With all of this information in mind, Lambert’s land was probably very wooded and rough. He most likely had to clear his original 53+ acres of timber. He would have to set this timber aside to be used in building a home, barn, out buildings and corrals. Some would have been used as firewood and lumber for furniture building. He would have also had to break the ground in preparation for planting. Lambert, being a man of only 24-29 years of age and having no family yet, would have had to work very hard to make this happen.
In 1715, Lambert married a lady by the name of Elizabeth Brewer. It appears that Elizabeth may have been married before. Elizabeth had a son named Thomas that appeared in Elizabeth’s will years later. Death was common in these days due to the lack of knowledge about diseases and medicines. Elizabeth’s husband probably died leaving her to fend for her young son and herself. Most widowed women married soon after the loss of their spouses as was the practice, for practical reasons of course.
Life on the Zell’s farm would have been very laborious. We see by the items that were present in Lambert’s inventory of sale at the time of his death that the Zells were not a poor class of people, nor would we say that he was overly wealthy. They appear to have quite a bit of land and material items in the home. We see that he raised cattle, hogs, and sheep. He also owned farming implements such as plow hoes and horses which indicates that there was planting of large fields going on. He probably planted items such as tobacco and maybe flax.
Several Iron items were present in the home but no forging equipment was mentioned, so Lambert more than likely bought or traded with a local blacksmith. There was a certain amount of lumber and good furniture in the home which may indicate that Lambert may have built most of the household furniture such as bedsteads, chest, stools, chairs and casks. Leather in the house meant that he or Elizabeth probably made shoes for the family.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Land Transaction Between Josiah Sills and William Sills 1833
This indenture made and entered into the 3rd day of September A.D. 1833 between William Sills of the County of Stewart and state of Tennessee of the one part and Josiah Sills, of the county and state aforesaid of the other part witnesseth:
That the said William Sills for and in consideration of the sum of One Hundred and Eighty Dollars to him in hand paid by the said Josiah Sills, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath bargained and sold and by these presents doth hereby grant, bargain, sell, and convey to the said Sills a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the county and state aforesaid on Neville’s Creek on the south side of the Cumberland River and marked and bounded as follows.
Beginning at a white oak and walnut, the oak marked A. B. and the walnut WS, standing on the mouth of said Sills Spring Hollow, running west 120 poles to a white oak, thence south 61 poles to a white oak, thence east 121 poles to a hickory thence north 61 poles to the beginning.
Then one other tract beginning at a elm in the aforesaid boundary line, thence east 40 poles to a stake, thence south 80 poles to a stake, thence east 19 poles to a stake, thence south 14 poles to a stake, thence east 20 poles to a hickory thence south 16 poles to a Spanish oak, thence east 29 poles to a popular, thence south 14 poles to a hickory on a conditional line between the said William Sills and L. Berry Belisle, thence south with said line 43 poles to a white oak, thence west 58 poles to a white oak, thence north 10 poles to a sourwood bush, thence west 40 poles to a stake, thence north 80 poles to the beginning, containing 80 acres more or less.
To have and to hold, the aforesaid tract of land to the said Josiah Sills, his heirs, and assigns forever, and the said William Sills for himself his heirs executors doth covenant and agree to and with the said Josiah Sills to warrant and forever defend the aforesaid tract of land from himself and his heirs, and all persons claiming from or under them also against the claim or claims of all and every person or persons whomsoever.
In testimony of which the William Sills hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal this date before mentioned.
William Sills (Seal)
L. Berry Belisle
State of Tennessee, Stewart County.
Personally appeared before me, William Williams clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for said county William Sills the bargainor to the within deed and with whom I am personally acquainted who acknowledged that he signed said deed for the purposes therein contained.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at office this 16th day of December, 1833. W. Williams, Clerk
Registered Dec, 19th, 1833.
That the said William Sills for and in consideration of the sum of One Hundred and Eighty Dollars to him in hand paid by the said Josiah Sills, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath bargained and sold and by these presents doth hereby grant, bargain, sell, and convey to the said Sills a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the county and state aforesaid on Neville’s Creek on the south side of the Cumberland River and marked and bounded as follows.
Beginning at a white oak and walnut, the oak marked A. B. and the walnut WS, standing on the mouth of said Sills Spring Hollow, running west 120 poles to a white oak, thence south 61 poles to a white oak, thence east 121 poles to a hickory thence north 61 poles to the beginning.
Then one other tract beginning at a elm in the aforesaid boundary line, thence east 40 poles to a stake, thence south 80 poles to a stake, thence east 19 poles to a stake, thence south 14 poles to a stake, thence east 20 poles to a hickory thence south 16 poles to a Spanish oak, thence east 29 poles to a popular, thence south 14 poles to a hickory on a conditional line between the said William Sills and L. Berry Belisle, thence south with said line 43 poles to a white oak, thence west 58 poles to a white oak, thence north 10 poles to a sourwood bush, thence west 40 poles to a stake, thence north 80 poles to the beginning, containing 80 acres more or less.
To have and to hold, the aforesaid tract of land to the said Josiah Sills, his heirs, and assigns forever, and the said William Sills for himself his heirs executors doth covenant and agree to and with the said Josiah Sills to warrant and forever defend the aforesaid tract of land from himself and his heirs, and all persons claiming from or under them also against the claim or claims of all and every person or persons whomsoever.
In testimony of which the William Sills hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal this date before mentioned.
William Sills (Seal)
L. Berry Belisle
State of Tennessee, Stewart County.
