McNairy County Looking Back 2 (part 2 of 3)

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Zelma Lee Hamm daughter of J. N. & Martha Hamm was married to
Arthur Lane June 1, 1910
Jasper Newton Hamm & Martha Lucenda English was married Mar 14th 1879
Andie Hamm son of J. N. & Martha Hamm was married to
Edna Huggins Dec 10, 1910

CAROLINE BOWERS PRICE REYNOLDS HARDIN

Caroline Runnels is the known mother of Meridth S. Reynolds Huggins. Oct 18, 1875, she gave land to her son, M. S. Huggins, in a deed as Caroline Hardin. It is thought Caroline was a Bowers before she married. She is the daughter or sister of Adam Bowers. The Bowers came from Alabama before 1860. She shows up in McNairy County in 1860, living with a John Huggins age 24, who is thought to be the son of Thomas in Lauderdale Co Ala. and Hardin Co, Tn. Also in the household is a Lucrectia, John's young wife. Caroline purchased 72 and ½ acres of land from James M. Huggins on Aug 28, 1854 (F- 558) Witness is James M. Huggins and Adam Bowers. Recorded Nov 1857. It is unknown when and where she ever married a Reynolds. All of her older children went by the name of Price. She was married first to a Price, probably in Alabama, since her older children were born there. Children: Robert H Price, born 1839, Ala, Mary S. Price born 1843, Ala, Sarah Price born 1846, Ala. McNairy County Marriage records show Robert H. Price married Nancy Pipkins, Nov 22, 1862. Mary S Price married Peter G. Elder March 16, 1862. Mary and Peter have one child and both Mary and the baby died before 1870. Peter remarried and had a large family. Sarah married William Lee May 16, 1863. Source of information is McNairy County Chancery Court Case 236 William Lee vs Park Smith and Court Case222 Caroline Reynolds vs R. H. Price, etals. Case 236 involved debt owed to Dr Smith by Sarah J Price before her marriage to William Lee and by William after their marriage. William and Sarah did not live in McNairy County, but in Mississippi. The lawsuit, was to William Lee only and not to William and Sarah joint, but Dr Smith attached the land that was owned by Sarah before her marriage and William felt this was not proper since her name was not on the lawsuit. The amount of the bill was 13 visit by Sarah E Price and medicine $26.00, August 1862 and in Jan 1863, 10 visit and medicine $20.00, and in June 5 visits and medicine for Sarah Lea $10.00, a total of 56.00 plus interest of 11.24 less payments of 8.00 making a balance of 59.24 The records show that in 1862, time of the original indebtedness by Sarah, she was a minor and living with her mother or her brother Robert Price. A deposition of Caroline Hardin taken on Feb 15, 1871 at L. M. Huggins store states that she, Caroline, is about 51 years old, and she states that Sarah married William Lee, May 16, 1863 when she was 17 years old. The records also call her Caroline Runnels, a widow. Case 222 concerned the land that Caroline Reynolds purchased when she came to McNairy County. Apparently, her husband had abandoned her or she had left him. She claims she paid for the land with her own means and her husband's creditors have no claim on the land. Poor Caroline, her children took her land away from her. She was powerless, being a woman 41

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alone in a greedy world. Clips from this lawsuit: 1. " To the Sheriff of McNairy County, you are hereby commanded to summons R. H. Price, Sarah Lee, William Lee, M. S. Reynolds, L. M. Huggins and Peter Elder to appear before the court at the courthouse at Purdy on the second Monday in April 1870" 2. The Bill of Complainant of Caroline Reynolds filed in the Chancery Court of Purdy against R. H. Price, Sarah Lee & William Lee her husband, and M. S. Reynolds, minor and ------ --can't read ---- guardian and L. M. Huggins, all residents of McNairy County except Sarah and William Lee. Caroline Reynolds, a citizen of McNairy and the State of Tennessee would most respectfully present unto your Honor that on the day of ---- she purchased the following tract of land lying and being the County of McNairy and the State of Tennessee ... .... for the price of --- dollars and executed her note for the same, that she fully satisfied all the purchase money to the said McKenzie and had the deed made to her bodily heirs..... that the said tract of land at the time of the purchase was in John Hamm and at the request of Caroline Reynolds, the said Hamm executed a deed to the bodily heirs of Caroline Reynolds. She would further state that the deed was made to her bodily heirs for the reason that her husband had abandoned her and gone to the State of Texas and she wished to secure her lands from the debts of her said husband......She would further state that her husband abandoned her and removed to the State of Texas and that during his absence she purchased the above described tract of land and paid for it out of her hard earnings. Caroline Reynolds further states some of her said children has claimed the land and refuses to let her have any control of the same, .... that Peter Elder who intermarried with her daughter Susan ....(can't read) to convey his undivided in the above tract to one L. M. Huggins and that Robert Price another heir of Caroline Reynolds has also sold his undivided interest to the said Huggins as she is informed. Caroline Reynolds would further charge that the above described tract of land was purchased by herself and the note was executed to her.... and that she paid said purchase money out of her own means and by request and for the purpose above state the deed was made to her bodily heirs. She charges that the said children never paid anything toward said land and have no right to claim the same and that only she is entitled to the land But if she is mistaken in her equity, in that respect, she is certainly entitled to her dower interest in said land as the said has never been set apart to her. Caroline Reynolds says that R. H. Price, William Lee and wife Sarah Lee, Peter Elder, M. S. Reynolds and L. M. Huggins be made parties, defendants. 4. " The joint and separate answers of Peter Elder and L. M. Huggins: They admit complainant made a contract for the purchase of the tract of land described in said bill. Respondents further answering say that the deed to said land was made to the bodily heirs but they deny that said deed was made to said bodily heirs for the purpose of securing the title and keeping it from the control of her husband or his creditors. They deny that the said husband was setting up any claim whatever to said land or that he had any creditors who were seeking or interfering with same. Respondents insist that if the said allegations was true, that from her own showing that she was an active agent in the fraud and that she is ---- from denying or amending her own act and deed, the same having been done by her own procurement. Respondents deny that complainant was abandoned by her husband, but on the contrary state that she left and abandoned him when they were moving from the State of Alabama to Texas and without any lawful cause refused to go any further with him. 42

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(They also claim she used money from her husband to pay for the land) Respondents admit that Peter Elder sold and conveyed his undivided interest which he acquired by the law of descent in said land to respondent L. M. Huggins, that he (Elder) intermarried with Susan who was the daughter of complainant and that she died leaving one child the issue of said marriage, who afterwards died and by the death of her said child he became owner of the undivided interest in said land. They also admit that said Robert Price sold and conveyed his interest in said land to the said L. M. Huggins. 3. " ....that Caroline Hardin (purchased said land) while living separate and apart from her first husband and paid for it out of her own means and it further appearing from the pleading in the case that --blank-- Reynolds the husband of complainant abandoned her and removed to the state of Texas and while she was thus left alone she purchased the above described tract of land and paid for the same of her own means and said deed was made to the bodily heirs of complainant for the purpose of securing said land to complainant free from the contract of her said husband. (Caroline asks) that the complainant be invested with a life in interest in the one half said tract of land and the remaining half be vested in M. S. Reynolds fee simple. (Therefore Caroline Reynolds and the Price children got ½ of the land and M. S. Reynolds got the other half.) In 1870, William and Sarah were in Hardin County, Tn, William age 26, Sarah age 21, Nancy age 4, and Eda age 9 months. May 11, 1870, Caroline married S. P. Hardin. Compiled by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy

PEDDLING TRUCKS MAKING DAILY TRIPS C. D. Hester, local grocery and market man has put on a truck of the peddling variety which will make daily trips over regular routes to all parts of the county. These trucks carrying groceries and other necessities are a great convenience to the rural population but have just put the county store out of commission. Independent - Feb 1939

ISHAM FORSYTHE
Descendants
Compiled by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy

Please note: I have transcribed this only because I had friends working on the Forsythe lines. I am putting this on the McNairy County page simply because I thought it might help someone. What is here is all I have, it is not my line and please do not contact me concerning questions or theories. Thank you Names mentioned in these files: Adams, Armstrong, Basham, Bell, Bizzell, Boatman, Cottrell (?), Chambers, Chamness, Curry,

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Dancer, Davis, Dunaway, Fisher, Forbes, Forsythe, Garrett, Gibson, Glass, Henderson, Jones, Lakey (?) , Lawson, Leath, Leeper, Manley, Matlock, McCoy, Melton, Monroe, Moore, Morris, Nickles, Prince, Sanders, Tate, Vanstory, Wallace, Wren (Note: please allow for errors in transcribing names. )

This information is drawn from two lawsuits in McNairy County, Tennessee Chancery Court:
#641 George Parry, etals VS James Dunaway, etals 1886
#903 James McNatt, etals VS Can Foresythe, etals 1894

This case shows that James Forsythe departed this life in testate in McNairy County, State of Tennessee some time in the month of April 1884, without issue, leaving surviving heirs only Martha Forsythe, his widow, who since intermarried with complainant George Parry. (Note: Martha Forsythe Parry died in 1892.) At the time of the death of said James Forsythe, in testate was the owner of a large personal estate which has been fully administered and left to his widow, Martha Forsythe. (Apparently, his personal wealth, which Martha Forsythe inherited was gleaned by her new husband George Parry.) However, at the time of her death, James Forsythe’s siblings and legal heirs, filed the lawsuit to obtain title to the land. The first lawsuit was filed in 1886 and the second filed in 1894, after Martha’s death. At the time of the death of said in testate, he was the owner of the following tracts of land: 1. Lying and being on the south side of Oxford’s Creek, in the sixth civil district, McNairy County, Tennessee, containing 231 acres. Land Grant from the State of Tennessee Sept 10, 1847. 2. Lying and being on the south side of Oxford Creek , joining the first tract, containing 6 ½ acres. This land was purchased from Thomas Prather on December 26, 1859 for $250.50. Deed witnessed by S. T. Brooks and M. K. Forsythe. 3. Lying and being on the south side of Oxford Creek in the sixth and thirteenth civil districts, containing 100 acres. Purchased from Augustus Browder 1876.

To the best of my ability, I have read the two cases and compiled the chart below:

. James’ siblings were:

1. Sarah Forsythe, married James Melton, died and left:
Dicy A., married John Basham.
Nancy, married a Curry
H. M. Melton
M. A. Melton, married Mose Matlock
J. M. Melton, in all five children who are all living.
2. Robert Forsythe, now deceased, had one child
Solomon, who also died and left one child
Florence who married James McNatt.
3. John Forsythe, a brother who died and left one child
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Mich, who died and left (1) John Forsythe (2) Can Forsythe

4. Elizabeth, married W. R. Wren and died and left
James H. Wren
Sam Wren
William Wren, died and left children
Elizabeth, married a Chambers
unknown daughter that married a Matlock
Sam Matlock
Saline, ______Lakey ? died and left children
Cynthia, married -------Davis
Charity, married James Vanstory, died and left children
Rachel Thompson
Cynthia Wingo
Sam Vanstory
John Vanstory
5. Hanna Forsythe, married James Boatman, died and left:
(Note: one deposition called her Sarah, but the 1850 & 1860 census says Hannah)
J. L. W. Boatman
Thomas M. Boatman
H. C. Boatman
Mary Boatman, married William Nickles
Malinda, married Ephraim Chamness or T. B. Chamness (has two names)
Millie, married Alfred Forbes
Sarah, married Fletcher Monroe
Elizabeth, married Pink Dunaway, died and left
James E. Dunaway (minor in 1886)
W. P. Dunaway
M. L. Dunaway, married Joseph I. Sanders
M. H. Dunaway, married Wesley Wallace
M. J. Dunaway, married W. R. Manley
John T. Dunaway (minor in 1886)
Andrew J. Dunaway (minor in 1886)
John Boatman who died and left
John H. Boatman
Joseph Boatman
Victoria Henderson
L. F. Boatman, married F. Davis
N. H. Boatman.
6. Mary who married James Lawson, died and left:
John W. Lawson (who is dead but had sold his interest to E. H. Garrett)
J. K. Polk. Lawson
T. M. Lawson
Sarah Lawson, married Isham Browder
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Elvia Lawson, married Dick McCoy
Nancy Lawson, married Walter Cooper
Rachel Leath,
Jennie (minor in 1886)
Luhaney Lawson, (James) Jones, died and left
Mary J. Jones, married Dick Morris
Lenia Jones, married Joseph Fisher
Jefferson Jones
Sarah, married a Dancer and died and left
Montie A. Dancer
Mollie E. Dancer.

