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Short Histories of Families Attached to Our Direct Smiths


1800s

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Hollingsworth
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Smith Family





By: Jerry A. Smith,
Smith Family Researcher
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Hollingsworth Family

First of all let give credit and say thanks to two individuals; Mr. Ken Hollingsworth ([email protected]) and Dr. Harold Graham ([email protected]).  Basically all the information I have accumulated regarding the Hollingsworth Family is from these guys.  Ken not only is a distant relative in the family tree way, he also [however unaware in the beginning] is an old friend to my father, Carey Smith.  Ken and Carey first met each other in the Air Force while stationed in California.  It is funny how life has so many twists.  Dr. Graham is now the President of the Newton County, MS Genealogical Society and has done the majority of all the research on the Hollingsworth Family.  He has even done extensive research on families that are attached to his, including our Smiths.  He has been a great source of help even though we have never met.   

I personally have little information about the lives of the early Hollingsworths apart from the names and dates.  I will share with you what I have for now.  As best as I can tell the first [or rather the earliest found] Hollingsworth was Henry Hollingsworth who was born about 1600.  Some believe he was born in England, but most evidence alludes to Ireland.  This would mainly be because his children were born in Ireland.  The one I am referring to is his son Valentine Hollingsworth who was born about 1632 in Bellenickeranell, Ireland.  He married a lady named Ann Rea (Wray) and had 4 children.  After Ann died some time about 1672, he remarried to Ann Calvert and together they had 6 children.  Valentine was the first Hollingsworth to make it to the new world, America.  He came over between 1673 and 1684.   I base this on that he 5th child was born in Ireland in 1673 and his 6th child was born in America in 1684.  His children with Ann Rea are as follows:

    **    Mary Hollingsworth (b. in Ireland / d. in Pennsylvania, USA) married (1) ca. 1684 to Thomas Conway (also Conoway). Thomas died 17 July 1689 and was             buried in the Quaker Burying Ground at Newark. Thomas had come to America on the same ship with Mary and her father Valentine Hollingsworth.  Mary               was married (2) in 1693 to Randal Malin.
    **    Henry Hollingsworth (b. in Ireland) married Lydia Atkinson
    **    Thomas Hollingsworth (b. In Ireland) married a lady named Margaret.  After Margaret’s death he remarried to Grace Cook.
    **    Catherine Hollingsworth (b. in Ireland) married George Robinson.

His children with Ann Calvert are as follows:

    **    Samuel Hollingsworth, I (b. 27 Jan 1673 in Belfast, Ireland / d. Nov 1748 in Chester Co. PA) married Hannah Harlin (b. 4 Feb 1681 in Ireland).  Together               they had 5 children. 
    **    John Hollingsworth (b. 19 Apr 1684 in Delaware / d. Aug 1722 in Chester Co. PA) married Katherine Tyler (b. 12 Aug 1690 in Salem, NJ / d. 1755 near               Cape Fear, NC).  They had 5 children.  She took their children to NC after John’s death. 
    **    Enoch Hollingsworth
    **    Valentine Hollingsworth (b. unk) married Elizabeth Heald
    **    Ann Hollingsworth (b. unk) married James Thompson
    **    Joseph Hollingsworth (b. unk) married a lady named Elizabeth.

To stay on track, the linage I wish to portray continues though Samuel Hollingsworth I.  He was one of the 11 commissioners appointed in 1728 to run the line between Chester Co. and newly formed Lancaster Co. In 1735, he owned land and lived near George Harlan, on west side of Brandywine, 5 or 6 miles from Wilmington.  As Samuel married Hannah Harlin we found out earlier that they had 5 children: Samuel Hollingsworth II (b. 1706) married Barbara Shewin (b. 1716).   Enoch Hollingsworth; John Hollingsworth; George Hollingsworth (b. unk / d. 1748); and Betty Hollingsworth.

I know it is not much but we must soldier on.  So, Samuel Hollingsworth II and Barbara Shewin had one child that I am aware of:  Samuel Hollingsworth III (b. 1741 in Chester Co. PA / d. 1810 in Fayetteville Co. NC) married a lady we will call Elizabeth Hollingsworth.  Now Samuel Hollingsworth II and Elizabeth get us to where it begins to be interesting.  After their marriage about 1780 in NC, they had 10 Children:
   
    **    Abraham Hollingsworth (b. 1767 in MD / d. 1837 in IL) married Unknown     and had 9 Children.
    **    Jacob Hollingsworth (b. 1775 in NC / d. 1852 in Madison Co. MS) married     Sarah Jane Hogg (b. 1785 in SC / d. 1860 in Madison Co. MS) and had 2               children.
    **    Rachel Hollingsworth (b. 1777)
    **    Isaac Hollingsworth (b. 1780 in Burke Co. NC / d. 1866 in Newton Co.     MS) married Dorcas Smith (b. abt. 1783 / d. abt. 1824), daughter of Isham                   Smith and     Sarah Harbin.  They had     11 children.  The date of Isaac's death is established in     part on the basis of a Certificate filed in Hinds County,                   Mississippi, under date of 3     March 1866, in which Isaac N. Hollingsworth of Hinds County is authorized to act     as attorney in disposing of the effects of              the estate of Isaac Hollingsworth, deceased,     late of Newton County, of which the spouse and children of the late William Smith     Hollingsworth are heirs,              namely Clarissa M. Hollingsworth, S. M. Hollingsworth,     Nathan M. Hollingsworth, J. D. Hollingsworth, M. A. and Simeon Wise, J. O.     Hollingsworth                and H. T. Hollingsworth, minors, heirs of William Smith     Hollingsworth, Isaac Newton Hollingsworth, guardian. The property consisted of     160 acres in                addition to one wagon, one gin, one grist mill, and other items.  There is     much more on Isaac and     his brother Jacob in the Essay below.
    **    Elizabeth Hollingsworth (b. 1781) married Moses Allred.
    **    John Hollingsworth (b. 1782)
    **    Enoch Hollingsworth (b. 1790 in NC / d. 1813) married Mary Margaret     Cunningham.
    **    Ruth Hollingsworth (b. 30 Sep 1791in NC / d. 30 Apr 1844 in Springfield,     MO) married William Fulbright.
    **    Margaret Hollingsworth
    **    Malona Hollingsworth (b. unk) married Robert Steen (b. 1787 in SC / d. 30     Jan 1837 in Rankin Co. MS).  They had 8 Children.