Personally appeared before me, William Williams clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for said county William Sills the bargainor to the within deed and with whom I am personally acquainted who acknowledged that he signed said deed for the purposes therein contained.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at office this 16th day of December, 1833. W. Williams, Clerk
Registered Dec, 19th, 1833.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Lambert Zells (Sills), Part 1
Several years ago, I had sent my information on the Zells (Sills) family to several family members. They have posted my information on the Internet. That was fine by me. But... a couple of years ago I updated the information by doing some research on the area to which they lived and added some of the information to my writings. I will post here, my writings on this family based on the research that I did. This will have to be a part series as it is alot of information. Enjoy.........
Lambert Zells ( Zills, Sills, there are many different spelling variances. ) was born in sometime between 1690 – 1695. Most information found shows that he was probably born in Alsace Lorraine, France. Early Virginia records indicate that he was transported to Virginia in 1714. Records that have been found in the publishing of Cavaliers and Pioneers page 150 states that; Capt Henery Harrison of Surry county and Phillip Ludwell esquire, granted 6365 acres of land in Surry and Ilse of Wight counties on the South side of Nottoway River, beginning at the mouth of the 3rd branch on the south side of Hunting Quarter southwest. Dividing this and the Land of Mr. Benjamine Harrison: by Raccoon southwest to corner of Hinshea Gulliam. Recorded on 16th June 1714 for 40 shillings and improvements. 120 persons were granted, one being Lambert Zells.
Colonial Virginia in the early 1700s was slowly becoming spread out from the original settlement of Jamestown. For the most part it was still a wild and primitive place. The land was heavily forested and the soil was fertile and good for planting. Water was readily available to the settlers via the James River, the Blackwater River and other creeks and tributaries. These waterways were flourishing with fish and shellfish which supplemented the inhabitant’s diets.
Indians still remained a constant threat to the settlers. The Powhaton was the main tribe in there area. Other small bands of Cherokee, Chickahominy, Chesapeake, Nottoway, Pocomoke and Shawnee also were in there area.
The land that was granted to Lambert was located in Surry County. Surry County was formed in 1652 from part of James City County that lay southwest of the James River. James City County was one of eight original shires designated in 1634 from the original settlement of Jamestown of 1607.
Lambert Zells ( Zills, Sills, there are many different spelling variances. ) was born in sometime between 1690 – 1695. Most information found shows that he was probably born in Alsace Lorraine, France. Early Virginia records indicate that he was transported to Virginia in 1714. Records that have been found in the publishing of Cavaliers and Pioneers page 150 states that; Capt Henery Harrison of Surry county and Phillip Ludwell esquire, granted 6365 acres of land in Surry and Ilse of Wight counties on the South side of Nottoway River, beginning at the mouth of the 3rd branch on the south side of Hunting Quarter southwest. Dividing this and the Land of Mr. Benjamine Harrison: by Raccoon southwest to corner of Hinshea Gulliam. Recorded on 16th June 1714 for 40 shillings and improvements. 120 persons were granted, one being Lambert Zells.
Colonial Virginia in the early 1700s was slowly becoming spread out from the original settlement of Jamestown. For the most part it was still a wild and primitive place. The land was heavily forested and the soil was fertile and good for planting. Water was readily available to the settlers via the James River, the Blackwater River and other creeks and tributaries. These waterways were flourishing with fish and shellfish which supplemented the inhabitant’s diets.
Indians still remained a constant threat to the settlers. The Powhaton was the main tribe in there area. Other small bands of Cherokee, Chickahominy, Chesapeake, Nottoway, Pocomoke and Shawnee also were in there area.
The land that was granted to Lambert was located in Surry County. Surry County was formed in 1652 from part of James City County that lay southwest of the James River. James City County was one of eight original shires designated in 1634 from the original settlement of Jamestown of 1607.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Songs My Mother Sung
Farther Along
Farther along we'll know more about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
Tempted and tried will oft make you wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long
While there are others living about us
Never molested though in the wrong
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
When death has found and taken our loved ones
Leaving our home so lonely and dreary
Then do we wonder why others prosper
Living so wicked year after year
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
This is a beautiful gospel song. I loved to hear my mother sing this one. I chose it as one of the songs that was played at her funeral. I picked the version that was sung by Dolly Parton, Emilou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. She really loved to hear those ladies harmonize.
Farther along we'll know more about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
Tempted and tried will oft make you wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long
While there are others living about us
Never molested though in the wrong
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
When death has found and taken our loved ones
Leaving our home so lonely and dreary
Then do we wonder why others prosper
Living so wicked year after year
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
This is a beautiful gospel song. I loved to hear my mother sing this one. I chose it as one of the songs that was played at her funeral. I picked the version that was sung by Dolly Parton, Emilou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. She really loved to hear those ladies harmonize.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
My Family Heros
With honor; on this Memorial Day, I present
family members whom have served this country. Each
one of these brave men put their lives at risk for the
country that they loved. Some returned home to their
families after the war, and some never did. Let’s
not forget the brave American men who gave
everything, so that we would remain free. Bless my
grandmothers and aunts who’s husbands or sons
never came home. I say that they to are true heroes!
Revolutionary War
family members whom have served this country. Each
one of these brave men put their lives at risk for the
country that they loved. Some returned home to their
families after the war, and some never did. Let’s
not forget the brave American men who gave
everything, so that we would remain free. Bless my
grandmothers and aunts who’s husbands or sons
never came home. I say that they to are true heroes!