7. Isham G. Forsythe died a long time ago. (There were 5 children by his 1st wife)
(1) James Forsythe, the oldest, died and left:
Missouri Forsythe, married James Adams
W. S. Forsythe
Malinda Forsythe
Sarah (Sissie ?) Forsythe
Isabella Forsythe, married John Gibson
Mary Forsythe, married Thomas P. Moore
America Forsythe
Nancy J. Forsythe
F. H. Forsythe.
(2) Will Forsythe was the next oldest child. He is dead and left:
Misline Forsythe (died 1886 - 1894) married James Nickels
William Forsythe (died between 1886-1894)
Carroll Forsythe
Sissie Forsythe, married Robert Tate
Mary Ann Armstrong
Ephraim Forsythe.
(3) J. C. Forsythe. (Lived 5 miles south of James Forsythe
(4) Frances Moore, died between 1886-1894
Albert Moore, Malissa Glass, Callie or Caroline Cottrell
Jennie Leeper, Bluford Moore, Elzetta Moore.
(5) Parthenia Gibson.
(6) Ophelia J Morris, married J. D. Morris ?
(7) Caroline Bizzell, is dead and left (not clear about the Bizzell children)
William
Jennie (Prince?)
John ???
James ????
(8) Victoria Bell, deceased and left the following minor children 1886
Jennie, Thankful, Mollie, Pearl, Ruben, & Colie Bell.

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Soloman Forsythe was an older brother of said in testate, James Forsythe and is supposed to have died many years ago in the State of Kentucky. If he has any children or grand children now living they are unknown to the complainants. Thomas Forsythe was an older brother of said in testate, James Forsythe, and is supposed to have died many years ago in the State of Arkansas, and if he has any children or grand children, they are also unknown to complainants.

J. . M. Adams wrote a note on Aug 26, 1889: “Please send me my little mite of money due me.” May 28, 1894: Residents of the State of Texas: John Forsythe, A. B. Forbes and Millie Forbes, W. P. Dunaway, Joseph Fisher and Lena Fisher, Jennie Leath, Albert Moore, Melissa Glass, Caroline Moore, Jennie Moore, Bluford Moore, Elzetta Moore, Reuben Bell, J. D. Morris and Felia Morris, James Nickles Residents of the State of Mississippi: J. H. Boatman, Joseph Boatman, N. H. Boatman, Victoria Henderson, L. F. Davis Unknown residence: Fletcher Monroe and Sarah Monroe, W. R. Manely and M. J. Manely, Dick Morris and Mary J. Morris, Jeff Jones. Heirs of Misline Nickles who married James Nickles are of unknown names and unknown residences. (NK note: Misline died in Texas, James and the children came back to McNairy County, Tenn before 1900.

Sept 27, 1897: Shares of this lawsuit distributed from a net worth of $197.05

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Isabella Gibson .39
Mary Moore .39 The Bridge
America Forsythe .39

Mollie Bell .59
Pearl Bell .59 Dorothy Hilliard Moffatt
Reuben Bell .59
Cole Bell .59

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AARON SPRINGER

Police Court Records of Tishomingo Co. May 1840 Aaron Springer to work on Jacinto
and Farmington Rd.

WILL OF AARON SPRINGER The will of Aaron Thomas Springer, dated Jan 24, 1904, lists wife Polly Ann of Gravel Hill and children: James Patrick, Thomas Miller, John William, Malissa Ann Latta, Margaret Livener Luttrell, Laura Alice Emmons who was living in Texas. The executors were John William Springer and brother-in-law- John Robert Gooch. Witnesses were James Clay Gooch and Wylie Terry Gooch. The children of Aaron Thomas Springer and Mary Ann McCoy were: John W. Springer Nov 20, 1851 - Nov 13, 1884 Margaret Springer b 1853 James P Springer Apr 7, 1855- Oct 25, 1911 Malissa L Springer b 1858 Lacuna A Springer b 1861

WHO IS THIS - AARON SPRINGER? I have found an Aaron Springer, probably of Tishomingo Co, Miss but owning land in Tennessee. I do not know who he is. A lawsuit was filed July 1883 in McNairy County Court to do something with the 160 acres of land in Tennessee which was located “south bound by Miss state line, east by the Jordan land, north by Mansel Kendrick. I have not linked him to the McNairy County Springer’s, but I think he is connected. From the lawsuit, marriage records and McNairy County census I have determined:

1. Aaron died before 1870
2. Children listed:
1. Samuel L.
2. Louisa E. Married Monroe Williamson, Oct 1, 1857, Tishomingo Co, Ms
3. Fannie (Francis) married William Potts Apr 16, 1844, Tishomingo Co
Their known children: John b 1845; Benjamin Franklin b 1847; Sarah A born
1849, James M b 1850; Aaron b 1852; Louiza b 1855; Mandy (may be Malissa)
b 1858; Frances b 1860; William b 1863, Eleander b 1866, Tennessee b 1867
The Potts lived in McNairy County in 1860, 1870 and 1880, District 9
They are not buried in McNairy Co.
4. W. Uriah Springer - died ca 1866, m Irena Atkins Oct 16, 1856, Tishomingo Ms
Nothing was found on Marian and Frank Springer, it is thought they are
children of Uriah but this may not be true. The way the lawsuit read, they are
not children of Aaron. “ the heirs of Uriah Springer, his deceased son, as follows:
Dave Springer; Mollie Springer who intermarried with L. V. Hays;
Marian Springer, Frank Springer; and the heirs of Mary Barnett, his deceased
daughter who married Frank Barnett...”
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(Possibly, Uriah had a wife before Irena & she is the mother of Marian and Frank.
Frank and Marian lived in Arkansas in 1883. After Uriah died, Irena married
James O. Barnett May 5, 1867, Tishomingo Co. They had at least one child John
P born 1868 In the 1880 McNairy Co census, Martha Atkins, sister in law is
living with them. )
5. Mary P (dead before 1883) married W Frank Barnett Dec 15, 1859
Children: Thomas, Samuel, Aaron, Oscar, Markus, Susan, Sofa, the last six are
minors in 1883. All the Barnett children are living in Texas in 1883.
6. Sarah Hannah Springer married W. N. Carroll, Oct 15, 1884, Tishomingo Co, Ms

In 1883, Dave Springer, William Potts and wife Fannie, L. V. Hays and wife Mollie were citizens of McNairy County, Tn. Samuel L Springer, Sarah Hannah Springer, Louiza Williamson, were living in Mississippi. Marian and Frank Springer were in Arkansas and the Barnett children in Texas. Apparently, Aaron had a living wife, named Mary Springer living in Mississippi in 1883. It is unknown if she was the mother of the Springer children. The lawsuit was Dave Springer, William & Fannie Potts, L. V. and Mollie Hays, Samuel L. Springer, Sarah Hanna Springer and Louiza Williamson VS Mary Springer, Marian Springer, Frank Springer, and the Barnett children. Compiled by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy

HENRY CLAY FARRIS: 1850 - 1899 According to Mildred Evans of Henderson, TX, granddaughter of Henry Clay Farris: " After the death of Sylvania Hamm Farris, Henry Clay remarried (in a short time) and with five of his six children and his new wife and her four children they moved to Rusk Co, Texas. The oldest son Callie, did not go to Texas. Jane already had four children and he had five. They could not find a house big enough for all the children so Henry Clay's children lived in one house and Jane and her four children lived in the other. As time went by, Henry Clay spent more and more time at the house of his new wife and less with his children. The children decided they wanted to go back to Tennessee. Somehow arrangement were made with Callie, the eldest son who was 19, and they journeyed back to Tennessee. Alvie was 14, Rufus 10, Minnie 7, Tolbert 5, and Lonnie 2. Elva Jane stayed in Texas and lived and worked for a Mrs. Blair. She married James Jones and her descendants still live in the area." Lula Armstrong Presley, told the children lived with first one Farris family and then another until they were grown. 1880 McNairy Co, TN census transcribed by R. Harold Cox: 9th Dist HH 82: Henry Clay Farris, Sylvania 30, Calhoun 11, Alva 6, Elva 4, Allen L 1 It has taken quite a bit of effort and research to find the parents of Henry Clay Farris. He is the son of Commodore and Jane Wardlow. Commodore died young and Jane then married a Samuel Singleton, who was ten years younger than herself. In 1860 McNairy County Census compiled by Harold Cox: Dist 9 HH 1422 : Samuel Singleton 25, Jane 35, Soloman 12, Henry C 10, Franklin P 8. The census taker failed to show the last name Farris for the children. 50

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We know that Solomon was Jane's son and somehow we overlooked the fact that Henry C. could not be Samuel Singleton's son. In 1870 Henry C. is not in the household but Franklin Farns (Farris). The estate settlement of Salina Farris Chambers Caffey shows Henry Clay is being the son of Commodore Farris, brother of Salina, called Lina. August 16, 1871, received of L. M. Huggins $165.45 in full, my interest in Commodore Farris estate. H. C. Farris (couldn't write) I couldn't understand why Henry Clay had to remarry so soon after Sylvania's death. But Kevin sent me this poem which explains a lot. Sylvania died Jan 10, 1888 and Henry Clay remarried Feb 28, 1888. He had five children under the age of 12. You will appreciate and better understand Henry Clay’s reasoning when you read The Courtship by George Ella Lyon:

The Courtship:
When sickly Jim Wilson's first wife died he tried to carry on,
Keep house and farm his scrabby land and it like to broke him.
All them kids were too old to stay put and too young to carry water.
There was no one to cook, wash, or sew, no one but Sickly Jim,
And him the same body who must milk the cow and plant the scanty hay.
Soon he saw he had to have another wife.
He considered the prospects on the creek, listed them according to his favor:
Widow Jones, Miss Creech, the oldest Phillips girl, and even Mossie Maggern.
The thoughts of Mossie made his belly cold, but next morning he set out.
Widow Jones was stringing beans on her hillside porch. He rode right up to the rail.
"Morning Miz Jones. How are you now?"
"Working steady," was her answer,
"and how about yourself?" Not faring well.
Not faring well at all.
If I'm to farm and raise my kids. I've got to have a helpmeet.
That's why I'm here. It looks to me you might be the one. What do you say?"
She studied him, walked to the edge of the porch.
"I didn't think wives were got the way a man gets pigs or harness.
I thought it usually took a little time and a fellar got off his horse."
You know, Miz Jones, I mean no offense but time's a thing I've run short of.
I've got babies crying at home and so I speak out plain."
"Well give me the day. You come back around suppertime for my answer."
"No ma'am. I need a wife before that." He looked at the paper in his hand.
"You're the first on my list, but if you can't oblige, I'll be off to try Miss Creech."
He settled his hat, turned his horse, and was almost of out of the yard
When she called to him, "I've given it thought. It's clear I'm the wife you need.
Hold till Sunday and I'll marry you." And that's just what she did.

