William Hamilton ABNEY

     William Hamilton ABNEY was born on 21 May 1887 in Randolph, Chilton County, Alabama. He was born in the same house, in the same bed, in which he died. The bed was in the possession of his granddaughter, Mary Hintgen.¹

William Hamilton ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of his parents Samuel ABNEY IV and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was 12 years old.²

William Hamilton ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1910, in the household of Samuel ABNEY IV in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.³

William married Flora Helen Whitby on 28 October 1914 at the Church Street Methodist Church in Selma, Alabama. The church was decorated with plams and white flowers. The couple lived on the Abney family place which William farmed. His brother Zach also made it his home, but was employed managing another farm. Other family members and their families often visited.¹

Due to a need for men to serve during World War I, the United States instituted a draft. The first registration was for men between the ages of 21 and 31. As a result, this first registration included men born between June 5, 1886 and June 5, 1896. William filled out a draft card on 5 June 1917 in Chilton County, Alabama. He was a 30-year-old self-employed farmer living in Maplesville. He was married and claimed an exemption as "physically disabled." He was discribed as of medium height and slender build with brown eyes and black hair.⁴

William Hamilton ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 27 January 1920, in the household of his mother Martha Anne WALKER in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. He was listed as a 33-year-old farmer, along with his wife Flora H., age 27, and daughter Flora J., 10 months old.⁵

William Hamilton ABNEY and Flora Helen Whitby appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 7 April 1930 in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as William H. Abney, a 42-year-old farmer; his wife Helen W. Abney, a 33-year-old public school teacher. With them was their 11-year-old daughter, Flora J. Abney, who was attending school. They had a 24-year-old black servant, Dallas Worthy, who was also listed a farm labor. They lived on the Maplesville Road.⁶

William Hamilton ABNEY and Flora Helen Whitby appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 21 May 1940 in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as William H. Abney, a 52-year-old farmer, and his wife, Helen W. Abney, a 46-year-old public school teacher. He had four years of high school and Helen two years of college. Living with them was their 21-year-old daughter, Flora Jane, who was in her fourth year of college. Also in the household was William's brother, Zach T. Abney, a 66-year-old farmer who had a college education. The value of the farm was listed as $4,000 and was located on the Morgan Road.⁷

William Hamilton ABNEY died on 2 December 1955 at the Abney Place in Chilton County, Alabama, at age 68.⁸ He was buried in the Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama. He is buried with his wife, her parents and other relatives. This is the Wetumpka City Cemetery.⁸