Revolutionary War
Philip McConnell
Samuel Townsend
Andrew Townsend
Taylor Townsend
John Townsend
Henry Townsend
William Dunaway
War of 1812
William Sills
Accius Etheridge
James Stalls
Mexican War
Eli Townsend
War Between the States
Benjamine Batey
Elisha Townsend
James M Hicks
David A. McConnell
Alfred J. Byrd
Elisha Townsend
John T Dunford
Charles B. McConnell
William G. Elms
John C. Griffin
Thomas Black
James McGaha
Uriah Dowdy
James Dunford
Philip Dunford
WW I
Thomas S. Hicks
Mathew Manning
Adam Dowdy
Theodore Dowdy
Dewey Sills
Marion Sills
Michel Sills
Tony Sills
WW II
Walter H. Hicks
Basil Hicks
John P. Dunford
Edgar A. McConnell
Eugene McConnell
Leonard T. Dunford
Korean War
Marvin R. Turner
Donald J. Dunford
John Russell
Vietnam
Alvie McConnell
I'm sorry, but I'm sure that there are some family members that I have missed here. To all, I say thank you! You are my family, you are my heroes!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
James Stalls Jr.
James Stalls Jr was born Ca 1807 possibly in North Carolina. He moved to Stewart County Tennessee with his father after 1800. James married Nancy Sexton. Both were members of the Hard-Shell Baptist church. James and Nancy also lived in Henry County Tennessee near Paris. James was a farmer and a shoe maker. James died in ?
James and Nancy Stalls Children
1. William Franklin Boneparte Clinton Stalls Born on the 17th day of Febuary 1827 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died on the 24th day of March 1913 in Benton Kentucky. Married Mary Jane Manning on the 30th day of June 1853 (see later).
2. Martha Stalls Born in 1830 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died ? Married ?
3. LaFayette Stalls Born in 1831 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died ? Married ?
4. ? Stalls
5. Monroe Stalls Born ? Died ? Married ?
6. Columbus Henry Stalls Born ? Died ? Married ?
7. Nancy Stalls Born ? Died ? Married ?
8. Mary Parlee Stalls Born ? Died ? Married ?
9. Molly Stalls Born ? Died ? Married
Seeking more information on this family and Nancy Sexton. I have never been able to find out who her parents were.
James and Nancy Stalls Children
1. William Franklin Boneparte Clinton Stalls Born on the 17th day of Febuary 1827 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died on the 24th day of March 1913 in Benton Kentucky. Married Mary Jane Manning on the 30th day of June 1853 (see later).
2. Martha Stalls Born in 1830 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died ? Married ?
3. LaFayette Stalls Born in 1831 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died ? Married ?
4. ? Stalls
5. Monroe Stalls Born ? Died ? Married ?
6. Columbus Henry Stalls Born ? Died ? Married ?
7. Nancy Stalls Born ? Died ? Married ?
8. Mary Parlee Stalls Born ? Died ? Married ?
9. Molly Stalls Born ? Died ? Married
Seeking more information on this family and Nancy Sexton. I have never been able to find out who her parents were.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Lillian Lorena Smith. Part 8
.jpg)
.jpg)
Marvin and I divorced in 1988, and I met Gary H. Prough. It was about one week there and the honeymoon was over. I still live with him. We have a beautiful place in Cordell Oklahoma. We have 60 acres that we plant in wheat. We also have a nice home.I worked for about seven and one half years at the Best Western Trade Winds as a desk clerk, in Clinton Oklahoma. I quit working there when we moved to Cordell. I have every luxury that anyone could want or need, these things that I had dreamed of as a child. That same little girl that daydreamed and had Arlar as a playmate is still a large part of me, but at 52, I will just stay put and enjoy the few things I can. I still love to read especially things about history. I love the Civil War, and stuff about my ancestors. I love working in my yard; all 5 acres of it, and visiting with people. I don’t really care much for animals.
My kids are all grown now, and I have seven grandchildren.
I am so proud of all of them. They have all done so well with their lives. If there was only one thing that I could wish for, it would be that my kids and grandkids will find happiness and lots of love in their lives. I saw to it that my children never had to grow up without their basic needs. In years to come, when my descendants read this, I also want the best for them. I also would have loved to know you, just as I have longed to know my ancestors.
Lillian Lorena Smith
November 12 1997
Lillian Lorena Smith
November 12 1997
Monday, May 18, 2009
Probate Record of Mathew Manning 1844
Know all men by these present that we Pridgeon Manning, H Volliuline, and Z J Shemwell all of the county of Stewart and state of Tennessee are held and formally bound unto the governor in and over the state of Tennessee or his successors in office in the personal sum of one hundred dollars to be paid to the said governor or his successors in office or their assigns which payment will a truly to be made. We find our severs our heirs executors administrators or assigns jointly and severally firmly by those present sealed with our seals and dated this first day of January 1844- The condition of the above obligation is such the the whereas Pridgeon Manning is appointed administrator of all and singular the goods and chattel rights and credits of Mathew Manning deceased and has qualified accordingly now if the said Pridgeon Manning shall will and truely make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods and chattel rights and credits of the said deceased which have or shall come into his hands or possession belonging to the said Mathew Manning deceased in his lifetime or into the hands or possessions of any other person or persons and the same so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited with our issuing county court and the same goods chattel right and credits of the deceased at the time of his death which at any time here after may come into the hands or possession of any other person or persons shall well and truly administrator according to law and further do make or cause to be made a lively and just account of his administrationship within the time presented by law and all the rest and residue of the goods and chattel rights and credit which may be found remaining in the hands of said administer or account for and shall pay over and deliver to such person or persons respectively as the same shall be due and agreeable to law and shall well and lively exhibit or cause to his executor unto our county court an account there of and in all things shall well and lively perform the duties injoined on him or administrator according to the law of the county and in such case made and provided them this obligation to be void else to remain in full force and effect.