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SALINA (LINA) FARRIS CHAMBERS CAFFEY

From McNairy County Court Minutes 1858-1872 transcribed by Douglas Prather: page 511, Jan 7, 1861: R. W. Caffey, Lina Caffey and A. A. Sanders (Guard) petition to divide slaves. Order to divide slaves and report at next court. 1860 McNairy Co, Tn Dist 13 # 399: John Chambers, Jr 35, Tn Farmer, Salina 27, Henry 8. 1860 census, McNairy Co, TN: Salina Chambers 36, Henry C 18, Margaret Farris 75. John Chambers died before 1860, Salina is listed Dist 5 # 724, age 36, Henry C 18, Margaret Farris age 75, born NC. According to court documents concerning John Chamber's death, Saline married a R W Caffey before Jan 1861. In 1867, court records show she received 73 acres as dowry of deceased husband John Chambers. Salina died ca April 10, 1875. In 1878, 1/5 interest of H. C. Chambers and mother Lina Caffey was sold by O.L. and Malinda Farris, Mahala and Jesse Elam and Nicy Wardlow. In 1878, Chancery Court of McNairy County a lawsuit was filed by S P Farris etal vs R W Caffey etal - concerning the estate of Henry Clay Chambers son of John and Salina Chambers. (Parts of this lawsuit is listed below). According to the disposition of S P Farris, Henry Clay Chambers was born Nov 8, 1841, was 21 years old, 7 months and 2 days old according to his tombstone. His guardian, after his father's death and during his minority, was Aaron Sanders. "To the Honorable Geo H. Nixon Chancellor presiding at Purdy Tenn for the county of McNairy: The bill of complaint of Obediah Farris, Nicy Wardlow, Mahala Elam and her husband Jesse C Elam, S P Farris, H C Farris, F P Farris, J R Horn and wife Lucretia L Horn, Wm Forsythe and wife Lina Ann, all residents of McNairy County, Tennessee except, H C Farris and J R Horn and wife who are residents of Hardin County Tenn and Wm Forsythe and wife Lina Ann, who are residents of the State of Mississippi Against R W Caffey, Charles Burns, Eddy Cobb, Elisha Palmer and Alex Irwin residents of McNairy County Tenn and the then miner children of Caroline and Gov Jones dec'd, who reside in the State of Arkansas and whose names are unknown. Complainants respectfully presents to Your Honor that John Chambers departed this life in McNairy County, State of Tennessee, in testate in the year 1856 leaving Lina Chambers his widow and Henry Clay Chambers his infant son and sole heir at law. The said Henry Clay Chambers also departed this life in testate in said county in May or June 1863 without a wife or issue, leaving the said Lina Chambers, his mother, as his only heir at law. (Note: Not sure this is right - Henry Clay may have died in the war.) the said Lina Chambers, after the death of her first husband John Chambers, intermarried with defendant R W Caffey, and on or about the 10 day of April 1875, she also departed this life in testate, without issue, leaving her brothers and sisters and their issue as her heirs at law - viz:- complainants herein and defendant, the minor children of Caroline and Gov Jones - complainants Obediah Farris, Nicy Wardlow, Mahala Elam being brothers and sisters of said Lina; and complainants S P Farris, H C Farris, F P Farris and Lucretia L Horn being the issue of Commodore Farris dec'd, who was a brother of said Lina; and complainant Lina Ann Forsythe and the minor heirs of Caroline and Gov Jones dec'd, being the issue of Caroline who was a sister of the said Lina Caffey.

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Complainants further state that the said John Chambers, possessed real estate lying in McNairy County, which descended to his infant son H C Chambers which also, upon his death descended to his mother, the said Lina. Complainants further state that soon after the late war, some time in 1865 or 1866, defendant R W Caffey was appointed administrator of said H C Chambers dec'd and afterwards, at the November term of the county court of McNairy County, 1866, he resigned the administration and David and John Horn was appointed in his stead as administrators of the said H C Chambers dec'd; and on the 27th day of April 1867, the said David Horn and John Horn administrators filed their bill in Chancery Court at Purdy against the said R W Caffey and wife Lina, (stating) that the personal estate of their in testate, had been exhausted in the payment of debts. That there was yet debts remaining due and unpaid against said estate to the amount of $3,327.95 and praying for the sale of the lands of said estate, or (pay the debts). And at the Oct 1867 term, said Chancery Court, said lands were to be sold for payment of debts and on the 14th day of December 1867 and on the 27th day of Feb 1868, said lands was sold by the Clerk and Master of said Chancery Court, being 11 small tracts - coming to the aggregate about 2,395 acres of valuable land. All of which land , except the widow's dowry, was sold by said proceedings, purchased by the said R W Caffey and at almost nominal prices, no one bidding for the same but him. Complainants charge that said sale by the Clerk & Master as aforesaid was void and communicated no title to the purchaser R W Caffey, for the following reasons among others, (only a few are listed) viz: There was no appearance or answer in said cause by or on behalf of said defendant Lina Caffey to whom said land belonged. And she was not represented by counsel. There was no proof what ever showing the exhaustion of personal assets in payment of bona fide debts or the existence of bona fide debts against said estate. And Complainants charge upon their information and belief that not $500.00 of valid and bona fide debts existed against said H C Chambers' estate at his death and that his --- was fully sufficient to have paid his just debts. Complainants charge upon the part of said Caffey with the parties claiming demands against estate, to have said lands sold for the satisfaction of false and fictitious claims to enable Caffey to purchase the lands at nominal prices and thereby change the title from his wife to himself. They charge that said H C Chambers was not extrusively (?) indebted at the time of his death, that he had arrived at lawful age within a short time previously, before his death. That if any liabilities existed against him at all, they should have been paid in full. They charge Caffey false and fictitious and ----- claims against the estate at large and collusion with said administrators, proceed credits in his purchases by means of such false fictitious claims. Complainants further change that the said Lina Caffey, did --- possessed also, of a tract of land in McNairy County of from 80 to 100 acres, upon which she with her said husband, resided at the time of her death and upon which Defendant Caffey has since resided and now resides. Said land is a part of the land which was allotted her out of the estate of her first husband, John Chambers. Complainants charge that said land is the property of the said heirs of Lina Caffey and that they are entitled to have the same sold of partition and that said Caffey is liable to them for the rents of said land for the years 1875 - 1878." The lands sold (mentioned above) on December 14, 1867 were: 1. 170 acres to R W Caffey for $229.90, paid $15.00 and a 12 month note for $214.90

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2. 200 acres to R W Caffey for $400.00, paid $15.00 and a 12 month note for $385.00 3. 205 ½ ac to R W Caffey - $901.20, paid $20.00 and a 12 month note for $883.10 Surety was Jesse Elam and H T Emmons (my note: this property was sold to my other g g grandfather, Charles Burns, Apr 12, 1872 for $1,000.00 - Salina Farris was a g-great aunt , but they were not related. Nancy Wardlow Kennedy ) The lands sold on Feb 27, 1868 were: 4. 200 acres to R W Caffey for $370.00, 12 month note, surety Pinkney Wardlow 5. 140 acres to R W Caffey for $242.00, 12 month note, surety Pinkney Wardlow 6. 140 acres to R W Caffey for $217.30, 12 month note, surety Pinkney Wardlow 7. 146 acres to R W Caffey for $197.90, 12 month note, surety Pinkney Wardlow 8. 125 acres to R W Caffey for $875.00, 12 month note, surety Pinkney Wardlow (The lawsuit above, charges that R. W. Caffey never paid his notes to the estate.)

List of claims that have been presented against the estate of H C Chambers, dec'd: L. J. Wiley 2.00, R C Houston 55.00, State vs Circuit Court cost 38.25, Before Justice of Peace cost 13.65, P. H. Braden 44.64, G W Pratt 38.75, L A Canon ? 318.00, James Wardlow 50.00, H. T. Emmons 165.00, John Richards 150.00, C T Swayers 50.19, F. H Sanders 81.63, David North 60.00, Pinkney Wardlow 250.00, J. L. Britton 8.00, Reed Phillips 21.00, Calvin Shull 151.00, Joseph Walker 5.00, A T Emmons 6.00, James Chambers 60.00, M S Crow 40.00, M ----- 30.00, John Kerby 25.50, J L W Boatman 35.00, Wm Lea 75.00, R W Caffey 2 notes 947.00, Lina Caffey 210.00, Bell & Wisdom 45.84 John A Truley for ----- 2 mares 1 mule 502.50. Total 3,478.95 dated July 1866 The case was settled and dismissed March 2, 1880. Compiled by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy

JAMES HAYNES OF CHEWALLA, MCNAIRY COUNTY, TENN
Civil War Pension Application of James Haynes # 14330

Date: 1920 1. State your full name and present post office address James Haynes, McNairy, Rainer (Ramer) Tennessee 2. State your age now. 82 years old 3. In what state and country were you born? Georgia, Milton County (no such county, could be Miller) (Note by Nancy Kennedy, when I read this I did some research and called Alpharetta, Georgia, there was at one time a county by the name of Milton but it didn’t last long. The name was changed to Fulton.) 4. Were you a Confederate or Federal soldier? Confederate soldier 5. Name of your company? Co C; Philip Legion Cavalry 6. What was the occupation of your father? Farmer 7. Give full name of your father, born at, in the county of, state of, lived at. Give also any particulars concerning him, as official position, war services.

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Richard Haynes --Born: Oglethorpe, I think, Georgia, lived near Alpharetta, Ga, held some minor office in the county. 8. Maiden name in full of your mother, daughter of, and his wife, who lived at: Martha Tate, wife of Richard Haynes; James Tate -- Georgia 9. Remarks of ancestry. My grandfather Haynes emigrated from Scotland, settled in what is known as Oglethorpe County. My grandparents Tate were French I don't know much of them. 10. If you owned land or other property at the opening of the war, state what kind of property you owned, and state the value of your property as near as you can. I did not own any property. 11. Did your parents own slaves? If so, how many? Yes they owned some slaves about 10 I think. 12. If your parents owned land, state about how many acres. 300 13. What was the worth of your parents, including land, when the war opened. I suppose something near 8 or 10 thousand dollars including the negroes. 14. What kind of house did your parents occupy? State whether is was a log house or frame house or built of other material and state the number of rooms it had. The first house we lived in was a log house. Frame house a while before the war. 15. As a boy and young man, state what king of work you did. I did all kind of work on the farm, plowed, hoed, help cut ditches, split rails, help do any kind of work about farm. 16. State clearly the duties of your mother and father. My father done work on the farm help operate a cotton gin. My mother looked after the house. The spinning, weaving, the garden. The Boss around the house. 17. Did your parents keep any servants, how long? They owned some negroes, one of them to help cook 18. How was honest toil, as plowing, hauling and other sorts of honest work of this class - regarded in your community? Was such work considered respectable and honorable? Honest work was considered respectable. 19. Did the white men in your community engage in such work? Yes 20. To what extent were there white men in your community leading lives of idleness and having others do their work for them? Very few 21. Did the men who owned slaves mingle freely with those who did not own slaves, or did slave holders in any way show by their actions that they felt themselves better than respectable, honorable men who did not own slaves? Poor honest people ....(cannot read).... no distinction made or shown by the slave owners. 22. At the church, schools, public gatherings, did slave holders and non slave holders mingle on a footing of equality? Yes 23. Was there a friendly feeling between slave holders and non slaveholder in your community, or where they antagonistic to each other? You could not tell a slave owner from a non slave hold by their action. 24. In a political contest, in which one candidate owned slaves and the other did not, did the fact that one candidate owned slaves help him any in winning the contest? No 25. Were the opportunities in your community for a poor young man, honest and industrious, to