This is where the Hollingsworth Family and our Smith Family come together.  It started with Dorcas Smith marrying Isaac Hollingsworth.  But it didn’t stop there.    Dorcas Smith and Isaac had married, about the year 1803. It is believed that Dorcas died with or following the birth of their last son, Addison, in 1824, and she is likely buried in the Fair River Baptist Church Cemetery.

The last child that we believe to be Isham’s is Dorcas Smith.  Now Dorcas is a bit of a mystery but we can figure some things out.  She had to have been born before 1803 as she was married at this time.  As I have no date for her birth, we will have to figure this one out on our own by working backwards.  From records found among the Hollingsworth line, we discovered that Isaac Hollingsworth married a Dorcas in 1803 in Franklin Co. Georgia.  There was no last name given.  Isaac being one of the settlers in Franklin Co. Georgia as proven in the essay by Dr. Graham, we can see the connection forming as the Smith’s and Hollingsworth’s are now living amongst each other.  It is obvious that a friendship formed between Isham and old Samuel Hollingsworth (Isaac and Jacob’s father) if they didn’t know each other from before.  The Hollingsworth family also came from North Carolina.  Therefore, the marriage between the two families is no surprise.  Now if most women were married at this time between the ages of 18 and 22, we can assume an average of 20.  This is just an observation on my part, no official data here, but you can deduce this for your self.  If she married Isaac Hollingsworth at about age 20 in 1803, she would have been born about 1783, on average.  So far so good?  This would place her parents, Isham and Sarah, being married about 1782.  If Isham was born around 1760, he would have been married about age 22.  That's good.  If Sarah was born about 1765, she would have been married at age 17.  That puts Isham at age 23 and Sarah at age 18 when Dorcas was to have been born.  These calculations are all fitting pretty good.  So the possibility of Dorcas belonging to Isham is very high.  Some other records from the Hollingsworth’s give her the surname of Smith.  I have no official data, but all the makings are there for the story to be the truth.   I searched and found no other Smith families in the area of Franklin County Georgia during this time.  This has to be the only answer.  I for one believe it, as does other more educated researchers, such as Dr. Graham.

Isaac and Dorcas had 11 children.  I will quickly run through them:  Sarah (b. 18 Jun 1805); William S. (b. 25 Feb 1806); Mary Ann (b. 25 Feb 1806); Nancy (b. 11 Jan 1808); Elizabeth (b. 1809); Isham (b. 3 Dec 1810); Samuel H. (b. 6 may 1813); Robert S. (b. 1816); Jemima (b. 1817); Jacob (b. unk); and Addison (b. 1824).  First of all notice the names.  The middle initial on William is “S”.  This stands for Smith.  Then notice the name Isham.  Most parents [when there are several children] name their children after their own parents and other relatives.  Isham is the named of Dorcas’ supposed father.   Isaac’s son Robert Hollingsworth married Jemima Smith (b. 1822), the daughter of John Smith and Francis Maxwell, Dorcas’ brother.  Robert married his first cousin.  Now after she died he remarried to a Cinderella Smith, another daughter of John Smith and Francis Maxwell (John is the son of Isham Smith).  This means that Robert remarried his first cousin again.  Then Isaac and Dorcas’ daughter Jemima Hollingsworth married John Smith (the same father of Cinderella Smith) after the death of his first wife Frances Maxwell.  She married her first cousin.  Next, Isaac and Dorcas’ son, Samuel, married John Smith’s first child, Lina Smith.  He married his first cousin.  If you are not already confused, you will be trying to keep up with it all.  The point is that our family in the early 1800s had many ties to the Hollingsworth Family.  To pick back up with Isaac and his brother Jacob, below is an essay written by Dr. Harold Graham about the Hollingsworths (and Smiths):


    Chapter 1: Descendants of Isaac Hollingsworth, Sr. (1781-1866)
   
    One of the first settlers of Newton County, Mississippi, was Isaac Hollingsworth, a native of North Carolina, a farmer and miller, who came to live southwest of Decatur in the year 1834.  Isaac, it is believed, was born in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Burke County, North Carolina.  As a young adult, he came with his brother Jacob to the frontier country of Franklin County, Georgia.
   
    Franklin County, Georgia, was created in 1784 from lands ceded by the Creek and Cherokee Nations and included all or part of the present-day counties of Franklin, Banks, Jackson, Hart, and Stephens Counties.  As an incentive to settlers, land could be homesteaded at no cost to the settler except a few years of cultivation and use.  Many of the early inhabitants were former residents of South and North Carolina, a significant number having served in the Revolutionary War.  These early settlers included Jesse and William Smith, both natives of Moore County, North Carolina, and veterans of the South Carolina militia.
   
    Col. William Wofford, Sr., settled on the western border of Franklin County in 1790, bringing with him his friend from Newberry County, South Carolina, Jacob Pennington.  The territorial government authorized Wofford to set up a military outpost as protection against the Indians and the area under his jurisdiction, included a six-mile strip, known as Wofford's Settlement, along this western frontier.  Soldiers posted at Wofford's Fort in 1793 included William Wofford, Benjamin Wofford, Samuel Hollingsworth and Jacob Hollingsworth.  After the arrival of Jacob Hollingsworth in 1792 from Burke County, North Carolina, another outpost, known as Hollingsworth's, was created.  Later outposts were created in the names of John Martin and John Dickerson.  Several of Wofford's sons and Samuel Hollingsworth are listed as members of the militia stationed at Wofford's Fort.
   