Acknowledged in open court P Manning
January Term 1844 H Volliuline
? Z T Shenwell
Approved of by the court
P Lynch Chairman
Acknowledged in open court P Manning
January Term 1844 H Volliuline
? Z T Shenwell
Approved of by the court
P Lynch Chairman
Friday, May 15, 2009
Robertson Baggett
Robertson (Robert, Bob) Baggett was born in March of 1855. He was the 14th child of 14 children born of his father Jackson Baggett. Robertson’s mother was America Black, Jackson’s second wife. Robertson married **Rebecca Francis (Fannie) Dowdy . Rebecca was the daughter of Uriah Green Dowdy and Mary Jane Washburn. Fannie was born in October of 1856. Together Robertson and Fannie had 10 children. Robertson died on the 4th day of May 1920. Fannie died on the 5th day of March 1920. Both are buried Scotts Chapel at P. Z. Ridge near Cumberland City in Tennessee.
**Notes on Rebecca Francis Dowdy’s Family
1. William C Dowdy. William was Jame's father.
2. James G Dowdy and Martha Francis Milam (daughter of James Milam and Rebecca Jackson, granddaughter of Adam Milam and Elizabeth Solomon Jackson) James was Uriah's father.
a. James G was a faculty member of the McKendree Church from ca. 1797 to 1812 along with John C Dowdy.
b. Other members named Dowdy along with date they joined were: John C. 1838 Watson T. 1848, George W. 1855, Lucinda. 1837, Martha. Only note is she died 1887, Theora G. 1854 removed to Arkansas, Frances R. 1855 died Feb. 17th 1863 and was single.
3. Uriah Dowdy and Mary Jane Washburn (daughter of Enoch Washburn and Rachel)
a. Uriah fought in the War Between the States for the Confederacy. He was captured at Fort Donelson and was taken to Camp Douglas in Chicago Illinois were he died of Pneumonia.
Robertson and Rebecca Bagget’s Children
1. Cora Green Viola Bagget. Born on the 3rd day of December 1877. Married Andrew Jackson Smith Jr. on the 20th day of January 1897. Died on the 10th day of December 1925.
2. Ike Bagget. Born in January 1879. Married ? Died ?
3. Robertson Bagget Jr. Born in September 1880. Married Dora Baker. Died in 1924.
4. Walter Allen Bagget. Born in October 1883. Married Artie Smith. Died ?
5. Venius Sylvester Bagget. Born in October 1884. Married ? Died ?
6. Jesse Bagget. Born in May 1886. Married ? Died ?
7. Clarence Lafayette Bagget. Born in August 1888. Married Mary Ryan McIntosh. Died ?
8. Horace Leonard Bagget. Born in April 1894. Married Bula Hudson. Died ?
9. William Henery Bagget. Born ? Married Effie Creek. Died ?
10. Jimmy Bagget. Born in 1886. Married ? Died in 1904.
I would like information on the "America Black" family. Any help on discovering this family would be great! or... any additional information on the Baggetts would be appreciated too.
**Notes on Rebecca Francis Dowdy’s Family
1. William C Dowdy. William was Jame's father.
2. James G Dowdy and Martha Francis Milam (daughter of James Milam and Rebecca Jackson, granddaughter of Adam Milam and Elizabeth Solomon Jackson) James was Uriah's father.
a. James G was a faculty member of the McKendree Church from ca. 1797 to 1812 along with John C Dowdy.
b. Other members named Dowdy along with date they joined were: John C. 1838 Watson T. 1848, George W. 1855, Lucinda. 1837, Martha. Only note is she died 1887, Theora G. 1854 removed to Arkansas, Frances R. 1855 died Feb. 17th 1863 and was single.
3. Uriah Dowdy and Mary Jane Washburn (daughter of Enoch Washburn and Rachel)
a. Uriah fought in the War Between the States for the Confederacy. He was captured at Fort Donelson and was taken to Camp Douglas in Chicago Illinois were he died of Pneumonia.
Robertson and Rebecca Bagget’s Children
1. Cora Green Viola Bagget. Born on the 3rd day of December 1877. Married Andrew Jackson Smith Jr. on the 20th day of January 1897. Died on the 10th day of December 1925.
2. Ike Bagget. Born in January 1879. Married ? Died ?
3. Robertson Bagget Jr. Born in September 1880. Married Dora Baker. Died in 1924.
4. Walter Allen Bagget. Born in October 1883. Married Artie Smith. Died ?
5. Venius Sylvester Bagget. Born in October 1884. Married ? Died ?
6. Jesse Bagget. Born in May 1886. Married ? Died ?
7. Clarence Lafayette Bagget. Born in August 1888. Married Mary Ryan McIntosh. Died ?
8. Horace Leonard Bagget. Born in April 1894. Married Bula Hudson. Died ?
9. William Henery Bagget. Born ? Married Effie Creek. Died ?
10. Jimmy Bagget. Born in 1886. Married ? Died in 1904.
I would like information on the "America Black" family. Any help on discovering this family would be great! or... any additional information on the Baggetts would be appreciated too.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Lillian Lorena Smith, Part 7
.jpg)
A few weeks later we found a small apartment in Payette. Jerry was still working in the honey factory, and I had gotten a job in the same nursing home that his stepmother worked. At night Jerry and I would cook supper together and spend the evening talking. Our life was like a fairy tale.
A few weeks later I started waking up sick at my stomach every morning. We didn’t know what was wrong. Finally I went to the doctor, and he told me that I was pregnant. Jerry finally got up enough nerve to call his mother to let her know that we were married, and that he was going to be a father. His mother wanted us to come back to Oklahoma, so we did. We didn’t have much money, I was sick the whole way, but we made it.