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save up enough to buy a small farm or go in business for himself? Yes 26. ....... make something of themselves, encouraged or discouraged by slave holders? They were encourage and in many instances helped. 27. What kind of school did you attend? Country school. 28. How long did you go to school altogether? I don't know, several short terms. 29. How far was it to the nearest school? One mile 30. What school was in operation in your neighborhood? Rural or neighborhood schools 31. Was the school in your community public or private? Subscription schools. 32. About how many months in the year did it run? 4 - 5 months 33. Did the boys and girls in your community attend school pretty regularly? No 34. Was the teacher of the school you attended a man or woman? Man 35. In what year and month and at what place did you enlist in the service of the Confederacy or of the Federal Government? I was mustered into the Confederate service, 10th day of June 1861 at Camp McDonald near Marietta, Georgia. 36. After enlistment, where was your Company sent first? To Lynchburg Virginia 37. How long after enlistment before your Company engaged in battle? I don't remember 38. What was the first battle you engaged in? I was in several skirmishes, the first H----- battle, the second battle was Mananas. 39. State in your own way your experience in the War from this time to its close. ---- we followed the enemy, we did not sleep on feathers, sometimes we had plenty to eat, clothing was rather ----never was in ------ never in prison ( the other must be never in hospital) 40. When and where were you discharged? Saulsburg, NC 41. Tell something of your trip home. I rode my horse home had but little trouble getting home. 42. Give a sketch of your life since the close of the Civil War. Farming made a little crop of corn gave that to my father left then in Oct stopped in Henry (?) county, Tenn. 43. What kind of work did you take up when you came back home? Sketch of my life won't add much to history. I came to this country Oct 1865 bought a poor little farm been living on it all the time still here. Member of the Methodist Church. I never held an office never was engaged in any business except farming in small way. I am poor man 82 years old worn out. Raised 8 children 4 boys and 4 girls all left and gone to homes of their own or rather they are following work of their own selection lucrative jobs my boys are all railroad men and the girls all married have homes of their own. 44. Give the names of some of the great men you have known or met in your time. Wm Puckett, Capt., Eli Hardin 1st Lt, Frank Fr--, Hodge Brook, Ord. Sgt Job Tate, Charles Mi --, Tom Brown, Robt Brooks, Dick Trippe, Wm Tutnell (?) Joe Fowler, Lige Fowler, Wm Fowler.

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45. Give the names of all the members of your company you can remember.
J M Dixon, T I Hu----, Wm Graham, (NB: These men all lived in the same town, but I was
unable to read it.) Note: the pension was denied

James Haynes’ death certificate states he was 88 years , 7 months and 3 days old when he died. He died with malarial fever. W. L. Harben, from Chewalla , was the doctor. George W. Haynes of Sheffield, Alabama gave the information on the death certificate. After his service in the Civil War James and his brothers returned home. Their mother was dead and the old home house had been burned. The boys moved on, some to Arkansas. James came to McNairy County where his Grandfather Tate lived. It is unknown if he came for just a visit or to stay but fate had a hand in the decision. Down the road, toward Chewalla a couple of miles, lived the Wesson family and they had a pretty young daughter named Josephine. The rest is history. A couple of years before Daddy died in Sept 1995, He took Phillip, Gary and me riding around in the southern part of McNairy County. He showed us where the old Haynes home and the Wardlow house, where he was born, had been located when he was a child. Great Grandpa Haynes lived between Guys and Chewalla, a little closer to Chewalla, near what used to be Austin school house. On the Guys Chewalla Rd, at the Olive Hill Church is a road that loops around and comes back in about 2 miles on down the road. This is where James Tate settled about 1840. The Olive Hill Cemetery was started as a Tate family cemetery. James Tate owned a lot of the land between this point and Chewalla. If you turn off on the Olive Hill Loop Road, going westward, there is a little dead end road turning south. It was at the end of this road that James Haynes lived. There is an occupied house there and Daddy showed us that the Haynes house was out in what is now a pasture. A very pretty place for a house. James Haynes applied for a Soldier of the Civil War pension in 1914. He states he lived at Chewalla, Tennessee at the time of the application. He was a native of the State of Georgia and was in Company C of the Phillip Legions Cavalry, enlisting in 1861. He stated he was born in Milton Co, Georgia in the year 1841. (His death certificate says 1839.) Another place in the application he states Dec 23, 1840. This was one of the reasons his pension was denied, because his birth date varied. He received a slight wound in the hip but was not incapacitated for very long. He was paroled in Saulsbury North Caroline. April 1865. He did not take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government. He states at the time he has a wife age 60 and a daughter age 18 and that his way of making a living was 'farming in a small way.' He owned 120 acres of land, valued about $600. He states he has lived in Tennessee about 48 years. Signed Jan 8, 1914. A letter from maybe a Mr. Cobb on R. P. Eaves Grocery stationary, Cartersville GA, dated Mar 23, 1914, states "---- of 13th invitation ? of war service of James Haynes war received some days ago. Will say have known Mr. Haynes since May 1861, when he entered the Confederate Service. He belonged to Co C and I to Co B, Phillips Legion, Ga Cavalry. We were together almost daily except when he was absent on leave. He was a good soldier and was with his command at the surrender at Greensboro, NC April 65. He must be mistaken about getting

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his pay rate at Saulsbury. Mr. John K. Tripple ? of this place a member of Co C, Phillips Legion says Mr. H surrendered with his....... rest is missing. A letter dated Mar 13 from the Special Examiner states "I find no record of him (James Haynes) later than Sept 10, 1864, when he is reported, 'absent on detail for a horse.' J. S. Morris, and Charles Nixon from Cherokee County, Georgia state "they further say he was a good soldier and a man of excellent character." Dated Jan 14, 1914

A letter from James Haynes, date March 9, 1914, Chewalla, Tenn. To John P Hickman, Board of Pension, Nashville, Tenn My Dear Sir, I red note----- special examiner for Board of pensions. I don't understand why I was reported away from the command from Oct to close of War. I was in the B---- NC fight, was with the command at Fayetteville NC when we charged Kilpatrick Cavalry about daylight in the morning. I was never away from the command during the four years but on furlough.... scout duty for General Hampton when he was in North Carolina. I refer --- to two members of the Legion, Mr. John Cobb Cartersville Georgia and Mr. Church Anderson, Marietta Georgia. Your truly Jas Haynes

Note dated March 9, 1914, Mr. Frank Moses. My dear sir, I read your notice of rejection. He goes on to repeat all that was written in the above letter. Apparently James applied for the pension about 1914 and the raise about 1921. In the first application, Dr J. M. King states, " diabetic, bladder problems, eye trouble due to optic nerves. ( Other ailments mentioned, couldn't read.0 No other disabilities claimed, only old age. I think he is justly due pension. Signed Jan 19, 1914 Another letter to James Haynes dated Feb 22, 1921 states: "In your application for a pension you swear that you were born in 1841, and in your application for an increase you swear that your were born in December 1840. You have certainly set your age back a year. ....... It makes no difference whether a man was fifty or one hundred he would get the same." This was in regards to the raise he had asked for.

Independent Appeal Feb 18, 1927: - A MIGHTY FINE MAN _ JIM HAYNES

Letter to the Editor from Marietta Ga, Jan 26, 1924 I want to give you a sketch of the history of your county citizen, James Haynes. Mr. Haynes was my friend and comrade during the 60's and a better comrade could not be had nor a better soldier never shouldered a gun to my knowing. he was always ready and willing to obey his superior officers. He never shirked a duty either in battle or behind the lines. Jim went through the campaigns of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. He was also courier for Hampton and Stuart. Jim was blessed with health as well as bravery, for he was never sick or wounded bad enough to interfere with his duties. Jim left here during 1865 for your county and has resided there ever since. I know if he has made as good a citizen as he did a soldier, you have profited by having him with you. I understand he has reared four fine girls and four excellent girls and I think this is pretty good for

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an ex-Confederate. Up until Christmas, 1922, I had not seen him since he left for your county, and you may be sure that I was glad to see him and to know that he made a success in life. Fifty seven years is a long time to be parted from as good a friend as Jim Haynes and I had been. Sincerely, John Tate We are glad to publish the above letter. Mr. Haynes has lived for years in the Chewalla section of this county where he has the confidence of the people. We may say to the writer if he made as good a soldier as he has a citizen, he was some soldier.

McNairy County Independent Appeal, 1921 JIM HAYNES VETERAN VISITS SELMER

Jim Haynes of the 14th district, and member of Phillip's Legion of Georgia Cavalry and one of the leading citizens of the county, spent Monday night in Selmer, as the guest of the editor of the Independent. He gave us many chapters of unwritten history. No soldier who followed the flag of the Lost Cause can unfold a more interesting narrative. He was under Gen Stewart and knew Gen Lee personally. He was in the awful slaughter of the 2nd Mananas, and saw the forces of McClellen stop the mighty rush of the northward march of Lee at Antietam. He fought in the Wilderness and helped to made the conditions that brought forth from the immortal Grant, the undying declaration, "I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer!" He felt the earth shake when the mines under Petersburg exploded and rushed with his comrades into the "Battle of the Crater. "He was with the command that got within three miles of Washington. He was with Stewart's Division when the entire Confederate forces around Richmond and Petersburg number only 36,000 men surrounded by an Invincible Federal army numbering 280,000 men and reaching in its circuit down into North Carolina. He was at Gettysburg, the real decisive battle of the Civil War, and heard the shouts of the Confederate soldiers under the dashing Pickett in the charge which made him immortal. Several days after the battle of Gettysburg, Gen. Dan Sickles, who had lost a leg, was carried into the presence of the great Lincoln at the White House, when the General gave in detail the history of the fight. The President replied that he had assurance of that victory in prayer before the fight began. Mr. Haynes can give more authentic history of the Civil War in three hours than can be obtained from some of the histories in three weeks. He is 81 years old, hale and hearty, and we wish him many years more of happiness and usefulness

DR HARRIS T. B. SPEER

The marriage record shows Dr Harris T. B. Speer as being from Marietta, Georgia. The spelling varies: Speer, Speir, Spier, Spear and sometimes with an s at the end. Much of my information was from Van Spear and Martha Speir. (Even today the spellings vary among the descendants of H T B Speer) The children of HTB and Sarah Elizabeth Speer was copied from a family Bible by Vickie Struble, descendant of Frances Louisa Speer Richardson. Harris Thomas Speer was a physician and their religion was Methodist. He was the son of

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John P and Ann G Speir. He married Elizabeth Tate, daughter of James and Maria Tate. They moved here with her parents and sister Mary and T A Pittman. The Tates settled where the Olive Hill community is now and so did the Speirs. (I have recorded the daybook of Dr Speir showing his patients in another book.)