    Other settlers who moved into Wofford's settlement included Stephen Smith (1796, from Moore County, North Carolina), Jacob Kees, Isham Smith, Sr. (1804, from Montgomery County, North Carolina), and Isaac and Everett Smith, also William Smith, Jesse Maxwell, his brother Thomas Maxwell, Jr., and Thomas' brother-in-law, Benson Henry. With them they brought the Baptist religion, and built a church along the edge of the frontier The church was named Line Baptist Church [this church still exists today] and located a mere few feet across the true Georgia border and in a community that came to be known as Hollingsworth. Since it was located on Cherokee land, its members refused to worship at night for fear of Indian raids.
   
    In 1797 and 1798 the federal agent Benjamin Hawkins conducted a survey of the area, announcing afterward that many of the settlers, such as Isham Smith, Sr., were living on Indian lands outside the state of Georgia.  These settlers were ordered to move, an action they first resisted, but later complied with. Many had already begun to look toward the Mississippi Territory.  Now they took the incentive to move into the new Mississippi counties of Marion and Pike Counties.  Many of the settlers from Wofford's Settlement located near Fair River in present-day Lincoln County, Mississippi.  For many, the county of Franklin had been viewed as a "jumping off place" and they had moved temporarily to the area with the expectation that the federal government would soon open new lands for habitation to the South and West.
   
¬    In the year 1802, Isaac and his brother Jacob were in the Territory of Tennessee, likely with a brother Abraham, in search of the best migration route from Franklin County to the Mississippi Territory.  Isaac and Jacob returned to Franklin County in 1803, as per return passport from Col. Jonathan Meigs that authorized passage from Tennessee through Indian lands into Franklin County.  The language of that passport reads as follows:
    
    So. West point Sepr. 13th 1803
    Cherokee Agency
   
    Jacob Hollingsworth and Isaac Hollingsworth have permission to pass thro; the Cherokee Nation to Franklin County in the state of Georgia, taking care to make no infraction of the Law for regulating intercourse with the Indian tribes & for preserving the peace on the Jacob Hollingsworth and Isaac Hollingsworth have permission to pass thro; the Cherokee Nation to Franklin County in the state of Georgia, taking care to make no infraction of the Law for regulating intercourse with the Indian tribes & for preserving the peace on the frontiers; or the regulations of the Executive of the United States for the Government of the Indian Department
       
        Return J. Meigs
        A War in Tennessee

       

    Then in 1804, we have the following passport application:

    Hudson's River
    Frontier of Franklin County 14th of April 1804

    To whom it concerns:
        Whereas Lewis Dickens, Caleb Dickinson, Nathan Horn, and Lewis Jones, hath made known to us the Subscribers, of their intentions in Removing to the westward of the Cumberland mountains with their families; and that it is two Hundred miles more or less in the distance of their journey, to pass through the Cherokee Nation; and that is considered that it will be much to their safety to obtain a Passport for the purpose.
        We certifie that all the Men above named are honest men and good citizens, that they have for a considerable (time) declared their intentions of their Removal; and we believe that they have settled their affairs and dealings with all Persons in this part of the Countey.
    William Weatherspoons                 Charles Spencer                Samuel B. Spencer                         Joseph Skelton                               Stephen Smith                  Jacob Loughridge
    Adam Shuffield                              Matthew Dickeson              John Dickeson                               James Stigler                                Elijah Maxwell                    Jesse Maxwell
    Robert Dickeson                           Benson Henry                     Benjamin Wofford                        George Hoppe                             (illegible)                             Hugh Hartgrave
    Samuel Brights                            Richard Jacks                       sam Smith
   
    N. B. We the within Subscribers do confirm this on the back as there were some left out within that were intended by us--Samuel Hollingsworth, James Maxwell recommendations for Pass Ports.  Acted on 21st of April 1804.

   
   
    The above named Samuel Hollingsworth returned to Franklin County to take a land grant of 160 acres on Webb's Creek in 1807 next to Thomas Maxwell, Jr. Meanwhile, Jesse Maxwell and his brother James went to the wilderness west of the present town of Monticello, Mississippi, to clear land, build dwellings, and begin crops. The womenfolk and children were left behind with Thomas. By 1816, James returned to Georgia to stay, settling in Elbert County, while Thomas, his brother, brought the womenfolk and children to their new home in Mississippi near the residence of Isaac Hollingsworth.
   
    Samuel Hollingsworth returned to North Carolina, where he died in Haywood County in 1810. It is assumed that he was the father of Isaac and Jacob Hollingsworth and that the trip to Mississippi was made on their behalf to seek out new and fertile lands. Neither Jacob nor Isaac is mentioned in the will in which he indicates, "As for my other children, I have taken care of them in my lifetime."
   
    In the fall of 1810 Isaac took his family through the Cumberland Mountains, in a route known today as the Atlanta Road, and into the Tennessee valley. Building a raft, they began the float trip through the Tennessee River system.  Low waters interrupted their trip and they went into winter camp, probably in the area of Carroll County, Tennessee.  Isham, the second son of Isaac and Dorcas Hollingsworth, was born during this time. With spring, the family continued their trip into the Mississippi River, down to Natchez, and then traveled overland on the old Fort Stephens road to the Fair River, a tributary of the Pearl River, where they built a log cabin and began life anew.
   
