Beatrice WELCH (stepdaughter), Gertrude S. KIMBRELL born 4 Feb 1878 in MS and died 19 Sep 1913 in Meridian, Lauderdale Co, MS.  She married S. F. BEATTY on 21 Dec 1911 in Greenville, Washington Co, MS.  John Phillips KIMBRELL, born 28 Jan 1880 at Bellefontaine, Webster Co, MS and died 8 Mar 1963 in Jackson, MS married Lou Ellen GILLON born 12 May 1880 at Torrance, Yalobusha Co, MS on 13 Oct 1901 in Grenada Co, MS and she died 13 Apr 1935 in Jackson, MS. Laura Amelia KIMBRELL was born 25 Mar 1888 in MS and died 2 Feb 1973.  Laura married Huey Cleveland TALLEY who was born 30 Oct 1888 and died 18 May 1966 in Memphis, Shelby Cty, TN.  Wanda Henson CARLTON, is descended from the ALLEN, ATKINS, BROCK, RIDDELL, LAMB, SEGLER and CALCOTE Families of Webster and Choctaw Counties.  She would like to correspond with anyone connected to the family of Ernest (Mac) Edgard COLEMAN. In the History of Webster Co, MS, published in 1985, the contributors on this family were listed as Mrs. Barbara C. MACON and Mrs. Nan SPRINGER COLEMAN. Mrs. Carlton believes that she is kin to the COLEMANs in two ways:  Robert A. COLEMAN was born 1810 and died 1882, buried in Bluff Springs Cemetery, married 1839 to Eliza E. CALCOTE, who was born 13 Nov 1821.  Eliza was the daughter of her g-g-g-grandfather Stephen C. CALCOTE who was married to Elizabeth MELTON.  Mrs. Carlton is also the great grand niece of Eliza.  Robert A. COLEMAN was the father of a son, William Phillip COLEMAN, born 1845, whom she believes had a son named William Phillip COLEMAN II.  William Phillip COLEMAN II was married to Mary E. BROCK on 18 Dec 1887 in Choctaw CO. Mary E. BROCK would be Mrs.Carlton's third cousin. Mary was the daughter of Martin Van Buren BROCK and Nancy A.  ?.  She would like to make connections with either of these families, but at present is concentrating on the Eliza CALCOTE connection. 

(Continuation of Second Infantry Mexican War 1846-1848, Company C Veterans from Choctaw County, MS)  Erastus W. MABRY;  Alexander McDARROLL, Sergeant; Martin H. McGARY; James A. McQUEEN; Holland MIDDLETON, 1st Lt.; Moses C. MIDDLETON, Corporal; Henry F. MINGA; James MINNEY; John MITCHELL; Andrew J. MOORE; Daniel T. MORGAN; John OSBURN; Isaac W. PARISH, Giles S. PARR; James PEERY (PERRY); John B. PEERY (PERRY); Henry J. PHARES; John C. PHARES; Levi POE; Francis POWER;  Josiah PREWITT; Wilson M. PREWITT; Joseph P. REAL; Simon ROBERTS; Amos H. SAFFELL; James T. SAFFELL; William A. SAMPLE; Stephen D. SCALES; William R. SCOTT; Francis SMITH; Thomas SMITH; John STARNES; James J. STEWART; Redden STOKES; Samuel A.STOKES; Wiliam A. STOVALL; William B. THOMPSON; George W. WALTON; Robert WARE; Alexander W. WEAVER, 1st Lt; Benjamin F. WEAVER; Elijah WHATLEY; Benjamin T. WILEY; Basil H. WILSON; Giles L. WILSON; Samuel WILSON; George W. WILTSHIRE, Corporal; James B. WOOD; John WOODBURN; and Andrew WOODS.  All soldiers without rank by the side of their names were privates.  Persons who can trace their ancestry to one of these men are eiligible for either the Aztec Club of 1847 - Address: The Military Society of the Mexican War 1846-48, 8301 Thoreau Drive, Washington, DC 2034 or Descendants of Mexican War Veterans, DMWV, National Office, 1114 Pacific, Richardson, TX 75081.