McNairy County Chancery Court Case 1880: James Haynes etal vs John W Walker, Administrator of the estate of H T B Speir "Bill of Complainant of James Haynes , a citizen of McNairy County, Tennessee, Zimri S. Haynes, Abi Haynes and Robert Haynes, all residents of the State of Georgia and W T Haynes and Wm Howell and wife Sophia formerly Sophia Haynes, residents of the state of Georgia VS John W Walker, Administrator of H T B Speir , dec'd and Eliza Speir, Ann Speir, John Speir, Charles Speir, Laura Speir, all residents of McNairy County, Tenn, the said Charles and Laura Speir being minor without --- guardian, James Speir, a resident of the State of Texas, Charles Tate and his wife Mollie Tate, formerly Mollie Speir, residents of the state of Arkansas, Wesley Richardson and his wife Fannie, firmly Fannie Speir, residents of the state of Mississippi and George Fields and Elizabeth Fields, formerly Elizabeth Speir, residents of Madison Co, Tn. Complainants respectfully represent to your Honor that they and Marcus Haynes and Richard Haynes, now deceased, are all the heirs of Martha M Haynes, dec'd, who died in testate about the year 1863. She was a daughter of James Tate, who died in testate in McNairy County in 1865 or 1866." T A Pittman and H T B Speir was appointed administrations of the said James Tate, Feb 1866. The case goes on to say the estate of James Tate was between $10,000 and $20,000 and that Martha M Tate Haynes share of $2,226.13 had never been fully paid. Tate had railroad stock and the Martha Haynes heirs were accusing H T B Speir of fraud concerning the stock. H T B Speir died in 1878. The wife of H T B Speir in this document is called Eliza. She was Sarah Elizabeth Tate Speir. The disposition of John Davis was taken at the office of Dr W R Ramer in Chewalla, McNairy County, Tennessee on July 29, 1881. Apparently there was some question that James Haynes owned Dr Speir and Speir had not settled fully with Haynes on the Tate estate. Question: Please examine the memorandum or account presented to you and state of you know of any other items therein stated being sold or furnished by Mr. Haynes to Dr Speir in his lifetime - and which ones - state fully as you can remember. Answer: I know he got the ox but don't know he agreed to give for it. I know he got some corn but don't know how much. He got some pork but I don't know who much. Jim/James Speir( son of Dr Speir) had a child to die and got me to go to James Haynes and get a coffin made. Dr Speir gave me an order to get the goods to bury the child and I have forgotten whether he gave me order to Haynes for the coffin or not, (some in here I could not read). Haynes swapped him a good wagon for an old one. Dr Speir's family told me they got the chairs from Mr. Haynes, don't know what price. I was going to kill a beef and sent word by my little boy to Dr Speir that I would let him have a quarter if he wanted it. He sent word that he had bought a beef from Mr. Haynes but hadn't got it and would like to borrow a quarter until Mr. Haynes killed his. (There was quite a bit of discussion about if James Haynes got credit on his account for the coffin)

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Question: State specifically how you know of the delivery of each item. Answer: I saw the ox in his (Speir’s) possession. I saw the Speir boys in Haynes' crib shelling the corn and saw their taking it out but don't know if it was for Dr Speir. I didn't see the pork, but Dr Speir told me he got it from Haynes. I saw him make the doors. John Davis stated that he was 61 years of age and an attorney at law. He was the attorney for the M & O Railroad and he handled the transaction of the sale of stock that James Tate had owned. Sarah Elizabeth Spiers was 66 years old at her disposition September 1882. She stated the James Haynes had paid on his doctor bill by: a quarter of beef, a 1,000 lb shoat, made a door and window sash, 6 chairs, swapped wagons, two bushels of corn and a bell. G. W. Fields and his wife lived at Ramer Station, sometimes called Ramer Switch, at the time of the disposition. He stated the day before Dr Speir died, Spiers came by his house at Ramer to give his wife medicine, and to pay his tax to Bob Hicks. Enos Tate lived ½ mile west of Dr Spiers. Field’s wife was a daughter of Dr. Speir. According to James T. Speir, age 34, Dr Speir, on the day of his death, was not sick, ate his breakfast, directed the boys to go to Ramer after some seed oats he had bought the days before and dropped dead. In the final decree, April 1886, James Haynes was ordered to pay $34.70 and his land notes for $250.00 and the lien against the land would be discharged. (James Haynes was the ancestor of Nancy Wardlow Kennedy on her father’s side.)

1878: McNairy County Records Book E Inventory of Estate of H. T. B. Speir, Oct 7, 1878 List of all accounts: Mary Blankenship 2.00, Henry Derryberry Est 7.00, W. Blakley 56.55, Isaac Derryberry 3.75, B. F. Darby 1.00, John Elem 5.00, Leroy Fulton 2.00, J. M. Guess 11.30, W Grosson 15.00, C. Siler Grosson C 11.00, James Haynes 103.51, Wash Harris 5.40, M. D. McDonough 30.00, Cable McCullar 44.00, Bud Osborn 10.00, A.M. Osborn 5.50, Andy Borey 4.00, William Phillips 1.00, D. W. Richards 77.95, J. W. Tate Est 9.25, E. M. Tate 25.25, R. I. Walker 1.50, W. W. White 11.00

John W Walker, Administrator of H T B Speir, Oct 1882 account of estate: Uncollected accounts at that time were - Mary Blankenship 2.00, Henry Derryberry Estate 7.00, Wm Blakely 56.55, John Elam 5.00, Leroy Fulton 2.00, J. M. Guess 66.30, Wm Graham 15.00, C. S. Graham 11.00, James Haynes (litigation) 103.51, Wash Harris 5.40, Willie Harrison 25.00, M. D. McDonough 30.00, Clabe McCullar 30.50, Bud Osborn 10,00, A M Osborn 5.50, Andy Berry 4.00, William Phillips 1.00, D W Richards 77.95, J. W Tate 9.25, E M Tate 25.25, R I Walker 1.50. The Administrator turns over to the undersigned 4 shares of Mobile & Ohio Railroad Stock for $100.00 each, in favor of the legates of M. M. Haynes dec'd, found among the papers of H R B Speir. (This is what Haynes had alleged, that Speir did not turn over all the Railroad Stock and I think the Civil War took its toll on the stock and it wasn't worth much by the time they got it.) Personal property of H T B Speir, sold Apr 20, 1878: John Davis - 1 cow and plow

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tools for 16.25, T J Sharp - 1 horse, corn sheller, 2 shoats and 5 pigs for 33.15, Loss Parkenson? 1 colt - 12.25, G W Fields - 1 mare for 41.00, J. W Tate - a buggy for 12.50, Jeff Biggs - 1 wagon, grinding rock for 6.10, John W. Walker books, watch, pistol - 14.10, J T Cook books and instruments for 32.00 In 1874, Sarah E Speir vs James Haynes etal concerning the estate of James Tate This was a counter suit about the Railroad stock and a land dispute Compiled by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy

HANCEFORD EMMONS AND THE DERRYBERRY CONNECTION
This is only research done by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy - It may contain errors

Hanceford had a hang-up on the name Mary as all his wives were named Mary. In 1850, Hance, age 27, and Mary, age 25, are living in the 9th district, HH 1813 with their daughter Jane age 2. They are living next door to Ariel Hopkins and wife Polly. This makes me wonder if Mary E. is kin to the Hopkins. In 1870 John Emmons, age 16, possibly son of Hance, is living with a Mary Hopkins, age 66. They are next door to John's step-mother Mary Rushing Emmons. In 1860 Hance T Emmons is listed in the 13th district HH 2202 in McNairy County. With the family is listed Anney Derryberry age 11 and Mary E Derryberry age 5. Next door, with Charles and Elizabeth Blancet is John W. Derryberry, age 13. It is unknown the relationship of the Derryberry children to either family. February 4, 1861 County Court Minutes: H T Emmons appointed guardian of John Derryberry, Louisa Derryberry and Mary Derryberry, Minor orphans of Henry Derryberry, deceased. W P Hopkins and C Davidson were securities. It is a known fact that Hanceford and his second wife had two children, named Jane and Jefferson. (see comments on court case.) Louisa (Anney) Derryberry married David Gibson on Dec 6, 1865, Robert Young, MG. In the 1870 census, her sister is living with them, Mary age 15 and a Jefferson Emmery (?) age 7. This should be Jefferson Emmons. The Gibsons have two boys in 1870, John age 2 and Rufus age 9 months. They are not listed in the 1880 census. Case #265 filed with the Chancery Court in McNairy County - Mary Emmons vs P W North tells a little of what happened to the family. This case was filed concerning a debt Hanceford T Emmons owed P W North. Apparently North owed Emmons but Emmons owed North more. The main issue was money owed for the land Emmons purchased in 1862 or 1863 from Henry R. Sharp and borrowed from P W North. After Hanceford's death, North proceeded to sell this land to L. M. Huggins and Leander Huggins, but Mary felt she deserved at least a dower's right. The judgment, on April 10, 1875, as best as I could determine, gave Mary a dower's right, 55 and 3/4 acres, as long as she lived then it reverted back to P W North or his heirs. This lawsuit gave Hanceford's death at Jan 8, 1870 and lists his children. Apparently, Mary did not list his previous children in the lawsuit and a counter complaint was filed on their behalf.

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One petition says Hanceford had six children by first wife, 5 in Texas and 1 in Mississippi, and one or more children by 2nd wife that reside in Mississippi. Another petition lists the children by name: " Leander, in Arkansas, Lawson and Louvenia in Texas, all of age. Mary and Thomas under 21 years of age and also lives in the state of Texas. (Did not list John - but I assume he is living since the other petition states 6 children by first wife.) "By his 2nd wife, he had the following heirs, Jane and Jefferson, minors and live in the State of Mississippi." Apparently one of the older children carried the three younger children with them to Texas and Jefferson was with his (possibly) step sister Louisa Derryberry Gibson somewhere in Mississippi. I don't know who Jane was with. I haven't found her in 1870.

MCNAIRY COUNTY COURT 1856
W C MOORE VS NANCY LOCKMAN ( OUR CASE NO 287)
PETITION TO SELL LAND

*note: This was really Chancery Court, but somehow got in the County Court files

Your petitioners W C Moore, Lawson A Lockman, administrators of the estate of Levi Lockman, reported Levi Lockman, Sen departed this like on the – day of May 1855 in testate leaving the following heirs : Nancy Lockman , widow L. A. Lockman Munroe Lockman James Lockman Sarah Lockman who intermarried with -----Laughlin Margaret Lockman a resident of North Carolina (*note in McNairy Co, 1860) Franklin Lockman, a resident of California Levi Lockman Jr John Lockman Millia Anna Lockman William Lockman Nancy Lockman WM Wallis (apparently widower of ------ Lockman, children, Nancy E Wallis Leroy Wallis, J F Wallis, J W Wallis, Wm Wallis, Jr The land Range 1 Section 3, bounded by Laurance, Polk and Swanson, and (couldn’t ready) contained 77 acres. The court decreed the land be sold. On August 30, 1856 at the courthouse in Purdy, McNairy County, Tennessee, the land was sold to the highest bidder which was Nancy Lockman for the sum of 122.50.

THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TO SELECT A CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL BE HELD AT

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ALL THE VOTING PLACES AUGUST 6. NO POLL TAX IS REQUIRED AND THE WOMEN ARE ALLOW TO
VOTE AS WELL AS THE MEN - INDEPENDENT APPEAL AUGUST 7, 1925.