Jerry Don McConnell Jr. was born on May 28th 1965 less than one month from his father’s birthday. He weighed 10lbs 11ozs, he was so big, and we were so proud of him. One year later on June 20th 1966, Margaret Lea McConnell was born. Margaret was born on father’s day. She was quite a bit smaller then Jerry, and had dark hair, and brown/green eyes like her father. She was real sweet and didn’t cry much. When she was two weeks old, I had to have my gall bladder taken out. This was very hard to go to the hospital, and leave both of my babies. Their grandmother and aunt took real good care of them for me.
We moved around a lot because of following construction work, but we always ended up back in Oklahoma. Shannon Marie McConnell was born on February 26 1971. It was about this time that Jerry and I started having problems. I just couldn’t believe it, we had such a nice family, but it only got worse. Jerry and I finally divorced in 1977.
I met Marvin R Turner and married him in July of 1977. We also moved around a lot. My favorite place that we moved was Seattle Washington. It was a beautiful place.
Jerry got killed in a car accident on October 16th 1980, and then my mother died on April 1st 1981. My father had already died on December 23rd 1967. After all this it seemed that I could never get my life back on a even keel. I was extremely unhappy. I just worked, took care of my kids, and took it one day at a time.
A few weeks later I started waking up sick at my stomach every morning. We didn’t know what was wrong. Finally I went to the doctor, and he told me that I was pregnant. Jerry finally got up enough nerve to call his mother to let her know that we were married, and that he was going to be a father. His mother wanted us to come back to Oklahoma, so we did. We didn’t have much money, I was sick the whole way, but we made it.
Jerry Don McConnell Jr. was born on May 28th 1965 less than one month from his father’s birthday. He weighed 10lbs 11ozs, he was so big, and we were so proud of him. One year later on June 20th 1966, Margaret Lea McConnell was born. Margaret was born on father’s day. She was quite a bit smaller then Jerry, and had dark hair, and brown/green eyes like her father. She was real sweet and didn’t cry much. When she was two weeks old, I had to have my gall bladder taken out. This was very hard to go to the hospital, and leave both of my babies. Their grandmother and aunt took real good care of them for me.
We moved around a lot because of following construction work, but we always ended up back in Oklahoma. Shannon Marie McConnell was born on February 26 1971. It was about this time that Jerry and I started having problems. I just couldn’t believe it, we had such a nice family, but it only got worse. Jerry and I finally divorced in 1977.
I met Marvin R Turner and married him in July of 1977. We also moved around a lot. My favorite place that we moved was Seattle Washington. It was a beautiful place.
Jerry got killed in a car accident on October 16th 1980, and then my mother died on April 1st 1981. My father had already died on December 23rd 1967. After all this it seemed that I could never get my life back on a even keel. I was extremely unhappy. I just worked, took care of my kids, and took it one day at a time.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Land Transaction of Josiah Sills 1827
Land Transaction Between Josiah Sills And Nathaniel Parker January 3rd 1827.
This indenture made the 3rd day of January, in the year of our lord 1827 between Nathaniel Parker of the state of Tennessee and of the county of Stewart of the one part, and Josiah Sills of the other part Witnesseth:
That the said Parker for and consideration of the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars lawful money of the State of Tennessee in hand by the said at or before the ensealing and delivering of these present by the said Josiah Sills at the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged and the said Parker heirs and executors and administrators forever release and discharge from the same by these present having granted, bargained, and sold, aliened, remised, released, conveyed, enfeoffed, and conveyed, and confirm, and by these present do grant, bargain, sell, alien, remise, release, convey, confirm, and enfeoff, and convey fully, freely, absolutely unto said Josiah Sills his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract of land containing 125 acres lying on the Tennessee River and bounded as follows to wit:
Beginning at two lynns and a honey locust on the bank of said river lower corner of Robert Nelson’s 60 acres, thence with the line thereof east, 60 poles to a hickory in said line, thence with an old marked line N. 140 poles to a popular, thence east 90 poles to a double white oak, thence N. 40 poles to two white oaks above the spring, thence west 200 poles to four Lynns on the bank of said river, thence up the same with its meanders to the beginning.
Together with all and singular the appurtenances, privileges, and advantages whatsoever unto the said above mentioned and described premises in anywise appertaining or belonging and the reversion, and reversions, remainder, and remainders events, issues, and profits thereof and also all the estate, right, title, interest, property, claim, and demand whatsoever, as well in law as in epuity of the said premises of in, and to the same and every part and parcel thereof, with the appurtenances. To have and to hold the above grant bargained and described premises, appurtenances unto the said Josiah Sills heirs and assigns to their own proper use benefit and behoof forever. And the said Parker for his heirs executors and administrators will warrant and by these presents forever defend the above described and released premises and every part and parcel thereof unto Josiah Sills.
In witness whereof the parties of these presents hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Ackd Nathaniel Parker (seal)
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of
State of Tennessee, Stewart County, May term 1827
This deed of conveyance was acknowledged in open court by Nathaniel Parker and ordered to be certified for registration.