    Isaac bought 160 acres along the Fair River suitable for a mill place and for farming.  One record of 1813 indicates he was indebted to Caleb Dickerson for payments on the land.  Among his neighbors during these early years were Jesse and Thomas Maxwell, Caleb and Lewis Dickerson, Jacob and Perry Kees, Stephen Smith, William (Billy) Smith, the Steen family, Isham Smith, Sr., and Isham Smith, Jr. The Fair River Baptist Church was organized in 1815 in the home of Lewis Dickerson and many of the same families were early members.
   
    With the outbreak of the War of 1812, the main concern in the rural South was that the Creeks, who had allied with the British, would wreck havoc on the settlers.  This confrontation came to a head on August 13, 1813, when the Creek Indians attacked and killed more than 500 persons at Fort Mims, Alabama.  In retaliation, Governor Claiborne organized the Mississippi Militia and marched against the Creeks at the Holy Ground on December 23, 1813, and at Horse Shoe Bend on the Tallapoosa River in March of 1814. This ended the Indian threat.
   
    George Nixon's 13th Regiment represented Marion and Pike Counties in these military campaigns. Specifically, Company S (for Smith) was comprised of residents of the Fair River area.  Under the command of Captain William (Billy) Smith, the unit included Lt. Isham Smith, Corp. Isaac Hollingsworth, and privates James Steen, Caleb Dickerson, Jacob Kees, Levi Smith, Eli Smith, William Steen, and Ensign Robert Steen. The unit was poorly prepared for battle, with summer clothing, primitive weapons, and few food supplies, and would later petition the Governor for relief.  Isaac Hollingsworth, himself, was assigned to the gunsmith shop.
   
    In 1828, Isaac sold his land at Fair River to Balinda King (Jesse Maxwell, witness) and moved to Copiah County, Mississippi.  Isaac owned land in Copiah County and was a charter member of County Line Baptist Church in Copiah County prior to his move to Newton County in 1834.
   
    Isaac Hollingsworth is listed as one of the first thirty-two settlers in Newton County, then part of Neshoba County, Mississippi [this is on of the reasons why we will find later so many of our relatives in Newton Co. MS.  Isaac married Isham Smith’s daughter, Dorcas, while also naming their first born after Isham Sr., but we will get to that later]. On March 13, 1835, Isaac was awarded an Original Land Patent in then Neshoba County, Mississippi, described as W 1/2 of SE 1/4 of S 2 T7 R11E containing 80 35/100 acres for the price of $100.44, for which he paid cash.  In the years that followed, Isaac continued to add to his land holdings.  In 1841 tax records indicate that he was assessed $10.12 for his property that included 1,034 acres, 1 clock, 40 cattle, and 5 slaves. (This clock, along with a razor owned by Isaac, is currently in the possession of Dr. John G. Hollingsworth of Athens, Georgia.)  On the eve of the Civil War, Isaac owned fourteen slaves, including an elderly couple that had apparently been with him for many years.  Many of the Hollingsworth slaves retained the family name after the Civil War and lived in the area, but after a number of years, drifted to other states.
   
    At least part of the town of Decatur was included in the early land holdings of Isaac Hollingsworth, including the present location of the Decatur United Methodist Church and the courthouse.  It is said that he donated land to the county with the stipulation if the courthouse were ever moved that the land would revert to the family. The property donated included stipulations for a courthouse, jail, and school. In a story told by Jacob Carl Hollingsworth, Isaac made it a special occasion by preparing a huge barbeque under the trees for all who would come.
   
    The date of Isaac's death is established in part on the basis of a Certificate filed in Hinds County, Mississippi, under date of 3 March 1866, in which Isaac N. Hollingsworth of Hinds County was authorized to act as attorney in disposing of the effects of the estate of Isaac Hollingsworth, deceased, late of Newton County, of which the spouse and children of the late William Smith Hollingsworth are heirs, namely Clarissa M. Hollingsworth, S. M. Hollingsworth, Nathan M. Hollingsworth, J. D. Hollingsworth, M. A. and Simeon Wise, J. O. Hollingsworth and H. T. Hollingsworth, minors, heirs of William Smith Hollingsworth, Isaac Newton Hollingsworth, guardian. The property consisted of 160 acres in addition to one wagon, one gin, one gristmill, and other items.
   
    The homestead of Isaac Hollingsworth is believed to have been located southwest of Decatur in Section 21, Township 7, Range 11 East.  Located in this immediate area are the Hollingsworth Cemetery and a millpond, reputedly known originally as Hollingsworth's, but subsequently owned by Summers and McMullan. Carl Ledlow reports the remnants of two old home sites in this area, one of which may have belonged to Isaac. Elizabeth Hollingsworth, the spinster daughter of Isaac, was living on this land when she died in 1878 and it is likely that she inherited her father's home site as she helped Isaac manage the household affairs for over fifty years.
   
    Times were hard for Elizabeth after her father's death in 1866, and much of her inheritance was sold off in order to survive. With her death, the remaining section was sub-divided between her brothers and sisters and their heirs.
   
    Isaac had married, about the year 1803, to Dorcas (Smith?).  It is believed that Dorcas died with or following the birth of their last son, Addison, in 1824, and she is likely buried in the Fair River Baptist Church Cemetery.  Known issue of Isaac and Dorcas Hollingsworth:
   
        B01. Sarah (Sally) Hollingsworth, born 18 June 1805, Georgia (likely Franklin County)--died 30 June 1865, Copiah County, Mississippi; married Rev. George         K. Tillman               
        B02. William Smith Hollingsworth, twin, born 25 February 1806, Georgia--died 13 June 1852, Hinds County, Mississippi; married Clarissa M. (Clara) Morris
               
        B03. Mary (Polly) Hollingsworth, twin, born 25 February 1806, Georgia--died 27 July 1860, Hinds County, Mississippi; married Isaac Riser
                 
        B04. Nancy Hollingsworth, born 11 January 1808, Georgia--died 1852/ 1856, Newton County, Mississippi; married David Riser
        B05. Elizabeth Hollingsworth, born 1809, Georgia--died 3 December 1878, Newton County, Mississippi. Did not marry.
       