TENNESSEE SENT 115,000 CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS
AND 31,000 UNION SOLDIERS TO THE CIVIL WAR

MCNAIRY COUNTY, TN. CHANCERY COURT JOHN M HARRIS VS E. H. FERGUSON, ETAL 1885 COURT DOCKET 629 Defendants: John F Gilmer, J. H Ferguson, E H Ferguson, F P Ferguson, William Ferguson, Lawson King and wife Nancy J King, John King and wife Louisa King, Henry Boatman and wife Mary A Boatman, Jeff Foster and wife Eliza Foster and Victoria Ferguson. This case pertains to an indebtedness, lien on land. Complainant states that on the 29th day of September 1879, Mary A. Ferguson executed to him her promissory note for $65.00 due on the 25th day of December 1879, which is still unpaid at court date. The $65.00 was the balance of the $250.00 purchase price of 26 acres lying and being on the waters of Mosses Creek in the first civil district of McNairy County, State of Tennessee. Bounded by J L Boatman, William Wallace, J T Gooch and William Gilmer. Complainant states that on November 1, 1880, F P Ferguson and E H Ferguson sold this tract of land to John F. Gilmer. According to this court case, Mary A Ferguson died in testate April 1884 (the McNairy County cemetery Book documented by Albert Brown shows her death date as June 30, 1883.) Defendants state the 26 acres was Mary A Ferguson dower which she was entitled to out of the lands of A J Ferguson. A J Ferguson departed this life in testate leaving surviving him Mary A Ferguson his widow and James H, Nancy Jane, Frederick S, Mary Ann, Eliza, Victoria, Ephraim, Louisa and William Ferguson, the last eight of whom are minors under the age of 21 years of age, His widow, Mary Ann was appointed administratrix of his estate (which is unusual - it is usually a man.) R. M. Thompson, McNairy County Court Clerk, declared that the court declared in December 1865 that the lands of A J Ferguson be sold at the courthouse door in the town of Purdy on January 13, 1866 and Mary Ferguson, the high bidder, purchased the land in question for $35.00. A. J. Ferguson owned approximately 126 acres at the time of his death and Mary A selected 26 acres as her dower. There are several pages to this court case but the arguments go round and round.( Note: Frederick’s middle initial was sometimes listed as F s and sometimes F P.P

MCNAIRY COUNTY, TN COUNTY COURT

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W F MOZIER, ETALS VS JASPER N SIPES, ETALS
1888, ARCHIVES CASE NO

COMPLAINTS: Henry King, Lawson King, Jessie King, Alexander King, Matthew King, Jas L King, James Ferguson and Laurel Ferguson, Dick Maxedon and wife Mary Maxedon, ---- King, ----- King, Lawson Sipes, W J Sipes, residents of McNairy County, Tennessee and W F Mozier and wife Julia Mozier residents of Henderson County, State of Tennessee. DEFENDANTS: Jasper N Sipes, ----omer King and wife Louiza King, Daniel King, residents of the State of Texas. George W Plunk and wife Catherine Plunk, residents of the state of Arkansas. The children of G W Sipes and Franklin Sipes, residents of the state of Arkansas. The children of Eli Sipes, whose names, age and residence are unknown. Sissie Sipes whose residence is unknown. The case was more or less an appeal to sell the land and split the proceeds among the heirs. The court specified the land to be sold on Monday, June 3, 1889. William Sipes, Sen died in testate in McNairy County, State of Tennessee sometime about the year 1880 or 1881. At the time of death, he owned 198 acres of land in the 8th civil district in McNairy County bounded by R J Hendrix, John S. Ingraham and Isaac Brown. The ad in the paper stated bounded on the north by Plunk, south by Webster, east by Miller, west by Hendrix. This land was grant # 226 made to William Sipes on March 3,1 1849, range 4, section 5. and in the Finger - Anderson Store area in what is now north McNairy County. Entitled to his estate are: 1. 1/10 Lawson Sipes 2. 1/10 Jasper N Sipes 3. 1/10 The children of Nancy Sipes King and her husband Henry King Lawson King, Jessie King, Alexander King, Mathew King, James L King, Daniel King, -------- King, -------- King, Louiza King Ferguson and husband James Ferguson, Mary King Maxedon And husband Dick Maxedon. (Note: the 1870 census lists ten children: Lassoed, Lura A, Alexander, Daniel, Mathew, Mary R, Leander, Jerusah, Nancy, John L.) 4. 1/10 the children of John Q Sipes, deceased William J Sipes and ----- Sipes 5. 1/10 Julia K Sipes Mozier and husband W F Mozier 6. 1/10 Louiza Sipes King and husband Homer King (not sure this is Homer) 7. 1/10 Two children of Eli Sipes, deceased 8. 1/10 Catherine Sipes Plunk and husband George W Plunk 9 1/10 Children of George W Sipes 10 1/10 Children of Franklin Sipes

This figure changed , adding the children of Wm Sipes, making it all 1/11. The 1850 census shows William.

MCNAIRY COUNTY, TN, COUNTY COURT

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LEE R LOCKMAN VS MARGARET ROBERSON 1897 - ARCHIVES CASE NO

COMPLAINTS: L. R. Lockman, Mark Roberson, Administrations of the estate of D H Roberson DEFENDANTS: Margaret Roberson, Daisey Roberson, Slater Roberson, Buford Robinson, Myrtle Robinson, Maud Robinson D H Roberson died in testate in McNairy County, Tennessee on January 3, 1897 and left surviving him his widow, Margaret Roberson and his children , Daisy, Slater, Buford, Myrtle and Maud, all of said children are minors. The administrators state the estate is insolvent. Claims had been filed against the estate for more than $800.00 and personal property amounted to only $167.40. Real estate consisted of 4 small tracts of land encumbered by the homestead and dower of the widow Margaret Roberson. The estate 1/11 interest of the J Foy Roberson estate which consisted of 505 acre old to him by L T Young in the 2nd civil district on March 2, 1866, being the lands of Young’s grandfather Laney Moore, deceased; 108 acres, a land grant from the State of Tennessee on August 7, 1849 No 14270 or 2516, bounded at that time by Wm C Johnson, William Morton, William Tucker, and 73 ½ acres which was allowed as dower to the widow of Jas F Roberson., R F Beard, county surveyor, surveyed the lands of David H Roberson, deceased on March 23-24, 1898: (1) Known as the Niece Mill tract - 80 acres with the mill house and pond on this tract. Bounded by Dennis Kirth (?), J R Lockman, bank of Rose Creek, L A Lockman (2) The Red Hall tract, bounded by the mouth of Rose Creek where it empties into Little Hatchie, J. R. Lockman, W M Lockman, Wilkins, Little Hatchie Creek, L A Lockman, containing 150 acres.. (3) The J R Lockman tract. Bounded by W M Lockman, Dennis Keith, 30 acres. (The fourth tract was a house and lot in Bethel Springs. The sale of the property of D H Roberson:

MCNAIRY COUNTY CHANCERY COURT 1872

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JOHN G GOOCH VS JESSEE GOOCH, ETALS CASE 277
PETITION TO SELL LAND, RATHER THAN DIVIDE IT

Thomas Gooch died — 1864 and left surviving him the following:
1. J G Gooch, age 63, resident of McNairy County
2. Jesse Gooch, age 61, resident of Mississippi
3. Nichols Gooch, age 59, resident of Arkansas
4. Margaret Gooch, deceased, who intermarried with E Dunaway
(Note - twice, Margaret is mentioned as Margaret Dillon, deceased, it is possible that
E (Ezekiel) Dunaway, died first and she married a Dillon. However, I do not find her in
the 1850 as a Dillon or a Dunaway. In 1850 Pinkney Dunaway is living with Henderson
Ferguson and James is living with J G Gooch. The Marcus J Wright history does not say
that she married a Dillon, but it does say she had two sons and a daughter.
1. P T Dunaway, age 35, resident McNairy County
2. W P Dunaway, age 33, resident McNairy County
3. Mary (Polly) Ann Dunaway, deceased, intermarried Henry Ferguson
1. Mary M Ferguson, who married James Melton
2. Nancy J Ferguson, deceased, married Wesley Ramer died without issue
3. James E Ferguson, age 20, resident of McNairy County
4. Hardeman Ferguson, age 18, resident of McNairy Co.
(Note- one place says Henderson, one says Hardeman)
(Polly Ann Dunaway Ferguson, after the death of Henry Ferguson married
Henry Roten and had four children:
5. Robert Roten, age 16
6. Francis E Roten, age 12
7. Rachel Roten, age 10
8 Mary Ann Roten, age 2
5. Mary (Polly) Gooch, deceased intermarried with W B Terry, dec’d
1. Amanda Terry married Dr Hodges, resident of Mississippi
2. Annie Terry, married D M Wisdom, resident of Jackson, Madison, Tenn
3. Molly Terry, married James Hart, resident of Jackson, Madison, Tenn
4. Jennie resident of Jackson, Tn
6. William Gooch, deceased left his wife Sarah and 8 children
1. John Gooch,. Age about 30, resident of McNairy County
2. Henry Gooch, age 27, residence unknown
3. James Gooch, age 19, resident of McNairy County
4. Elizabeth, married John Larue, residence unknown
5. Margana (Margaret), married Chanery Miller, resident of McNairy County
6. Caroline Gooch, age 20
7. Jennie Gooch,
8. Annie

Thomas Gooch owned three tracts of land, McNairy County, Range, 2 Section 2. (1.) 200 acres, this land bounded No 2045, heirs of L Gillentin (2) 147 3/4 acres. Bounded by No

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1850 A J Ferguson, (3) 47 acres. All lands were sold at public auction at the McNairy County courthouse at Purdy on July 7, 185 for $252.00 by John G. Gooch

MCNAIRY COUNTY, TENNESSEE, COUNTY COURT 1878
ESTATE OF DR WILLIAM C KINDEL CASE #485

THOSE THAT OWED DR KINDEL (YEARS ARE 1877-1878 a few about 1873)

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OWENS, W R SUTTON, W H
PARKER, MISS MATTIE SWAIN, J H

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McNairy County Schools in June 30, 1921

Price (Carter)

HENRY, THE SLAVE
various court cases
STATE OF TENNESSEE
MCNAIRY COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
JULY TERM 1860
Note: spelling is the same as in the documents
Transcribed by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy

Monday, July 9th, 1860 State of Tennessee Be it remembered that a circuit court was began and held at the court house in the Town of Purdy for the County of McNairy and state aforesaid on the second Monday being the 9th day of July 1860 and in the 85th year of American Independence present and presiding the Honorable

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Elijah Walker, Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit of said state. W. D. Jopling, sheriff and M. H. Johnson, clerk in attendance. This day W. D. Jopling, sheriff of McNairy County and state aforesaid entered into court the states wit of Vinisa Facial to him-----, executed upon the following persons all good and lawful men to wit: J. W. Wilmouth, Jesse Gooch, T. H. Bell, John M. Russom, R. M. Thompson, James Davidson, Wm Cason, Allen Wade, G. W. Chenault, Z. T. Tate, Thomas McAlpin, Josiah Jeans, W. A. Halbrooks, Wm Scirrat, John Kerby, Daniel Hysmith, G. W. Babb, D. S. Michie, Andrew McKenzie, B. G. East, E B. Sewell, J. C. Landarth, Iverson Smith, Dock Parker, John Latta, R. B. Ray, Elizen Burkhead, Eli Tisdel, Calvin Wilson, Wm Brumley, George Plunk, David Massengill of whom the court proceeded according to law to elect and impanel a grand jury when the following gentlemen win election to wit: John Kerby, Wm Brumley, R. M. Thompson, Elizen Burkhead, William Scirratt, E. B. Sewell, Daniel Hysmith, George Plunk, Z. T. Tate, John Latta, Calvin Wilson, Iverson Smith and John Russom of whom the court appointed R. M. Thompson foreman who together with the balance of the Grand Jurors having been sworn and charged and returned under the care of Arther Harris a constable of McNairy County who was sworn to attend them. Wednesday July 11, 1860 This day came the Grand Jury into court under the care of their officer, and brought with them the following bills of indictment: one against Henry, a slave, for murder ------------ a True Bill. R. M. Thompson foreman of the Grand Jury, John P. Erwin, Prosecutor, Nancy D. Jill, John P. Erwin, Thomas R. Beck, Harvy Roberts and J. C. McConnel, sworn and sent to the Grand Jury by M. H. Johnson, clerk. Note: apparently the above mentioned were witnesses to the Grand Jury.) Which bill of indictment in the words and ---------- following to wit:

State of Tennessee )
County of McNairy )
Circuit Court, July Term, the year of our Lord, one thousand, eighty hundred and sixty:

The Grand Jurors of the State of Tennessee duly elected -------- sworn and charged to inquire for the body of the County of McNairy, aforesaid, upon this oath present that Henry, a slave, the property of John P. Erwin, on the twenty second day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty, with force and arms in the County of McNairy aforesaid and the state aforesaid, in and upon Diana Erwin, a free white woman, in the ----- of God and said state, there and then being ------- did unlawfully, willfully, deliberately, malicious by pre- meditately, feloniously and of his malice aforethought did make an assault, and the said Henry, a slave, as aforesaid, a certain bellet of wood, which said bellet of wood, he the said Henry, a slave, as aforesaid, in both his hands there and then had and held at, against and upon her, the said Diana Erwin, a free white woman, as aforesaid, there and then unlawfully, deliberately, maliciously, premeditately, feloniously and of his malice aforethought did strike giving to the said Diana Erwin, a free white woman, as aforesaid, in and upon the head of her, the said Diana Erwin, a free white woman, as aforesaid, two moral wounds of which said two mortal wounds, the said Diana Erwin, a free white woman, as aforesaid, on the day and year last aforesaid, at to wit, the county and state aforesaid, did and to the grand jurors aforesaid, who upon their oaths aforesaid do say that the said Henry, a slave, as aforesaid, his ? the said Diana Erwin, a free white woman, as

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aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid, unlawfully, willfully, deliberately, malicious by pre- meditatedly feloniously and of his malice afore though did kill and murder in the first degree to the evil example of all others in like case offending contrary to the forms of the statutes in such case make and provided and against the peace and dignity of the state, and the Grand Jurors aforesaid upon their oath afore said, on the day and year last aforesaid mentioned at to wit the county aforesaid with force and ---- in the county of McNairy, aforesaid, in and upon Diana Erwin, a free white woman, in the peace of God and said state, then and there being unlawfully, willfully, deliberately, maliciously, premediatedly , feloniously and of his malice aforethought, did make an assault, and that the said Henry, a slave, as aforesaid, a certain axe which said axe, the said, Henry, a slave, as aforesaid, in both his hands there and then had and held at against and upon her the said Diana Erwin, a free white woman, then and there, unlawfully, willfully, deliberately, maliciously, premediatedly , feloniously and of his malice aforethought, did strike giving to the said Diana Erwin, a free white woman, as aforesaid, in and upon the head of her, the said Diana Erwin, a free white woman, as aforesaid, one mortal wound of which said moral wound, the said Diana Erwin, a free white woman, as aforesaid on the day and year last aforesaid at to with: the county and state aforesaid did so the Grand Jurors aforesaid upon their oath, aforesaid, do say that the said Henry, a slave, as aforesaid, — the said Diana Erwin, a free white woman, as aforesaid in manner and form, aforesaid, unlawfully, willfully, deliberately, maliciously, premediatedly , feloniously and of his malice aforethought did kill and murder in the first degree to the evil example of all others in like case offending contrary to the form of the statutes in such case, made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the state. William S. Maxwell, Attorney General

STATE OF TENNESSEE ) THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1860
VS ) INDICTMENT FOR MURDER
HENRY, A SLAVE )

This day came the Attorney General on the part of the state and the defendant being conducted to the ---- of the Court in custody of the sheriff and thereupon the said defendant being arraigned and charged on the Bill of Indictment, pleas thereto that he is not guilty and for his trial puts himself upon the county and Attorney General doth the like and thereupon the sheriff of McNairy ----------- to the Attorney General and the defendant’s council approval of jurors to try said cause and said panel having been exhausted and two jurors selected to wit: Shadrick Maness and John Connons and the sheriff exporting that no other panels can be obtained this evening the jurors selected as aforesaid are placed under the care of John Wardlow, one of the constables of said county, who was charged by the court to keep them separate and apart from the balance of the community and permit them to have no intercourse with any other person until tomorrow morning 8 o’clock.

STATE OF TENNESSEE ) FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1860
VS ) INDICTMENT FOR MURDER
HENRY, A SLAVE )

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This day came again the Attorney General on the part of the state and said defendant being conducted to the bar of the court in custody of the sheriff and therein to try said cause, ten other jurors were selected to wit: W. W. Vesten, Samuel James (or Irwin) Benjamin New, E. S. Boyington, B. F. Young, G. W. Pruitt, John C. Goodman, F. F. Carroll, Joseph Roanke and John Murdah, all good and lawful men who after being sworn, will and truly to try the issues of ----- between the state and said defendant and a true verdict to render according to evidence after hearing the evidence in the cause and the charge of the court the jurors aforesaid upon their oaths do say that they find the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree as charged in the Bill of Indictment. Ordered by the court that defendant be ------- to jail. Court then adjourned until tomorrow morning, 8 o’clock. E. Walker

STATE OF TENNESSEE TO P. H. & W. H. BRADEN To boarding jury in case of the State vs Henry, a slave, on a charge of murder, 2 days $15.00. Sworn to and subscribed to before me this the 18th July, 1860. M. H. Johnson Clerk.

STATE OF TENNESSEE
TO W. D. JOPLING, SHERIFF & JAILOR
To keeping Henry, a slave, in McNairy County Jail on a charge of murder from 22nd April
to 9 Sept 1860. $54.00 - 11 turn keys at .50 total $59.50
Sworn to and subscribed in open court 18th July 1860. W. D. Jopling, M. H. Johnson, clerk

TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1860
STATE OF TENNESSEE
VS
HENRY, A SLAVE

This day came again the Attorney General on the part of the state, and the defendant being conducted to the bar of the court in custody of the sheriff and it being demanded of him if he or his council hath any thing further to urge why the court should not proceed to judgment in presence of the verdict of the jury and said defendant and his council saying nothing further than what they have heretofore said in his behalf. It is therefore considered by the court that said defendant be ------------- to the jail of McNairy County and there confined until the first Friday, being the 7th day of September , next, when he will be taken out of the jail by the sheriff of McNairy County and carried to some place within one mile of the Town of Purdy and between the hours of ten o’clock in the forenoon and four o’clock in the afternoon hanged by the neck until he is dead. It is further considered by the court that the State of Tennessee pay the cost of this prosecution and that a bill of costs be certified for allowance. Ordered by the court that the Grand Jury be discharged. Court then adjourned. E. Walker

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Ramer Baptist Church
75 Years in Christian Service
1911-1986

Beginning: The Church had its beginning in a revival service held in 1911 near the Thompson Springs School. The revival was conducted by an evangelist, perhaps Stuart H. B. Mays of near Pinson, Tennessee (some sources say Reverend Mays and others say an evangelist from Memphis). The spirit moved some of those in attendance to join together as a church family and they began meeting in the Thompson springs Schoolhouse in September, 1911, under the leadership of Reverend Stuart H. B. Mays.

Charter Members: were Dr. L. H. Robertson, Sr. and wife, Fannie Robertson, Mrs. Mollie Blasingame and two daughters, Miss Nettie Blasingame and Miss Dora Blasingame; Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Jernigan, Mr. John R. Swain, Mr. J. Alec Dillon, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shelton, Mrs. Cora Blasingame.

Construction of Mays Chapel: Reverend John Jones Smith served as pastor from mid-1914 through the end of 1916. During his pastorate, plans were made for the construction of a one room house of worship. Mr. Jim Teague donated an acre of land on the Ramer-Selmer Road, approximately one mile north of Ramer, and a church building was built there, with Reverend Smith and Mr. Alec Dillon doing most of the carpentry. The building was named Mays Chapel in honor of Reverend Stuart H. B. Mays, the minister who led the people in organizing the church and who served as the new church's first pastor.

Mays Chapel: Mays Chapel was a one room building with double front doors and no porch. The building was probably unpainted until 1935. Inside, there were wide pews in the middle of the building and narrower pews on the sides. The building was heated by a wood burning stove and later by a coal burning stove. Lighting for evening services was provided by kerosene lamps attached to the walls.

Preaching services were only held one weekend each month. The preacher usually served four churches and would preach at each church on a specific weekend each month. He might preach at Mays Chapel each first Sunday, Olive Hill the second Sunday, Butler's Chapel each third Sunday and Chewalla each fourth Sunday, for example. The preacher would arrive by wagon, horse or train on Saturday afternoon. the church would hold a Saturday night preaching service and the preacher would stay with one of the church families overnight. The church would hold a Sunday morning preaching service the next day and the preacher would return home on Sunday afternoon. When the church was without a regular minister, the one weekend per month services were conducted by Union University ministerial students who came from Jackson to Ramer by train. Except for the one weekend each month that a preacher was there, church services consisted of Sunday morning Bible study directly from the Scriptures and later from Sunday School literature, and regular revivals which were well attended. Church membership records show: 17 members in 1911 35 members in 1917 40 members in 1919 64 members in 1924

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79 members in 1925 82 members in 1926 51 members in 1931
(Ministers during that period were paid an average of $10.00 per month.)

Mays Chapel Ministers:
Stuart H. B. Mays 1911-12 Walter Edward 1913-14 John J. Smith 1914-16
Jodie G. Gooch 1917-18 J. D. Harris 1919-21 A. M. Overton 1922-23
N. B. Howard 1924-25 W. C. Nevil 1926 J. E. Bolding 1927
N. B. Howard 1928

Other pastors who served - dates are uncertain: Foy Huckabee 1928-29; A. L. Bishop; J. A. Woods: Carl Barrett; Foy Huckabee (served twice) J. E. Bolding 1945 when the church was moved.

Mays Chapel Deacons: R. N. Shelton, 1912 until death 1936; W. B. Johnson 1917 (moved); John R. Swain 1914 (moved); F. D. Tedford 1922 (moved); W. M. Rhodes, 1922 until death 1952; Earl W. Tanner until death 1977; John Tee Teague, until death 1966, Oran Blasingame, moved (then accidental death.)

Church Moved to Ramer: Mays Chapel was located on an unimproved, dirt road. When there were no paved roads and transportation was primarily by wagon, horseback and train, being located on a dirt road was not a disadvantage. However, by the mid 1940's cars had become a form of transportation and Highway 57 had been completed through Ramer. Since the road by Mays Chapel became impassable to automobiles during the wettest part of the winter, many people in the church felt that the church would not grow until the building was moved to the highway because the church could not complete successfully with more accessible churches. Also, Pickwick Electric Cooperative had run electric power line down Highway 57 through Ramer and electricity was available along the highway, but electricity was not yet available along the Ramer-Selmer Road. The Church therefore voted at its October 1, 1944 business meeting to dismantle the building and move it to a site closer to Ramer. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Teague donated an acre of land on Highway 57 and the Church building was dismantled and moved to its present location. At the time designated to begin dismantling and moving the building, the men were all working in the fields and the women of the Church dismantled and moved the first few wagon loads by themselves. The new building was very similar to the previous building except that the interior was divided into an auditorium, a choir, and six classroom areas, rather than one large room. The construction was finished enough by August, 1945 that Pickwick electric Cooperative began supplying electricity on August 8, 1945 and the summer revival was held later that month.