Test W. Williams, Clerk of Stewart County Court
This indenture made the 3rd day of January, in the year of our lord 1827 between Nathaniel Parker of the state of Tennessee and of the county of Stewart of the one part, and Josiah Sills of the other part Witnesseth:
That the said Parker for and consideration of the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars lawful money of the State of Tennessee in hand by the said at or before the ensealing and delivering of these present by the said Josiah Sills at the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged and the said Parker heirs and executors and administrators forever release and discharge from the same by these present having granted, bargained, and sold, aliened, remised, released, conveyed, enfeoffed, and conveyed, and confirm, and by these present do grant, bargain, sell, alien, remise, release, convey, confirm, and enfeoff, and convey fully, freely, absolutely unto said Josiah Sills his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract of land containing 125 acres lying on the Tennessee River and bounded as follows to wit:
Beginning at two lynns and a honey locust on the bank of said river lower corner of Robert Nelson’s 60 acres, thence with the line thereof east, 60 poles to a hickory in said line, thence with an old marked line N. 140 poles to a popular, thence east 90 poles to a double white oak, thence N. 40 poles to two white oaks above the spring, thence west 200 poles to four Lynns on the bank of said river, thence up the same with its meanders to the beginning.
Together with all and singular the appurtenances, privileges, and advantages whatsoever unto the said above mentioned and described premises in anywise appertaining or belonging and the reversion, and reversions, remainder, and remainders events, issues, and profits thereof and also all the estate, right, title, interest, property, claim, and demand whatsoever, as well in law as in epuity of the said premises of in, and to the same and every part and parcel thereof, with the appurtenances. To have and to hold the above grant bargained and described premises, appurtenances unto the said Josiah Sills heirs and assigns to their own proper use benefit and behoof forever. And the said Parker for his heirs executors and administrators will warrant and by these presents forever defend the above described and released premises and every part and parcel thereof unto Josiah Sills.
In witness whereof the parties of these presents hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Ackd Nathaniel Parker (seal)
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of
State of Tennessee, Stewart County, May term 1827
This deed of conveyance was acknowledged in open court by Nathaniel Parker and ordered to be certified for registration.
Test W. Williams, Clerk of Stewart County Court
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Songs My Mother Sung
Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain
In the twilight glow I see her
Blue eyes cryin' in the rain
When we kissed goodbye and parted
I knew we'd never meet again
Love is like a dying ember
And only memories remain
And through the ages I'll remember
Blue eyes cryin' in the rain.
Someday when we meet up yonder
We'll stroll hand in hand again
In the land that knows no parting
Or blue eyes cryin' in the rain.
This is absolutely one of my favorite songs!
In the twilight glow I see her
Blue eyes cryin' in the rain
When we kissed goodbye and parted
I knew we'd never meet again
Love is like a dying ember
And only memories remain
And through the ages I'll remember
Blue eyes cryin' in the rain.
Someday when we meet up yonder
We'll stroll hand in hand again
In the land that knows no parting
Or blue eyes cryin' in the rain.
This is absolutely one of my favorite songs!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Leona Mae Hicks
This biography was written by Leona's daughter Lillian Lorena Smith.
Leona Mae Hicks was born on November 29, 1913, to Milton Otis Hicks and Orie Lee (Stalls). Leona was the youngest of eight children. Her mother, Orie, was 44 years old when Leona was born. Leona was born at Model, in Stewart County, Tennessee.
When Leona was a teenager, she was madly in love with a man named Vonie Floyd Johnson (2-12-1902 – 7-11-1934 buried at Mount Zion Cemetery in Stewart County.) and they were to be married. Mr. Johnson was shot and killed before they could marry. Leona talked about him often throughout the years to come.
Leona married Elmer Eugene Smith on October 17, 1936. She was 22 years old at the time. To this union, four children were born: Orie Jerlene, Lillian Lorena, Hillman Eugene, and Raymond Earl.
Elmer had Parkinson’s disease and when he became real sick and an invalid, Leona took care of him. People tried to get her to put him in a nursing home, but she would not hear of it. Leona could doctor her family as well as Dr. Crow could. When the kids would cut themselves, she would pour coal oil on it and it would hardly ever get sore or infected. When a kid had colic, she would boil onions, put sugar in the juice and give it to the child. This always worked. For a rash, such as heat rash, she would scorch flour and put it on the rash and it would heal. Leona had a thousand and one old home remedies and they all worked. These remedies had been passed down through the generations.
Leona was a very complex person. She had more ingenuity than most people did. In the summer, she knew all the wild greens that you could eat and they were plentiful. She would go foraging and come back with poke salad, wild green onions, which were so good fried, and lambs quarters. She would also make wilted dandelion salad. She ran trot lines and fished, so there was always plenty of fish to eat. Leona always planted a large garden and it always did well. She always raised enough for everyone. Her tomatoes were the best! She could take anything and make a meal out of it.
When the family needed a new boat, Leona would make one. She always made ladders and plows. She would cut wood and do a man’s day of work.
Leona was a good mother and she also made toys for her children. She folded paper and cut it, making a whole line of paper dolls holding hands. She could make a lot of things from paper. She would take a small willow limb in the spring and make whistles; they were real good! She made her daughter a ring out of dime one time. She used different sized nails to get the hole big enough. Then she filed it. She could file in a diamond or square cut on the top. This took Leona many months to do, and Lillian was very proud of it.
Leona also told her children stories and taught them songs. Lillian and Hillman still sing these songs. Leona also taught them to play the guitar by ear.
The only thing that Leona was afraid of was that one of her children would get hurt. Leona would stand up to any man, woman or beast when it came to her children. She had a real bad temper, but she was funny, too. She was always telling her children funny stories, jokes, and rhymes; but if anyone messed with her or the kids, she was fighting mad. Leona was also a very superstitious woman. She always planted her garden in the signs. She could also stop bleeding by using a Bible verse that she repeated three times, the bleeding would stop. Lillian has seen this work many times. You are not supposed to tell anyone the verse, or it won’t work. The verse was Ezekiel 16:6.
Leona also had many sayings. She was very in tune with nature and knew every tree, plant, wild flower. There is a list of her sayings found in this book.