        B06. Isham Hollingsworth, born 3 December 1810 in the wilderness of Tennessee--died 1 November 1879, Newton County, Mississippi; married Elizabeth             (Betty) Miller
        B07. Samuel H. Hollingsworth, born 6 May 1813, Lawrence County, Mississippi--died 19 June 1888, Newton County, Mississippi; married Linnie                           Smith
        B08. Robert S. (Robin) Hollingsworth, born 29 October 1817, Lawrence County, Mississippi--died Fall of 1892, Newton County, Mississippi; married (1)             Jemima Smith and (2) Cinderella Smith Pinson
        B09. Jemima Hollingsworth, born ca. 1817, Lawrence County, Mississippi--died 1850/1860, Newton County, Mississippi; married John Smith
        B10. Jacob (Jake) Hollingsworth (Jr.), died ca. 1849, Newton County, Mississippi; married Emily Alexander
        B11. Addison H. Hollingsworth, born 1824, Lawrence County, Mississippi--died 24 January 1892, Coryell County, Texas; married Clarissa Ann (Cassie)               McCullen
       
        Census records suggest that two additional sons were born to Isaac and Dorcas.  These, however, may have died young. Their names are unknown.12

That should be quite enough for the Hollingsworth family.  You can pick up the linage from the respective ties to the Smiths in the Smith Family History.

By: Jerry A. Smith,
Smith Family Researcher
___________________________________________________________________________________
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Maxwell Family




By: Jerry A. Smith,
Smith Family Researcher
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Graves Family




By: Jerry A. Smith,
Smith Family Researcher
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Young Family





By: Jerry A. Smith,
Smith Family Researcher
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Wedgeworth Family

First of all allow me to acknowledge and thank Mrs. Phyllis Wedgeworth who provided me with this information.  She can be reached at [email protected] .  Now from her research, it is believed, although not proven, that the Wedgeworth Family as far as those in America are concerned began in Middlesex, England around the township of Clerkenwell.  But they were not Wedgeworths then.  The families of the Wedgeworths and the Wadsworth’s both credit a Mr. Thomas Wadsworth/Wedgeworth as the founding American ancestor. 

Thomas Wadsworth was born about 1714 in England.  Evidence of him has been found in the 1733 transcripts of Newgate Prison in London.  He was sentenced at the Old Bailey [Courthouse] for transportation to Maryland (America) for a crime of Theft.  In 1733, he was sent on the ship named “Patapsco Merchant” who was captained by Capt. Darby Lux bound for Baltimore, Maryland.  Thomas was to be an indentured servant for his crimes.  In these days those who were indentured served a term of 7 years; yet, Thomas was to be indentured for only 5 years from 1733 to 1737 to a man named Peter Simpson.  He is recorded as arriving in the Parish registry of St. John’s Church in Harford (now Baltimore) County, Maryland but the original entries spell Thomas’ surname as “Wodgworth” or “Wordgworth” [it was never found as Wedgeworth or Wadsworth]. 

Also out of Newgate Prison from the Old Bailey Courthouse derived a Lady named Mary Passmore (spelled Parsmore in the original records).  Unable to find out what petty crime she committed, I assume she too was a convicted thief.  Why? - Because she was on the same ship in 1733 as Thomas.  They apparently became friends due to their similar position but never married.  However, in September 1737 on the ship “Pretty Patsie” captained by Francis Lux [unconfirmed brother to Capt. Darby Lux] more convicted thieves were transported to Baltimore, Maryland to the same St. John’s Church.  Of these thieves, there were two: a John Dunnuck and a Rebecca Passmore.  On the original records the spellings were John Dunnike and Rebekah Parsmore.  They too were only indentured servants for 5 years (1737 to 1741) and believed to have become friends who never married.  As marriages were not allowed to take place while indentured, in December 1742 at the St. John’s Church it was recorded that John Dunnuck and Mary Passmore (from the first ship) were married when the servitude was over.  Now it is believed that Mary Passmore and Rebecca Passmore were sisters.  So we can assume that Mary and Rebecca would have found each other.  With Mary and Thomas being friends and Rebecca and John being friends, you can see how the four would have come together.  But as John married Mary, Thomas and Rebecca were also married a year earlier in January 1741 as recorded in the St. John’s records – the same church.   

Now Thomas and Rebecca were married in 1741 and began having children.  In the Parish registry again of St. John’ Church listed as being baptised were their children:  Elinore (12 Oct 1741), Ann (2 May 1743), John (22 Jun 1745), Thomas (19 Mar 1747), and Mary (25 Feb 1748).  Elinore was supposed to have married John Philber on 11 Aug 1768 and Thomas was supposed to have married Mary Wyle on 18 Aug 1768.  This all sounds good so far, but there is a small problem.  Our Wedgeworth line next goes through a William Wedgeworth.  There was no William listed above.  But there may be some good news.  It was also found that Rebecca was indicted for bastardy in November 1738.  This means that she produced a child illegally as she was still indentured and unmarried.  (“Baltimore County Families, 1659-1759” by Robert W. Barnes).  Our William is supposed to have been born about 1738.  Could this bastard child be our William?  We don’t know the sex of the child, nor the name, but everything certainly fits; not to mention, that at this time there were no other Wedgeworths, Wadsworths, Wodgworths, or Wordgworths in the area.  According to Phyllis, copies of the trials and proceedings of the sentencing of Thomas, Mary, John, and Rebecca can be located and printed out from the website www.oldbaileyonline.org .  She also recommended the following sites:  http://dunnuck.com and  http://immigrantships.net .