   

Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Sept 8, 1999

Donna HOLLOWELL, 1054 Hibbler St., West Point, MS 39773, phone: 1-662-494-1697,  is looking for any inforamtion on a RALEY family that lived in Choctaw Co in 1850 and 1860. John RALEY, born 15 July 1821 in SC, died in Nov 1915 in Yalobusha Co, MS and is buried in (New?) Liberty Cemetery, Calhoun Co, MS; married ca 1843-1847 in GA to Nancy ?. Nancy was born 30 Jan 1825 and died 18 Fed 1896 and is also buried in (New?) Liberty Cemetery. Their known children were: James T., born 1848 in GA married Mary DICKERSON; John J., born 25 Jan 1848, never married; Amanda Elizabeth, born 11 Mar 1851 in MS and died 10 Jan 1900, buried (New?) Liberty Cemetery, married 31 Dec 1873 in Yalobusha Co to William E. HENDRICKS. The parents of John RALEY may be Isaiah and Patsy RALEY. John RALEY enlisted in the Confederate Army in Choctaw Co in 1863, 33td Miss, Company G. Any information on these above mentioned ancestors would be appreciated.  Stepanie LAMPKIN, is seeking information on the LAMPKIN family that resided in Ackerman for many years. Her great-grandparents were Harriet and Quick LAMPKIN.  Patricia wrote a note of thanks for publishing her query in the August 12 edition of the Plaindealer. She accidently gave an incorrect email address, which has now been corrected. Mrs. RYLEY had heard from a gentleman who was possibly related on her KING side of the family. Names that she is researching are: KING, MOTHERSHED, BIGGERS, TENNYSON, (on her mother's side) and STEELE, GREGG, HUGHSTON and FAIR (on her father's side). As stated in her earlier query, these families came to the Choctaw County area in the mid-1800s. The HUGHSTON and FAIR lines lived in the French Camp and Bankston area. 

Lee CALDWELL-OWENS, 147 University Blvd. S, Mobile, AL 36608, is searching for information about twins Cynthia and Martha HENLEY, born probably in AL 25 Jul 1839. By 1860 Cynthia is in Choctaw Co married to a John JOHNSON. However, Martha has a child, Will Henley RILEY. Cynthia married John Adcock WILLIAMS ca 1867, but he doesn't stay with her very long. From what Mrs. CALDWELL-OWENS can determine, John Adcock WILLIAMS lived most of his life in Choctaw Co. He was born in 1820 in NC. None of his relatives names are known, but on his enlistment into the Confederate Army, he states that Pink WILLIAMS is his next of kin. Although his first wife was Cynthia HENLEY, his second wife, Mary PEEPLES' first child has a birth date before his first child with Cynthia. It is possible that the ages given were guesses on dates of birth. Possibly, John was married before either of the two know wives, there is a John, the right age, listed on the 1850 census with one child. Children of John Adcock and Cynthia (HENLEY) WILLIAMS were: Oliver Monroe WILLIAMS, born 1869 and Walter Asberry WILLIAMS born 1871. Children of John Adcock and Mary (PEOPLES) WILLIAMS were: Etta, who married a HORTON, born 1868; Leatha Caroline born 1882; Jim and Cal. Oliver Monroe WILLIAMS received a check from the government in the 1920s that indicated that he had Indian blood which entitled him to a seettlement for the land taken with the Treaty of Dancy Rabbit Creek. This would seem to impoly that either Cynthia's parents had some Indian blood or John Adcock WILLIAMS wasn't born in NC after all. Mrs. CALDWELL- OWENS adds: "Of course, the check has been lost and the rest of the family seemed to oddly think it was something to do with the Civil War." Martha HENLEY's son, Will Henley RILEY, mentioned above, married a Sally AUSTIN HERRING, probably of around the same area of Choctaw or Montgomery Counties.