Pastors at Ramer:

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Mike Ridgely 1974-75 Jetta Forsythe 1976-80 Tommy Wilder 1980-84

Deacons at Ramer: W. M. Thodes, until death; Earl Tanner until death in 1976, Oran Blasingame, moved, Tee Teague, until death in 1966, S. T. Haddon 1946 until death 1976, E. J. Shelton 1946 until death 1968, Nolan Simms, moved; Hudie Barnes 1946 moved, died 1966, Wilford McMahan 1953 until death 1976; Buel McMahan 1953 active * Eugene Cardwell 1953, active; H. J. Massengill 1953, active; J. C. Teague 1968, active; Dale Locke 1968, active; James C. Stanfield 1968, active; Dan Burton 1978, active; Johnny Blakely 1976, active; Randolph Hamm 1976, active; Jerry Teague 1986, active; Douglas McMahan 1986, active. *Active at the time written which was probably about 1986.

J.W. SUTTON

On a recent visit in the eastern part of the county, the writer had the pleasure of seeing an old friend in the person of W. J. Sutton, who lives on his plantation in the northern part of the 9th district of this county. He was 90 years old, 2 months and 10 days of age on the 19th of July, 1925. Having being born on the 9th day of May 1835, in the county of Jackson, Alabama. His father and mother were Roland D and Margaret Sutton. With him on the afternoon of our visit were his daughters, Mrs. Blanche Matthews and son, Will Matthews, and Miss Maggie Sutton. He has two other daughters Mrs. Opnelia Hays of New Mexico and Mrs. Edgar Kivee of Corinth. His son Edgar Sutton died in 1917. Despite his years, Mr. Sutton is a wonderfully well preserved and can read without glasses as easily as he did 40 years ago. He goes about his place and takes a lively interest in the happenings in the neighborhood and county and in current events reading the daily paper every day. He has been a part of this county's history for a long, long time and has witnessed the many changes that have taken place all along the line his contempories John H. Meeks, Alex Erwin, Solomon Perkins, Baz East, Andy and Dave McKenzie, Bob Michie, Thos Beck, David Horn, John Wardlow, Jimmie Johnson, Lindsay and Aaron Sanders, James Warren, George Michie, John S. Atkins, Samuel Chambers, Peyton Atkins and others of the old school have long since gone to their reward. Mr. Sutton talks in an interesting way of the old times and delights to review the happenings of the days that are gone. When he was born Purdy was only 10 years old and was 10 years before Benjamin Wright made his journey to the Mexican war. It was 20 years before Appomattox and nearly 25 years before the Mobile and Ohio railroad was built. In the evening of his life, this good old man sits amid the scenes of an old home and children with much love and affection attend to his every want. He has three sisters Mesdames Lucinda Perkins, Elizabeth Wardlow and Maggie Farris. We are glad we were permitted again to see this venerable citizen and wish that he may be spared to see the end of at least 100 years of living. Independent Appeal August 7, 1925

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Lonesome Letter from Walter, Oklahoma To Thomas Price from Herman Price Note: spelling is the same as written Dear Daddy, Sept the 5 -1930 Recd your letter today. Was glad to har from you all - glad that you all was well. This leaves us well as common. Well Dad. You know Sat is my birth-day Sept 6th. I'll be 37. Cant tell you how glad I would be if I could be with you all-but I will pull boles if nothing happens. Oh Dady 30 years ago seams only a few days to me. When we children were all togather I can't help but greave back after childhood days. I have been away from you all so long. Sometimes it seams to me that all my people has gone away. Except what few is here with me - we didnt even know cousin Henry was sick - it look like you all could wright us more about whats going on back there than what you do. Dont you all know that we think of you all every Day and everbody in that contry. Even the old finces and branches - roads - ever tree and mudhole. Ever foot of land that we ever stood upon all of these sacred things and places. Not once in a while but every Day we live. You all ought not to expect us to right as you all should right to us. About all that we can right to you is how we are getting along. But if we could do such a thing - as to forget - all the things I have mentioned in this letter why it would Deprive us of the most sacred values of our lives. The membrence of these things are precious to us and will be til the day we leave this world. Wheather we ever see our choicest spot of this world or not anymore. Yes we no lots of people here and they are good to us as long as we can help our selves. But when we get in a shape like we are now most all them are strangers to us. Dad we have went through some pretty hard times. But we got by Without bothering you all. But we are in one now I dont see any chance to get out off. Our crops burnt neart up and that hail come on the Dark of the moon and our cotton has gone back on us. Even the young boles have dried and cracked open. We are tird. For two hundred dollars. And we will make maby nine bales of pulled cotton off of 145 acres of ground. Was supposed to make 70 bales. We had 20 acres of feed. Dont guess it will make one tenth of a crop. No cows no hogs. We raised 7 turkies. We have no cars except an old wreck Grady has worth about $5.00. Dad the Bank and the man on my note expects us to put ever cent of our cotton on our note. I dont believe our half will pay the $200.00. We had to pull bales at 50 cents a hundred to get half enough sacks. Some are paying 35 cents a hundred for pulling and 50 cents for picking. Now if we live we have got to pull our crops and stop a day or too at the time and pull bales at 50 cents and get something to eat - it is high out here. Grady is a good hand. He made 87 cents the other day. If we was to quit our crop and pull boles by the hundred the rest of the fall I dont believe we could make enough to winter on much less a pair shoes a piece. These bollie are bring 30 to 35 dollars a bale. So I have put of asking all to help us as long as I can. Without koing what else to do- if you cant. If we dont gather this crop and pay the bank we cant never get anymore help here and if you can you send us a hundred dollars. We dont care if you have to tie your land up for it. We will make it good as soon as we can. Lots of people here are offering to work for their board. We have to drag over from 10 to 25 acres to get one bale and only 35 to 50 cents per h. at that. So you see about this if you was to send it you get a money order . So I will close for this time. from us all Herman Where is coy Bonnie - tell her hello for us. You send me Jim Price address. Homer you

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tell Mr. Jim Night I said hello. We haven’t named our babies yet. Dont think I would tell anyone about us asking for money. You no some people talks so much. Send me Jim Prices address. By By. (From the papers of Thomas W. Price, Michie, Tennessee. Courtesy of Linda Burks. Herman did leave Oklahoma and come back to McNairy County, Tennessee.)

County School Board of Education 1921

Voting Precincts in 1902
Precinct District

Camden 2
Nethery 1
Ramer 4
Guys 14
Gravel Hill 5
Caffey 5
Acton 9
John Carroll’s 9
Dave Carroll’s 9
Stantonville 10
Garrett 13
Adamsville 15
Leapwood 11
Milledgeville 12
Mt Zion 12
Johnson's Mill 16
O'neal Store 16
McNairy 17
Purdy 7
Kerby's 3
Bethel Springs 19
Cypress Tank 18

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McNairy County Independent-Apr 21, 1922 Friday's Election- The election held last Friday to elect Selmer town officials resulted in the following new officials being elected: H. C. Gooch, Mayor; J. A. Gooch, Marshal; W. M. Brown, Recorder; Albert Gillespie, J. C. Houston, Jno R. Swaim, Dr W. W. Wallace and A. S. Robinson, Aldermen. All the men elected are good citizens and will make efficient officials. No great amount of interest was manifested and no unusual number of voter were polled. The new officials will resume their respective duties the first Friday in May. -------<>-------

Disagreeable at home? Lots of men and women who are agreeable at home, get "cranky" at home. It's not your disposition, it's the liver. If you find in yourself that you feel cross around the house, little things worry you, just buy a bottle of Ballard's Herbine and put your liver in shape. You and everybody around will feel better for it. Price 50 cents. Sold by B L Browder. McNairy Independent 1910.

From Tippah County, Miss court records: James W. Carter married Sophia Carter in McNairy
County, Tenn Aug 1820. They moved to Tippah County, Miss in 1840. Divorced in 1852 in
Tippah County, Miss. Thanks to Nancy McClain for this information.

DID YOU KNOW.... When researching ancestors in England it will be handy to know that a "Hamlet" has no Episcopal church; a "Village" has a church; a "Town" has a royal charter to hold markets and a "City" has an Anglican bishop. Copied from the Family Tree.

Texas has lived under six different flags; France, Spain, Mexico, Republic of Texas, The
Confederacy and the USA.

McNairy Independent -August 1902 - from District Two Mr. Headly Jernigan and Miss Julia Jernigan have fever. The Debating Club at Leadford's Chapel is doing well. The schools in these diggins are hopping on at a lively rate. Good teachers and hustling patrons make a good show. Dr J. A. Boatman and J. R. Mitchell are said to have the best farms in these diggins. Jacob Gibson also has a brag farm. Their crops exceed anything your servant has peeped at. The fifth Sunday meeting at Crainesville was attended by a large number of our folks. Baptist protracted meeting closed there last Thursday and the M.E. Church began it's protracted meeting at Sandy Flatt this week. It's time everybody was praising God for the blessings . Dr B.L. Moore and his amiable little wife are happy - new baby. M.H. Jernigan and wife of Fruit-land, Gibson Co, are visiting their son Lee Jernigan in these diggins. They will probably be here a few weeks. Mr. Ed Earnest moved to Middleton on July 28th. Better stayed in old No 2, Ed. We have the finest spot of ground anywhere. Mrs. Mary Langton's baby died on Aug 4 and was buried at Moore's School House.

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The Weekly Corinthian, Dec. 6, 1923: WAS THE END OF A PERFECT DAY FOR CONFEDERATE VETERANS.. meeting of the Confederate Veterans and the dinner at the Waldron Hotel with Hugh E. Ray as the host of the splendid occasion. Those who know Mr. Ray know him as a big man who does things in a big way, and sometimes doing things in a big way means the simplest manner possible. Preparations were made by Mrs. Sam Sharp, whose direction of such matters is always of superior character. The following delightful menu was served: Oyster stew, Roast young turkey, Dressing, Cream potatoes, Asparagus tips on toast, Fruit salad, Coconut pie, Coffee, Celery, Pickles, Olives, Saltines. The veterans who sat down to this feast were T. K. Young, J. A. Price, J. M. Lindsey, W. M. Brown, John Potts, J. T. Martin, C. W. McCord, J. T. Harris, H. G. Kimmons, T. B. Dalton, D. L. Cogdell, A. B. Hamm, William Gann, J. H. Collins, I. E. Cornelius, L. J. Burnett, G. W. Tatum, M. Byrnes, A. M. Hooker, E. T. Vanderford, W. T. Armistead, M. A. Powell, T. D. Duncan. Their ages ranged from 82 to 90. Other guests were Dr. T. W. Young, J. E. Gift, Paul T. Jones, John Goosman, Mrs. Maggie B. Johns, Mrs. T. D. Duncan, Mrs. H. E. Ray. Dr Young was the principal speaker, extracts from his talk having appeared in the Corinthian on Saturday. Others who were heard were Capt. T. D. Duncan, W. T. Armistead and J. E. Gift. The latter was a special guest being the only federal soldier at the festal board. He told of how he had lived and associated with his enemies in war and friends in peace and closed by says that he knew he loved none others better and he believed that feeling was reciprocated by those around him.

EIGHT STATES WERE NAMED FOR FAMOUS MEN:

1.Delaware - for the British governor of Virginia Thomas West, Baron De La Warr
2.Georgia - George Ii of England
3.Louisiana - Louis XIV of France
4.New York - for England's James, Duke of York and Albany
5.North & South Carolina - for England's Charles I
6.Pennsylvania - Admiral Sir William Penn
8.Washington - George Washington

CENTER HILL SCHOOL
WALKING DOWN MEMORY LANE by Roy O'Neal

I shall now write about the Center Hill School where my public education began in 1926. This was a large, one room schoolhouse that had its beginning in the early 1890's and continued as a public school until 1952. Several generations of children who grew up in this community received all or part of their education from this little school. At one time when my mother attended this school, as many as 75 - 80 children attended, all living within a two mile radius of the building. There were no automobiles or school buses in those days, and those who attended this

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