Ok, William Wedgeworth was born about 1738 in or around Baltimore, Maryland and died about 1798 in Abbeville, South Carolina.  We believe he was the son of Thomas Wedgeworth and Rebecca Passmore.  Not much is known about William’s life, but around 1770 in York Co. Pennsylvania, he married an Esther Mathews in the township of Chanceford.  Esther was born about 1739 as the daughter of Victor Mathews and Isabel Edmiston.  However, another researcher of the Mathews family has suggested that our Esther Matthews, who married William Wedgeworth, was not Victor's daughter, but his sister.  In Victor's will there is mention of a daughter named Esther, and William Wedgeworth is a witness to this will. However, the dates don't add up. Esther's tombstone in Greene Co., AL says she died in 1832 at the age of 93.  That would make Esther's birth year to be 1739, about the same time as Victor was born (c.1730). So it would be impossible for Victor to be Esther's father.  Perhaps the Esther mentioned in his will was his daughter, but not "our" Esther.  Maybe Victor named his daughter Esther after his sister Esther.  That makes more sense.   In any case William and Esther had 6 children:

**     James Wedgeworth (b. 31 Oct 1771 in Chanceford Township, York Co., PA / d. 23 Sept 1843 Akron, Greene Co., AL - buried in Mount Zion Cemetery,             Greene Co.(now Hale Co.) AL) married 1) Ann Braden about 1794 in Abbeville, SC and also married 2) Rachel Braden? Clarke? 1840? Greene Co., AL.
**    William Wedgeworth, Jr. (b.1773 Chanceford Township, York Co., PA / d. abt. 1866 in Montrose, Jasper Co., MS - buried in unmarked grave Montrose               Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Jasper Co., MS) married Elizabeth Blackwell about 1800 Abbeville, SC.
**     Richard Wedgeworth (b. 26 Jan 1778 Chanceford Township, York Co., PA / d. 11 Mar 1853 Carbon Hill, Walker Co., AL - buried McDade Cemetery,                Walker Co., AL) married Mary ? abt. 1800 Abbeville, SC.
**     Joseph Wedgeworth (b.  1776 Chanceford Township, York Co., PA / d. in AL) married about 1800 to Rebecca ? in Abbeville, SC.
**     Jane Wedgeworth (b. 15 June 1777 Abbeville, SC, died 22 April 1859 Greene (now Hale) Co., AL, buried Mount Zion Cemetery, Greene (Hale) Co., AL)            married Thomas J. Anderson about 1800 Abbeville, SC.
**     John Wedgeworth (b. 1789 Abbeville, SC / d. 11 Sept 1824 Akron, Greene (now Hale) Co., AL, buried Mount Zion Cemetery, Greene (Hale) Co. AL)                  married Rachel Scott? about 1802 in Abbeville, SC.

William served in the Revolutionary War after the Battle of Charleston in 1780. Several people have used this as an entry into the D.A.R., according to Phyllis.  Those also in the Wedgeworth family who served were:  William Wedgeworth [again] in the South Carolina Militia in Wagon Service in 1782; John Wedgeworth in Capt. Hatter’s Company, South Carolina Militia; James Wedgeworth, Jr. (AKA James Boyce) in Capt. Hatter’s Company, South Carolina Militia; Thomas Wedgeworth (AKA Thomas Boyce) in the South Carolina Militia; John D. Wedgeworth in Taylor’s Company of South Carolina Militia volunteers.  Each of these has been verified from the State Archives.  Phyllis has copies. 

As William died in 1798 in Abbeville, SC, leaving a will naming all his children, he is said to be buried in an unmarked grave in Greenville Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Donalds, Abbeville Co., SC. Below is a copy of his last will and testament from the South Carolina Archives, Abbeville County Wills, Volume 1, pp. 223 - 224:

"In the Name of God Amen. The Twenty Seventh day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and ninety eight, I William Wedgeworth of Abbeville County & State of South Carolina (Farmer) being very Sick and Weak in body but of perfect mind and Memory, Thanks be given unto God for the Same; and Calling to mind the Mortality of my body and Knowing that it is appointed for all men Once to die, do make and Ordain this my last will and Testament; That is to say Principally and first of all I Give and recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it; and for my body I recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my Executors Nothing doubting, at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God; and as touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give Devise and dispose of the Same in manner and form following. That is to say,

In the first place I Give and bequeath to Ester my dearly beloved wife, One third of my Personal Estate (Excepting what is hereafter Mentioned) to be at her disposal at her death, also to have her living during life on the Plantation I now live on,

Also I give unto my son William Two Hundred and fifty acres of Land Lying on the waters of the Salt Catchers, also one bed and furniture, Only William is to pay my Son James Ten pounds Sterling Money in Consideration of his part of said land,

Also I give my Sons Joseph, Richard and John the land & Plantation I now live on, for them to work & live on until their mothers death and then divided as they think proper when the youngest heirs comes of age,

Also I Give unto my son Joseph One Gray mare & colt which he now Claims and One Feather Bed & Furniture.

Also I Give unto my Daughter Jane One Brown Bay Mare Saddle and bridle, One Feather bed & furniture, two cows & calves,

Also I Give unto My Son John One Grey Horse, Two Cows & Calves and One Feather bed & furniture at the death of my wife Only the Two last Mentioned Horses to remain on the Plantation during the Mothers life for the use of it,

Also I give James An Orphan Child living with me five pounds sterling for the purpose of Schooling him,

Also the remainder of my Estate which is not already Willed I leave to be equally divided among all my Children as they come of age,

Lastly I Constitute and appoint my friends Joseph Matthis, James Buchanan & My Son James Wedgeworth my only & Sole Executors of this my last will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow, Revoke and disannul all and every other former Testaments, wills, and Legacies, Bequests & Executors by me in any ways before this time named, willed and bequeathed Ratifying & Confirming This and no other to be my last will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day & year above written.