Leona Mae Hicks went to be with the Lord on April 1, 1981. She died from heart attack. She is buried at Scott’s Chapel in the Smith Cemetery. This is also known as P Z Ridge and is located in Cumberland City, Tennessee. Her husband and his family are also buried there, along with their son, Raymond Earl. Raymond died of colon cancer on July 8, 1986. They are all greatly missed. Leona’s children knew that their mother loved them more than anything in the world.
Leona Mae Hicks was born on November 29, 1913, to Milton Otis Hicks and Orie Lee (Stalls). Leona was the youngest of eight children. Her mother, Orie, was 44 years old when Leona was born. Leona was born at Model, in Stewart County, Tennessee.
When Leona was a teenager, she was madly in love with a man named Vonie Floyd Johnson (2-12-1902 – 7-11-1934 buried at Mount Zion Cemetery in Stewart County.) and they were to be married. Mr. Johnson was shot and killed before they could marry. Leona talked about him often throughout the years to come.
Leona married Elmer Eugene Smith on October 17, 1936. She was 22 years old at the time. To this union, four children were born: Orie Jerlene, Lillian Lorena, Hillman Eugene, and Raymond Earl.
Elmer had Parkinson’s disease and when he became real sick and an invalid, Leona took care of him. People tried to get her to put him in a nursing home, but she would not hear of it. Leona could doctor her family as well as Dr. Crow could. When the kids would cut themselves, she would pour coal oil on it and it would hardly ever get sore or infected. When a kid had colic, she would boil onions, put sugar in the juice and give it to the child. This always worked. For a rash, such as heat rash, she would scorch flour and put it on the rash and it would heal. Leona had a thousand and one old home remedies and they all worked. These remedies had been passed down through the generations.
Leona was a very complex person. She had more ingenuity than most people did. In the summer, she knew all the wild greens that you could eat and they were plentiful. She would go foraging and come back with poke salad, wild green onions, which were so good fried, and lambs quarters. She would also make wilted dandelion salad. She ran trot lines and fished, so there was always plenty of fish to eat. Leona always planted a large garden and it always did well. She always raised enough for everyone. Her tomatoes were the best! She could take anything and make a meal out of it.
When the family needed a new boat, Leona would make one. She always made ladders and plows. She would cut wood and do a man’s day of work.
Leona was a good mother and she also made toys for her children. She folded paper and cut it, making a whole line of paper dolls holding hands. She could make a lot of things from paper. She would take a small willow limb in the spring and make whistles; they were real good! She made her daughter a ring out of dime one time. She used different sized nails to get the hole big enough. Then she filed it. She could file in a diamond or square cut on the top. This took Leona many months to do, and Lillian was very proud of it.
Leona also told her children stories and taught them songs. Lillian and Hillman still sing these songs. Leona also taught them to play the guitar by ear.
The only thing that Leona was afraid of was that one of her children would get hurt. Leona would stand up to any man, woman or beast when it came to her children. She had a real bad temper, but she was funny, too. She was always telling her children funny stories, jokes, and rhymes; but if anyone messed with her or the kids, she was fighting mad. Leona was also a very superstitious woman. She always planted her garden in the signs. She could also stop bleeding by using a Bible verse that she repeated three times, the bleeding would stop. Lillian has seen this work many times. You are not supposed to tell anyone the verse, or it won’t work. The verse was Ezekiel 16:6.
Leona also had many sayings. She was very in tune with nature and knew every tree, plant, wild flower. There is a list of her sayings found in this book.
Leona Mae Hicks went to be with the Lord on April 1, 1981. She died from heart attack. She is buried at Scott’s Chapel in the Smith Cemetery. This is also known as P Z Ridge and is located in Cumberland City, Tennessee. Her husband and his family are also buried there, along with their son, Raymond Earl. Raymond died of colon cancer on July 8, 1986. They are all greatly missed. Leona’s children knew that their mother loved them more than anything in the world.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Winny Fox
Who was Winny Fox?
The answer to this question has always eluded me. I will tell you here: what I've been told, what I have found, What I haven't found and what I want to know. Maybe someone out there can answer some of my questions. I would be ever grateful. If anyone can help, they can email me at soonerbred66@yahoo.com.
What I've been told:
1. Winny Fox was Parthena (Sills) Hicks mother.
2. My Uncle Walter Hicks also had a writing that states this too.
3. Winny was full blooded Cherokee Indian.
4. My mom said that we are kin to men named: Nip, Tuck, Faut and Buck Fox (no joke).
What I've Found:
1. There's a Moses Fox listed on the 1806 and 07 Stewart county Tax List.
2. A Samuel Fox received a grant south of the Walker line of 50 acres on the Cumberland River on2-8-1826.
3. There's a Annis Fox with 50 acres on the Cumberland River listed in the 1830 Stewart County Tax List.
4. In a 1832 estate sale of Samuel Fox, Josiah Sills and a Winny Fox were listed as buyers.
5. I read somewhere, that Isham Sills would not run off Cherokee Indians from his land and they were welcome to his church. I believe it was Crockett's Creek Church. I will relocate this.
6. There is a Faut Fox listed as dying in Model on 3/22/1920. Roney Askew was the purchaser of the death certificate.
7. Josiah's probate, no will and listing no family.
8. The 1840 Stewart county census showing Josiah, a wife and seven children in the home. (or are these his children?)
What I haven't found:
1. A marriage licence for Josiah Sills and Winny Fox.
2. What happened to Winny and her children after Josiah died in 1847.
3. Josiah owned alot of land when he died. His will did not leave his wife and children anything.
4. Who Buck, Nip and Tuck Fox were or if they existed.
My questions are:
1. Who is Winny Fox?
2. Where did she go after Josiah died?
3. Who were all of Josiah and Winny's Children?
4. Where did these Fox people come from?
5. Were the Foxes Cherokee? Could that be why there is no marriage licence or why they received nothing in Josiah's will?
6. Actually, I have a million questions.....
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The answer to this question has always eluded me. I will tell you here: what I've been told, what I have found, What I haven't found and what I want to know. Maybe someone out there can answer some of my questions. I would be ever grateful. If anyone can help, they can email me at soonerbred66@yahoo.com.
What I've been told:
1. Winny Fox was Parthena (Sills) Hicks mother.
2. My Uncle Walter Hicks also had a writing that states this too.
3. Winny was full blooded Cherokee Indian.
4. My mom said that we are kin to men named: Nip, Tuck, Faut and Buck Fox (no joke).
What I've Found:
1. There's a Moses Fox listed on the 1806 and 07 Stewart county Tax List.
2. A Samuel Fox received a grant south of the Walker line of 50 acres on the Cumberland River on2-8-1826.
3. There's a Annis Fox with 50 acres on the Cumberland River listed in the 1830 Stewart County Tax List.
4. In a 1832 estate sale of Samuel Fox, Josiah Sills and a Winny Fox were listed as buyers.
5. I read somewhere, that Isham Sills would not run off Cherokee Indians from his land and they were welcome to his church. I believe it was Crockett's Creek Church. I will relocate this.
6. There is a Faut Fox listed as dying in Model on 3/22/1920. Roney Askew was the purchaser of the death certificate.
7. Josiah's probate, no will and listing no family.
8. The 1840 Stewart county census showing Josiah, a wife and seven children in the home. (or are these his children?)
What I haven't found:
1. A marriage licence for Josiah Sills and Winny Fox.
2. What happened to Winny and her children after Josiah died in 1847.
3. Josiah owned alot of land when he died. His will did not leave his wife and children anything.
4. Who Buck, Nip and Tuck Fox were or if they existed.
My questions are:
1. Who is Winny Fox?
2. Where did she go after Josiah died?
3. Who were all of Josiah and Winny's Children?
4. Where did these Fox people come from?
5. Were the Foxes Cherokee? Could that be why there is no marriage licence or why they received nothing in Josiah's will?
6. Actually, I have a million questions.....
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Lillian Lorena Smith, Part 6
I was working as a carhop and Jerry came in, and he was flirting with me. He was real good looking, with black curly hair, and green eyes. He was real tan from working outside as a carpenter. I went back in after taking his order, and told the girls that I was working with that he was going to be my husband; they all laughed. On our first date we went to a drive in movie and talked all through it. I usually was bashful. And I could hardly believe we had talked so much. We went out every night after we got off work after that.
Around the first of July, he asked me to marry him. He always said that I had said “ In a minute,” but I don’t believe that I said that. A few days later he came over and was very sad. I asked him what was the matter, and he said that his father and stepmother were moving to Idaho, and he had to go with them. I asked him to stay in Altus, but he said that he couldn’t because he was only seventeen. I was nineteen at the time. Anyway, I talked it over with my sister and it was decided that I would move to Idaho with them. We decided to get married there.
Jerry had a 1956 Ford Crow Victorian, it was lime green and white. We drove it as we followed his parents. We left Altus on July 15 1964. It was over 100 degrees the day we left, but when we got to Colorado it was about 50 degrees, we about froze. Since I had never been anywhere like that before, I wouldn’t even take a nap for fear of missing something. I didn’t know how to drive, so Jerry had to drive all the way. Interstate 40 was not built as of yet, so we had to take route 66 most of the way. I thought we would never get there. When we did get there, it was to Payette Idaho that we moved. Payette borders Oregon. We found a place about ten miles out and into the country; we lived with Jerry’s parents.
The only place that Jerry could find work in Payette , was in a small factory where they cleaned hives and made honey. He would get stung so bad that his feet would swell up. His car broke down, so he had to walk back and forth to work every day. I felt so sorry for him. On July 29th 1964 we went over to Weiser and got our marriage license. We went over Hell’s Canyon, this was the scariest place AI had ever seen. The next day we were married, his father signed for him. I had never been so happy in all my life.
Around the first of July, he asked me to marry him. He always said that I had said “ In a minute,” but I don’t believe that I said that. A few days later he came over and was very sad. I asked him what was the matter, and he said that his father and stepmother were moving to Idaho, and he had to go with them. I asked him to stay in Altus, but he said that he couldn’t because he was only seventeen. I was nineteen at the time. Anyway, I talked it over with my sister and it was decided that I would move to Idaho with them. We decided to get married there.
Jerry had a 1956 Ford Crow Victorian, it was lime green and white. We drove it as we followed his parents. We left Altus on July 15 1964. It was over 100 degrees the day we left, but when we got to Colorado it was about 50 degrees, we about froze. Since I had never been anywhere like that before, I wouldn’t even take a nap for fear of missing something. I didn’t know how to drive, so Jerry had to drive all the way. Interstate 40 was not built as of yet, so we had to take route 66 most of the way. I thought we would never get there. When we did get there, it was to Payette Idaho that we moved. Payette borders Oregon. We found a place about ten miles out and into the country; we lived with Jerry’s parents.
The only place that Jerry could find work in Payette , was in a small factory where they cleaned hives and made honey. He would get stung so bad that his feet would swell up. His car broke down, so he had to walk back and forth to work every day. I felt so sorry for him. On July 29th 1964 we went over to Weiser and got our marriage license. We went over Hell’s Canyon, this was the scariest place AI had ever seen. The next day we were married, his father signed for him. I had never been so happy in all my life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)