Signed Sealed published pronounced and
declared by the Said William Wedgeworth
as his last will & Testament in the
presence of us the subscribers that is to say

Ze. Rice William Wedgeworth
John Irwin (his mark)
John Lumbus (his mark)

Recorded in Will Book 1 Page 210
Box 99 Pkg 2428
Proven June 11th 1798
Recorded August 12, 1798
John Bowie C.C."


After William died in 1798, his wife and children remained in Abbeville, SC until the early 1820's when the Territory of Alabama was opened up for settlement. The widow Esther and all her children, except for William Jr., went to Greene County, Alabama in the early 1820's. William followed in the early 1830's.  They settled on land near the Black Warrior River and helped to found the Mount Zion Presbyterian Church there.  Not only did they establish a church, they also established a town or community called Wedgeworth.  As Phyllis wrote,

    “The town of Wedgeworth is still shown on some Alabama maps although the town itself is long gone. From Interstate 20 take the exit to Eutaw, Hwy 14 in Greene County. Just outside Eutaw there is a large green highway sign which reads "Wedgeworth 7 miles". At least the sign was still there last we were there a few years ago. One of my all-time favorite photos was taken in 1998 with my husband Don, son Steve and his four boys, Clay, Colby, Zachary & Tristen all standing in front of that sign - Wedgeworths all! After you pass the sign you will travel over the Black Warrior River Bridge and enter Hale County. Soon after there is a crossroads where Hwy 14 meets Hwys 60/35. This crossroads is where the town once was. Nothing remains today except an old abandoned cement block grocery store.  When the Alabama lands were opened to settlement in 1819, the widow Esther Matthews Wedgeworth and her sons and daughter and their families all moved from Abbeville, SC to Greene Co., AL in about 1820. James Wedgeworth (1771-1843) was perhaps the most prosperous, having in his possession when he died in 1843 2,000 acres and 32 slaves. All of the lands that the Wedgeworths owned back then were centered in the New Prospect, Akron, Logan's Bluff, Havana areas of Greene County. Over time, only the families of James' descendants remained in that area, what is now Hale County.  Christine Wedgeworth Bell related to me that in the 1880's William Middleton Wedgeworth (1863-1949) was appointed Post Master of the community then called Green Pond. The name was changed to "Wedgeworth".  William Middleton Wedgeworth served as post master of this community for over 50 years. He was a prominent land owner and held many of the same acres as did his great-great grandfather James Wedgeworth. Sadly, today there not any lands there in Wedgeworth hands any more.”

John Wedgeworth, who died in 1824, has inscribed on his tombstone that he was the first person interred in the Mount Zion Cemetery. The cemetery still remains and is well-maintained. Many Wedgeworths are buried there. Unfortunately, the old church burned down in the late 1930's.  Mount Zion Cemetery is a few miles north of the crossroads where the town of Wedgeworth once was. Take Hwy 60 north to Tuscaloosa. The cemetery is on your right. Enter through the gates and go to the back of the cemetery where all the Wedgeworths are buried. The cemetery was once part of the church grounds for the Mount Zion Presbyterian Church which burned down in the 1940's. John Wedgeworth (1789-1824) is the "first person interred here after the organization of this church". Buried next to him is his mother Esther Matthews Wedgeworth (1741-1834), the matriarch of all the Wedgeworths and widow of William Wedgeworth, who died and is buried in Abbeville, South Carolina. Besides her son John, another son James Wedgeworth is also buried there, as is daughter Jane Wedgeworth Anderson. William & Esther's other sons, Joseph, Richard & William Junior, are buried elsewhere. The other Wedgeworths buried there are the descendants of James Wedgeworth (1771-1843) who remained in Greene/Hale Co., AL. The largest monument for a Wedgeworth is the site of young Zachariah Wedgeworth's (1840-1849) grave. Young Zach was the only child of Zachariah Wedgeworth (1807-1840) and Lucy C. Edmiston. Young Zach was born a few months after his father's death and only lived to the age of nine years. The top of his tombstone is engraved with a sad poem about the fragility of life on earth.  Esther Wedgeworth is buried next to her youngest son John in Mount Zion.  She died on 11 Sept 1832 at the age of 93, which is inscribed on her tombstone.  James Wedgeworth (b. 1771) did own 2,000 acres at his death in 1843, which is a bunch of land for sure! However, at his death, and in subsequent generations, these lands were sold off or divided.  After James, the Wedgeworths in Greene/Hale County owned what we would call farm lands.  John Burton Wedgeworth, son of William Middleton Wedgeworth [the postmaster and great-great grandson of James Wedgeworth (b. 1771)] and Bettie Ward Burton, was born Feb. 25, 1893 in Greene Co., AL, died June 25, 1979 Greene Co.  married Eula Marie Hoffman in July 20, 1915 Marion Co., AL. Children: John Burton Wedgeworth, Junior; Christine Wedgeworth Bell; William Hoffman Wedgeworth. 

Now remember the son who waited a few years to move down with the family in the 1820s.  He was William Wedgeworth, Jr., a son of William Wedgeworth, Sr. and Esther Mathews, born in 1773 in Chanceford Township, York County, Pennsylvania. He moved with his mother & siblings to Abbeville, South Carolina about 1776.  In about 1800 in Abbeville, SC he married Elizabeth Blackwell, and is listed on the 1800, 1810, 1820 & 1830 Federal Census in Abbeville, SC. It is believed that Elizabeth Blackwell died in Abbeville about 1827. After his wife's death, William and his children moved to Greene and Perry Counties, Alabama after the 1830 Census.  There children were:

**     Isaac Wedgeworth, born 1800 Abbeville, SC, married 26 Dec 1835 Perry Co., AL to Julia Ann Futch, died about 1865 in Montrose, Jasper Co., MS.
**    Anne Wedgeworth, born 1809, never married, died March 1885 Vanderpool, Bandera County, Texas, buried in Vanderpool Baptist Cemetery.  She went to           Texas with widowed sister-in-law Jane Clark Wedgeworth before she died.
**     Reuben Wedgeworth, born Jan 1, 1811 Abbeville, SC, died 15 Nov 1875 Pineville, Smith Co., MS, buried Leaf River Cemetery, Smith Co., MS. Married 1)          Mary Finley Aug 3, 1841 Perry Co. Al., married 2) Minerva Myers.
**     James Westley, born 17 Feb 1812 Abbeville, SC, died 26 May 1872 Montrose, Jasper Co., MS, buried Montrose Presbyterian Cemetery. Married Jane                Clark 26 Oct 1842 Meridian, Lauderdale Co., MS.
**     Nathan, born Dec 1812 Abbeville, SC, died early 1880's Manifest, Catahoula Parish, LA, buried Aimwell Baptist Church Cemetery Catahoula parish married          Mary Jane Aderison Aug 10, 1840 Perry Co., AL.
**     Elizabeth, born 5 Oct 1821 Abbeville, SC, died 1883 Montrose, Jasper Co., MS, married 25 June 1840 Perry Co. AL to John M. C. Newcomb.
**     Rebecca, born about 1800 Abbeville, SC, died ? Montrose, Jasper Co., MS, married Uriah Owens.
**     Newton, born 1827 Abbeville, SC, died ? MS, married Nancy ? in MS.

It is possible that William had another wife (name unknown) and perhaps another daughter, Hulday. He is listed in the 1840 Census in Perry Co., AL. and in Perry Co., MS listed on the 1850 & 1860 Censuses. He is believed to be buried in an unmarked grave in Montrose Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Montrose, Jasper Co., AL. The church and cemetery are still there in Montrose and many Wedgeworths still live in the area.  Now our family line comes through Reuben Wedgeworth and as we can see, the William Wedgeworth, Jr. family has moved down to Jasper Co. MS.  It was here that they met up with our Smiths.   Life wasn’t all blue skies for Reuben.  He too lived through and fought in the Civil War as did many of his relatives.  Phyllis Wedgeworth shared with me the following list of war veterans and I have highlighted only those in the family:  John D. - Co. E, 3rd Batt. MS Cavalry. Res. & Capt. Gillis' Co., MS Cavalry.; Middleton - Capt. Stewart's Greene Co. AL Home Guard; Nathan* - Co. C, 15th Battalion. AL, P.R., & Co. C, 56th AL P.R., & Co. F, 10th MS Cavalry. & Co. F, 12th MS Infantry.; Reuben* - Co. H, 1st Battalion, MS State Troops.

Reuben first married Mary Finley in Aug 1841 in Perry Co. AL.  Together they had one child that I am aware of.  He next married Minerva Myers (b. 13 Apr 1832 / d. 22 Jul 1905) some time about 1850.  Together they had 10 children: 

    **    Rosa Wedgeworth (b. 25 May 1855 in Jasper Co. MS / d. 31 Dec 1934 in Smith Co. MS) married Jeremiah Benton Smith, Jr. about 1879 in Smith Co.                 MS.
    **    Louiezer Wedgeworth (b. 23 Sep 1859 in Jasper Co. MS / d. 13 Feb 1924) married Willis Rawls.
    **    William Wedgeworth (b. 1862)
    **    Jesse Wedgeworth (b. 25 Mar 1866 in Jasper Co. MS / d. 17 Apr 1949)
    **    Lucy Caroline Wedgeworth (b. 27 Oct 1868 in Jasper Co. MS / d. 3 May 1922)
    **    John Wedgeworth (b. 1869)
    **    Elizabeth Bettie Wedgeworth (b. 1871)
    **    Matilda Wedgeworth (b. 24 Mar 1876 / d. 18 Aug 1908)
    **    Ella Wedgeworth (b. Jan 1891 / d. 17 Jul 1955)
    **    Mattie Wedgeworth (b. 29 Dec 1905 / d. 17 Jan 1989)

As our Smith Family line picks up with Rosa and Jeremiah, we will stop here and the line can be picked back up with the Smith Family History.


By: Jerry A. Smith,
Smith Family Researcher
___________________________________________________________________________________
Resources:

1.  Peden, Henry C., “St. John’s and St. George’s Parish Registers”
2.  Coldham, Peter W., “Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607 – 1776”
3.  Coldham, Peter W., “Bonded Passengers to America, Vol. 2”
4.  Coldham, Peter W., “English Convicts in Colonial America”
5.  Kaminkow, Jack, “A List of Emigrants from England to America, 1718 – 1759”
6.  Kaminkow, Jack, “Original Lists of Emigrants in Bondage from London to the American Colonies, 1719 – 1741”
7.  Barnes, Robert W., “Baltimore County Families, 1659 – 1759”
8.  Prowell, George R., “History of York Co. PA”
9.  1772 York Co. PA Chanceford Township Tax List
10.  1780 York Co. PA Chanceford Township Tax Roll, Absentee Landowner
11.  Watson, Margaret, “Greenwood County Sketches”
12.  Young, Pauline, “Abstracts of Abbeville Co. SC Wills”
13. Houston, “Index to Abbeville Co. Wills, Vol. 1, p. 223 – 224”
14.  1790 Federal Census Abbeville Co. SC, p. 61.
15.  1800 Federal Census Abbeville Co. SC, p. 22
16.  Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot Index
17.  Moss, B. G., “Roster of SC Patriots in the American Revolution”
18.  McCall & Revill, “Revolutionary Claims filed in SC”
19.  Salley, A.S., “Stub Entries to Indents for Revolutionary Claims”


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